"Are you ready, Tanjiro?" Reiko asked, her voice gentle but encouraging.
Kuri placed a supportive hand on Tanjiro's shoulder. "Just like we practiced," she reminded him.
Tanjiro nodded, his determination unwavering. He focused intently, summoning his breathing, and soon, a portal to the Collective shimmered open before them. Kuri adjusted her sword at her waist, its hilt gleaming gold, the blade clear like crystal.
"This is Kiboken," Kuri explained, her tone reverent. "The Sword of Desires."
Tanjiro glanced at her in surprise. "You wield a sword, Kuri?"
She smirked, playful. "We can spar later, flame heart."
Tanjiro grinned, rolling his eyes as the group stepped through the portal.
Zenitsu spotted Nezuko bound nearby, unharmed but restrained. She looked up at him with wide, alert eyes, her expression fierce but silent. The Collective members were gathered around, waiting as if preparing for a confrontation.
"Everyone, take your positions," Mana instructed, her voice echoing through the chamber.
"Air," Zenitsu declared, lightning sparking around him as he steadied his breathing.
"Fire," Tanjiro stated, flames swirling gracefully around him with Hinokami Kagura.
"Earth!" Inosuke yelled, swinging his twin blades in anticipation, his energy wild and untamed.
"And I'll take Water," Mana said, smiling calmly.
Nezuko's eyes narrowed at this, a hint of surprise crossing her face. She glared at Reiko with a protective, almost offended expression, but kept silent.
Mana blew on her hand creating snowflakes. She steadied herself, her eyes silver blue. "Like I said, Water."
Inosuke watched her with awe, cheeks turning faintly pink.
Kuri stepped forward, her presence commanding. "As a miko, I represent Spirit. Collective, you have kidnapped a member of the Guardian Tanjro's circle, you've taken his Spirit Bonded, and, as you've disrupted the balance, you will be bound!" She raised Kiboken, the crystal blade gleaming with intensity.
Zenitsu leaned toward Reiko. "Is she really… going to hurt them?" he asked in a worried whisper.
Reiko shook her head. "Kiboken isn't a weapon for killing. It's a sword of sealing. It binds rather than harms."
"Everyone, the string!" Kuri called out.
Each of them lifted the string Kuri had given them, its light growing brighter with every heartbeat.
Kuri chanted:
"And with this string
I will entwine
Your powers,
I'll forever bind,
From now until—"
"STOP!" Alpha, the leader of the Collective, cried out desperately. "Please! It wasn't meant to happen this way! We were only meant to delay you! I'll tell you everything if you spare our powers!"
Kuri halted, looking back at the others. Tanjiro's expression darkened with anger, still upset about Nezuko's capture. However, he knew that no real harm had come to them.
Slowly, Kuri lowered her sword.
"You're really letting them go?" Tanjiro asked, astonished.
Kuri's gaze softened as she spoke. "I understand their purpose. Darkness doesn't always mean evil, just as light doesn't always mean good."
Tanjiro hesitated, then nodded. "But, Kuri—"
"Reiko," Kuri said calmly, "take Tanjiro and his friends to Sgiach. They don't need to witness what must be done."
With a nod, Reiko gently guided Tanjiro and Zenitsu, who carried Nezuko on his back, leading them away. As they departed, the chilling cries of the Collective echoed in the distance, making Zenitsu wonder if Kuri herself was a part of the darkness she spoke of—a darkness that did not equate to evil.