The city streets were alive with light and chatter, lanterns glowing softly against the night sky. Akira, Erika, and Shinobu walked together through the bustling crowd. For most, it was a pleasant evening stroll, but for Akira, it was nothing short of torture.
"Are we there yet?" Akira asked, his voice dragging with exhaustion.
Shinobu, walking ahead with her usual grace, answered in a mildly irritated tone, "We're close."
She didn't need to look back to know that he had already asked that question more times than she could remember.
Akira sighed dramatically. "I don't get why Erika can't just fly us there. Shinobu's small anyway; it wouldn't be that hard, right?"
Erika stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him like he had lost his mind.
Selena's voice echoed telepathically in Akira's head. "Wow, brother, you have guts".
Shinobu halted mid-step and turned around with a sweet smile that sent a chill down Akira's spine. "Oh? Did you say something, Akira-kun?"
Akira waved his hands nervously. "N-No! I didn't mean it in a bad way! I was just… genuinely curious!"
Erika quickly jumped in to save him. "Yes, Shinobu-san, he's just an idiot."
Shinobu sighed and turned back around. "Just follow me."
As she walked ahead again, Erika leaned toward Akira and whispered, "Idiot, how could you say that to a girl?"
Akira tilted his head, genuinely confused. "Wait, I thought girls only got mad if someone called them heavy, not small?"
"Listen," Erika said firmly, "just don't comment on a girl's height or weight. Ever. For any reason."
"Got it," Akira said, before mumbling under his breath, "But I still want to know why you can't fly us."
"I can't balance both of you," Erika replied without looking at him.
"You could just tie us both with your ribbons and carry us, right?" Akira suggested innocently.
"Yeah, not happening," Erika shot back immediately.
Their back-and-forth continued until Shinobu's calm voice carried from ahead. "Are you two coming or not?"
"Yes, ma'am!" they both replied quickly.
As they resumed walking, Akira changed the subject. "So, where is this Tamayo anyway?"
On the way, Shinobu had already explained Tamayo's backstory, how she was a demon who escaped Muzan's control and now worked independently, even collaborating with the Demon Slayers, researching ways to defeat him.
"She should be somewhere in this city," Shinobu said. "As for where exactly, I don't know. But someone will come to pick us up."
Akira glanced around and then suddenly pointed to an empty spot near a lantern post. "Oh, is it that guy?"
Both Erika and Shinobu looked in the direction he pointed, but there was no one there.
"What do you mean?" Shinobu asked.
"I mean," Akira said casually, "there's a demon standing there… invisible."
Both girls turned again, squinting, but saw nothing. Then, suddenly, the air rippled like water disturbed by a stone.
A figure appeared, a young man of short stature, average build, and pale skin. His sharp lavender eyes, slit like a cat's, stared directly at Akira. His short hair framed his face, and he exuded an aura of quiet irritation.
He spoke with a cold voice. "How can you see through my Blood Demon Art?"
Both Erika and Shinobu tensed, ready to draw their weapons, but Akira smirked. "Heh. Genjutsu of that level doesn't work on me. My Mystic Eyes can see through anything. Anyway, are you here to pick us up, or are you an enemy?"
The young man's brow twitched, clearly irritated. "I was only told to bring you to her. Let's go."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and started walking.
Erika looked at Akira. "Should we follow him?"
"Seems like it," Akira said with a shrug.
They followed the boy through winding alleys until they reached what appeared to be a dead end.
Shinobu frowned. "It's a dead end."
"Nope, it's an illusion," Akira corrected.
The boy looked over his shoulder, clearly annoyed. "Just follow me."
He passed straight through the wall, vanishing.
Erika and Shinobu froze for a moment before exchanging looks.
"...We're following him, aren't we?" Erika muttered.
"Obviously," Akira replied and casually walked through.
The girls followed right after and emerged into a hidden courtyard.
Behind the illusion stood a house. Hidden from the outside world.
The boy turned back to them and spoke coldly, "Listen. Don't offend that person in any way."
Akira shrugged. "Sure."
The boy looked irritated again but said nothing, leading them inside.
They followed him into a softly lit room that smelled faintly of herbs and incense. A gentle voice greeted them:
"Welcome, Demon Slayers. I'm relieved you all made it here safely."
The speaker was a petite young woman dressed in an elegant kimono, her expression calm and refined.
After they all sat down in a small meeting room, the woman introduced herself.
"My name is Tamayo, and this boy's name is Yushiro."
Shinobu bowed slightly. "I am the Insect Hashira, Kocho Shinobu. These two are…"
"I'm Akira," Akira said casually. "And this is Erika."
Tamayo nodded politely. "I've heard about you from the letter. You're the foreigners who hunt creatures like demons, correct? You came here to learn more about them."
Akira nodded. "That's right."
Tamayo tilted her head slightly, observing them. "So… are you both not human?"
Akira smiled faintly. "Well, she's part human. And I look and function like one."
Erika promptly elbowed him in the ribs. "I'm part vampire," she said firmly. "And he's… eh, let's just skip explaining him. We still don't exactly know what he is."
"It's complicated," Akira said, rubbing his side. "Just think of me as a stronger human with powers and a long lifespan."
Tamayo blinked, slightly confused, but composed herself quickly.
"Well, I heard Erika-san here needs to drink blood. Can you explain that?"
Akira and Erika took turns explaining her half-vampire nature, her need for blood, how she controlled it, and how Akira's blood sustained her.
In return, Tamayo explained her own story, how she had freed herself from Muzan's curse, and how she and Yushiro had been studying demons and human biology to find a cure.
Akira nodded. "Alright. So we're here to learn about demon physiology and find ways to defeat Muzan."
Tamayo smiled faintly. "Then we share the same goal. We'll gladly work together with you."
After that, they continued discussing their research and methods for a while, exchanging information late into the night.
Eventually, Yushiro guided them to their rooms.
Akira stretched and sighed in relief. "Finally, I can rest peacefully."
He immediately threw himself onto the bed like he owned the place.
Erika sighed, shaking her head. "I'll never understand how you get comfortable no matter where you are."
Yes, they chose to share a room here, too. Erika had the option to stay with Shinobu, but she chose to remain with Akira, partly because she was already used to him, and partly because it made drinking his blood far more convenient.
As Akira lay sprawled on the bed, staring at the ceiling, he suddenly asked, "Hey, Erika, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Erika asked.
"Vampires have a lot of cool powers, right?" Akira said in a curious tone. "How many can you actually use?"
Erika thought for a moment. "Hmm… I didn't train much in those abilities. I can create mist, but that's basically it. I focused more on martial arts and gravity magic."
Akira leaned up slightly. "I heard vampires can manipulate blood and use it to fight."
Erika nodded. "That's true… but I never learned it. I don't really like using blood to fight."
"Yeah, but think about it," Akira said. "A demon's Blood Demon Art is basically blood manipulation, right? So can't you learn it?"
"That's… I don't know," Erika replied uncertainly.
Selena's voice chimed in telepathically. "That makes sense. It's an ability native to this world, not magic, so the equilibrium function might allow it more freely, too."
Erika sighed. "Maybe… but I still don't want to use blood to fight. Besides, I wouldn't even know how to start. If my brother or mother were here, I could ask them, but right now? There's no one to teach me."
Akira smirked. "Well, you're using my blood anyway, so don't worry about it. You have my full permission."
Erika gave him a look. "That's not the problem, Akira."
He continued undeterred, "And as for who's going to teach you… We'll figure it out ourselves. Or we can ask Tamayo-san, she'd probably be interested too. What do you think?"
Erika hesitated for a moment, then sighed, thinking she did need to get stronger. "Fine. We'll ask her tomorrow. I'm too tired now."
"Sure," Akira said, lying back again. "I'm going to sleep then."
"Wait." Erika's voice stopped him. "You forgot something."
He opened one eye, confused. "What?"
"Blood," she said flatly. "I haven't drunk it yet, remember?"
"I'm too tired," Akira groaned. "Just drink by yourself."
"Nope," Erika said firmly. "I also want to talk to you about something, so stay awake."
And so, she forced him to sit up and let her drink. Needless to say, she was completely used to it by now.
The next morning, after breakfast, Akira and Erika brought up the topic with Tamayo.
"You want to see if you can learn Blood Demon Arts?" Tamayo asked in a curious tone.
Erika nodded. "Yes. We just want to test if it's possible."
Tamayo thought for a moment. "Hmm… Blood Demon Arts are unique to each demon. I've never heard of one trying to learn another's ability."
Akira crossed his arms. "That's true — but Erika isn't a demon. She's a dhampir. Vampires are natural masters of blood manipulation, so theoretically, she should be capable of it."
Tamayo tilted her head, intrigued. "I don't know much about how that would work, but… we could experiment. How about I inject you with a small amount of my blood to test compatibility?"
Erika shook her head immediately. "No. I only drink his blood." She pointed at Akira without hesitation.
Tamayo blinked. "Ah… I see." She smiled faintly. "Then that makes things a little more complicated."
Akira crossed his arms. "It would be easier if she could see what I see."
Erika looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Blood Demon Arts are just another form of energy control," Akira explained. "My eyes can see the flow, the structure of that energy. If you could share my vision, you might be able to understand how it works and replicate it."
Tamayo said, "Maybe Yushiro can help with that. His Blood Demon Art can link vision."
Yushiro groaned quietly but obeyed. "Fine."
So, Yushiro prepared talismans with his Blood Demon Art and attached one to Akira and one to Erika to synchronize their vision.
Akira smiled. "Ready?"
"Yes," Erika said.
Yushiro activated his Blood Demon Art, and instantly, their vision synchronized.
"Wow…" Erika gasped.
To her eyes, the world transformed. The room burst with color, not just light, but waves of shifting energy, like threads weaving through reality itself. Everything shimmered and pulsed with life. It was beautiful… and dizzying.
Selena's voice echoed in her mind. "Concentrate, Erika-chan. Don't lose focus or you'll be overwhelmed".
Akira leaned toward her. "You okay?"
Erika blinked a bit disoriented. "It's weird. I can see myself, and you, and… the energy inside me, it's confusing."
Her head throbbed as she tried to focus, but she pushed through it and focused harder. Through Akira's vision, she saw a world woven with color, light, and flowing energy.
Selena explained telepathically, "The Eye of Reason sees the blueprint of the world itself. My brother's evolved Eyes of Truth go even deeper. Be careful, alright?"
"I'm fine," Erika said. "Just a little dizzy."
"How is the world I'm seeing?" Akira asked.
"It's beautiful," Erika said softly. "But… it feels like too much."
"You'll get used to it," Akira said. "Tamayo-san, can you use your Blood Demon Art?"
Tamayo nodded and physically cut herself and let her blood seep out to activate her art. Through Akira's eyes, Erika could now see the flow of energy, the intricate pattern of the technique itself.
"Can you try it?" Akira asked.
"How?" Erika asked.
"See your body through my eyes," he said. "Then control your energy the same way."
Erika tried, but suddenly, she clutched her head. "It hurts!"
"Yushiro, cancel it!" Akira ordered.
Yushiro deactivated his Blood Demon Art, and Erika collapsed back into her chair, breathing heavily.
Tamayo rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"
Erika nodded weakly. "It was too much… my head started aching all of a sudden."
Akira sighed. "Yeah, that happens. You'll get used to it eventually."
Erika glanced at him, still holding her head. "Is this what Selena meant when she said you always have headaches?"
"Pretty much," Akira said, scratching his cheek. "These eyes are… a bit too much, even for me sometimes."
Erika looked troubled. Even a moment of sharing that vision had been agony for her. She couldn't imagine enduring it constantly like he did.
"I was born with it, so it's not that bad," Akira reassured. "But for someone new, it'd be painful. Don't worry."
Erika took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's continue."
Akira blinked. "Shouldn't you rest?"
"I'm fine now," Erika said stubbornly. "I can do it."
Akira sighed. "Okay."
And so, they trained for a while longer, but by the end, Erika was completely exhausted. She fell asleep soon after, drained from the strain of the Eyes of Truth.