11 Chapter 11: Los Asesinos

Motivated by Aki's speech, Akiko was suddenly filled with inconditionnel determination. This was a real test for her, seeing if she could give up everything for her dream. That was most of people do. But she, didn't have anything left, and still continue to act the the old she. That was not acceptable, she created a warrior in herself, but if she couldn't bring her out, it will be like she never existed to beginning. She gathered all her courage while being conscious that the reaper was watching her, warning her. But she had to do it. Like the creed says I will accomplished it, or die trying.

She tight her fist and raised her leg to take that step, when she sensed a blade pressed on her neck. She knew that if she move forward just from one centimeter, she'll die. At that moment she started to truly understand what was she was going to do. What was the meaning of death. She didn't truly taste it in the forest with the beast man, because of Aki, she didn't have the chance to. But she knew that this time, she's on her own. If she cross that invisible line who separate life to death, she will not survive. And she knew that when she will die nobody will accompany her. No body will cry for her. Crossing that line wasn't worthy. Why should she do it? For who?

But she knew the answer deep down in her heart. She couldn't just retreat, she promised herself to never do it again the first time she meet Aki. And that was the time to prove it!

She made a step forward.

And the blade, sankt in her throat. Deeper and deeper. Dumping out the blood from her body, coloring the black ground in red. The reaper taking away her soul while trying to stop her body to going further away. But is was in vain, despite the pain it continued, despite the loss of blood, she continued. Even when the blade was hafl through in the half of her neck, she continued. Accomplishing her the test by entering in the guild, while dying trying to do it. As she she continued to moving forward, her vision was long ago gone, at the same time of her perception of the surrounding, but a determination she never felt before was born inside her as her life was escaping. She show them the undying spirit of the demons. As her conscious was going away, her last thoughts were "Aki-sama, see that? I show them" but never did she imagined that her familiar will respond {Yeah, not bad kid}. Hearing that made, Akiko happy, and just when she was going to faint, an enormous source of vitality started to deverssed in her healing her deadly injury on her neck like it was nothing bringing her back to the Gates of the Death. It was so sudden, that Akiko lost her footing and fell on the ground causing laughter everywhere.

"impressive, the little demon is not afraid of death and can resist the pressure, but its seems that she didn't need it to lose her balance hahaha" said high voice, causing another burst of laughter. "doesn't that mean Andrew and the test don't stand against the air?" Another wave of laugh was caused.

In the mean time, Akiko started to sat while holding her head. She then realised that she wasn't at the entrance anymore, but just in front of the counter. Not understanding how did she did it she tilt her head in wonder as she stand up. Guessing what she was thinking one the receptionists on the counter with rond glasses and a sort of ninja suit stylistic explain to her "Hi newbie! I'm sure you are asking yourself how you get while having the impression of just having made a few steps right? Well that normal, this is one of the effects of the test. When the reaper come down to you, the concept of time and distance start to getting longer for you. It's created to see if you can resist tortures. And don't worry, aven if the Grim Reaper, cut your head, as soon as the test is finished, your body is automatically cured and even your blood is respledished. So do not worry, you won't have any scars left on your body from the test. And if your wandering how did the guild know that a newbie will appear, is because the moment you passed the grate, the guild scanned you and see that you weren't member of any guild so The Grim Reaper appear above the Main gate meaning that a new person wanted to join us. Any questions?"

Akiko was about to to reply instinctively no with her usual frail and weak voice when she narrowly hold herself and just said no with her head. But then she recall the words the receptionist said. She really nearly died! It wasn't just an illusion! Knowing that, Akiko start to shiver a little, because in the test, a part of herself was wondering if it wasn't just an illusion. But she recall that a sensation like that couldn't be an illusion, and even if it was, she made the resolution with the possibility of dying so illusion or not, nothing changed. Thinking about that, Akiko stopped trembling and showed a true seren face for the first time in two years since her Life with her mother.

{Good job there Aotsuki! I'm proud of you!} suddenly said Aki in her head making Akiko smile brightly.

"So cuty, what's your name" ask the receptionist as she smile slightly at her. "Aotsuki Akiko" replied Akiko with no longer a weak voice but rather e sweet one of one who know what she wants. "Blue moon in autumn huh? What a pretty name for a pretty cuty like you! My name is Yuki, so we're should be close each other. By the way you should probably take your guild card on the floor, the Guild finished it with rest of your blood and after that return here to finalise your registration" as the receptionist said that she pinpoint the location of a blood-fed already dried.

And in the middle was a bright red colored card. As Akiko approached the blood-feed Aki start to wonder with amazement why is there a need to make a card with that many amount of blood.

Akiko then return to the counter after picking her card without looking at it. Yuki was waiting with a black dagger and a pendant in her left hand and a suit similar to hers in her right hand.

When Akiko totally focused on her she starts to explain "Exept The Protector Gourmet and Merchant's Guilds every one have their own Creed. An Oath to their guild that they will follow till their death. Earlier you saw a text on the front door right? That was ours. Every time I will pass one of our objects to you, you will recite one of the three sentences of our creed and after that, you take the oath to complete your adhesion to the guild. Are you ready?"

Still remembering what was written on the door, Akiko Nodded her head. Yuki then give her the object, the pendant and Akiko wore it while reciting "Braves are not seeking, honor is." the second object she gave to her was the black suit. At first because of her dressing, Akiko thought of not wearing it, but when she recalled that this was a ceremony, she still wore it with difficulty though. "Cowardice is not seeking, courage is."

And lastly Yuki give her the dagger in a scabbard made of silver and Akiko placed it in the on the belt made specially for it. " Safety is not seeking, determination is."

When she finished to wear everything she took a look more solemn than ever. And said

"When the mission is taken, we never turn back. We are assassins, and vouch on our honour to accomplish our mission or die trying."

As she was saying the last words she felt a sentiment of accomplishment. But what she didn't expect is that after she finished, the hole hall was suddenly bursting with loud applauses everywhere. Akiko was so surprised that she jumped out fright and that made Yuki burst in laughter. "Don't worry, it just our way of welcoming newcomer. From now on, you are a part of us, you are an assassin too. Aotsuki Akiko, welcome to the Assassin's Guild!"