"William Miles!" said the young man as he greeted the said person, holding his arms out for embrace. William gladly took it, and the two hugged almost as if they were father and son, "Well, well! It's been… what, two years? How have you been, old friend?"

"Could do better, but as good as a former Mentor does these days." Replied William. William was in his 40s, maybe 50s, and his weathered face showed it. Not to mention those tired eyes that spoke 'I've seen too much.' The two sat down to a coffee table, just as a waiter presented them with their beverages, "What about you, Kane? Where have you been?"

"Me? Well, you'll be glad to know I've inducted numerous new Assassins into our Brotherhood." Kane replied with a chuckle, "Have you heard the news?" Kane asked as he took a sip of his steaming coffee.

"About Olivier Garneau? CCO of Abstergo Entertainment?" William took a small bite from a cracker and silently ate it.

"Yes, isn't that all the new news? What else is there?" chuckled Kane once again.

"All I heard is that he was taken out by someone while he was at a Blume meeting. Not much details."

"You're in luck then! Turns out he was killed by one of those hackers that have a grudge against Blume, DedSec I think the name was. He was sniped apparently."

"Well whoever it was did us a favour, a small one, but a favour nonetheless." William remarked with a light smile. It was a strange meeting to any outsiders. Kane, an adult to be at just 17, was of a normal build, not too muscular, but not too… large, we shall call it. Considered quite handsome to a girl, he was just as charming, with manners that would even put the Royal family to shame. Then, there was William, old with a rough face and slightly hoarse voice. As such, his temper was short too, which could be told by his rough composure. Yet the two conversed as if they knew each other for years.

"So how's Desmond? Last I heard he was working with Shaun and Rebecca, and working quite well too! How is he, William?" Kane asked, moving on to other subjects. At this, William looked down at his plate. "William?"

"He… he saved us." William spoke grimly. Kane was confused, and worried, at this statement.

"Saved? William, what happened? What happened in the cave? Did… something go awry?" Kane asked with concern in his voice.

"H-He's gone, Kane. He sacrifi-" William trailed off. Kane was taken aback.

"No… Desmond didn't…" Kane started, at which William slowly nodded. "I'm sorry, William. I can understand what you're going through old friend, it had to happen. He was your son, but, as it is said, 'Maktub' ('It is Written')." He said with sorrow as he gripped William by the shoulder.

"I… think we should… move on." William replied dryly.

"Of course, William."

"I have a mission for you Kane, one that is, once again, suited to your age."

"Those undercover ones again, eh?" Kane remarked with grin.

"Indeed." William paused to drink his coffee. "I hope you don't find these too tedious. Anyhow, Rebecca detected a faint and weak, but definitely a Piece of Eden energy signature. This didn't happen in one burst, surprisingly enough, but as a dull emission, which is still ongoing."

"Interesting, this hasn't happened before." Kane replied as thought through the different explanations for the strange phenomenon.

"Indeed it hasn't, either it is a very powerful Piece that is quietly emitting it's power, or someone is using it, albeit in a very coy way. It seems that Abstergo wouldn't really give this much second thought, but we should investigate. That's where you come in, Kane."

"And how do I come in, as you say it?"

"Rebecca has tried all she could, but apparently the Piece is mobile, but seeing it's movement pattern, she found it to be confined in a small area. Narrowing it down, it's in residential Tokyo, and… well… it spends most of it's time in a high school."

"So you want me to enroll and track the Piece down? That is all?"

"Well… knowing you, Kane, you might not like the details."

"How so?"

"The high school in question is Kuoh Academy, it only turned co-ed last year from an all-girls school."

"Oh… deary me. That's going to get a little embarrassing."

"Exactly, Kane, but there's no one else to do it. We are incredulously weak, old friend, and we need all the Pieces we can get." Then there came a silence between the two. William looked sincerely at Kane as he looked at the heavy rain that fell in the London streets, as a canopy kept them both dry.

"I'll do it, you have helped me far too much, William, so much so I am now in a debt I cannot repay. I owe my entire life to the Brotherhood. I'll not return from Japan until I have the Piece, William." Kane finally spoke with a light smile. William's face lit up.

"Thank you very much, Kane. The Order is as much indebted to you. There is one problem."

"What is it?"

"We don't exactly have the funds to get you an apartment and for the scho-" William started.

"Say no more, old friend. I'll use my own wealth, you need not worry." Kane said as William relieved.

"I'll be leaving then, old friend, me being out in public for this long may kill me." William spoke as he stood up. Kane followed in suite as the two shook hands.

"Of course, William. You go relax now, alright? I'll see you soon, and don't be out of contact for so long this time, will you?" Kane said with a laugh.

"Obviously, Kane. Just remember this, I know that you are one of the most tolerate members of our Order, Kane, but please take caution this time. We lost Daniel, we don't want to lose you too."

"Don't worry, William, being merciful will never take my life. And even if it does, I will die a death by honour, which is better than dying in hatred, I can assure you."

"Well, in that case, good bye old friend."

"Good bye, William."

With that, William left as he took his black Mercedes and drove off, leaving Kane wondering the outcome of all this. 'I sure hope you know what you're getting me into, William.' However, William didn't know, and what will happen at Kuoh will change Kane's life, perhaps forever. Kane sat down and continued watching the rain. Perhaps it really is true, ignorance really is bliss.

Because if the Brotherhood ignored this 'Piece of Eden', it could have kept Kane as he is.

But it isn't to be so.

After all, 'It is written.'