The underground city was vast covering over ten square miles and still it didn’t seem like enough room as the many streets were crowded with the supernaturals from their clan alliance.
Lucas stood on the balcony of his giant mansion home over looking the city before him, he could practically taste the desire for blood and mayhem on the slight breeze which flowed over the underground city through the tunnels leaving to the surface world.
He wasn’t sure about the collectives decision concerning the leadership here but there was nothing to do about it, he had already made his protests known and they had been disregarded. He was thankful that word hadn’t come back to Ked or Dorn about his grievances he could only imagine how they would have reacted, he hated dealing with them and now when Yann finished his rebirth there would be a third leader he hated lumbering over him.
“It’s only a matter of time before I rise to my destine role of leader.” He thought as he watched a fight break out in the streets below him.
“It’s like watching children or herding a flock is it not?” A voice questioned from behind him.
Without turning around he knew that it was Yann, he had finished his regeneration and now taken his role as the head leader of their clans. “An interesting analogy to use, are you still connected to your former life and duties?”
“Not in the least Lucas.” He said standing next to him and watching the fight.
“Should I stop the fight my lord?” Questioned Lucas hoping to depart.
“No, let them tear each other apart and then bring the survivors to me.” Yann answered.
Turning to look at Yann, Lucas was surprised to see how different he looked from the last time he had seen him. Instead of being five foot eight he was now six foot two, his features that were good looking but ordinary before now were sharp and edged in perfection, his eyes went from brown to completely green and his once slightly chubby build was muscular and proportioned.
“It seems that joining our vampire clan agrees with you.” Lucas noted looking back at the street.
“Glad you approve.” He answered sarcastically.
“That is not what I meant my lord, I merely was stating how well you look. Has the transformation taken a toll on your former abilities?” He rephrased.
“Questioning my ability to lead?”
“Not in the least.”
“I know that you hate myself and the other lords and given our history with you I can’t say that I blame you, that being said if you try to hatch any plans against myself, the others or the clans I’ll rip you limb from limb personally.” He smiled standing in front of him with a smile.
“I have no such plans my lord.” Bowed Lucas trembling a little in fear.
“I highly doubt that but we will see.” He answered looking over the railing. “It appears that the fight has concluded bring them to the main audience chamber so I and the others may speak to them.”
“As you wish my lord.” Lucas answered holding back from saying anything that would get him in more trouble.
Lucas turned and in one swift motion jumped over the railing sailing all the way down ten stories to the street below where he landed gracefully in front of the three creatures left standing. The two werewolves and the dark elf backed away at the appearance of Lucas lumbering over them.
“We did not start the fight Lucas.” One of the werewolves named Benjamin quickly said as he transformed back into his human form.
“I didn’t ask.” Lucas said picking at his fingernails as they grew out.
“What are you here to do Lucas?” Questioned the elf unsure what to do next.
“Nothing other than take the three of you to see the leaders they requested the winners of the fight give them an audience.” He answered walking towards them. “Of course if you choose to resist the invitation that is a different story altogether.”
“I will come willingly.” Benjamin answered pulling on some nearby clothes.
“What about you Steven?” He questioned the other werewolf who was still in his animal form.
After a moment Steven reverted back to his human form with a bow. “I will come willingly.”
“As will I.” The elf answered whose name was Lathen.
“Excellent…I suppose.” Lucas grinned turning back towards the castle that served as the apex of the city. “Follow me.”
Lucas loved the respect shown to him as he walked the short distance back to the castle everyone backed away and many even bowed as he drew near.
“Do you have any idea what the leaders wish to speak with us for?” Questioned Lathen.
“None, all I know is that Yann saw the fight and allowed it to continue, afterward he told me to collect the victors and bring them to the main audience chamber.” Lucas answered methodically.
Going through the hallways was always like walking through the scenes in a movie, one chamber had humans being ripped apart to feed the massive clans. The next had an eloquent room with several heads of clan were dressed lavishly and dining while joking. In the third there were animals of all kinds including a captured unicorn and griffin, followed by a room with dozens of creatures training to be better killers.
It went on like that until they reached the main chamber surrounded by walls with several doors guarded by huge giants.
“What do you want Lucas?” One of the giants questioned as he drew near with the three others. “And who are these miserable creatures with you?”
“They have been summoned by the council stand aside Gor.” Lucas answered with a snarl.
“Ah the council said something about these creatures, they may pass but you may not.”
“What?”
“They wish to speak with them in private.” Gor answered with a smile. “Of course you can always try to get past us if you want.”
“Another time you and I will have our fun perhaps in the next coliseum challenges.” Lucas answered stepping up to his face. “Unless of course you are scared.”
“I will meet you on the field when the games start vampire.” He growled. “But for now they can go forward without you.”
“Till then Gor enjoy what life you have left.” Lucas said turning back the way he came.
Gor and the other giant opened the massive double doors allowing the other three creatures into the room where the three thrones were filled by Yann, Ked and Dorn sitting patiently and speaking amongst themselves.
Noticing that they had come in Yann held up his hand for the others to stop talking. “Come in my friends we have been waiting for you.”
The three of them walked quietly into the large room stopping about ten feet from the throne chairs. You summoned us my lords?” Lathen questioned as they all dropped to their knees in reverence.
“Indeed we did.” Ked answered. “Lord Yann informed us of what happened in the streets outside, what may I ask started the confrontation?”
“It was over rights to a human slave my lord, we said that we had the rights since we purchased the human in the market but the others said that the human was theirs due to payment owed on a game of chance we lost. Steven found out that the earlier game was rigged and we began to fight over everything at that point.” Steven answered.
“How many stood against you?” Dorn asked.
“Seven my lord.” Answered Benjamin. “Four giants, two werewolves and one troll.”
“How gravely injured are you?” Questioned Yann.
“We barely had any scratches on us my lord and they have already healed.” Lathen adds proudly.
“Excellent, which one of you would be considered the strongest in your opinions?” Smiled Dorn.
The three friends looked at each other for a moment discussing things amongst themselves.
“What do you say Lathen?” Asked Steven.
“I would say that I am what about you two?” He answered without being cocky in the slightest.
“I agree.” Answered Benjamin. “What say you Steven?”
“The same.”
“Gentlemen have you reached a decision?” Pressed Yann leaning forward.
“Yes my lord, we have decided that I am the strongest of us.” Lathen said stepping forward.
“And who after that?” Ked asked licking his lips and making them all nervous.
Benjamin nudged Steven forward.
“That would be me.” Steven said proudly.
“Then the two of you step forward and receive your just deserts.” Dorn said rising from the throne.
A second later the three leaders had descended on the two creatures and were feasting upon them until only small bits and pieces were left, looking around Yann noticed Benjamin huddled in the corner in fear.
“Step forward Benjamin you are not a coward it is unbecoming for you to behave as one.” Dorn said sitting at the throne again.
“Why my lord did you kill them if I may ask?” Benjamin said standing in front of the thrones again and trying to sound brave.
“To absorb their power of course.” Ked answered.
“I was not aware that was one of the powers vampires have.” He answered suddenly interested.
“It is not one you will find among any of the other vampires or their clans, only we three posses the power to take the powers of others upon consumption. Every other vampire will grow stronger from feeding but that is it we are unique.” Yann answered.
“We have spared you because although you were not the strongest out of the three you do have strength and skill, now you must go forth with a mission for us, one of vital importance.” Yann answered. “Now step forward and tell no one of what you hear now.”