After much walking in the forbidden forest Leo finally arrived at the castle that served as the Order's base.
The Night castle as its name implied was a large castle with a perpetual dark mist floating around it.
The mist kept most outsiders out and only members of the Order knew the secret to getting past it.
The castle's location as it turned wasn't secret but was strictly off grounds to all non-members even the other orders were forbidden from stepping on the castle and instead sought for assistance by rune communication; a spell of alchemical invention that allowed orders to communicate with each other and the other kingdoms.
"Alexandre is not going to be glad that I killed that much men in what was supposed to be a stealth mission" Leo sighed putting his hands at the back of his head while he proceeded towards the mist.
Placing his hands on the ground, Leo began to mutter some spells after which the mist began to clear to reveal a massive gate as black as obsidian.
The massive gate opened wide, welcoming the assassin into his one and only home.
He was greeted by the sight of bright green grasses surrounding the black castle, dark cloaked children training in them as they struggled to keep up with their teacher. Leo smiled when he saw this as it brought memories of his own childhood in the order.
A burly green eyed man in a black cloak walked out of the castle and on seeing Leo waved wildly .
"Panther it is good to see you".
"The feeling's mutual Bethran" Leo smiled back as he and the dark cloaked man shook hands.
"Are the elders in? Leo asked, nervously scratching his head.
Bethran stared at Leo with his deep green eyes before replying. "They are and you have a lot of questions to answer.
Bethran patted him on the shoulder and together they entered the castle.
A group of bloodied women passed them, greeting the two briefly.
"How was the mission Celia?" Bethran whispered grabbing one of the women by her arm.
Celia tossed back her hood;revealing short blonde hair and facing Bethran with bright vermilion eyes.
"It went well".
"Why the blood? Bethran asked again pointing at their hoods.
Celia held out her cloak before she replied "We encountered a rather disgruntled bear on our way back ".
"Very well, I hope we shall be seeing tonight" Bethran added flashing his teeth.
"Poor man "Leo sighed, knowing what was coming next. A loud crunch was heard moments before Bethran collapsed to the ground clutching his nether regions.
The rest of the ladies left leaving the two at the castle's entrance.
"Don't worry she will one day fall" Bethran called after the girls waving his fist in the air.
"I seriously doubt that" Leo said in between short fits of laughter.
The castle's interior looked like every other normal human castle aside from the dark cloaked citizens moving around and the absence of guards and large watchtowers.
All the assassin's houses were located in the castle that was divided into many floors, accessed by gigantic stone stairs.
The castle was also bigger than it looked, a feat achieved through a series of ancient spells by the Midnight Panther himself.
The space for the hall in a regular castle was replaced with a weapons room while the first floor was populated by a massive library and rarely used alchemy lab.
The elders house or rather rooms, (since all the order's families occupied a massive apartment like room in the castle for houses) were also located in the first floor along with a sacred hall that contained the skeleton of Fang.
The Fang clan was located in what one could call the second floor while the Claw clan was located on the third.
A massive bath and kitchen were also located on the fourth floor while the fifth floor consisted of various training rooms and a large blacksmith forge.
Bethran and Leo passed through the forge and the training room before making their way up to the fourth floor in order to get something to eat.
After a short lunch the duo proceeded to the bathhouse for it was considered disrespectful for one to meet an elder unclean.
Leo stepped into the bath, a short spell escaping his lips that warmed the icy water. A hot satisfying sensation flooded his body as he relaxed into the hot water.
Bethran on the other hand kept on observing his body before he asked a question that was supposed to be on the mind of every single assassin their age.
"So, Leo when do you intend to get married? Leo's eyes opened wide in shock as though Bethran had committed some grievous abomination. "I am just eighteen".
"Exactly, you know our lifestyle reduces our lifespan greatly, wouldn't you like to have a little panther to call your own?
"Maybe when I am twenty-five, for I still have a lot of things to do before I bear that kind of responsibility.
Bethran after thinking for some time laughed "You're right, after all we can just continue to have fun before the clan ties us down with a family".
Leo simply shook his head "You really have to be careful, you know the Order's stand on frolicking with outsiders, right?"
"Now you sound just like your father.Bethran sighed in frustration." I mean just try it out, I'm sure you won't regret it after all with you looks few women outside the annoying ones that populate this clan will resist your charms".
Leo simply smiled, remembering when Cassandra, one of the midnights threatened to castrate Bethran when he and a mage from the Order of the sun got into a fight over a beautiful elf.
"So what of you and Petunia? Leo asked, muttering another spell to replace the water as he and Bethran stepped out.
Bethran placed a finger against Leo's lips. "Don't forget that you're not the only assassin with good hearing".
"Anyways". He grinned. "I still see her and to crown it all a certain bird told me that my insufferable rival was killed by a band of rogue elf mages". Leo listened with mixed emotions as he got out of the bath.
After a brief drying out, Leo quickly put on a black fur coat and fitting trousers to match.
His dark blue hair was tied into a tight lock while the killer blades sheathed at his sides completed Leo's signature look. Bethran meanwhile remained in the bath wishing Leo good luck with the elders...
"Can you tell us why so many guards were killed when the mission was supposed to be a stealthy one? Vince a short stocky elder with a rather nasty scar on his face asked, tapping the glass on the table to add emphasis.
Leo took in a deep breath before replying. "The Marquis knew of the mission before I arrived, an ambush was also in wait for me there".
Cassandra on hearing this and finding out that he was generally unscathed smiled "That is fine after all you were still able to assassinate the duke though I would have loved to see if he would have taken the first option".
Alexander's stoic face twisted into a little smile.
"Good to see you are in good shape, anyways the Order has another mission for you".
"While you are away, we shall also look into the elf that had tried to kill you".
"Also, in case of next time try to keep your unknown attacker's body in one piece" Magnus another Midnight, smiled.
"It makes identification easier".