Young Scions

Hector Voss sat on the back of a cart being pulled by a strange creature he learned was called a durnok.

Slightly smaller than the average horse, this six-legged creature is encased in a thick, segmented shell resembling natural armor. While its slow pace makes it unsuitable for war or rapid transport, its resilience and endurance make it invaluable for hauling heavy cargo.

Hector was being pulled in one of a dozen carts, each carrying twenty people, all dressed in the same black robes and strapped with simple steel swords. The numerous figures riding in the carts were the competition Hector would be forced to face during his training.

A gentle breeze blew through his long black hair, causing it to flutter behind him. Hector was quite fond of his new body. While it remained quite similar to his old form, it was slightly bulkier, and his feelings were far more vibrant.

A brief touch of the leather handle had brought about entirely new feelings and experiences. Strangely, Hector found the course leather grip of his new sword to be a comfort, and he rested his hand there for nearly the entire two-day journey.

The first day of the cart ride had been filled with silence. The tension between the trainees had been high, each seeing the others as potential enemies. From what Hector had heard, the Demon Cave was a dangerous training ground that encouraged competition and sanctioned deadly battles between all trainees.

Despite the tension, Hector broke the strange silence early on the second day. He truly wanted to make the most of this new life. Back home, he rarely connected with people, his only friend being the little boy who dared sneak into the castle.

It had been a lonely life. Hector wished for more in this second chance.

Breaking the silence, he introduced himself, unsure of how to navigate the start of a conversation. "My name is Hector Voss. I hope we all survive the training together."

The others all turned to stare at him, their eyes searching him as if trying to deduce his intentions. Hector felt his face flush slightly in embarrassment. 'I should have kept my dam mouth shut,' he thought to himself bitterly.

Thankfully, after a moment of stares, a hulking figure of a youthful man sitting directly to his left spoke up. "You're the one that Lord Soro found in the Heavenly Demon's Peak. The Transmigrator?"

Hector was surprised by the man's question. He knew that most higher-ups within the sect knew of his existence, but normal cult members shouldn't have heard about him yet. Ryual said that he would keep the information from spreading too much.

Considering the younger man knew of him, it was pointless to try and deny it. "That's right."

The youthful man nodded slowly and spoke again: "My name is Hothrian Dokgo."

The others turned their gazes to Hothrian, their eyes widening a bit. Next, a girl spoke. She seemed to be similar in age to Hector, with long, ashen black hair, pale skin, and sharp lavender eyes. She was an unparalleled beauty who seemed aware of it. She smiled, but the sweet, radiant smile seemed shallow as if hiding something behind it.

"Young master Hothrian. I did not realize you were entering the Cave so early. Are you not seventeen years of age?" She said, her voice dripping with a sultry tone.

Hector did not miss the many lecherous glances that momentarily glanced at the woman. Her beauty made her a very tempting target.

Hothrian frowned at her words, staring down at the seemingly fragile young woman. "I have no desire to speak with you, witch."

"Witch? How dare you insufferable brat!" she snarled, her brow furrowing and face comforting into a rage-filled visage.

After a brief moment, the girl paused as if realizing she had snapped, and then returned to her calm demeanor. "I apologize for my harsh words, Hothrian. Your talents must be commendable to have convinced the elders to allow you early entry into the Demon Cave."

"Fucking bitch." Hothrian muttered. Thankfully, the woman controlled her temper better this time. If ignoring the young monster of a human, she turned to Hector and smiled. "I apologize for snapping on Hothrian here. He has a talent for drawing out my wrathful side. My name is Yumi Hwan. I look forward to our time together."

"I do as well," Hector replied. He cursed himself for his awkwardness but steeled his face, unwilling to betray his emotions. He was well-practiced at this skill, having dealt with his temperamental father for two decades. Even the smallest look could have set him off, so Hector mastered his facial expressions.

It seemed that the others in the wagon were either not interested in joining the conversation or were intimidated by the unusual backgrounds of the three of them.

Hector was not foolish enough to miss the obvious tells of the superior pedigree both Miss Hwan and young master Dokgo radiated. In fact, he was sure that he himself was perceived in much the same manner as the other two. Having been raised by a tyrant king, he, too, had been schooled in the art of nobility. It had been drilled into his very being, becoming a part of him.

Whatever families the two belonged to were undoubtedly influential. "I fear that I am at a disadvantage. You two seem very much informed about who I am, but I do not know who you two are," Hector said inquisitively.

Hothrian nodded, "I heard that you knew nothing of our world. I am Hothrian Dokgo, the second son of Endorian Dokgo, Third Elder of the Sacred Flame Cult."

"And I am Yumi Hwan, eldest daughter of the Hwan Clan, one of the seven noble clans of the Sacred Flame Cult." She introduced herself.

Thanks to his conversation with Ryual Cheonma after agreeing to join the Sect, Hector possessed enough information to realize how important the two young figures sitting with him were.

The hierarchy of the Divine Flame Cult was an interesting chain. Of course, all cult members worshiped and obeyed the Heavenly Demon, the son of the divine flame. After him was the Vice Sect Leader, the strongest scion of the Heavenly Demon. However, moving on from that, the hierarchy became more complex.

First came the Seven Demonic Elders. These were the seven most powerful warriors of the Sect. Earning their position through overwhelming power, they answered only to the Sect Leader and Vice Sect Leader. Beyond them were the Twelve Noble Clans, the lesser clans, and then the regular members of the Sect.

It was an unusual government form that Hector had yet to understand fully. As he understood it, the Heavenly Demon was the god who ruled over a series of kingdoms, which were the clans, using the Vice Leader and the Seven Demonic Elders as his enforcers.

Truly, such a method of rule would be impossible without an overwhelmingly powerful leader. Thankfully, the Heavenly Demon was as strong as the strong got.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both. I hope we can get along during our time here. I fear there is still a lot that I do not know about the Sect and this world, so having some reliable companions would be nice." Hector reached out his hand, waiting for either of the two to shake it.

"I am not opposed to that. You seem interesting enough. Don't let the witch get her claws in you, though." Hothrian warned with a grunt before shaking Hector's hand. The massive paw of the younger man easily enveloped most of Hector's.

"How dare!" Yumi paused, reeling in her outburst before it could start. Then she, too, shook Hector's hand, her soft skin reaching out and gently taking his fingers in a feminine manner. "I am unsure of how reliable you will find young master Hothrian, so if you have any questions, please come and talk to me."

Unable to stop himself, Hector let slip a chuckle at the jabs and apparent disdain between the two.

"Bitch." Hothrian said, staring at the woman with a mocking gaze.

"Ogre!" Yumi snapped back.