Another Beginning After The End - A TBATE Fanfiction(re-written)

A brief flash of mana sparked faintly, just enough to be unnoticed by anyone else around. It flickered out almost instantly, leaving no trace—just a fleeting moment of power as he tried, desperately, to form his mana core. But the effort was taxing, and the flash of energy quickly subsided. He exhaled heavily, frustration gnawing at him.

"Ha! I guess it isn't that easy to forget," Noctis muttered to himself, shifting uncomfortably on the rooftop. He wasn't really angry about stealing food from an elderly seller—what frustrated him more was the need to steal at all. He'd never stooped this low before, not even in the fragments of his past life that he could still remember. But...

The night breeze swept across the desolate rooftop, carrying with it the scent of distant fires and damp stone. The cold air brushed against his skin, a sharp reminder of how fragile and exposed one was. Knees were hugged closer, the rough texture of worn clothes scratching against raw, dirt-streaked skin. The city below pulsed with life, laughter, and voices blending into an unintelligible hum that felt worlds away.

"No, I can't afford to be soft," he muttered, slapping his cheek to shake off the fog of guilt and hunger clouding his mind. The weight of the circumstances settled, heavy and unrelenting. Fists curled, nails biting into palms, as if pain could anchor the restless thoughts.

Fragments of memory flickered in his mind, shards of glass catching the faintest light. Visions of war, chaos, and shadows of battles yet to come danced before his eyes. The war between Dicathen and Alacrya… the Asuras… Agrona Vitra. The weight of these thoughts settled in his chest. I need to survive. I need to grow stronger. The realization hit him hard—or I will die in the future.

He tore into the stolen cold bread, its crust tough and unyielding. Each bite scraped painfully against his dry throat, a bitter reminder of his desperation. The taste of flour and salt lingered, sharp and unforgiving, but it was enough to push back the gnawing hunger. "I'll repay the old lady someday. When I'm stronger... when I can."

Though the emptiness in his stomach subsided, the hunger for survival never truly left. It lurked at the edges of his thoughts, urging him forward. The rough metal of the rooftop pressed against his legs, a grounding sensation in the midst of his racing mind. His fingers tapped a rhythm against his knee, a subtle beat that mirrored the chaos swirling inside him.

Images of warriors, cloaked in power, their blades dancing with fire and lightning, flickered in his mind. "A strong body and mind... that's the foundation. But how?"

And then it struck—a sudden spark of recognition. A memory of swirling mist, crackling thunder, and a desperate breath. His heart skipped. "Breathing techniques?" The thought raced through his mind, his pulse quickening. "From... Demon Slayer? Could that work here?"

He rose abruptly, pacing the rooftop as adrenaline surged, pushing exhaustion aside. His boots scraped against the metal with each step, the sound echoing in the stillness, sharpening his focus. "Mana exists here, and aether too... Humans can achieve superhuman feats. Maybe, just maybe..." His thoughts were taking shape, but they were fragile, like threads on the verge of unraveling.

After all Breathing Styles are powerful swordsmanship techniques used by members of the Demon Slayer Corps, founded on the esoteric practice of Total Concentration Breathing. This technique maximizes physical and mental abilities by enhancing the body's performance through controlled breathing, expanding lung capacity, increasing blood flow, and raising internal body temperature. The result is superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability, and mental clarity—essential for survival in the battle against demons.

The primary origin of these styles is Sun Breathing, the first ever created, from which all other Breathing Styles are derived. Each style mimics an element of nature, like flame, water, or wind, with the user's movements and techniques replicating those natural forces. Demon Slayers wield these styles with their weapons, increasing the range and impact of their strikes by generating shockwaves and air pressure.

Total Concentration Breathing involves a technique that pushes the body to its limits, improving strength, speed, and stamina. For example, Demon Slayers can slice through boulders, generate gusts of wind with a single strike, and move so fast they appear to teleport. Their endurance is remarkable, allowing them to survive long, grueling battles.

One of the most advanced techniques is Total Concentration: Constant, where elite Demon Slayers maintain Total Concentration Breathing throughout the day and night. This constant focus boosts their physical fitness and mental sharpness continuously, enabling them to fight at peak performance at all times. However, this is extremely difficult to master, requiring intense effort and discipline.

Tanjiro Kamado's journey to master this technique was a grueling one. He had to improve his lung capacity, increase his physical endurance, and perfect his concentration. Through meditation, running, and breath control exercises, he eventually reached the level of maintaining Total Concentration Breathing for extended periods and performing feats like blowing up large gourds and matching the speed of more experienced fighters.

At even higher levels, Total Concentration Breathing also aids in recovery. It slows down the spread of poison, prevents bleeding, and accelerates healing by enhancing the body's sensitivity and focusing on internal injuries. For example, after being wounded, Tanjiro used the technique to stop his internal bleeding, demonstrating its powerful recovery properties.

In addition, Tanjiro developed Recovery Breathing, a technique that allows him to recover from exhaustion and muscle fatigue. This has been vital in ensuring he can continue fighting after intense battles, like when he used Hinokami Kaguramultiple times in quick succession.

Why could this work , well... this concept can be adapted to TBATE, where science, mana, and aether drastically enhance physical performance. These forces work by energizing the body, flooding it with energy that boosts physical strength and stamina, similar to increasing physical energy or yang energy. By incorporating the Total Concentration Breathing and Total Concentration: Constant Breathing techniques, one can amplify this yang energy, enhancing stamina and physical capabilities to new heights. This process is based on the fundamental breathing techniques from the Demon Slayer world. Total Concentration Breathing involves expanding one's lungs to intake as much air as possible, accelerating blood flow and heartbeat while raising internal body temperature. This, in turn, excites the bones and muscles, enhancing the body's physical traits.

Though it may lack the power provided by mana and aether, it still offers significant value by enhancing the fundamental abilities of a human.

Excitement crackled through the air, a flicker of hope defying the despair that clung to him. He clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms as his resolve solidified. "Sun breathing ,Thunder breathing, flame breathing... They could be optimal. But which one?"

The stars blurred as exhaustion crept back in, limbs protesting against the strain of the day. He exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples as fatigue dragged at him. "I'll figure it out... tomorrow. For now, I need rest."

He eased himself down, his arm serving as a makeshift pillow. The rooftop was hard and unwelcoming, but better than the streets below. His eyelids fluttered shut, but his mind remained restless. Lightning flashed, flames roared—visions of power battling shadows in his dreams. "Sun.... Thunder... or flame... which path will lead me to power?"