บท 26: A Letter Before the Dawn

The Demon Slayer Headquarters was eerily quiet that evening. A thick blanket of stars coated the sky, the cool breeze gently rustling the paper sliding under the office door of the boss, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. The soft click of the door closing followed the retreating footsteps of the MC, Rudra, who had slipped the letter in place without a sound. He glanced back, his usual grin tempered by a rare, reflective expression.

"Looks like it's time," Rudra muttered to himself, feeling the weight of the decision he had been holding onto for some time.

He vanished into the shadows as the moonlight filled the empty corridors.

Inside the office, the letter waited on the desk. On the front of the envelope, written in Rudra's unmistakable scrawl were the words:

"Boss, read this before everyone."

The next morning, the sun hadn't even reached its peak when Kagaya gathered the Demon Corps, his children, and the newly promoted Hashiras. Rudra was notably absent, his chair empty. Whispers filled the room; no one had seen him since the final battle. Tanjiro stood next to the boss, his face a mix of confusion and concern. Next to him, Inosuke was already itching for a brawl, nudging Zenitsu, who kept shivering nervously, as always.

Kagaya raised a hand to silence the room. He carefully unfolded the letter Rudra had left behind and began to read aloud.

"To my esteemed Boss, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the strongest Hashiras, and my favorite batch of demon-killing misfits,

First, before I get to the emotional stuff, let's have a laugh, shall we? Zenitsu, I told you repeatedly not to eat those questionable mushrooms Inosuke keeps collecting from the forest! One of these days, we won't have time to save you from a self-induced coma. Inosuke, stop encouraging him. You've got enough going on without having a panicked Zenitsu screaming beside you in battle.

Now that that's out of the way… let's talk."

Kagaya paused, a soft chuckle rippling through the room, Zenitsu turning red while Inosuke seemed vaguely proud. The tone shifted as the letter went on.

**"I'm not like the rest of you. I know this may sound strange, but I'm not from your world. That's right—I'm an outsider. I came here for one reason: to save you all from what I saw in another timeline. In that timeline, all of you, from Tanjiro to the youngest recruits, gave your lives in the fight against Muzan. Every one of you fought valiantly, but the cost was beyond what anyone should have to bear.

When I first arrived here, I didn't expect to care as much as I do now. But meeting you all changed that. You aren't just the protectors of this world; you're the best humanity has to offer.

Tanjiro, I saw you fight until your last breath. You carried a burden that should never have fallen on one so kind. And your family... Kie, Nezuko, your siblings—they were the light in the dark. In the other timeline, they were the reason you kept going, even as everything crumbled around you. But not this time. This time, you all lived.

Zenitsu, in that timeline, you died fighting to protect your friends. For someone so terrified of everything, you had the heart of a true warrior. You were faster than lightning itself. You should've seen yourself in that final battle. But not this time. This time, you get to live.

Inosuke… well, I won't lie. You stayed exactly the same—an unstoppable force of nature. But you too fell. And, believe it or not, your last words were more heartfelt than I could have imagined. You told everyone that it was the best fight of your life. But not this time.

And Kanao, Shinobu, Mitsuri, Tengen, Sanemi, Giyu… every one of you laid down your lives for the greater good. Kagaya, your entire family sacrificed themselves to weaken Muzan. The cost was unbearable. But not this time."

The silence that followed was heavy. Tanjiro's eyes were wide with shock, his hands trembling. Inosuke, usually so brash, was silent, his grip tightening on his boar mask. Kagaya's usual calm composure cracked for just a second, as he processed what Rudra had done for them all.

Kagaya continued to read.

**"You see, Boss, I wasn't in that timeline. I didn't exist there. And that's why things went differently this time. I don't belong to this world, but I came here with one mission—to change the ending. And we did. Together, we altered fate itself. But I have one last request before I leave.

Help India.

I know, I know—it's unexpected. But in the world I come from, the Earth has suffered through so much. There are disasters beyond what you can imagine, and sometimes it feels like hope is all but lost. Earthquakes, tsunamis… Japan itself faces these in my world. And India, a country of immense beauty and history, faces its own challenges. If you can, extend a hand. The world is bigger than what you know, and your strength can help beyond these shores.

I know this is a lot to ask, especially considering how much you all have sacrificed. But that's why I'm asking you—because if anyone can do it, it's the people who saved this world from Muzan."

Kagaya's voice caught slightly as he read those words. He had always known Rudra was different—there was an otherworldly quality about him, something enigmatic. But to hear it confirmed like this was a shock.

**"To Kagaya—thank you for leading with wisdom, even when the path was impossible. Your presence brought peace to the chaos. I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye in person, but I couldn't face you all, knowing that this would be my last message.

To Tanjiro—keep your family close. You have a power that transcends swordsmanship; it's the power to heal, to inspire. Never lose that.

To Zenitsu—okay, I'll take you to a 'gentleman's place' in my next life. You earned it after all that whining. (Just don't let Inosuke follow you there, alright?)

To Inosuke—never change, you crazy boar-headed lunatic. You're stronger than you know, and your heart is bigger than you let on.

To Kanao—your strength lies in your silence. Don't forget that sometimes the quietest voice can be the loudest.

To Giyu, Sanemi, and all the other Hashiras—remember, the battle isn't over just because Muzan is gone. There will always be darkness, but you've shown me that light can conquer anything. Protect this world. I leave it in your hands.

And to Kagaya's family… you are the soul of the Corps. Never forget that. I've seen how this could have ended, and I'm eternally grateful that you all live to carry on the legacy."

There was a long pause as Kagaya read the final words, his eyes drifting to the faces of his warriors—his friends and family.

**"This is where I take my leave. You won't see me again, but that's the way it's meant to be. My world still needs me, and it's time for me to go. But know this—you'll always have my respect, my admiration, and a piece of my heart.

Signed, Rudra, the Tempest Dragon

P.S. Zenitsu—stop crying. Seriously. It's just a letter. I'll haunt you if you don't stop."**

By the time the letter was finished, there were few dry eyes in the room. Even Zenitsu, who was indeed crying, tried to pull himself together while Inosuke made a half-hearted attempt to insult him for it.

Tanjiro stood in stunned silence, his mind racing as the weight of what he'd heard sank in. The battles, the sacrifices, everything they had fought for—it was all part of something bigger than he could have imagined.

Kagaya placed the letter down with a soft sigh, his voice calm but filled with emotion. "Rudra may be gone, but his legacy will live on. We honor his wish by protecting not just this world, but those beyond it. The fight isn't over, but we will face whatever comes next together."

As the group dispersed, Inosuke smirked, elbowing Zenitsu. "Ha, told you Rudra was from another world. I could smell it."

Zenitsu wiped his tears. "Shut up, Inosuke! You didn't know anything! You just thought he smelled weird!"

"Exactly. Weird like a hero," Inosuke grinned, puffing out his chest.

Tanjiro smiled softly, listening to their banter, but his mind was elsewhere—thinking of Rudra's sacrifice and the future that lay ahead. He clutched his sword, knowing that the journey wasn't over.

And so, the Demon Slayer Corps moved forward, carrying the lessons, the strength, and the laughter that Rudra had left behind. The Tempest Dragon may have returned to his own world, but his mark on theirs would remain forever.

To be continued…