«You're doing pretty well for someone who was almost sliced in two the other night,» Hakuto says with a smirk, sipping his iced tea in a tone that's half-teasing, half-serious.
Itsu had led him around for almost an hour. During the walk, Hakuto had noticed something strange — despite the deep slash running from thigh to shoulder, Itsu's pace hadn't slowed at all. Eventually, they stop... right in front of a maid café in downtown Ashiya. The girls working there wear the usual maid outfits — but way more revealing than the competition. The cleavage is much more exposed, and the skirts are so short they barely cover their panties. It's no coincidence this place is the most popular maid café in the city.
«We vampires possess quite a remarkable regenerative factor — but I imagine you already know that...» Itsu replies, sipping his iced drink. «I'd like to propose a simple game — the game of truth. We take turns asking each other a question, and the other has to answer with nothing but the truth. Of course, to make sure you tell the truth — and to assure you that I will too — we'll seal it with a Blood Oath. A special spell where each of us swears to speak only the truth… or die. Three questions each. Sound fair?»
Hakuto doesn't answer — his eyes fixed on Itsu's.
~Why is he doing this…? It's obvious he's some kind of undercover assassin working for someone powerful—very powerful. Not many people can afford to keep a vampire this strong under their command. And Itsu's no fool—he knows exactly what I'll ask first: who sent him, and where that person is. That kind of information could get him killed. It doesn't make sense…Then again, Rika and Yuzu haven't told me anything that could get them in serious trouble. Whatever I learn from him will probably be way more valuable than anything he could get from me. There's no reason to say no.~
That brief pause is enough—Hakuto accepts.
Without wasting time, the vampire pulls out a sharp red crystal and pricks his palm, just enough to draw blood. The crimson drops slide down the edges of the crystal as he hands it over to Hakuto, silently inviting him to do the same. Once both have completed the ritual, they place the crystal at the center of the table.
A moment later, a blinding red light bursts from the crystal, forcing Hakuto to shield his eyes with his hand. When the glow fades and he opens them again, the maid café is gone — vanished completely. The only things that remain are the chairs they're sitting on and the table with the bloodstained crystal. The walls, the customers, even the floor beneath their feet have disappeared. In their place, an endless void of pitch-black darkness — and they're floating right in the middle of it. All around them, eerie semi-transparent specters hover like vultures circling a dying prey.
«Pretty theatrical, I'll give you that,» Hakuto mutters, glancing around — more curious than afraid. «Let me guess... these things are the truth enforcers?»
«I've gotta admit, you've got guts, Hakotto — not many people stay this calm their first time in this place. Welcome to the Realm of Forgotten Souls.»
Hakuto lets out a sigh — he doesn't even bother correcting him anymore. At this point, it's hopeless.
«Yes. They're the souls of those who died here — desperate to drag down anyone who breaks the sworn oath,» Itsu continues. «If you don't mind, I'd like to go first with the questions.»
Hakuto nods silently in agreement.
«The night we fought, you used both Visflamma and a power I've never seen before — the one that created that diamond-like sword and armor. What is it?»
«Too bad, you just wasted your first question, Itsu,» Hakuto replies with a smirk. «Unfortunately for you, I don't know much either. From what little I've been told, it's a power born from a special crystal embedded in my heart since birth. People like me, born with this trait, are called Crystalbringers — but apparently, there are only a few hundred of us in the entire world. Nobody knows exactly what causes it, but according to someone I trust, it's the crystallization of leftover magical energy from ancient beings... older than humans, older than vampires — creatures that once roamed both our world and yours. N'raeth. That's all I know.»
«That's way more than I expected, honestly. Now it's your turn.»
Hakuto narrows his eyes, resting his elbows on the table, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
«I don't have time to waste, so I'll bundle all three of my questions into one. I want to know who sent you, where he is, and why you haven't reported yet that you discovered Rika and Yuzu's true identity.»
«What makes you think I haven't reported it?»
«Because if you had, we'd already be under attack by other vampires. But for some reason... you've decided to keep it to yourself.»
«Sharp as ever... I'm part of an organization called Crimson Requiem—»
«Crimson Requiem?» Hakuto cuts in.
«Sorry, Hakotto, but you've already used up your three questions. Anyway, the one I work for is a marquis from the demon realm — his name's Velshekar. But for years now, he's been living full-time in the human world as John Hawkley, a rich and powerful crime boss in New York.» A wide grin spreads across Itsu's face — not evil, just... cheerful. «The reason I haven't told him anything yet? Well... if I did, I'd also have to report my failure — and Velshekar isn't exactly forgiving. But more than that, once your stepsisters are captured, I'd get reassigned somewhere else. And honestly i'm not in the mood for that. Life in Ashiya's too damn nice.»
«So what do you say? How about we drop this whole mess — just for now?»
~Is he seriously asking me that...? Either way, a truce sounds like a good deal — might help me sleep better at night.~
«Deal,» Hakuto says, rising from his chair.
«Hey, wait! Where are you going?!» shouts Itsu.
«I answered all three of your questions. That means I upheld the Blood Oath. The game's over.»
«What the hell are you talking about?! You only answered my first question!»
«Did I...? » A smug, triumphant grin crosses Hakuto's face. «Besides your first one about the crystal power, I also answered two more: 'What makes you think I haven't reported it?' and just now — 'How about we drop this whole mess for now?'»
«Y-You bastard! Those weren't real questions!»
«Oh, but they were. Guess you shouldn't bring someone into the Realm of Forgotten Souls if you don't even know how the rules work.»
«So you already knew about this place... That's why you didn't even flinch,» Itsu grumbles, clearly annoyed.
«Who knows...» Hakuto replies with a faint smirk.
A fresh red glow pulses from the crystal — flooding the surrounding darkness in light. When it fades, Hakuto and Itsu find themselves back inside the maid café. Everything is just as it was, like not a single second had passed — as if the Blood Oath had happened in a separate dimension, untouched by time.
«Hakotto... just so you know... I hate you,» Itsu mutters, grinding his teeth.