Before us stood the Black Feather Assassin's Guild, from the glares we received just from standing outside. This was no civil place, a den of killers and criminals.
I tugged on Morgrave's chain, beckoning for the beast to follow me, but before we reached the door, Liliana's hand stopped me.
"What do you think you're doing? You can't take Morgrave of all things into this place, how do you expect us to socialise if they're all pissing their pants?"
Liliana wasn't wrong if the reactions of the others were any indication. Weaker angels couldn't handle facing Morgrave's malice, although there was only an expectation of any rule.
That ruffian proved that much. Fear isn't widespread in the hearts of the arrogant.
"What do you suggest then? It's not like I can leave it outside chained like some dog. It's a Primordial Terror, we can't leave it alone."
"I suggest exactly that. Morgrave won't run; it knows better. It's weakened, and it faces the one who gave it those wounds."
"Hmm, I'm still not sure."
"Morgrave is a beast, a forsaken. It's not mindless; it harbors more fear right now than it has ever experienced. It hasn't lost a battle in over a millennium, trust me, it won't run."
"But what if survival instincts take over?"
"Then you make fun of my stupidity. But that will never happen because I'm not wrong!"
I rolled my eyes at her increasingly whiny tone and summoned a pillar of light, rooting it into the ground below. Placing Morgrave's chain into the pillar, I secured it to the ground and infused his chain into the structure.
No amount of tugging or struggling would leave a single crack in its structure. Morgrave was too weak to break it, and the only thing able to prove a threat would be an Edict.
But I doubted anyone, crazy or not, would dare to free Morgrave.
Liliana pulled on the pillar and chain, performing a test of her own. After a bout of struggles, she nodded in approval, sticking her thumb up at me.
"Then shall we go into the den of filth?" asked Liliana, already inching towards the door.
"No. Just wait a moment, I need to add some extra protection to Morgrave."
Placing my hand on Morgrave's temple, I ruffled its fur before casting a light barrier along every inch of its skin.
"I can't have my newfound pawn being killed by some hateful angel. This should hold until we come to its aid."
Morgrave snorted slightly, moving its head away from me and nestling into the dirt.
"Ahh. And you said you don't like Morgrave. What a liar," said Liliana.
"I never said that. I said my respect was fleeting, but it's being obedient, so it's slowly coming back."
"Never thought I'd see an Angel treat a Primordial Terror as a pet. Have I ever told you you're a weirdo?"
"Too far. Julius is the only one who deserves that title."
"Hehe. True."
I affixed the rabbit mask on my face, ensuring that it was straight, and stepped into the Black Feather Assassin Guild with Liliana.
The Guild looked more like a tavern than an actual Guild I'd seen in fantasy movies back in England. There was practically an army of ruffians drowning in liquor on every single table.
I looked towards the bar. Next to the barman was a board filled with papers, all impaled to the wood with daggers. I was about to beckon for Liliana to follow me, but she apparently had other plans.
She jumped atop the only empty table in the Guild, drawing everyone's attention to her mask.
"Hear my declaration, filth! We, the Rabbits of Calamity, have come to take all your riches. We'll take every last sliver of your gold from contracts. We are the almighty killers of the West!"
"Shut up! You stupid bitch, go die in some hole!"
"Fuckin Wingless at it again."
"Piss off."
A sea of insults rose from the drunks. Some of them stumbled up and attempted to throw their liquor on Liliana, but none of it reached her, luckily for me. I'd be the one who would have to deal with it.
"Lowly worms! Such words aren't tolerated in our venerable presence. If you bow your heads, I'll allow you to keep it!"
"What are you doing? Stop it. How do you expect us to gain a reputation if everyone wants to kill us?" I whispered.
"Hah! Masked Rabbit Number One says that we must respect cowards to increase our reputation, but I disagree to inflict our mark on this Underworld. Then we must become public enemy number one!"
"What! We didn't discuss that. Why do you do these things to me!" I shouted.
Her words totally caught me off guard, even though I knew Liliana well. I didn't expect her to be so dense. Even if everyone in here is weak, it doesn't get rid of the tiresome burden of dealing with them.
"Haha! Little Wingless, it seems your boyfriend doesn't like your little performance. How about you go back home, filthy bunny?"
"Huh! Insolence! E—Masked Rabbit Number One, I demand this man's skull explode!"
A flood of laughter burst throughout the tavern. I couldn't be bothered to deal with Liliana's behaviour; my body was only able to roll my eyes.
"No. Just get down." I said defeated.
"Yeah, listen to your man! Stupid bitch!" shouted a particularly ugly drunkard.
The drunkard picked up a glass bottle, throwing it directly at Liliana. If I didn't intervene, it would most definitely hit her. Although I didn't like her attitude, the last thing I wanted was to allow her to hurt in my presence.
Waving my hand, I summoned a light barrier intercepting the bottle, shattering before reaching Liliana. The man stumbled backwards, obviously baffled at the intervention.
"Any act of hostility will be met in kind." I declared.
Shaping my right hand into a finger gun, I channeled my divinity into my index finger and pointed my weapon at the drunkard.
"Bang."
A beam of light burst forward from my fingertip, searing a hole into the man's skull. His eyes went wide before he thudded against the floor. All laughter ceased, the mockery twisting into fright.
"Baha! What did I tell you, ruffians? We are the Rabbits of Calamity if you think we'll allow insolence then you are dead wrong! Hostility will only be met with the Ultimate Despair!" shouted Liliana.
Liliana's childish laughter filled the room as she clenched her belly.
"What a farce. If you're going to attack us, at least put up a fight. Weaklings who can't handle Flashstep don't deserve to breathe the same air as us!"
Liliana stepped down from the table, joyfully jogging towards the barman. I followed her, keeping my eye on the border next to the bar.
It had all sorts of missions and contracts ranging from theft, killings, protection orders, gathering, and a particularly interesting job was posted.
The Reformation of the Rebels of Revel
'After being destroyed by the Divine String, Evernight, the Wingless Anomaly. We now search for new companions to reestablish our ranks. Do not worry. The Rebels of Revels are no longer traitors of the Constellation but allies. Join us!'
As we approached the bar, I could still feel the burning gazes of everyone digging into my back. I didn't know what the problem was. This is the Underworld; they should be accustomed to death.
"Hello, good sir. My companion and I would like to join the ranks of the Black Feather as feared assassins!"
The barman didn't wear a worried expression or anything close to fear. It was more of an annoyance, his brow raised under his slicked-back blonde hair.
"You are not allowed to kill other Guild members if there isn't a contract out. Please note this once you join."
The barman sighed dramatically, pouring a cocktail and passing it towards Liliana. She gulped down the thing while burping in the barman's face.
"Liliana, stop being so rude. And are you even old enough to drink alcohol?"
"I'll pretend you didn't say that, as we have important business, but don't think you'll get off unscathed."
I brushed Liliana off, took a seat at the bar, and ordered a beer.
"So, barman, can we join? I promise we won't kill anyone else, well, maybe."
"I can't refuse any offers to join the Guild. Take these; they are symbols of your entrance into the Guild. The Tag of Ash, the lowest rank in the Guild."
A metal plate engraved with a small volcano spewing ash rested in my palm. I pocketed it, as did Liliana.
"Come on, why can't we just start off at the top?" asked Liliana.
"Not possible. To reach Grimstar, you must become living legends, as you are right now, you have no claim to the title."
"Whatever. If we killed all the Grimstars, would that suffice?"
"It would. But the Grimstars aren't pushovers; keep that information with you before you challenge them."
"Yeah, right. I don't sense anyone dangerous in the Underworld. Can we get to the contracts now?"
"Ah, yes. It's a rule in all Guilds that the Grandmaster must select the first contract for all fresh Ash Assassins. I'll be right back. May I have your names?"
"We are the Rabbits of Calamity! I am Masked Rabbit Number Two, and my companion is Masked Rabbit Number One! Mark it down!"
"Urr. Okay, I suppose that's fine."
The barman walked off into a back office behind the bar looking utterly exhausted. I doubted it was a very stable job working at the seed of filth. I slowly began to pity the man.
As we waited, Liliana began to down a whole bottle of wine she'd stolen from the back of the bar. As she spotted the office door opening, she threw it open. I heard it shatter behind us, and a flurry of grumbles to escape everyone's mouths.
But they didn't dare touch Liliana with me at her side.