Julia raised her white sword high above her head, her voice reverberating through the wooden platform. "Goddess, grant me strength!" she cried, and as her blade descended, it transformed. The once white sword glowed a furious red, radiating heat that burned the very air around it. With a mighty swing, a torrent of red flames surged from her sword, roaring towards Muzan. The fire devoured everything in its path, incinerating the wooden floor, leaving behind nothing but charred remains. But just before it could reach its target, blood-red threads erupted from the ground, weaving together into a thick barrier that stopped the onslaught in its tracks.
Muzan stood behind the protective cocoon of crimson threads, his hand raised as the vines twisted and coiled, holding back the wall of fire. With an icy calmness, he extended his other hand toward the Stone Hashira, Gyomei, who was charging at him with relentless determination. The enormous man shattered every blood-red vine that dared rise from the ground, crushing them to splinters with his giant flail. No obstacle would stop him from reaching Muzan.
Despite Muzan's exhaustion from the ongoing battle against the Hashira and their foreign allies, he summoned all his strength, summoning even more vines to rise from the ground, their blood-red tendrils wrapping around each other to form a dense barrier. Gyomei swung his flail with overwhelming power, but the vines slowed him down, hindering his relentless advance.
Suddenly, a flash of blue light shot across the platform, hitting Muzan square in the chest. The blast sent the demon flying backward, his chest sizzling and smoke rising from the burning wound. All eyes turned to see Mark, standing at a distance, holding a case in one hand while his other arm was covered in a metallic red gauntlet, the source of the blue energy now dissipating from his palm.
As Muzan staggered, struggling to regain his balance, the tide of battle shifted.
The remaining Hashira began regrouping on the platform, their injured comrades receiving urgent treatment at the rear. Those still able to fight moved toward the centre of the platform, ready to deliver the final blow to Muzan.
Zach and the twins, Leo and Lila, quickly approached Mark from behind. "They're all dead," Zach said. "All that's left is him. This ends now." Mark, lowering his gauntleted hand, looked forward Muzan had formed a thick shell of red vines around himself, temporarily shielding his body and pushing back both Gyomei and Julia.
Inside his makeshift cocoon, Muzan was panting heavily, his body showing the toll of the fierce battle. His once seemingly invulnerable form was now covered in wounds, burns from Julia's flames healing far slower than usual. The mighty demon, usually unshakeable, now stood on the brink. He could feel his strength waning, his regenerative abilities stretched thin. As he peered through the cracks in his shell, he saw a line of human warriors, swords drawn, ready to cut him down. Muzan, for the first time in centuries, felt cornered. Fear crept into his heart, but then, amidst the blood and flames, he sensed something-or someone—and a slow, sinister smile spread across his face.
Without warning, Muzan's shell peeled away, and the demon king stepped forward. His body was battered and burned, yet he walked with an eerie calm, his wounds still oozing blood that failed to heal as rapidly as before. His sinister red eyes gleamed with malice as he surveyed the battlefield. The sight surprised everyone, particularly Mark, who hadn't anticipated such a move.
"You pathetic humans," Muzan sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you've won? HAHAHAHAHA!" His maniacal laughter echoed throughout the castle as he stood, undeterred by his injuries.
"Muzan, you'll pay for everything you've done!" Tanjiro shouted, gripping his sword tightly as he charged forward, his heart burning with righteous fury.
But before Tanjiro could close the distance, the sky darkened, and with a deafening boom, a massive black spear descended like a bolt of lightning. It struck the wooden floor between Tanjiro and Muzan, splintering the platform with the force of its impact. The boy's heart skipped a beat. 'That's Ali's spear...' Tanjiro thought, his eyes wide as they fixated on the weapon.
Then, with a heavy thud, Ali landed beside the spear, effortlessly holding a large, white sack in one hand. His sudden appearance sent a ripple of shock through the ranks of the Hashira, their confusion mounting. Ali had been missing from the battle, and now he appeared at Muzan's side, seemingly unscathed. Muzan's twisted smile grew wider, clearly untroubled by Ali's arrival.
'Who... who is he?' Mark thought, his mind racing. 'How did he even get here?
This world... it belongs to the guild. No one else should be able to enter. It can't be...'
"Ali, what are you doing? That's Muzan behind you!" Tanjiro shouted, trying to reach through to the towering man. But Ali did not answer. He barely even glanced at Tanjiro, his expression cold and indifferent.
Instead, Ali turned toward Muzan, throwing the white sack onto the floor with a dull thud. "That's for you. Eat," Ali said, his voice carrying a chilling finality.
Everyone's eyes shifted toward the sack as it tumbled open upon hitting the ground. From within, two severed human heads rolled out, their faces unmistakable. It was Ubuyashiki and his wife, their lifeless expressions frozen in horror. Gasps filled the air as every Demon Slayer recoiled in shock and horror.
The lifeblood of their beloved leader and his spouse stained the wooden platform, filling the warriors' hearts with rage and sorrow.
"NO!" Tanjiro shouted, his voice cracking with grief.
And then, to the horror of all present, Muzan crouched down, lifting Ubuyashiki's severed head and sinking his teeth into it. The demon king chewed methodically, relishing the moment as the Demon Slayers watched in stunned silence. The sickening crunch of bones echoed across the platform.
Before anyone could react, Julia, fire burning in her eyes, raised her flame-covered sword high, intent on striking Muzan down. But Ali moved faster. He grabbed his spear and hurled it with blinding speed, straight at Julia. The massive black weapon covered in wisps of Ali's breathing technique cut through the air like a thunderbolt, a lethal streak of darkness heading right for her.
Leo, acting on pure instinct, slammed his hands to the ground, summoning a towering wall of earth in an attempt to block the incoming spear. But the wall was no match for Ali's immense power. The spear tore through the stone like it was made of paper, continuing its deadly path toward Julia.
B00000M.
Zach turned his head toward the sound, expecting to see Julia. But she was gone. All that remained were two armoured boots, still standing where she had been a moment ago. Blood poured out from the grisly remains, staining the ground beneath them. Behind where she had stood, Ali's spear was lodged deep into the ground, still steaming, the remnants of Julia's body clinging to it.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Zach's roar shattered the stunned silence. The sheer force of his scream sent shockwaves rippling through the platform, his eyes now glowing a feral yellow. Trembling with fury, he locked eyes with Ali.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Zach howled again, dropping to all fours. As he ran toward Ali, his body began to change. Muscles bulged, skin stretched, and thick, grey fur sprouted all over his body. His face elongated into a snout, transforming into the head of a wolf. In seconds, Zach was no longer human. He had become a massive, snarling wolf, barrelling toward Ali at full speed, his intent clear-to tear him apart.
Tanjiro, witnessing Zach's transformation, remembered the sparring session with Ali and shouted, "NO, DON'T!" But Zach, lost in his rage, did not listen.
The giant wolf lunged at Ali with terrifying speed, but Ali remained unfazed. 'Did transforming into a puppy take away his intelligence' Ali thought, exhaling deeply as he prepared himself. Just as Zach's jaws were about to clamp down on him, Ali ducked under the beast's lunge and countered with an uppercut straight into Zach's stomach. His fist, covered in black markings, slammed into the massive wolf, halting it midair.
Without hesitation, Ali struck again. His hands moved like lightning, each hit puncturing deep into Zach's body.
BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG. BANG.
Ten rapid strikes landed in the blink of an eye, each one creating gaping holes in Zach's massive frame. The giant wolf floated helplessly for a second before crashing to the ground in front of Ali, gasping for breath, his life rapidly fading.
Ali stepped back, letting the wolf collapse at his feet. Raising his shoe above Zach's head, he moved to deliver the final blow.
"NOOO!" Mark screamed, raising his arm, trying to fire a blast. But he was too slow. Ali's foot came down with brutal force, crushing Zach's skull into pieces, silencing him forever.
How's the finale looking so far? If you guys like it please contribute your power stone, it helps my ff massively so others notice it.
Five chapters ahead at patreon.com/Rondo312