The forest was quiet, but the silence was tense, like the calm before a storm. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Nezuko, and Lyra moved cautiously, sensing the dark aura that filled the night.
Lyra's eyes glimmered with focus. This is it. My first real test against an Upper Moon… I can't fail.
Ahead, a massive figure emerged — a Lower Moon demon, but unlike anything they had faced before. Its limbs were jagged, its eyes glowing crimson, and its aura radiated pure malice.
Zenitsu froze, Inosuke growled, and Tanjiro readied his sword.
Lyra stepped forward, her silver hair catching the moonlight. "Everyone… follow my lead. Let's end this quickly."
The Battle Begins
The demon lunged, faster than expected. Tanjiro dodged, deflecting one strike, while Zenitsu and Inosuke attacked from the sides. But Lyra knew brute force wouldn't win this fight.
"Mythical Beast… Phoenix Strike!"
Flames surged from her blade, hitting the demon squarely and forcing it back. Sparks danced across the clearing, illuminating the danger lurking in every shadow.
The demon roared and swung, knocking Lyra off her feet. She rolled, gripping her sword tighter, and whispered:
"Kirin Charge!"
A crackling bolt of lightning erupted from her sword, striking the demon multiple times. Its eyes widened in shock, staggering backward.
Coordinated Attack
Tanjiro shouted, "Now, Nezuko!"Nezuko's demon flames surged, hitting the demon from another angle. Lyra didn't hesitate. She combined her Dragon Tail Sweep with Phoenix Strike, creating a sweeping arc of fire and energy that caught the demon off-guard.
Inosuke leaped in, slashing wildly, while Zenitsu's Thunder Breathing crackled in perfect timing. The team moved as one, but it was Lyra's mythical power that finally broke the demon's defenses.
The Final Blow
The demon roared, charging with one last desperate attack. Lyra met it head-on, shouting:
"Mythical Beast… Dragon-Phoenix Fusion!"
A blinding explosion of flame and lightning erupted from her sword, striking the demon's chest. It screamed, staggering, then collapsed in a burst of black smoke.
Breathing heavily, Lyra lowered her sword. Tanjiro approached, his eyes wide with awe.
"You… you really are incredible," he said. "Your breathing style… it's unlike anything we've seen. You saved all of us."
Lyra smiled weakly, her chest heaving. "I… just did what I had to. I couldn't let anyone get hurt."
Aftermath
As the team caught their breath, a chill swept through the forest. Lyra felt it first — the presence of something far stronger, far darker.
Upper Moons… they know I'm here. And soon… we'll face them.
She clenched her sword tighter, determination burning in her eyes. For the first time, she felt truly part of this world — a slayer not just from another realm, but a hero standing alongside legends.