The village awoke under a fragile dawn, pale light glinting off frost-laden rooftops, smoke curling from chimneys into the cold, thin air. Félix walked alongside Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, each step deliberate, boots pressing softly into the snow. Word of their encounter with Kurotsuki, the Lower Moon minion, had already begun to spread. Villagers whispered of the young Ice Reaper whose mastery of ice could immobilize even the cleverest of demons. Yet Félix did not dwell on praise; his focus remained on the path ahead, for the shadows of the Moon were never dormant, and intelligence and cruelty among demons could strike at any moment.
Reports had reached the Corps of a coordinated movement: multiple Lower Moons were appearing in the northern forests, not isolated incidents but a pattern suggesting strategy, planning, and intent. Félix's pulse quickened—not with fear, but with the awareness that his leadership, his full arsenal, and his ability to coordinate with allies would be tested as never before.
Tanjiro's voice was calm, measured, yet carried weight. "Félix, this mission is unlike previous ones. These demons are working together, and they are cunning. You must anticipate, guide your allies, and maintain control of the battlefield. Trust your instincts—and your team."
Zenitsu, pale but resolute, muttered to himself, hands gripping his blade. "No fainting… stay sharp… we can do this…" Inosuke bounded ahead, ears perked, nostrils flaring with excitement. Félix exhaled slowly, drawing his twin katanas, Absolute Zero humming faintly in his mind, ready to be unleashed if circumstances demanded. Leadership was no longer an abstract concept—it was immediate, necessary, and heavy with consequence.
The northern forest loomed ahead, dense with towering pines, shadows pooling in frost-laden clearings, and a silence that seemed almost unnatural. Félix signaled for the group to spread cautiously, each member taking a sector to cover. The first Lower Moon appeared without warning—a grotesque figure with sinewy limbs, red eyes glinting with intelligence, observing them with calculated intent. Another emerged moments later, moving with similar precision. Félix's eyes narrowed. Strategy would require flow, rhythm, and the simultaneous execution of multiple techniques.
"Stay coordinated," Tanjiro instructed. "They are intelligent. Do not underestimate them."
Félix moved fluidly, executing Glacial Veil to intercept an initial assault while unleashing Frost Fang to create space, ice forming along each precise strike. The two Lower Moons lunged, testing reaction and rhythm. Félix responded by chaining Frozen Torrent into Diamond Frost, striking one demon's flank while immobilizing the other, creating temporary advantage. Zenitsu and Inosuke followed his rhythm, striking in sequence, exploiting openings, and disrupting the demons' coordination.
But the enemies adapted quickly. Their strikes became more unpredictable, feints more elaborate, and movement more coordinated. Félix realized that brute strength or individual technique alone would not suffice; leadership, tactical awareness, and seamless communication with his allies were paramount. He shifted continuously, guiding Zenitsu subtly with gestures, adjusting Inosuke's chaotic energy into openings, and managing space with Absolute Zero, controlling terrain and dictating flow.
The battle escalated. Three additional Lower Moons emerged, their movements calculated, almost elegant in cruelty. Félix executed Ice Whirl to create a defensive barrier, Glacial Veil to shield Zenitsu and Inosuke, and Absolute Zero to immobilize advancing threats. Each technique flowed into the next, a seamless symphony of motion, frost, and lethal precision. Zenitsu, inspired by Félix's mastery, struck with newfound confidence, finding vital points, while Inosuke's raw energy, guided subtly, disrupted enemy coordination.
The demons attempted to exploit perceived weaknesses in the team's formation, targeting Zenitsu repeatedly. Félix reacted instantaneously, chaining Frozen Torrent, Diamond Frost, and Frost Fang to intercept and counterattack, the forest erupting in a spray of snow and crystalline ice. The Lower Moons' strategy began to falter under Félix's leadership and the synchronized counterattacks of his allies.
A decisive moment arrived when one demon overcommitted to a strike against Inosuke. Félix pivoted, executing Absolute Zero, encasing the enemy in a crystalline prison while guiding Zenitsu to exploit openings with rapid, precise strikes. Inosuke's chaotic assault became an orchestrated maneuver, striking in perfect synchronization. The Lower Moon fell, immobilized and defeated.
But victory was fleeting. Another demon lunged from the shadows, faster and smarter than the previous, forcing Félix to adapt, integrate all ten techniques seamlessly, and maintain the flow of battle. Frost erupted along each strike, barriers formed, and Absolute Zero spread subtly, controlling the terrain without sacrificing mobility. The coordinated assault of the demons challenged every facet of their skills, yet Félix maintained rhythm, guiding his allies while executing strikes that were both lethal and precise.
Finally, a critical opportunity presented itself. One of the demons misjudged positioning, overextending in its attack. Félix executed a flawless sequence: Frost Fang, Diamond Frost, and Absolute Zero, immobilizing the enemy while directing Zenitsu and Inosuke to strike the remaining threats. Snow erupted into the air, glittering like shattered diamonds, and one by one, the Lower Moons were defeated or incapacitated. The forest fell silent, heavy with frost, victory hard-won and blood-stained.
The Hashira observed from a ridge above, descending silently as the group consolidated. His gaze was sharp, assessing Félix's decisions, coordination, and control. "You led with precision, adapted to multiple threats, and integrated every technique under pressure," he said. "Leadership is not merely giving orders—it is presence, rhythm, awareness, and influence. Today you demonstrated all of these. Your path as an Ice Reaper is unfolding, but challenges greater than these await. Remember: mastery is not final; it is ongoing, ever-demanding."
Zenitsu collapsed into the snow, trembling, pale but exhilarated. "I… I can't believe we survived that," he murmured. Inosuke, chest heaving, removed his boar mask, grinning fiercely. "That… that was insane! I never thought we'd make it!" Félix allowed himself a faint smile, acknowledging both the truth and encouragement in their words.
As twilight descended, the group began their return to the village. Félix led, boots pressing softly into snow, mind analyzing every strike, every decision, and every motion. He had faced multiple Lower Moons in coordinated assault, guided allies effectively, and demonstrated leadership under extreme pressure. Ice Breathing was no longer merely an arsenal of techniques; it was philosophy, rhythm, and responsibility, intertwined with judgment and coordination.
By nightfall, the village lights shimmered faintly in the cold, reflecting off frost-covered rooftops. Félix paused at the village entrance, feeling the lingering resonance of Absolute Zero, the culmination of discipline, mastery, and awareness. He had survived coordinated threats, established a growing reputation, and learned the weight of leadership under scrutiny and battle conditions.
The forest waited silently beyond the village, shadows deepening, whispers of the Lunes hidden among the trees. Félix felt readiness, clarity, and resolve. The path ahead promised more strategic challenges, higher-ranked demons, and missions that would test his full potential as an Ice Reaper. He had demonstrated mastery, leadership, and judgment; now it was time to face the consequences of growing renown.