[table][row][cell][center][sub][center] [sub][h1][b][color=black] ѕтσяу тнυѕ ƒαя[/color] [color=crimson]ѕтσяу тнυѕ ƒαя[/color][/b][/h1][/sub][/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/VXw46Mm.jpeg[/img] [b][color=black]Sinners aren't just Humanity...Run towards Rebirth![/color] [color=red] Sinners aren't just Humanity...Run towards Rebirth![/color][/b][/center][/sub][/center][color=2e2c2c]______________________________________[/color] [I]Quite the friendship[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5625090]¹[/url] that blossomed through grief & trauma in a matter of hours by crimson fists & bleeding swords[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5626260].[/url] Of course[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5627683]²[/url] a moment of bittersweetness is called respite & despite it all [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5628931]–[/url] we cling to momentary huddles & old habits[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5630866]³[/url] The insanities of pride is our inability to set aside our differences [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5637886]⁴[/url] Whether to be or not to be, that is the question. Bonds broken, mistakes made, our mentality is shaped by the so called, Dogma[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5637826]⁵[/url] Preconditioned by the principles of upbringing & cause, our heart is like raging fire, attractive or repulsive, we act only because of the notion of right & wrong[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5638380]⁶[/url] Culture clubs tat're forevermore & nothing more than illusive frames that makes us distinct from one another, that is the fatality & reality of society, a vicious cycle of fate[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5639406]⁷[/url] We cling towards comformative biases in line – survival exists due to fear, summing up the eternal dance between Demons & Humans[url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/5641409]⁸[/url] The whispers of mortality is what binds all of us, the line between freedom & slavery is gray, the silver lining of it all, is that we find meaning in our lives. Do not be caught up in a vicious cycle, run towards rebirth!.[/I] [center][sub][center] [sub][h1][b][color=black] Wԋαƚ ԋαρρҽɳҽԃ?[/color] [color=crimson]Wԋαƚ ԋαρρҽɳҽԃ?[/color][/b][/h1][/sub][/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/bNsbHna.jpeg[/img] [b][color=black]A Tragedy Upon Art[/color] [color=red] A Tragedy Upon Art[/color][/b][/center][/sub][/center] Initially, the trip to Daikaku Shrine was for gathering the scarlet incense ingredients that's needed for Soryu. It quickly escalated to a disaster that we weren't prepared for, for the first time in a span of a few months. We already lost Hikaru recently but losing Soyama Kenzo & Kamado Ryunosuke - let alone Tomioka Guen having went rogue and losing territories like Osaka, and half of Tokyo, reeked of demorale. Since the Heian Era, the Daikaku Shrine remained unnoticed to Demon Kings, even Muzan himself thought they were a myth. A historical fact even to the Far East Demon Kings, the bastion of hope that defended the humanity of japan, was impregnable & a no demons land in Shinjuku. Make no mistake, the Monks are welcoming to all groups of people including Demons, but they won't tolerate all kinds of malice regardless of species. Today, that changes, Takaya arrived in the aftermath and offered to reconstruct the Daikaku Shrine. In here, the innocent child of 15 years of age, showed his true colors/cold calculating nature. "Such tragedy this place beckoned, Kōshin. If word got out that the Daikaku Shrine, on top of that, it's HQ — fallen, the branches would be divided and proclaim the head anew." He gave him a genuine hug. "Ashamed really. The human heart is no different from a Demon, politics is something you need to be shrewd with. The weak will flock to the strong and the snakes will spit venomous doubts, whether my clairvoyance is in use or not. A schism with your group is bound to happen. [b][i][u]I[/u][/i][/b] am the only one who you can find solace and allegiance to." After that brief hug. He signaled the reinforcements. "Salvage what you can, have the Monks recuperate and taken under our care." He said. Takaya's motives were clear. On a surface level, it looks like he's undermining Kōshin's authority. [i]I have to do this,est other Branches of the Demon Slayer Corps will...[/i] He recalled his conversation with the Korean Demon Slayer earlier. [i]Just as Park Jinwoo aka Jinu is making his move, the Korean Demon Hunters as well... everyone is after the Blue Spider Lilies and the knowledge of Daikaku Kōshin.[/i] [hider=Collab Fight] “Get the Blue Spider Lilies at all costs, I will not tolerate any failure.” Michikatsu’s voice pierced like daggers inside Ryoshu's mind. The totality of things that measure a King is not by the number of soldiers he sends, for that makes him a coward, & sometimes, words alone have no weight. Amidst the chaos, where surviving Monks and Hunters are like, were recovering, fate joked with the cards it had laid upon. As you wish. Oyaji. An eerie smile radiated from the shadows of the inner temple. Don't get the wrong idea, it's not like I have done the unspeakable and betrayed the Blood Moons, consider this as a means to an end, Michikatsu. Rikyo stood his ground, resisting his Master’s grip over his well-being, chilling in his hotel, from a far distance. I have grown strong enough not to be controlled by the Progenitor who sired me, and with a vivid opportunity like this, it's a gamble I am willing to take. “So you have resisted my control, very well, I am rather pleased with your growth, Rikyo. The space around the Daikaku Shrine became distorted. “Don't need to get up, Master. I will deal with those nuisances personally.” Just in. Blood Moon 2, Rikyo has entered the Daikaku Shrine. Misty aura farming like Muzan, came out of him, as he healed constantly from the Wisteria. “Oho? Long time no see, Kenzo! It's been 5 years since we last m–” Rikyo looked up and realized that his body had been hit 7 times, cut to bits, and his head lay on the floor. “Even past your prime, you are something else!” Rikyo assimilated more Humans around him and regenerated. “Sadly, you're the least of my interests, I have a bigger event to attend.” he regenerated... As the Ryoshu made his explosive entrance to the Daikaku Temple, he would quickly notice the monks retreating near the main temple. Most of them were indeed trained warriors, but it was quite obvious that the demon that was attacking them wasn't a normal one. Its initial strike had rained destruction upon the shrine from far away, already claiming the lives of a few monks... They knew better than to try to face its companion head-on. With spears and naginatas in hand, the monks quickly formed a defensive formation in front of Ryoshu, blocking his way to the main shrine. Positioning themselves in strategic locations aiming to use the very building of the main temple as a fortress to defend the demon's advance, the monks braced themselves with fierce determination and unshakable faith. Their chanting echoed through the Daikaku Temple's grounds, both as a way to concentrate themselves, reaching a state of near trance, but also a way to dispel fear, unnecessary thoughts, and invoke the virtues of Buddha. Meanwhile, Kōshin could only watch as the demon flew towards the temple. Quickly nodding towards the other Slayers, he was ready to run back towards the temple. What he wasn’t expecting, though, was getting trapped inside the demon art of the Demon Consort, who had just shown up. Kōshin only hoped the monks would be able to slow him down without many losses… At least until he somehow escaped the demon barrier trapping him and the other demon slayers. [color=B8860B]“Amitabha... Why go to such lengths only to perpetuate this senseless slaughter? There is still time. Spare this world from even more bloodshed. Turn back and leave, Demon. For both our sakes.”[/color] Kōshin said as he gave a step towards the Demon Consort. Instead of the rage, anger, or hatred one would expect from being confronted by a demon in that situation, Kōshin’s calm and peaceful demeanor was unshaken, despite the firm tone in his voice. Blood Moon 2, Rikyo arrived at the scene with no care in the world, and in the blink of an eye, it happened so fast. The Daikaku Shrine exploded, leaving the shrine, a shell of its former self, already in ruins. At this time, Ryoshu has already collected the Blue Spider Lilies. Mina watched the explosion from afar. “I wish I could tell you more, Uzui Kairi, but that would have to wait. See you in the next Blood War, and until then, don't die.” Mina disappeared with the cubed Ryunosuke and teleported out Kōshin and Kairi at ground zero. [hr] Hinotora coughed, grimacing at the haze of smoke and drifting debris in the air. She was laying down at the moment, having vaulted between flying wreckage and dove to the ground to avoid the worst of the temple’s sudden destruction. Even so, a few tree branches had fallen around her as the obliterated remains of the once proud fauna that guarded the monks’ estate. Wisteria petals drifted through the air, disturbed and kicked up with the destruction, gradually falling in a blanket of finality. From beneath a number of ruined wooden plank fragments, Hinotora could not see any living monks in sight. Not that she really expected any of them to still be alive if they had failed to heed her warning and remained anywhere near her fight with the Upper Moon. Speaking of whom… [color=f7941d][i]Where the hell did he go? Did that bastard run away?![/i][/color] Her teeth grit so tightly that she had to stop, lest she crack them. Fury and fear thundered in her veins. She didn’t believe that she had truly scared the Upper Moon off, so the only reason he’d have truly left, she’d bet, was if he was heading to or had already acquired what he was after: [i]The Blue Spider Lilliies…[/i] A moment like this, in nearly any other circumstance, should have felt like glorious victory. Not that it had been a “victory” in a strict sense of the word, but given the historical precedent of their sheer danger, the fact that she was even alive at all and had managed to avoid taking injuries that she didn’t think she could heal from should have been a cause for celebration. Surviving a fight with an Upper Moon at all, never mind 1v1, for any amount of time and living to tell the tale…? Without career-ending injuries at a minimum? It was either a sign of great luck or sheer skill, possibly both. Quite frankly, she should have been cheering, and yet, her “victory” felt hollow knowing that likely came as a result of not only her enemy’s distraction but the toxically anti-demon environment around them burdening his performance. She’d managed to scrape by, but it was -quite frankly- only thanks to the deck being stacked in her favor. Exhaling sharply, flames hissed thinly from her lips in a cleansing exhale of Phoenix Breathing, burning up and clearing her lungs of irritants, as Hinotora squinted into the destruction. Rolling her shoulders, she stoked the fire within, fed strength into aching muscles, as she pushed herself up with strength beyond a normal human, wriggling free from the pile of wood about as quietly as she could and still maintaining a low profile. [color=f7941d][i]Surely, I can’t be the only survivor though… right?[/i][/color] Just on a factual level, she was confident on that front. As destructive as whatever that blast had been was, it didn’t seem like it should have been strong enough to reach the spot where she’d left the Barrier Demon she’d rescued… at least not in its full force. [color=f7941d][i]Looks like it’s about time to get out of here. I’ll grab the barrier demon on the way out… along with anyone else I can find that might somehow still be breathing.[/i][/color] Though, now that she should about it, hadn’t that explosion originated from [i]inside[/i] the temple? A chill crawled down Hinotora’s spine in sudden understanding. [i]The Upper Moon she had fought wasn’t the only enemy demon to infiltrate the temple.[/i] Her head was on a swivel, as she stayed crouched low, grip tightening tensely on the hilt of her longsword. After all, in all this, throughout her engagement for the Upper Moon, one question had been nagging at the back of her mind, an unknown that left her nervous and wary even now. Where was Kenzo? “Well, aren't you a lost one? Little girl.” Rikyo laughed mockingly at Hinotora, who's on her own. “It's pretty weird. I can read your thoughts. You wanted Yanagi, the Barrier Demon. Hmm…I guess if you want her, then you'll have to take it, but you already knew that. Oh this is so bizarre, you're looking for Soyama Kenzo. He's probably dead by now. It's too bad, I didn't get to devour that Hashira.” Having oozed with no malice nor any intentions, Rikyo seemed to express wanting to take on Hinotora. “Maybe you're my next meal. Better be worth it, than that pregnant Agatsuma woman.” Rikyo fashionably was seated on his throne while taunting Hinotora. (Off-screen fight as it will be plot crucial reveal over the next arc) [hr] “Wait!” Kairi tried to yell as the scenery suddenly changed leaving her and Koshin in a smoldering ruin, a familiar smoldering ruin. Cold air rushed to her spine as she tried to find any evidence contradicting the conclusion she's making but she couldn't deny what was laid before her eyes. The Daikaku Shrine, the temple that had served the Corps for a long time, had fallen. And it had fallen under her watch. [color=pink]”Damn it.”[/color] Kairi spoke in a rare show of her true emotions before turning to Koushin and looking upon her. She wasn't a medic but she learned first aid as her first lessons. “Captain Uzui! I found you.” Raikou panted, carrying an unconscious Kenzo with him. “Most are dead. A few monks are critically injured and Kenzo is our only hope that we can fight right now. Blood Moon 2 he nuked us.” The captain from Kyoto would take a deep breath as he looked at the unconscious former Hashira, if only she had been better. That's it, this might not be her territory but she will be damned if she won't put her life on the line like they do. [color=pink]”Raikou, gather everyone you could and lead them to our safe houses. The shrine has fallen and we need to lick our wounds.”[/color] she declared as she pulled her wakazashi's from the sheet. [color=pink]”I'll buy the time you all need, ensure that Kenzo and Koushi-sama will live another day.”[/color] she spoke disappearing to the shadows. Despite all his meditation, all his training and everything his master taught him, Kōshin felt anger slowly welling up deep within his being. A mere spark at first, as he continued looking at the now ruined shrine, it quickly became a raging fire. For a moment, he could understand and somewhat even share the burning hatred some Demon Slayers felt towards all demons... He always treated demons the same as he did humans, he always made sure to welcome those who came to the temple with good intentions... And that was how he was repaid... But before this hatred could stain Kōshin's heart, the view of the tree where his master was buried, now ruined and broken, washed all that hatred away in a flood of deep sadness and grief. Through the ruined temple, most of the monks laid dead. Many of them were older than Kōshin himself. Quite a few, close friends with his master. Old and wise monks who, along with his master, helped him to become what he was today. Now, their lifeless bodies laid in the ruins of the temple [i]he[/i] failed to protect... In the distance, Kōshin could hear some of the slayers speaking about retreating to their safe-houses, some dealing with situations of their own, but for Kōshin it didn't matter... He could not leave... Not yet. [color=B8860B]"I shall stay. Please, take care of the wounded monks..." [/color] Kōshin said, his voice sounding distant, still in a daze. [color=B8860B]"Go. Do not worry about me. There is no reason for the demons to return. There is nothing left for them to take, after all... As for me... There is still much to do..."[/color] Kōshin said, breathing deeply before he calmly started walking through the now ruined temple, using his hands to move the rubble and clear a small area. After it was done, he began searching through the temple ruins, carefully gathering the bodies and laying them down as respectfully as he could before continuing on his search. In his heart, he hoped he would find more survivors, but he knew well there would only be more bodies for him to bury. He then hears familiar footsteps, as Takaya arrived. [/hider] [img]https://i.imgur.com/gU5v1Xw.jpeg[/img] 1 week past since the ordeal at the Torigaya Onsen & Daikaku Shrine. Michikatsu stood atop Rikyo, Gekido and Ryoshu while Xaku gave her verdict right after Rikyo was defeated by Gekido. It's at this moment that Rikyo was excommunicated from the Blood Moon ranks. "I will not tolerate any treacherous agenda anymore. It's true that I created Blood Moons so I can die a Samurai's death, but after conquering the Sun, I have transcended my status as neither Samurai or Swordsman, but Shogun. Sooner or later, there will be an executive election, to each best of their goal, Rikyo. Consider this as mercy and retirement, you have served your purpose and your insubordination ends here." Weaving his hand, Rikyo lost his Yakuza Tattoos. Nakime seated next to Xaku, strummed her Biwa and relocated Rikyo out of the Infinity Castle. Ryoshu becomes Blood Moon 3 while Gekido transcend as Blood Moon 2. "A new era is upon us." He gazed upon the Sun. His subordinates; Xaku and Ryoshu gained resistance to the Sun. "Gekido, lest you provide me offsprings via Urami, only then you can conquer the Sun. Know your place as a Demon Lord, I did not create nor promoted you to have exceptions. Your privilege of celibacy as my direct order, ends here." The next week after. "On top of failing to sire offsprings with your loving wife, Urami, you failed to bring me the Swordsmith that descended from Muramasa... furthermore, it seems that the humans and demons under your wing had been rebellious, is it because I forbade you the taste of the sun, and now they think, the Mighty Blood Moon 2 has fallen?...." Michikatsu in a blink of an eye, sliced Gekido's hands off, making him kneel, his blood was boiling at Gekido's failure. "I am starting to regret letting Rikyo go, and it is the same sensation when I let Keodis go, I expected more from you as you aspire to be at the top and even covet Blood Moon 1's rank and here you are failure....after failure... GEKIDO..... GEKIDO....GEKIDO..." Gekido not only cannot regenerate but he was suffocating from Michikatsu's telepathic choke and slowly being burnt to crispy the sun. This time, Michikatsu's fully invaded Gekido's mind, anything he may say will be used against him. "You are at a rough start, Blood Moon 2, you are no longer Blood Moon 3, get your act right." Healing him back with a smile. "Reiha...Consort 4. Forgive me, my dear. Your husband was treacherous..and yet over the course of all this, you have proven to be the most valuable asset in terms of cattle for our kindred. Do not fail me, Blood Moon 4." Michikatsu gave an ample of his blood to Yuwaku Reiha alongside Sun Resistance, she has attained Ryoshu's previous rank. "Do not let your client be impatient." He looked at Reiha, as b he felt the bloodlust of Guen, who watched the entire scolding go. Has Guen truly lost her mind? Is she working with Yuwaku Reiha? Find out soon! "Keodis, escort our women to their destination, you three are to head to Kyoto at Temen-ni-Guru Library. Ryoshu, go to Wasedai, you have unfinished business. Do not strike until I tell you. Prove to me that you are Blood Moon 3." [hider=DK Summit]Blood Moon Meeting — Infinity Castle The Blood Moon Meeting, nothing amiss since, their Employer, Chairman & Godfather, never fails to hold important meetings in order to address every fiber of detail of their activities. In this auspicious occasion, Michikatsu, in the boardroom is surrounded by his associates, with the first eight professional black chairs, being seats, reserved for the Blood Moons, the seats go on fours, left & right. Each denoted by their color & Morn order of waxaccurately,aning, with the back of his cconditioning;e full moon. With every sounding strum came to pass, summoned the Godfather’s associates. Walking in with an uncharacteristic lack of flair, Ryunoko Keodis enters, holding the shattered blade of the Rumble Hashira, and his own nodachi, dripping with mareichi blood. He is completely untouched, his clothes barely even ruffled. [color=crimson]”I don’t know if you know this, but I have had… a very bad night tonight. Forgive my temper in advance, because it will be violently short.”[/color] He huffs, before resting the bloodied field sword in the same rack one would a wet umbrella. The siren call of the empowering blood doesn’t seem to affect Keodis in the slightest, as he walks out of the room for a second, before returning outright. For chairs that he sets at the far end of the table Michikatsu. He zones out for a second, staring at the chair of Upper 2, before blinking slowly as the sound of quiet pops emanates from the geiger counter on his belt. He then smirks, and walks over to the Upper 2 seat and sits down in it, winking to Michikatsu. [color=crimson]”I’ll behave extinguished. Until then, I could… probably trace most of tonight to this jackass, so I’ll be giving him a hard time.”[/color] Rikyo hummed as he’s summoned and thought of the greatest trolling he could do prior the arrival of the others, especially his loser of a predecessor, Keodis. As the former Blood Moon 2 sat and had his moments with his Master, in a matter of moments, Rikyo started moaning and the chair disappeared, becoming himself as he was the chair all along. Out of pettiness, Rikyo slithered away rudely, making Keodis fall out of the “chair”. “Eh? Your butt was Ice.” He said coyly, wiping the saliva off of his lips. In front of the Blood Moon 1 Seat was the Blood Moon 3 Seat, which was Gekido's. “You know you're either gay or asexual, if you're not performing the natural obligations with your Consort.” Rikyo mocked Gekido. “And oh I forgot you existed. If you're in such a boneswood, why not make yourself happy, but I doubt anyone would be happy, if they got a vengeful girl on their asses. I feel sorry for you, Keodis-senpai, and that blade… let me see hmm…ah! It's Tousai, no…it belonged to one of the Agatsuma Siblings, hmm… I forgot, but you know my last meal like hours ago was an Agatsuma Pregnant Woman, a Slayer on top of that and she tasted good! So good that the Kiji Blood within her, undulates inside me!” [color=crimson]”Gonna be a slight issue for you.”[/color] Resting in the air, the transparent wings of the Draconic Demon rest on the ground, propping up Keodis so he looks to be sitting on thin air. He smiles a bit meanly, gesturing to Rikyo’s face. [color=crimson]”You may want to cycle the flesh on your face if you don’t want to lose most of it. I thought we established last time we met that you don’t handle touching my clothes very well, shapeshifter. Is the radiation a bit too much for your complexion?”[/color] A shrill screech sounds from Keodis’ belt, registering an amount of radiation that, if encountered, would leave any person, human or demon, with over 30 grays of absorbed radiation. He looks down, aprematureebrow twitching, before he sighs, stands up, and lets the wings disappear, the shrill scream disappearing with them. [color=crimson]”So… Agatsuma, eh? Not too surprised you could defeat the worst of the worst. Took me less than a minute to beat their best so… hm. I’d say it took you about 8 minutes to finish her resistance? Somewhere around there? Tell me, Kouhai, did it feel good wasting your time and energy on a nobody, from a nobody, getting nothing but the sensation of sugar on your teeth?”[/color] He walks over to his actual chair, and sits down. He adjusts the collar of his jacket, and dusts off a streak of blood that was on its sleeve. The blood hits the ground, then seems to boil and turn black, necroticizing from his touch. The smell of mariechi curdles in the air, singing a sick song of the mutated demons that still occasionally pop up in the strike zones. Meanwhile, for Gekido, this was just a [i]horrible[/i] night of annoyance after annoyance. His favorite R&R place turned out to be a garden of blue spider lilies, and subsequently attacked, three of the most dangerous demons in the world are now aware that it’s there and among them Prick Jinwoo all but declares war for them, a psycho slayer goes on a rampage throughout the area, and the deal he had to be stuck with making'not only al'ost gets compromised, but also has made him convinced that their “humane” enemies may not be much better than their AWOL rogue in the sanity department. The fact that RYUOSHU captured and imprisoned Ryunosuke - however much of a bright side it is knowing he’s probably suffering inside his little cage - is not helping his annoyance. While everything was happening between Keodis-Senpai - of whom is, as always, the one good thing to see during meetings life-threatening;ikyo, Gekido was just silently facing forward, staring at Blood Moon 1’s, the “Captain’s” chair. Every task he has done, every headache he had to endure tonight as the city combusts and shit hits the fan, every mess he and Xaku are now obligated to clean up to keep things stabilized for the Chairman, he blames on the “captain” they’re forced to play substitute for. Even if by some miracle he actually shows up to this meeting, it’s likely only because the Chairman is forced to drag him into it. Before, all he wanted was to become Blood Moon 1 himself for the power, to prove himself the best of Michikatsu’s demons so that he may feel ready to face his final battle. Now, especially after tonight? Now it’s because if he’s doing the work as “Acting Captain” he may as well remove the “acting” part, and have the power and authority to be as efficient and capable as the Chairman clearly wants him to be. His head snapping back to reality, he looked towards Keodis-Senpai and Rikyo, and as they verbally - and in the case of Keodis-senpai,90-degreeterally - grill each other, with Rikyo - predictably - firing a shot at Gekido himself about his “non-commitment” to Urami. [b]“Coming from someone who no doubt has had everything from head to jewels ravaged by now from all the ‘obligations’ [i]you’ve[/i] made due on? Sounds more like well-made than anything.”[/b] He said in response with a snarky smile on his face. Needless to say, he enjoyed Keodis-Senpai standing his ground towards the asshole, in spite of the power difference there now was between them. He also noticed the sword appJapanese-style Hashira that Keodis-Senpai grabbed as a trophy, but paid it little mind. Even weakened as he is,, from his demotion, it’s no surprise that he's still strong enough to defeat Hashira. Gekido decided to ignore whatever Rikyo says in response. The sooner they can get this meeting started and over with, the better. “You talk big for a loser who gave up on conquest.” Rikyo smirked, knowing what Keodis's angle is headed. “Best of the Agatsuma? Don't try changing the topic, as you're busy with 8 minutes, in 2 minutes, I ate a handful and sooner or later I'll be eating the ado Ryunosuke with the cube that Ryoshu and Mina got me as a present. Just as I killed Tsugikuni Hikaru, the Slayers will have no Sun Breath-users. Since you bozos are making fun of me, why don't y'all worship me, I've got the Blue Spider Lilies, I've pierced through the memories of Daikaku Kōshin yet you two, who are beneath me, still continue to talk big. It's no wonder Gekido admires his Loser of a Senpai, because he failed to get Kamado Ryunosuke.” Rikyo wasn't bluffing. “Moreover, you said you took care of Agatsuma Kousai? Jokes on you, Loser, I killed Soyama Kenzo! Don't go whining like the loser you are, you dealt with a fledgling Hashira, “best of the best”, talk to me when you actually kill Tomioka Guen. I doubt you can with that withering Chinese of yours, aha! You made fun of my skin, now karma hits you with facts. Don't disrespect Kenzo, that man was a champ even for a cripple, I have Gekido-chan to thank him for that.” Rikyo at the moment has visible burnt marks from his ordeal with Kenzo, whose red nichirin fists made it hard for him to heal. …Well, so much for that. As much as he utterly despises this demon, and would gladly help Keodis-Senpai mutilate him to get his rightful seat back, he has to admit some credit where it’s due. Firstly, Rikyo definitely knows just the right things to really piss people off. He’s a master of reading people, getting into their heads, and pushing them right where he wants them to be. It’s how he got that cult of his, and it’s how he’s killed so many slayers in his time. Secondly, Gekido has little choice but to concede one fact: For as much as he despises Rikyo, at least he showed up and did his job, which is more than he can say for the so-called “Captain” Gekido’s sitting across from. However, as the air around the room started to get warmer and warmer, Gekido, oddly, chuckled at the mention of Ryunosuke and Rikyo potentially eating him. [b]“Honestly? I’d [i]love[/i] to see you try. But I don’t know if you’d want to, he’s such a poisonous little mushroom, sickeningly spicy, wouldn’t want your intestines to melt and end up with you shitting acid blood. But hey, at least it’d be entertaining to see. …As an aside, I make it a point not to put my faith in [i]plagerists[/i]”[/b] Gekido said. It was unfortunate that Soyama Kenzo died to someone like him, but in the end, it didn’t surprise him much either. What [i]did[/i] someone surprise him was the fact that Rikyo sounded like he actually had…[i]respect[/i] for Kenzo, for a slayer, …for [i][b]anyone.[/b][/i] If that wasn’t some kind of apocalyptic sign, he didn’t know what was. Xaku appears, silent as a ghost, her presence muted. With her cap missing, her hair slightly falls to cover her eyes, twin pools of still crimson, cold and flat. Xaku does not sit; there is no place for her there, a choice made and preferred. She simply stands aside while the others enter, back rigid, arms folded precisely behind her back. Her presence remains undetected, not through a conscious choice. It’s simply how exists when she isn’t trying to be seen. Her gaze briefly passes over Rikyo. She doesn’t pause. [i]...[/i] If Tsugikuni-sama didn’t still have use for them, both he and Ryoshu would have long since been reduced to dust. It would be a merciful end. Not yet, though. There was order to keep, everything else was just noise. Time is still on her side. The line is still intact. For the moment. Xaku says nothing, simply watching everything and waiting. And, unseen, her blood [i]writhes[/i] in silent agony. Rikyo stared back at Xaku, like a sexual predator, as if wanting to do more than just devour her. “ Keodis just looks at Rikyo like he’s stupid. [color=crimson]”I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but humans have a little thing they deal with called ‘ageing’. They get worse as time goes on. You, my cute little kouhai, have defeated an old master who has spent… 9? 10? Somewhere around there, at least, years declining. He just wasn’t the same…”[/color] Keodis’ eyes get distant for a second,before he blinks and rolls his left wrist. [color=crimson]”Anyways, remember those claw marks on his cheek? You must have, seeing you fought him. Well, those, along with his permanent limp, were my gifts to him back when he was worth a damn. Only human who got close to killing me. Stoved in half my head, punched both my legs off, and broke my true horns. Not even Our Honored Progenitor has broken my horns yet. That kid had fire, let me tell you. A shame that it was you who killed him in the end.” [/color] He gestures with the shattered hilt and crossguard of the hashira’s katana, swinging about the few inches of nichirin carelessly [color=crimson]”The Agatsuma I fought wasn’t even worth killing. He has quite a bit of potential, and I at least hope my little ‘intervention’ gave him the push he needs to start actually making an opponent of himself. As for your lilies… how do you think we got the information that they were there? Truly. You couldn’t find the way out of a paper bag with two hands and a map. How, exactly, are you supposed to put such peerless navigational skills into finding a flower that the First Father couldn’t find for hundreds of years? Don’t tout the fact that you were told where to go, and you did that, as some great achievement that we should all bow at your feet for. It’s basic orders. Even a dog can do that.”[/color] Keodis leans back in his chair, crossing his legs and steepling his fingers. He winks at Gekido, and nods at Xaku as they enter. It seems Keodis-Senpai knew where Gekido was going with his statement, responding to his wink with a smile and a nod before looking back at Rikyo. “[b]Moreover, as you already hinted to yourself, [i]I[/i] was the one who gave him his burns and tore off his arm. As for your other accomplishments, from what I understood, Ryoshu was the one who broke their defenses on his own, lured away the more dangerous of the slayers that arrived there, and both he and his consort, as you’ve also already pointed out, were the ones who captured Ryunosuke in the first place. If anyone tarnished the Daikaku legacy, and was useful in getting the lilies out of there, it was him. And to be frank, even your greatest achievement, the demise of Hikari Tsugikuni, you had your consort help you with. Every single credential you’ve claimed has been on the back of achievements made by others, rather than what you’ve earned for yourself. But I’ll give you this, it [i]does[/i] sound about right for someone worshipped by the weak to be praised for the works of those “beneath” them.[/b]” Gekido said. Meanwhile, Xaku’s entrance was as quiet and uncaring of the current circumstance as he expected. He gave her a silent nod, remembering what they talked about before his negotiations with that Hashira girl. Rikyo failed to comprehend these babbling idiots as to why they whine so much about emotions, as for him, he never has any emotions to begin with. The more Keodis and Gekido unite against him, he's got that mug on his face, not of defeat nor care but simple apathy and the usual rant that he hears, meeting after meeting. Directions? About that…Rikyo chose not to tell his plans to his peers, he found out where the Lilies were on his own, thanks to his cult. “A dog…hmm woof~ arf~ a dragon dog! Hahahahahha! I'm such a good doggy, what a praise arf hahaha!” Rikyo bursted out laughing at Gekido and Keodis. On top of that with silly hand gestures and motions of petty insults in a childlike manner. “You two really have such a good friendship and I'm so happy being part of this friendship, you don't have to be so mean about it but I understand it! It's tough love you see! The reverse psychology that defines one to do better and I couldn't agree even more!” Rikyo said with no life in his eyes but his words were passive-aggressive. “Achievements? You mean cooperation, yeah I agree to a certain extent, a religion is like a clock you see, without the congregation, the Church can't move, I guess my words were of how do I say this, human ego, but demon ego? I don't think vanity exists amongst Demons, you two clearly still have lingering humanity and I almost wanna cry yet I am laughing at you're bigotry Gekido, you can only talk more smack if someone like this Loser is around hmm~ but every other meeting, you can't.” Rikyo transfigured a Shamisen. “Once upon a time there was a Son of The Sun, he was a good provider, he gained so much riches, for the coals of serenity come reaping fruits. His flame is gone~ For his flame was too cold. His embers put out~ Put out by a flame from a twin~ If you've heard this story before, Gekido, it was engraved in children's books.” Rikyo grinned, implying the mockumentary and transcribed story book Aesop he published in his religion. “Would it be abrupt if we change topics? It's kinda unhealthy being mean to each other, but yeah Gekido, I'm not an idiot, I can eat this cube right now and you'll beg me to stop.” Rikyo glared at Gekido, peering through transfigured memories, shape-shifting the intensity of what's buried deep within. In a matter of seconds, Rikyo is about to munch on the cube that is Ryunosuke, after revisiting a certain mental plane. Almost as a consequence, the more Rikyo peered into Gekido’s head, the hotter it was getting in the room, like a sauna or perhaps more accurately like a kitchen without air conditioning, the heat was getting a bit too intense for any normal human to handle. For demons like them, it was probably more just a mild inconvenience, or perhaps a lingering memory of the feeling of daylight in the summer. With a quick motion of the hand, he threw a bright white ball of flame towards Rikyo, or more accurately, the cube in Rikyo’s hand, and by extension, the hand itself. It wasn’t that strong - not like that mattered against a demon who outranks him - but it had a sense of force and impact to it, a sense of mass, more than enough to push the cube right out of Rikyo’s hand, and likely hit the wall behind him. While it may look serious to the normal human eye, the hand that held the cube likely seared if not torn off outright, for demons like them, who can regenerate so easily, why this was nothing more than slapping the cube out of the hand from a longer range. [b]“Oops? I figured I’d at least cook it for you to let it go down easier, but I guess I put too much force into it. Sorry about that. Urami, please pick that up for him.”[/b] He coyly said. The white flame extinguishing in his hand almost immediately as he smiled, before slowly fading back to a solemn frown. [b]“...First off, it’s been a hell of a night for me, needing to clean up your messes and stabilize the Chairman’s city so our livestock doesn’t go on a stampede, all while me and Xaku are stuck doing [i]your[/i] jobs, while you fuck off somewhere to play pope and our “Kingpin” is off doing god knows what. So yes, I’m a bit more pissed off than I usually am at these meetings. I assure you, Keodis-Senpai has nothing to do with it, and he has even more right to be pissed than me! Secondly, You peered into my head just now, so you should already know: I don’t “beg”, not anymore. At the very least, I [i]refuse[/i] to beg for anything on [i]his[/i] behalf! Finally, …Funny thing: you claim Vanity doesn’t exist among demons, yet we’re not the ones who said we should worship you, and we’re not the one who decided it’s a good idea to form a…[i]’religion’[/i] that follows your every whim. The concept of vanity not existing in a demon rings hollow from the mouth of a would-be Messiah is all I’m saying. The only thing I think you lack in comparison to us is a sense of shame.”[/b] He let out an amused chuckle. [b]“But what the hell, I’ll play devil’s advocate; let’s assume you’re right about that, and you have no sense of ego or vanity. Very clearly, you [i]do[/i] have a sense of sadism, and I think we can all agree that is something that we demons not only have the capacity for, but the drive of our instinct towards. The enjoyment of watching others suffer, the entertainment of playing with our food… I’ve seen the kind of gatherings you throw at your church; it all seems so pointless if it’s not out of some pleasure derived from depravity. …In that cube, you now have the strongest Hashira there is thanks to you, one of the only ones so far that has the mark on him to boot, and to top it off, the single greatest enemy of the chairman, as Ryoshu no doubt demonstrated in their fight. He’s going to die soon no matter what. For someone like him, a pre-mature death, even by us, is the easy way out. It is a mercy, and it’s one he does not deserve just yet, and melting in your digestive juices will neither be slow nor painful enough when he finally does![/b]” He said, the heat making the room feel more like the inside of an oven before slowly dying out and fading back to normal. [b]”…There are fates worse than death. Surely, someone like you can think of one that suits your special prey. Prove to me you’re as much the model demon as you claim to be, I’ll gladly step aside and watch.”[/b] He then said, leaning back carefree in his chair with both hands behind his head as a rest. Rikyo smiled at Gekido. “You've gotten a little stronger at the very least, since the last time we met Gekido-chan, you've learned how to jest.” No emotion on empty words, can't tell whether he's trolling or not. “I —” Caught off guard, Rikyo felt a burning sensation in his mouth. It was none other than the wounds he sustained from his fight with Kenzo. Furthermore, before he could continue being a chatterbox, Michikatsu looked intensively on the situation. He then realized, it wasn't just his wounds from Kenzo but a recent wound. Just looking at their Progenitor, he speedblitzed him, cutting off his jaw with that corrupted red blade. “This is as far as I'd allow “camaraderie”, I don't care who started it. All of you are equally responsible for not acting professionally in a meeting before it even started.” In a matter of seconds, Michikatsu is carrying both the heads of Rikyo and Gekido, decapitated, faster than the blink of an eye could see. “Xaku, take these two to the blood fountains immediately.” The severity of such unprofessional behavior long before meetings between the Moons and being beheaded by the Godfather, is life threatening, reattaching heads back to their body won't work, as they'd die from the red blade. A glimpse of Ryoshu, bathing in the fountain to tend to his wounds. Michikatsu calmed down. “The rest of you, if you have anything else to say and pout like children, you're not welcome here. It would be inappropriate for our guests to be seeing such childish behavior.” Implying that the other moguls, the Demon Progenitors, have arrived. Showa Secret Era: The Blood Fountains are condensed bodies of blood, where beheaded Blood Moons are nursed back to health, a matter of temporary suspension that would later result in a Bloodrite Dispute, once healed. “And Xaku, inform me immediately of their progress.” Michikatsu implied that Xaku can just let one of her men bring them over while she stays in the meeting. [color=crimson]”Holy shit, Dad finally put his foot down.”[/color] In a flicker of crimson-colored static, Keodis’ demeanour changes. Where before, he was laid-back and quietly raging, now he is the image of a consummate professional. Perfect 90 degree posture, closed-off and serious body language, and even a wardrobe change. His jeans are traded out for pressed slacks, and his jacket seems to warp into a suit and tie, all looking like they were just retrieved from a dry cleaner. His wild, unnaturally red hair is combed back into a well made short mullet, instead of the chaotic bedhead that it was. His blade now rests beside him, sheathed and cleaned. The Former Upper 2 now projects the image of who he once was, not who he is currently. “Welcome. My fellow Kings.” Michikatsu bowed in a Japanese style greeting, welcoming the Demon Kings of Imperial Japan’s respective territories; Taihoku, Sencho & Karafuto; then he went back to his seat, the seats were rearranged by Nakime by pedigree. The empress of Taihoku seemed to flicker in the shadows of the room, corporeal and not all at the same time. Her pristine black hair pinned back in a bun with her unblinking crimson eyes staring forward, neither pupil moved to show response to the many silhouettes that stood around her— almost as if she were blind. As her lips parted and the soft resonance of her voice vibrated off of her tongue, even to the strongest of her kin it would quake the soul. As if a songstress from the heavens were singing directly into their minds, numbing the senses, altering the perception of what happened around them. It wasn’t an activation of her demonic blood, nor was it some strange ability meant to combat the many around her; truly it was just the Empress of Taihoku’s voice, rumored to shake the hearts of beasts and men alike, a conqueror that takes what she wishes without shedding blood. [color=FFB8CB]”My beloved family.”[/color] Her head would tilt, resting her cheek upon the sheer lace that covered her shoulder. The Demon King of Korea quietly took his seat, his pristine and colorful hanbok robes on display showing clear influences from Chinese tradition in its cut, while also lacking many of the things that made those recognizable such as wide dripping sleeves. His head sprouted a wide brimmed circular green hat with many bangles dangling from it that on further observation were clearly made from white jade. He spoke with no hurry and perfect diction while slowly tapping his chin with the tip of his baton. “So what reason did you feel was needed for us all to gather here, and is it related to rumors some of my people heard about your recent *activities*?” Said Jinu with clear emphasis on the last part as he leaned back into his seat nonchalantly. From the back corner of the room steps forth a third. Tall, with plain robes that obscure his figure. Grigori Rasputin appears, silent and stern-faced, staring at the filled room. Perhaps even startling one or two of the moons who hadn't realized he was there the entire time before taking a seat. With everyone gathered, Michikatsu smirked at what Jinu was saying. Nakime strummed her Biwa and summoned the Blue Spider Lilies. He said to Jinu; “Didn't you challenge me earlier, saying I'd never verify these rumors? Look who's talking now. Consequently, your declaration of war, if you were actually serious, you'd have sent your Saja. Nevertheless, I do not yet desire to fight. I am here to establish a Covenant ” Michikatsu mockingly spoke in Korean to Jinu. Jinu tapped his baton against the table a few times. “I don’t recall declaring a war yet, but if I was going to attack I wouldn't do it during the negotiations that's just bad taste.” Stated Jinu in fluent japanese, as he looked Michikatsu in the eyes. “State your terms then and we may come to agreement, or leave and be back to how the situation was before.” He sighed with confidence. “For every King is given a pack of Blue Spider Lily, but of course, not without value. There must be something you'd desire to solidify our alliances. For one, I want our nation…” By nation, Michikatsu was referring to Imperial Japan, meaning its 47 Prefectures and the three annexed territories. “... To be united under one system. The Quadrumvirate. Four Kings causes nothing more than territorial dispute, you know it to be true, isn't it Jinu?” Michikatsu said so with great conviction. “Lest they become Communists like China, isn't that right, Empress Taihoku? You're doing everything you can to make Taiwan free from those CCPs. I can feel economic growth, not just in the country but also in an arms race, the Suiseiseki is among those items. Hence I want our Empire to shine for eternity.” Michikatsu drank his blood juice to take a break from talking. [color=FFB8CB]”The Red Guards have become quite the delicacy for my young ones. As for your flowery words about empirical prosperity, we remain pliant and indifferent— should you require us of anything, simply ask.”[/color] The empress of Taihoku smiled so softly that it was nearly imperceptible, but that shimmer of scarlet within her large irises would offer Michikatsu the answer he asked for. “What I'm touting is a demonic reform. We don't have to kill each other, nor do our progeny just for the sake of territory. One Demon King will rule, once in ten years, while the others are to slumber. This is to make sure that power isn't abused. The awakened Demon King will have total control of all the imperial progeny, in other words, the mainland and the three territories will obey the absolute ruler of the decade.” He said to Taihoku, Rasputin and Jinu. “You must take us for fools Michikatsu, your youth is showing.” Rasputin says slowly, as if each word must need time to be understood. M“Youth without wisdom is no different than the old without foresight, Rasputin. All of you, my fellow Kings, all you have to do is take the Blue Spider Lilies, conquer the Sun while we iron out our differences via a Blood Pact on who should be the Emperor of the Underworld. Do you not see the bigger picture? You don't want another World War that disables the Empire for its lack of unity. Those Americans and the Chinese Demons have already infiltrated us, this isn't the time to remain indifferent. No system is perfect and our progeny are no different from the humans, there's still discrimination amongst Demons and disputes within territories. These are two of my proposals.” Michikatsu defined what slumber meant in this context. He meant that three of the Kings are to surrender their Bloodrite amongst Kings to the proposed Emperor of the Decade, no one will remain asleep literally. “The three who are succeedingly in line for the chrysanthemums throne, will remain as Elders of the Emperor's Council while they wait their turn of succession. This is the chance to prove unity instead of division and to properly consolidate things to its rightful place, for our Empire and its people/demons.” [color=FFB8CB]”I do not wish to sleep, but if that is deemed necessary to avoid conflict amongst kin, I am willing to make that sacrifice for my children.”[/color] A soft hum echoed off the walls as the empress spoke, and the most subtle smile began to tug upwards at the corners of her lips. “With how the humans are advancing sleeping would end with the new emperor not knowing how to walk the Street without getting run over by the car.” Said Jinu with clear distaste at the idea. “I can try it for 3 full rotations, then we will need to reevaluate anyway.” “Seems like I'm not the only one weary of Kamado Ryunosuke, Nichirin Technology has advanced to a point where it's too many, too many usage like Nichirin Cars, incense, we'll use the very thing they're using against them, very well…” Michikatsu smiled triumphantly as two of the Demon Kings agreed. He snapped his fingers and had his cup bearers serve the Demon Kings the Blue Spider Lilies in its liquid form, ready to drink. Michikatsu made his speech as he consumed the Blue Spider Lily, dramatically as his position shifted in a stage where the sun would lit upon him. “For thousands of years, our Foredemons chased this mythical flower relentlessly and now God has recognized the superior race, we are the ones that will inherit this Earth, we are the true humans of this world, and to all my kindred out there, come out, join us, you have lived in the shadows of fear for too long!” Michikatsu was telepathically relaying his message visually-telepathically to all Demons in Imperial Japan. As the sun shines upon Michikatsu in the stage, his skin not only burnt but glistened, visually showing that the blue spider lily actually was working and it worked, his six eyes opened and with his godlike aura, he levitated back to his seat. “This is power. This is what our race shall be capable of, and I agree that re-evaluation is a necessity, my fellow Kings, and that time will come as well, but for now, let us celebrate our triumph against the Sun!” urging them to drink and become like him. [/hider] [img]https://i.imgur.com/rpDKyKO.jpeg[/img] First Quarter of Arc 2 begins! 2 weeks past since the ordeal with the Blood Moons. Things weren't the same for the Demon Slayer Corps, Kenzo dead and Ryunosuke captured. Miyuki was furious while in tears in the Dojo. She didn't talk nor trained with anyone for 2 weeks, she didn't even attend the funeral. In this group, we got Kōshin, Hinotora, Himari, Kousai, Tenko, Jae-Eun and some Demon Slayers from Taiwan and Karafuto. Suga, the misogynist smirked at Hinotora. "You survived after that onslaught." Showa Secret, Dalnim Suga, a Demon Slayer from Korea. "I'm here for something else and yet all I see are weak women and feminine men. Kousai is the only real man!" Takaya sighed. "I'm not here for your rants Dalnim Suga. We are here to discuss important matters." He gave letters to them. Kairi's letter [hider=Kousai, Himari, Raikou] I won't be around, Ubuyashiki-sama has assigned me to rebuild the Daikaku Shrine elsewhere. Himari, take the lead, Kousai, don't do anything stupid, I have gained permission from Ubuyashiki-sama, considering you descended from Kamado Nezuko and Tanjiro being your ancestor...Sun Breathing....you will learn it. Himari, this upcoming mission will be at our turf, I need you to work closely with Muragarasu and Jae-Eun." [/hider] Guen's letter [hider=Jae-Eun, Tenko, Miyuki, Hinotora] Oddly enough, you'll be in Kyoto's Turf, I've been thinking of my actions recently, but that's still vague. By the way, take care of my Tsuguko for me, Jae-Eun. Miyuki, I'm sorry about 2 weeks ago. My vengeance is still priority, and I come to regret of the damage its cause, I will still fight for my vengeance but I won't involve anymore innocents. I'll turn myself in.[/hider] Guen's Tsuguko, Akira is with them on the meeting as well. Miyuki arrived at the meeting. Her eyes were still sore from grieving her father's death. She rudely grabbed the paper from Takaya. "Guen..turning herself in? I don't trust her, it's a trap. I'm back, our training will resume shortly, and I'm not okay yet white okay. Hinotora's counseling has been helpful." [/cell] [cell][color=2e2c2c]____________[/color] [Color=crimson]ραятαкєяѕ[/color] [hider=Daikaku][@13org] as Daikaku Kōshin [@TimelessParagon] as Ryoshu [@Digmata] as Uzui Kairi [@JrVader] as Kamado Ryunosuke [@Lewascan2] as Rengoku Hinotora [/hider][hider=Torigoya] [@Haha] as Muragarasu [@Randomguy] as Tenko Maria Thompson [@King Kindred] as Tsugikuni Himari [@Taka] as Agatsuma Kousai [@xAlter] as Jae-Eun Yoshihide [@Aku the Samurai] as Xaku [@The Jest] as Gekido [@Arminwraith] as Ryunoko Keodis [/hider][hider=DK Summit][@Kpopknower] as Demon King of Korea/Sencho - Jinu [@Haha] as Demon King of Taiwan/Taihoku [@Redking0380][/hider] [/cell][/row][/table]