Demon Slayer : Heir to the Moon

I'm sprawled on the ground, poison scorching my veins like wildfire. My body screams with every twitch, exhaustion dragging me under. My vision blurs into a hazy mess, senses fading fast. But I can't stop.

If Yuki dies here, it's on me. She followed me, trusted me. That guilt gnaws at my chest, sharp and relentless. I have to fight. I have to take down these demons.

Kyouka and Kurayami loom over me, their eyes glinting with cruel delight. Kyouka's smirk twists as his claws flex. "Time to die," he sneers. Then he unleashes his Sonic Cataclysm—a wall of sound that crashes into me, loud enough to split my skull.

Kurayami's next. His Abyssal Chains slither from the shadows, jagged tendrils aiming straight for my heart. The air grows thick with their combined power, suffocating me.

My hand trembles as I grip my chipped Nichirin blade. I force myself up, legs wobbling, and plant my feet. I'm ready—or at least I tell myself I am. I've got to atleast fight till dawn to make sure everyones safety, no matter what.

A voice cuts through the chaos. "Blood Demon Art: Eternal Nightmare."

Everything warps. The village vanishes.

I'm suddenly in a strange forest, a giant red moon glowing overhead. I'm floating, my pain dulled, my head clear. Ghost hovers beside me, calm and in control.

Finally…

I can catch a breath. Ghost can handle the rest.

Below, Kyouka and Kurayami sprawl on the ground, confused. "What's happening?" Kyouka growls, clawing his way up.

The air presses down, heavy and oppressive. The demons look up, spotting Ghost framed by that crimson moon. His presence hits like a tidal wave—pure, unshakable power.

"You make too much noise," Ghost says, his voice smooth as ice.

Kurayami squints. "Who are you?"

"I am death," Ghost replies. It's not a boast—it's a fact, cold and final.

I see it in their eyes: fear. Their powers flicker, useless here in Ghost's domain. I'm stunned as he glides down, his Nichirin blade catching the eerie light.

They lunge at him, desperate. But Ghost moves like a shadow—too fast to track. His blade dances, slicing them apart in a blur. They don't stand a chance. He cuts them into a thousand pieces.

Not gonna lie, it was satisfying to watch.

My heart races. Ghost is a monster—a force I never fully grasped. Has he always been this strong? Or was he holding back all this time?

With a flick of his wrist, the dream fades. We're back in the village, the demons' bodies slumped but whole. No wounds or their bodies cut into pieces like in the dream world.

So the real body isn't affected, no matter what happens in the dream world?

Well, I got hurt when I fought Ghost there, but I didn't notice that wounds don't carry over to reality. It just drains your energy and maybe your soul.

Ghost steps forward, blade raised, and lops off their heads in one clean swing.

It's done. Two Lower Moons, erased. So cool.

He turns to me as I struggle to sit up. "Why are you here?" I croak.

"I sensed demons," Ghost says, like it's obvious. "Came to help."

I manage a shaky grin. "Thanks."

His eyes narrow. "Your weakness and incompetence fighting two weak demons dragged me into this."

I blink. "Wait, what? Those two were Lower Moons. They were some of the strongest demons."

"Yet they can't even stand against an Upper Moon demon. Upper Moons are far more powerful than these lowly ones who can't survive a decade. The last Upper Moon was killed over a century ago."

"Wait, really? Upper Moons are that strong?"

"Yes."

"What about you? You sliced those demons like wet paper. Are you as strong as an Upper Moon?"

Ghost smirks. "Well, I was Upper Moon Two when I worked for Muzan."

My jaw drops. "Wait. Really?"

"Yes. Now enough talking. Because of your mess, Muzan knows I'm still alive. He'll hunt me."

"What? Really?"

"Yes, and you need to stop questioning everything I say, you dumbass. It's annoying."

"I'm sorr—" Pain explodes through me. While chatting with Ghost, I forgot about the poison still in my body. Damn my curiosity. I need to act. It hurts like hell.

Ghost kneels beside me, pressing a hand to my chest. "The poison's deep. I can slow it, but…"

My gut twists. "But what?"

"You'll die," he says, flat as ever.

I stare at him. "No way! I's not dying like this!"

His lips twitch, almost a smile. "Then become a demon. It's your only way out."

"What?" I freeze. A demon? Give up being human?

But if I die, who'll look after Yuki? She can't go back to her family because of my selfishness.

If I die here, Yuki's life is ruined. But if I become a demon, what happens to me? Can I trust Ghost? I don't sense any evil intent in his voice or presence, but he's scary sometimes. Even with my knack for reading people, I'm not sure about him.

What should I do? Thoughts swirl in my head. If I turn, I'll need to eat humans, avoid the sun, and maybe leave Yuki behind—I don't know what I'd become. I couldn't build a family with her. What's the point of that? My body aches, my head pounds. I need to decide fast. If I turn, I could at least get Yuki to safety first—maybe the Butterfly Mansion, where she'd be protected.

Ghost yells, his face twisting into a scary grin, "Decide quick, or you'll die!"

What's with that look? Is he plotting something? He seems fishy.

I don't care anymore.

"Fine," I say, steel in my voice. "Do it."

That creepy grin flashes again.

"Have you ever done this before?" I asked.

"No, it's my first time trying this."

"What? What if you fail?"

"Then there's nothing we can do."

"On second thought, I don't wanna become a demo—"

"Too late," Ghost cuts in.

He nods, pressing harder. Heat floods me—I'm burning in strange, beautiful crimson flames. I clench my jaw, enduring the pain.

Is this it? Am I a demon now?

The crimson fire vanishes.

Wait, the pain's gone. Did it work? I don't feel different, though.

"Am I a demon now?" I yell.

"No, you dumbass."

"Wait, why? I don't feel the poison anymore."

"That's because I burned it out of your body."

"WHAT?" I snap. "You can do that? Then why all the talk about becoming a demon?"

"Oh, that? I was just toying with you," Ghost says.

I shout, "That's not funny! Do you know how much I struggled with that choice?"

"Come on, don't be mad. I'm allowed to prank you sometimes."

I don't have the energy to argue. I gasp, relief crashing over me. I'm alive—for now. But my body's wrecked, my blade useless.

I glance at Ghost, a knot tightening in my stomach. "Have you… eaten anyone lately?" He tilts his head, curious. "Why?" "No reason. You just seem stronger than before." He shrugs, his tone casual. "Just corpses. Drank some blood from a dead villager's body nearby. Good stuff." I swallow hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. It's a grim reminder of what he is—a demon, even if he fights beside me. Unease coils in my chest, but there's no denying the power he wields. Power I need. "Train me more," I say, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside.

He arches a brow. "You're a wreck. Why would I?"

"Please," I press. "I need to be stronger."

He sighs after a moment. "Fine. Find a hidden spot to train. Take this." He snaps off a piece of my busted blade, letting his blood drip onto it. "Light it up when you're ready. I'll find you."

I grin. "How many tricks do you have? Dream worlds, blood control, crimson flames, sword skills—you're the most versatile demon I've ever seen."

He smirks. "Keep up, and you'll see more."

I pause.

"Oh shoot, I need to get to Yuki. She must be worried."

"Yuki? The girl you like?"

"Yes."

He tilts his head. "What's she doing here? Did you get married?"

"No! She was about to marry someone else, but I ran off with her from the wedding."

Ghost snorts. "You're insane, man. I like that. Take care of her."

We share a grin, then part ways.

He vanishes like a ghost. No wonder his name's Ghost. I wonder what his real name is.

Ghost is a terrifying demon, yet sometimes his warmth outshines a human's.

I stumble to Grandma's house, where Yuki waits. She runs to me, tears streaming, and throws her arms around me. Grandma and the kid gasp at my state.

"I'm fine," I mumble, hugging her back. Her warmth steadies me—it feels so good. Then my legs give out, and everything goes black. I pass out.

To Be Continued…

Volume 1 End.