I do now own any Assassin's Creed characters except for Moira Frye.
Autumn was getting extremely colder this time of year and seemed like it winter was going to come earlier. Moira was never fond of the cold and certainly didn't like it when the house grew cold with the weather. Even the fire roaring in the fireplace didn't seem to help much with the gloomy atmosphere. She brought her shawl closer to her as she prepared tea for her and Jacob to at least warm them a little. As she waited for the tea to steep in the boiling water, she decided to peek on him to she how he was doing. Glancing in at him in his study, he was hunched over his desk as he read the newspaper with a hardened gaze. There was something wrong but she had no idea what it was. This has been going on for a couple weeks now. She knew that he was still upset that their children left home to go and create new futures for themselves. Moira was still heartbroken too but she knew that she had to let her children grow and was happy for them. She knew Jacob was happy for them too and supported their decisions but he missed them terribly. Though that wasn't what was bothering the Master Assassin, it was something else. Moira was worried about him since he hardly ate or slept and would be out a lot. They would always share everything together but he was being hush hush about what was torturing him.
Moira made her way back into the kitchen and gathered everything together on the tea tray. She wanted to do everything in her power to get Jacob to smile and be happy again. Moira pick up the tea tray and walked back towards his study. He was still focused on the newspaper even as she entered.
"I made some tea, Jacob," Moira said softly as she placed the tray on his desk.
He quickly folded up the newspaper he was reading and looked at her with hazel eyes, "Thank you, darling."
Moira poured them each a cup then pulled a chair next him to be near him. They drank their tea in silence which was out of the norm for the couple since they always had something to talk about. Moira didn't like this one bit and knew she had to talk to him and find out what was bothering him. This wasn't them at all. Where was her beloved free spirit she fell in love with? Now he seemed withdrawn and even frightened. She placed her tea cup on the desk then took his free hand into hers. Jacob looked at her to see the saddened look on his wife's face. He knew full well she was worried about him but he couldn't involve her with the terror that was at hand. Moira felt his other hand upon her cheek, stroking it gently. She always loved it when he was gentle with her like this and would always relax her. Jacob smiled softly to himself when she melted against his touch.
"I'm worried about you, Jacob," Moira spoke up gently, "I know it's not just James and Alice leaving home. It's more than that and you're not telling me."
"Moira... there really is nothing wrong," Jacob tried to reassure her.
"Don't tell me that," Moira replied a little harshly, "You're quiet, you rarely sleep and you're always gone... I wish you would tell me what is wrong... I am your wife... your partner..."
He could feel his heart sink when she said this. He felt horrible for keeping this a secret from his wife. They have been through many things and face so much together in the twenty five years they've known each other and twenty years of marriage. Though this time, he had to face it alone or else Moira would be killed. He couldn't lose her, she was the only one nearest and dearest to him right now. When James and Alice had approached him and Moira about traveling the world and seeing what was out there, he fully supported them but he couldn't help but feel like he lost a part of himself. When Moira had James, Jacob was devoted to being a father and husband while still maintaining his Assassin life. He was ecstatic when he also had a daughter that he could dote on and protect. He loved his family and would do anything for them even when he had to let his children go so they could finally live their lives. All he had now was Moira and he was not going to let anything happen to her.
He stroked her cheek lightly still as he looked into her eyes, "There is a lot going on right now but it is being taken care of."
Moira pulled away from his touch and looked away, "That doesn't answer my question. What is going on?"
Jacob sighed and looked down, "I don't want you concerned with this, Moira. You could get hurt or even killed."
"Which means you could be too," Moira added as she looked back at him with upset eyes.
"I'll be fine," Jacob replied, "I know that I can take care of this."
Moira heaved a heavy sigh then stood up, "Fine, I understand."
"Moira," Jacob started with a frown.
"No. I can see I'll be in the way," Moira said placing everything back onto the tea tray and ready to take it back to the kitchen.
"That's not true!" Jacob growled as he stood up and grabbed her arm. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against him, "I want you by my side for this but it is complicated."
Moira was silent which made it more tense between the couple. Jacob shut his eyes only to hold her tighter against him. Damnit, why did this have to happen now when their hearts were already broken? He didn't want to start a fight with Moira but he didn't want to tell her what was going on or else she would leave in the middle of the night and possibly be killed. He had to protect her even if it had cost him his own life. He nuzzled the top of her head, "Moira, I love you. I want you safe."
Moira set her head on his chest and took in a deep breath as she clutched onto his coat. She couldn't believe he was still resisting telling her what was bothering him that could end his life. How did it come to this where her husband kept secrets from her? She felt one of his arms leave her waist and heard him open his pocket watch. She heard him heave a sigh as he closed the watch, "I have to go out, love. I'll be back soon."
"All right..." Moira replied in a hurt tone.
He kissed her forehead lovingly and set his head on top of hers, "I love you, Moira."
"I love you too, Jacob..." Moira said almost quietly.
He placed another kiss on her forehead before letting go of her and headed out of his study. Moira sat back down in her chair only to look at her hands. Why was this happening? Why was any of this happening? Moira felt like her whole family was falling apart. First, her two children, who were her whole world, had left and now her husband wasn't telling her about a situation where he could be killed. Tears welled in her dark blue eyes as she felt lost at this moment and for once didn't know what to do. She blinked back her tears then began to make her way up to the bedroom to grab one of her books. At least this way she could get lost in her own imagination. Little did she know, she was being watched.
Jacob hated leaving Moira like that after they were in the middle of a serious discussion but he needed to talk to the one who has been making matters worse. He rubbed his gloved hands together to warm them from the freezing autumn night. He then heard footsteps cobblestones and voices of one of the men he needed to speak to. This was his chance to help put a stop to some of this madness and began to follow one of the elderly men closely.
"Mr. Weaversbrook, I know you have been publishing the Ripper's letters," Jacob said sternly.
"I have told you to stay away from me," Arthur replied angrily while continuing to walk faster.
Jacob then grabbed the man forcibly by the arm and looked at him with intense hazel eyes, "Stop publishing his letters! You are turning an unknown miscreant into a legend and that is exactly what he wants!"
"Get away from me!" Arthur shouted as she tore away from Jacob's grasp and briskly walked off.
Jacob ran a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated growl. He looked up to see snow was beginning to fall from the sky then sighed heavily. Jacob knew he had to end this quickly before it got any worse than it needed to be. He walked along the street until he heard a familiar voice call to him, making him turn to the direction of the cries only to see Nellie. Fear was evident in the young woman's eyes and he knew exactly why too.
Nellie caught up to him, nearly out of breath then gazed up at him desperately, "Jacob, thank God I found you. It's the Ripper... he's done it again..."
Exactly what Jacob had feared and told Nellie to lead him to where the Ripper struck. She hastily made her way towards the place where the Ripper had taken his victims' lives only to see police surrounding and investigating the area. Nellie looked at the bodies of her fallen sisters and gasped, "No... not Katey... and... and Lizzie too... not in the same night..."
Jacob couldn't believe that there were more victims of this monster's bloodlust. He was damn tired of it all and just wanted it to end. Though he couldn't let anyone else get hurt, especially not Nellie. Jacob then placed his hands on Nellie's shoulders to pull her away from the mutilated corpses and looked into her eyes.
"Nellie, remember what we have talked about," Jacob whispered to her then place a bag of shillings in her hand, "Now, go!"
Nellie looked at him with concern in her eyes before nodding and running off. Jacob watched her run off till she was no longer in sight then turned to look at the wall. He noticed something that was written on the wall and used his eagle vision to get a better look at it. It was a note; from the Ripper.
'How many more Assassins must die before you see the truth?'
Jacob glared at the message that was taunting him and knew that the Ripper was watching him right at this moment. Jacob had sent his best Assassins against the Ripper only to have them slaughtered by his hand. At this rate, him and Moira were the only Assassins left. Then it hit him, causing him to start moving. He had to get back home, feeling like something bad was going happen to Moira if he didn't get back in time. Jacob wouldn't put it past the madman to go after his wife. He knew that he also needed her help with this now since it was out of his grasp now. He also hoped to God that his letter to Evie would get her here in enough time. Jacob then began to run back home as the Ripper watched Jacob race off, knowing exactly where the Master Assassin was going.
"You should have believed, Jacob," he said in a dark tone, "Now, I will hunt you down."
Jacob could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he ran, feeling the presence behind him and glared forward before calling out, "I know you're there, Jack! The master of terror afraid to show himself, is he?!"
"I am your shadow, Jacob!" Jack called out to him, "I will gut every last one if that's the quickest way to you!"
Jacob ignored what he said, knowing that he was insane. He threw down a few smoke bombs to try and slow down Jack's tracks on him. Jacob knew that he couldn't keep running from the lunatic and he did have to face him before anything else happened. He stopped in a cemetery and waited for Jack to tail him into the area. Hazel eyes widened with shock when he saw Jack drag the corpse of a police officer to the entrance of the graveyard. The Master Assassin knew that he had had enough of all this.
"Stop!" Jacob shouted angrily, "You want me, Jack?! Come and kill me!"
Jack dropped the officer's body then pulled his knife out from his coat, making his way over to Jacob. He managed to dodge Jack's first knife strike and landed a few strikes on him. Jacob did his best to fend off Jack's flurry of punches and barely dodging his knife swipes and threw a few punches himself. He managed to stun Jack then threw a smoke bomb, making his getaway. Jack was not happy about this at all, wanting to shed some blood for the one who had wronged him. He began to chase after Jacob once again and following where he left shadows. He then made it to the streets to see Jacob getting away on a carriage. Jack then smirked and chuckled to himself.
"Scurry back to your hole, little mouse," Jack growled, "I'm sure you'll like the surprise I left for you."
Jacob wished the horses would go faster since he had to get back to Moira as quickly as he could. Jack had gotten worse with each passing day and was no longer the Jack he knew. His initiate turned the vision of the Creed into a sick and demented view, going against everything that Jacob had taught him. Jack also learned a little too well from him and knew that his student was stronger than him. Once he arrived back home, he burst through the door and looked around for Moira. His heart felt like it was going to burst from his chest as he looked around for her. He made it into the living room to see she was in a heap on the floor and not moving.
"Moira!" Jacob cried as he was immediately by her side and stroked her hair away from her face, shaking his head, "No... no, no, no..."
Moira opened her eyes to look up at Jacob, tears welling in her eyes, "Jacob..."
"Moira! Thank God," Jacob let out a shaky sigh and kissed her forehead, "We need to get out of here, now."
He moved to help her stand but she screamed in agony which frightened him, "Moira! What's wrong!?"
"I... I can't move... my legs," Moira sobbed.
He looked at her in horror, "Why!?"
"Her legs are broken so she wouldn't have the ability to flee," a voice chuckled from the entryway of the living room.
Jacob whipped his head up to see Jack and grit his teeth, "You did this to her, you monster!?"
"She was the perfect target really," Jack said bringing out his knife and gazed at it, "She was all alone as she was reading her book. Crying and heartbroken to where she couldn't even fight back. So I decided to be fair and only broke her legs."
"You think that was fair!?" Jacob shouted.
"I also want to bring you anguish," Jack explained twirling the knife on his index finger slowly, "Those whores weren't enough... why not go after your little wife? I'll make you watch as I gut her just like the others."
"Keep her out of this!" Jacob snarled, "She has no part in this!"
"Oh but she does, Jacob," Jack said approaching the Master Assassin, "And you know it."
Jacob looked away from Jack and back down at Moira who was doing her best to keep her eyes open. He knew she was going into shock from the pain. He had to act quickly so he could get her out of here and to a hospital. Jacob pulled away from her then rose to face Jack, glaring at him with fiery eyes. Jack then leapt at Jacob, brandishing his knife to try and stab him in the chest. They struggled fiercely for a few minutes until Jack managed to throw Jacob aside. Jacob was now stunned to where Jack could make his move but the madman cried out in pain. He looked at his shoulder to see that there was a throwing knife lodged in his flesh. He looked to see Moira heaving her breathe heavily with a pouch full of throwing knives and her glaring at him with watery blue eyes. He pulled the knife from his shoulder and made his way over to her, ready to finish her off. Jack approached the Assassin who had no fear in her eyes but only anger and hate. He hated that the most to where he couldn't frighten his victim. Jack grabbed her by her hair and wrenched her up into a seated position, causing her to cry out.
He was face to face with her and stared coldly into her eyes, "Why won't you give up!? I've taken your ability to walk and about to slaughter you!"
"Because I don't give up to a monster like you," Moira spat as her gaze was just as intense as his.
"You're the monster!" Jack shouted at her then stuck Moira in the stomach with the knife.
"No!" Jacob cried from behind Jack.
Jack let go of Moira, causing her to land on the floor and clutching her wound. He tried to run to her but Jack grabbed Jacob by the throat and forced him to the floor. Jacob clutched Jack's arm and looked into those murderous eyes that send shivers up the Assassin's spine. Jacob heard Moira coughing and turned to look at her spitting up blood and putting pressure on her stab wound causing tears to form in his eyes.
"Are you ready to watch your wife die before your eyes?" Jack growled.
Jacob breathed heavily and continued to watch Moira who was crying and looking at her husband with desperation. He couldn't save her, he couldn't save his beloved from this madman. Tears spilled from his eyes as he saw her like this then saw Jack walk over to her, his knife shining in the dim candlelight. Jacob tried his hardest to move towards them but his body ached from Jack's assault on him. Moira bit her lip and looked at Jacob, letting out small whimpers. She weakly raised her arm towards him then coughed up more blood.
"Jacob..." Moira choked out as she reached her hand out to him.
"Moira!" Jacob cried reaching for her. It wasn't going to end like this and he wasn't going to let his lover die, "Take me instead! Let her live!"
Jack then looked back at Jacob and quirked a brow, "You love her that much to throw your life away?"
"I do... I vowed to keep her safe..." Jacob replied as he continued to look at his wife, "I would do anything for her... even dying..."
Moira sobbed as she heard him say that and shook her head slowly, wishing she could move and take care of this lunatic. Jack glanced from Jacob to Moira who was bleeding profusely and many tears were being shed. He then looked back at Jacob, smirking to himself. Jack knew full well that Moira would be dead within the hour with her wounds and Jacob would be easy picking. This was perfect to take care of the two people who have wronged him in the past.
"All right, I will spare her pathetic life in order to take yours," Jack replied. He looked down at Moira who was still sobbing and reaching for Jacob. He sneered at her then brought the heel of his boot down on her face, knocking her out. Jack could heard Jacob spew profanities at him then walked back over to the fallen Assassin, placing his gloved hand back on Jacob's throat, "She doesn't have much longer to live so I put her to sleep so she would go peacefully. You on the other hand, won't be so lucky, Jacob."
Tears continue to stream from his eyes and turned his gaze to his fallen wife. He mentally apologized to her and thought about how much he loved her. He failed in everything that he did from taking down the Ripper to making sure that Moira was safe. He couldn't do what he vowed to do so many years ago and had let so many down. He failed London, he failed the people he cared for and he had failed his partner. He looked back up at Jack to see the knife being brought down on him.
A/N: All right, so here is the first chapter of the Jack the Ripper sequel. Whooo! *throws confetti* I am super excited about this story and I hope that you guys are too. What will happen now? Find out soon!