Shadow of the Moon: The Demon Slayer & the Priestess!

The cold wind howled through the forest, rustling the trees as Ryoshi stood frozen before his master. The weight of the moment pressed down on him—this wasn't just any opponent. This was the man who had taught him how to fight, the one who had shaped him into a warrior.

And now, he was his executioner.

Siren's voice was barely above a whisper. "Ryoshi… we need to run."

But he didn't move. He couldn't.

His master's red-marked mask tilted slightly, observing him. "You are hesitating." His tone was as unreadable as ever. "Good. That means you haven't fully lost yourself yet."

Ryoshi clenched his fists. "Lost myself? I haven't lost anything. I finally found the truth."

"The truth?" His master took a slow step forward, sword at the ready. "You betrayed your own kind for a demon."

Ryoshi's grip tightened on his blade. "She's not a monster."

His master didn't react, his cold stare piercing through him. "And yet she drinks the blood of men."

Siren tensed beside Ryoshi, her expression darkening. "I have never killed a human."

The hunter ignored her, his focus solely on his former student. "Enough words. Draw your sword, Ryoshi."

Ryoshi's heart pounded. He knew he couldn't defeat his master—not as he was now. The difference in skill was overwhelming. His master had trained him, knew all his moves before he even made them.

But if he didn't fight, they would both die.

Siren took a step closer, her voice urgent. "You don't have to fight him—"

Before she could finish, the hunter moved.

Faster than a breath. Faster than Ryoshi had ever seen.

A silver flash cut through the air. Siren barely dodged. The blade sliced through the tree behind her, leaving a deep gash in the wood.

She turned sharply, eyes narrowed. "Damn it—he's fast."

Ryoshi finally moved, stepping between her and his master. He raised his sword, forcing himself to steady his breathing.

"I won't run," he said. "If I do, I'll never be able to face myself again."

His master nodded slightly. "Good. Then let's see if you have truly grown."

And then, he attacked.

Steel clashed against steel. The force of the impact sent a sharp tremor through Ryoshi's arms. He staggered back, barely deflecting the next strike as his master pressed forward, relentless and precise.

Ryoshi barely had time to process each move—every slash, every thrust, every step was calculated to push him into a corner.

Siren tried to move in, but the hunter flicked his blade toward her without even looking. A burst of compressed wind energy sent her flying back.

"Siren!" Ryoshi shouted.

She crashed into a tree, groaning in pain but still conscious. "I'm fine… but you can't win this alone."

Ryoshi gritted his teeth. He knew that. But there was no other choice.

His master lunged again. Ryoshi blocked, barely dodging the follow-up slash aimed at his throat. He twisted his body, countering with a sweeping strike—but his master wasn't there anymore.

A sudden, crushing force slammed into his stomach.

Ryoshi gasped as he was sent skidding backward, barely keeping his footing.

His master lowered his fist. "You're holding back."

Ryoshi coughed, trying to regain his breath.

"I trained you to kill," his master continued. "But now, you hesitate. If you cannot strike me down, then you will die."

Ryoshi wiped blood from his lip, forcing himself to stand tall. His body ached, but he couldn't give up.

Then, he took a deep breath. He had to fight differently.

His master was stronger, faster, more experienced. But Ry