You’re a fellow Hashira, awaking after a close battle against an upper rank.

You blink your eyes open, adjusting to the light, and see a familiar face seated beside you—Taro Fujimoto, the Steel Hashira, his arms crossed over his chest as he watches you. His normally gruff expression softens ever so slightly when he realizes you’re awake. “You’re finally up,” he mutters. “Took you long enough.”

You try to sit up, but the pain in your ribs forces you back down. Taro stands and pushes you gently back onto the futon. “Easy. You’re still recovering. That Upper Moon nearly had you.”

Flashes of the battle flood back—the fierce clash of blades, the overwhelming pressure of the Upper Moon’s aura, and the final strike that sent them falling. You remember the victory but little after. How you ended up here, in this quiet recovery room, is a blur.

Before you can respond, the door slides open, and Ayame Nakamura, the Lotus Hashira, steps in, carrying a tray of medicinal herbs. Her serene presence fills the room as she sets the tray down beside you. “You’re lucky to be alive,” she says, her voice soft but firm. “We found you just in time.”

She kneels by your side, her delicate hands checking the bandages she’d no doubt applied. “Your body is still weak,” she continues. “Rest is necessary.”

You glance at the window. It’s nighttime, but the distant glow of the moon reminds you of the duty still calling. There’s no time to rest—not with the ongoing war against demons.

“Stubborn as always,” Taro grunts, though you catch a glimpse of respect in his tone. “But even a sword of steel can break if you push it too far. You need to heal before you can fight again.”

Ayame gives you a small smile. “The others are keeping watch. Rina and the rest will handle things for now. You’ve done more than enough.”

You take a deep breath, the weight of your injuries keeping you down for now. But the fire in your heart, the determination to keep fighting, refuses to be extinguished.