Percy's heart raced in his chest, its frantic rhythm keeping time with the rapid thud of his footsteps echoing through the never-ending corridors. Every fiber of his being was consumed by an urgent determination to reach his destination. The invisible claws, remnants of an unseen danger, lashed out intermittently, forcing Percy to twist and contort his body to avoid their deadly grasp. He cursed their presence, for they seemed intent on slowing his progress, taunting him with their elusive nature.
The sound that guided him, a haunting melody of Tanjiro's cries, floated through the air, teasing Percy's senses. Each time he thought he had pinpointed its source, it slipped away like a wisp of smoke, leading him astray. He strained his ears, trying to discern the direction from which the sound emanated, but it played a maddening game of hide-and-seek. Every turn he took seemed to bring him closer, only to plunge him into another labyrinthine passage, further entangling him in the web of confusion.
Time blurred as Percy continued his relentless sprint, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Sweat cascaded down his face, mingling with the dust and grime of the ancient corridors. Yet, he refused to yield to exhaustion. Determination burned in his eyes, fueling his relentless pursuit. He had come too far, endured too much, to be thwarted now. His friends' safety depended on his success, and he would not falter.
As he darted through another intersection, Percy caught a fleeting glimpse of a flickering light, like a distant beacon in the sea of darkness. It flickered and danced, urging him forward. With renewed hope, he quickened his pace, drawing closer to the elusive sound that tugged at his soul. Each stride brought him closer to the truth, to the answers he sought.
Yet, with every step, the labyrinth seemed to grow more treacherous, its layout shifting and morphing before his very eyes. The walls whispered secrets, mocking his efforts. Shadows writhed and danced along the edges of his vision, threatening to consume him. Doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve, but Percy banished it with a steely determination. He had faced gods and monsters, survived trials that would break a lesser mortal. He would not be defeated by a mere maze.
Driven by an unwavering resolve, Percy pressed on, his senses honed to a razor's edge. His mind raced alongside his body, calculating every turn and twist, seeking patterns amidst the chaos. He had to find the source of the haunting cries, the key to unraveling the enigma that held his friends captive. Nothing else mattered.
With each stride Percy took, the house seemed to mock him, twisting and contorting its very form. Walls shifted sideways, floors inverted, and ceilings turned into abysses that threatened to swallow him whole. The once familiar corridors had become a chaotic maze, a puzzle designed to confound his every move.
Percy gritted his teeth in frustration as he found himself hanging precariously in midair, the ground beneath his feet vanishing into thin air as the house once more turned sideways. With a swift adjustment, he twisted his body, desperately seeking a solid landing as gravity played tricks on him. The disorientation gnawed at his senses, threatening to undermine him. But he refused to succumb.
"This is getting me nowhere," Percy muttered through clenched teeth, his frustration seeping into every fiber of his being. The lack of progress, the constant shifting of the house's layout, was an assault on his senses. But he knew that surrendering to frustration would only prolong his plight. He had to find a way through this ever-changing labyrinth.
Suddenly, Percy found himself hovering in midair as the house shifted once more. He barely had a fraction of a second to react on before he began his descent. He twisted his body in order to land on the wall, but his landing never happened. Instead, where the wall should be, now there wasn't anything for him to land on, and Percy finds himself free falling.
Time seemed to stretch as Percy descended through the endless void. Fear gnawed at his insides, growing with each passing second. The uncertainty of his destination intensified the grip of panic, threatening to consume him entirely. He desperately reached out, hoping to grasp onto something—anything—that could halt his free fall.
Then, with a sudden jolt, Percy crashed through a door with a violent force that momentarily disrupted his descent. Splintered wood and shattered remnants of the door scattered in his wake. The impact slowed his fall, lessening the force with which he collided with the wall on the other side. Pain exploded within him as the breath was forcibly expelled from his lungs, leaving him momentarily gasping for air.
And just as abruptly as it had begun, the disorienting spectacle of the falling rooms came to an end. The house reverted to its normal state, leaving Percy sprawled on the floor of yet another unfamiliar room. Disoriented and battered, he slowly rose to his feet, shaking off the lingering effects of the fall.
The room revealed itself as a study, with shelves lined with weathered books and a large oak desk covered in scrolls and scattered parchments. The air held a musty scent, carrying with it the weight of forgotten knowledge. Percy took a moment to catch his breath, his heart still racing from the tumultuous journey he had just endured.
As Percy's gaze swept across the room, his eyes recognized Tanjiro's familiar face amidst the unfamiliar surroundings. "Percy! Are you okay?," he asked. Tanjiro's surprise was mirrored in Percy's own expression as he nodded in response to the concerned inquiry. It was a relief to finally find him—even if it was unintentional—amidst the ever-changing labyrinth of the house.
His attention then turned to the room itself, which appeared mostly empty save for the countless sheets of paper scattered across the floor. Percy's curiosity was piqued as he noticed the writings on the papers, scripted in an inky blackness that stood out starkly against the pale backdrop. They seemed to hold secrets, beckoning him to decipher their cryptic messages.
"Percy! On the ceiling!," Tanjiro screamed, his voice latched with urgency.
Startled, Percy's eyes shot upwards, following Tanjiro's gaze to the ceiling. There, defying the laws of gravity, stood the Oni he had been relentlessly pursuing. The demon's presence was palpable, radiating an aura of malevolence and power that seemed to seep into every corner of the room.
The Oni's appearance was haunting, etched into Percy's memory with chilling clarity. Ragged black hair cascaded down its shoulders, framing a face that bore the unmistakable mark of otherworldly menace. Pure red eyes, with a piercing gaze that seemed to penetrate his very soul, held a malevolent glint. The demon's eyes were a fusion of crimson, with no distinction between pupil, sclera, and iris, giving them an otherworldly intensity.
The demon's flesh revealed a sight both gruesome and awe-inspiring. Five tsuzumi drums jutted out from its body, each one piercing the demon's flesh—a grotesque testament to its otherworldly nature. One drum perched on its right shoulder, another on its left, a third ominously impaled through its stomach, a fourth on his right leg and finally a fifth on his left leg. The drums themselves carried an air of power, their presence hinting at the mysterious power this Oni possessed.
The Oni's face was a visage of aggression, its contorted expression baring sharp, menacing teeth that dripped with an otherworldly essence. The sheer intensity of its presence sent shivers down Percy's spine, a reminder of the formidable challenge that awaited him.
"Percy, he's the one changing the house!" Tanjiro exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "The drum on his left shoulder turns things to the right, while the one on his right shoulder turns things to the left. The drum on his left leg moves things forward, while his left leg is back. And the drum on his stomach... that's his claw attack."
Percy listened intently, his eyes focused on Tanjiro as he absorbed the information. He was amazed at how well Tanjiro had managed to figure out the Oni's abilities on his own. "Impressive, Tanjiro. You've been handling this monster remarkably well. You certainly got a lot stronger from the last time I saw you."
As if to demonstrate, the demon struck the drum on his stomach, causing both Percy and Tanjiro to swiftly evade the invisible claws that lashed out towards them. The ground trembled as the Oni unleashed its fury, but Percy managed to roll to the side and land on a pile of paper sheets scattered on the floor.
The Oni let out a scream of rage, largely infuriated. It struck the drum on its stomach once more, aiming to unleash another wave of claws. However, this time Percy noticed something peculiar. As he dodged the attack, he realized that Tanjiro, standing just beside him, was not targeted by the invisible claws.
Percy's eyes widened with realization. He turned to Tanjiro, wondering if Tanjiro discovered anything. "Tanjiro, you're not being targeted by the claws! You've found a way to evade them. How did you manage that?"
Tanjiro's brows furrowed in confusion as he responded, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I... I'm not sure why the Oni didn't attack me this time. I didn't do anything special or different from before."
Percy glanced at Tanjiro, his expression reflecting his puzzlement. "That's strange. It seemed like the Oni deliberately targeted me and ignored you. There must be some reason behind it."
As they exchanged bewildered glances, the Oni on the ceiling let out a low growl, its red eyes fixated on them. It seemed to sense their confusion and was ready to strike again.
"We don't have much time to figure it out," Percy said, his voice determined. "Let's focus on evading its attacks for now and try to find a way to exploit its weaknesses."
The Oni's onslaught intensified, its furious drumming creating a relentless barrage of invisible claws. The house spun and twisted around Percy and Tanjiro, making it increasingly challenging to predict the direction of the attacks. With each beat of the drums, the claws sliced through the air with alarming speed.
In the midst of the chaos, Percy's mind flickered with a touch of sarcasm. "Wow. If this dude put some effort into it, he could actually be an incredible drummer. I wonder if AC/DC would accept him—well, if they existed in this world." The thought brought a fleeting moment of amusement, but Percy quickly refocused his attention on the dangerous situation at hand.
Drawing upon his training and resolve, Percy tapped into his controlled breathing technique, his breaths becoming deep and rhythmic. With each inhale, he pumped more oxygen into his muscles, heightening his senses and invigorating his body. The effects were immediate, as a surge of energy coursed through him, enhancing his reflexes and agility.
With newfound grace and precision, Percy seemed to glide through the air, his movements akin to a mesmerizing solo dance performed for an awed crowd. He dodged and weaved between the onslaught of claws, his body moving with fluidity and confidence. The timing of his maneuvers was impeccable, as if he could predict the Oni's attacks before they even materialized.
Tanjiro watched Percy in awe, his eyes widened with admiration. He marveled at Percy's skill and mastery over his own body, realizing the incredible potential hidden within his friend. It was a sight that inspired Tanjiro to push himself further, to match Percy's prowess with his own unwavering determination.
Together, they moved in harmony, evading the claws with calculated precision. The chaotic symphony of the Oni's drumming and the shifting house echoed around them, but amidst the turmoil, Percy and Tanjiro stood firm, their resolve unyielding.
The clash between Percy and the Oni raged on, their battle unfolding within the ever-shifting confines of the enchanted house. With each passing moment, the intensity grew, and the room became a dizzying labyrinth of danger and uncertainty.
The Oni, fueled by rage and primal instinct, continued its relentless assault, beating the drums with a furious rhythm. Invisible claws lashed out, seeking to tear Percy apart, while the house twisted and turned, adding to the confusion and disorientation. Every step, every dodge, required immense concentration and split-second decision-making.
Percy's heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He could feel the weight of the battle pressing down upon him, the anguish and anxiety threatening to overwhelm his senses. But he refused to succumb to the chaos. Instead, he tapped into his training, his instincts, and the unwavering determination that burned within him.
His body moved with a combination of grace and desperation, his muscles straining with each evasive maneuver. He twisted, he jumped, he slid, narrowly avoiding the claws that sliced through the air with lethal precision. The room spun around him, disorienting and challenging his sense of balance, but he fought against the vertigo, refusing to be swayed.
Tanjiro, too, fought with unyielding resolve, matching Percy's every move with unwavering determination. He weaved through the attacks with a fluidity that was almost mesmerizing, his Water Breathing techniques allowing him to maneuver with incredible speed and precision. Each step, each strike, carried the weight of his training and the hope of victory.
And then, in a moment of perfect synchronization, Percy and Tanjiro found themselves in the perfect position to launch a combined assault. Tanjiro's voice echoed through the chaos, his words filled with unwavering determination. "Water Breathing... Tenth Form—Constant Flux!"
With a series of intricate and incredible movements, Tanjiro deftly maneuvered around the onslaught of attacks and turns, his blade slicing through the air with a brilliant flash. In one swift motion, he severed one of the Oni's hands, causing a howl of pain to escape the demon's lips.
As the Oni writhed in agony, its hand slowly regenerating, Percy seized the opportunity. The room twisted once more, and he used the shifting walls to his advantage. Propelling himself forward, he launched himself towards the wounded demon, his blade gleaming with determination.
But the Oni was not finished. With its remaining hand, it struck the central drum, unleashing a torrent of invisible claws towards Percy. In a split second, he twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the deadly blades. A sharp pain seared across his cheek, a reminder of just how close he had come to being shredded.
Undeterred, Percy adjusted his body once more, channeling all his strength and momentum into his strike. His blade connected with the Oni's neck, the impact reverberating through his arms. With a surge of power, his blade sliced through the flesh, severing the demon's lifeline.
As the Oni's body crumbled into dust, a wave of exhaustion washed over Percy. He gasped for breath, his muscles aching from the intensity of the battle. Yet, amidst the weariness, there was a sense of triumph and relief. They had emerged victorious against the formidable foe that had threatened their lives.
Percy and Tanjiro stood side by side, their chests heaving with exertion. The room slowly began to stabilize, the twists and turns ceasing. They shared a glance, a silent acknowledgment of their combined strength and unwavering resolve.
It was a battle that pushed them to their limits, testing their skills and resolve in ways they had never imagined. But together, they had triumphed. And as they surveyed the aftermath of the fight, the remnants of the defeated Oni scattered on the floor, they reveled in completing their mission.
As Percy and Tanjiro turned towards the fading Oni, they were met with a surprising sight. The demon's voice echoed through the air despite his slowly fading body, his words carrying a hint of vulnerability and longing. "My poems... do you like them?"
There was a strange beauty in that moment, witnessing the transformation of a fearsome foe into something more complex, more human. The Oni's head continued to crumble into dust, dissipating into nothingness. But its spirit lingered, reaching out for validation and acceptance.
Percy watched in silence as Tanjiro, ever compassionate and understanding, approached a sheet of paper scattered on the ground. He delicately picked it up, his eyes scanning the words written in pitch-black ink. And then, with a gentle smile, he turned to face the fading Oni.
"I love it. You are really talented," Tanjiro spoke softly, his words carrying warmth and sincerity. It was a recognition of the Oni's artistry, a genuine appreciation for the poems that had adorned the walls of the ever-changing house.
In response, the Oni trembled, tears welling up in its pure red eyes. These were not tears of pain or sorrow, but tears of joy and relief. It had sought acknowledgement, a connection to the human world that it had observed from the shadows. And now, in its final moments, it had found it.
"Thank you," the Oni whispered, its voice filled with gratitude. Those two simple words carried the weight of a lifetime of longing, of being unseen and misunderstood. And with that, the last remnants of the Oni dissipated into the air, leaving behind only the memory of its existence.
Percy and Tanjiro stood in the quiet aftermath, the air heavy with emotions. They had faced a formidable opponent, but in the end, they had not only fought a battle of strength but also a battle of understanding and empathy.
Percy glanced at Tanjiro, his expression still filled with a hint of skepticism. "You didn't have to comfort him, you know," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "He certainly didn't comfort any of his victims."
Tanjiro paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the spot where the Oni had once stood. "I know," he responded softly. "But I can't help but feel sorry for him. It feels like all he ever wanted was recognition for his work."
Percy crossed his arms, his brow furrowing in disagreement. "Onis are still evil creatures," he argued, his voice carrying a firmness. "Nezuko may be an exception, but that doesn't change the fact that they pose a threat to humans."
There was a brief silence as Tanjiro seemed to retreat into his thoughts, his eyes downcast. It was as if he was wrestling with something within himself, a conflict that he wasn't ready to reveal. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft yet resolute. "Even so, they were humans once. I can feel empathy for that."
Percy shook his head slightly, a mixture of admiration and disbelief swirling within him. He recognized the depth of Tanjiro's compassionate nature, even if he didn't fully understand it, and held great respect for it. "We should go," he suggested, trying to shift the focus away from their differing perspectives. "I met Zenitsu earlier, and he should be out of the house with the boy by now."
Tanjiro nodded in agreement. "And I also told the girl to try to leave when I saw the Oni," he added. "I hope she made it safely."
Together, they walked through the now seemingly purposeless corridors. The air felt empty, devoid of the previous maze-like intensity. They moved at their own pace, hindered by their injuries and weariness.
As Percy and Tanjiro walked, their steps filled with weariness, the door suddenly swung open, revealing the presence of two children—the girl they had encountered earlier and a boy unfamiliar to Percy. Before they could react, the boy attempted to throw a piece of wood at them, but his aim missed by a wide margin, sailing harmlessly past.
Percy let out a sigh of relief, realizing that the boy must be the siblings' older brother and that he was alive and unharmed. Tanjiro, ever the friendly and jovial spirit, addressed the children with a warm smile. "Hey, don't go throwing things at us. We just defeated the monster, after all! Ah, I knew I smelled you two coming from here. Come, let's leave this place."
The girl spoke up, her voice filled with remorse. "Tanjiro! Sorry, it's because the drums disappeared, and we were in a panic..."
Without hesitation, Tanjiro swiftly scooped up the boy, placing him on his back, while Percy followed suit, lifting the girl onto his shoulders. They moved together, a united group, approaching the main door that would lead them to freedom.
Tanjiro's voice broke the silence, his tone shifting slightly. "I can smell Zenitsu and Shoichi. Both of them are outside right now..." His words trailed off abruptly, his sudden change catching the attention of Percy.
Concern etched across his face, Percy turned to Tanjiro and asked, "Are you alright?" The forced smile on Tanjiro's lips confirmed that something was amiss, but before Percy could inquire further, they reached the threshold of the door.
As the door swung open, their eyes fell upon a bloodied figure—Zenitsu—cradling the box that contained Nezuko. Standing before Zenitsu was a shirtless man, muscles rippling across his broad frame, wielding a sword in each hand. The blades were chipped and scarred all along its edge. The man's face was concealed behind a menacing boar mask, casting an intimidating aura.
With a thunderous voice, the man bellowed, "Pull out your sword, you cowardly weakling!"
Zenitsu slowly lifted his head, his battered features revealing the toll of a brutal confrontation. His bloody nose and injured eye were a testament to the punishment he had endured, all for the sake of protecting Nezuko.
Turning his gaze towards Percy and Tanjiro, Zenitsu managed to utter, through strained breaths, "Tanjiro... I've... been protecting it... because you... said that... this thing is more important to you... than your own life..."
A surge of anger welled up inside Percy as he witnessed the sight of his new friend being mistreated. His fists clenched, and his determination hardened. The audacity of this boar-masked man to harm those who were dear to him ignited a fire within Percy's heart.
Percy's eyes burned with intense anger as his gaze hardened, fixating on the enigmatic figure concealed behind the fearsome boar mask. Tension thickened the air, crackling with anticipation as the weight of their impending clash hung heavily in the balance. The stage was set for an epic confrontation, and Percy stood ready, his muscles coiled like a tightly wound spring, poised to unleash his righteous fury.