The sweltering heat of the castle gates was overwhelmingly hot; the entire archway of stone was burning intensely. Many of the human enslaved people who began to walk through the archway stumbled, the oppressive heat too great for their exhausted bodies.
Thankfully, the archway was the worst of the heat, the inside of the castle returning to the sweltering climate of the land. Hector managed to make it through the gate without issue, his eyes flickering to the enslaved people who had collapsed. The goblin-like slavers were dragging their bodies away, saliva dripping down the corners of their maws.
Hector, too, had killed many humans in his life and feasted on their blood, but that was different. He never had killed an undeserving human. Every soul he had killed had been a horrid criminal sent to the Vampire's Castle by the people of the villages they ruled. Unlike his father, Hector had not delighted in the blood of innocents.
"Disgusting," Hector muttered, watching the putrid demons drag off the barely conscious bodies. It seemed that any enslaved people too weak to continue working were to become food for the slavers.
Every step deeper into the castle was exhausting; the heavy stone he carried on his shoulder pushed his body brutally over the long walk to the castle. Once again, thank you. He found himself appreciative of the Head instructor's training. He would have been much worse for wear if he had attempted this before developing his body.
As he moved through the half-constructed hallways of the castle, Hector observed the many different Demons within and came to a shocking realization. Of all the Demons present, a significant number possessed the body and energy of his old kin. They were Vampires.
He could sense the blood affinity wafting off the most regal and powerful demons. These vampires all possessed the same level of power his father once possessed. If his guess was correct, then it was likely that all of these vampires would prove to be powerful enemies, their strength comparable to that of the weaker instructors of the Demon Cave.
The small army of demons possessed a clear hierarchy. Considering that True Vampires were not at the top of the food chain, Hector was scared to imagine what would be capable of ruling them.
As he passed, the Vampires paused, their gazes all turning to Hector. One of their numbers walked up to the line and began to speak. Hector's heart dropped as he felt their eyes on him.
"Stop!" the vampire ordered, his voice calm and authoritative. Out of the group of higher-ranking Demons, this vampire dressed exceptionally well, wearing fine red robes wrapped around his lean figure. His blood-red eyes and sleek black hair were paired with a gaunt face and long fangs.
The slaves all halted, fear flashing through their eyes. Hector's stomach turned in anticipation as he had felt their senses wash over him. He was uncertain of what they would do with him.
He was no longer a vampire, but many of his former traits had manifested within this human body. He was not one of them anymore, and their attention was anything but a good sign.
One of the slaver demons rushed up to the vampire, bowing his head submissively. "Lord Vikktor, how may I serve you? " it hissed, its voice sickening to the human ear.
The vampire Vikktor glanced down at the bulbous little Demonoid, his eyes filled with disdain. "Slaver, bring me that one, " he ordered, pointing his long, spindly, pale finger towards Hector.
Hurian's eyes widened, his head whipping around to gaze at Hector. The Vampire Vikktor turned to stare at Hurian, his lips curling down in a snarl, "Face front, you worthless blood sack, before I send you to the Fiend's feeding pit!"
Hurian snapped back to attention, his muscles tight, nerves jumping. Thankfully, the vampire seemed to have no interest in Hurian beyond admonishing his behavior.
Hector tensed his muscles, his body screaming at him to run, but he didn't. He couldn't. He had nowhere to go because he was so deep in the castle and surrounded by demons and flaming desserts. He would most likely be dead within moments if he attempted to flee.
So instead, he took a deep breath, attempting to calm his nerves, and stepped out of line, facing the Vampire Vikktor.
The slaver demon, which he now knew was called a Fiend, rushed up to him. "Go! Sssee what the masterrrr has called you for!"
Hector obeyed, walking up to the taller Vampire. Silence overtook the halls as Vikktor stared down at Hector, his blood-red eyes carrying a curious glow. Hector took a moment of silence to assess the Vampire. The figure was tall, lean, and regal, his hair and beard immaculately well-kept. His posture and confidence radiated a sense of strength and superiority that came with a position of importance.
'Can they sense my affinity?' He wondered to himself. If that was the case, it made sense that Vikktor had pulled him out of the line. The more Hector thought about it, the more certain he became.
Hector stepped out of line, approached the vampire lord, and bowed his head respectfully. "You called for me?"
The Vampire Vikktor nodded his head. "Tell me, boy, why do I smell the power of Vampires on you."
Hector kept his head bowed. "I was born a vampire, sir. I became human after a transmigration." He spoke the honest truth.
"Please," Hector thought to himself, hoping the vampire would believe him. A moment passed as the vampire stared down at him, observing Hector and using his aura to examine him as profoundly as possible.
Moments ticked by like water dripping down. A leaf. The tedious moments passed by, and the vampire slowly nodded his head. "How curious. Slaver! I shall be taking this boy. Resume your duties!"
"But sssirrr. He is a humannn."
"You dare question me?" Vikktor's withering glare immediately silenced the fiend's protests.
"Offf course not my lord. I will return to work immediately." It hissed before shouting at the slaves to return walking.
Hurian looked worried at Hector, who did his best to reassure the other trainee. He wasn't sure what would happen next, but it was possible that this would be a good situation in the end. If it brought them all closer to passing the Infernal Trial, then Hector would use the opportunity.
"What is your name, boy." The Vampire demanded, adjusting his collar before returning his gaze to Hector.
"Hector Dracula Voss." he replied, hesitating before asking, "Lord Vikktor, what are you planning to do with me?"
The vampire waved for Hector to follow him, and then he began walking through the half-built castle's long, twisting stone hallways. "You may be human now, but you still possess the scent and power of a vampire. It is wrong to treat such a bloodline as a slave. I will instead be bringing you to the Queen. She shall know what to do with you."
"The Queen?"
"That is right. You will meet her soon."
"What's she like?"
Silence hung in the air for a brief moment, during that time, the Vampire and Hector reached a large wooden door. The hallway seemed to be the most complete construction within the castle.
"See for yourself young Hector. Head inside. No matter what you do, do not raise your head until told to do so."