Hey everybody! This is my first AC fic, so please give me advice if I'm doing something wrong. Thanks!
Assassin's Creed | Assassin's Creed | Assassin's Creed | Assassin's Creed | Assassin's Creed
Altaїr cursed as he rattled his chains for what felt like the millionth time. Shaking violently with pain and hunger, the former assassin collapsed back against the dirty wall of his cell. Rough brick and stone left their dirt and grime on his skin, making it feel slimy and disgusting, but Altaїr was losing the ability to care.
It had been ages since the horrors of Kadar's death and Malik's injury. Ages since Altaїr had been locked away to suffer by Al Mualim. Memories of that terrible day surfaced unbidden, and Altaїr moaned in agony. Hot tears scalded the shamed and demoted assassin's eyes. Altaїr longed for the warm caress of the sun on his skin, for the feeling of wind playing over his face. Such small things made him feel so envious of those who were free that Altaїr would gladly have traded anything to feel them again.
Above all, Altaїr longed for the friendship and comradery of his assassin brothers.
"Malik," Altaїr whispered achingly, "I am so sorry for what I did!"
Knowing that Malik couldn't hear him didn't stop the former assassin. He just needed to hear something besides the sound of footsteps outside his cell. With a sob, he continued; "I was so rash, so foolish. My mistakes cost you so much...if only you could hear me, and I could tell you how sorry I am!"
Breaking the Creed had been so easy at the time. So simple. But it had caused terrible amounts of damage to both Altaїr and the Brotherhood. How stupid it had been to spit in the face of rules established by men wiser than himself. Malik had probably chosen to leave Masyaf, in favor of starting a new life elsewhere. He'd probably never forgive the man who killed his brother and taken his arm.
Each breath made Altaїr shudder with revulsion. It stank down here, where fresh air never reached and dead vermin littered the cold earth floor. Darkness permeated everything, making it impossible to see without a torch. Altaїr couldn't tell the difference between when his eyes were open and when they were closed. The air, the stone, everything was cold and dark and harsh.
Thump, thump, thump!
Altaїr flinched, startled by the sudden sound of footsteps. Frightened, he pressed himself against the solid firmness of the wall. The cold, slimy stone only served to make him feel worse. The sound of his cell door being opened caused terror to flood the Syrian man's veins.
As the door opened light - bright, blinding light - filled and overwhelmed Altaїr's senses. Blinking wildly, Altaїr threw up a hand to protect his eyes. The black metal chains that bound his wrists jangled at the movement. Laughter sounded in front of the Syrian man, causing him to whimper in fear and cringe away. He'd become a laughingstock among the Brotherhood for his failure to follow the Creed.
Suddenly, a hard kick drove all of the air from Altaїr's lungs. He gave a pained yelp and fell flat on his stomach, feeling the earth benath his fingers and against his face.
Jeers and hoots sounded above the former assassin, the mocking of those he'd left behind:
"This thing used to be one of us?"
"Impossible! It looks as though it has never seen the light of day before!"
With each breath, Altaїr prayed in anguish, Allah, please...let me redeem myself. Give me some sign of hope!