Tanjiro woke abruptly, cold sweat dripping down his temple. He blinked against the faint glow of a swirling portal that had appeared at the foot of his bed. The energy emanating from it was chaotic and unnatural, like a force tearing through reality itself. His chest tightened as he stared at it, a deep sense of unease washing over him.
"Did I… create this?" he murmured, his voice trembling.
Before he could act, the door to his room burst open. Kuri and the others stormed inside, their expressions a mix of urgency and fear. Reiko's eyes darted to the portal, her hands already glowing faintly with magic as she prepared for whatever threat might emerge.
"Kuri, what's going on?" Tanjiro asked, his voice rising in panic.
But before Kuri could answer, she froze mid-step. Her body trembled violently, and she let out a sharp gasp as her movements became stiff and unnatural. Her companions watched in horror as her body was overtaken by a dark energy, her features twisting into something no longer her own.
"Thanks… firebug," came a chilling, mocking voice. It wasn't Kuri speaking, but Sadako. The spirit had taken control once again. Her hollow eyes glinted with malice as she turned toward the portal, her intent clear.
"Sadako!" Reiko shouted, stepping forward. "Let her go! She doesn't belong to you!"
Sadako ignored her, instead shifting her attention to the swirling portal. "The All," she murmured, her voice reverent. "The gateway to true power. It's been calling to me for so long."
Tanjiro stumbled backward, his hands clenching into fists. "No! You can't just take her body and do whatever you want!" He lunged forward, but Sadako's power lashed out, sending him crashing into the wall.
Kuri's body convulsed as Sadako pushed closer to the portal, her control growing stronger with each step. But before Sadako could fully enter, Nezuko darted forward, her claws swiping at the spirit in an attempt to break her hold. Sadako snarled, deflecting the attack with a wave of dark energy.
"A little demon girl?" Sadako mocked. "How quaint. Stand down, child."
Nezuko didn't back away, her glowing eyes narrowing as she prepared to strike again. But before she could act, a new voice cut through the chaos.
"Kuri! Do something!" Reiko cried, desperation in her tone as she turned toward her friend.
For a moment, Kuri's voice broke through the dark haze, faint but resolute. "Binding Feathers!" she shouted, her ofuda—sacred talismans—igniting with a brilliant light. They spiraled through the air, surrounding Sadako and wrapping around her like golden chains. Sadako staggered, struggling against the bindings, her movements becoming erratic.
"Kuri, hold on!" Tanjiro shouted, forcing himself to his feet.
The talismans tightened around Sadako, holding her in place. For the first time, the spirit looked shaken. Kuri, her voice trembling with emotion, spoke again. "Sadako, listen to me! I know what you're feeling! I can feel your pain! Please, let me help you!"
Sadako froze, her skeletal face twisting into an expression of contempt. "Help me? You think you can save me, you wretch? You can't even get these people home." She laughed bitterly, her voice dripping with malice. "You're nothing but a failure."
Despite Sadako's venomous words, Kuri didn't falter. Her grip on her ofuda tightened, her energy surging as she prepared one final effort to subdue the spirit. "Seisei!" she cried, her voice echoing through the room.
The golden light from the talismans flared brighter, forcing Sadako back toward the portal. Her form flickered and distorted as the portal's energy began to pull her in.
"No!" Sadako shrieked, her voice filled with fury and desperation. "You think this will stop me? You'll never understand what it means to lose everything!"
As she was dragged toward the portal, Sadako unleashed a final burst of energy, sending shockwaves through the room. The force of it threw Kuri backward, her body careening through the air.
Tanjiro moved without thinking, catching her before she could hit the ground. He held her tightly, his heart pounding in his chest as her head lolled against his shoulder.
"I won't forgive her," Kuri murmured weakly, her voice barely audible. "She called you… firebug…" Her words trailed off as her body went limp, exhaustion overtaking her.
"Kuri! Stay with me!" Tanjiro pleaded, shaking her gently. But she didn't respond, her breathing shallow as she slipped into unconsciousness.
Reiko approached, her hands glowing as she knelt beside them. "She's alive, but she's completely drained," she said, her voice tight with worry. "That last attack must have taken everything she had."
Zenitsu peeked out from behind Nezuko, his hands shaking as he clutched his sword. "So… is it over? Is she gone?"
"For now," Reiko said, her gaze shifting toward the portal, which was beginning to fade. "Sadako's been cast into the All, but I doubt this is the last we'll see of her."
Tanjiro looked down at Kuri's pale face, his heart heavy with both relief and fear. "I don't care what happens next," he said quietly. "As long as we're together, we'll face it. All of it."
Nezuko placed a comforting hand on his arm, her silent presence a steady reassurance.