He could grow stronger. There were stronger techniques still, yet he could never break through that barrier as thin as ice.
Sesshomaru ran his hand along the Azure Nether Blade's keen edge, a faint resentment rising within him.
If luck had let him kill Hei Xiao the first time, then the countless battles that followed were survival forged in blood.
Again and again, he fought drenched in blood, locked in mortal combat with monsters of immense Demon Power. The one left standing at the end was always Sesshomaru.
Through these battles, Sesshomaru slowly grew colder, his strength becoming like the most precise of machines. Had it not been for the girl behind him, he might already have lost himself completely in pure power and combat.
How vast was this wilderness? He did not know.
How long was this road to the forbidden grounds? He did not know.
How many attacking monsters had died at his hands? He did not know.
All he knew was the girl following close behind him.
The girl who trusted him with all her heart.
The girl who nestled in his arms to rest.
The girl who gently washed his wounds.
Whenever he turned back and their eyes met, the warm smile at her lips was the only balm that could soothe his boiling demon blood.
At last, they reached the legendary forbidden grounds, an enormous stone structure rising abruptly from the land.
They climbed the ancient, heavy stone steps, each covered in moss, before reaching the great stone doors engraved with the Twin Serpents.
Han raised her head slightly. The merciless killing intent in Sesshomaru's ever-colder eyes sent chills down her spine.
She increasingly regretted coming to this place, this Asura Battlefield crawling with monsters.
Sesshomaru pressed his hand against the stone doors.