Traveling among the dark clouds that at some point replaced the normal ones, clearly formed in a supernatural way by the great amount of negative energy, Asahiko in his bird form dodges one or another monstrous figure.
The so-called "figures" are actually deformed yokai, some shaped like winged worms and others simply indescribable, all of which also seem to be drawn to what lies below.
[Hahaha, this already looks like an open-air banquet with so many guests!]
Laughing from inside the gem embedded in the hilt of Clouded Fang, which is held by the claw of the golden bird, Souga throws more fuel onto the fire.
As always, what Souga seeks with his words is to generate negative emotions in Asahiko, thus devouring them and increasing his strength.
A little here, a little there, everything counts for him. Of course, that is because Asahiko is a pure demon, if he were a normal human those crumbs of negative emotions wouldn't even be enough for him to survive.
"Tsk, they're like crows that smell carrion"
[And they're not very different, since in the end they are only beasts guided by their lowest instincts]
"Oh… From what I see you're not afraid of friendly fire, Souga? I'm going to descend"
Ending the topic as his large golden wings fold, Asahiko begins to dive downward and quickly escapes the dark clouds, thus being able to observe the terrain below for the first time.
There, more than a battlefield it was… Simply a slaughterhouse. Hundreds of human bodies scattered, broken spears, torn flags and a penetrating smell of iron.
All of that together creates a small hell on earth, since the corpses attract the yokai that feed on them, while the negative energy left by the fallen men gives life to even more yokai, and both sides fight over the food.
Screech!
Letting out a screech full of righteous fury while diving at full speed, Asahiko crashes into the ground and a wave of golden fire sweeps the surroundings.
For every yokai that those flames touch, a scream of pure pain spreads toward the cloud-covered sky, transforming the former battlefield into a sinister orchestra where the screams serve as musical instruments.
"Damn pests!"
Returning from his golden bird form to the appearance of a normal young man, a very disheveled one if it must be admitted, Asahiko draws Clouded Fang and fixes his gaze on the hordes of yokai in front of him.
These fall from the dark clouds present in the daytime sky, run among the broken spears and even emerge from the human corpses, forming a demonic wave in seconds.
[Stupid beasts, they can't even recognize our greatness… You have to teach them a lesson!]
"Sure, and it would be easier to do if you had some incredible ability like Inuyasha's 'Wind Scar'"
[You're the one who doesn't use them because of your stupid human morality!]
Ignoring the furious Souga who clearly wishes he could leave the gem and take a bite out of him, Asahiko swings his sword carelessly toward the enemies ahead.
Surprisingly, but also incredibly obvious, Asahiko's swing does not release the expected large reddish slash… but only a small and weak red flash.
This is obviously due to everything that happened previously, from the problem with Naraku, the fight with Sesshōmaru, transforming into a bird several times and the grand entrance onto the battlefield… all without resting for even a second in between.
"Grr!"
"Do I look weak to you?"
Grabbing the bald, fleshy and hairy head hanging from a body resembling a worm with grasshopper legs, using his hand despite the disgust, Asahiko mercilessly slams it against the ground before slicing another nearby yokai.
Such a display of power does not scare those coming behind at all, but instead the spilled blood excites them even more and they become extremely aggressive, charging forward like a human wave without hesitation.
[Faster! Stronger! You're making us look weak!]
"Then come out yourself and do it, Souga!"
Piercing the wrinkled flesh of a nearby yokai, Asahiko looks around and quickly notices that he is surrounded. It doesn't matter if it's above, right or left, right now he is no different from a rock in the middle of a rushing river.
Fortunately all these yokai belong to the "cannon fodder" level, but even if they are weak in quality… in quantity they are simply overwhelming, and with every passing second even more are born to fill their ranks.
That tends to quickly turn the battle into one of attrition, something that serves him the least right now since his tank is empty, so since he is neither stupid nor proud, he simply runs away.
[What do you think you're doing? Go back there and fight!]
"Are you an idiot or has your pride already reached your brain, Souga? I almost got beaten up back there, and I'm out of energy and you're about as useful as a normal sword"
[Use your hands, your teeth… anything!]
Furious beyond measure, Souga's shouts make the gem in which he lives or remains sealed, depending on how you see it, shine, but Asahiko ignores him and keeps running without hesitation.
Meanwhile behind him dozens or perhaps hundreds of deformed yokai chase him, growling and drooling over the ground stained with human blood upon detecting his weakness.
"Friendly reminder, I'm even weaker than Inuyasha in brute strength, you idiot dragon!"
[Shameful…]
"Fuck you, everyone has their own advantages in life"
Jumping to dodge the attack of a yokai coming from his back, all without even looking, Asahiko places Clouded Fang in its sheath and then uses it like a bat, striking Souga's gem against the yokai.
Which produces a fleshy noise due to the force of the attack, but the most useful thing is that Souga finally shuts up, allowing Asahiko to finally focus on escaping.
…Some time later…
Having finally escaped from that angry horde of yokai, which is understandable since he had interfered with their food, Asahiko leans against a nearby tree and tries to normalize his breathing.
"Ha, ha… I won't stick my nose where it doesn't belong again"
Trying to create a handkerchief to wipe his metaphorical sweat, he can only look at his empty hand while a dry smile hangs on his face.
If before he was empty, now he is even drier than the Sahara desert, although it cannot be denied that he learned a great lesson… maybe?
"I warned you, young Asahiko. It was best to go around the area, avoid the conflict"
"Yes, but maybe a clearer explanation would have been better, Saya. You know how I get when that 'kindness' born from who knows where controls me, I'm like an Inuyasha 2.0"
"Cough, cough, I'll keep it in mind for next time"
Playing with his long white beard that reaches his chest, Saya lets out some fake coughs and then nods confidently, transforming for a few seconds into a truly reliable old man.
Of course that is only an illusion born of the moment, because we all know that Saya is as reliable as old man Totosai, that is to say both are cowards through and through.
"Well, anyway… I've had too many intense emotions today, so it's time to find Kikyo"
"Just like that?"
"Of course, how else… Well, I'll just wait until I have a bit of energy and make myself new clothes"
Looking at the way he is currently "dressed", in reality he is half naked and even his appearance is a mess, Asahiko frowns deeply.
He had bathed a few hours ago, after leaving Inuyasha's group and going off on his own, but now he looks even worse than at the beginning, so much so that he begins to consider whether it was the smartest idea to leave them.
"I remind you that the priestess Kikyo cannot be-"
"Yes, yes, I'll fix it later, there's more than enough distance between us"
Downplaying whatever Saya wanted to say, both with his words and actions, Asahiko finishes resting against the tree and focuses all his attention on the sensation present in his mind.
This had replaced the old rose he had given Kikyo, being weaker and more elusive, but it maintained the same connection with him… As if it were the same and yet not.
Thanks to that he can track Kikyo, and why he wasn't so worried when "they failed to save her from Naraku", since at some point he began to feel her movements naturally.
"Let's see… Let's see… Yes, this is going to be a headache"
Observing the forest in front of him, which he must pass through if he wants to reach Kikyo, Asahiko begins to lament how uncomfortable it is to walk now.
Flying was the key, since you avoid ground obstacles, dangerous enemies and even get there faster because you go in a straight line… Ahh, how useful it is to have wings.