Liliana started to giggle, clutching her stomach, before her gaze became sharp, all laughter disappearing into the darkness.
"And how exactly do you plan on hiding Morgrave? It's not like you can easily just conceal one of the Primordial Terrors. Even though it's weakened, the Divine Strings will kill it as soon as they lay eyes on it."
"I… Um, I — don't know?" I answered.
I planned on giving up Morgrave to the Servants of Order and stressing to them that he must stay in my chains, so once the time came, I could break them.
But that plan seemed to be wishful thinking; if the Divine Strings kill Morgrave, then a valuable pawn would be killed. And I couldn't allow that.
Liliana placed her hand on her temple, mirroring my expression every time she opens her mouth.
"You should just kill the mutt, it's scarred and weakened. What's the point in keeping it?"
The chain in my grasp started to shiver more.
"I don't want to kill it. And that's the end of it, Liliana. Morgrave will be a valuable pawn down the line with Ickni and any other people who threaten my life."
"Ugh. By pawn, you mean pet, right?"
"What's the big deal? You worried the Horsemen of War would come running for her pet? It already has eight others, why can't I keep this one?"
"I don't get you, Evernight. No, the Horsemen of War won't come running for a weakened asset. It's probably already forgotten about Morgrave's existence like Karravok."
"Liliana, why are you so grumpy? Is it because you want to pet Morgrave? Go on then, it might bite."
"Shut up! I won't want to pet it! I'd never show affection to such a weakling!"
Her response caused a flurry of laughter to escape my belly. Liliana always helped to relieve the burdens of this world. I don't know what I'd do without her.
"Well, anyway. I've got an idea on how to store Morgrave safely."
"Hm? How? I don't see any way."
"Of course, you don't, because you neglect the basic need of survival, exploration."
"I don't! I'm not allowed to leave Grandheart. How can I explore when I'm chained to this city?"
"Excuses, excuses. Right, anyway, you remember the Rebels of Revel, yes?"
"Yes. How could I forget? I slaughtered all twenty of them."
"Good. Rebels of Revel were not only rebelling against the Order Dominion but also the underworld of Grandheart. We'll be able to keep Morgrave in the Underworld without any problems, not even Artoria's senses can penetrate that deep into the ground."
From what I'd heard, an Underworld wasn't possible in this land. Artoria had explicitly told me that only the Rebels of Revel are the major players in trying to dethrone Ickni. Was she lying?
"But Artoria said that only the Rebels of Revel were gunning for Ickni's throne. How can an Underworld exist under Ickni's eye?"
"Because the Underworld or the Constellation doesn't interfere with Ickni nor even go to the surface. They know the consequences of incurring Ickni's wrath, although their peace is fragile, it's still peace."
My eyes widened at the thought of recruiting the Underworld to my side with their aid; Ickni's downfall would be all but ensured.
"I know what you're thinking. If the Constellation joined your side, then your victory would be all but ensured. But it's not that simple as asking, you must strike respect but also fear into their hearts or else they'll never follow you."
"What exactly is Constellation?"
"The governing body of the Underworld, their word is supreme. They are responsible for everything from food to alcohol. They are led by a man named Silas Thorne, the Constellation's Prized Star."
"Do you think it'll be easy to gain their aid?"
"Ha! No. I'd be surprised if they even let us in."
"Us? So you're coming with me."
"Yep. And there is nothing you can do to stop me!"
"That's fine. I don't mind."
"Huh? I expected a massive pushback. Do you really value my life that little to allow me to walk into a den of criminals?!"
Liliana stomped her feet, pointing her finger at me, her cheeks slowly puffing up.
At first, I didn't get why she reacted this way. But then I remembered who I was speaking to.
"Shut up. Are you going to lead the way or not?"
"Huff! Fine, but don't order me around!"
Liliana started to speed away towards the unscathed empty streets past the slums. I followed behind her, tugging on Morgrave's chain, forcing him to follow. I would have erected a light platform, but Morgrave was far too heavy; he'd just break it.
How annoying.
"Whatever. How did you even discover this Underworld?"
Liliana turned her head slightly, a cheeky smile growing across her face.
"How do you think The Broken Lance got into Grandheart?"
"They helped you? But that's high treason, that would definitely invoke Ickni's destruction."
"Quite an intriguing bunch, right? They don't mind if you are devil or angel as long as you've got coin or power, then hear you out."
"Intriguing indeed."
Liliana's path was eventually halted outside a small store hoisting a sign of Alchemy and Various Ailments. Without even stopping to think about it, her hand reached out to handle.
"Wait. Is it even open? It's the dead of night after all." I asked.
It was more than strange to be entering any building in the dead of night apart from your house, especially one shrouded in darkness. Not even a single candle was lit in the store.
Liliana turned around, her brow violently twitching up and down. I was taken aback by the uncanny expression, causing me to stumble back slightly.
I suppressed the urge to burst out laughing. I'd never seen Liliana's face twist in such a way, and it was even more strange that I didn't say anything teasing. To invoke such a reaction by mere question, how ridiculous.
"You dare to question my intellect, do you think me stupid or something?"
"Yep, pretty much. I mean, you are still wearing those stupid lensless glasses, can't get much stupider."
"Hey! It's not nice to demean a lady's appearance, you'll never find a wife with that attitude!"
"Woman?"
"You!! I'm much older than you could ever imagine, just because I wasn't blessed with height like my sisters, doesn't mean you get to point it out!?" screamed Liliana.
If Liliana went on any longer, she'd wake up the whole city. It seemed that even though she'd started our little spat, she didn't appreciate me giving her disrespect back this time.
I made a mental note that her height was a touchy subject. I'd be sure to use it again; the panicked and wild raving she was spitting was amusing.
I let my laughter free my belly, putting my hands up in surrender.
"Ha! Liliana wins this conflict, Evernight surrenders in unbridled terror!" shouted Liliana.
She stuck her tongue out at me before running into the store, not only for any further debate on my loss.
I followed her in. The lights in the room suddenly all switched on, revealing an unassuming room filled with medicines, potions, and herbs. The scent of freshly picked herbs hung heavy in the air, cleaning my nostrils.
"Ooo, it smells great here. Evernight, do you think I could perhaps borrow a few potions?"
Liliana jogged over to the counter of the store filled with potions of reds, greens, and blues. They were all labelled, their side effects written in big red writing.
Her hair bounced up and down as she picked up a red potion, placing her eye directly on the glass.
"Roots of the Sun, a fire-based attack potion able to heighten the consumer's physical abilities. Side effects range from annihilation, burning, mild cough, or diarrhea."
Liliana read the label out loud, and she suddenly snapped her head around. She tried her best at putting on an innocent and childish act, twiddling her thumbs.
"Ugh, just take it if it's that important to you. It's their fault for leaving their shop unlocked anyway."
Liliana jumped for joy, pocketing the Roots of the Sun and many other potions of varying colours, stuffing as many as she could into the pockets of her Order uniform.
"You really are a thief. I see you eying up that mask, but I thought you already had one from that murder scene."
"I did, but I've lost it. I don't know where it's gone, it just disappeared."
"Oh, that's a shame. Wait! You called me a thief, but you literally just admitted to stealing something too! You hypocrite!"
"I never said I wasn't a thief. You just believed I wasn't, if you ask me, that was rather stupid of you."
"Urr. You get on my nerves."
"I know."
Liliana abruptly turned away, scanning the shelves for anything else interesting she could steal.
I picked up the mask I'd found on a shelf tucked away from the eye of any customers. It was a black and white rabbit mask, much like my previous mask, but this one was more sturdy.
Although it appeared to be wood, it was something else, but I couldn't exactly say what it was.
When my eye left the mask, I saw a matching mask with the same half-and-half black and white design, but switched.
"Liliana, what do you think about putting these on?" I asked, throwing the mask to her.
It landed softly in her grasp, and she inspected it briefly before putting it on, strapping it to her face. With the mask on, she posed, trying to look intimidating, but it only achieved the opposite result.
Rolling my eyes, I put on my own mask, although it appeared that there were no eye slits. I could still see through it unblemished. Not even the slightest indication that I had it on in the first place.
"Hm, interesting. I wonder who made this; it's of excellent quality, and I can see through it without eye holes. Perhaps an Edict of Pestilence or Creation," pondered Liliana.
"This would be useful for hiding my identity. I doubt they would let a Divine String into the Underworld even if I had Morgrave with me." I said.
Morgrave grumbled once again, confirming his presence to us both. It sat in between the doorway of the shop, apparently refusing to go in. Morgrave could definitely fit, so I don't know if it wouldn't move.
"You finally said something useful. I didn't even think about your formidable reputation."
"Then, it's settled, we'll both wear the masks."
"Yes! We shall be known as the Playful Bunnies of the West!"
"Please no."
"Learn to take a joke. I'll come up with a better name later. Let's actually enter the Underworld."
Liliana's movements were followed by the clanking of glass. She went up to the back bookshelf behind the counter, pulling and pushing every book until something clicked.
The bookshelf lifted off the floor, swinging outwards, revealing an expansive, rusted spiral staircase leading into the unknown.
"Then shall we go?" asked Liliana, placing her hand out for some reason.
"Just wait, I've been thinking about something. It's been on my mind for a while. I need to ask you something."
Liliana's body twitched slightly, her posture becoming guarded for a moment.
"You haven't told me your full name, Liliana, what?"
"It's Valentine, Liliana Valentine, if you must know. But don't you dare think about calling me by my full name."
"Oh, okay. Liliana Valentine, it's pretty. Even if I don't understand, I won't use it."
Liliana nodded, stepping onto the staircase and starting her descent. I swiftly caught up to her, traveling into the darkness below.
I didn't send any light spheres down; I didn't want to alert any possible enemies in the unknown below.
"Hey, Evernight. You don't remember your last name, do you?"
"Nope."
"Why don't you take up the name of Valentine until you do. Although I don't like my last name much, I'll make an exception this time."
I was slightly taken aback by her suggestion, although I didn't practically mind it. Liliana was a trusted ally. If she wanted me to take up her last name, then why would I refuse when I don't even have one myself?
"Thank you. I'll think about it."
"Good. I think that Evernight Valentine would suit you."
Without saying much further, we walked into the void below. Each step furthering our arrival to the secret society hiding under Ickni's oppressive gaze. The Underworld ruled by the Constellation.