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The afterlife, was peaceful.
That much Gyomei was sure of, the sound of slayers & demons fighting had faded into nothingness, just peaceful birds chirping.
Gyomei opened his eyes, it wouldn’t change anything with him being blind, yet it felt like he could see the trees around him, or the soft grass he was laying in, or even the birds singing happily darting about the trees.
He laid on the ground for a while longer letting the warmth from the sun seep into his weary bones, he was getting old admittedly but he felt like he was young again laying in the warm sun.
Gyomei could’ve laid there for hours until two small voices one, he recognized as Kaigaku’s the other little Sayo’s, called out to him, Gyomei sat up listening for which direction the voices came from when three small hands pushed against his back & one hand in each of his massive ones were pulling him up, he let himself be pulled up confused all the while.
Gyomei allowed the hands he assumed belonged to the orphans he cared for pull him allowing them to lead him somewhere, when they finally stopped Gyomei wasn’t sure where they were but it felt so oddly familiar he couldn’t help but smile, something in him finally felt at home.
Gyomei could just imagine the small but cozy temple that was set in-front of him, he however paused turning to face where he could sense the kids behind him & he finally let out a genuine smile, “Come, I know you’ve all been patiently waiting for me” he said kneeling down opening his arms wide waiting.
First came small sniffles & then whimpers until all 7 of his kids were crying, the first to speak was Kaigaku “I-I’m so sorry t-that I lead the demon to the temple I-I should’ve listened and now y-you all got hurt because of me!!” he sobbed out before Gyomei felt something (someone) stumble into his arms, he gave the boy a soft pat before gently gesturing for the others to come closer.
They all gave in rushing forward into his arms sobbing & apologizing, Gyomei hushed them quietly, wrapping his arms tight around them reminding them he always would forgive them, he could never stay mad at them, and that if anything he was so, So proud of them for trying to defend the temple from something like a demon.
And finally, when the crying grew softer & the apologizing had calmed down, Gyomei smiled again, a soft, smile but genuine one and he pulled them tighter repeating one last time that he forgave them, & would always welcome them with open arms, he let himself fall into a happy, peaceful state as the world around hiim faded away, even if he couldn’t see it. He meant that, He’d always forgive them, no matter what would, or could happen he’d love them. Like his own flesh and blood.
And yet, even then, even after Gyomei’s pulse disappeared he no longer felt any malice for the demons, with the exception of Muzan of course.
But in his final moments,
With a smile on his face,
He forgave.