35. The Next Step

After our run-in with Venti, Aether, Paimon, and I decided to take a breather before diving headfirst into whatever adventure came next. Aether wanted to pick up some essentials from the market—bandages, rations, the usual travel stuff—while I figured I'd head back to my place to grab a few things of my own.

Yeah, that's right, I've got a place now. Not just that temporary room Jean lent me when I first arrived—an actual place to call home. Well, "home" might be a bit generous. It's more like a small, cozy apartment I've been renting for a while. But hey, it's mine, and that's what counts.

Mondstadt's streets were as lively as ever as I made my way through town, the late afternoon sun casting warm light over the red rooftops. 

Finally, I reached my building and unlocked the door with a satisfying click. Stepping inside, I let out a little sigh of relief. My place might not be much, but there's something nice about having a space that's all yours, no matter how small.

"Alright, gotta get ready," I muttered to myself, scanning the room. It was just a single space, really—a bed tucked into one corner, a small table cluttered with papers, and a wooden wardrobe that creaked whenever I opened it. But it had everything I needed.

I kicked off my worn-out shoes and swapped them for the sturdier pair of adventuring boots I'd picked up with Amber a while back. They still had that new-leather smell, and they'd held up well during our last trek through The Whispering Woods. Much better than the pair I'd worn out running around Mondstadt's hills.

Next, I reached for my sword leaning against the wall. Can't go anywhere without that, after all. I gave the blade a once-over, making sure it was properly balanced, then sheathed it at my side.

You know, I thought with a twinge of envy, I'm really jealous of the Vision-wielders. They've got that whole space pocket thing going on—just stash their stuff away like magic. Meanwhile, here I am, hauling a bag everywhere.

I glanced at my adventuring bag sitting on the floor, already half-packed with supplies. It was fine, I guess, but it sure wasn't as cool as summoning stuff out of thin air.

With a little groan, I bent down and stuffed a few snacks into the bag—Eula's recommendation. She'd gone on and on about how this particular brand of dried fruit was perfect for long journeys. I had to admit, she was right; the bag was comfortable and perfect for carrying essentials.

Sure, I don't get tired from just walking around, thanks to my demonic durability or whatever, but an uncomfortable bag can still be a real pain.

After checking everything one last time, I let out a long breath and glanced at the bed. The mattress looked inviting—soft and just the right amount of worn in. "Yeah, I deserve a few minutes," I told myself, tossing my bag to the side and flopping onto the bed with a content sigh.

My body sank into the mattress, and I grabbed a pillow, pulling it over my face. A little time to myself before setting out again? Definitely earned it.

I closed my eyes, letting the tension melt away. "This is nice..." I mumbled into the pillow, enjoying the rare moment of quiet.

.....

But when I opened my eyes again, the familiar comfort of my apartment was gone, replaced by a space that was all too familiar in a different way. The floor beneath me stretched out into infinity, twisting and warping, with countless rooms and pathways that seemed to defy all logic. The air was heavy with a sense of endlessness, a place that existed beyond time.

"Ah, so I'm here again, huh?" I muttered, not even bothering to get up. The Infinity Castle. After so many visits, I'd gotten used to its strange, dream-like atmosphere, the way gravity seemed to twist and bend, the disorienting shifts in perspective.

I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling—or what passed for a ceiling in this place—and sure enough, I heard a familiar voice echoing from above.

"Helloooo there, Tayden! You doing well?"

I glanced up and found him sitting upside down on a chair that clung to the ceiling as if gravity had simply changed its mind. TD, my ever-cheerful doppelganger, held a steaming cup of tea in one hand, sipping it with a flourish. How and why are you drinking tea in a dream? I thought, eyeing the cup skeptically. But in a place where up and down were more suggestions than rules, I guessed tea was the least strange thing here.

"Y'know, you could just come down here instead of doing weird shit," I called out, folding my arms. "It's still weird, even after all this time."

TD chuckled, his voice light and teasing. "Oh, Tayden, you wound me. Where's the fun in being normal?" He finished the last of his tea with a dramatic flourish, then leapt off the ceiling in a graceful flip, landing in front of me as if gravity had finally remembered how it was supposed to work.

I rolled my eyes, already used to his theatrics. "You could just sit like a regular person, you know."

TD shot me one of his signature smirks, the kind that always made me wonder what exactly he was planning. "But then I wouldn't be me, would I?" He dusted off his sleeves, then looked at me with a more serious expression. "We have a lot to talk about, Tayden."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, yeah, I figured. Let's hear it then, oh wise and mysterious tea-drinking double."

---

"So, what's up, TD?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. He usually didn't drag me into the Infinity Castle unless there was something important going on. It had been about two weeks since my last visit here, and as much as I hated to admit it, I'd kind of missed this annoying shadow of mine.

TD looked at me with that trademark cocky smile of his, the kind that always made me feel like he was in on some joke that I hadn't figured out yet. Then he raised his arm, rolling up his sleeve with a dramatic flourish.

For a moment, I wasn't sure what he was showing me, but then I noticed it—faint, but definitely there. His veins—or what looked like veins—were crawling across his arm, but they weren't normal. They looked more like cracks, spreading like the fractures in a weathered stone.

As I squinted, trying to get a better look, I realized that the markings extended beyond his arm. They crept up the side of his neck, delicate branches reaching toward his left eye, forming a dark, intricate web that almost glowed in the dim, otherworldly light of the Infinity Castle. Despite myself, I had to admit... it actually looked kind of cool.

I realized that those are demon marks, not like the grotesque markings that Muzan's demons had, all twisted and sickly. No, this was more refined, more.. demure you could say hehe.

Ok ill stop now.

TD's smirk widened as he rested his marked arm on his hip, clearly enjoying my reaction. "So, you already figured it out, huh? Look at you, growing up so fast." He even pretended to wipe a fake tear from the corner of his eye, his voice slipping into a mocking tone.

"It feels like just yesterday you were still learning how to unlock your Blood Demon Art, and now look at you! So independent, so mature!" He sounded exactly like a doting mother, and it made me cringe so hard I thought my face might get stuck that way.

"Okay, ew, stop that. That's gross," I shot back, giving him a look that I hoped conveyed just how done I was with his antics. He put on a mock-offended expression, one hand on his chest as if I'd wounded him, but the glint in his eyes told me he was loving every second of this.

"Alright, alright, let's get down to business," he said with a chuckle, finally dropping the act.

He snapped his fingers, and the entire castle seemed to respond. It was like the world around us took a deep breath and began to shift, moving in ways that defied every law of nature I'd ever known.

Hallways twisted and stretched like serpents, sliding across each other in a graceful, chaotic dance. Walls folded in on themselves, forming impossible angles, while platforms drifted through the air as if caught in a gentle current.

The platform we were standing on began to slide forward, pulled into the endless maze of corridors like we were riding some kind of bizarre, living conveyor belt. I felt my balance shift as the ground beneath us moved, and I kept my eyes trained on the swirling architecture around me, trying not to get dizzy. It was disorienting, but after so many trips here, I'd learned to go with the flow. Besides, part of me couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of the place.

The Infinity Castle was unlike anything you'd find in anywhere else in the world—an endless, shifting labyrinth that stretched out in all directions, with no beginning and no end. Dark, wooden floors spread out beneath us, polished to a perfect sheen, reflecting glimpses of hallways that shouldn't exist. The ceiling overhead, if you could call it that, was a vast, swirling void, dotted with faint lights that looked like stars caught in a midnight storm.

After a moment that stretched into an eternity, our platform slid to a stop. I stumbled slightly, catching my footing as the movement finally ceased, and I glanced around at our new surroundings. We had come to a room far larger than the shifting corridors we'd passed through, framed by massive pillars that reached up into the swirling darkness above.

Despite its size, the room had an almost eerie calm to it, like the air had settled into a deep silence. It was empty, save for the thick, wooden columns that cast long shadows across the polished floor. I recognized it immediately from the fragmented memories I'd inherited—this was Kokushibo's domain. The place where he used to train in the Infinity Castle, honing his skills in solitude.

It had a strange kind of peace to it, like a place built for contemplation rather than combat. The shadows here were longer, softer, and the distant echoes of the shifting castle barely reached this far. I could almost see Kokushibo himself, standing in the center of the room, his eyes closed as he focused on the sound of his own heartbeat. It made sense why he'd choose this place—it was quiet, isolated, the kind of space where a person could face their own thoughts without distraction.

I took a slow breath, letting the calm of the room settle over me, and glanced back at TD, who seemed perfectly at home here, like he belonged in this surreal, dreamlike place. He caught my look and flashed me another one of those knowing smiles, his eyes glinting with something that could've been pride or mischief—or maybe both.

"Nice, isn't it?" he said, spreading his arms as if welcoming me to some grand ballroom. "A bit more your speed, compared to the rest of this chaotic maze?"

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't deny that he had a point. "Yeah, I get why Kokushibo liked it here. It's... not bad. For a creepy dream castle."

TD just chuckled, the sound echoing off the pillars like a whisper. "Well, I thought it'd be the perfect spot for our little chat. Now, let's get into the real reason I brought you here, Tayden."

---

TD gave me a long, appraising look, his grin as smug as ever. "So, I'm going to start off by saying... you've gotten sooo much stronger than before! You're probably around, hmm, [Lower Moon Two] levels of strength now. So, good job." He flashed me a thumbs-up, the corners of his mouth quirking upward like he was holding back a laugh.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Thanks, I guess? But you don't bring me to this place just to stroke my ego. What's this really about?"

TD's expression turned slightly more serious, though his smirk never fully left his face. "Well, what I need to tell you is this: It turns out Im not going to have to disappear when you finish absorbing Muzan's soul! So yay to not disappearing! Also that your powers have finally reached a point where I can start interacting with you outside of these dream meetings. Like a psychic connection, sort of. But... it's going to require you to learn a new ability."

I raised an eyebrow. "A new ability, huh? And let me guess, it's going to be super easy, right?"

TD just chuckled softly, and then, without warning, he spread his arms wide. Before I could ask what he was doing, I noticed his form beginning to shift, the air around him rippling like the surface of a pond disturbed by a stone.

I blinked in disbelief as I watched his muscular arms morph into more slender, graceful ones, the sharp lines of his jaw softening into a more delicate shape.

He grew shorter, his frame shrinking down, and—uh, there were some other changes too. Let's just say that when the transformation was complete, TD no longer looked like, well, me. He had gained two new assets.

My jaw practically hit the floor. He—no, she—now stood before me, giving me a triumphant smirk. She looked almost exactly like a female version of myself, but with... enhanced features. Let's just say she had a bit more curvature than I was expecting.

And don't you dare judge me, okay?! It's not like I'm saying anything weird; it's just... making an observation, alright?

She tossed her hair back dramatically, clearly enjoying my reaction. "Behold! Body manipulation!" she announced, striking a pose like she was some kind of model.

"You, sir, are going to need to learn how to manipulate your body down to its very cells if you want to be able to do things like this and to control multiple Blood Arts at the same time, instinctively. That means you focus on doing one thing, and the Blood Arts will react accordingly."

She crossed her arms, giving me a smug look that somehow seemed even more self-satisfied than usual. And, of course, she made sure to emphasize her new additions as she did, clearly trying to throw me off.

"And most importantly," she continued, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin, "once you master body manipulation, you'll finally be able to talk to me anytime, anywhere! Isn't that amazing?!"

I let out an exasperated sigh, though I couldn't hide the small smile creeping up on my face. "Yeah, yeah, I'm sure it'll be super helpful. You know, when you're not being a complete pain in the ass."

She put on a fake pout, but I could see the amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, come on, you know you'd miss me if I was gone!"

"Yeah, sure," I said with a snort. "So, how do I actually learn this whole body-manipulation thing? What's the next step?"

Her expression shifted, becoming a little more serious, and I caught the faintest hint of hesitation in her eyes. "Well, that's the tricky part," she admitted.

"Muzan could manipulate his body practically the moment he got his powers. It was almost all instinctual for him. But we're in a very different situation. You're going to have to find a way to visualize and feel every single one of your cells. Only then will you be able to manipulate them at will."

I scratched my head, trying to wrap my mind around it. "So, I need to... feel my cells? What does that even mean?" I started pacing, racking my brain for ideas.

"Hmm... what if I try to kickstart the process by injuring myself? You know, trigger my regeneration, and then focus on that feeling—see if I can control it while it heals?"

TD tilted her head, considering the idea, then hummed thoughtfully. "It's not the worst plan I've heard... and it might actually work. Though, I'm a bit annoyed that I can't come up with a better method myself. I'm supposed to be the knowledgeable one here!" She crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks, looking genuinely frustrated.

I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. It was weirdly endearing to see her, of all people, struggling for an answer. Like watching your short friend throw a tantrum.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up over it. Besides, you've given me plenty of pointers so far. I'll give the whole regeneration thing a shot."

She perked up at that, but then her expression grew more serious, and I knew she had something important to say. "Once you get the hang of sensing your cells, there's one more thing you'll need to do... and it's a lot trickier than the rest."

I raised an eyebrow, already bracing myself for whatever weird revelation was about to come my way. "Oh boy, what now?"

She looked me dead in the eyes, all traces of her earlier playfulness gone. "You're going to need to create... another brain."

I stared at her, dumbfounded, for a good few seconds, convinced that I'd misheard her. "Uh... what?"

She nodded, her expression as serious as I'd ever seen it. "You heard me. To control multiple Blood Arts without exhausting yourself mentally or physically, you're going to need a second brain. Think of it like an auxiliary processor—something that can handle all the technical stuff while you focus on, well, not dying during fights. Plus, it'll be where I can stay so we can talk whenever you want, without needing to drag you into dreamland."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to process what she'd just told me. "You know, I always knew that with this whole demon powers thing I was going to eventually have to do what Muzan did with his body... but I never thought It'd be so soon!"

TD laughed at that, the sound echoing off the endless halls of the Infinity Castle. But there was a genuine warmth in her smile as she looked at me. "Well, you've never been the type to shy away from a challenge, Tayden. That's why I know you'll pull it off."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before putting my hands behind my head. "Man, this is going to be a pain... but, screw it. Second brain, here I come."

TD's smile widened, and for once, it wasn't laced with any teasing or mischief—just something genuine. "That's the spirit! Soon, all of Teyvat will know about the new demon in town! The Demon King Tayden Voss! With his amazing companion, TD!" She practically bounced on her feet, her excitement bubbling over, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah, but I'm taking things slow, alright?" I replied with a smirk. "I'm not planning on making a scene when there are actual gods wandering around this world."

She stuck her tongue out at me, blowing a playful raspberry. "Pffft! Party pooper! Lame!"

I shook my head, feeling a warmth spread through my chest despite her teasing. She might be a handful, but she was my handful. And as much as she annoyed me sometimes, I couldn't deny that having her around made this whole thing a way more fun.

But then, the air around us started to shift. The Infinity Castle trembled slightly, like a ripple passing through a lake, and TD's expression changed. She looked at me with that familiar, knowing look.

"Looks like your friends are trying to wake you up. I guess this is where we part ways—at least for now."

She stepped closer, offering me her fist, and there was something sincere in her eyes that I wasn't used to seeing. "Can't wait to finally be able to fight alongside you, Tayden."

I grinned and bumped my fist against hers, feeling that strange sense of connection that always came with these encounters. "Likewise, TD. See you on the other side."

And just like that, the dream dissolved around me, the endless halls fading into darkness as I felt the pull back to the waking world. 

---

I woke up to the delightful sensation of someone smacking my cheeks repeatedly. "WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP!" Paimon's voice pierced through the lingering haze of my dream, and I cracked open an eye to find her tiny hands going at my face like she was trying to start a fire.

"Ow—hey, ow—I'm awake, I'm awake! Stop slapping me!" I blurted out, flinching away from her surprisingly fierce assault. Aether was right behind her, looking exasperated as he gently tried to pry her off.

Paimon finally stopped, hovering above me with her arms crossed and a very annoyed pout on her face. "We've been waiting for you to wake up for the last twenty minutes, you sleepyhead!" She let out a huff, puffing up like a small, irritated balloon before drifting back over to Aether's side.

Aether looked at me with a mix of relief and amusement, like a tired parent who had just dealt with a tantrum. "Yeah, I thought you just nodded off, but I'm guessing it wasn't a normal nap, was it?"

I grinned, hopping out of the bed with a little more energy than I felt. "You guessed right, Traveler! But I'll fill you in on all the weird details later. Now that I'm back in the land of the living, let's get to tracking down that mysterious bard, shall we?"

Aether sighed, but there was a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Alright, let's go track down Venti. I just hope he hasn't jumped off any more ledges since we last saw him."

Paimon flew in close, poking my forehead like she was trying to make a point. "Yeah, you better stay awake this time, Tayden! No more falling asleep in the middle of an important mission, got it?"

I rubbed the spot she poked, chuckling as I adjusted my pack. "Yeah, yeah, I promise I won't doze off again. But seriously, you two didn't have to slap me into next week."

Aether gave Paimon a sideways glance, clearly struggling to keep a straight face. "Well, Paimon insisted that the slapping method was the most effective way."

Paimon's wings fluttered indignantly as she pointed at Aether. "Hey, you didn't have any better ideas! And besides, it worked, didn't it?"

"Yeah, but my cheeks might disagree," I said with a mock wince, rubbing at the spots she smacked. "Next time, just a gentle nudge, okay?"

Paimon gave me an overly dramatic eye-roll, but I caught the hint of a smile creeping back onto her face. "Well, maybe next time you won't take a nap while we're in the middle of something important!"

Aether just chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, let's go. Venti's not going to find himself, and we've already wasted enough time."

I slung my bag over my shoulder, feeling a renewed sense of energy as we headed out the door together.

The sun was just beginning to dip below the rooftops of Mondstadt, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. As we made our way down the steps, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building in my chest. The encounter with Venti, TD's new revelation about my powers, everything felt like pieces of a puzzle that were slowly starting to come together.

And I can't wait to see what's going to happen next.