Chương 23: Chapter 23
[Scene Change: Infinity Castle]
Within the disorienting expanse of the Infinity Castle, the air crackled with palpable tension. Endless wooden corridors twisted and turned, defying the laws of gravity, their very walls seeming to shift and rearrange themselves with a mind of their own.
The remaining Upper Moon demons, gathered in a grand awaited their master's arrival with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.
A frail old man, his body hunched and trembling, huddled in a corner, his fearful eyes darting around the room, taking in the terrifying presence of his fellow Upper Moons.
"How horrifying," he whimpered, his voice a mere squeak. "We haven't seen each other for a while. It's been 113 years since the last summons."
This was Hantengu, Upper Moon Four, a demon whose cowardice was only matched by his grotesque appearance.
Gyutaro and Daki, the Upper Moon Six siblings, lounged on a nearby platform, their grotesque forms a stark contrast to the elegant surroundings.
"Oh, brother," Daki purred, her voice a seductive hiss, "I wonder what kind of entertainment Muzan-sama has in store for us this time."
Gyutaro scoffed, his mismatched eyes gleaming with malice. "Hopefully, it involves more bloodshed and less of that annoying biwa music."
Suddenly, a powerful voice cut through the silence.
"Biwa," it boomed, its tone commanding attention. "Is Muzan-sama here yet?"
Akaza, Upper Moon Three, stood tall and proud, his muscular body adorned with intricate tattoos. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the room, searching for their master.
A woman, her pale face obscured by long, black hair that cascaded down her back. She held a biwa in her hands, its strings shimmering with an otherworldly light.
"Muzan-sama is not here yet," Nakime replied, her voice a monotonous drone.
Akaza, his impatience growing with each passing moment, turned to Nakime once more. "Then where is Upper Moon One?" he demanded, his voice booming through the chamber. "Don't tell me he's been defeated..."
Just then, the lights in the chamber flickered and died, plunging the room into darkness. A chilling aura descended upon them, a palpable sense of dread that made even the most hardened demons tremble.
A playful voice echoed through the darkness. "Oh my...! Wait a minute, Akaza-dono."
A hand, pale and delicate, landed on Akaza's shoulder.
"Aren't you worried about me?"
The lights flickered back on, revealing a figure standing behind Akaza. It was Doma, Upper Moon Two, his face adorned with a serene smile that belied the darkness lurking within.
Akaza's muscles tensed, his anger palpable. "Remove your hand, Doma," he growled, his voice low and menacing.
Doma's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "But why, Akaza-dono? I'm just being friendly."
Akaza, his patience exhausted, lashed out. With a swift backhand, he smacked Doma's head, sending the demon sprawling across the floor. A gash appeared on Doma's forehead, blood gushing forth.
"Ouch," Doma whined, his playful tone unwavering. "That hurt a little, you know?"
In an instant, the wound healed, leaving no trace of the injury. Doma rose to his feet, still smiling, as if nothing had happened.
A collective gasp echoed through the chamber. The other Upper Moons stared in disbelief. Akaza had struck Doma, and Doma... had simply laughed it off.
The tension in the room reached a fever pitch.
He sauntered into the center of the room, his movements graceful and fluid. "So, what's the occasion? A family reunion? A surprise birthday party for Muzan-sama?"
Hantengu, still huddled in the corner, let out a nervous whimper. "Please, Doma-sama, don't joke like that. You'll anger Muzan-sama."
Doma merely laughed, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Oh, Hantengu-dono, always so fearful. Where's your sense of humor?"
He turned his attention to Nakime, who continued to play her biwa, her expression unchanged.
"Nakime-chan," he said, his voice dripping with saccharine sweetness, "would you be a dear and inform us of Muzan-sama's whereabouts?"
Nakime's fingers paused for a moment, then resumed their rhythmic plucking. "Muzan-sama is currently indisposed," she replied, her voice a monotonous drone. "He will join us shortly."
Doma sighed dramatically. "Oh, how disappointing. I was hoping for a grand entrance, with fireworks and confetti and maybe even a dance number."
He twirled around, his movements a mockery of elegance. "But I suppose we'll have to make do with our own entertainment for now."
His rainbow eyes scanned the room, settling on each of the Upper Moons in turn.
"So, my fellow demons," he said, his smile widening, "what mischief shall we get into while we wait?"
"Akaza-dono," Nakime's monotonous voice broke the silence, "your concern is misplaced. The first invited was Upper Moon One. He has been here from the start."
A ripple of surprise passed through the assembled demons. Upper Moon One, the most powerful and elusive of their kind, was already present?
From the shadows of a shifting corridor, a tall, imposing figure emerged. His presence was like a cold wind, a chilling aura that silenced the room. Three sets of piercing yellow eyes, each marked with the kanji for "Upper Rank" and the symbol for "One," scanned the chamber with an unnerving intensity.
"I'm right here," Kokushibo spoke, his voice a deep rumble that resonated through the Infinity Castle.
He carried himself with an air of quiet authority, his movements precise and deliberate. A fleshy katana, its hilt and blade adorned with eerie eyes, hung at his waist.
"Muzan-sama has arrived," Kokushibo announced, his voice devoid of any emotion.
The Upper Moons straightened, their postures shifting to a respectful attentiveness. Even Akaza, his anger momentarily forgotten, lowered his head in deference.
A chill swept through the chamber, colder than the Infinity Castle's ever-shifting walls. Muzan's voice, a chilling whisper that seemed to slither through the very air, echoed from an unseen location.
"Gyokko... is dead."
The words hung heavy in the air, a palpable sense of shock and fear rippling through the assembled Upper Moons.
"Slain by a... a mere Kinoe," Muzan's voice continued, laced with a venomous disdain. "What a disgrace... But, no matter. I wasn't expecting much from you anyway."
Suddenly, an oppressive force descended upon the chamber. The air grew thick, the gravity intensified, pressing down on the demons with crushing weight. It was Muzan's aura, a manifestation of his overwhelming power and displeasure.
The Upper Moons struggled to breathe, their bodies buckling under the invisible force. Only Kokushibo, Upper Moon One, remained unaffected, his stoic expression unwavering.
"I wonder why you even exist," Muzan's voice boomed, filled with a cold fury. "You are all good for nothing. Why is Ubuyashiki still alive? You couldn't even find the Blue Spider Lily in all these centuries! Now leave. I can't tolerate your mere presence any longer, you pests!"
The Upper Moons, their pride wounded and their bodies aching, scrambled to obey their master's command.
As the echoes of Muzan's wrath faded, Nakime's biwa resumed its haunting melody. With a flick of her wrist, the strings vibrated, and the chamber's walls shifted, creating a swirling vortex that engulfed Gyutaro and Daki. The Upper-Rank Six siblings vanished in a flash of distorted space.
Hantengu, still trembling in the corner, let out a whimper. "P-please, Muzan-sama! I-I'll do better! I promise!"
But his pleas fell on deaf ears. Nakime's biwa sang again, and Hantengu was swallowed by another swirling portal, his cries of terror cut short as he disappeared into the depths of the Infinity Castle.
Akaza, his pride wounded but his survival instincts sharp, didn't wait for Nakime's intervention. With a powerful leap, he vaulted onto one of the shifting chambers, his muscular form disappearing into the labyrinthine corridors.
Kokushibo, ever the composed and obedient servant, simply bowed his head. "As you wish, Muzan-sama," he said, his voice a deep rumble. Then, with a flicker of his three sets of eyes, he vanished, leaving behind only a faint trace of demonic energy.
The chamber fell silent once more, the only sound the haunting melody of Nakime's biwa. Doma, the Upper Moon Two, was left alone, a bemused smile playing on his lips.
"My, my," he said, his voice light and playful despite the tense atmosphere. "Why is everyone so cold to me? I'm just trying to be friendly!"
He tilted his head, his mismatched eyes sparkling with amusement. "Perhaps a group hug is in order? Or maybe a sing-along? I know a lovely little tune about rainbows and sunshine..."
(To be Continued…)
Over9000words lets out a dramatic sigh. "Man, that scene was intense! Muzan's aura was so thick, you could practically cut it with a knife. And the way Kokushibo just... poofed out of there? It was like he left the Discord server without even saying goodbye."
Akio chuckles. "Yeah, that dude's got some serious ninja skills. And poor Doma, left all alone in that creepy castle. Talk about awkward..."
Over9000words shakes their head. "Nah, don't feel too bad for him. He's a messed-up dude, even by demon standards. Remember that whole 'eating his followers' thing? Yeah, not exactly winning any popularity contests there."
AI-sensei interjects, their voice a mix of amusement and disapproval. "While Doma's actions are indeed reprehensible, it is important to remember that he is a product of his environment and the twisted influence of Muzan. Perhaps, in another life, he could have been... less inclined towards cannibalism and creepy smiles."
Akio snorts. "Yeah, maybe in another life he could have been a florist or something. 'Doma's Delightful Daisies: Guaranteed to brighten your day... or your afterlife.'"
Over9000words bursts into laughter. "That's gold, Akio! Okay, folks, that's it for this chapter. We'll see you next time."
End of Chapter 23
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In a hidden chamber, unseen by the others, Muzan continued his experiments, his pale hands manipulating test tubes filled with swirling liquids. His face, a mask of cold fury, twisted into a cruel smile.
"Asakura Akio," he whispered, the name a venomous caress on his lips.
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