As his subordinate left, he was again left alone in his domain. As much as he had tried to maintain his facade of power, as much as he tried to tell himself that the man he encountered couldn't in any way be still alive, he couldn't escape his fear. He had tried to fight it after that man's death but now the Infinity Castle was the only place where he felt truly safe. And just when it seemed he had moved past it, someone had found him. This person had singled him out in a crowd of hundreds and had spoken his name. But that wasn't what had sent him fleeing. It was the small pieces of jewelry that adorned his ears. The same ones worn on the ears of the man who had nearly ended him all those years ago. Those hanafuda earrings. And to make it worse, the reports he had been given by his subordinates had all confirmed that he wielded a blade as black as the night sky itself. The same kind that had nearly severed his head. And to add insult to injury, this person who had sent him scurrying back to the castle like a scared dog with his tail between his legs was nothing more than a boy.
Then he heard it. A whistle, faint at first but clearly getting closer. Its ominous tune seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere. He began to sweat, his breathing increased in its pace, his cursed heart pounded in his chest as he frantically searched for the source. And then, the last note finished and he heard where it came from. It was right behind him. He whirled around but found no one there. His heart began to settle as he realized there was nothing to worry about. He was in the castle after all. Only he could enter as he pleased. He gave a small laugh and turned to go to his quarters. It was only when he had turned around that he came face to face with the source of the whistle. He stood face to face with a creature he had never seen nor heard of in all his centuries of cursed existence. One thing was certain however. Whatever this being was, it was neither human nor demon. It stood almost a foot taller than him, covered in gray and white fur, draped in a cloak darker than his soul, and eyes as red as blood.
"What are you?!" He yelled trying to hide the terror in his voice, "Some new weapon my accursed family has created?"
To his surprise, the being spoke.
"No, I have existed for far longer than them." It said in an eerily calm, almost conversational voice.
"Then just what exactly are you?"
"You're a smart guy, why don't you figure it out. I'll even give you a hint. I begin but never end, and I end all that begins."
"No. No no no you can't be…"
"Oh I think he's figured it out."
"You are…"
"Death."
"No this is impossible. I have beaten you, you cannot take me!"
"Is that why you hide in here? Why you never show your true face? Why you never go out in the day? Why you curse to me those who dare even to speak your name?"
"You have had centuries to take me! Why do you only appear now?"
"I have not yet taken you out of respect for your family. Unlike you, none of them have tried to elude me despite the illness they all carry. When you went off the rails, they swore that they would be the ones to destroy you. When I came for you centuries ago, they asked that they be the ones to end you. I swore to them that you would not die by my hand. However, I have guided some to your path."
As Death said this, he reached into his cloak and produced a small trinket. He threw it at the ground in front of the demon who knelt down to pick it up.
"You sent him to me?!"
"I did"
"Why, I thought you would not touch me."
"I won't directly kill you. However, I cannot simply wait idly by while you continue to live and attempt to prolong your life even further. I saw great potential in Yoriichi, that is why I bestowed upon him that mark."
"But you claimed him centuries ago. How is this of any concern to me now?"
"There is another, one with more potential than even Yoriichi. He will bear the mark as well in due time."
"Then I shall kill him before he does."
"You truly think that you can escape me?"
"I have for centuries."
"You sound a lot like him."
"Who?"
"He was a warrior, in another land far from here. He was everyones' favorite fearless hero. His fearlessness came from the fact that he had cheated me several times. After the eighth time, I'd had enough. I went and confronted him directly and he ran. Eventually, I caught up to him and we fought."
"And you killed him?"
"Actually, I didn't."
"He bested you?"
"No."
"Then how did he evade you?"
"After our first confrontation, he began to ponder his own mortality and how he hadn't been valuing his own life for so long. During our fight, he looked me in the eye and told me 'I know I can never defeat you, but I will never stop fighting for this life'. When he said that, I realized that the one I'd been hunting was gone. I had come for an arrogant little legend who thought he was immortal, but I didn't see him anymore. So I left, and let him live his life. And when his time finally came, and I appeared to him again, he didn't run. Rather he greeted me like he would an old friend, and went with me willingly."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because no matter how much you struggle, your time will come. That boy will defeat you, you will not escape me. I advise that you make peace with this."
"I refuse to accept that all my efforts have been in vain. I will be immortal and I will defeat you."
"I have said what I came here to say, what you do with it is up to you. Farewell for now, Muzan Kibutsuji."
Death then curled his lips and began to whistle the same ominous tune he had when he arrived as he disappeared into the shadows. And with that, Muzan was left exactly as he was before; alone, desperate, and terrified.
(Author's Note) If you've read this far, thank you. I'm new to writing as well as fanfiction so I apologize for any issues with the writing. Any criticism is welcome.