Demon Slayer - Eclipse

Surrounded by towering mountain ranges and hidden by forest was a small settlement like no other. Purple trees lined the village's border decorating the floor with fallen flower petals while creating a thick canopy. A river split the village in two; its waters reflected the ghastly yet heavenly moon. Legend had it that a battle between brothers created this division.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A sound resounded throughout the village coming from an obscure house near the edge. A middle-aged man with a black beard with a few strands of grey hair and clothed in a dull grey ripped cape held a hammer in his hand.

His eyes focused on a piece of molten red metal that lay before him. He struck the metal repeatedly, bringing his hammer down creating a deafening boom.

Immediately after, the wailing of a child resonated within the house. The man's chiselled face paled drastically, knowing that the incarnation of death had arrived. "Hayate! Didn't I tell you to keep the sound down! Our baby, Shoku, is sleeping!" the woman stomped furiously. Her eyes gleamed with the intent of murder as she used her legendary ear pinching technique and dragged her husband away from his smithy.

The wailings of the child had ended and were replaced by an intense giggling birthed from seeing his fathers misfortune. The two parents smiled, looking at each other and then at their little angel or devil.

The boy's large black eyes gleamed with innocence and wisdom; his messy night-like hair matched the two beautiful gem-like eyes. He waved his short tender hands, continuing to laugh at his old man's misery.

"Come here, my bundle of joy" Kazuya Ichika, the boy's proud mum, jumped towards the doll-like boy and let him witness her pinch of death for the thousandth time. She gripped onto his dumpling-like cheeks and moulded it according to her whims.

The victim to this terrible torture gazed towards his dad, searching for a glimmer of hope yet only witnessed his old man laugh and show no sympathy. "You are on your own, son" Hayate walked away with a slight smirk, leaving his son. The boy merely succumbed to his fate with no other means, promising himself that he would get revenge.

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The next day…

Kazuya Household…

(Kazuya Shoku/MC POV)

I woke up once again, amazed by the world I was in. From what I could see, the village was surrounded by nature, and its beauty knew no bounds. The house I laid in was small yet cozy; the floor was made of oak panels and had the scent of the wilderness. Animal fur blanketed the floor, and a miniature fireplace was located on the side of the house. Wooden beams supported the ceiling, and the walls were decorated with small statues showcasing different buddhas.

Everything together created a serene harmony forming a peaceful atmosphere.

There were four rooms in the house, one of which was occupied by my parents, Kazuya Hayate and Kazuya Ichika. They are a loving couple, and as far as I can tell, my dad is a traitor and a craftsman/blacksmith while my mum… Well, let's say she is a woman who could make ghosts weep, and asuras flee. Suddenly, a pain stung my cheeks due to thinking about the perpetrator. My eyes watered, and I let out a cry.

My elder sister rushed towards me, Yuki, a caring person and the angel of my life. Without her, I would probably be dead by now. "Shoku! Are you alright?" She held me, her eyes inspecting my face. I stopped crying when I saw her. Fortunately, we both lived in the same room.

The third room was occupied by my Grandma, a cheerful woman who, although weary and old, still has an incredibly young heart. I would always be given treats from her, and my mum would always argue that I couldn't eat sweets since I was a year and a half old.

The final room was a combination of the kitchen and living room. Within, there was a small table, which was large enough to fit our small family centred in the room. On top of the table was a porcelain vase with an intrinsic blue flower painted onto it. The vase looked somewhat ethereal and was filled with water and a few wisteria flowers.

My favourite spot within the living room was a location right in front of the window, which featured an old brick smithy surrounded by a beautiful arrangement of purple trees my father calls Wisteria. He made the porcelain vase and took a few flowers from it.

A few moments pass, and my Grandma calls for me. I got up from my mini bed and waddled towards her; although challenging due to my tiny limbs, I staggered towards her room with a goal, a dream. Yuki stared at me, "You can do It!" She encouraged me.

As I shuffled, I breathed heavily while letting out strange baby sounds, "Yi ya ya ya". I dreamt of the delicious sweets Grandma would give me.

Arriving at my destination, I sat down in front of Grandma, who grinned, seeing my arrival; behind me stood Yuki. 'Hmmmmm, what does Grandma want? Am I going to get some sweet lollies?' I grinned in excitement, dreaming about all the sweets I would extort from Grandma with my charm.

"Yuki, can you leave the room for a bit?" Grandma stared at her granddaughter, who left with a nod.

Grandma then stared at me. Her wrinkled face showed endless joy as she opened her arms, inviting me into a hug. I jumped towards her yet fell on my face and got back up. "So my little Shoku, I heard Mama and Papa have been bullying you" I immediately nodded; I knew with the support of Grandma, my revenge wouldn't be delayed, and this revenge would be sweeter than any candy.

'A gentleman can wait ten years for revenge, but I'm not any Gentleman. I'm Kazuya Shoku, the world's most charming scoundrel!'