Finding Eden

A/N: Update on 8-4-09.

I'm going back and editing the chapters. This chapter, didn't have much to change other than a few small details, and fixing a few grammatical errors I found.

As for those first reading this, this story is based on different random "theories" or "ideas" from the Assassin's Creed universe I have. Should the games come along before I finish this story, I will keep to my own ideas. There are quite a few "original characters". They are used for both the plot, and foils to Altair's character. I probably portray him differently from other people, its hard to actually know what true personality he has.

The random title? I was listening to Michael Buble' at the time.

Read, and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Assassin's Creed characters and plot devices belong to Ubisoft. Original characters, used to help move along the plot, so I guess I own them.

Chapter One:

Foggy day in Acre Town

~*~

It was so miserably boring for him.

Usually Altair at this time was traveling to another city, jumping across roof tops gracefully and silently, or swaying through the busy marketplace crowds. Trudging among weary souls, blended amongst the afternoon gossip.

He sighed, flipping through another page of the musty old book. Occasionally, he enjoyed reading, he appreciated those wise writers before his time and the legacy they left behind. But not for hours on end, that being his only entertainment, the only activity to pass the time with. He rolled his eyes, closing the book, watching dust fly from it's pages, scattering and fading in the dim bureau.

His dark hazel eyes searched for the light above, he exhaled a deep breath, his posture slumped. Acre itself always had that gloomy scheme and mood, and being assigned as temporary bureau leader left him feeling horribly exhausted. Clouds crowded the skies of the shabby region of this city, and Altair longed for sunlight, if only a tiny ray to radiate into his empty corridors.

Altair fell backwards, sitting down in a chair he had obtained for himself, feet propped up on the desk, nearly knocking over *Alain's little incense lamp. Propped in his lap, another text book. He closed his eyes, seeing Malik's stern face, a sharp finger pointed between Altair's eyes. The other assassin had commanded him to study certain materials over his time of "office watching". And Malik promised, when he got back he would quiz him, and if he failed or Malik didn't find his knowledge adequate, Altair would probably be drowning in pages and texts forever.

He stared at the book's hard cover, a rustic orange, the spine was starting to wear away. He opened it mid way, ready to devote his attention once more to literature, until he heard a faint clinging of metal, and sweeping of fabric. Foot steps from the outside patio of his office started to echo louder towards him. In a swift motion, a slim figure dressed in white passed by him, waving nonchalantly. Altair rose his eyebrows greeting them, although their eyes never met. The visitor spun around, back leaning against the wall, then slowly sinking down to the floor.

Altair sat back up, swinging is legs off the desk. He looked at the hooded slump on his floor. "Abyad," he started.

Abyad looked up at him, sky blue eyes still bright in the gray tinted atmosphere about them. "Any news?" a shake of the head was his answer, Altair sighed. "Maybe we'll find something out tomorrow or later." Altair reached behind him, grabbing a random book, and tossed it at Abyad, directly hitting the other assassin's forehead.

Abyad tumbled over on the ground, jumping up quickly to snap a heated glare at Altair, who shrugged. "Study up with me if you're just going to laze around my bureau."

Abyad pointed at the little lamp, lips pursed together angrily, peachy cheeks glowing red.

"Okay, Alain's bureau." Altair retorted, propping his feet back up, leaning back in his chair to balance it on the two back legs. Abyad's sudden sharp moment caught his eye, and Altair found himself falling out of his position, dodging a speeding canteen lunging towards his face. He listened to the item click around the stone floor, he reached for it, pushing himself back up to exchange glances with Abyad. Abyad at this time was making a dunking motion, as if the two were both in water, eyes still leering.

"Fine, fine. How about a game of chess then?"

Abyad's eyes rolled, he took a step backwards, then circled around on his toes. Altair jumped over the counter.

Despite his lonely time in Acre, he had Abyad most of the time to keep him company. The mute boy was nearly done with his training to be a master assassin as well. Though he usually took the job as an Informat. Altair didn't see how that made much sense, on a count of, Abyad couldn't speak. But he was a quick scribe, with very neat hand writing.

He was very good at surveying around Acre, probably one of the reasons why he was also taken in by the guild—he was very misplaced with his scrawny and pale figure—he blended right in. He understood English perfectly, he'd probably be speaking it with that interesting accent of their's if he could speak at all, and he could perfectly translate German. A useful skill when sneaking about the Teutonic Knights.

Altair sat down, the chess board between the two of them. He passed a quick smiled to Abyad, who had yet to lower his angry glare. Altair felt somewhat indebted to him. Abyad saved him from going insane with boredom, and gave him someone to communicate with.

Although communication was usually just Altair pretending to talk to Abyad, who would be ignoring him or glaring at him, causing Altair to pretend to be the other assassin and reply to his own questions.

He was going to lose it if he had to run the bureau any longer, he concluded.

Altair remembered the violent dunking motion from just a few moments before. Abyad, as ordered by Malik, became Altair's swimming teacher. Seemed like a fair deal to him, receive proper swimming instruction—though sometimes he swore that Abyad was just trying to drown him—in exchange for expertise in combat. Slightly embrassing, but fair nonetheless.

Abyad started to position his white pawns, then took a short break reaching over, grabbing an idle blanket to wrap around his cold body. He didn't have much to him to keep him warm in the cold, desert winters. Altair's eyes focused on the dagger hilt that peered across his opponents shoulder. Despite Abyad's tiny psyche, and lack of strength, he more than made up for it in speed. Abyad already, Altair found himself first having trouble trying to admit it, had mastered using his dagger, and probably could defeat Altair if the two went against another with the shorter blades. Unless Altair had ahold of the smaller man had him pinned to the ground.

Abyad had finished positioning his pawns, grinning up at Altair, waiting for his mentor to make the first move. And yet another thing, Abyad was very intelligent. Altair could sense impending defeat.

Altair's fingers glided across the top of the pieces, until one in particular he felt was the right to move forwards. Abyad quickly countered back, Altair sighed. "At least act like your trying before you slaughter me."

Abyad smirked up at Altair, and then his vibrant eyes darted towards the entrance. Altair's gaze followed his.

Another hooded visitor appeared, leaning against the door frame, one hand on his hip, the other propped up on the other side of the wall holding him up. His legs crossed another, and he jerked his head back to drop his hood. A handsome face beamed at the two, with a contagious smile and warm dark brown eyes. His black hair was combed backwards, the ends poking out from the bottom of his ears.

"Good afternoon you two!" his deep voice echoed, booming against the deary walls.

Abyad's face lit up, and he waved ecstatically towards the other man. Altair waved with less energy, eyebrows incredulously, confused. "Rais? What are you doing here?"

Rais, a master assassin much like Altair, usually worked in the areas around Masayf. He was still young, not too much older than Malik, with a cheeky and out-going attitude. A proud family man married to his lovely wife, with two daughters. He taught students for the guild as well, Altair couldn't remember the last time he was this far from Masayf, it'd have to of been many years ago.

The newest man rubbed his dark goatee, "You didn't get my letter?" he whined, pouting.

Abyad eyes widened, and he searched through his outfit frantically. Altair rolled his eyes. "I guess I would of gotten it," he replied, the crumpled letter slid across the checker board towards him. The younger assassin mouthed an apology.

"Don't worry about opening it. Should of probably of sent it back in Masayf, but my messenger hawk is old and dumb. Poor thing would of probably ended up in Damascus, then on a sliver platter for those greedy merchants," his eyes settled to Abyad. "What did happen to my bird?"

Abyad shrugged.

"Ah well."

Altair grabbed another pillow, throwing it next to his side, pointing for Rais to take a seat. "So why are you here Rais?"

"Well, Malik had wanted me to come here. Not to sure why." He shrugged, plopping down on the ground, legs stretched out, arms propping him up. "Making me travel away from home...how I miss my beautiful wife and my crazy children already." he sulked, sighing despairingly.

Abyad smiled, his body making the motion of laughing, but in silence. Altair moved another piece, and Abyad countered, his eyes not even focused on the board, but still on Rais.

"So I guess that means Malik is going to meet us here first?" Altair asked, edging another piece forward. "Why wouldn't he just have us—come on Abyad, at least pretend to try!" he groaned.

"Maybe he's just making sure that Alain gets back here safely? He's the eldest of us all. Then I assume the rest of us will travel back together."

The bureau fell into silence, aside from the periodic clacking of the wooden chess pieces across the board. Rais, who had his chin placed on the top of his knees, eyes watching the game, and mind else where, suddenly smirked. "Oh. And Malik said to make sure you were studying."

Altair laughed. "Malik doesn't trust me now does he?" he said, watching Abyad casually take one of his pawns away. Altair's eyes narrowed, coughing to clear his throat. "Mostly writings on biblical text. Lots of different stories, accounts, letters, that sort of thing. Abyad and I have attended some of the Sabbath meetings as well. Not to sure why Malik has a sudden interest in Christianity."

"Well," Rais shrugged. "We still are fighting the Crusaders. Perhaps this is some way to obtain additional information about them?"

Altair shook his head, "I don't think studying stories is the right way to go about that."

Six chess games, all which Abyad claimed victory of, another book, and nights rest, Altair found himself struggling to keep his eyes opened. His head nestled against the pages of a book, mind completely over-whelmed. At this rate, he was never going to read ever again.

Abyad shook the older man's shoulders, as Rais came trotting through the door his teeth chattering loudly against another.

"Okay boys, time to take a break." Rais announced, throwing two loafs of bread at Abyad.

Abyad caught them, quickly taking a bite out of one, and poking Altair in the head with the other until the man regained consciousness, or turned angry enough to react. Altair grabbed Abyad's wrist, slowly lifting his head. "Thanks Rais."

"No problem." Rais smiled, taking a large bite. He chewed hastily, and shallowed. "My wife makes much better bread." Abyad nodded in agreement. "My poor song bird, she must be cold and lonely...or insane. Our hyper little demons we call children. If only I was at her side, to strength her--"

Altair and Abyad exchanged glances, both amused at the mans rambling. Their gazes turned to the adjacent wall, where a lone door suddenly opened. Alain stood there, inspecting the room carefully, his eyes not even focused on or acknowledging the existence of the other assassin's.

"Everything is actually in one piece. Very good, boy."

"Thanks?" Altair softly muttered.

Malik floated up behind Alain, closing the door behind him. The door was added for Alain, who complained that an old man shouldn't be having to climb up buildings. "Ah! It's warm in here! Good!" He smiled first at Abyad, quickly making his way towards the younger man, giving him a tight, but fast hug around the shoulder. Malik had taken Abyad in when he was a younger, the two were practically brothers, just differentiated by blood. "Great to see you well! You to Altair," he turned back to Rais, holding his hand out for him. The two grabbed another by the forearm tensely, "Glad you made it all the wait out to Acre! Sorry to have you leave Masayf."

"No problem at all sir." Rais chuckled at the formality. "Of course I need to obey orders from our new leader. It is official now right?"

"Yes it is!"

Altair stood up. "Finally, it's only been six, now almost seven months?" He jumped over the desk, patting Malik on the back. "Glad to serve you...Master."

The two laughed, Malik placed his hands on Altair's shoulders. "Now tell me Altair, did you do what I asked?"

"Unfortunately."

"And...?"

"I think I have a headache that is never going to go away. And I think my vision has suddenly gotten worse..."

"Good. You did it right then."

Alain groaned, returning to his place behind the desk. He propped a pillow against the back of the chair, sitting down with a relieved sigh. His fingers moved to tinker with his precious lamp. "Cut the little reunions, you have important matters to discuss."

"Right!" Malik and Altair both followed another to the counter, sitting down on it next to another. Rais took his place leaning against a wall, while Abyad sitting comfortably on a pile of pillows. "As you know, I visited *Amalut, that still has influence and reign over our guild back home in Masayf. Alain came with me, to help vouch for our decision that I take over.

"While there, I had to relay the events of six, roughly seven months ago in the Summer. The nine assassinations by Altair, our struggle against the Templars, and finally even our own Master Al Mualim. How the Templars were looking for the Piece of Eden, and it's powers."

Altair turned to Malik, "Which is still hidden right? You didn't hand it over to Amalut did you?"

Malik shook his head. "I did not. The leaders of Amalut did want to see it, or possibly take it into possession. But I denied them."

"Good, how were we to know if they were in league with Al Mualim anyways?" Rais added.

"I highly doubt they were. Al Mualim probably never even told them of it's existence." Altair retorted, sounding rather bitter, a near grimace on his face as the words escaped his lips. Malik patted him on the shoulder.

"They understood though. Trusting us to not abuse it's powers. And if we do, they'll send their own on our kin."

"Fair enough." Alain scoffed.

Altair shifted, eyes focused on Abyad. "So why did you have me studying up on Christianity?" the younger assassin quickly pointed between himself, Altair, and Rais. "And why have the three of us here waiting for your return?"

"I actually had Rais steal something for me in a small village outside of Acre." Malik said, Rais grinned and shrugged at Altair. "Guess he didn't tell you?"

"I don't like ruining surprises." Rais laughed, Altair sighed. He reached into the pack hanging on the back of his hip, pulling out a small, worn leather book. "Was quite surprised you had me steal something Malik. Not quite like you." he made his way towards Malik, book outstretched.

"Well, I didn't think the church officials were going to let us look at it or possibly borrow it." Malik took the item, then shoved it into Altair's chest. "Something else for you to study."

Altair moaned, "Why do you hate me so?"

"Next order of business. I want to start heading back to Masayf." The other assassin's looked at Alain, perplexed. Why would he be heading back to Masayf with them, instead of staying in Acre?

Malik chuckled to himself. "I also wanted to tell you, my leadership is going to run a bit differently. Not to sure what the proper term would be, but it's something I thought would be beneficial to keep me in check."

"So you don't end up turning us into puppets?" Rais joked, already back to leaning against the wall. "That wasn't a very fun experience." he grimaced.

"Haha, and that's one of the main reasons. Alain, as our eldest and wisest assassin," Alain smirked triumphantly. "Will be at my right hand. Along with you Rais, a skilled and experienced assassin, teacher, and someone I trust the most. Altair, you as well. I need someone with your skill. Someone who has seen the power of the Piece of Eden. And Abyad, you to my brother. You may not have as many duties as the others, but you will be traveling with them, and helping us very much."

Abyad's grin nearly stretched to both of his ears. Rais nodded, smiling contently, "Such an honor, Master."

Altair seemed shocked more than anything. He looked at Malik, who smiled back. His friend's smile gave him some ease of mind. "But still--" Altair stuttered out. "Why have me studying? Come on Malik, you've yet to answer me."

Malik jumped off the counter, patting Altair's head. "I have a few things to take care in Acre still. Start reading! Abyad, you're with me."

"Malik! No! Get back here!"

Rais skipped out of the bureau. "I need to go find my stupid bird!"

"Malik!! You—gah. I hate you." Altair pouted, watching as the others left him alone with Alain. He turned to the older man, "Do you know why?"

"Get off my counter."

*Alain is what I'm naming the Acre's bureau leader. I looked on IMDB and used his voice actors name. :] Not sure if it mentions the characters name in the credit...but ah wells.

*Amalut was sorta like the Assassin's Guild in Masayf, yet they had granted the real "Al Mualim's" leadership. Apparently they had a bad-a fortress around...Turkey? I already forgot the research I did...