Dsn2
a nichirin blade, but they can be slowed, distracted, or immobilized."
From a fallen branch, Shien demonstrated how to fashion a makeshift spear, stripping bark and sharpening the end to a wicked point. "Aim for the eyes or joints. They regenerate, but it buys time."
The group worked quickly, transforming available materials into crude weapons. Tomoe proved particularly skilled, crafting not only a spear for herself but also a bow and several arrows. Without proper fletching they wouldn't fly true over distance, but in close quarters, they might prove useful.
Morgan examined her own creation with obvious distaste. "To think a queen would be reduced to wielding a stick."
"Consider it an opportunity to expand your royal skill set," Koyanskaya suggested with a sly smile. "After all, what kind of queen can't defend her subjects?"
Before Morgan could retort, ORT suddenly straightened at her observation post. "Movement," she announced, her voice carrying an odd, echoing quality. "Northwest quadrant. Approaching rapidly."
Shien was at her side instantly, his keen eyes scanning the darkness. "Earlier than expected," he muttered, then turned to address the group. "Positions. Now."
They moved with surprising coordination, taking up the formations they had discussed. Castoria and Ereshkigal positioned themselves with Hiroki at the center of their defensive circle. Morgan, U-Olga Marie, and Ishtar formed a secondary ring, each armed with improvised weapons and grim determination.
Tomoe took up a position with clear sightlines to the forest edge, her makeshift bow ready. Koyanskaya moved to a flanking position, two sharpened stakes held with the practiced grip of someone familiar with dual-wielding. ORT remained at her elevated vantage point, her inhuman eyes tracking movement in the darkness that others couldn't perceive.
Void Shiki stood slightly apart from the formation, her white kimono almost luminous in the moonlight. She held no weapon, yet somehow radiated a deadliness that equaled Shien's own.
"They come," she said softly.
The forest edge erupted with movement. The demons emerged not as individual attackers but as a coordinated wave—twisted forms of various sizes moving with unnatural synchronization. Some resembled misshapen humans with grotesquely elongated limbs, others had taken on more bestial aspects with scales, fur, or insectoid features.
What united them was purpose. They moved not with the feral aggression of typical demons but with tactical precision, spreading out to encircle the camp while maintaining formation.
"Unusual," Shien remarked, his voice calm despite the dire circumstances. "They're being controlled."
"By what?" Tomoe asked, tracking the largest demon with her bow.
"Not what. Who." Shien's eyes narrowed as he scanned the tree line. "Stay alert. The real threat hasn't shown itself yet."
The first wave of demons charged. Shien moved with blinding speed, his black blade a whisper of death in the moonlight. Three demons fell before the others even registered his attack, their bodies crumbling to ash as their heads separated from their shoulders.
Tomoe loosed an arrow, striking a demon directly in its eye. While it didn't kill the creature, it howled in pain, momentarily blinded and disoriented. Koyanskaya took advantage of the opening, darting forward with startling agility to drive one of her improvised stakes through the demon's knee, crippling it.
"Teamwork," she called to Tomoe with a predatory grin. "How novel."
On the opposite side of the camp, Morgan surprised everyone—perhaps even herself—by standing her ground as a serpentine demon lunged toward her. Instead of retreating, she stepped forward, driving her sharpened branch into the creature's open mouth with such force that it erupted from the back of its skull.
"I may be reduced to a mortal form," she declared, watching the demon writhe in agony around the impaled stake, "but I remain a queen."
U-Olga Marie, despite her earlier complaints, displayed unexpected resourcefulness. When a smaller demon broke through their perimeter, she flung a pot of boiling water (prepared for tea) directly into its face. The demon shrieked, momentarily blinded, allowing Ishtar to drive her makeshift spear into its torso.
"Not a killing blow," Shien called as he streaked past, decapitating the injured demon with a precise strike, "but well executed."
Ishtar beamed at the rare praise, a flush of excitement coloring her cheeks. "Did you see that? I actually wounded it!"
"Less celebration, more concentration," Morgan snapped, though there was a hint of respect in her eyes as she regarded Ishtar's successful attack.
The battle continued with surprising effectiveness. The women might lack their divine powers, but centuries or millennia of combat experience hadn't abandoned them entirely. They moved with growing confidence, adapting to their mortal limitations and compensating with teamwork and strategy.
Castoria remained at the center with Hiroki, but she was far from passive. Her tactical insights guided their defense, her voice calling positions and warnings with the authority of a battlefield commander.
"Shien! Three approaching from your blind side!"
He pivoted instantly, cutting down two demons before they could react. The third, more cautious, backed away—only to find Void Shiki somehow behind it, her empty hands reaching out to touch its face with gentle precision.
"Your death awaits you," she whispered.
The demon froze, transfixed by her otherworldly gaze. It remained immobilized just long enough for Shien to sweep in and remove its head with surgical precision.
Void Shiki met his questioning glance with the ghost of a smile. "I may no longer command death," she explained softly, "but I can still see its approach. Sometimes, that is enough to paralyze even creatures such as these."
The tide of battle seemed to be turning in their favor when ORT's voice cut through the chaos.
"New presence," she announced, her tone shifting to something even more alien than usual. "Powerful. Different."
The remaining demons suddenly withdrew, forming a semicircle at the forest edge. From the darkness beyond stepped a figure that made even Shien pause.
Unlike the misshapen creatures they'd been fighting, this demon appeared almost human—a slender woman in an elegant kimono of midnight blue, her hair cascading to her ankles in silver waves. Only her eyes betrayed her true nature—solid black from corner to corner, reflecting the moonlight like polished obsidian.
"The famous Ghost Fang," she said, her voice melodious despite the malice underlying it. "I've heard tales of your skill. It seems they weren't exaggerated."
Shien positioned himself between the demon and the others, his blade raised. "You control these lesser demons."
It wasn't a question, but she inclined her head in acknowledgment. "A unique ability, granted to me by Lord Muzan himself. Useful for hunting particularly troublesome prey."
"You're no Lower Moon," Shien observed, assessing her strength. "But not quite Upper Moon either."
She smiled, revealing teeth that were just slightly too sharp for a human mouth. "How perceptive. I am Miyuki, the Puppeteer. Lord Muzan has... special plans for me."
Her gaze shifted to the women behind Shien, and her black eyes widened with evident hunger. "And what treasures have you brought me? So much lingering divinity, even stripped of its power. Consuming just one of them would elevate me to Upper Moon rank instantly."
"You're welcome to try," Koyanskaya called, her golden eyes flashing with challenge. "Divine or not, I've eaten things more impressive than you for breakfast."
Miyuki laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Such spirit! I shall enjoy breaking it." She raised one slender hand, and the demons around her tensed, ready to attack again. "Perhaps I'll keep you alive, little fox. The others will make a fine feast."
"Enough talk," Shien said quietly, his grip shifting on his sword. "Your death was decided the moment you targeted those under my protection."
Miyuki's smile faltered slightly at his tone. "Such confidence. Let's see if it's warranted, shall we?"
She snapped her fingers, and the demons surged forward once more. But this time, they moved with even greater coordination, as if directly controlled by Miyuki's will. They attacked not as individuals but as extensions of a single entity, covering each other's vulnerabilities and pressing advantages with tactical precision.
Shien adapted instantly, his blade moving in patterns too fast for the human eye to follow. Demons fell like wheat before a scythe, but for each one he cut down, two more pressed forward, forcing him to constantly shift position to protect the most vulnerable points in their defense.
"She's controlling them like puppets," Castoria realized, watching the unnatural synchronization of the attacks. "That's why they move so differently from the demons we faced earlier."
"Can you break her concentration?" Tomoe asked, loosing another arrow at a demon that had nearly breached their perimeter.
"If I can get close enough," Shien replied, his voice barely audible over the sounds of combat.
"We'll create an opening," Morgan declared, exchanging a glance with U-Olga Marie. Despite their earlier bickering, the two self-proclaimed royals seemed to reach an instant understanding.
"Diversion required," U-Olga Marie announced. She raised her improvised weapon and called out to Miyuki in a tone of imperious disdain. "You call yourself a puppeteer? Where I come from, such parlor tricks would entertain a child for perhaps five minutes before boring them to tears."
Miyuki's black eyes narrowed dangerously. "You dare—"
"Oh, I dare much more than that," Morgan interjected, striding forward with regal confidence. "In my court, we had demons who could dance on the head of a pin while composing poetry. Your clumsy control of these mindless beasts is... quaint, at best."
It was a dangerous gambit, deliberately provoking a powerful demon, but it achieved its purpose. Miyuki's focus shifted from coordinating her puppet demons to the two women who had insulted her so brazenly.
"You will die screaming," she hissed, gesturing sharply.
Three of her largest demons broke formation, charging directly toward Morgan and U-Olga Marie. The momentary disruption in her control was all Shien needed.
He moved like shadow given form, a blur of motion too fast for even the demons to track. One moment he was defending the northern perimeter; the next he appeared directly behind Miyuki, his black blade already sweeping toward her neck.
But Miyuki wasn't an ordinary demon. Without turning, she bent backward at an impossible angle, Shien's blade passing through empty air where her neck had been a heartbeat earlier. She lashed out with a kick that would have shattered a boulder, forcing Shien to leap back.
"You'll need to be faster than that, Ghost Fang," she taunted, straightening with unnatural grace. "I've studied your movements for months."
"Then you should have studied harder," Shien replied, his voice betraying no emotion despite the heightened danger.
What followed was a duel of speed and precision that left even the divine women speechless. Miyuki moved with fluid grace, her limbs elongating or contracting as needed to attack from unexpected angles. Shien matched her, step for step, his blade catching moonlight in silver arcs as he parried and countered with mechanical perfection.
Meanwhile, the leaderless demons still pressed their attack against the defensive perimeter, but without Miyuki's direct control, they reverted to more bestial, uncoordinated assaults. The women found themselves able to repel these attacks with growing confidence.
Koyanskaya had somehow acquired a new weapon—a demon's severed arm, its claws still intact—which she wielded with disturbing expertise. "Improvisation," she explained to Ishtar's horrified expression. "A skill worth cultivating."
At the center of their formation, Castoria kept Hiroki protected while continuing to call out tactical guidance. "Ereshkigal, your left! Tomoe, two approaching from behind that fallen tree!"
ORT had descended from her observation post to join the physical defense, moving with such alien precision that demons seemed unsure how to approach her. She didn't attack so much as intercept, her movements calculating and brutally efficient.
"Fascinating adaptation of mass and velocity," she commented as she redirected a charging demon's momentum, sending it crashing into one of its companions. "These bodies are crude but effective when properly utilized."
Void Shiki continued her unnerving approach of simply appearing where demons least expected, her white kimono untouched by blood or dirt despite the chaos around her. She didn't fight directly but instead created openings that others could exploit, her presence alone seeming to distract and disorient their attackers.
In the forest clearing, Shien and Miyuki's battle had escalated to a new level. The Puppeteer demon had revealed her true form—her elegant kimono shredding as additional limbs erupted from her torso, each ending in razor-sharp bone blades.
"You cannot protect them forever," she hissed, her beautiful face distorting as her jaw unhinged to reveal multiple rows of needle-like teeth. "Even you must tire eventually."
"I don't need forever," Shien replied, his blade moving in a pattern so complex it seemed to leave afterimages in the night air. "Only long enough."
Miyuki laughed, the sound now fully inhuman. "Long enough for what? Your precious Corps is nowhere near. You stand alone, Ghost Fang, as you always have."
For the first time since the battle began, Shien smiled—a slight, cold curving of his lips that somehow chilled the air around them.
"Not alone," he said softly.
In that moment, Miyuki realized her mistake. So focused had she been on the legendary swordsman that she'd failed to notice how the tide had turned among her puppet demons. The divine women, working in seamless coordination, had decimated her forces. Now they were closing in around her, forming a circle with Shien at its center.
"Impossible," Miyuki whispered, her black eyes darting between the nine women who now regarded her with the confidence of predators rather than prey. "They're merely powerless vessels!"
"They are far more than that," Shien replied, his blade lowering slightly as the women tightened their circle. "As you're about to discover."
Miyuki's composure shattered. She lashed out in all directions with her bone blades, trying to create space for escape. But where one of the nine stepped back to avoid her strike, another advanced, maintaining the integrity of their formation.
"Now, Shien!" Castoria called, recognizing the moment their strategy had created.
He moved. Not with the blinding speed he'd displayed earlier, but with deliberate, unstoppable purpose. Miyuki's desperate defense missed him by millimeters as he stepped inside her guard. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second—her black orbs wide with disbelief, his crimson gaze cold and certain.
"Remember this in your next life," he whispered. "They are under my protection."
His blade completed its arc, separating Miyuki's head from her shoulders in a single, perfect stroke. Her body remained standing for a heartbeat, then collapsed into ash that scattered in the night breeze.
With their controller destroyed, the remaining demons lost whatever coordination had made them formidable. Some fled into the forest, others attacked blindly, only to be dispatched by Shien's blade or the women's improvised weapons.
In minutes, the battle was over. Silence descended on the clearing, broken only by the heavy breathing of the combatants and the soft crackling of their campfire, somehow undisturbed despite the chaos that had surrounded it.
Hiroki emerged cautiously from his protected position at the center of their formation, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe as he regarded the women who had defended him and the silent swordsman whose blade had brought down the demon leader.
"Is it... over?" he asked, his small voice breaking the tension.
Shien nodded once, sheathing his blade. "For now."
The adrenaline of battle slowly ebbed, leaving exhaustion in its wake. One by one, the women returned to the campfire, examining cuts and bruises sustained during the fight. None had escaped entirely unscathed, but their injuries were remarkably minor given the scale of the attack they had repelled.
"That," Koyanskaya announced, collapsing gracefully beside the fire, "was exhilarating. Perhaps this mortal existence has its charms after all."
"Speak for yourself," U-Olga Marie muttered, though there was less venom in her complaint than usual. She was examining a tear in her elaborate sleeve with a mixture of annoyance and something that might have been pride. "My attire is ruined."
"Yet you live," Tomoe pointed out pragmatically. "A fair exchange, I would say."
Morgan, who had somehow maintained her regal bearing despite a smudge of dirt across one cheek, settled herself with deliberate dignity. "The creature was correct about one thing," she observed. "We still carry something of our divinity, even in these mortal shells. It's what draws them to us."
"Like moths to flame," Ereshkigal agreed quietly, her melancholy gaze fixed on the forest where some demons had fled. "We endanger anyone near us simply by existing in this realm."
"Then we become strong enough to protect ourselves and others," Castoria said firmly, accepting a damp cloth from Ishtar to clean a cut on her forearm. "Tonight proved it's possible."
ORT, who had returned to her observation post despite the immediate danger having passed, tilted her head in that slightly inhuman way. "Adaptation continues. This vessel performs adequately when properly motivated."
Void Shiki alone seemed unchanged by the battle, her white kimono still pristine, her expression serene. She stood slightly apart from the others, her pale eyes finding Shien where he performed a methodical check of their perimeter.
"You fought differently tonight," she observed when he approached. "Not for yourself, but for them."
Shien glanced at the women gathered around the campfire. Something indefinable shifted in his crimson eyes—not softening, exactly, but a subtle change in focus.
"The binding gives me no choice," he replied, though without the frustration such a statement might have carried earlier.
"Does it not?" Void Shiki's lips curved in that ghost of a smile. "I think you begin to see them as more than burdens. As assets, perhaps. Or even..."
"Don't," Shien cut her off, not harshly but with finality. "They remain a complication in my mission."
"Of course," she acquiesced, though her knowing gaze suggested she believed otherwise. "Yet complications can become advantages when properly understood."
Before Shien could respond, Hiroki approached them hesitantly, his small face solemn in the moonlight.
"Mr. Shien," he said, his voice stronger than it had been earlier, "thank you for saving us."
Shien regarded the boy silently for a moment, then knelt to bring himself to eye level with the child. "You were brave," he said simply. "Now rest. We have more ground to cover tomorrow."
Hiroki nodded, then surprised both Shien and Void Shiki by throwing his arms around the swordsman's neck in a brief, fierce hug before scampering back to where Ereshkigal waited to tuck him into his makeshift bed.
Shien rose slowly, his expression unreadable.
"The boy trusts you," Void Shiki observed.
"Children have poor judgment," Shien replied, though without conviction.
Void Shiki's soft laugh was like distant wind chimes. "Perhaps. Or perhaps they see more clearly than we do, unburdened by the complexities adults create for themselves."
She drifted back toward the campfire, leaving Shien alone with his thoughts and the weight of ten lives now depending on him—a responsibility he had neither sought nor welcomed, yet found himself increasingly unwilling to relinquish.
Chapter 5: Rivers and Revelations
Dawn arrived with muted gray light filtering through morning mist. The group rose early, eager to put distance between themselves and the battlefield of the previous night. Any demons that had escaped would likely return with reinforcements once darkness fell again.
They traveled in relative silence, each processing the events of the night in their own way. The dynamic between them had shifted once more—a subtle rebalancing of relationships forged in combat's crucible. Where before there had been reluctant cooperation, now there was something approaching genuine teamwork.
Hiroki walked between Ereshkigal and Ishtar, the two goddesses having formed an unlikely alliance in their shared protectiveness toward the boy. He seemed less traumatized than the day before, occasionally asking questions about the strange world Ishtar described in her stories.
"Did you really have a boat that could sail through stars?" he asked, his eyes wide with childlike wonder.
"The Maanna," Ishtar confirmed, a wistful smile crossing her features. "It could traverse the cosmos faster than thought itself. Though," she added with a sly glance at Ereshkigal, "my sister's chariot was nearly as impressive."
"We were rivals," Ereshkigal explained to Hiroki's questioning look. "In our world, Ishtar ruled the heavens while I governed the underworld."
"Like sun and moon?" he suggested.
The two goddesses exchanged surprised glances. "Yes," Ereshkigal said thoughtfully. "Very much like that."
Ahead of them, Shien and Tomoe led the way, the warrior woman having naturally fallen into the role of his lieutenant. They moved with similar efficiency, communicating more through gestures and brief glances than with words.
"The town lies beyond that ridge," Tomoe observed, pointing to a distant line of hills. "We could reach it by nightfall if we maintain this pace."
Shien nodded, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. Last night's battle had left him more cautious than usual, aware that Miyuki's death would not go unnoticed by Muzan's higher-ranking demons.
"The puppeteer demon mentioned your reputation," Tomoe said after a while. "You're well-known among your enemies."
"A disadvantage," Shien replied shortly.
"Or an advantage," she countered. "Fear can be a powerful weapon when properly wielded."
His glance acknowledged the tactical insight without need for words.
Behind them, Morgan and U-Olga Marie had developed an odd sort of camaraderie born of their shared royal status and mutual disdain for their current circumstances. They walked side by side, their complaints now interspersed with occasional strategic observations that betrayed sharper minds than their attitudes might suggest.
"The demon coordinated her puppets with remarkable efficiency," U-Olga Marie noted, picking her way carefully along the forest path in her impractical footwear. "A hive-mind capability similar to certain cosmic entities I encountered in my realm."
"Similar but cruder," Morgan agreed. "In Avalon, I could control thousands of spirits simultaneously, each executing complex tasks. This 'Miyuki' barely managed a dozen simple attacks."
"Yet she nearly succeeded against a warrior of Shien's caliber," U-Olga Marie observed shrewdly. "Imagine what a more powerful demon might accomplish with the same ability."
Their conversation was interrupted as Castoria dropped back to join them, her tactical mind having caught the implications of their discussion.
"You're thinking about the hierarchy Shien mentioned," she said. "Lower Moons, Upper Moons, and Muzan at the top."
Morgan nodded. "If a mid-tier demon like Miyuki could cause such trouble, what might an Upper Moon be capable of? And this Muzan..."
"Best not to dwell on it without more information," Castoria suggested, though her furrowed brow indicated she shared their concern. "For now, we focus on reaching the town and finding Shien's contact in Edo."
Koyanskaya, who had been drifting between various conversations throughout the morning, sidled up to join them. "Speaking of our taciturn leader," she purred, "have you noticed how he's changed since we first appeared in his world?"
"He's still insufferably arrogant," U-Olga Marie sniffed.
"Oh yes," Koyanskaya agreed with a sly smile. "But he's becoming... protective. Did you see his face when Miyuki threatened us? I don't think he even realized the shift in his own expression."
"He's bound to us," Morgan pointed out pragmatically. "Our survival ensures his."
"True," Koyanskaya conceded. "But there's more to it than mere self-preservation. I've observed many humans throughout my existence. Our demon slayer is developing... attachments."
This observation brought thoughtful silence to the group, each woman considering the implications in her own way.
ORT and Void Shiki traveled at the rear of their procession, an unlikely pair united by their mutual otherworldliness. They spoke rarely, but when they did, their conversations tended toward the philosophical rather than the practical.
"This vessel experiences sensation differently than anticipated," ORT remarked, examining a small cut on her palm sustained during the previous night's battle. "Pain is... interesting. Not merely a warning system but an experience with depth."
"All mortal sensations have depth," Void Shiki replied. "It is perhaps their greatest strength and most profound vulnerability."
"Yet the demon slayer seems to transcend such limitations," ORT observed. "His pain response is altered. Modified through training or perhaps innate difference."
Void Shiki's gaze drifted to where Shien walked at the head of their group. "He carries a different kind of pain," she said softly. "One not easily observed or understood."
By midday, the forest began to thin, giving way to rolling hills interspersed with small streams. They paused at the largest of these waterways—a fast-flowing river perhaps twenty meters across, its clear waters running cold with mountain snowmelt.
"We'll rest here briefly," Shien announced. "The town lies four hours beyond the river. We'll arrive before sunset if we cross quickly."
The women regarded the rushing water with varying degrees of enthusiasm. After days of travel with limited opportunities for bathing, the river offered a tempting chance to refresh themselves. However, its obvious cold and strong current presented equally obvious challenges.
"There's a shallower crossing upstream," Shien indicated a point where the river widened and slowed. "We'll use that."
"Before we cross," Castoria suggested diplomatically, "perhaps we could take the opportunity to clean ourselves a bit? We'll be entering a town, after all."
Shien considered this practical concern, then nodded once. "Fifteen minutes. No longer."
This concession was met with surprising enthusiasm, particularly from those most concerned with their appearance. Even Morgan and U-Olga Marie set aside their royal dignity in favor of practical hygiene.
Shien moved upstream to scout the crossing point, giving the women privacy for their abbreviated bathing. Hiroki remained with Ereshkigal and Ishtar, who helped him wash his face and hands in a calm eddy near the shore.
The brief respite brought a welcome lightening of spirits among the group. They had survived their first major demon encounter together, proving their capability to adapt and fight even without their divine powers. This small victory, coupled with the prospect of reaching civilization by evening, created an almost festive atmosphere.
Koyanskaya, never one to miss an opportunity for mischief, found herself a sunny rock mid-stream where she proceeded to wash her hair with deliberate sensuality. "Mortal pleasures may be crude," she announced to no one in particular, "but they have their charms."
Tomoe, more practical in her approach, had stripped down to her undergarments and was efficiently scrubbing travel dirt from her arms and legs. "In my mortal life," she told Castoria, who was similarly engaged nearby, "I once spent three weeks in battle without the luxury of bathing. This is a welcome indulgence by comparison."
ORT approached the water with scientific curiosity, dipping first a finger, then her entire hand beneath the surface. "Thermal exchange occurs rapidly," she observed. "This vessel loses heat at an alarming rate."
"That's called 'being cold,'" Ishtar informed her dryly. "Welcome to the joys of mortal existence."
Even Void Shiki participated in the impromptu bathing session, though in her typical ethereal fashion. She knelt at the water's edge, cupping the clear liquid in her palms to wash her face with ritualistic precision. Somehow, despite the mud at the river's edge, her white kimono remained immaculate.
The peaceful scene was shattered by a sudden shout from upstream, followed by a tremendous splash. The women froze, instantly alert for danger.
"Shien?" Castoria called, already reaching for her improvised weapon.
Instead of responding, Koyanskaya burst into peals of laughter, pointing toward the river bend. "Oh my," she managed between giggles. "Our fearsome demon slayer appears to have encountered an unexpected challenge."
They followed her gaze to see Shien emerging from the river, his black haori plastered to his muscular form, water streaming from his midnight hair. His expression was thunderous, crimson eyes narrowed in rare display of emotion—primarily irritation.
"What happened?" Tomoe asked, moving quickly to his side, her warrior's instincts already scanning for threats.
"Loose stone," Shien replied tersely, water dripping from his chin as he wrung out his haori. The garment, removed, revealed a torso mapped with scars both old and new—testament to years of battles against demons.
Several of the women found themselves suddenly very interested in this unexpected display. Morgan's eyebrows rose appreciatively, while Ishtar made no attempt to hide her open admiration. Even U-Olga Marie, despite her alleged disdain for all things mortal, fell into uncharacteristic silence as she observed the lean muscle and battle-hardened physique of their reluctant protector.
"You should dry those clothes before we continue," Castoria suggested practically, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. "The day is warm enough that they'll dry quickly in the sun."
Shien, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring the effect his impromptu display was having on his companions, simply nodded and spread his haori on a sun-warmed rock. His black undershirt followed, leaving him bare-chested as he methodically wrung water from his hair.
Koyanskaya sidled up beside him, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "My, my," she purred, making no attempt to lower her voice. "It seems our master has been holding out on us. All that power wrapped in such a delicious package."
"Koyanskaya," Ereshkigal hissed, gesturing toward Hiroki, who was watching the proceedings with childlike curiosity. "There's a child present!"
"And?" the fox-spirit replied innocently. "The boy will grow into a man someday. He might as well learn what an impressive specimen looks like."
Shien ignored the commentary, focusing instead on examining his sword to ensure the blade hadn't been damaged by its unexpected dunking. His methodical attention to the weapon provided a convenient excuse to avoid acknowledging the various degrees of dishabille among his female companions, several of whom were still in various stages of their own bathing.
The moment of unexpected vulnerability—the legendary Ghost Fang slipping on a river stone like any ordinary mortal—had an interesting effect on the group dynamic. It humanized him in a way that even their shared battles hadn't quite managed, creating a subtle but significant shift in how the divine women perceived their demon-slaying protector.
"He's not what I expected," Castoria murmured to Tomoe as they helped gather everyone's belongings in preparation for crossing the river. "When we first appeared in this world, I thought him cold, perhaps even cruel in his detachment."
"He is a warrior," Tomoe replied simply. "We wear such masks because emotion is a liability in battle."
"Yet beneath that mask..."
Tomoe's lips curved in a rare smile. "Yes. Beneath that mask is a man of honor and surprising depth. I've known many warriors in my existence, both mortal and divine. Few possessed his particular quality of...contained intensity."
"I've noticed that too," Castoria agreed. "It's as if he's constantly holding something back—some part of himself kept under rigid control."
"The most dangerous weapons are often sheathed until truly needed," Tomoe observed. "Perhaps it is the same with his deeper nature."
Their philosophical musings were interrupted as Shien, now marginally drier though still shirtless, announced it was time to cross the river. He had identified a shallow ford where the water would reach no higher than waist-deep at its center, with a relatively gentle current.
"We'll cross in pairs," he instructed. "The binding should allow enough distance. Stay within arm's reach of your partner."
The pairings formed naturally based on heights and relationships that had developed during their journey. Tomoe would assist U-Olga Marie, whose elaborate attire presented the greatest challenge for river crossing. Morgan, refusing to be "handled like a parcel," insisted she needed no partner, though Castoria diplomatically positioned herself nearby just in case.
Koyanskaya offered to partner with Void Shiki, an arrangement that raised eyebrows given their contrasting natures. Ishtar and Ereshkigal remained together, with Hiroki between them for maximum safety. ORT, with her uncanny balance and inhuman precision, seemed capable of crossing unassisted, but Shien assigned himself as her partner nonetheless, unwilling to take chances with any of his charges.
"Remember," he cautioned as they prepared to enter the water, "the current is stronger than it appears. Plant each foot firmly before shifting your weight."
The crossing began without incident. The water was cold but refreshing after their journey, the streambed relatively smooth beneath their feet. They moved cautiously, each pair maintaining careful balance against the pushing current.
Halfway across, disaster nearly struck. U-Olga Marie, despite Tomoe's steadying hand, lost her footing on a slick stone. She pitched forward with a startled cry, arms flailing
as the current caught her. Tomoe lunged to catch her, but the sudden movement destabilized her own footing. For a heartbeat, both women teetered on the edge of being swept away.
In a flash of movement, Shien appeared between them, one powerful arm encircling U-Olga Marie's waist while his other hand gripped Tomoe's forearm with steel-like strength. The sudden proximity drew a startled gasp from U-Olga Marie, whose face pressed against Shien's bare chest as he steadied both women against the current.
"Your hands!" U-Olga Marie spluttered, her usual imperial confidence momentarily shattered by the unexpected physical contact. Her face had turned a shade of crimson that rivaled Shien's eyes.
"Would you prefer drowning?" he asked flatly, though something like amusement flickered briefly in his gaze.
"I... that is... this is highly irregular!" she managed, making no actual attempt to remove herself from his stabilizing grip.
"Noted," Shien replied dryly, helping both women regain their footing before releasing them. "Continue with caution."
From the bank they'd left behind, Koyanskaya's melodious laughter drifted across the water. "My, my," she called. "It seems our alien goddess has discovered the joys of mortal contact!"
U-Olga Marie's blush deepened, but she lifted her chin with renewed dignity. "I was merely... caught off guard by the current's strength. The demon slayer performed his duty adequately."
"Adequately?" Ishtar echoed with a mischievous grin. "From where I stood, you looked positively delighted by his 'adequate' intervention."
"Enough," Tomoe interjected, though her lips twitched with suppressed amusement. "We should complete the crossing before the current claims another victim."
They resumed their careful progress, though not without several glances toward Shien, who had returned to helping ORT navigate the deepest part of the ford. The entity moved with uncanny precision, yet occasionally allowed herself to falter just enough to necessitate Shien's steadying hand—a behavior that did not go unnoticed by the more observant members of the group.
"Fascinating," Castoria murmured to Morgan. "Even the cosmic horror is developing... interests."
"Pathetic," Morgan declared, though without real venom. "Divine beings reduced to competing for a mortal's attention."
"And yet," Castoria observed slyly, "I couldn't help but notice how you watched him when he removed his haori earlier."
Morgan's pale cheeks colored slightly. "I was merely assessing his combat potential," she insisted with imperious dignity. "A warrior's physique reveals much about their fighting capability."
"Of course," Castoria agreed, her tone suggesting anything but agreement. "A purely tactical observation."
Once safely across the river, they paused long enough for Shien to don his now mostly-dry clothing, much to the silent disappointment of several members of the party. The brief rest also allowed them to organize their sparse belongings and prepare for the final leg of their journey to the town.
As they set off again, Hiroki fell into step beside Shien, his small face serious as he looked up at the towering swordsman.
"Mr. Shien," he began hesitantly, "are you going to teach me how to fight demons?"
The question drew surprised glances from several of the women. Shien regarded the boy thoughtfully, his expression unreadable.
"Why do you ask?" he countered.
Hiroki's small hands clenched into fists at his sides. "Because they killed my family. And I don't want to be afraid anymore."
A heavy silence fell over the group. For many of the divine women, this was their first direct confrontation with the reality of what demons meant to the ordinary humans of this world—not just monsters to be fought, but destroyers of lives and families.
Shien knelt to bring himself to eye level with the child, his movement unexpectedly gentle for a warrior of his caliber.
"Fear is not weakness," he said quietly. "It's information. It tells you when to be cautious, when to prepare, when to fight, and when to run."
"But you're not afraid," Hiroki insisted. "I watched you fight. You weren't scared at all."
A ghost of a smile touched Shien's lips. "I feel fear. I simply don't let it make my decisions for me."
He rose, resting a hand briefly on the boy's shoulder. "When we reach the town, we'll find you a safe place. Then, if you still wish to learn, I will show you how to defend yourself."
Hiroki's face lit up with the first genuine smile they'd seen from him. "Promise?"
"I promise," Shien confirmed, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
This unexpected exchange revealed yet another facet of their enigmatic protector, one that softened several gazes directed his way. Even Koyanskaya, typically sardonic in her observations, watched the interaction with thoughtful assessment rather than mockery.
"He would have made a good father in another life," Ereshkigal observed softly to Ishtar as they resumed walking.
Ishtar nodded, unusually solemn. "Many warriors would. They fight hardest for what they'll never have themselves."
The remainder of their journey passed without incident, the landscape gradually shifting from wilderness to cultivated fields as they approached the outskirts of the town. By late afternoon, they crested a final hill to see their destination spread before them—a substantial settlement of perhaps two hundred buildings surrounded by a wooden palisade, with a river winding along its eastern edge.
"Tanigawa," Shien identified it. "A trading post between the mountain provinces and the coastal cities."
"Civilization at last," U-Olga Marie sighed with evident relief. "Perhaps they'll have proper accommodations. I've developed a profound appreciation for the concept of actual bedding."
"And baths," Morgan added fervently. "Rivers and streams are poor substitutes for properly heated water."
Castoria, more practical in her concerns, turned to Shien. "Will our appearance cause problems? Nine foreign women with unusual coloring and attire, accompanying a known demon slayer..."
"We'll attract attention," Shien acknowledged. "But Tanigawa is a trading town. Strangers are common enough."
"And the boy?" Tomoe asked quietly, nodding toward Hiroki.
"There's an orphanage run by former Corps members," Shien replied. "They take in children orphaned by demon attacks, train them when they're old enough to choose that path."
As they approached the town gates, Shien pulled his haori closer, partially concealing his distinctive black blade. "Let me do the talking," he instructed. "Tanigawa has experienced demon attacks recently. The guards will be suspicious of large groups arriving near sunset."
The gates were manned by four guards armed with spears and wearing simple leather armor. Their alert posture suggested they took their duties seriously, eyes narrowing as they assessed the unusual procession approaching their post.
"State your business," the lead guard called, hand resting meaningfully on his weapon.
Shien stepped forward, his posture deliberately non-threatening. "Travelers seeking lodging for the night. We have coin."
The guard's gaze moved past him to the nine women and child behind him, his expression growing increasingly suspicious. "Unusual company you keep, stranger. Where do you come from?"
Before Shien could answer, Koyanskaya glided forward, somehow having adjusted her clothing to enhance her already considerable allure. Her golden eyes captured the guard's attention as effectively as any supernatural charm might have.
"My dear man," she purred, her voice honey-sweet, "surely you wouldn't leave ladies stranded outside your gates with night approaching? Especially given the... dangers that lurk in these mountains after dark."
The guard's stern expression faltered slightly. "Well, I—"
"We've traveled so far," Koyanskaya continued, stepping just close enough to invade his personal space without appearing threatening. "And heard such wonderful things about Tanigawa's hospitality. Particularly its fine inns and... attentive guards."
The man actually blushed, his companions exchanging amused glances behind him. "I suppose... given the circumstances..."
Shien watched this display with stoic resignation, while several of the divine women rolled their eyes at Koyanskaya's tactics. Effective though they clearly were.
"Of course, if accommodating weary travelers is against town policy," she added with a calculated pout, "we could always try our luck in the forest. Though with so many vulnerable women and a child..."
"No!" the guard said hastily. "That won't be necessary. You can enter, but keep to the main streets and report to the town headman's office by morning."
"You're too kind," Koyanskaya smiled, stepping back to rejoin the group as the guards moved to open the gates.
As they passed through, Castoria whispered to her, "Was that manipulation really necessary?"
"Expediency," Koyanskaya replied with an unrepentant smile. "Some problems require swords. Others respond better to... softer approaches."
Inside the gates, Tanigawa revealed itself as a bustling center of commerce even in the waning hours of the day. Streets lined with shops and stalls led inward from the walls, converging on a central square where a large well stood surrounded by benches and small food vendors. The buildings were predominantly wooden constructions of two or three stories, with tiled roofs and paper-screened windows that glowed with lamplight as evening approached.
"Follow me," Shien instructed, leading them toward a three-story structure near the town's center. A wooden sign depicting a pine tree hung above its entrance, identifying it as an inn.
The establishment's interior was clean and well-maintained, with a large common room on the ground floor where several patrons sat drinking and conversing. The innkeeper, a plump, middle-aged woman with a shrewd gaze, looked up from her accounts as they entered, her eyebrows rising at the sight of such an unusual group.
"Well now," she said, setting aside her brushes, "what have we here?"
"Rooms for the night," Shien replied simply. "Four should suffice."
The innkeeper's gaze swept over them assessingly. "Three silver coins per room. Extra for meals and bath use."
Shien reached into his haori and produced the required payment without haggling, adding an additional coin. "The boy needs proper clothing," he said quietly. "And there are certain supplies we require."
The woman's expression softened slightly as she noted Hiroki's disheveled state. "Poor lamb," she murmured. "Demon attack?"
Shien nodded once.
"I'll see to it," she promised, pocketing the money and producing four iron keys. "Upper floor, rooms six through nine. Bath house is attached to the rear of the inn, meals served here in the common room. Last serving is at sunset."
They made their way upstairs, where they found simple but comfortable accommodations—clean tatami floors, futon bedding stored in wall cabinets, and paper-screened windows overlooking the town square. After days of sleeping outdoors, even the most imperious among them regarded these modest rooms with genuine appreciation.
"Actual bedding," U-Olga Marie sighed, running her hand along a folded futon. "Perhaps this primitive realm has some redeeming qualities after all."
The division of rooms prompted some negotiation. Ultimately, it was decided that Ereshkigal, Ishtar, and Hiroki would take one room; Castoria, Tomoe, and Void Shiki another; and Morgan, U-Olga Marie, and ORT the third. Koyanskaya initially claimed she would share with Shien—a suggestion that was met with immediate protest from several quarters—before relenting with dramatic disappointment to join Morgan's group.
Shien, for his part, seemed indifferent to the arrangements, concerned only that the distribution allowed him to remain within the binding's range of all nine women.
"We should eat and rest," he advised them. "Tomorrow I'll make inquiries about transport to Edo."
"And the orphanage?" Castoria reminded him gently, with a meaningful glance toward Hiroki, who was exploring his room with childlike curiosity.
Shien nodded. "I'll see to it in the morning."
The inn's bathhouse proved to be a highlight for the travel-weary group. Divided by a bamboo screen into men's and women's sections, the large, steaming pools offered their first opportunity for proper bathing since their arrival in this world.
The female side quickly became a scene of unexpected camaraderie as the divine women shed their travel-stained garments and sank into the hot water with varying exclamations of pleasure.
"This," declared Ishtar emphatically, "is civilization. I withdraw at least half of my complaints about this realm."
"Only half?" Ereshkigal teased, helping Hiroki scrub behind his ears before he retreated to a shallower section of the pool designed for children.
"I reserve the right to resume complaining when we next sleep outdoors," Ishtar clarified, sinking deeper into the steaming water.
Even Morgan and U-Olga Marie abandoned some of their regal dignity in favor of the simple pleasure of hot water and soap. ORT approached the bathing process with her usual methodical curiosity, testing different soaps and water temperatures with scientific precision.
"This vessel responds positively to thermal variations," she observed to no one in particular. "Fascinating adaptive mechanism."
Koyanskaya, predictably, turned bathing into performance art, positioning herself where the steam rose most dramatically around her fox-like features. Void Shiki bathed with ritual precision, her movements graceful and economical as she cleansed away the journey's dust.
Castoria and Tomoe, perhaps the most practical of the group, efficiently completed their ablutions before turning their attention to their travel-worn clothing, doing what they could to clean and mend the garments they'd been wearing since their summoning.
"We'll need new attire if we're to travel much farther," Tomoe observed, examining a tear in her sleeve. "These clothes were not designed for extended journeys, let alone combat."
"Perhaps there are merchants in town who could provide something more suitable," Castoria suggested. "Though I'm not sure what currency Shien has remaining after securing our lodging."
Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion from the men's side of the bathhouse—a startled exclamation followed by a splash and several masculine voices raised in alarm.
"What in the world—" Ishtar began, rising halfway from the water.
Before she could complete her thought, the bamboo divider between the sections suddenly collapsed, sending a wave across the pool and revealing the men's section in its entirety. There stood Shien, naked except for a small towel hastily grabbed around his waist, confronting what appeared to be three drunk townsmen who had clearly been harassing him.
For a moment, both sides froze in tableau—the divine women in various states of undress staring at Shien, who stared back with rare surprise evident in his crimson eyes.
Then several things happened at once.
U-Olga Marie shrieked, ducking beneath the water until only her eyes remained visible. Morgan imperiously turned her back, though not without a lingering glance at Shien's impressive physique. Koyanskaya made no attempt whatsoever to cover herself, instead regarding the scene with open amusement.
"Well," she purred, "this is an unexpected pleasure."
Ishtar immediately seized a bucket, hurling it with surprising accuracy at one of the drunken men. "Perverts!" she shouted. "Have you no decency?"
The men, realizing their predicament, began stammering apologies and backing away. It became clear they had been harassing Shien about his unusual eyes, not realizing exactly who they were challenging.
"The Ghost Fang!" one of them gasped, recognition dawning as Shien's towel slipped slightly, revealing a distinctive scar across his hip. "It's him! The demon slayer from the northern mountains!"
Shien, showing remarkable composure given the circumstances, secured his towel with one hand while the other moved instinctively toward a sword that wasn't there.
"Out," he commanded the men, his voice quiet but carrying such authority that they scrambled to obey, nearly tripping over themselves in their haste to exit the bathhouse.
This left Shien standing alone, facing nine divine women in various states of undress, with only a precariously positioned towel preserving his dignity.
Castoria was the first to recover her composure. "Perhaps we should... repair the divider," she suggested, her cheeks flushed but her voice steady.
"Or not," Koyanskaya countered with a sly smile. "The view from this side has improved considerably."
Shien's expression remained impassive, though a faint color had risen to his cheeks—whether from the bath's heat or the unprecedented situation was impossible to determine.
"My apologies," he said stiffly, already turning to retrieve the fallen screen. "The men were... persistent in their curiosity."
"About your eyes?" Tomoe guessed, one of the few who seemed completely unbothered by the situation. As a warrior who had spent her mortal life among soldiers, communal bathing was hardly shocking to her.
Shien nodded once, focusing intently on repositioning the divider without looking directly at any of the women. The task was made more challenging by the need to maintain his grip on the towel, resulting in a rather impressive display of one-handed strength as he lifted the heavy bamboo screen back into place.
Once the barrier was restored, an awkward silence fell over the women's side of the bath. Then, unexpectedly, Ereshkigal began to giggle. The sound was so startling coming from the usually melancholy goddess that others turned to stare at her.
"I'm sorry," she managed between bursts of laughter, "but did you see his face? The legendary Ghost Fang, terror of demons everywhere, caught in a bathhouse mishap like a character from some ribald tale!"
The absurdity of the situation struck them all at once, and soon even Morgan was struggling to maintain her dignity against rising mirth. Only ORT remained confused by the reaction.
"I fail to understand the humor," she stated, head tilted in that slightly inhuman way. "The barrier between bathing areas was structurally unsound. The result was predictable given sufficient force."
"It's not about the barrier, dear," Koyanskaya explained, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "It's about seeing our stoic protector caught in such a... compromising position."
"And his reaction," Ishtar added with a grin. "Did you notice he was more concerned about reaching for his sword than covering himself properly?"
"A warrior's instincts," Tomoe observed approvingly. "Though perhaps not the most appropriate for this particular battlefield."
Their shared laughter, born of the absurd situation and the release of tension after days of danger and uncertainty, created yet another subtle shift in the group's dynamic. The divine women, once separate entities bound only by circumstance, were becoming something closer to companions—still rivalrous and distinct in their personalities, but increasingly united by their shared experiences.
Later, dressed in the simple yukata provided by the inn for its overnight guests, they gathered in the common room for the evening meal. Shien joined them last, his expression giving no indication of the earlier incident, though several of the women exchanged knowing glances as he took his seat at the head of their table.
The innkeeper served a hearty meal of rice, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, and miso soup—simple fare but delicious after days of travel rations. Even Morgan and U-Olga Marie ate with evident appreciation, their usual complaints about "peasant food" temporarily set aside in favor of hot, freshly prepared sustenance.
Hiroki, clean and dressed in a child's yukata provided by the innkeeper, appeared transformed from the traumatized child they had rescued. He ate with healthy appetite, occasionally asking questions about the town or offering shy observations about their journey.
As the meal progressed, Shien addressed the practical matters facing them.
"Tomorrow I'll inquire about the orphanage and transport to Edo," he informed them. "The journey will take approximately five days by horse-drawn wagon, less if we can secure faster transportation."
"And what will we find in Edo?" Castoria asked, the tactician in her always focused on their longer-term strategy.
"A scholar named Takeda," Shien replied. "Former Corps member, now specializes in ancient texts and artifacts. If anyone knows about the summoning circle, it would be him."
"And if he doesn't?" Morgan pressed.
Shien's expression remained impassive. "Then we continue searching for answers while hunting demons."
"Such a cheerful prospect," Koyanskaya remarked dryly. "Eternal bondage to our handsome master while fighting hordes of flesh-eating monsters. One almost misses the monotony of divine existence."
"You're welcome to return if you find a way," Shien pointed out pragmatically.
"And miss watching you bathe?" she countered with a wicked smile. "I think not."
Several of the women choked on their tea at this bold reference to the earlier incident, while Shien maintained his stoic expression, though the faintest hint of color touched his cheekbones.
Void Shiki, who had been characteristically silent throughout the meal, suddenly spoke. "There is a demon in this town," she said quietly.
The table fell instantly silent, all eyes turning to her.
"Where?" Shien asked, his hand already moving to his sword hilt.
"Not close," she replied, her pale eyes distant. "But within the town walls. Hiding. Watching."
"How do you know?" Tomoe asked, her warrior's instincts immediately alert.
"I see the death it carries," Void Shiki explained simply. "Like a shadow that stretches before it."
Shien rose from the table, his expression hardening into the cold mask of the demon hunter. "Stay here. All of you."
"The binding—" Castoria began to protest.
"I'll remain within range," he assured her. "But I need to investigate without drawing attention. Nine women following me through town at night would be...conspicuous."
Before any could argue further, he had disappeared through the inn's entrance, moving with the silent grace that had earned him his reputation.
Left alone, the divine women exchanged concerned glances.
"Should we follow him anyway?" Ishtar suggested, her expression troubled. "After last night's battle..."
"He's right about drawing attention," Tomoe countered reluctantly. "And he knows this world's dangers better than we do."
"Besides," Koyanskaya added with a sly smile, "our demon slayer has his pride. After the bathhouse incident, I suspect he'd prefer to handle this particular threat alone, if only to restore his dignity."
"His dignity seemed intact enough," Morgan observed dryly. "Unlike his modesty."
This prompted another round of laughter, though it was more subdued than before, underlaid with genuine concern for their absent protector.
As the evening progressed with no sign of Shien's return, the divine women retired to their assigned rooms, though sleep proved elusive for most. The knowledge that a demon lurked somewhere in the seemingly peaceful town, combined with Shien's absence, kept them alert and uneasy.
In the room shared by Castoria, Tomoe, and Void Shiki, the three women maintained a quiet vigil by the window overlooking the town square.
"Can you still sense it?" Castoria asked Void Shiki, who stood motionless as a statue, her white yukata ghostly in the moonlight filtering through the paper screen.
"Yes," came the soft reply. "It moves through the shadows, hunting. But Shien hunts it in turn."
"Should we prepare for combat?" Tomoe asked practically, having already fashioned a makeshift spear from a broom handle found in their room.
Void Shiki's pale eyes shifted to her, something like respect in their depths. "Always prepared, warrior of Kamakura. But I don't believe we will be needed tonight."
"How can you be sure?" Castoria pressed.
A ghost of a smile touched Void Shiki's lips. "Because I see two shadows stalking through the night. And one burns far brighter than the other."
In the adjoining room, Koyanskaya paced restlessly, her golden eyes occasionally flashing with frustration as she peered out into the darkness.
"This is absurd," she complained to her roommates. "We fought an entire horde of demons last night, yet now we're expected to wait like helpless maidens while our champion battles alone?"
"You sound concerned," Morgan observed shrewdly from where she sat cross-legged on her futon, braiding her platinum hair for sleep. "How unexpected from one who claims such detachment."
Koyanskaya shot her a sharp glance. "I'm concerned about my continued existence, which is currently bound to his. A practical consideration, nothing more."
"Of course," Morgan agreed, her tone suggesting she believed nothing of the sort. "Just as your flirtations are merely to amuse yourself, not to capture his attention."
"And your royal disapproval masks no interest of your own?" Koyanskaya countered, golden eyes narrowing. "I've noticed how you watch him when you think no one observes, Queen of Summer."
ORT, who had been sitting in perfect stillness on her own futon, suddenly spoke. "The biological indicators suggest mutual attraction among multiple members of our group toward the human male," she observed clinically. "Increased respiration, pupil dilation, pheremonal changes—"
"That's quite enough, thank you," Morgan cut her off hastily, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks.
Koyanskaya laughed softly. "So the cosmic horror has been studying us. How delightfully invasive."
"Observation is necessary for adaptation," ORT replied simply. "This vessel also experiences... responses... to the demon slayer's presence. Unexpected. Intriguing."
This confession stunned both Morgan and Koyanskaya into momentary silence, before the latter recovered with a delighted smile.
"Well, well," she purred. "It seems our competition grows more interesting by the day."
In the third room, Ereshkigal sat beside Hiroki's sleeping form, gently stroking his hair as the boy finally succumbed to exhaustion. Ishtar watched from her own futon, an unusual softness in her expression.
"You've grown attached to the child," she observed quietly.
Ereshkigal nodded without looking up. "He reminds me of the souls I used to guide. So fragile, yet containing such potential."
"Will you be sad to leave him at the orphanage tomorrow?"
"Yes," Ereshkigal admitted. "But it's for the best. Our path is too dangerous, too uncertain."
Ishtar sighed, leaning back against the wall. "I wonder if Shien will actually go through with it. He's formed a bond with the boy as well, though he'd never admit it."
"Warriors rarely acknowledge such attachments," Ereshkigal agreed. "They consider them weaknesses to be guarded against."
"And yet," Ishtar mused, "such bonds often become their greatest strength."
Their conversation drifted to silence as they, too, maintained their vigil for Shien's return, each lost in their own thoughts about the enigmatic swordsman who had become the reluctant center of their strange new existence.
It was nearly midnight when the binding suddenly pulled at each of them—a sensation they had come to recognize as Shien approaching the limit of their tethered range. The feeling persisted for several minutes, suggesting he was engaged in pursuit or combat at the very edge of their connection.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the pressure eased. Shien was returning.
In their various rooms, the divine women exchanged glances of both relief and anticipation. Their protector was coming back—but in what condition, and with what news of the demon that had stalked the town?
The answer arrived with a soft knock at Castoria's door just as the moon reached its zenith.
Chapter 6: Breaking Points
Castoria opened the door to find Shien standing in the hallway, his black haori spattered with what could only be demon blood, his crimson eyes holding the cold fire that always followed combat. Despite this, he appeared uninjured—a welcome sight after hours of uncertainty.
"You found it," she stated rather than asked.
Shien nodded once. "A lesser demon hiding in the town's storage district. Using a merchant's identity to lure victims to isolated locations."
"Is it dead?" Tomoe asked, appearing at Castoria's shoulder.
"Yes."
"Good," she replied simply.
Word of Shien's return spread quickly through their adjoining rooms. Soon all of the divine women except Ereshkigal (who remained with the sleeping Hiroki) had gathered in the hallway, their relief evident despite attempts by some to mask it with nonchalance.
"Decided to return to us after all?" Koyanskaya remarked, golden eyes tracking over him for signs of injury. "How considerate."
"Were there any complications?" Morgan asked more practically.
Shien's expression darkened slightly. "The demon was... talkative before it died. Claimed to be gathering intelligence for someone higher in Muzan's hierarchy."
"About what?" Castoria pressed, sensing there was more to this revelation.
"About us," Shien replied bluntly. "Word has spread about nine divine women bound to a demon slayer. It's drawn Muzan's attention."
This sobering news silenced even Koyanskaya's teasing remarks. The implications were clear—their unusual group had become a target for the demon lord himself.
"Then we must accelerate our plans," Tomoe concluded. "Reach Edo as quickly as possible and find this scholar who might understand the binding circle."
Shien nodded in agreement. "We leave at first light. I've already arranged transportation."
"The boy?" Void Shiki asked quietly.
"I'll take him to the orphanage before our departure," Shien replied, though something in his tone suggested this decision troubled him more than he was willing to admit.
As the women returned to their rooms to prepare for an early start, Void Shiki lingered in the hallway with Shien.
"You're concerned about the child," she observed, her pale eyes seeing more than his impassive expression revealed.
"He's safer away from us," Shien stated firmly. "The demons are hunting us specifically now."
"True," she acknowledged. "Yet safety isn't always what a wounded soul needs most."
Shien's gaze sharpened. "What does that mean?"
"Simply that sometimes protection means more than physical security." Void Shiki's voice remained soft, but carried an authority born of ancient wisdom. "The boy lost his family to demons. Now he's found something to replace that loss—not just in you, but in all of us."
"We're not a family," Shien countered.
"Aren't we?" Void Shiki's lips curved in that ghost of a smile. "Bound together against our will, yet increasingly choosing to protect one another by choice. What would you call that, if not a kind of family?"
Without waiting for his response, she drifted back into her room, leaving Shien alone in the moonlit hallway with thoughts he had been trying to avoid since they had rescued Hiroki from the destroyed caravan.
Morning arrived with tentative golden light filtering through paper screens. The divine women rose early, preparing for departure with newfound efficiency. Their night in proper accommodations had restored both energy and determination, even among those who had been most vocal in their complaints.
Downstairs, they found Shien already in conversation with the innkeeper, who was providing a substantial breakfast and packages of travel food for their journey. Hiroki sat nearby, unusually subdued as he picked at his rice, clearly aware that this morning would bring a significant change in his circumstances.
"I've arranged two wagons," Shien informed them as they gathered around the table. "They'll take us as far as the coastal road, where we can find faster transportation to Edo."
"And the orphanage?" Castoria asked quietly, with a meaningful glance toward Hiroki.
"It's on our way out of town," Shien replied, his expression revealing nothing of the doubts Void Shiki had stirred the night before. "We'll stop there first."
Breakfast proceeded with subdued conversation, each member of the group preoccupied with their own thoughts about the journey ahead. Even Koyanskaya's usual teasing remarks were absent as she observed Hiroki's downcast expression with uncharacteristic concern.
As they prepared to leave the inn, gathering their few possessions and the new supplies Shien had purchased with the last of his coin, the innkeeper approached Hiroki with a small package.
"For the journey, young man," she said kindly, pressing it into his hands. "A few sweet cakes and a carved wooden horse. Every boy should have something to call his own."
Hiroki accepted the gifts with solemn gratitude, bowing as he had seen the adults do. "Thank you, ma'am."
The simple interaction brought unexpected moisture to Ereshkigal's eyes, which she hastily blinked away before anyone could notice. Or so she thought, until she caught Shien watching her with an unreadable expression.
Outside, two covered wagons waited as promised, each drawn by a sturdy mountain pony. The drivers, weather-beaten men who appeared to be brothers, nodded respectfully to Shien as the group approached.
"Ghost Fang," the elder of the two acknowledged. "Been some years since you passed through these parts."
"Tanaka," Shien returned the greeting with a slight nod. "Your brother looks well."
"Better since you cleared those demons from the mountain pass," the younger driver confirmed. "Trade's picked up considerably."
This brief exchange revealed yet another aspect of Shien's reputation—not merely feared by demons, but respected by the humans who benefited from his solitary crusade against the monsters that threatened their livelihoods.
"We'll take the north road first," Shien instructed the drivers. "There's a stop to make before we head east."
The brothers exchanged knowing glances but aske