The Underworld

Somewhere in the city, nestled within the labyrinth of neon-lit streets and shadowy alleyways, lies an enigmatic establishment known only to those that live behind The Veil. Its name is spoken in hushed tones through the city, as a secret passed between those who walk the fine line between reality and the unknown – The Underworld.

To the untrained eye, The Underworld appears as nothing more than a rundown nightclub, its exterior adorned with faded signage and graffiti-strewn walls. But those who possess the gift of sight, like the mages and Nightkin who inhabit the city's hidden corners know better. They recognize The Underworld for what it truly is – a sanctuary, a haven where they can gather without fear of persecution or exposure.

After all, the club is a melting pot of supernatural diversity. Vampires lounge in the shadows, their pale skin glinting under the flickering lights. Werewolves let loose on the dance floor, their movements fluid and predatory. Witches and warlocks gather in secluded corners, trading forbidden secrets and spells over glasses of cocktails. Everyone is welcome in The Underworld - except for Outcasts, that is.

At the center of it all stands the club's enigmatic proprietor – a figure shrouded in mystery. Some say he's a centuries-old vampire, others claim he's a powerful sorcerer with ties to ancient organizations. Regardless of his true identity, his word is law within the walls of The Underworld, and no one dares to challenge it. As the night wears on, the music pounds through the speakers, a hypnotic rhythm that seems to pulse with the very heartbeat of the city itself.

As the moon hung low in the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the deserted alleyway, Kento Salvatore stalked his prey. His senses honed to razor-sharp precision, he moved like a shadow, his every movement betraying his skill as an assassin. His target, Peter Thorne, is a sorcerer with information about the abducted neophyte's whereabouts. And, at this very moment, he stood unsuspecting in the dimly lit alley where The Underworld had appeared tonight, his attention focused on a ledger clutched in his hands. From Shift's files, Kento knew that he was a formidable opponent.

Among all mages, sorcerers were the most dangerous to Outcasts because their powers derived from ritualistic magic and their physiques were often enhanced to superhuman levels. Depending on their Patron, of which there were myriads, they could have unique abilities, not unlike Outcasts themselves. Like most mage types, there were sorcerers who were legitimate and complied with the laws of the supernatural community, only performing harmless rituals under benevolent or neutral Patrons, and sorcerers who dabbled in forbidden rituals and served malevolent entities. Thorne was definitely the latter.

But Kento was no ordinary man. As an Outcast, he possessed the ability to nullify magic, rendering most of his opponents powerless against his attacks. Moreover, he possessed the rare ability to cast incredibly realistic illusions, which was his ultimate trump card against tricky opponents. After all, when it came to tricky opponents nobody was trickier than Kento himself. However, aside from his formidable skills, the reason he was chosen for this mission was his unique relationship with The Underworld; after all, he was the only Outcast who would be welcomed inside.

This was due to his lineage; Kento Salvatore was the son of Enzo Salvatore, head of the Salvatore crime family – a mage family, at that. His late mother, Ayane, was known as Enzo's mistress – although very few, including Kento, knew of the dark truth. She said she named him Kento hoping he'd end up being smarter than her; a playful joke at the time, although Kento knows what she really meant by now. Even though he was a bastard, his father accepted him into the family and treated him no differently from his siblings.

However, even before awakening as an Outcast, Kento was already an outcast in his own family; to his siblings, he was a mixed – race bastard that should've never been recognized by their father. To the organization, he was a disgrace, the only Salvatore that didn't awaken magical powers, an ordinary Unveiled human. In The Underworld, he maintained the image of a useless and gullible playboy, squandering his father's money on booze, drugs, and partying. A perfect cover.

On the rooftops above the alley, Kento moved like a predator stalking its prey. When Thorne entered the club, he carefully descended and twisted a plain silver ring on his left ring finger. Immediately, his red and black uniform transformed into a white suit with a black shirt, his collar open. He slicked back his jet-black hair, a glint of amusement in his dark green eyes. With his money, looks, and considerable acting skills he would have no trouble getting in.

With a mental command, a runic tattoo on his abdomen shone briefly and the world became dull and muted for him. This was a Rune of Concealment, a necessity for someone who had to hide his abilities like him. This rune suppressed the aether that gave Outcasts their powers, making them undetectable through magical or otherwise supernatural means – with the downside of stripping them of their powers and supernatural senses. The Underworld was one of the rare places that could detect Outcasts so he had no choice but to appear as himself; not that this troubled him. Kento always relied on his skill more than on his powers.

As he prepared to enter the club, he noticed movement in the side alley. It was Thorne's entourage, standing in a corner, smoking, and talking amongst themselves. Guards, weapons, and communication devices were not allowed in The Underworld; privacy was paramount, violence was prohibited, and the presence of bodyguards was considered an insult to the proprietor, who guaranteed everyone's safety. Kento couldn't help but consider this a wonderful opportunity to thin the herd. The guards and Thorne wouldn't be able to communicate while he was inside The Underworld – and Kento would make sure he'd never walk out.

The guards, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows, stood with a false sense of security. But Kento was no ordinary assassin – he was a master of his craft, his skills honed and trained to perfection. With a smooth motion, Kento unsheathed his twin daggers, the steel glinting in the dim neon light. He moved like a ghost, slipping from shadow to shadow, his movements barely disturbing the air around him. Without warning, he struck, lunging forward with blinding speed, his daggers flashing in the darkness. The first guard never saw him coming, his throat sliced open in a swift, decisive motion. As the guard crumpled to the ground, Kento whirled around to face the others, his senses on high alert.

The remaining guards reacted with a mixture of shock and fury, their supernatural powers crackling to life in a display of raw energy. One summoned flames, casting fiery projectiles towards Kento with a wave of his hand. But Kento was already moving, ducking and weaving through the onslaught with the agility of a dancer, throwing one of his daggers, hitting him in the throat. Another guard unleashed a torrent of ice, freezing the air around Kento. But Kento refused to be ensnared, his movements fluid and precise as he evaded the icy tendrils closing in around him, dashing towards the guard and cutting him down. Kento remained calm and composed, his focus unwavering as he mercilessly dispatched guard after guard with speed and precision. And then, with a final slash, it was over.

The last guard fell to the ground, his body limp and lifeless. Kento stood amidst the carnage, calm and relaxed, as if he was taking a stroll. Not a single drop of blood marred his clothes – he was, after all, a pro. He twisted his ring, and the corpses were sucked inside. "Shift's artifacts are always top-notch," he thought. He also placed his daggers in the ring since he couldn't bring them inside the club. He calmly turned around, putting his hands in his pockets, and whistled a slow, whimsical melody as he walked towards The Underworld.

Time to get to work.