The Greek hashira chapter 8 the first day of training

? pov:

Laughing like crazy I looked down at the slayer I had captured and had spread out on a stone alter and said, "tell me young slayer do you know of the might Mictlantecuhtli? He is the god of death! He is the one true god! Blasphemers like you should know his wrath!" before cutting a huge hole in his chest while he was still alive exposing his heart.

"Blood demon art, living sacrifice!" I shouted as I cut my hand open with my dagger and poured it on his heart causing him immense pain.

Looking down from atop my pyramid at my many assembled warriors I shouted, "tonight we sacrifice the 40th demon slayer to the true gods, oh great Mictlantecuhtli and Huitzilopochtli we sacrifice this slayer and drink his blood in your honor!"

Before I could do anything though I heard it, that damn string and I found myself in the infinity castle. I looked around and couldn't see Muzan anywhere till I looked up to see that damn Biwa demon Muzan kept around, she knew this place better than anyone.

Before I could say anything though she plucked another one of those strings and next to me the walls changed to reveal a cold almost Nordic looking house and out of it stepped him…Eclipse number 2…Jurgen.

Jurgen walked up to me and in a loud and booming voice said, "Ahhh if it isn't Chicahua! It warms my cold heart to see you!"

I took up a defensive stance with my Macahuitl raised and said, "stay back!"

Jurgen laughed and said, "come now Chicahua is that anyway to treat your superior! After all we eclipses have to stick together!" before turning his attention to the Biwa Lady.

Jurgen's whole demeanor changed as he looked at the biwa demon with a serious look and said, said, "Nakime I assume that if you are summoning the eclipses one of us has perished in combat, tell me who was it?"

The biwa lady responded, "three have perished, Harangel the amazonian of Corinth, Farid the desert serpent of Persia, and Horoko the pugilist of Thebes have been slain in combat."

This shocked the two of us as I said, "wait if that's the case why have you only summoned the two of us!"

I knew that they were weaker, hell Horoko was on her way out of being an eclipse if she kept displeasing Muzan but Harangel and Farid! They had their places set in stone for ages even before me or Jurgen joined!

The biwa demon became cold saying, "because eclipse number 1 was the first I summoned, in fact he had already made himself at home."

I looked around the castle till I saw him…. the Egyptian, hell none of us knew his name but he was old…older than any of us even Harangel was but a child in his eyes but his methods, he scared the shit out of me.

I staggered back a bit as I watched him ascend in his own room complete with a sarcophagus and mummy priests preforming a live embalming of a demon slayer who was crying in pain as they poured hungry scarab beetles all over him and locked him away in the sarcophagus.

The Egyptian looked at us and said, "Jurgen, Chicahua what era is this?"

I stuttered saying, "it is the taisho era Egyptian…we are the only three remaining eclipses…"

The Egyptian gave a raspy laugh saying, "the last time we were active was during the Sengoku dynasty where all six of us caused hell…I pray we can do so again even if there are only three of us."

Muzan's voice then boomed saying, "you three only act as you like cause I require it, do not forget who can end you quickly now then I have a question, how long have the eclipses been in service"

We all felt a small bit of his influence as he made us kneel in front of him as we looked up to see his amazing palace and soon, he showed up.

I answered and said, "we serve as your enforcers, to kill Hashira who are too strong."

Muzan then said, "then why is it that three of you have been dispatched, and by the same slayer all three times I may add."

This shocked me, the same slayer! I can understand Horoko but still to survive against Harangel and Farid! That was impossible!

I stuttered and said, "Lord Muzan this can't be true!"

Muzan looked at me and I felt his influence a little bit as he said, "you dare say what I saw was false? Aztec you are lucky I have a special task for you, one suited for you and your many cultists."

I raised my eyebrow and said, "how can I serve you lord Muzan?"

Muzan looked at me and said, "you are to find out the location of the bronze pavilion, the demon slayers greatest training facility. This is a change I am okay with, kill everyone in your sight that includes my bastard daughter Ayano…. feast if you want but make sure that the bronze Pavilion is burned to the ground, and when you find the slayer responsible for the death of the other eclipses, I want you to kill him or turn him into a demon"

I bowed and was soon transported back to my pyramid where I laughed and tore out the heart of the demon slayer before throwing him to my cultists who feasted on him as I said, "be ready my men! Cause as soon as the moon is new, we make our way to the great unknown! Spread far and wide and find as much information as you can to the whereabouts of the bronze pavilion!"

Back to nikolaos's pov:

As we made our way through Slayer town loads of demon slayers laughed and waved hello as we rode passed.

Tanjiro looked at me and said, "so what is this place?"

"welcome to slayer town, originally it was just the bronze pavilion but as more and more Greek merchants heard that there was a person here who spoke their native tongue they've been flocking here to relax and hang out with other greeks and as such a small community formed around here, so I decided to open the invite not only to Greeks but also to the many demon slayers who don't have a home to return to, slayer town has loads of many accommodations ranging from taverns to hospitals, and thanks to the Wisteria flowers demons have a hard time getting close" I laughed.

Zenitsu even looked out and said, "so- so this town is."

I nodded my head and said, "primarily Greek yes, and ironically loads of them have started teaching the many slayers Greek too, so it's a win win for me so I don't have to worry about having to have Ayano follow me around while in slayer town."

I laughed hardily as I watched Inosuke rush out of the cart and start exploring on his own.

Tanjiro looked concerned and said, "should- should I go and find him!"

I nodded my head and said, "tell you what, you leave Nezuko with us and we'll get her to the Pavilion meanwhile you get Inosuke and Zenitsu and explore slayer town for a bit, just head to the huge villa in the center of town, can't miss it it's got a bronze statue of Ares outside of main gate to the Pavilion training ground."

Tanjiro nodded and rushed out leaving his box.

Ayano looked at me and said, "you really think its good to put them through the Agoge? I mean they witnessed the death of Rengoku their spirits might not survive."

I nodded and said, "if Tanjiro is to help his sister out, he's going to need to learn how to fight harder opponents, I mean he fought a lower moon and nearly lost and if what Shinobu sensei said was true he is going to fight the other 12 kizuki…he'd die without proper training."

Ayano sighed and said, "I hope your right…as for Nezuko I'll make sure she learns how to fight hard."

I gave Ayano a pat on the back and thanked her before we finally made it to the Bronze Pavilion where a bunch of our trainers were waiting for us.

Simultaneously they all stood at attention and shouted, "Welcome home lord Nikolaos and Lady Ayano! We are happy to see you in good health!"

I smiled and said, "it is good to be home, let the chefs know to start preparing a grand feast, tonight we drink and eat to honor our departed Hashira Rengoku sensei!"

One of the trainers nodded and rushed off as Ayano and I dismounted our horse and started helping the other trainers unload the remaining supplies and got things ready.

While waiting for Tanjiro to show up with the others Ayano and I walked the training ground to see how the other slayers were doing and smiled as I saw the slayers practicing archery finally trying out the hand quiver method. They showed great promise I will admit.

Ayano walked up to me holding Tanjiro's backpack and said, "I'll make sure Nezuko is set up next to my room so the sun can't get to her, I'll be back in a little bit babe."

I smiled and kissed her on the lips and said, "very well babe make sure she's okay."

Ayano blushed and walked away leaving me to check on the other slayers.

"Lord Nikolaos we're here!" I heard Tanjiro gasp for air as he managed to finally make it.

I chuckled looking back at the trio and said, "so what did you think of slayer town?"

Tanjiro ran up and said, "it's amazing! So many skilled artisans and blacksmiths! I can't believe a place like this exists!"

I laughed and said, "most people say the same thing when they come here, and most don't want to leave here unless it's for missions, so they set up houses or rent out one of the many houses around Slayer town."

Zenitsu looked a bit stunned saying, "so many strong slayers do they all fight like you!"

I shook my head and said, "most don't really follow the path of the hoplite as much as I do, yeah they take up a spear and small wrist buckler but that's about it, but most slayers that come from here are some of the strongest."

Zenitsu stuttered and said, "s-sooo does that mean we might end up like you! oh god I would rather die than act like you!"

My eye twitched and I said, "okay motherfucker what does that mean!" before pulling the sides of his face.

Zenitsu shouted, "ow, ow, ow, ow okay I am sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything by it! Please don't hurt me you might just break my face!"

I then let go of Zenitsu and coldly said, "remember when you are here you are to not only treat me with respect, but all the trainers as well do not forget it!"

Tanjiro deescalated the situation and said, "we're ready for whatever training you have for us Lord Nikolaos, we swear to respect you and your trainers."

Inosuke laughed and said, "I can smell the strength in the air the amount of fire its like the mountains! I think I will enjoy training here! hahahahahahahahahaha"

I laughed back and said, "well now time to set things up for the Agoge then!"

Tanjiro then said, "we're ready!"

Ayano soon returned and said, "Nezuko is sleeping softly in my room, oh, they finally showed up, I assume we're going to the cave for the agoge?"

I nodded my head and said, "correct."

Ayano chuckled and said, "boy this is going to be fun!"

I led the trio through the wisteria flower forest and into a cave with a raging river that led to a huge cave with the top open allowing natural sunlight to shine on an island with a huge bronze pillar in the center surrounded by a large lake with raging whirlpools and crazy strong currents.

"Now then if you would kindly hand me your swords and the Agoge will begin" I smiled.

Hesitantly they handed me their swords, and then I handed them back their scabbards as I turned around and threw the swords so fast and hard they embedded themselves at the very top of the bronze pillar much to the shock of the trio.

Snickering as I looked at the horrified faced of Inosuke, Tanjiro and Zenitsu "this is the final trial of the Agoge, the twin waterfalls on either side of the pillar blast it with enough water that no normal man could endure, add in the fact that the area around the pillar has a great many whirlpools and no clear way of easily getting to the pillar without getting swept away and into the stalagmites, if you can manage to the middle of the roaring lake, up the pillar and reclaim your sword and then make it back here to fight me and disarm me of my spear and shield I deem you fit to return to demon slayer duty, but until that day I have been given express permission by the other Hashira and even the master to keep you here"

Inosuke laughed and leapt into the water to try and get close shouting, "hahahaha I'll show you just how strong the great Inosuke the king of the mountain is! I'll get my swords back easily and then I'll come over there and kick your aaaaaaaaassssssssssss" but was easily swept away by the whirlpool and then suddenly swept away and out of the cave by the current.

Ayano sighed and said, "what an idiot…well at least he's far away from Nikolaos."

Zenitsu cowered and I sighed saying, "if this is what you three are capable of, I fear you will never make it out of the bronze pavilion…." Before leaving.

Tanjiro stopped me and said, "Lord Nikolaos, where did Inosuke go?"

I chuckled and said, "the cave's river ends up outside and runs all the way to the side of the bronze Pavilion, relax he's okay."

As we made our way out of the mountain and down to the Pavilion, we were met with the sight of Inosuke dazed and drifting softly on the river leading into the pavilion.

I chuckled as I watched some of the other slayers rush over and make sure he was okay as I felt Tanjiro tap me on the shoulder.

"what's up Tanjiro?" I asked looking down at the young slayer.

He pointed over at the vineyard and said, "you guys make your own wine!"

I laughed and said, "of course we do! Wine is a big thing amongst the other slayers and is a big source of income for slayer town, we grow the grapes needed and make it all on site."

Tanjiro looked around and said, "I can't even see the end of the vineyard how big is it!"

Tapping my chin I said, "I actually don't know…"

"So, before I get living arrangements made, I'd like to know if you'll be staying inside the bronze pavilion itself or around slayer town" I said as we talked in my private lounge.

The trio looked at each other and Tanjiro said, "we'll stay within the pavilion itself if that's okay with you."

I nodded my head and said, "very well, follow me I'll show you around."

Ayano looked at the setting sun and said, "I'll go wake up Nezuko and start training her, how far should I take it today, Niko?"

"Starts with basic martial arts, gauge her skills for now and we'll come up with a training regimen for her" I said taking off my helmet and armor chest.

Ayano nodded and left saying, "I'll be back in time for the feast so don't worry Niko."

I smiled and said, "thank you my love, now then you three lets start the tour"

I then got up and showed them around making sure to show them their living quarters next to the Bronze Pavilion and laughed as Inosuke ended up getting punched out cold by one of the older slayers.

Sighing I said, "and that's why you don't mess with slayers trained at the pavilion…we know how to truly beat things up" before picking him up and putting him inside the dorm.

After showing them the dorms, I showed them the race track, the archery range, the gymnasium, the stables and also the bath house for the other trainers and slayers.

"If you ever need to talk to me or Ayano, the main house is where we'll most likely be" I chuckled pointing at the main house.

Tanjiro looked at me confused after the tour and said, "Ummm lord Nikolaos can I ask what the rules are while here?"

I looked at the three and said, "rules here are very simple I will be training you day in and day out to fight like a great hoplite, and when I'm not training you either Ayano or one of the many trainers will be training you as hard, by the end of the day you'll be begging for death! This will go on until you are strong enough to retrieve your swords from the top of the pillar and then disarm me and only then will I clear you guys for service!"

Zenitsu looked at me and said, "what! You mean we have to do all that! That's impossible! You are insane!"

I whistled and said, "Kiroyuki front and center!"

A lady then rushed forward dressed in a maroon tunic and long black hair and said, "how can I serve!"

I smiled and said, "tell them how long it took you to finish the agoge!"

Kiroyuki shouted, "it took me 5 months to finish the Agoge challenge! And at the time I completed it I had a very bad fever and could barely keep my eyes open sir!"

I then said, "and how old were you when you did it!"

Kiroyuki smiled and said, "I was only 14 years old!"

Ayano smugly looked at Zenitsu and said, "see if someone a lot younger than you can do it while dealing with a horrible fever than you can too!"

I laughed and said, "and I'll give you an extra challenge if you can do it in less than four months, I swear by the river Styx I won't only clear you for service, but I personally will see to it you are promoted in rank for your efforts!"

Tanjiro smirked and said, "we'll live up to your expectations Lord Nikolaos!"

This made Zenitsu scream in fear and say, "what! Why would anyone want to train that hard! I mean come on you expect us to fight that hard I mean it's not like we'll be facing demons any strong demons! Can't we just you know do light training and flee from strong opponents!"

Instinctively I slugged Zenitsu in his stomach and said, "how can you call yourself a demon slayer and yet you are so cowardly! It boggles my mind how someone like you managed to make it through final selection!"

Sighing, I was so focused on these three I didn't realize one of the trainers was approaching me.

"Lord Nikolaos, do you have a moment?" the trainer asked.

I looked behind me to see a trainer dressed in a white tunic with a blue Himation and smiled saying, "ahh Hisaki yeah what's up?"

Hisaki smiled and said, "the cooks are in the final parts of preparing the feast however we want you to pick out the wine for tonight."

I nodded my head and looked at Tanjiro and the others and said, "you three head to your rooms and get changed there should be a tunic and a Himation for each of you, it is tradition to wear such at a great feast like this, so go get washed up and ready, I'll meet you guys later for the feast."

The trio bowed and rushed off and I followed Hisaki to the wine cellar where we looked around till, we found a good vintage.

Looking at one of the wine casks I laughed saying, "ahhh a Santorini blend, this is perfect for tonight, bring the entire cask out and let the trainers and slayers know that tonight will be one of the biggest celebrations we have ever had, Oh and Hisaki, have Yuna go out to town and find some musicians for entertainment for tonight too."

Hisaki nodded and I walked out of the cellar and towards one of the many caves where I found Ayano sparring with Nezuko.

"And like that I have won!" Ayano shouted before suplexing Nezuko.

"That looked like it hurt a lot!" I laughed as I watched Nezuko get up and stumble around for a bit before falling over dazed.

I looked over to see a small towel that I picked up and handed to Ayano who used it to wipe off her sweat before saying, "the young lady has some strength behind her I'll give her that, she's tough and resilient and I can honestly say she could be quite an amazing slayer if given the opportunity."

I grinned and said, "that's good! So, what's the verdict though?"

Ayano tapped her chin and said, "if you mean what do I think of her in general…. all I can say is Muzan was definitely responsible for making her a demon, but I doubt he realizes just how strong she is…"

I raised an eyebrow and said, "that bad?"

Ayano nodded and pointed to her and said, "I don't think she realizes it yet, but her skills are developing into something not even Muzan could have predicted…she could become as strong as me!"

I laughed and said, "and does this worry you?"

Ayano looked at me with raised eyebrows saying, "w-what no, no it doesn't! it's not like I'm scared that if she might end up making me seem average…okay yeah I am scared of that, hell her blood demon art is unique even by most standards!"

I looked confused and said, "what do you mean?"

Ayano then said, "well when most demons use their blood demon art it just strengthens their magic or weapons, heck even my blood demon art just increases my blood demon breathing, however Nezuko's blood demon art is vicious and dangerous to demons" before showing off her arms and the many wounds that weren't healing.

I was to stunned to speak but finally I mustered up some words and said, "how long will it take to heal?"

Ayano sighed and said, "couple days at most, but it doesn't hurt, it might be because of my humanity but it still will leave some major wounds, however the real kicker is what else it can do, Nikolaos I have a feeling her flames could neutralize demon poisons, she might have what it takes to get rid of the remaining Eclipse poison in your system."

I was too stunned to speak! I hadn't told Ayano at all about the poison I had been exposed to with Harangel so how did she know about it! Either way it would be something interesting to figure out and test at a later date.

Shaking my head I said, "I nearly forgot why I came here, the feast will be starting soon so wake Nezuko up and get ready."

Ayano started to drool and said, "I hope there is roasted boar and freshly baked bread!"

I laughed and said, "trust me we'll have a lot more than just meat we'll have wine too!"

Ayano drooled and said, "mmmmhhh wine! Hell yeah!"

I gave her a quick kiss on the lips and left to get ready myself dressing up in a white Himation with red markings on it and felt at ease and more like I was at home once again as I got ready.

Night soon approached and with it the many small braziers around the town burned to life like a million stars and inside the bronze pavilion the big bonfire burned with a huge wagyu cow being spit roasted and smaller bonfires with boars and vegetables being roasted. The smell of food deserts and wine was heavy in the air and was quite soothing. As I looked around it started to feel like I was at home with all the food, wine and music. The sound of the Bouzouki and horned pipes was quite soothing and the zorbas song started up as I walked in.

I looked around at the many slayers who had gathered and with a great big smile on my face and a huge mug of wine I said, "friends! We are gathered at this feast not to mourn the death of one of the greatest hashira to ever live, but to celebrate his life! Think not of tragedy but think of merrier times! Eat well, drink hardy and may the god Dionysus smile happily on this celebration! Yamas!"

The other slayers also shouted Yamas and we began to dine on the roasted pig and the many foods that had been placed out for us. As soon as I had some food though I went to the huge brazier in the center and dumped part of it in saying, "to the gods who have stood by my side for these many years…I pray Rengoku Sensei is up there in Olympus making you laugh as much as he made me."

"Damn that food smells amazing!" Inosuke shouted.

I smiled and looked over at the trio all dressed up in their white tunics and Himation that matched their normal Haoris and said, "ahhh you managed to make it good! Get yourselves something to eat, talk to the other slayers and trainers and enjoy this feast!"

Tanjiro bowed and said, "thank you Lord Nikolaos!" before going over with Nezuko to get some food.

Zenitsu looked at me and said, "umm lord Nikolaos can I ask why we have to dress up like this?"

I chuckled and said, "tradition young Zenitsu, it may seem very unorthodox to someone who isn't greek but in the bronze pavilion and even in slayer town most things will be like this, a mixing of the cultures sort of thing now go and have fun, eat drink and be merry!"

As we ate and enjoyed the fact that some of the slayers were dancing to Zorbas Tanjiro approached me and said, "So Lord Nikolaos can I ask you a couple questions?" while nibbling on a bit of boar meat.

I nodded my head and said, "ask away Young Tanjiro."

Tanjiro pointed at Ayano who was dancing around the fire and said, "is she really…you know."

I nodded my head while taking a bite out of a pig's leg and said, "a demon? Yes, she is and according to her an old one at that."

Tanjiro looked confused and said, "then why is she able to stay in the sun?"

I chuckled as I watched Nezuko run in and start Zorbas dancing with Ayano and said, "according to Ayano, Muzan created her with little amount of his cells and gave her the ability to survive the sun just so she could keep tabs on the many eclipses and lower moons, she was Muzan's Informant"

Tanjiro whistled and said, "so she was mortal once!"

I shook my head and said, "I thought that too, but I think she's just got memories implanted in her to make her think she was mortal at one point…me and Shinobu sensei have a theory she's literally a part of muzan" before taking a drink of wine.

Tanjiro then said, "there is a second thing I wish to ask…are you sure it is wise to give young people wine?"

I looked confused and said, "it's not hard sake, its imported Greek wine, so it's not as hard as you think, besides this land is Greek technically as the area around the bronze pavilion wasn't own by anyone so I claimed it in the name of Greece so drink up, enjoy, and be merry cause tonight is not only the beginning of the summer solstice it is also a celebration of life"

I then raised my cup of wine and said, "to Lord Rengoku whose will of fire shall guide us in our pursuit of the eradication of demons! May his soul rest in the field of reeds! Yamas!"

The other slayers raised their cups too and we spent the night partying and eating as the many slayers partied happily. Watching how things were going it felt honestly like Greece, the fragrance of lamb and olives was quite soothing. I then sat back down on my pile of floor pillows and my mat and felt Ayano lean into me smiling. This night and the next day were sure to be the best.

End of chapter

Tanjiro (a bit drunk): boy that was such an amazing festival everything is looking so blurry

Nikolaos: fwehahahahahaha it seems someone cant hold their liquor! Now time for a taisho era se-

*Nikolaos is suddenly punched by a drunken Ayano*

Ayano: NO I am doing the taisho era secret this! Wine is a major trade here in Japan and as such the wine sold from slayer town is well known and yet no one knows where slayer town is! Only those in the know, know where to find it!

Nikolaos: okay firstly OW! Secondly next chapter training days! God tanjiro and the others are gonna be begging for death when I'm done with them!