Claudius Kim's Story

Somewhere, in Beverly Hills.

It was truly a fine night, everybody would have to agree so. Crowds of bustling people filled every nook and cranny of the city. Yet, among the majority of humans, some of those who walked this world are not their own. It has always been so, probably ever since the beginning time itself. They called themselves the Dark Species, and although their presences have lasted for so, so long, weaving countless of myths and legends throughout the course of history, it wasn't until about hundred of years ago was their existences revealed to the world, bringing an abrupt end to the peace they once enjoyed, as the rise of hunters have irreparably affected the population of each and every species which was already inferior in comparison with humanity. They have no choice, but to muster up what was remained of their once proud races, against the world that have never accepted the outcasts like them.

Situated right in the center of the lies one of the most glamorous hotel, not only in Bev Hills but perhaps also in the whole state of California itself. It is known to be the place that welcomes only the most refined of customers, with all types of luxurious services and entertainment that suit all different kinds of tastes of even the most hard-to-please guests. Throughout years of its' operation, the hotel had gained tremendous success and attention from all over the country, for its' service never fails to meet the expectations of those who came to them for enjoyment.

Yet, unknowingly to the majority of guests who check in here, this hotel is the residence of the leader of a dark species, regarded by humanity as embodiment of lust and desire, the demons who captivate humans and lead them down the path of depravity, goes by the name Incubi and Succubi. The hotel is also a 'feeding' ground for them, and their home base is situated deep underneath the basement, accessed only by the Incubi and Succubi themselves, safely hidden away from the prying eyes of the hunters.

Yet, with countless of conflicts between their kin and the hunters going on in this era, there is no such thing as a safe haven for any of the dark species. It is what each of them had to keep in mind. Especially for a race whose population is already thin to begin with like the Incubi and Succubi. A life being constantly chased and sought after days after days, with no single moment not fearing for the sake of their future. For the past centuries, they understand it better than anyone.

---

"Now, the next time you open your eyes, my existence will completely fade from your memory. You will remember nothing, but all the pleasures that the two of us shared, and the paralyzing sensations when our bodies collided. Sweet dream, my sweet prey." Claudius whispered with his seductive tone into the ear of the middle-aged man whom he had just 'fed' upon. The unfortunate man had lost his consciousness due to having over half of his life force sucked away. Claudius gently covered the man with the blanket before stepping down from the bed, picking up the clothes that he had thrown over a nearby chair and dressing himself up, his hair color switched from ebony black into a brownish shade. When he is finished, he left the suite room without even turning back to give his 'meal' a glance.

Waiting outside of the suite were two of his personal guards, Alfredo and Cassandra. They bowed to him respectfully and he nodded to them, before they walked towards the elevator at the end of the hall, "Has Aaron returned from his trip to escort the Alvarez clan safely to Oregon? Was there any encounters with the hunters on their way?"

"He has returned and is waiting at our headquarter, Comitivus. Some hunters set up an ambush on their way but since they outnumbered them, there were no serious casualties." Cassandra reported, "With their coming to Oregon, all remaining five clans and covens are now settled in the States and is under the close watch of your guards, my lord. Until we can reproduce more members for our kin, they will stay on their vigilant guard."

"I understand, Cassandra. And I believe that it is not just us but any other supernatural races out there are facing the same threat." Claudius said, remembering the news about the complete obliteration of the Leviathans earlier that day. There is no doubt that more and more races will fall under the wrath of the ruthless hunters if measures are not taken soon.

Alfredo's phone rang as he picked it up and answered. He nodded to whoever on the other side of the phone and turned to Claudius, "Comitivus, an ambassador from Mephistopheles of the fallen angels called Nazeer had come and is requiring to meet you in person, he is waiting for you in our headquarter down the basement."

"Just as I expected." Claudius remarked as they entered the elevator. He pressed a series of long codes on the buttons and the elevator quickly took them to a hidden floor below the basement of the hotel. It has the same structure like the other floors, but are much bigger with all services and inhabited solely by Claudius's elite guards and followers. They walked to the end of the long, big hall, to the biggest room where Claudius's study and own room situated.

Upon entering, the strange man walked to Claudius and bowed to him respectfully, before handing him a parchment with a seal in the shape of an 'M'. After he had received the item, the man bowed again and disappeared through a black smoke.

"That's why I always thought demons are creepy." Aaron, Claudius's adviser and retainer, spoke up while bringing two cups of espresso to the table and casually sat down on the couch.

"Shut it. It's not like we're any better." Claudius said bluntly before sitting on the opposite of Aaron and unsealed the parchment, then read the content.

"Heh, still acting cute as usual." Aaron grinned and took a sip from his coffee cup, "What does it say, anyway?"

"Mephistopheles sure is as old as time already. How many species are still using Latin nowadays?" Claudius expressed his distaste before reading the content in English, "Sir Claudius Kim. It is time. Vegas. 24 hours."

"So finally it comes down to this, huh? Vegas has never been one of our territories, yet I can see why Lucifer's right hand wanted the meeting to take place there." A rule that Claudius set when he took over the reign is that no matter the reasons, the Incubi and Succubi must not lay their hands on any members of the other Dark Species. This is to further maintain their overall neutral stance. Due to the large amount of members from other races who settled here, it is inconvenient for them to set as a territory in accordance to the rule.

"I know. But this occasion is crucial. We're capable of fending off for ourselves for now, but sooner or later, the hunters will eventually gain an upper hand. We need their aids if we were to survive." Claudius held the cup and drank half of the coffee, stood up from whence he sat and turned to Alfredo and Cassandra, "Vegas is about four and a half hours driving from Bev Hills, let's leave at once."

The two of them nodded to him, "Take care of things while I'm gone. If I heard just one more of our kin slaughtered by the hunters, I'll make sure that every minute of your life will be torturous." Claudius threw Aaron a rather menacing glare.

Aaron chuckled, "My, my. You really scared the shit out of me. Relax, it's not like I've never taken responsibility like this before. I promise none of us will get even as much as a scratch." He winked.

Claudius stood silently and walked away without saying anything else. When he and the other two were about to step out of the door, "Kim." Aaron spoke up, with a hint of concern in his tone, "I know you have always been undefeated, but no one can predict what will happen. You know how much your welfare mean to..." He paused for a short moment, as if wanting to hold back what he was about to say, "...the future of our people. Just watch your back, and stay safe, okay?"

He drank in all of those words, before turning back and faced Aaron, "Yeah. You too." A rare light smile made its' way on Claudius's usual stern face. Then, he left the room with his two guards.

---

After a long ride from Beverly Hills without stopping, Claudius finally arrived at the Sin City. Everywhere, flashing signs of casinos and bars can be seen, fancy cars filled every corner of the street and everyone here never seizes looking for fun every night. Truly a getaway heaven for those who are outcasts like them.

He drove his Lamborghini to Caesar's Palace. Parking at its' entrance, he walked in with Alfredo and Cassandra behind him and they headed to the lobby. The keen receptionist woman smiled to them and gave them a welcoming speech. Claudius nodded to her when she finished and told her the password, "Morior Invictus."

The receptionist gave them an affirmative nod and handed him a penthouse key, and said that Mephistopheles has instructed them to take care of their vehicle and luggage for them. He handed his car's key to her and walked to the nearest elevator to the top floor with his two guards.

"Comitivus, should we be worry about this meeting? It is not about the hunters that I mean..." Alfredo raised the question as the elevator took them up.

"There's a reason why we have retained our neutrality for so long, Alfredo. At the moment, we can relax a bit as we have made no enemies. But I hope that everything will play out like I had planned." Claudius said, "Just be on hold and don't do anything rash without my order."

"Yes, my lord." Both Alfredo and Cassandra remarked.

As Claudius exited the elevator, he used the key he was given to enter the penthouse. He thought his headquarter is already overly luxurious, but Mephistopheles just take it on a whole different level. As he walked through the penthouse, he met Livia Ardelean - the Duchess of the Shapeshifters.

"My pleasure, Ducissa Ardelean." He bowed to her and placed a kiss on her forehand. She was one of the youngest among the leaders, but he knows for sure that her strengths are not something to underestimate, as the way she had stepped into power is quite similar to Claudius himself, "I hope we will work well together in the upcoming blood feuds." He said respectfully and walked pass her to the glamorous dining room, where the head of this meeting was sitting.

"It is an honor to be here, Phaedra Mephistopheles." He greeted and bowed to the man. A truly unpredictable person, if Claudius may say so himself. Out of the leaders of the dark species, the fallen angel is one of the few that he is cautious with, because of his fearsome capabilities. But as of now, so it seems that even the once servants of God are facing dangers, so he hopes the man will make the right decision.

Instead of sitting down at the dining table, Claudius sat down at the piano in the corner of the room and began to play some songs to give a change of mood, until the rest of the leaders arrive. This meeting is the very bane of his goal to ensure the survival of his people, and at any cost, he must gain what he came here for.

Claudius was immersing in the melodies that he was playing, but that doesn't mean he didn't pay any attention to his surrounding. Although the chance of encountering any life-threatening dangers is very low, at least for the moment, he still needs to be on guard all the time. That simply how he had always been ever since he taken on the reign over his kin. Throughout the past 700 years of his life, Claudius had mastered many arts, and concealing his emotions almost flawlessly is one of them. The current situation is dire, so losing his composure in the faces of the other leaders is the last thing he wanted to do. While he is not yet a member of the "thousand-years-old" club, he has been around long enough to know just how these big bad boys are. that is not to say Claudius is afraid of them, but underestimating someone and let his pride blinds his judgement is something he will never do.

He glanced outside to the living room briefly to see Alfredo and Cassandra sitting on the fancy sofa, seemingly lost in the own world as well. Since long, they needn't have to be over-protective of their chief, knowing how very well-capable he is in defending himself. The two of them are mates, and along with Aaron, are the only people who had remained by Claudius's side since the day he was still travelling the world. They are only ones in the world who truly understand him and the only ones that he will ever place his trust onto. Claudius continued to let the ten of his fingers slide through the keys of the piano, bringing music across the whole penthouse. Until Mephistopheles approaches with two glasses of wine moments later.

"I do hope this didn't come as an inconvenience. We know how these things can be." The fallen angel said as the glass was placed over the instrument. Of course, Claudius understands the symbolism of this action well, and glad that the man's conscience hadn't changed over times. He stopped playing and picked up the glass, "By no means, Phaedra. I know my tolerance well, and I am certain that I am capable of drinking anyone under the table." He proceeded to make a toast with Mephistophelis and took a sip from the glass, "1961 Bordeaux Vintage, I presume? Your taste is as admirable as ever." Claudius gave a quick compliment before shifting his attention back to the piano and continuing with his melodies.

Soon after, the other leaders have arrived one after one. The first one was Blake Kansas, the Nightmare doctor and an enforcer of sorts among the council of the heads. Out of them all, Claudius ranked him as the one with the highest combat capabilities. His medical expertise is also a valuable facets and not to mention his sharp and fearsome strategy planning. An opponent the hunters should think twice before fighting head-on. But he is not very good in dealing with unexpected components. Having worked with the being a few times prior, Claudius could know as much. He nodded back to the Nightmare as Blake greeted Mephistopheles.

The fourth person to arrive is Jian Fen, the leader of the Sirens. A dangerous woman, if Claudius may say so himself. Aside from having a stunning outlook that can match that of his own kin, her capability to wrap anyone around her finger is not to be underestimated. He has no problem with the nymph though, since the relationship between the Sirens and the Incubi and Succubi had always been well, to say the least, due to many things that the two races have in common. Jian Fen is a woman of no jokes, and Claudius respects that. But he must question whether her pride will one day be her downfall.

Stepping in right after is one, if not, the newest member of this so-called council. Clodagh An - the Lady of the Banshees. Of course, due to her being relatively new, he hadn't had a chance to work with her just yet. Thus, he only knows about her through rumors and the information he gathered. But looking at her, despite Clodagh not showing any signs of insecurities, Claudius couldn't help wondering if she is truly the suitable one to lead her kin, not just by the way her position suddenly weighed on her shoulders. That is yet to be seen, but he hopes that the girl will take on her duties well, as the Banshees are a valuable ally to his kin, and their previous leader was once a close friend of Claudius himself.

And, the latest one to join the meeting up to now is Valentine Loup-Garote, the Lord of the Werewolves. Like the Shapeshifters, his kin is also among one of the most respectable ones, as they are one of the oldest Dark Species on Earth. The man is certainly not the most sociable person around, and definitely not the most cool-headed if he is ticked off. Valentine will be one of the few whom Claudius will try to avoid to work with unless the situation called for. There's no telling whether the werewolf can still retain that stoicism or not when the Vampires turn up. But Claudius will be quick to act should needless violence occur.

Every of the leader is unique in their own ways, and Claudius is well-aware of what each of them are capable of, and what they are not. It is the least he needs to grasp if he wanted things to go as the way he had planned. They need to unite despite their odds, otherwise, they will all vanish from the face of this planet. Simple as that.

Claudius was still concentrating in playing the piano, but something certainly was off by the way Livia and Valentine act. He doesn't need to observe them to point out that much. Every being emits their own unique pheromones, or scent, and that alone is enough to tell a lot about how they are, and their feelings. And the Incubi is the race known to be very perceptive of this. In Livia and Valentine's case, there seems to be somewhat a chemistry of sort that is going on between them, as their pheromones currently are all over the place. Knowing how highly unstable both the Shapeshifter and the Werewolf can be when are ticked off, he couldn't help but hope that nothing too concerning will turn up for now.