End of One Life...

A lone swordsman walked along a well-trodden path.

It was dark underneath the foliage of the many trees, and for any unaccustomed soul it would be nigh impossible to traverse such a beaten trail, however he had many years of experience to get accustomed to traveling under such conditions.

With purpose, the swordsmen continued unperturbed to his destination.

Reaching the edge of the thicket, the path led into a clearing filled with tall grass and other shrubbery, and nearing the center of this field was a pagoda, towering at least twice as high as the trees around him, and even higher above it was the full moon, in all its splendor.

Its color tonight was not the same white that his hair had become with age, rather it was as red as his haori.

Silently, the swordsman continued into the clearing, walking past the pagoda and into the underbrush.

It did not take him long to find a path in which the underbrush had been walked through so thoroughly that it had been flattened.

A few steps forward, he could see the silhouette of a man in the distance. A few steps more, he could see the figure change directions and begin moving towards him, causing him to halt.

With an unconscious motion, his left hand rested on the scabbard of his katana, his thumb resting on the left side of the tsuba.

As the figure got closer and closer, he could see that it was another swordsman from the katana at their waist and the way the individual held themselves.

When this swordsman was around fifty paces away, the light from the moon illuminated the swordsman's clothing, a familiar purple kimono with black hexagons on it came into view.

And finally, once this swordsman was no more than fifteen paces away, the moon was to this figures back, leaving his face completely obscured.

As they stood there, simply observing one another, he knew that without a shadow of a doubt, this demon was once his older twin brother, Tsugikuni Michikatsu.

"Impossible." His older brother stated as if it was fact, before following up with a question. "How are you alive?"

Yoriichi found himself uncertain how to respond, given that this was the first time in sixty years since he had heard this voice outside of cherished memories.

With no response after a few seconds, the demon continued to speak.

"Everyone should be dead. Dead before the age of twenty-five. How are you…" Yoriichi could hear a mixture of disbelief and frustration, soon taking a few steps forward. "How are you the only one alive?"

Now only ten paces away, he could get a clear view of his brother from the moon's light.

His brother was a sickly-pale only seen on the dead, and between the familiar flame pattern tattoo which were emblazoned the left side of the forehead and the right side of his chin he could see six monstrous red and yellow eyes.

Of the six eyes, the two in the middle had writing engraved into them.

Waxing Moon One.

His brother was a member of the Demon King's Twelve Demon Moons, and not only that, he had been personally recognized and rewarded with the highest rank by Muzan Kibutsuji.

Finally, he felt tears flow freely from his eyes, running down his wrinkled skin. Many years of dear and treasured memories had been sullied with the demonic remnants of flesh that was once his brother.

"This is heart-wrenching, brother." The words came out hoarse, as the many years had taken their toll on his body.

The demon's eyes widened with surprise, and it seemed that the sight of him crying caused his brother to break eye contact looking towards the ground in apparent thought.

He knew that Michikatsu was a swordsman proud of his skills and ability, but to have damned his techniques to the service of the Demon King was unforgivable.

Wiping away the tears with his free hand, his eyes once more landed on the demonic form that was his brother.

As long as he continued to prowl the night, more lives would be lost, which meant that there was only one thing left to do.

His right hand slowly lifted as it moved to the grip of his katana.

This was something he should have confronted many years ago.

Yoriichi resolved himself, to destroy the demon that stood in front of him.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes widened as he entered the all too familiar Transparent World.

The world around slowed as he focused on the creature in front of himself, he could see that its physical body was perfected, tempered like a blade with one purpose.

To slay Demon Slayers.

His hand reached for the grip of his blade, and he readied his stance.

The demon before him seemed to have been caught completely off guard, perhaps expecting for his abilities to have waned over such a long time.

But he had not once stopped destroying those who had trampled over life so frivolously.

"Here I come."

Yoriichi launched himself towards the Waxing Moon, his obsidian blade turning red as it left its sheathe.

The demon did not even get his sword halfway out of its sheathe when his blade effortlessly made contact with it's neck.

However, time slowed down as the blade continued to travel through this monsters neck.

Yoriichi recalled of days long past.

The day he had given him the flute.

"Blow this if you need help, Nii-san will come and save you right away." His brother had told him, youthful glee echoing in his mind. "That's why you don't need to worry about anything."

The night their mother had died.

Vivid images of his older brother as a child entered his mind, confused and somewhat saddened by his sudden departure.

The night when they had reconnected.

More images of his brother, now as an adult, grieving the loss of his many retainers who he had grown up alongside, wishing to avenge their deaths.

The pride in which his brother had in his mastery of his own breath style, and the joy when his brother was able to maintain his Mark indefinitely unlike the rest of the Demon Slayers.

The day of their final conversation.

"Nobody is powerful enough to rival us. There is absolutely no hope for anyone to succeed our breath techniques." His brother looked tired now, and his voice somber. "Our perfected techniques will disappear from this world."

His blade was almost completely through, and in this shocked expression of his demon, he could only see his brothers…

Sadness and grief overwhelmed his heart and mind.

Yoriichi's resolve crumbled, and he pulled his blade back.

His arms felt weak and his legs began to quiver. His crimson red blade felt heavy, so he let it dig into the ground so that he could continue standing.

As he looked up to his brother, time began to speed up as he could no longer maintain his ability to remain in the Transparent World. He could see blood spewing from the wound he had made, and could see veins threatening to burst on the neck and face of the demon, jaw clenched and eyes conveying unadulterated hatred and fury.

Yet despite this, he could not see the demon, but the once warm look his brother had given to him so many years ago. He could not bring himself to put his last family member to rest. He could not end his beloved brother.

His breathing slowed as the beats of his heart became more spread out. As he looked down at his weapon, he felt his grip lessen on the blade, it slowly turning back to its obsidian hue.

Yoriichi's vision began to fade to white as his brother raised his blade, ready to counter a strike that would never come.

…

"Tsugikuni Yoriichi-san, welcome to the afterlife. Unfortunately, you've died."

A feminine voice addressed him, stirring him from his unconscious state.

He found himself in the state that he last remembered, still standing with his blade still lightly gripped in his hands, the tip embedded in a non-existent ground.

Pulling the blade out of the ground, he quickly sheathed it before looking up.

The first thing was an endless black expanse with nothing in sight.

The second thing was a porcelain skinned woman with fiery hair and a wispy white hagoromo, her eyes a wonderful shade of obsidian. Her pure white kimono had a red kagome pattern which spanned the entirety of the fabric. She also wore a black nagabakama, which draped off the elevated platform which she sat on.

"I have died?" Yoriichi inquired, eyes focused on the woman before him.

"Indeed, you have." The lady nodded before continuing. "You lived a long and virtuous life, but it seemed that despite all your efforts, you had failed to accomplish what you set out to do."

"I see…" Yoriichi looked down at the ground for a moment, taking in the information. "Who are you?"

"You may call me Lux." The young lady smiled. "I am the Sun Goddess of your world!"

Upon hearing that she was Sun Goddess, he removed his sword from his white sarashi sash, and lowered himself to his knees, where he placed his blade to the left side of himself, before finally prostrating himself before her.

"Lux-sama, I apologize for not completing the task given to me in slaying the Progenitor of Demons." He spoke while his forehead was touching the void which he believed to be floor. "I accept any responsibility for the loss of life that will occur because of my failures, and I submit myself to any punishment."

"Despite you being unable to slay the Demon King that night, Muzan Kibutsuji's days are numbered since your passing." Lux gently stated, no disappointment or resentment in her voice. "And since time in this other-realm works differently, we can see events that have happened, and the events that will be, so please rise."

Standing up, he could now see a basin, and within the reflection of still water he could see events that are to pass.

"The charcoal burners you saved in your youth kept their promise to you, and the Breath of the Sun still lives on in the form of a Kagura, one which is offered to the Sun Goddess at the end of every year."

What was shown to him was that of the Kamados atop the mountain that he and Uta had once called their home. There was Sumiyoshi who had carved a branched sword out of wood, practicing for hours on end each day while Suyako sat nearby sewing an ornate and beautiful outfit, the face covering with the word 'Fire' written on it.

It all cumulated on a snowy winter evening, where torches were placed in a circle, and Sumiyoshi stood in the middle, wearing the ornate kimono and wielding the branched sword. As Sumiyoshi began to dance, he could see each of his techniques performed to near perfection, even down to the breath.

Eyes focused on each movement; he could now understand why all the other swordsmen believed him to be blessed by the gods.

Not too far away was Suyako and Sumire, watching the magnificent display. He could see words spoken after each technique was performed, giving name to once unnamed forms.

Dance. Clear Blue Sky. Raging Sun. Burning Bones, Summer Sun. Setting Sun Transformation. Solar Heat Haze. Beneficent Radiance. Sunflower Thrust. Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance. Fire Wheel. Fake Rainbow. Flame Dance.

Yoriichi could not help but smile. Suyako had given his sword forms such wonderful names.

"Many years into the future, Sumiyoshi's descendants with the combined help of the Demon Slayer Corps and the demon you saved, Lady Tamayo, will bring about the end of the Progenitor of Demons."

While Yoriichi was happy that despite his failure, the King of Demons would still fall, he felt guilty that the task meant for him had to fall to another, especially since it was the descendant of his dear friends.

"Lux-sama, if I may ask… what of my brother?"

"Your brother who had been deceived and led astray would be defeated after realizing the folly of his ways and allow for himself to be destroyed by the last generation of Demon Slayers."

Scenes of his dear brother fighting a number of swordsmen who had to be Pillars appeared in the water. How his brother's sword forms had been refined to be techniques without equal, but tainted by demonic blood. The fight continued for only a number of minutes before finally his brother revealed the true monstrosity that was a demon.

Looking at the horrific eyes of the demon, it seemed distracted, and that it was not all there, as shortly after it began to disintegrate before finally being cut down and defeated, leaving behind only the the two pieces of flute once gifted.

"It is done then." Yoriichi's hoarse voice stated, filled with sad relief. He took a moment to reflect on the life he had lived, before asking his question. "Are you to guide me to the afterlife?"

"In a manner of speaking, I am. For many, there are two choices after death." The Kami looked at him, and gestured to a seat which had suddenly appeared. "You can either ascend to Heaven, or you can reincarnate and begin a new life."

"The choice is mine Lux-sama?" Yoriichi asked, unsure why he was getting a choice.

"It is, although before you make a final decision let me explain what each choice entails."

With a nod, she continued.

"When all things on Earth pass, they are summarily judged and sent to their respective places, so bad souls go to Hell for… atonement whereas neutral and good souls are sent here for the choice. Heaven is where the rest of the souls are allowed to go to exit the cycle of reincarnation and live out the rest of their days without hardship or fear of the future."

Taking a deep breath, the Sun Goddess continued, putting up a single digit.

"But! Heaven isn't what all the holy texts talk about, rather it's a place where all the souls coexist and spend the rest of eternity. You'll have no need for food, nor will you be able to get food naturally. It's like living as an old person if all your needs were taken care of, as talking with everyone else is the only thing to pass the time."

Yoriichi nodded along, in understanding.

While he did not see what was wrong with this type of afterlife, he could understand why some would be dissuaded. He had been told that old age had taken to him like a cat takes to silvervine, many others had not been as fortunate in the passing of their golden years.

"The other option is reincarnation, most people who choose this are sent back to their worlds to start again as a baby, knowing nothing of their previous lives, or scarcely remembering it." She pointed at him. "However since exceptional people are few and far between, I have decided to give you a choice to be sent to another world very different than your own with all of your skills and memories!"

"Another world?"

"Yes! A world filled to the brim with magic and monsters of all kind! What would be considered fantasy and imagination in your world would be in the realm of possibility and most likely the norm!" Lux nodded. "However with magic and monsters comes the inherent dangers of such wonders! The very fate of this world is currently being threatened by a powerful entity that wishes to snuff out all who wish to live in peace." The divine spirit outstretched her arms. "This danger is world is the threat known as the Demon King! He had amassed a large army, and slaughtered a great number of people in such a brutal way that no one wished to be reincarnated back into the world, memories erased or not!"

"Which is why you must seek those from other worlds." Yoriichi put two and two together. "Exceptional men and women refuse to return."

"Exactly." For the first time, she sounded crestfallen at the loss of so many lives. "So I must ask, are you willing to sacrifice a chance of eternal rest a little longer in order to save a world in desperate need of a hero?"

The old swordsmen wanted to decline the opportunity straight away, stating that he was unworthy of a second chance of saving a world due to his own failure in his life, but he knew that if he didn't, he would be willingly condemning thousands more to die, and once agian he would be leaving someone else to shoulder the weight of such a responsibility.

"I will."

"Perfect! First, you will be sent with everything you died with, so lucky for you, you'll at least have the clothes on your back, as well as that masterfully crafted katana!" The Sun Goddess clapped her hands in apparent joy. "However, because we would be asking you to give up your afterlife for a period of time longer, and because we wish for our chosen champions to survive, we will grant any one thing of your choice."

"One thing?"

"Yes, any one thing." She put up a single finger as she elaborated further. "It can be anything that your heart desires, such as a weapon of legend or a divine blessing sanctioned by the Sun Goddess herself!"

"If I am allowed one item, then may I ask for the earrings which my mother made for me in my youth?" Yoriichi felt a small smile form at the edges of his lips. "That is if it doesn't steal them away from the Kamado family."

"That is… surprisingly mundane!" Lux nodded as she opened her hand, and the pair of earrings manifested. "It is refreshing for a request to be something relatively normal and not over the top! Truly a treat!"

Lux got up from her seated position and walked up to him, and on invisible steps she walked up so that she would be standing slightly taller than him. He felt each earring be placed back where they once were in his youth.

"Since we are in the realm between realms, these might as well be the genuine article!" Her obsidian eyes looked over him again, as if she was considering something else, before finally she spoke. "Now, since you only asked for these earrings, consider this a blessing from me."

Brushing some of his silvery locks from the front of his face, she soon put his cheeks into her cupped hands, soon giving him a chaste kiss on the forehead much like a mother would to their child.

As she moved back to her seat, Yoriichi felt a surprising wave of energy enter his body, causing him to stagger back only slightly. From the periphery of his vision, he could see a glow on the skin of his wiry hands, and wrinkles from decades of age disappeared into motes of light.

Shaking slightly, it wasn't a painful experience, rather it was just unexpected, and rather surprsing at that.

"I figured that it was prudent that your youth be given back to you, it would be unfortunate for you to arrive and immediately die of old age once again." A warm smile stretched across Lux's face as she slowly moved back to her lounge. "Now ready yourself."

Without much more ceremony, he soon found himself in the middle of what appeared to be a host of ritual circles. There were eight rings which orbited around a number of smaller circles, and they continued to get brighter with each passing second.

"You shall begin your journey to defeat the Demon King!" He slowly began to rise upwards as she waved to him. "If you do so, we shall grant you any wish you desire as a gift from the gods!"

"Farewell Lux-sama." Yoriichi bid his farewell to the divine spirit, dipping his head in respect to her. "I will strive to be worthy of the blessings granted to me by Hi-no-kami."

Once she was around the size of an ant, he looked towards the sky, where a blinding bright light tore through the pitch-black void, forming a star like shape with swirls extending ever outwards.

His ascent upwards only increased in speed as he drew closer and closer to that heavenly source.

I just thought I should try something new since I have been having a terrible writers block with 'Of Katarns and Goblins'.

I had this idea brewing around for the past few weeks since I watched that Megumin-centric season and with the conclusion of the Demon Slayer Season 3 I figured 'Why not try this out?'

Tell me what you think, and whether or not you'd like to see more of this.

Im open to suggestions and ideas of where this story could go!

-Moonlight Talon