The sun set on the horizon, the snow glowed a tint of warm orange as it reflected the sunlight. Two children slide down a low slope just under a gate that reads, " Mount Hubay Village" laughter somewhat echoed as they walk and waved goodbye to residents. In any other world the sunset was a warm feeling, a good feeling. But not here. At sunset every person knew... Night time was the time of demons. These children seemed to be oblivious to the dangers as they laughed and walked down the steep yet safe mountain path.
"Hey... look at this!" The small girl tugs on the boy's arm, seemingly leaning down to observe a flower.
"Soo pretty!" She giggled as her cheeks flush due to the cold. "Asumi, let's not spend too much time out here, your parents must be worried" The boy shuddered as he tries to pull her up, and out of her flower state.
"But Ali! This is a special flower, I've been looking for it forever" she groaned and pulled out a big book from her bag. 'Flowers and More!' Pointing to a specific page, Amare Flos, Love Flower. It shined a cool blue colour, and they seemed to grow and sprout in pairs .
Although previously showing no interest, Ali was intrigued by these particular flowers. Asumi reached down and pull off her thick gloves, her hand shocked by a sudden cold as she dug the flower out from the root. The root connecting the two flowers was quite narrow. She held it out for Ali, holding one stem, signalling him to hold the other. Ali did as he was signalled, he gulped and held the other stem. A bizarre feeling rushed through both of them, a rush of happiness, the flowers glowed with excitement, shining with a blue glow. Both the children couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as they both split the flower.
"Woah.." Ali let our a breath with amusement as he held the flower. Asumi read the book and looked up at Ali smiling. She pointed at the book.
It read:
"A flower that does not die, does not waver, does not wilt or tilt, a flower that is kept alive by not water or sunlight, but by love."
The night sky glowing with stars as the children proved to be stars of their own world.
Ali got a chill down his spine as a sudden noise came from above them. A disfigured silhouette, giggling with a deep voice.
"A... A..." Ali struggles to get words out of his mouth. Asumi looks up with confusion. Suddenly, breaking out with a grimacing laughter, the demon drops down. A horrendous memory engraved into both the innocent children's memory, the demon vivid with grotesque features, in the place of arms it had legs, and in the place of legs it had arms. Severe thorns bursting out of its limbs, on its forehead a single mouth lay smiling and laughing, and the eyes were placed parallel on the demon's chin.
The children stood still in shock. Paralysed with fear, the snow started to twirl, a wind starting to pick up. The demon's forehead contracted as the mouth opened wide.
"Why... hello..." A voice that suited such a demon exited the mouth on its forehead. The dried lips over pronouncing the words. As if it was a new language to it. Very slowly, Ali exchanged a glance with Asumi. Without any speech they both bolted in the same direction. Their veins filled with adrenaline, fear pulsed through their body with every step, their hearts sinking as they heard the gut-wrenching laugh once again.
Steps felt slowed by the thick snow, as they both dashed with a brutal sense of despair, a desperate urge to survive. They knew the mountains relatively well, although the cold wind rushed into their eyes as they ran through a spatially scarce forest. The demon chased behind them, digging at the ground and pushing forward with its bloodstained fingers.
A single thought rushed through Ali's mind.
"We're going to die!" He lets out a scream of fear. "Help! Someone please! Help!" His voice is lost in the thick snow and the cold air of the mountains.
Like a saving grace, from the fog faced in front of them, a glint of a katana and a white haori dashed over the children. The figure shouted something but it was inaudible to both the children. Stopping in their tracks they looked behind as the figure moved the sword with grace, aimed at the demon barreling towards them. In a flash, a quick slash aimed at the head of the demon cut through the neck quickly. The demon's cursed head rolled and fell upon Asumi's feet, to which she screamed and kicked the head. Ali was in awe, as he got a clearer image of the figure. A man, with rough scars across his face, white hair flowing wildly from his scalp, a jacket style of haori showcasing his chest, a sword that had a pattern of waves painted green across the blade.
"Who... who are you?" Ali cleared his throat and asked with a shaking voice. The man's wide eyes met Ali's, the man's eyes looked bloodshot, and angry.
"Sanemi Shinazugawa. The Wind Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Don't tell anyone about this incident. Got it?!" The proclaimed Hashira said with a rude tone, shouting.
"Demon Slayer Corps? They have a whole group of people who kill demons? Cool!" Ali's face lights up.
Asumi looked nervously as Ali, sweat dripped from her chin, the moment had scared her into a screaming mess. She took a deep breath and walked over to Ali and tugged at his jacket sleeve. Ali seemed to ignore this and walked up to the Hashira. "Train me! Train me to fight demons like you!" Ali beams with excitement.
The Hashira seems to have a look of annoyance on his face as he sheaths his sword. He looks back up at the sky with a narrow gaze.
"Please!"Ali begs at the Hashira's feet.
Much to his annoyance, Ali's begging wouldn't stop. After 5 minutes of trying to retreat, the offer was taken. Ali looked at Asumi, who had a worried look on her face.
"Ali... You're going to leave?" She choked on her words, with great sorrow in her tone.
Giving her a look of pride, he held up his hand with the blue flower in his hand. She managed to return a small smile and held hers in her hand.
After returning Asumi to her house under the mountains, she watched as Ali and his new found teacher disappeared into the cold mist of the cold atmosphere.
Asumi would not see Ali for another 2 years. She had found a habit of keeping the blue flower in her hair, there was a reason it was called Amare Flos, the flower would not die till one of the owners either lost love or the flower was destroyed. The flower even after 2 years stood tall and young, every time she saw it she couldn't help but smile. One fateful day, Asumi was working on her family's flower field, when a familiar voice shouted out. Ali with a similar costume to his teacher came with a wooden sword in hand. He excitedly boasted of his training, even showing her a couple of moves he had learnt. The moment lasted short, Ali quickly went back to the Hashira and waved goodbye. Asumi only had one thought on her mind.
""I want to be a demon slayer too!" Asumi shouted while her head was down. She felt a hand on her shoulder, a warm hand, like the sunlight had just sent a single ray to her shoulder.
"I can help you with that" An old lady appeared out of thin air and smiled, Asumi looked at the old lady. Gray hairs and wrinkles, she looked wise but fragile.
"You're sure of it. Right?" The old lady winked at her. "It won't be easy to learn all the breathing techniques. Once you agree, I won't leave you alone til you become a pro."
Asumi filled with determination, balled up her fists and nodded. The old lady smiled gently.
"Ali when we meet again... Wherever! We'll both be demon slayers. Together." Asumi thought. Ali was long gone, but she pretended as if she had said it to his face.
