Chapter 4: The expected meeting
Amane —interlacing her fingers— "I have made a decision regarding Anos Voldigoad."
Amane, with her usual composure and poise, slightly inclines her head toward him, giving him her full attention. Kagaya continues:
"I believe we should not treat this being as an enemy, at least not yet. If what the letter describes is true, his power could rival, or even surpass, Muzan. But it is not just his strength that intrigues me... It is the way they describe him: someone who does not act out of malice or chaos, but with a deeper, albeit unknown, purpose. Perhaps, just perhaps, we can find in him an ally... or at least avoid turning him into a new enemy."
Amane nods slowly, assimilating her husband's words. After a moment, she responds:
"Husband, it is a dangerous bet, but I understand your perspective. If Anos Voldigoad is as formidable as they say, confronting him without understanding him would be suicide. However, approaching him could represent an opportunity... although it also carries great risk."
Kagaya, with a slight melancholic smile, closes his eyes for a moment before adding:
"I know, Amane. It is an enormous risk, but we cannot afford to ignore him. I will send a crow with a letter to Kanae, authorizing her to find this being and attempt to establish contact. We must trust her judgment and her kindness. If anyone can make him listen, it is her."
Amane places a hand on Kagaya, offering silent support. The two share a moment of calm amidst the whirlwind of uncertainty surrounding them. Although the future remains uncertain, the decision has been made, and with it, a new chapter in the fight against demons is about to begin.
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POV Kanae Kocho
A few days later, in the Butterfly Mansion, the soft flutter of wings resonated through the gardens. The crow, Kusagai, descended gracefully, carrying a carefully rolled message tied to its leg. Kanae, sitting on the terrace admiring the flowers, immediately noticed its arrival.
"Oyakata-sama response?" she murmured with curiosity, extending her arm for the crow to perch.
Kusagai let out a caw, as if recognizing the importance of the message it carried. Carefully, Kanae untied the scroll and observed Kagaya Ubuyashiki delicate handwriting. Her heart raced as she read:
**"Kanae,
I have received your report and understand the magnitude of what you have witnessed. After deep reflection, I believe this being, Anos Voldigoad, could represent an invaluable opportunity for our cause. However, I also recognize the danger of confronting him directly.
I authorize you to seek him out and attempt to establish contact, but act with caution. We must not underestimate his power or his intentions. I trust in your kindness and your ability to convey our cause sincerely. If there is any possibility that he might help us end the war between humans and demons, you must explore it.
May the light of your spirit guide your path.
—Kagaya Ubuyashiki"**
Kanae finished reading and let out a long sigh. She knew it would not be an easy task, but she understood the importance of what she was about to undertake. A slight smile formed on her face as she thought about the possibility, however remote, of building a bridge between two worlds.
She quickly entered the mansion to prepare and called for Shinobu, who appeared shortly after with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Are you going somewhere, sister?" Shinobu asked, noticing Kanae gathering her sword and supplies.
Kanae nodded while adjusting the pin in her hair. Her voice was soft but determined:
"I have received a special mission from Oyakata-sama. It is delicate, but very important. Do not worry, I will return soon."
Shinobu frowned slightly and felt a knot forming in her chest. Although she trusted her sister's strength and wisdom, she could not help but worry. Kanae noticed her expression and gave her a soft pat on the head.
"Shinobu, everything will be fine. Just take care of the mansion while I'm away, okay? You are incredibly capable, and I know you can handle anything that arises."
The younger sister nodded with a small sigh, although her eyes betrayed her unease. Kanae, determined to alleviate her concerns, added with a smile:
"Besides, I want you to practice that sword movement we've been working on. When I return, I want to see how much you've improved."
This seemed to cheer up Shinobu, who smiled slightly and responded:
"I will, sister. I promise to impress you."
With that brief but warm exchange, Kanae finished her preparations and set out toward her destination. Kusagai flew ahead of her, guiding her to the location mentioned in the young witness's letter. As she walked along the path toward the forest, her mind reviewed the details about Anos Voldigoad.
"Such a powerful yet enigmatic being... What kind of creature are you really?"
Determination and curiosity burned within her as she ventured toward an encounter that could change everything.
As Kanae ventured deeper into the forest, the atmosphere changed with each step. The trees grew taller and older, their branches weaving an almost impenetrable canopy, and the birdsong gradually faded, leaving only the sound of her footsteps on the leaf-covered ground. Kusagai cawed and descended, perching on a nearby branch, indicating they had arrived at the location mentioned in the letter.
Before her extended a forest clearing, dimly illuminated by sunlight filtering through the foliage. In the center stood a young man with his back to her. His figure was slender but firm, and his posture exuded unshakeable confidence.
Kanae took a step forward, but before she could say anything, the young man spoke without turning:
"So, you are the emissary of those demon hunters. I've been expecting you."
His voice was deep and resonant, with an air of authority that seemed to pierce the air around him, as if each word carried more weight than it should. Kanae felt a chill run down her spine, but she did not let her determination waver. She took another step and placed a hand on the hilt of her sword, not as a threat, but as a precaution.
"Are you Anos Voldigoad?" she asked, with a calm but cautious tone.
The young man finally turned to face her, revealing a face of perfect features and eyes that seemed to contain the vast void of the cosmos. There was something in his gaze that mixed infinite serenity with overwhelming power, as if he could disarm anyone with a single look.
"I am. But tell me, what are you seeking by coming here? My power, my counsel, or... something else?" Anos responded, slightly tilting his head and with a tone of voice that conveyed an almost playful curiosity.
Kanae remained steady. She took a deep breath and remembered the importance of her mission.
"I come with a clear purpose. I believe in the possibility of coexistence between humans and demons, and your power could be the key to achieving it. I do not know who you really are or what your intentions might be, but I ask that you listen to my proposal."
Silence fell between them, broken only by the whisper of the wind. Anos looked at her for what seemed like an eternity, as if evaluating every fiber of her being. Finally, a slight smile adorned his lips.
"Coexistence, you say... What a curious idea. Humans and demons have done nothing but destroy each other since the beginning of time, and now you come to talk to me about uniting them."
Kanae perceived the implied mockery in his words but refused to be intimidated. She held his gaze, and determination began to shine in her eyes.
"I know. It makes no sense from a logical point of view. But I cannot abandon my dream of a world where both races can live in peace. Perhaps it is naive, but I am willing to risk everything to try."
Anos's smile widened slightly, as if her response had awakened his interest. He took a step toward her, his figure projecting a shadow that seemed larger than life.
"Your spirit is strong, that is clear. But before deciding if I join your cause, I have a condition."
Kanae frowned, intrigued but cautious. "What condition?"
Anos raised a hand, and a small black flame appeared in his palm, dancing with a hypnotic movement. The energy it emitted was overwhelming, but it had a strange warmth.
"Prove your conviction. If you can withstand this flame and remain standing, then I will consider listening to more of your words. But be careful: this trial is not for everyone."
Kanae knew she had no other choice. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and extended her hand toward the flame.
"If this is what you need to trust me, then I am ready."
The flame approached her palm, and the moment it made contact, an indescribable heat coursed through her body. It felt as if she were being consumed from within, but at the same time, she felt an unknown force flowing through her. Gritting her teeth, Kanae closed her eyes and concentrated on her objective: the dream that had brought her there.
Anos observed in silence, his expression calm but with a slight gleam of curiosity in his eyes.
"Interesting..." he murmured, as time seemed to stand still in that forest clearing.
Author's Note:
//Thank you so much, AaronMorningstar11, for the 3 Power Stones! Your support motivates me to keep uploading more content.//