Sending my love from the other side of the apocalypse
And I just about snapped
Don't look back
Every lover's got a little dagger in their hand
One would be foolish to believe in miracles.
Yet, when they happen, a moment of pure excitement rises from your chest.
Sorashi stared in awe at her new son, Dentaro, as he created a spear from pure lightning. It was astonishing to have witnessed a child born by her to be that proficient with his powers at a young age.
"YOU!" Her other child screeched, still holding her eyes. "HOW DARE YOU INJURE ME!"
Dentaro shrugged. "Seemed like you needed it, oneesan. Your ugly face was just crying to be marred."
"UGLY?" She stood up, gripping her scythe tightly. "YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR INSULTS!"
"See? Even the way you talk is ugly." He stuck out his tongue. "No wonder no one likes you."
Hotaru moved swiftly to cut her new brother's head off. Dentaro fell backwards, nearly going out the window. With a flap of his wings, he repositioned himself and punched Hotaru right in the face. Her body went through the wall this time, smoke coming off his fist.
"Wow...that was a lot of power." Hotaru panted, looking at him. "However, compared to me, you are nothing! I have training, a partner, and I have taken out the Upper Moon 1 all by myself! You are just born while I have experience!"
She sent out her hand as Kyojin rushed forward. Dentaro used his spear to block the numerous shadows that threatened to cut his head off. It was one relentless barrage after another, sweat rolling down his face. The young demon felt himself wearing down, but he didn't give up. He fought back just as hard, sending sparks from the tip of his spear.
"THUNDER THRUST!" He shot out a powerful blast of lightning that sent the tendrils of shadows dispersing. "NOW BEGONE!"
He threw the spear through Kyojin's chest, making the demon sputtering out blood. Hotaru's eyes went wide in shock as she witnessed her minion be skewered. Despite her hatred of her parents and the very demons that ruined her life, she did have some love for Kyojin. Her screams reverberated off the walls, charging forward and grabbing Dentaro by the neck.
"YOU PEST! YOU HARMED MY MINION!" Her claws glowed with poison as she held them against his face. "I don't care if you are my brother or not, you are going to pay for that!"
Behind the two children stood Sorashi, whose face was solemn. The woman was currently holding a healing Muzan in her arms. His face was burned off, skull visible as the flesh began to form back on. In his eyes were full of malice and contempt. Her heart raced as she reflected upon how her actions had lead to this. Neglect, on her part, was the biggest folly of it all. Her hand clenched Muzan's, lip quivering as she stood.
"Sorashi..." Her head turned to see Muzan nodding. "Reprimand our child."
There were no words spoken as she began to walk forward towards her struggling children. Her green hair turned into purple as stars dotted her body. Eyes glowing, power radiating, and claws elongated as her transformation into her true form took place. Dentaro, still clutching Hotaru's hand, looked over to see his mother coming forth. He smiled, then smirked at Hotaru.
"What are you so happy about whelp? I'm about to kill you!"
"I'm just laughing about the beat down you are about to have. Allow me to leave you with a parting gift though."
Hotaru was confused before he used his other hand to shoot lightning out his fingers. She shrieked as tiny bolts hit her face, searing a scar right on her left eye. Before she could retaliate, she was pushed off his body. Sorashi stared down at her daughter with a mix of remorse and disappointment.
"Hotaru...I'm going to do something I should've done a long time ago; discipline you."
Hotaru spat out blood, standing up to glare at her. "Really? You choose now to become a parent? You make me wretch by your sentiments! I didn't need you then and I don't need you now! How about you do me a favor and-"
Sorashi rushed forward, pinning Hotaru to the wall with purplish energy. Kyojin, holding his open wound, hobbled forward to see his mistress in distress.
"Let...her...go...you..." He didn't even finish his sentence when he too was pinned on the wall.
Hotaru's heart began to race for the first time in a long while. "You-! You wouldn't dare to kill your own child?" Her face began to show visible panic when her mother did not reply and kept a frigid face. "You aren't truly that cruel like father! You...were the pushover parent. True, you may have been in a coma, but even you aren't so-"
Now Sorashi couldn't and wouldn't kill her first-born child. That didn't mean that she would be lenient to someone who threatened to kill her and her family. Her eyes scanned the room until she saw a hand mirror still intact on the broken dresser in the corner.
"My daughter, before I punish you, I must know one thing." She brought Sorashi close to her face and caressed her. "What did you do with your sister?"
"Who Fuyuka? I didn't do anything to her!"Yet.
"Not her, your twin sister. What did you do to her?"
Hotaru's face went through several changes at once, from shock to horror to anger. She began to wriggle about in her hands, frothing at the mouth as her anger soared. Sorashi blinked at her daughter's mental breakdown, summoning the mirror before her poison leaked out even more. Her eyes closed as a small smile formed on her own face.
"I see you do not wish to tell me. Then I guess I have no choice but to punish you as I see fit."
"GO TO HELL!" Hotaru tried one last move as she spewed poison from her mouth.
Muzan was about to intervene to save his wife but she held up the mirror and absorbed it inside. Her eyes and star marks glowed as the purple energy surrounding Hotaru and Kyojin began to have them sucked inside. Hotaru tried to claw the wall to prevent herself from going inside, but to no avail. Sorashi swore she saw tears forming on her face as she screamed and got sucked inside. A sudden blast of light popped out before the mirrored surface reflected nothing more. The Queen stared down onto the surface and hugged the mirror gently.
A hand was placed on was placed on her shoulder, Muzan bringing her into a hug. She pressed her face against his chest as she wept. Her body had gone back to her base form as she felt the power draining out of her. Dentaro went to her hip and hugged her too, patting her side to comfort her. The trio just stood there for a long while, reeling from the shock of what Hotaru had done.
"If...if I didn't get placed into a coma, do you believe she would have had a better life?"
Her words lingered in the air as the shadows in the room hid their sadness from the rest of the aftermath of Hotaru's assault changed the way the Infinity Castle.
Sorashi embraced and kissed every one of her children, adopted or not. Fuyuka loved the attention, cuddling with her mother any time she could. Akasei eagerly latched onto her, hissing at Dentaro when he got close. Speaking of Den, he happily met with the rest of the sibling squad and got along well with the females. Daki and Gyutaro both cried as they wanted to be by her side after she almost died. Rui too, taking upon himself to put spiders on every wall to spy on everyone. She spent some time playing with Susamaru, who goaded Dentaro and Akasei to play temari with them. Yahaba just spent his time with her in the garden, which was being remade under her watchful eye. She even gave some love to Enmu, who promptly sung her praises to the moon and back.
Nakime and Bashira both used their musical skills to fix up the master bedroom and the hallways that Hotaru had ruined. Sorashi noticed how close the two were getting, but didn't want to pry. She knew her best friend liked the opposite sex, so she secretly rooted for her and Nakime to try a relationship. Although she would have to informed Kyogai, the poor poet drummer did have some feelings for Bashira.
Her relationships with the Upper 3 had gotten closer since they have taken upon themselves to being her bodyguards. Akaza continued Akasei's training, but took some time to cater to her needs when asked. Doma used the excuse of bringing Fuyuka by to "co-parent" by brining some snacks and tea to share with her. This would either end with him going out the window by Akasei or Akaza, head smashed in by Muzan, or cut up by Kokushibo.
Speaking of Kokushibo...
It was nighttime in the newly made garden. Her main tree was still there, the cherry blossoms wafting in the air. New flowers were planted on the walkway along with some new trees. She had requested some fruit trees to bring some variety and allowed her to bake some new pastries. A couple of berry bushes were also placed next to them. There, in the midst of the garden, Kokushibo leaned against the tree alongside his queen. He was playing his flute, a serene feeling overtaking the area. Sorashi had her eyes closed, humming to the melody as her youngest child slept in her lap. Dentaro shifted in his sleep, getting comfortable and nuzzling into her lap. From the outside looking in, they appeared to be a cute couple.
"I missed this." Her voice rung out in the silence of the night. "The calm atmosphere, a gentle breeze, and the music."
He cracked a smile, placing a hand on hers. "Summer is coming. Perhaps Master will allow us all to go to the summer festivals. The children may love it."
She gasped, then looked down fondly at Dentaro. "I would love to do that. Even I miss going to those. I would love a candy apple and some taiyaki!"
Kokushibo laughed at her optimism. "I too miss you acting like an innocent child. I shall be your bodyguard when we go."
"Koku..." She tenderly stroked his hand. "You are the closest thing I have to a true friend besides Bashira. I value how even after all this time you have stayed loyal to me."
Kokushibo felt his face turn slight red when she leaned on his shoulder. It wasn't fair, it wasn't fair that she fell in love with Muzan. Although they hadn't had a proper wedding due to her kidnapping, Sorashi still wished to be married to the master. His heart pounded as he stared at her soft smile, closed eyes, and beautiful face. His other hand twitched a bit, wanting to cup her face and place a chaste kiss upon her lips.
But it was forbidden and he would surely be killed.
He knew that Muzan knew about his unrequited love. After all, Sorashi had spent some time during their initial breakup with him and his brother. There was some part of him that felt fearful if he knew he still had feelings for her. Nevertheless, he kept it to himself and continued to admire her from afar.
Dentaro stirred a bit, mumbling in his sleep. Instinctively, Kokushibo placed a hand in his hair and comforted the child back to sleep. A small hand grasped onto him as the young boy yawned. A surge of fatherly protectiveness went through his body, making him tenderly squeeze the hand. He heard Sorashi snoring lightly as well, finally allowing herself to fall asleep.
At this moment, he was in a state of utter peace.
The storm is finally over.
And the titan has finally been silenced.
One problem solved, but another remains.
For next time, we enter the waters.
Good day to you all!
We have finished the Titan's Fall Arc! Poor Hotaru has now been sealed away and no one will ever speak of her again!
Maybe...
In the meantime, the next few chapters will be some filler! We will see the return of our favorite water child, a summer festival, and who knows next?
Send me some suggestions on who and what you want to see.
Have a great day!
