As they advanced deeper into the crude tunnel that stretched into the depths of the massive mountain, six figures could be seen—four adults, a child, and what appeared to be a small two-tailed cat, which had arrived after sensing the disturbance outside.
The "adult" figures were Kikyo, Kagome, Sango, and Asahiko, while the child was obviously Shippo, who walked alongside the two-tailed cat named Kirara—Sango's companion.
"For God's sake, that stupid dog should control himself a little. Doesn't he realize we're inside a mountain?"
Brushing off the dust falling from the tunnel ceiling onto his clothes, Asahiko took the opportunity to also disperse the deadly miasma coming from ahead with a wave of flames—and verbally strike at Inuyasha.
"And he's not even shouting. He always yells during his fights."
"I don't even know what to say… being buried alive while listening to Inuyasha shouting in the background… that's just terrifying."
"Yeah… it really would be."
Exchanging a look across the formation—since Asahiko was at the front and Shippo at the rear—both shivered at the same time before directing their gaze toward the source of their sudden fear.
Asahiko's eyes naturally fell on Kikyo, who had been watching him ever since his earlier "game" with Sango. Meanwhile, Shippo found himself face to face with Kagome, who simply wrapped her arms around him and held him close to her chest.
"He's a bad influence, Shippo. Don't play along with him, or you'll end up like poor Sango… look at her, she still hasn't recovered from the shock."
"I… I'm fine, Kagome."
"Don't worry, Sango! If he tries anything again, I'll protect you!"
Punching the air as if it had done something wrong, Kagome glared at Asahiko with her brown eyes, silently threatening him and leaving him speechless.
Call him whatever they wanted, but the hard truth was that he removed the miasma from Sango's body—so in the end, he was the good guy… his methods were just questionable to their twisted minds.
"Hey, I'm not some kind of predator, co—"
"Die, beast!"
"Wow, looks like we found your friend. And he's got some impressive lungs."
Mocking the shouting coming from ahead, Asahiko increased his pace, and the group followed, soon arriving at a peculiar geological chamber.
It was circular, clearly volcanic, but instead of lava filling its interior, a disgusting purple substance occupied the cavity. Within it floated pieces of bodies, a few half-dead yokai, and two figures fighting.
One was clearly Inuyasha—hard to miss with his distinctive red outfit, large fang-like sword, and long white hair. The one opposing him was a monstrous yokai with two heads—one located on its abdomen—rough green skin, and a long rocky fin ending in a tail.
"Guys—cough—why did you come? It's dangerous here, not just because of the miasma. This entire area is part of an evil ritual. That's why I sent Kirara outside—it's especially dangerous for yokai."
"We couldn't leave you, Miroku. Besides, we brought reinforcements."
"Cough… them… cough…"
Covering his mouth to avoid inhaling more miasma, the monk Miroku followed Shippo's finger until he reached Asahiko, who greeted him with a wave, and Kikyo, who ignored him. Before he could say anything, Sango dragged him aside.
While that happened—Sango pulling Miroku away from the densest miasma—Kagome stepped closer to the edge of the pit alongside Asahiko and looked down at the fight.
"Die!"
"¡AGH!"
"Hahaha, get up if you can—ugh!"
Seeing the yokai fall again into the pool of foul purple substance, Inuyasha mocked it—but was immediately struck by its scaled tail, unable to react, and was slammed into the wall without mercy.
This situation alarmed the group, especially Kagome, who looked ready to jump in—though fortunately Miroku and Sango stopped her before she could do something reckless.
"Please don't do anything foolish, Lady Kagome. Even if you go down there, Inuyasha won't listen—he's under the control of the ritual."
"Is there… nothing we can do?"
"It's a venomous insect ritual. Everyone inside the 'jar' will keep killing each other until only one yokai remains, Sango."
After explaining what they were witnessing, Miroku coughed a few times and turned his attention to the two who didn't belong to their group.
"The only way to break the ritual is from the outside—either by brute force or by purifying part of it. That will cause it to collapse on its own."
"Then… we have to—"
"Yes, little fox… come, come… come beg the great Asahiko."
Laughing darkly—like a third-rate villain—Asahiko made a beckoning gesture toward Shippo.
Which was terrifying, at least for the little fox, who immediately hid behind Kagome. Miroku and Sango exchanged uncertain looks until Kagome stepped forward.
"Asahiko… please."
"Ugh, stay back, deceitful reincarnation! Even if you use Kikyo's face, I won't fall for it! My heart is filled with pure love and absolute loyalty toward my priestess!"
"You—! I'm Kagome Higurashi, not someone's reincarnation!"
Raising both her voice and her fist at the same time, Kagome instantly shifted from calm to aggressive.
"You want to ask me for something and still hit me?! Are you crazy?!"
"You're going to do it—and you're going to like it!"
"Who do you think you are, woman? I have a—"
"Asahiko, do it."
Cutting through the nonsense, Kikyo fixed her gaze on the opening of the "volcano," where all the miasma was gathering, and gave her order without emotion.
This surprised everyone present, as she had seemed the least interested in the situation. Still, no one was going to question it. Now then—would Asahiko obey just like that?
"…Ah, you swear pure love and eternal loyalty, but minutes later you have to go save your ex… life is harsh."
"I understand. The same thing's happened to me with married women… happens to everyone at least once."
"…Right. I'll take it out on the yokai down there, so you might want to step aside."
Pulling away from Miroku, who at some point had his arm around his neck, Asahiko looked at him as if he were dangerous. Which he was.
"Remember—hit the yokai, not the idiot! Don't try to eliminate your romantic competition—it never works."
"…Those words have a disturbing meaning, but… fine. I won't do anything to Inuyasha."
"Thanks."
Ignoring Miroku, who was being questioned behind him, Asahiko drew Clouded Fang and looked down at the chaos below.
It was a slaughterfield. It wasn't just Inuyasha fighting the massive yokai—other yokai were killing each other, and more kept arriving from the opening above.
[This reminds me of home, though much less chaotic and destructive. By the way, the one who escaped earlier is nearby, watching.]
"Naraku?"
[Yes, but not completely. Perhaps a fragment of his soul or some dark sorcery. I think that woman has sensed it too.]
After that brief mental exchange, Asahiko poured energy into Clouded Fang until the blade glowed red.
That surge drew the attention of all the yokai, who turned toward him, driven mad by the purity of his lineage.
"You'd better get out of the way, stupid dog. I won't be responsible for what happens to you!"
Swinging Clouded Fang in a simple arc, a crimson trail shot forward, cutting through the attacking yokai like fresh wheat.
Arms fell, legs were severed, and heads separated from bodies in an instant, filling the purple pool with even more blood and limbs.
Naturally, Inuyasha was among those struck, though only lightly. He quickly regained his footing and immediately charged at Asahiko.
"Die, bastard!"
"Hahaha, what gratitude, stupid dog!"
"Ahh!" x2
Their blades, Clouded Fang and Tessaiga clashed, but they were soon interrupted by the surrounding yokai.
This benefited both of them—Asahiko, who was at a disadvantage in raw strength, and Inuyasha, who had been at a terrain disadvantage. Understanding this, they separated and began cutting down the other yokai.
It became a one-sided massacre.
Inuyasha drew attention with his powerful direct attacks, while Asahiko used distance and surprise to slaughter enemies at an incredible pace.
"Sly fox, fight me head-on!"
"Sure, come here, big guy."
An enormous hand crushed "Asahiko" completely, but like many others during the battle, it exploded into golden flames. The flames clung to everything like tar, causing desperate screams despite causing no visible damage.
"What a disgusting method."
"Unlike beasts, humans use their brains. But with you… well, evolution can fail sometimes."
"Damn you!"
After decapitating the two-headed yokai, Inuyasha used its body as a foothold and leapt toward Asahiko, but at that moment, the entire cave began to shake violently.
The walls cracked, stalagmites fell from the ceiling, and the purple pool began to spin like a whirlpool.
"The ritual is collapsing!"
"Who cares about that now?! We need to run!"
"Wait, Inuyasha is still down there!"
"He's strong, Kagome. If we stay, we'll only get in his way."
Finally convinced, Kagome allowed herself to be pulled away by Sango. But then they noticed—Kikyo hadn't moved.
This made them stop, but just as they were about to go back for her, Asahiko appeared at her side.
"Why didn't you leave with them?! This place is collapsing!"
"I was watching in case Naraku made a move."
"…Right. Because that cripple is dangerous. Anyway, hold on tight—what are you doing?!"
Blocking Inuyasha's strike with one hand while holding Kikyo with the other, Asahiko lost his balance due to the tremors.
Taking advantage of that, Inuyasha kicked him squarely, separating him from Kikyo and sending him back toward the purple pool.
"Kikyo, why are you with him?! I—we still—"
"I think we already talked about this, Inuyasha… it's time to say goodbye."
"Wait, I—"
Before he could finish, Kikyo released her arrow. It didn't hit Inuyasha—but Tessaiga. The clash of forces sent him flying into the purple pool… That was the final trigger.
The whirlpool went completely wild, spewing tens of thousands of corpses upward—dragging Asahiko, Inuyasha, and Kikyo along with it.