The long and arduous training session has finally come to an end. Setsuna has mastered the Chilling Breath Style, and now, she's prepared for Final Selection. What awaits her in this trial to become a true demon slayer? You'll find out soon. And, now's the time we finally meet some characters we're more familiar with, as well as, a surprise or two. You'll understand when we get there in this chapter. A special thanks to a good friend of mine for the inclusion in this chapter. You're sure to make an impact with them. Anyways, let's get right back into the story! Enjoy! 

One week went by in no time. And today, it was time for me to travel to Fujikasane mountain so I can compete in the "Final Selection." Once again, I got up at my usual time and did a bit of training before the sun rose. I practiced with my wooden sword as Torako was still trying to fix the real one she gave to me when we fought.

But while she did that, I trained to perfect the twelfth form of the Chilling Breath Style. While Torako says herself that I've mastered it, I feel as though I still need to work on it. After all, as the only form in this style that's unique to its own user, only yourself can say it's been mastered. And right now, I stood ready in my normal training spot, right in front of the large elm tree. 

"Eleventh form: Sabretooth!!" I shouted as I swiped my reverse sword and free hand upwards, slashing away at the wood, making two clean cuts in the tree. But, I wasn't done yet. In order for me to use the twelfth form, I first needed to perform the eleventh. Just before my hands reached their climax above me, I tossed my wooden sword over into my right hand and began to lean and pivot my body to the left. I crouched slightly as I turned my body and started to swing my left hand down, followed closely by my sword in my right hand. Then, in one motion, I brought my left hand up and slashed the tree, making another clean cut as I followed it up by a strong rising slash with my wooden sword. And, the gash I made this time was much deeper than the rest. 

"The Fenrir Storm..... finally.... finally it's become a part of me." I said to myself as I walked up and pressed my left hand against the tree. With one light push, I toppled the tree over. I'd attacked it so much over the course of my training that I bulldozed my way through its massive trunk. And that final slash was all it took to finally make it fall. 

"My goal.... I did it. Now, I can truly say I've completed my training...." I said to myself as I began to walk back to Torako's home. And, on the way back, I ran into a single wolf. But after everything I've been through it and all the other creatures in the area don't frighten me anymore. 

"First form: Misty Aura." I said as I cooled my body and made the freezing air pocket around me. The wolf approached me as I crouched down to meet it at eye level. We came face to face with one another and the wolf began licking my face. I rubbed its head, back and belly a few times as I giggled a bit. 

"Thank you guys, for teaching me the first form...." I said to the wolf as I stood back up and walked past it, returning to Torako. 

"How'd you do this time?" She asked me as she'd just prepared our breakfast. Today was deer, rice, and toast. 

"It's down...." I said as she looked shocked. 

"You were finally able to cut down that tree!? To be honest, I thought you would've done it after Final Selection. Yet another thing you've surprised me over. Well done." Torako said as we both devoured our food. And, afterwards, as the sun rose above the mountains and trees, it was time for me to depart. 

"You be careful out there, now. Remember your training and you should make it through to the end." Torako said as she handed me a long wooden box. I took it from her and opened it up. Inside was my sword that she repaired for me, as well as, a black and red wolf mask. 

"I appreciate it very much for you fixing my sword, but what's the mask for?" I asked her as I took both of them out. 

"It represents who you are. Not only does your name "Ookami," mean wolf, but the wolf represents a strong leader who commands those around her. Someone i'm sure you'll become." Torako said to me as I thanked her and placed the mask over the top of my head.

"Look at your sword as well. I took longer than I thought but I believe you'll like what I did." Torako said as I unsheathed my katana. The blade was whole again but she'd made serrations all along the edge of the blade. 

"Those will give you much greater striking power. And, I tried my best to model them after a wolfs jaw line. Also, I've actually got one last thing for you....." Torako said as she went back into her home to grab something. She quickly came back out and blew some dust off of some old black gloves.

"Here, take these with you. Demons can only be slayed with a certain type of metal, and only by severing their heads from their bodies. These gloves, which I made years ago, are laced with said metal. Use them in your fighting style and you'll be able to slay demons even without the use of your sword." Torako said as I took the gloves and slipped them onto my hands. 

"Thank you very much." I said as they felt cozy on my hands. 

"And one last thing. When you're trying to sense with your Misty Aura, know that a demons heat signature is much greater than any other being you'll encounter. While normally heat reveals itself as orange in colour, a demons will appear red. The first form is your strongest defense, so use it wisely, Setsuna." Torako explained to me as I nodded in understanding. 

"You're finally ready for this. I honestly thought the day would never come, but here you are. So grown up. If you were actually my daughter i'd probably forbid you from going but..... after besting me in our battle before, I have no say in the matter now. If you wish to go, then that is your decision." Torako said as I gave her another nod. 

"I do choose to go. I'm going to be a great demon slayer, just as you were. I'll leave no demon alive in my wake." I said as Torako patted my head. 

"That's my girl..." She said as I turned my back to her and took a deep breath. I took my first steps out into the world alone as I left Torako behind. From this point on, I carve my own path....

-Several Hours Later-

The journey to Fujikasane mountain was longer than I thought it would be as night had fallen over the land. The moon was bright out tonight as I finally arrived at my destination. Torako instructed me to head East to where the Wisteria flowers bloom all year round. And, I was able to find them. 

The stone pathway I came to had these flowers on all sides. I bright glowing purple that lit up the area. It was like nothing i'd ever seen before. And, at the end of the path was a gateway arch. I entered through it and came to a clearing where all others who were trying to become demon slayers waited. 

There was so many of us. Majority were boys with only about three or four girls including myself here. Some wore animal masks, just as I did. A boy I walked by who wore a light blue kimono with clouds on it wore a red and white fox mask. And a girl standing still about twenty feet away from me, she wore a dark blue kimono with black hakama. She had a teal and white dragon mask over her face. 

I stood off to the side for a bit until two little girls suddenly made an appearance at the edge of another gateway arch. They were both dressed the same, with each wearing purple kimonos with dark flower patterns on them. The only difference between the two at all were their hair colours. One was white and the other had black. 

"Everyone, we thank you for coming here tonight. Welcome to the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection" The two identical girls said simultaneously as everyone turned their attention towards them. 

"There are demons imprisoned here on Mt. Fujikasane, captured alive by the demon slayer swordsmen, and unable to leave." The girl with white hair said to us all. 

"That is because Wisteria, which demons hate so much, bloom year-round from the bottom to halfway up this mountain." The girl with black hair spoke. 

"However, once you pass through this gate, there will be no more Wisteria, and so demons abound." The girl with white hair told us. 

"You'll need to survive here for seven days to pass Final Selection." The girl with black hair instructed. 

"And now, be on your way." The two girls said at the same time again as everyone who came to take this test walked past them through the gate. I took one last deep breath before taking my step in. And, when I passed the line, I didn't look back. There was no going back now. Either I survive, or I die. 

-One Hour Later-

Everyone who came to become demon slayers separated as soon as they entered through the gate. And the two girls were indeed correct that there were no more Wisteria flowers here. Just tall trees all around, giving both us and the demons cover for attacks and means of escape. 

I'd been walking for some time now, but not since the start have I seen another person or even a demon for that matter. It was too quiet. And I could feel that something would happen soon. I just kept my eyes peeled for something to move or the sound of silence to break. 

"Survive for a week in this forest..... I'm sure it's easier said than done. Sure, during the day we won't have to worry about the demons because they die in sunlight, but at night i'm sure they'll try and swarm us all. Who knows how many are around here...." I thought as something finally broke through the silence. I heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed in the distance, followed closely by someone letting out a battle cry.

"At last.... it begins for us..." I said to myself as I placed my wolf mask over my face and ran towards where the cries came from. I didn't have to go far as I quickly came to a clearing in the trees. It was about fifty feet in diameter and in the centre was that girl with the dragon mask. She had her sword gripped tightly in her hands in front of her as she faced off with a demon. This demon had pale gray skin, long black hair, no shirt, black pants, claws, and intensity in its eyes. 

"Make your move, demon. It will be your last." I heard the girl in the dragon mask say as she raised her sword above her head and moved her right foot forward, taking a powerful stance. 

"Oooo, the little girl's got a fire within her! You're gonna make a nice snack for me when i'm done with you!" The demon said to her as it licked its lips. 

"Crystal Breathing Style: First Form...." The girl began to say as the demon charged her, leaping forward and bearing its claws forward. 

"You're mine!" The demon roared as it closed in on her. But, just before it reached her, the girl sidestepped to her left and pivoted right with her left foot, keeping her form the entire time. 

"Gem Stance Ruby!!" The girl howled as she swung her katana down with tremendous force, severing off the demons arms at it passed her. The demon roared in pain as it fell to its knees, but it quickly began to regenerate its lost limbs. 

"Let this final strike put you to rest for all eternity. And may your soul be carried into the afterlife, achieving piece." The girl said as she swung her blade and cut off the head of the demon. Its screams ceased as its body slumped over onto the ground. Every part of it, the head, the arms, and the rest of its body turned into dust as it blew away in the wind. And, with her battle over, the girl sheathed her sword. 

"Did you have fun watching me? I know you're there." The girl said as she suddenly turned towards where I was standing. We made eye contact as I walked into the clearing to greet her. 

"That fighting style of yours..... it's truly powerful." I said to her. 

"Thanks. But if a demon like that is the best that this forest has to offer, then i'm just wasting my time here." The girl said as she removed her mask and placed it on top of her head. Her light brown hair dropped down to the middle of her back and her bright green eyes shined in the moonlight. 

"Even so, we can't leave now. You came here to become a demon slayer, did you not?" I asked her as she gave me a nod. 

"Yeah, that's right. Just like you and everyone else. And i'll stand at the top and become the greatest that ever was." The girl said to me as I let out a small chuckle. 

"What's so funny?" She asked as I removed my wolf mask and placed it on top of my head. 

"Sorry, but I've already decided that i'll be the one who'll stand on top. So you'll just have to be satisfied with being second best." I told her as a bit of anger grew on her face. 

"Is that so? Tell me, what is your name?" The girl asked me. 

"It's rude to ask someone what their name is before telling them yours, you know." I said to her as she snickered a bit. 

"Alright, fine. My name is Suishou Kitama. Now, who are you, if I may ask?" She said to me with a cocky attitude. 

"Setsuna Ookami. Are you happy now?" I asked her but she didn't say anything.

"Well then ,Setsuna, since we're both claiming we're going to be the next greatest demon slayers, how about we have ourselves a little competition? If we both survive this week, then whoever slays more demons will determine which of us stands above the other." Suishou offered as she held her hand out to me. 

"Alright, let's do it. I haven't slain anything as of yet but that will soon change. I'm going to pass you in no time." I said as I shook her hand. We both gripped each other tightly and glared daggers at one another before suddenly letting go. Suishou then took in a deep breath and her eyes widened as she started looking around in all directions. 

"About the part if we survive the week.... looks like I may have said it a bit too soon...." Suishou said as she unsheathed her katana. It was obvious that she sensed danger around us.

"Chilling Breath Style: First Form: Misty Aura." I said as I cooled my body and created the freezing air pocket around me. And, within its range I could see dozens of sources of heat around us. And, just as Torako told me, they were red in colour. We were completely surrounded by dozens of demons.

"Perhaps you may be correct...." I said as I unsheathed my serrated katana and held it in both of my hands. We both put our masks back over our faces as several demons began to walk out from between the trees. 

"What do we have here? Two little girls, all alone in the middle of the night. You both must be pretty scared out here in the dark. How's about you let us take care of you?" One of the demons said to us as me and Suishou went back to back. Even more demons began to emerge from the darkness around, and pretty soon, they encircled us. 

"Chilling Breath Style Sixth Form...." I said as I brought my katana to my left side and held it perpendicular to my body. 

"Crystal Breathing Second Form...." Suishou said as I glanced back to see her bring her blade low to the ground on her right side. 

"Get 'em!" One of the demons shouted as several of them charged us. 

"Icewing!" I shouted as I swung my blade at the closest demon to me. I chopped through both its arms and it neck with one swing, instantly killing it as another leaped at me. But I was able to duck in time as it went right over my head. 

"Gem Stance Sapphire!" Suishou roared as she delivered a rising diagonal slash to a nearby demon. With just her one swing, she sliced the beast in two from the mid-section of his chest. She then followed it up with a high slash from her left as she chopped off the head of the demon, killing it. 

"If we stick too close to one another then we'll just get in each others way! Try and spread out if you can!" Suishou said to me. 

"Leave that to me! I know a technique that'll distract these demons!" I said as I began to quickly wave my blade around me elegantly, molding the cool air surrounding me into a snowy illusion. 

"Aurora Vanish!" I shouted as I swung my blade down to the ground, releasing the snow as I used it to shroud both myself and Suishou. 

"Now's our chance! Run!" I said as the two of us ran in separate directions. We managed to avoid most of the demons around us but, as we exited my illusion, some saw us and they began to chase us. I had three on my tail but I couldn't stop to face them yet. I needed to get farther away from that clearing, otherwise more demons would follow me and overwhelm me.

"Get back here, girly! We just want to play!!" One of the demons chasing me shouted as he dropped to all fours and started catching up to me. I sheathed my sword quickly so I wasn't running with it in my hand and I jumped up onto a large tree branch that was about ten feet off the ground. I then leaped to a tree next to it and kept this up, trying my best to evade these demons. 

"You're mine!!" The same demon shouted as I looked back to see him jumping from tree to tree too. And he was right on me now. With one mighty leap forward, he tackled me and made us fall out of the trees. I landed hard on my right side as I slid along the ground a bit. But, I was able to stand back up and face the demon which landed about six feet from me. But, the other two arrived shortly after, outnumbering me once more. 

"You two stay back! This one's all mine, you here!?" The first demon shouted back to the other two as they just stood there. 

"I'll end you with one strike." I said as I placed both of my hands on the grip of my katana, preparing to attack. 

"Like hell that's gonna happen!" The demon roared as he dropped to all fours again and charged me. I waited until he got close to make my move. And, when he got in my range, I hopped into the air and watched as he came to a sliding stop right under me. I aimed myself and my katana down at him as I unsheathed my blade. 

"Chilling Breath Seventh Form: Hoarcry Ambertooth!" I shouted as I swung my katana as fast as I could with both hands. In one swift motion, I severed the head of the demon below me. As I landed, his body turned to dust and I turned to face the remaining two. 

"So, who's next?" I asked them as they both began to run at me. 

"You're gonna pay for killing our friend, you bitch!" The smaller of these two demons yelled to me. 

"We'll even the score by slicing off your head too!" The larger one said as he came at me first. 

"Eleventh Form...." I said as I let go of my katana with my right hand and held both it and my sword straight down. 

"Sabretooth!" I shouted as I brought both of them up instantly in an arcing motion, severing both of the arms off of the large demon. It wailed in pain but it quickly started regrowing new arms, so I had to move fast. 

"Time to put you to re-" I tried to say but the second smaller demon jumped over the one in front of me and kicked me in the face. I sent me sliding along the ground on my back until I met the hard surface of a boulder. It cracked my mask too when it struck me. 

"Yeah, how does that feel, girl!? Does it hurt!? I sure hope so!!" The smaller demon shouted as I saw the larger one had already regrown new arms. 

"Yeah, and before we take off your head, i'll rip off those puny arms of yours to even the score." The large demon said as it cracked its knuckles. 

"Well then come at me. Show me what you two can do..." I said as I stood back up and slipped on one of the special gloves Torako gave to me. I put this one on my right hand. 

"Get her!!" The smaller demon shouted as he came at me first. 

"Chilling Breath Tenth Form...." I said as I leaped at him, holding my sword and free hand straight out as I spun in midair. 

"Wise Fylos!" I cried as I neared the demon. 

"What the hell!?" He shouted in confusion as I made contact with my glove first. I sliced straight through his upper chest, taking it clean off from the rest of his body as my blade now swung around. And with it, I cleanly cut off his head. I landed back on the ground as I sheathed my sword and watched as that demons body turned to dust. 

"For that, you will pay!!" The last demon roared as I turned to face it now. 

"I hope you can do better than just charge me like you did before. Otherwise, I'll take off more than just yours arms this time." I  said it as he clenched his fists tightly. 

"Oh, i'll show you what i'm really made of!!! Now, die!!!" The demon screamed as he slammed both of his hands flat on the ground. The earth began to rumble and I briefly lost my footing. But, before I could fall tree roots suddenly shot out of the ground and began coiling around me. My legs, my body, and my left arm were all subdued, leaving only my right arm and everything above it free for the moment. The roots squeezed me tightly as more sprouted from the ground and actually took my katana away from me, throwing it off to the side.

"Not to tough without your sword now, are you?" The demon said, taunting me as he believed I was defenseless. 

"You.... will not..... kill me..... I'll live on.... and i'll slay all of you.... Nothing you do will stop me from becoming a demon slayer!!!" I shouted as I raised up my right arm and positioned my fingers into the star configuration. 

"Second Form...." I began to say as I tried my best to move my one arm in the figure-8 formation. Then, when I believed it was complete, I brought my right hand close to my cheek. 

"Chilling Snake Sting!" I roared as I thrusted my hand forward, striking the part of the roots closest to me. And, when I made contact, the roots began to crack up and shatter to pieces. 

"What!? How's that possible!?" The demon questioned as the roots breaking up gave me a little room to wiggle free and slip out of their grasp.

"I will not stop until I slay the demon who killed my family. And, until that day comes, you demons should fear the name Setsuna Ookami." I told the demon as I began to rush it, not unsheathing my sword though.

"I won't have to remember it because i'm gonna murder you right here and now!!!" The demon shouted as he slammed his hands on the ground once again, sprouting more roots that shot towards me. But, as the closest one went to entangle me, I leaped up and landed on top of it. Then, I jumped off of it, going straight for the demon as I brought my right hand across my body, preparing to end this. 

"Chilling Breath Fourth Form: Everfrost!!" I roared as I swung my hand at the demon, making contact with its neck. I drove my gloved hand all the way through and completely cut off its head from the rest of its body. 

I landed behind the demons body and I turned to watch it fall to the ground with a loud *THUD*. Its body and head then turned to dust and I could finally take a breath of relief. For the moment, I was done. 

"A demon that possessed a form of supernatural power..... I wonder if any more have this ability?" I thought as a bright shining light suddenly reached my eyes. I squinted them as I saw the sun was now rising. 

"So, the first day comes to and end. Only six to go, I guess. I wonder how many others survived the night?" I thought as I went over and sat down against that boulder I hit a little earlier. 

"Since demons hate the sunlight, the day is the only chance i'll get to rest. I should probably.... fall asleep.... while I..... can...." I said as I shut my eyes and near instantly fell asleep.

Day one came to an end almost as fast as it began. But, if what occurred during the night was a sign of what's to come, then i'd say everyone here is in for a rough time ahead. Because if any of us run into more of these demons who possess special abilities, we'll be lucky to survive.