Chapter 42: The end of Upper Moon Two
Notes: Part 4 of the Infinity Castle Arc. HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2024 be a kind year. It will also bring the conclusion to this story, since I have nine more chapters to upload. And then I'll focus on Part 3 of the Sun Pillar AU, along with something extra. Let's hope those two are up faster!
"You sure know your way with words for someone raised by wild boars… But it seems you have learnt some misconceptions. There is no heaven or hell in this world. Those places don't exist at all. They're nothing but human fantasies. Just fairy tales. Do you know how I know that? The reality is, humans who live virtuously suffer irrational tragedies…. While the wicked act as they please. They enjoy themselves and live life to the fullest." he said, waving the boar head, "Since these people are not getting divine punishment, at the very least they'll go to hell when they die. That's what mentally weak people have to think, or they wouldn't be able to live with themselves, right? They keep it deep in their minds. Humans are so pathetic."
"I see." Tanjirou sighed, opening his eyes at last, "You do not understand humans. Not anymore. You've been a demon for too long. Because you forgot one small detail."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"That weakness of humans, their belief in something greater than them, is one of our greatest strengths." Tanjirou said, settling in his stance.
"And if there ain't no hell, then I'll goddamn create one for you!" Inosuke shouted, "Just shut the fuck up already! Don't talk about my mother like she was miserable, you bastard!" charging the demon.
Douma swung his fan, releasing his frozen cloud and Inosuke used his Beast Breath, twirling his swords like fans, to blow the wind back.
"Well, this is fun! If it's possible, I want to keep playing like this. Until I get bored." he said, backing away straight into Tanjirou, "Whoops." he swung his fan towards the young Pillar.
'Sun Breath; Fourth Form: Fake Rainbow.'
Douma's fan hit Tanjirou's afterimage.
"That's a really handy technique."
Inosuke used his attack, pushing Douma into defense, while Tanjirou used Sunflower Lance.
Douma jumped to the ceiling.
"Get back down here, you! Are you scared?!" Inosuke screamed.
"No, no. Just needed a little moment to myself. Here, you can play with this child of mine, instead." Douma smiled, as he created one crystal doll.
"Hahaha! What's with the lame squirt–!" Inosuke's words were cut short, as he drew away from the attack.
Tanjirou, in the second the doll finished its attack struck.
'Sun Breathing; Combined Eleventh Form: Solar Halo Dragon Dance – Flux.'
Douma stared.
"That child's techniques were almost as powerful as mine." he said, "And you took him down. Easily. I don't know if I should be impressed or worried."
Inosuke was staring at Tanjirou's back, he could feel his friend's eyes on him. He drew a deep breath and focused on himself and did his repetitive actions to calm his heart and mind.
"How will you fare against this?"
Suddenly the demon swung his fans and a huge ice statue appeared. The statue moved one of its hands and crushed the bridge Tanjirou and Inosuke were standing on, forcing them to draw back.
"THE HELL IS THAT THING?!"
"Inosuke." Tanjirou spoke calmly, "Look closely."
'Sun Breathing; Enhanced Eleventh Form: Solar Halo Dragon Dance – Flux.'
Seeing through the world, Tanjirou slashed at the statue and reached Douma. He tried to attack Tanjirou, but three swords deflected his fans away from the Sun Pillar.
And then his head was cut.
There was a moment of silence.
Tanjirou turned away from the crumbling demon, turning Inosuke and Kanao away from him.
"That's harsh of you, Sun Pillar."
"You deserve even less than what I gave you." he replied.
They reached Shinobu and all three of them crashed down around her.
Tanjirou smiled softly, reaching to cup her face.
There was an old smile on her lips, a smile he hadn't seen in so long, he feared he had forgotten it.
"Shinobu… Kanae-nee was avenged."
"Thank you, Tanjirou." she smiled back, opening her eyes.
"How are you? Master!"
"Have been better, Kanao." Shinobu said airily, "Inosuke-kun?"
Tanjirou looked at his friend, who was crying quietly.
"You said that my mother loved me very much." he told Tanjirou, remembering that time during Himejima-san's training where the three of them talked about their mothers, the reason of the talk being Tanjirou being treated by the rest of the Slayers there as one, how Inosuke believed himself an abandoned child, how Zenitsu explained he wouldn't have a name if he was – like Zenitsu himself was – and how not remembering her was almost the same, "How did you know?"
"She gave you a name, didn't she?" Tanjirou smiled kindly, as he started bandaging his friend.
"And you named me your Tsuguko."
"You'll be in line to become a Pillar after my death, if you don't make it there before that."
"Though if we kill Muzan, there won't be any more demons." Shinobu sighed, "We could find peace at last."
Tanjirou returned to Shinobu's side, took her in his arms and stood up.
"Well, we rested enough. We have to find the others." he said.
"I won't be able to fight, Tanjirou. And I am only going to slow you down."
"Cra! Agatsuma Zenitsu has defeated Upper Moon 6!" a crow called.
"Well done, Zenitsu." Tanjirou smiled.
"The next one is mine!" Inosuke roared.
"You're badly hurt. Be careful." Tanjirou said softly, "Now, as for you, partner, I am not leaving you behind." he looked at the crow and Yushirou's eye, "We'll look for Yushirou."
They took off, Shinobu still wrapped in Tanjirou's haori, being carried on his back.