The gentle crackle of the fire filled the cottage as Hiruma sat in a seiza position on the wooden floor. The aroma of fish soup simmering in the pot teased her senses, making her stomach growl in anticipation. She was dressed casually in a light blue silk shirt adorned with purple flowers and matching pants, her hair was neatly tied back with a ribbon.
Isamu sat across from her, focused on stirring the steaming pot of soup over thr fire.
"That's a lot of soup," Hiruma said., raising a curious eyebrow."What's the deal?"
Isamu's lips quirked slightly as he poured the broth into two bowls."You've completed your training, so we're celebrating. Now, eat." He handed her a bowl, the warmth of the meal a silent but significant gesture.
"Thank you," Hiruma murmured, taking the bowl. The savory aroma comforted her, a stark contrast to the grueling training she endured. As she took her first bite, Isamu leaned back against the wall, a rare moment of softness easing the usually stern lines of his face.
"There is nothing more I can do for you," Isamu said after a long pause. His voice carried a somber weight, each word measured."From here on out you will face unimaginable harshness, your training pales in comparison, but for tonight you can sleep soundly one last time."
Hiruma paused mid-bite, lowering the bowl to her lap. His words weren't unfamiliar, but hearing them now, with the Final Selection so close, added a sense of gravity she hadn't embraced until this moment."I understand," She replied, her voice steady but tinged with resolve.
As they finished their meal in thoughtful silence, Hiruma watched Isamu carefully fold a black haori with blue lighting bolts and a purple kimono with pink brushstrokes. Next to the folded garments lay black pants and a pair of black zori with purple straps.
"That's outfit new, " Hiruma remarked.
Isamu's gaze met her."Your current one is worn out from training. This is the new outfit I prepared for your final selection. It will represent the dedication of your training under me and the dawn of your next journey."
Hiruma's fingers traced the edge of the bowl as she nodded. The care and thought he'd put into the new attire weren't lost on her.
"I should also remind you," Isamu began, his tone taking a familiar firmness of a mentor."The more demons consume humans, the stronger they become. Their physical abilities change and some even learn to wield strange spells, you must remain vigilant."
"Got it," Hiruma said her voice steady, but her eyes flickered with apprehension."Thank you for telling me." after a beat, she added, "I guess it's time to get some rest for the Final Selection."
Isamu nodded in agreement, a faint smile playing on his lips as they settled into the peace of the evening.
The following morning arrived far sooner than expected. The pale light of dawn seeped into the cottage as Hiruma adjusted the final piece of her outfit. She slipped on the black haori with its striking lighting bolt pattern over the purple kimono, tugging it into place with precision. The brushstroke designs seemed to flow like ink over fabric, a perfect representation of her artful breathing style. Black pants and her new zori completed the look.
Satisfied, she secured her katana at her waist, the sheath clicking softly into place. The blade her trusted companion through countless hours of training, glinted in the morning light, promising to serve her well in the trails ahead. Hiruma took one last look around the room that had been her heaven for over a year. It was now time to leave.
When she stepped out of the cottage, Isamu stood waiting, arms crossed. He didn't speak for a moment, simply observing her. Finally, he said, "You've grown, Hiruma. I will await your return from Final Selection."
Hiruma straightened, meeting his gaze with unwavering resolve." I won't let you down," she declared, her voice ringing with confidence."I'm taking my leave now. See you when I come back!" With that, she turned and ran, her heart pounding with anticipation.
Mount Fujikasane loomed before her, its slopes bathed in the soft purple haze of wisteria blossoms. Hiruma took in the sight as she climbed up the steep stair leading towards the base of the mountain. Hiruma's breath remained even, her body strong from her training. The beauty of the wisteria, blooming in perpetuity, was almost otherworldly, their scent sweet and soothing.
At the mountain's base, other prospective, and other constants had begun to gather. Hiruma scanned the crowd as she walked to the top of the stairs she took in the variety of expressions of the constants, each face told a story, and wondered briefly what brought each of them here. However, in her distraction, she nearly collided with a small pale-skinned boy around 12 years old with one golden eye and one teal eye with long raven hair tied into a ponytail and a small white snake wrapped around the neck and shoulder like a scarf.
"Watch it!" a boy hissed, dodging as Hiruma narrowly avoided colliding with him.
"My apologies," Hiruma said quickly, observing him more closely. He appeared her age, with raven hair tied into a ponytail and mismatched eyes—one golden, one teal. A white snake coiled around his shoulders, flicking its tongue curiously. He looked her over with a quiet intensity before brushing past without another word.
The moon was high in the sky as a woman around eighteen years old with average height and pale complexion stepped forward. She possesses large, plum-purple eyes with pink eyeshadow and short eyebrows. Her white hair was worn down and swept to both the left and right at the front and in a short ponytail in the back with two strands of hair loose at the side of her head.
"Welcome to the Final Selection, we thank you for coming here tonight," She said."There are demons imprisoned here on Mt. Fuikasane, captured alive by the Demon Slayer swordsmen, and unable to leave. That's because wisteria, which demons hate so much blooms even out of season from the bottom to halfway up the mountain. However, there is no wisteria from this point on, and so the demons abound. You'll need to survive here for seven days to pass the final selection."
There were murmurs from the crowd, Hiruma tightened her jaw thinking about the training she went through to prepare for this.
"You may now proceed," The woman said.
Hiruma took a deep breath and walked forward with multiple people where the wisteria flowers didn't show, the final selection had officially begun.
Here is chapter seven of The Ink Pillar. In this chapter, Hiruma prepares for and begins her journey to Mt. Fujikasane for the Final Selection. Her emotional farewell with Isamu highlights the growth and trust he places in her. Upon arriving at the mountain, Hiruma learns of the grueling trial ahead to survive seven nights in a demon-infested domain and has a brief run-in with a young Obanai. In the next chapter, we see how Hiruma does in the Final Selection and the challenges she will face, this will also be about the end of arc one.
Thanks for reading!
Question of the chapter: Who is ready for Hiruma to take the final selection?
[Meiji period secrets]
-Hiruma hasn't seen her family since she left.
- Obanai trained for eight months since he was saved by Shinjuro before Obnai took the Final Selection
-Hiruma's first thought of seeing Obnai was that he had cool eyes and lovely hair.
Word count:1,235