Hey, Dreamers. Just a quick author's note before the story starts. First, to any reader, or to any repeat reader or even a follower of mine, sorry for my absence. I would explain, but really, I just ran out of motivation. It's like that with me, my motivation with just… life comes and goes in quick bursts. I suppose I have been busy with things I should've started or finished months ago…

Anyway, enough about me, let's move onto the story. A while back, I was working on the second chapter and turned the story into a cross over. It would be a Kimetsu x Shingeki, but after a while, I figured, suddenly making a crossover like this probably wouldn't work out. I did have a few things planned for that route though, quite a bit actually, so if you do end up wanting this to turn into a crossover, all you have to do is tell me.

26JUNE2021

"Eh?"

The Demon was surprised. One instant he was narrowing his eyes at Tanjirou, the next his vision was flipped. His eyes traveled to his body. Why was it over there? It shook and wobbled, hands clutching at the air, unbalanced. His world shook as his head rolled around on the dirt. Unknowingly, he started to maneuver his separated body to his severed head. But he would never reattach himself. Tanjirou stepped over and picked his head up, bringing their faces close together. The demon stared deep into the shining red eyes of their King.

Then he realized. He had been decapitated. His eyes widened as he struggled to regenerate and wiggle out of Tanjirou's grasp.

"There's one thing I'd like to get across now. I expect my orders to be obeyed. I will tolerate questions and perhaps even scepticism," Tanjirou said as his grip tightened. His eyes were unwavering, maintaining their freezing temperature. The unfortunate demon started to let out gasps and whimpers of pain. "But never disobey me."

There was a sickening squelch as Tanjirou crushed the head. Blood spattered everyone and instantly started to evaporate. The body crumpled to the ground and started to fade. That was when the rest knew that their immortality's protection did not extend to Tanjirou, their King.

Click.

Tanjirou glanced over at the person who made the sound, amused but also pleased. Fujiwara Reizen, he said his name was. The demon that Tanjirou had just killed was, in fact, not decapitated by him. It was Fujiwara, his sword flashing out of his sheath. Tanjirou walked over, perpendicular to the man, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Good. But next time, don't act out of turn."

Fujiwara lowered his eyes in submission.

"Well? Are you waiting for me to kill one more?"

The fight started. That was Tanjirou's order, the one the dead demon refused to follow. Two dozen demons that shared his blood. But that was too much. There needed to be order and that meant weeding out the weak.

The fight lasted until the moon rose high into the sky. Silver light illuminated puddles of evaporating blood. Long shadows were cast into the clearing, revealing dozens of decimated stumps. Without a grasp for their Blood Demon Art, they used their new instincts to brawl. Claws and fangs. Brute strength. A few of them had swords. The two slayers had the advantage of prior knowledge and combat training against demons. Tanjirou narrowed his eyes in distaste. It's best that they're becoming Demons.

Twenty demons entered, nine remained alive. Was it fate or coincidence that the number matched that of the Hashiras that had existed in this generation?

Tanjirou hopped down from the tree he sat on; the only tree that had remained untouched. Fighting halted as the surviving demons took his presence as an order to stop. They lined up, breathless and slouched, in front of their King. Tanjirou stared impassibly at his creations. My creations… How beautiful… Truly worthy of the previous order and of my blood. Of course, they'll never reach my level of perfection, but they are good enough. "You've done well," he said. "Sit. Regain your strength."

The Demons looked at each other and lowered themselves hesitantly. They waited for Tanjirou, who stared at the moon, to continue. Silence, apart from the returning chirping of crickets. It has been a day since the Slayers' battle with Muzan. In that time, Tanjirou had come up with a new system, one that reflected both the Slayers and the old order of Demons, while using the new abilities his order of demons had to his advantage.

"Fujiwara," Tanjirou said and the man knelt. Fujiwara was a Swordsman that had inherited his father's school, seeking to gain new power as he reached the limits with both his body and his swordsmanship. People like him were a dying breed as feudal traditions faded out. It was a coincidence that the swordsman had met Tanjirou on his escape from the Slayer Corps. He had a fierce code of honour but it was the oozing loyalty and ambition that Tanjirou felt from Reizan that helped make his decision. "You shall be the Hashira. My Advisor in all things."

"The rest of you shall be the Hachikizuki," and following Reizan's example, the others knelt as well. "You will be split into the Four Jogen and Four Kagen. Each Kagen shall have a corresponding Jogen that you will serve. You will work together on the missions I assign you. The amount of my blood that you have drank was immense, more than any that I will give anyone else in the coming years. You are the strongest of my creations… If you Lower Moons think that you can challenge the Upper Moons, feel free to fight to the death."

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes telling the story.


"My name is Tanjirou Kamado," Tanjirou began, his eyes traveling the shivering crowd below. Most avoided his gaze, keeping their focus on their family that they were hugging. A few braver ones dared to meet his eyes, some even baring outright hatred. It was a look that pained Tanjirou to see; a large part of being a Slayer was helping people. He loved to see their smiles, their tears as they reunited with loved ones safely, their thanks.

"I have to apologize for waking you up and dragging you to the square. But I needed all of you to listen. I'm here to offer you power. Greatness-"

"Monster!"

Tanjirou grew silent. Monster. It was something he once referred to demons as well. Inhuman beasts of hideous proportions. "I know what you are! You're a Demon," screamed a young man.

"Yes, that's what we-"

"My father was turned into one and he slaughtered my family and fiance! I'll kill you!"

With a scream of rage, the man pulled out an ordinary knife and rushed towards Tanjirou. He got no more than three steps closer when a flurry of movement erupted from the Kizuki guarding the perimeter. One slammed him onto the ground while the other two elongated their hands to form claws, positioned at his neck. Screams of fear exploded from the crowd, though it was quickly quelled by the remaining Kizuki.. "What should we do with him, Your Majesty?" Reizan asked.

Tanjirou walked over. Somewhere came the muted mutterings of a Budhist prayer. "My own family was slaughtered by the previous King of Demons," Tanjirou said.

Silence. The crowd was enraptured, the Kizuki firmly focused on Tanjirou to not miss a single detail. "A thousand years ago, Muzan Kibutsuji became the first demon to roam the Earth. He was immortal and was a god amongst mortals, who viewed himself as such. But even he could not defeat the light of the Sun. So for a thousand years, he traveled the land, and for a thousand years, the Demon Slayer Corps resisted.

No one could stand up to him. His power grew with his experience and his army with time. But centuries ago, a man named Yoriichi Tsugikuni utterly decimated Muzan, nearly killing him. So he took revenge on my family, to whom Yoriichi shared his techniques. He killed my mother, my father, my siblings, and turned my sister into a Demon.

For years I've fought as a Slayer against the Demons. And never once have I forgiven a single demon I've heard of or come across. Their actions, whether guided by an uncontrollable force or not, were unacceptable. But, I always could empathize with them. They weren't monsters, but lost and misguided humans who met a terrible fate.

I've lost not only family, but friends, comrades, and mentors…

And I killed Muzan. I burned him under the Sun, where he turned me into this.

And that's when I realized that humanity didn't have to be afraid of 'demons'. We were merely evolved humans and if everyone became a demon, we could truly achieve peace. Under my rule, there will be order. You can spend eternity with your loved ones and friends. You no longer have to worry about disease and sickness and age taking everyone away."

"And would I be able to save my sister?" a young boy asked.

No older than 10, his shaking body showing his fear while his eyes shone with determination. "I get power? Power enough to rescue my sister?"

"What do you mean?" Tanjirou asked.

"Bandits. They took my sister. If… if I become a demon, I can save her?"

Tanjirou's thoughts wandered to Nezuko. How is she? "Yes. You can."

"Then take me!"

A needle shot itself into the boy's neck and a pulse of blood entered his body. He collapsed on the ground withering as Tanjirou's blood traveled throughout his body. Small horns grew on top of his head while his eyes sharpened into slits and his teeth sharpened into fangs. In the end, he survived the transformation process. Tanjirou scanned the ground. I would've thought his parents would have protested. "Where's your family?"

Gasping for air, the boy replied, "Dead. It's just me and my sister."

Tanjirou nodded slowly and knelt down. "Then I'll be your family. What's your name?"

"Kiyoshi Oda," the boy replied.

A familiar na- All of a sudden, Tanjirou fell to his knees, hand covering his mouth, arm clutching his stoamch. The red marks on his face deepened in color and expanded in size. Saliva pooled through his fingers. The other demons shivered and shuddered, showing off similar reactions. It was a miracle that Tanjirou and his Kizuki have not fed up until now. Tanjirou had turned so many demons already and had just turned into a Demon himself. Only his will kept them from devolving into a feeding frenzy. But now, after turning another, it was too much. "Where, those bandits, Kiyoshi?" Tanjirou growled out with great effort.


Tanjirou had left with the Moons and Kiyoshi and returned with a new demon: Sakura Oda. Originally, she had pushed Kiyoshi away. But family bonds triumphed in that particular situation. Tanjirou entered the village, finding the square where they had left the villagers deserted, save for maybe two dozen people. Tanjirou didn't say a word. He turned and entered one of the houses, metnally apologizing for entering someone else's home without permission.

A drop of blood slid down Tanjirou's hand. They were still bloody. Tanjirou stared at them. He had expected this. He knew of the hunger of Demons. Perhaps a part of him thought they'd be better. They were not good people, Tanjirou thought, and he felt better.

He remembers Nezuko and Tamayo. They didn't eat humans. One slept, the other drank blood. 'Some will have to be sacrificed.' Did they really? The sleeping option was unviable; his empire would never grow if all they did was sleep. But could the demons survive on blood alone? Or would they be able to eat animals like they once did? Tanjirou wondered why he didn't think or bother to test this out beforehand.

There was a knock. "Enter."

Reizan entered the room and knelt. "Your Majesty. I've come with news."

"What?"

"There's this person with a funny Hyottoko mask. He's looking for you."

Tanjirou said nothing. His closed fist started to shake until he drew his own blood. Finally, he absorbed the red liquid into his own body. Slowly, he walked outside. The sun started to rise, casting its first rays of daylight onto the earth. In the distance, a bit ways away from the remaining crowd, was a Swordsmith of Nichirin. His white hair showed his age and his calluses on his hands showed his experience. "Kinzoku Hoshi, at your service," the swordsmith said as Tanjirou approached, bowing slightly.

If only… Tamayo and Shinobu were still here. "A swordsmith from the village. What are you doing here?" Tanjirou asked.

Kinzoku sighed. "I'm an old man. I've lived almost 55 years in this world. I've never given up hope. I've wavered, but I've never given up hope. But when they found our village, when you became a demon, I didn't know if I could go on.

Still, I love my craft. And I have to admit, your ideals for peace were… amusing…

So, until I die, I'll make swords for you."

If they were here, they could help me. "Why would I need swords, mister Hoshi? We're demons." They would understand.

"Are you not a swordsman anymore, Tanjirou?" Kinzoku gestured to Reizan. "Is the sword on his hip nothing either?"

"I suppose that it would be nice to hold a sword again." If only I could bring them back…

Tanjirou's eyes widened in surprise as the thought struck his mind like lightning. He stumbled backwards. "Your Majesty?" Reizan asked with worry.

Calm yourself. "You may use whatever you need to do your work. I'll need to get going."

Tanjirou turned to Reizan, his heart racing. "These people, they're here to accept my power?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Let's get started then."


Hey guys, it's me, Faux. So, I originally intended to end this chapter quite differently. It ended quite abruptly I'll admit, but that's because I fixed up what I had. I planned out the next two chapters, but with what I changed, I now have enough for the next three… or 2.5. In any case, this chapter may be short like the last one, but I promise the next one (or maybe the one after that, depending on how I split the content) will be a lot longer.

I also want to discuss something. The breaths and demon arts. Breath styles and their elements are merely a visualization of the manifestation of a breath user's power. But I kind of want to make it a real thing in the world. I also want to delve slightly into the mystical, with talismans and things like that. I promise I won't make it too magical.

Anyway, it'll get more exciting from now on.

I should probably get actual work done, hehe. But what can I say, I'm a lazy, procrastinating fuck (help me).

I was going to work on other stories as well, since I haven't updated them either in months, or maybe years. But I'll get the next two chapters of this out first.

Reviews and follows help me (gosh, the author's notes are like, a fourth of the word count…)

I'm also trying to get myself a Katana.

Unchain yourself from reality

Faux.