Chapter 4: Unlikely Encounter

Chapter 4: Unlikely Encounter

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on existing works. All original characters and plotlines are my creation, but I do not claim ownership of any pre-existing characters or content. All rights to these pre-existing works belong to their original creators. This is a non-profit work created solely for the enjoyment of fans and no copyright infringement is intended.

Rengoku and Mitsuri were riding on a horse-drawn carriage, heading back to the Demon Slayer headquarters. They had just finished their mission of investigating a series of mysterious disappearances in a nearby town, where they encountered Akio and Wispella.

Rengoku was the Flame Hashira, one of the strongest and most respected Demon Slayers in the organization. He had fiery yellow hair with red tips and eyes. He wore a white cape with flame patterns over his uniform and carried a sword with a flame-shaped guard. He was known for his loud and cheerful personality, as well as his unwavering sense of justice and duty.

Mitsuri was one of the most beautiful and charming Demon Slayers in the organization. She had long pink hair and green eyes, and a mole under her left eye. She wore her uniform and carried a sword with a heart-shaped guard. Everyone knew her for her bubbly and affectionate personality, as well as her incredible strength and speed.

The two had a close friendship, often teasing and complimenting each other. They also shared a mutual admiration for Akio, the boy who had displayed an extraordinary ability to harm demons without using a Nichirin blade.

"Wow, Akio-kun was amazing!" Mitsuri exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "He punched that demon so hard that it exploded! And he didn't even flinch when it tried to bite him! He's so brave and strong!"

Rengoku nodded enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear. "Indeed! He's a remarkable young man! He has such a fiery spirit and a noble heart! He reminds me of myself when I was his age!"

Mitsuri giggled, leaning closer to Rengoku. "You're still amazing, Rengoku-san! You're my hero!"

Rengoku blushed slightly, but smiled warmly at Mitsuri. "Thank you, Mitsuri-chan! You're too kind! You're my heroine!"

The two Hashiras continued to praise Akio, recalling his feats and actions during their mission. They also mentioned Wispella, the wish fairy who accompanied Akio. They were curious about her origins and powers, but they respected her privacy and did not pry too much.

However, as they approached their destination, Mitsuri's expression turned serious. She bit her lip nervously, looking at Rengoku with concern.

"Rengoku-san," she said softly. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Rengoku tilted his head, sensing Mitsuri's hesitation. "What is it, Mitsuri-chan?"

Mitsuri took a deep breath, then asked her question.

"Are you going to report Akio-kun to Ubayashiki-sama?"

Rengoku blinked, surprised by Mitsuri's question. He looked at her with a serious expression, then answered.

"Of course I am."

Mitsuri gasped, her eyes widening. She clutched Rengoku's arm, pleading with him.

"Rengoku-san, please don't! Akio-kun said he doesn't want to be a demon slayer."

Rengoku frowned, feeling Mitsuri's fear and worry. He gently patted her hand, trying to calm her down.

"Mitsuri-chan, I understand how you feel. I feel the same way. Akio-kun is a good person who has a rare and valuable ability. But that's exactly why we have to report him to Ubayashiki-sama."

Mitsuri shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. She did not understand Rengoku's logic.

"Why? Why do we have to report him? He doesn't any part of this."

Rengoku sighed, looking at Mitsuri with compassion. He explained his reasoning to her.

"Mitsuri-chan, listen to me. Akio-kun's ability is a mystery. We don't know how he got it, how it works, or what its limits are. We don't know if it's a blessing or a curse. We don't know if it's natural or unnatural. We don't know if there are others like him or not. We don't know anything about it."

He paused, then continued.

"And that's why we have to report him to Ubayashiki-sama. He's the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. He's the one who knows everything about demons and their weaknesses. He's the one who can help Akio-kun understand his ability and use it for good. He's the one who can protect Akio-kun from those who might want to harm him or exploit him for his ability. He's the one who can decide what's best for Akio-kun and for us."

He looked at Mitsuri with determination, then said.

"Mitsuri-chan, we're demon slayers. We have a duty to report anything that might affect our mission of slaying demons and protecting humanity. Akio-kun's ability is something that might be the clue of how we can finally end this war. We can't keep it a secret from Ubayashiki-sama. We have to tell him the truth."

He smiled softly at Mitsuri, then added.

"And I'm sure Ubayashiki-sama will be fair and kind to Akio-kun. He's not a cruel or heartless person. He cares about us and our well-being. He won't do anything to hurt Akio-kun or Wispella-chan. He'll do what's right for them and for us."

He squeezed Mitsuri's hand, then asked her.

"Do you trust me, Mitsuri-chan?"

Mitsuri looked at Rengoku, seeing the sincerity and honesty in his eyes. She felt conflicted and scared, but she also felt respect and admiration for Rengoku. She trusted him more than anyone else.

She nodded slowly, then said.

"Yes, Rengoku-san. I trust you."

Rengoku smiled brightly, then hugged Mitsuri.

"Thank you, Mitsuri-chan! You're the best!"

Mitsuri hugged him back, feeling his warmth and strength.

"You're welcome, Rengoku-san! You're the best too!"

The two held each other for a moment, then let go. They looked ahead, seeing the Demon Slayer headquarters in sight.

They prepared themselves to report their mission and their encounter with Akio and Wispella to Ubayashiki.

They hoped that everything would be alright.

----

As the moon began its ascent, casting a soft glow upon the world, Akio Nakamura and Wispella continued their journey along the dusty path. Akio's heavy footsteps echoed in the silence, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, while Wispella floated beside him, her petite form exuding an air of childlike whimsy.

Wispella, sensing the monotony of their travel, decided to relieve her own boredom. With a mischievous smile, she began to hum a familiar tune, her voice as delicate as a breeze through the trees. Gradually, her humming transformed into a lively rendition of a children's song, her voice infused with enchantment.

"Twinkle twinkle little star~ How I wonder what you are~" Wispella sang cheerfully.

"Shut up!" Akio snapped. "That song is lame and childish!"

Wispella ignored him and continued singing.

"Up above the world so high~ Like a diamond in the sky~"

"Seriously, stop it!" Akio groaned. "You're giving me a headache!"

Wispella smiled mischievously and changed her song.

"Old MacDonald had a farm~ E-I-E-I-O~ And on his farm he had a cow~ E-I-E-I-O~"

"Moo moo here~ Moo moo there~ Here a moo~ There a moo~ Everywhere a moo moo~"

"Are you kidding me?" Akio exclaimed. "That song is even worse!"

Wispella giggled and changed her song again.

"Baa baa black sheep~ Have you any wool?~ Yes sir yes sir~ Three bags full~"

"One for the master~ One for the dame~ And one for the little boy who lives down the lane~"

"Enough!" Akio shouted. "I can't take it anymore!"

He grabbed Wispella by the shoulders and shook her gently.

"Please, for the love of God, stop singing!"

Wispella pouted and looked at Akio with puppy eyes.

"But I'm bored!" she whined. "And singing makes me happy!"

Akio sighed and let go of Wispella.

"Fine," he said. "But can you at least sing something better? Something more modern and cool?"

Wispella nodded eagerly.

"Sure!" she said. "I can do that!"

She cleared her throat and began to sing.

"Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo~ Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo~ Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo~ Baby shark!~"

Akio calmly took a deep breath and proceeds to perform his mantra to quell his rising anger. If there's one thing that the media got right, fairies were a pain in the ass, especially the bored ones.

Akio and Wispella continued their journey, hoping to find a way out of the mountains. They had been walking for hours, but they only saw more trees and rocks. They had no map, no compass, and no clue where they were going.

Akio was getting frustrated and angry. He hated being lost and helpless. He hated being in a place where he could be attacked by demons at any moment. He hated being dependent on Wispella's magic.

Wispella was getting worried and anxious. She wanted to help Akio and make him happy. She wanted to use her magic to find a safe place for them to stay. She wanted to avoid any trouble with demons or demon slayers.

But Akio refused to let her use her magic. He said it was too risky and unpredictable. He said it could attract unwanted attention or cause more problems. He said he preferred to rely on his own strength and instincts.

Wispella did not understand Akio's logic. She thought her magic was a gift and a blessing. She thought it could solve any problem and grant any wish. She thought Akio was being stubborn and foolish.

The two of them argued and bickered as they walked, creating a tense and hostile atmosphere.

"Damn it, where the hell are we?" Akio cursed, kicking a stone.

"Maybe we should ask for directions," Wispella suggested, looking around. "Maybe there's someone nearby who can help us."

"Who? The animals?" Akio scoffed. "Yeah, right. Like they would help us."

"Well, maybe we could use my magic," Wispella offered, smiling hopefully. "Maybe I could wish for a map or a guide or a teleportation spell."

"No way!" Akio snapped. "I told you before, no more magic! Your magic is what got us into this mess in the first place!"

"That's not fair!" Wispella protested.

"Well, your magic is what makes me unhappy!" Akio retorted. "Your magic is what makes things complicated and dangerous! Your magic is what makes me feel weak and useless!"

The two of them glared at each other, feeling hurt and angry.

They were about to say more harsh words when they saw something that made them stop.

It was a rotting corpse.

It was lying on the ground, covered in blood and wounds. It was wearing a black uniform. It had a sword with a green hilt next to it.

It was a demon slayer.

Akio felt a chill run down his spine. He recognized the uniform and the sword. He remembered seeing them on Rengoku and Mitsuri.

He realized where he was.

He was in Rui's home.

He was in the mountain where spider demons lived.

He was in the place where demon slayers died.

He looked around, noticing more corpses scattered around the area. Some were human, some were demons. Some were fresh, some were old. Some were whole, some were torn apart.

He felt a surge of fear and dread.

He grabbed Wispella's hand and pulled her close to him.

"Shit," he whispered. "We're in trouble."

Akio ran as fast as he could, dragging Wispella behind him. He was terrified and desperate. He wanted to get out of the mountain as soon as possible. He did not want to face Rui or any of his spider demons. He did not want to die or become a demon.

Shit shit shit shit shit! he thought, cursing in his mind. This is bad! This is really bad! How the hell did we end up here? Why did we have to come to this godforsaken place? Why did Wispella have to wish for this? Why did I have to follow her? Why am I such an idiot?

He felt his heart pounding in his chest, his breath coming in short gasps, his sweat dripping from his forehead. He felt his legs burning from the exertion, his arms aching from holding Wispella's hand, his head spinning from the fear.

He looked back at Wispella, who was flying behind him. She looked scared and confused, but also determined and loyal. She did not let go of his hand, even though he was pulling her hard. She did not complain or blame him, even though he was yelling at her.

She was his only friend and ally in this nightmare.

He felt a pang of guilt and regret.

Sorry, Wispella, he thought. I'm sorry for being mean to you. I'm sorry for not listening to you. I'm sorry for putting you in danger. You don't deserve this. You deserve better.

He looked ahead, hoping to see a way out of the mountain. But all he saw were more trees and rocks.

He felt a surge of panic and despair.

We're doomed, he thought. We're never going to make it out alive. We're going to die here.

He was about to give up hope when he saw something that made him stop.

It was two demons.

They were standing on the path, blocking their way. They were both female, with pale skin and white hair. They wore white kimonos with red spider patterns. .

They were the mother and eldest daughter spider demons of Rui.

Akio felt a chill run down his spine. He recognized them from Rui's home. They were part of his family. They were his enemies.

He cursed loudly, attracting their attention.

"Fuck!" he shouted. "Not these bitches!"

The two spider demons looked at Akio and Wispella with fear and surprise. They did not expect to see humans in their territory. They did not know what to do.

The mother demon was the one who had given birth to Rui and his siblings. She had been turned into a demon by Rui's father, who had abused her and her children. She had been forced to serve Rui and his family, against her will.

She hated Rui more than anything. She wanted to be free from him and his tyranny.

She saw Akio and Wispella as potential allies. She wanted to help them escape from the mountain. She wanted to warn them about Rui and his power.

She opened her mouth, intending to speak to them.

But she stopped when she heard a voice from the shadows.

"What are you doing?"

It was Rui.

He emerged from the darkness, walking towards them with a cold and cruel expression. He had white hair and red eyes and wore a black kimono with white spider patterns. He had a sword with a web-shaped guard on his waist.

He was the leader of the spider demons. He was the master of the mountain. He was the enemy of all humans and demon slayers.

He looked at Akio and Wispella with curiosity and disdain. He looked at the two spider sisters with anger and suspicion.

He asked them again.

"What are you doing?"

Both mother and daughter trembled in fear as Rui approached them. They did not dare to answer his question. They knew he would not like any answer they gave.

The mother demon wanted to tell Rui the truth. She wanted to tell him that she hated him and his family. She wanted to tell him that she had tried to escape from him and his home. She wanted to tell him that she had met Akio and Wispella and wanted to help them.

But she knew that would only make Rui angrier. She knew that would only make him hurt her more. She knew that would only make him kill her again.

So she kept silent, hoping that Rui would leave them alone.

The daughter demon wanted to lie to Rui. She wanted to tell him that she loved him and his family. She wanted to tell him that she had stayed loyal to him and his home. She wanted to tell him that she had found Akio and Wispella and wanted to kill them.

But she knew that would not satisfy Rui. She knew that he would not believe her. She knew that he would still punish her for being near them.

So she kept silent, hoping that Rui would spare her.

Rui stared at the two spider sisters with a cold and cruel expression. He sensed their fear and hesitation. He did not like it.

He decided to punish them. Rui raised his hand, summoning his blood art technique. He created a thin thread of blood, which he wrapped around the mother demon's neck.

He tightened the thread, choking her.

The mother demon gasped for air, feeling pressure in her throat. She clutched at the thread, trying to break it. But it was too strong and too sharp. It hurt her skin, drawing blood.

She looked at Rui with hatred and defiance. She refused to beg for mercy or forgiveness.

She looked at Akio and Wispella with gratitude and hope. She wished them luck and safety.

She looked at the eldest daughter demon with pity and sorrow. She forgave her for betraying her.

She closed her eyes, waiting for death.

But death did not come.

Instead, she felt a sudden force pulling her away from Rui. She opened her eyes and saw Akio holding her in his arms. He grabbed her hand and yanked her out of Rui's reach. He had broken the thread with his superhuman strength.

He looked at her with concern and determination. He told her to hold on and stay alive.

"Hey, are you OK?" he asked. "Don't worry, I've got you. You're not going to die."

He looked at Wispella with concern and determination. He told her to stay behind him or run away.

"Wispella, stay back!" he said. "This guy is dangerous! He's the leader of the spider demons! He's the one who killed all those people! He's the one we have to avoid!"

He looked at Rui with anger and contempt. He cursed him."You fucking bastard!" he shouted. "You fucking psycho! You fucking monster! How dare you try to kill her? How dare you try to kill anyone? You have no right to live!"

He clenched his fists, feeling his superhuman strength and speed coursing through his veins.

He charged at Rui, intending to attack him while inside his head, Akio was panicking and questioning his actions and sanity.

What am I doing? he thought, as he ran towards Rui. Am I crazy? Am I suicidal? Why am I attacking him? Why am I risking my life?

Because he's evil, he answered himself, as he reached Rui. Because he deserves it. Because I can't stand by and watch him try to kill anyone else.

But he's too strong, he argued with himself, as he threw a punch at Rui's face. But he's too fast. But he has a sword and blood art.

But I'm stronger, he countered himself, as he felt his fist connect with Rui's cheekbone. But I'm faster. But I have my fists and my ability.

But what if I fail? he doubted himself, as he saw Rui stagger back from his blow. But what if I die? But what if I become a demon?

But what if I succeed? he hoped to himself, as he followed up with a kick to Rui's stomach.* But what if I live? But what if I stay human?*

He did not know what would happen next.

He only knew one thing.

He had to fight.