Demon Slayer: Cambion Heritage

King had been walking for what felt like hours, his feet moving mechanically as the world around him seemed to blur into one. The sounds of the forest were calming—birds calling, the rustling of trees in the wind—but it did little to quiet his mind. He was in the Demon Slayer world. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to mess with this timeline. But somehow, here he was, drawn by a mix of fate and curiosity.

Tanjiro... Kamado Tanjiro. The boy who would change everything.

King paused for a moment, his gaze settling on the distant lights of a small house nestled at the foot of a hill. The scent of cooking wafted through the crisp evening air. It was faint, but enough to catch his attention—a familiar, comforting scent. It reminded him of his home, of simpler days.

The Kamado family. This is where it all begins.

He knew exactly where he was. Tanjiro's story was about to unfold. The family… King thought, grimacing slightly. They have no idea what's coming. But I do.

The urge to walk away was strong. He didn't belong here. The events of this world were already set in stone—he wasn't supposed to be involved in them. He couldn't risk disrupting the flow of things. But there was something in Tanjiro's story that tugged at him. The kindness he radiated. The warmth of his family. King could already tell Tanjiro's heart was pure. And for a brief moment, King wondered if he could do something to protect that, to help him before the inevitable tragedy struck.

No. He had to stay out of it. He wasn't meant to change anything.

But...

His feet moved anyway. Against his better judgment, against the knowledge that this could be a huge mistake, King found himself walking toward the house. His human form instinctively going on with his thoughts as his horns dig back into his skull.

When he reached the door, he hesitated. This isn't my fight, he told himself, but the warmth that radiated from the inside tugged at him again. King took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and knocked softly on the wooden door.

It opened almost immediately, and there stood Tanjiro, his warm smile shining through despite the cold evening air. His bright, kind eyes were filled with a curiosity that was all too innocent for the harsh world they lived in.

"Oh, hello there!" Tanjiro exclaimed, his voice lively and welcoming. "Are you lost?"

King blinked, unsure for a second how to respond. The words stuck in his throat. This wasn't supposed to happen. He shouldn't be here, but—

"I'm not lost," King managed after a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. His tone was calm, but there was an undeniable tinge of hesitation. "I just smelled something good cooking and thought I'd stop by. I'm King, by the way. I'm new around here."

Tanjiro's grin only grew wider, and without any hesitation, he stepped back and waved him in. "Nice to meet you, King! I'm Tanjiro. Come in, come in! We're about to eat!"

King hesitated again. This was it. Tanjiro's family was one of the last untouched by tragedy, and King knew all too well what was about to happen. He could already see the future unfolding, hear the echoes of a scream that would forever change Tanjiro's life. He was no fool. He knew he couldn't get involved.

But there was something in Tanjiro's eyes—a warmth, a light. Damn it, King thought. How can I just turn my back on him?

He stepped inside, the warmth of the house immediately enveloping him. The crackle of the fire, the smell of stew, and the laughter of children echoed around him. It was a peaceful, comforting place—completely untouched by the cruel world outside.

"Tanjiro, who's this?" Tanjiro's mother called from the stove, her voice gentle and kind. Her eyes were soft, full of that same welcoming warmth Tanjiro had shown.

Tanjiro beamed as he introduced King, as though he were an old friend. "This is King. He's new around here and just dropped by. I invited him to join us for dinner!"

Tanjiro's mother smiled kindly, wiping her hands on her apron. "Well, King, you're more than welcome to join us. It's always nice to have guests."

The house wasn't large, but it was cozy. The family sat at a simple wooden table, everyone gathered together for a meal. King sat down with them, feeling like a stranger yet somehow still welcome. Tanjiro's siblings were loud and full of life, laughing, teasing, and even arguing over who was going to sit where. It was chaos—but the kind of chaos that only a family like this could create. And it made King feel strangely at ease, despite everything inside him telling him to leave before he got too attached.

"I'm glad you stopped by," Tanjiro said, his voice light as he passed a bowl to King. "It's always nice to meet new people."

King nodded, though his eyes flickered around the room. Tanjiro's father sat at the head of the table, watching the family with a quiet pride in his eyes. King could see how much the Kamados cared for each other, how their laughter filled the space with warmth.

This was everything Tanjiro would lose. And King knew it was only a matter of time.

As the evening went on, they all shared stories. The siblings bickered playfully, Tanjiro's mother gently calming them with a soft word. The atmosphere was lighthearted, full of life—yet the weight of what King knew was coming lingered in the back of his mind.

The conversation shifted to more serious matters when Tanjiro's father spoke up. "You must be careful, Tanjiro," he said, his voice heavy with wisdom. "The world is not as kind as it seems. It's easy to lose yourself in the fight, but remember, you must always protect those you love. Never forget that."

Tanjiro nodded seriously, his gaze unwavering. "I won't forget, Father. I'll protect everyone."

King watched the exchange, his heart heavy. The promise was there, but so was the weight of what Tanjiro didn't know. The night was calm, but the storm was coming, and there would be no stopping it.

Later that evening, after dinner, King found himself on the porch with Tanjiro, the night air cool against his skin. The firelight from inside flickered in the window, casting a soft glow. They sat in silence for a moment, both of them staring into the distance, their thoughts lost in the same troubled place.

Tanjiro finally broke the silence, his voice gentle. "You've been traveling alone for a while, haven't you?"

King nodded slowly, keeping his tone neutral. "Yeah. I have."

Tanjiro turned to him, eyes filled with understanding, his voice quiet. "It gets lonely out there. But you've gotta stay strong. You can't just give up, no matter what."

King clenched his jaw, feeling that familiar ache in his chest. He knew exactly what Tanjiro meant, but the boy had no idea what was coming. He was still too innocent, too pure.

"You'll be alright," King said softly, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "You've got a good heart, Tanjiro. And that's going to make all the difference."

Tanjiro smiled, his eyes bright with that same determination King had seen in so many people. "I'll protect them. No matter what happens."

King felt something shift within him at the strength of Tanjiro's words. For all the hesitation, for all the reluctance to interfere, maybe this was something worth staying for. Even if he couldn't change the outcome, maybe... just maybe, he could make sure Tanjiro didn't face the darkness alone.

But the moment was fleeting. King knew that better than anyone. The world was cruel, and soon, it would remind Tanjiro of that truth. Still, for now, he would stay by his side.

For tonight, at least, King wouldn't be alone.