This post is a follow up of my earlier post describing my oc, Izanami Hikari. I wanted to post a little more information that I put together for her breathing style. Coming up with each death breathing form and describing them was really fun, and I hope you enjoy it!
Death Breathing Definition:
Death breathing, the derivative of breath of hell (Hellfire breathing). While most breathing styles don’t have any negative lasting effects on the user, death breathing does, and can sometimes be life threatening. The more energy used for the form, the more harmful they become. That’s why death breathing like the breath of hell is frowned upon and forbidden. There is one family lineage that has kept this breathing technique secret for generations, the Hikari family. The location of the family is unknown. Strengths and limits to these breathing techniques are also unknown, there is no known record of this breathing style written down in any manuals.
FormsFirst form: Slow kill
Third form: Life or death
Fourth form: Blessing from hell
Fifth form: Death bed of lillies
Ninth form: Murder the dead
Tenth form: Reincarnation
Eleventh form: Raise the dead Breathing from explanations
First form: Slow killThis breathing technique is meant to be a slow time consuming technique. Due to this technique's slow nature, swordsmen use it in situations to buy time. by using the least amount of energy possible, but still inflicting damage that constantly causes the opponent to regenerate. For example, simple slashes or stabbing motions. This technique requires close combat and a massive amount of stamina and precision. This form is also meant to slowly build up power and strength. Each attack gradually becoming more damaging, the power is backed up by the swordsman's speed. This technique can last up until the swordsmen has reached their limit.
Second form: Death songDeath song is a wide range move that is meant to be used at long distances not visible to the enemy. Using total concentration breathing and focusing all strength to the vocal cords, creates the illusion of multiple voices coming from all directions at different sound levels. This form is mainly used to confuse the opponent of the swordsman's location. It can also be used to mimic one's voice, making this a great way to confuse the enemy and lead them astray. This technique does no physical damage to the enemy, and depends on the swordsman skills of total concentration breathing.
Third form: Life or death Life or death includes rapid movements of the sword, slashing at angles rather than straight up and down or side to side. This technique is also paired with rapid movement from the legs, making it easy to create multiple slash wounds all along the enemy from different angles at high speeds. Making this a close combat strategy. Without using total concentration breathing, this technique would not be as effective and can be dangerous if the swordsman isn’t probably trained in total concentration breathing.
Fourth form: blessing from hellSimilar to Death song, Blessing from hell is mainly used as a distraction. The swordsmen creates an opaque black fog that stretches about fifty yards in length that reaches about the height of a fully grown tree (~ 80 feet). This technique is similar to the Mist breathing form called Sea of Clouds and Haze. However, this black fog has a special feature. Just how it obscures the enemies vision, it also makes their other senses go “numb”, cutting off their sense of smell, touch, hearing, etc. Yet it’s not just the enemy that is targeted by this fog, but everyone other than the swordsmen, either by being directly in or touching the fog. So this style is not recommended to be performed around other corps members or civilians.
Fifth form: death bed of lilliesDeath bed of lillies is not one of the original breathing forms of death breathing. But was recently created by one of the current family members of the holders of the Death breathing’s secret codex. The concept of this form is very similar to the method of insect breathing, which is using poison. But, like how in insect breathing the sword is covered in poison, this move secrets a poison like substance from the sword into the air surrounding the swordwielder. And unlike the position created for insect breathing, this position doesn’t have a high concentration of wisteria. The poison temporarily stops regeneration and physically weakens the demon, buying time for a killing blow. However for this technique to fully work, the sword welder has to be within close range with the demon for it to inhale the airborne poison. (see weapon modifications & others to learn more)
Sixth form: last breathLast breath is focused on the pure strength and agility of the swordsmen. One wrong move during this form can mark the end of the swordwielder. Total concentration breathing needs to be mastered to be able to produce this form, any lack of experience can result in asphyxiation and death. This move targets the enemies throat, lungs, and head. Backed up with multiple slashes and thrusting of the blade to pierce and slice the enemy. If done correctly the finishing move or position for this form would be a slash to the neck.
Seventh form: dying wishThis form requires the welder to use their weapon as though it was a spear or a javelin. Speed and acceleration is the main key for this move to be effective, anything blocking the path or force like wind or rain will significantly weaken the blow. The welder throws their weapon with an enormous amount of force, at an angle like a spear so that it arches into the sky then slowly aims down towards the ground, like a shooting star. Although this technique produces a very damaging blow, there are a few risks. The sword may be shattered in the process or chipped, and there is a high possibility of missing the target.
Eighth form: Amputate Amputate is a great form when fighting in a group. Because Amputate essentially distracts the demon with the welders multiple slices to their limbs to keep them in one place, but not going for the neck. Making it easier for other demon slayers to go in for the kill. The swordsmen need to give enough room for another demon slayer to join in and only go for the head. The main target is the limbs, as stated earlier, cutting and slicing them into multiple different pieces as possible to make them focus only on regenerating.
Ninth form: Murder the deadMuch like the fifth form, Murder the dead has a mechanical element to it involving the welders weapon. Note: each death breather in the Hikari family typically used a standard Nichirin sword. Any death breather that would use this form would have to have their sword forged with certain modifications that would allow the welder to achieve this form. It also needs an attachment for the weapon to be capable of this move. This technique can be used for both close and long distance combat. (see weapon modifications to learn more)
Tenth form: ReincarnationReincarnation is one of the first breathing forms that was created for death breathing, it is also one of the most dangerous forms to perform. Because this requires most of the welder's energy to be focused on healing their wounds, this essentially is a demonic ability that can use the blood of the user to “stitch” or heal major wounds that are bleeding profusely. If the wound produces little blood then that wound will not be targeted by this method. Major arteries or vital organs like the brain or heart are the main priority of this form, and is basically a saving move to prevent death. Reincarnation can be used on others, but is not recommended. When used on someone else it can induce an enormous amount of pain and can be more damaging if done wrong, even fatal. It can also be harmful for the person performing Reincarnation on someone else too. Reincarnation if not already clear is not an attack.
Eleventh form: Raise the deadThe most hated and prohibited form out of death breathing is Raise the dead. By far the most eery and unsettling out of all the forms is this one. For its purpose and methods are seen as unethical and horrifying by human standards. Blood is also another component of this breathing style. The swordsmen must use their blood to draw out a symbol on the ground; the symbol contains the symbol of the Hikari family with a circled border. The blood must be one from a descendant of the Hikari. The swordsmen enters the circle and kneels on the ground while piercing the tip of the sword deep into the ground. A chant is said that has been passed down from generation to generation. While doing so the demon slayer mark is manifested. Once the chant is finished, much like in the name the dead raise. Any corpse either human or animal, is controlled now by the demon slayer within the circle. The demon slayer has full control over the corpses body movements and functions, they are even able to see through the eyes of the corpses. This is because if they leave the circle the ability loses all effect and the bodies drop to the ground. If the person within the circle doesn’t fully concentrate on their chant, it can lead to death. Raise the dead is a demonic ability that has no written explanation in any of the death breathing codexes. The first person to use the form in the Hikari family said that everyone in the family possessed the ability to create the eleventh form, but at a price. Each time the form is executed their lifespan is shortened. Some who used this form said they would hear voices and see things that weren’t there.
Murder the dead: The sword modification to unlock the ninth form relies mostly on the sword's handguard. By turning the handguard the sword blade becomes segmented like a sword whip. The more times that the handguard is turned, more segments will be made. The total number of segments used for this modification ranges from 15 - 20 segments, with the smaller and closer segments being near the tip of the blade. Once the desired amount of segments is reached the guard is lifted slightly to be held in place, when that is done the smaller segments closer to the tip of the blade curve, and form into the shape of a scythe. Depending on the amount of segments that were selected the size and shape of the scythe blade can vary. Once the sword is locked into this position as an attachment it connects to the handle of the sword that can extend into a staff. The staff can be extended to multiple lengths, the shortest being roughly one foot and the longest being six feet. Due to these weapon modifications this is great for both defensive and offensive moves. For example, it can be spun like a bo staff at very high speeds that can act as a shield for oncoming attacks.
Death bed of lilies: This modification is only to the hilt and guard. At the base of the hilt there is a butt plate. The butt plate is able to rotate around a pin that shows an opening within the sword hilt. This small tube is where the poison is stored, this small tube can contain around about eighty mL of poison. The poison is usually injected with a small needle. Near the end of the tube where the hilt meets the guard, there are smaller and thinner lines of tubbing that connect and run through the guard. The edges of the sword guard are very porous, making it easier for the poison to be released in the air. To have a small amount of poison to be run through the guard, there is a special button or trigger on the hilt of the sword. One of the ornaments or shapes along the sword hilt are a secret button. Once pressed a specific amount of poison is let through the smaller tubes up to the guard. To scatter this poisonous substance through air the sword must be violently moved or shaken.
The poison that is used for the Fifth form. This position is made up of a ratio of three main substances; scarlet crimson ore shavings, scarlet crimson iron sand powder,and wisteria flowers. However there is a small amount of spider lily petals and lotus flowers, but they aren't harmful to demons. Wisteria flowers are a good repellent for demons, a certain amount of it can hinder their abilities like regeneration, movement, etc. yet for this position the amount of wisteria used is actually very little. The main ingredients are the scarlet crimson ore shavings and scarlet crimson iron sand powder. These two things are also what make up Nichirin weapons. They absorb a significant amount of sunlight within just one year, making them a great additive to this position. Both are ground up into a fine powder then mixed in with the wisteria. How the wisteria is prepared and added is unknown. Once all three of those ingredients are combined, the base of the poison is liquid fusion of spider lily petals and lotus flower. The reason why this form is called Death bed of lilies is due to the hallucinations and euphoria that comes from the lotus, normally a demon wouldn’t be affected but due to the good amount of wisteria in the poison the demons react to it. The hallucinate makes the victim see a field of spider lilies, it even gives the illusion of the flowers scent. The mechanics as well as the formula for this poison are only known by the Hikari family.
I know that was a lot to take in and read, but It's all still a work in progress and I might end up changing a few things here and there throughout my story. If you have any questions about any of the breathing forms and sword modifications please feel free to ask, and I'll try to answer as best as I can.
