Chapter 21: Final Battle

                                    

                                          
Continuation from Chapter 20.
As Tanjiro regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by flames. The devastation was overwhelming, and he wondered if anyone had managed to escape the inferno. His immediate concern was for Nezuko, whose box he saw open but unharmed.
"Nezuko! Thank goodness you're safe," Tanjiro sighed with relief, grateful that his sister had been spared from the chaos.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Tanjiro looked up and was shocked to see Gyutaro looming above him. The demon taunted him, remarking on his continued survival and dismissing his abilities.
Inosuke lay motionless on the ground, his life hanging by a thread as blood pooled around him. Zenitsu struggled to free himself from the rubble that trapped him, while Gyutaro callously described the impending demise of Tengen, referring to him as a show-off who had succumbed to the poison. Gyutaro further revealed that [Name] and Tengen were both unconscious, struck by falling debris and affected by the poison.
Tanjiro's determination ignited within him as he surveyed the dire situation. Despite the odds stacked against them, he resolved to fight on and protect those dear to him.
Gyutaro's sadistic laughter echoed in Tanjiro's ears as he struggled to comprehend the demon's words. The taunts pierced his heart, fueling a mix of anger, helplessness, and self-doubt.
"Why...? Why didn't he kill me? I'm still so weak... I can't even move my arms properly. Even if I try to strike him now, I won't be able to sever his head," Tanjiro thought, his breathing growing erratic.
Gyutaro's derisive tone intensified as he probed Tanjiro about Nezuko, his beloved sister who had turned into a demon. Tanjiro's response confirmed his connection to Nezuko, and Gyutaro's sadistic grin widened.
"Ah, just as I suspected. You truly are pathetic. You couldn't even protect your own sister," Gyutaro sneered, reveling in Tanjiro's anguish.
Lowering himself to Tanjiro's level, Gyutaro continued his relentless assault on the young boy's spirit. He taunted Tanjiro's weakness as a human, emphasizing the contrast with his demon sister. The demon's fingers ruffled Tanjiro's hair, a chilling reminder of his power and control.
"As the eldest, it's your duty to protect your sister, not be protected by her. You should have been her shield," Gyutaro admonished, his tone dripping with contempt.
Without warning, Gyutaro cruelly snapped two of Tanjiro's fingers, inflicting excruciating pain. Tanjiro gritted his teeth, enduring the torment as best he could.
Gyutaro's onslaught continued, each word another blow to Tanjiro's battered spirit. The demon reveled in the despair he inflicted, mocking Tanjiro's existence and questioning his worth.
"Now, insect, dimwit, coward among dunces, how does it feel to be the sole survivor? Your sister, your last glimmer of hope, has depleted her strength for you. What purpose does your pitiful existence serve? Why were you even born?" Gyutaro jeered, his strikes landing on Tanjiro's head and his grip tightening on his hair.
Tanjiro's resolve wavered as the pain and emotional onslaught threatened to consume him. But deep within, a flicker of determination remained. He would not allow his sister's sacrifice to be in vain. With his spirit rekindled, Tanjiro steeled himself for the arduous battle ahead, vowing to protect those he held dear, no matter the cost.
As Tanjiro attempted to flee, Gyutaro pursued him relentlessly. However, just as Gyutaro closed in on him, Tanjiro unleashed a surprise attack. With a powerful headbutt, he stunned Gyutaro and swiftly thrust a kunai into the demon's thigh, temporarily paralyzing him.