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[color=silver]Daikaku Shrike[/color][/center]

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More than half of the monks in the Daikaku shrine were older and more experienced than Kōshin himself and quite a few of them already faced  attacks to the temple before. As such, the very moment the bell began to rang, most monks were combat ready after a few seconds. Kōshin himself heard the bell before he saw the attack. 

Then, from the sky, they fell. Like a rain of crimson needles, the attack came from above, silently and lethal. Those unfortunate enough to be struck by them had their wounds began to blossom with flowers in a grim and cruel display and the ones that struck the ground, sprouted trees, releasing a deadly mist from it.

In a few moments, dozens of monks had already formed a perimeter around the temple, defending it from both inside and outside while others carried the ones that were wounded inside to immediately be treated in hopes of saving them from the horrible fate that the unfortunate sentries were victim to. Fortunately, the one thing the temple had in abundance was resources to fight against demons. The very same things that were used as weapons against them could also be used as remedies to fight their demonic powers.

Along with the more experienced monks, quite a few of the demon slayers brought by Takaya were quick to act. From Hinotora, using her breathing to protect those around her together with Kenzo, to Kairi whom immediately took the initiative and directed her companions inside the temple while immediately rushing to hunt whoever was responsible for the attack and even Ryunosuke, whose first reaction was to rush directly to the position where the demon was in a blind fury.

[color=B8860B]"Get to cover! Do not breathe the mist!"[/color] Kōshin shouted, amidst the protective flames created by Hinotora as he deftly parried the few arrows who passed through Kenzo and Hinotora with the prayer beads he used, having tied them around his free hand.

Looking at the two monks who came running to protect the members of the Slayer corps, armed with Naginatas, Kōshin silently nodded, glancing towards Takaya in a silent request for them to protect and escort them.

Thanks to how quickly the slayers acted, the monks had enough time to both get those who were wounded inside the temple and fully organize themselves in a defensive formation near the main temple, using the walls and roofs of the temple as cover while armed with spears and naginatas. It was not the first time the temple suffered an attack and it wouldn't be today it would fall. Kōshin himself would make sure of that.

Hearing Hinotora as she asked for help, Kōshin held his breath as he rushed towards her, diving through the mist. Although the assault of arrows had stopped for now, after Ryunosuke went after the demon, Kōshin didn't know if it would start again. He had to use that brief moment of calm to do as much as he could to fortify the temple, and Hinotora's idea, to have the barrier put up once again was a very good start.

[color=B8860B]"It is not much, but I hope it can be of help."[/color] Kōshin said nodding towards Hinotora as he partially unsheathed his blade, enough to briefly show the blade before he grabbed it, cutting his hand and sheathing it again.

[color=B8860B]"I will ask some of the monks to protect the demons responsible for the barriers. Leave the barrier to me, your allies will need assistance against the demon."[/color] Kōshin said with a reassuring tone as he knelt down near the wounded body of the demon, taking him in his arm as he closed the hand he cut in a fist, tightening it as drops of his blood dripped on the wounded demon's mouth.

Demon or not, Kōshin was still grateful for his sacrifice to protect the temple.

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