Shifter - Infinite Transformation-Chapter 90: Clan?

In the following days, we didn’t do all that much. There was not much to do in Cintre, but it was not like we wanted to be all that active in the first place. Clove trained with the guards, which turned into a bloody mess most of the time, yet everyone seemed happy enough. Somewhat.

The young fae was among peers he could order around. They listened to him once he demonstrated his superiority to them, and he practiced with them.

Clove even went as far as to spar with several of Cintre’s guards simultaneously. That only changed when Jer returned to the training ground, his arm still attached. The minotaur demihuman was different from the other guards. While not yet at the 2nd Tier, Jer was physically on par with one once he churned through his Bloodline. That hurt and was not all that recommended, but Jer seemed more than willing to do so if that meant he could spar with Clove.

They both asked me to join them on multiple occasions; however, Fern occupied me. My attention was directed at her, which she enjoyed as much as I did.

We spent almost every waking minute together, strengthening the nebulous connection between us more and more. And as we did, we grew even more attached to each other. I grew more attracted to her sexually as well as physically, which may or may not be related to her scent changing. Regardless, the days were ones of bliss and utter happiness.

I had nothing to complain about–if not for my Insignia.

In the fight against Jer’s perpetrators, dozens of people saw the Trickster Demon. They may have never met a demon in their lives, but fae and demihumans were sensitive enough to smell, sense, and identify a demon when they saw one. Those who witnessed my fight started to gossip. They spoke about the Trickster Demon emerging from the back of my hand, which then led to questions regarding the Insignia, but that was not all.

I heard several demihumans whisper about my Power. That I had to be blessed by the Beast Gods to gain such a beast-like Power, and that I could shift into monstrosities, Greater Beings, and eldritch horrors. I...was not quite sure how the rumors evolved to such a ridiculous degree after my little display against Baph and his cronies, but it seemed like demihumans loved gossip and exaggeration as much as the humans of the Zetrian Empire.

It was actually fun, in a way. Even more so since I’d be able to transform into such beings at some point. It was just a matter of time and my ability to survive. All I needed was to survive a little while, which led back to the same issue.

Shift–a Cursed Power–could not be exposed. I did not intend to tell anyone that it was a Black Power. Neither Clove nor Fern would speak a word to anyone. I trusted them enough to know better than to speak about Shift.

The Insignia of Dominance was different. I could probably hide it by partially shifting my hand. That would require a permanent, partial shift, but it was possible in the future. For now, partial shifts required too much focus. It was cumbersome and would probably require months, if not years, of practice.

Furthermore, Cintre’s residents and Hunters had already seen it. The elven receptionist certainly knew the meaning behind the Insignia of Dominance as well, and I highly doubted he did not write it down in the notes about me. That damned slate that he used to forward information to the Huntrice’s network.

I let out a sigh, my eyes resting on the Insignia of Dominance. Truthfully, I still didn’t know everything about the Insignia and what it entailed.

What I’d learned from Gareus Gaia was merely that Insignias were a thing curated for demons. An Insignia was like a House’s emblem, or a noble title, except that every demon had one, or could have one. And that might be the most important part: the Insignia was truly powerful. It was not an empty title.

The Demonkin were a race proud of their hierarchy. It was one of the most important things to them–so much so that they forced young demons into submission the moment they were born. To me, it didn’t make much sense, but it looked like I had done so myself. I forced the Trickster Demon into submission, resulting in the addition of a subordinate. Because that was exactly what the Trickster Demon was: my subordinate. He may feel like he was part of me, but that was not exactly true. We were bonded, which added yet another layer to our relationship, but the demon was my subordinate.

Thus, the Status’ reading:

Xavier Halur

Core: Tier-1 (72%)

Insignia: Dominance(1)

Bond - Trickster Demon (Juvenile - Lesser)

Primary Power: Shift

The Insignia of Dominance stated a simple number. One, for that was how many demons I’d crushed and forced into submission. That was how strong my Insignia was. One–whatever that exactly meant.

Important to note was that I gained the most from my own Insignia. It sounded obvious, but my Insignia was special. I did not have a superior, which transformed my Insignia into the strongest of my Clan. It was a sign of power to be the strongest of your clan, indicating that you were the greatest of all.

Depending on the Insignia’s type, it would strengthen the demon wielding it. What exactly Dominance meant in terms of empowerment, I had yet to find out, but I would in due time. As long as I submitted more demons, absorbing their Insignia into mine. Or, if they did not awaken the right to become Rulers–determined by whether they awakened an Insignia or not–their power would be taken.

According to Gareus Gaia, by strengthening my Insignia enough, I could form Insignia Seeds and implant them into trusted subordinates. Those subordinates would form a secondary Insignia with which they could subdue demons as well, claiming more power for themselves...and for me. A portion of their power would always go to me.

At some point, they too would be able to form seeds. Tertiary Insignia Seeds, to promote their own trusted allies.

That formed a pyramid of power, and it was none other than I who stood on top of it.

Because I was free. Because I was fortunate enough to awaken an Insignia.

I was unattached and given the opportunity to form my own Clan of Demons. And that made me a target worth hunting. For many demons, those with and without Insignia, would not waste any time hunting me the moment they found out about my Insignia.

After all, demons were a race born and raised for bloodshed. Combat was all their hearts desired, or so we were told in the past. Whether that was true or not, I did not know. The Trickster Demon certainly didn’t seem all that bloodthirsty. Regardless, my situation was far from the best.

Demons would hunt me down, and I’d be forced to either kill or subdue them. The former would grant power, yet so would the latter. But the latter was not something I knew about just yet.

Did I want to form a Demon Clan? Honestly, did I even have a choice?