greetings fellow readers and Assassins in training, today i present to you-

Altair: just get on with it already.

Moonlight: okay...i had been contemplating to upload this story before i finished it or after, but i just got tired of waiting...so here it is!

Altair: hopefully, people will read this and i can return to my normal time, so if you don't want me to die, give this story a shot! PLEASE, I BEG OF U!

malik: oh relax u big novice, stop being a drama queen.

altair: ...

moonlight: disclaimer: i am proud to say that assassin's creed was created by Canadians, but even though i am a fellow Canadian, i had no part in the creation of this wonderful game...though my cousin did...curse u!


OF

STRONGER

PAINS

The tyrant king

He was a king amongst his people, everyone bowed down to the master in fear of their lives. He would sit upon his throne of bodies, maliciously smiling at the innocents in front of him that would surely be added to the ever growing pile of death. He held his arms in the most deadly of manners, digits laced together though a finger was noticeably missing on the left hand. He could hear the crowd of people scream in terror of this strong, powerful man. He scanned the gathering until he laid his eyes upon one who stood out amongst the rest. Her violet orbs fixated on his stormy grey turned golden ones. The unsaid question held in them seemed to ask,

"What have you done?"

Though no response came from the deadly tyrant king.


1191AD

The apple of Eden, a term quite familiar to me. Sometimes that is all my father talks about, I can see it in his eyes that he wants it, and he will go far lengths to get what he wants.

The day was slowly drudging on as the eagles circled the north tower with grace, and calculated precision. From the windowsill I would watch as the assassins would come and go, delivering message of their success or failure. Out in the courtyard, the novices would train hard, ready to take on a mission which I knew they weren't prepared for. I too was once in their position .I trained tirelessly to get to where I am today, only to find out I am forbidden to go out on missions. My father worries too much when he knows he can trust me to come home safely.

The air is crisp and cold, odd for a city like Masyaf. Mist covers the ground in droplets and it is almost impossible to see through the thick fog that capes the land like a shroud. I had a feeling something was going to happen today, and it would not be pleasant.

"Abia, your father calls for you." Aisha, the maid informs me.

"My thanks to you." I bow and saunter towards my father's library.

The walk is quite long, considering that I am located on the other side of the fort. When I arrive, my father is standing back to me, eyes looking out the window.

"You summoned me father?" I ask quietly, patiently waiting for him to acknowledge me.

"Yes I did, my dear daughter." He slowly turns around, eyes still fixed on the window.

I smile but it feels out of place.

"Do you know what day it is today?"

"Why, no I don't father, please explain." I ask confused.

He sighs and paces the floor leisurely. "Today is the day we finally claim victory. I have sent my best men to retrieve Robert de sable's prized treasure, a piece of Eden." His eyes lighten at the words like a child does when they receive a new toy.

"I am very happy for you father, but if I may ask, what does a piece of Eden do?"

He chuckles, but it sounds harsh and forced, nothing about it is pleasant.

"Pieces of Eden were created by the First civilization, an ancient but advanced race of beings that lived on earth long before humanity. They were the ones who created humans, and enslaved them by using those very pieces."

"But doesn't that go against what the assassins' stand for; freedom is the right of everyone?"

"Well not really when we are using it to create peace in this world." My father assures though it does him no justice.

"I don't exactly feel right about this 'piece of Eden' and I strongly believe that it won't succeed." I admit rather bluntly.

He scowls and slaps me across the face, hard enough to leave red marks on the skin.

"Do not disagree with what your father is saying, I am superior to you and you will not go against my decisions is that clear?" he yells angrily.

I wince and nod in understanding. He sighs and calms himself down.

"Good, now return to your room at once." He commands.

"As you wish father, I apologize for acting out of place."

"You are forgiven, now you are free to leave."

I bow, and hurriedly return to my quarters, silently wishing to give that old man what he deserves, may it be death or not.


Altaïr

The gates to Masyaf were visible through the thick clouds that surrounded them, something that I dreaded at the moment. No assassin wants to return home to his master with an empty hand, an empty blade, and two men less than he started with.

The town's people were worried; out of place from this peaceful city.

Something must be coming I thought rather worriedly to myself. But as quick as it came, I shoved the thought out of my head; continuing onward towards the fort.

"How is he doing that?" people would whisper as I leapt gracefully from roof top to roof top. It is the fastest way to reach the citadel, though maybe that is something I should avoid.

The city is so unrecognizable that I wonder if I even am in the right place, thought the fort assures me otherwise. That is something that never changes; with its behemoth immovable structure, it towers over the rest of the small community, rousing fear from the many who try to enter it. Assassins line the walls of the stronghold, keen eyes not missing anything. Nothing is deadlier than a trained killer with every possible advantage on their side.

"The master awaits you." A young assassin informs me at the foot of the hill, though I swiftly walk by as if he never even existed. I don't have time to associate myself with others lower ranks than I.

I dash ever so quietly through the archway, feet a blur, as I nearly knock down an assassin running the other way. "Fool!" he shouts with a fist in the air, though I ignore it.

When the last step is reached, I look up; noticing that the once clear crystal blue sky is now as stormy and grey as my eyes. There was only one other time that I remember it being so dreary, an event that I would never speak of again. An eagle is circling the large tower. And within that tower, holds a girl who is resting her arms on the window pane, eyes fixated on the creature before her. She suddenly snaps out a limb and the bird perches itself atop the extended appendage, curiously eyeing her as she ruffles its wings. She sets the eagle free and continues her gazing with an almost saddened look.

Though I don't know her, I wonder how life might be like to be locked in a tower all day, not being able to go farther than the little space granted. No freedom. If I was in her place I would surely go insane. The girl looks down at me suddenly, violet eyes set ablaze with an emotion I can recognize. Pain. Though not just any pain, it is the worst kind of pain. Not the pain you feel when a blade slices at your skin or a bone breaks in two, but the emotional pain that can never heal and will stay etched in your mind forever, scar you for life.

She looks away, breaking her hold on my eyes and I slowly continue my way up the steps to Al Mualim's library.

My feet barely make a sound as I agilely run up the many steps. The master is burying his face in a book when I reach the spacious room.

"Ah, Altair it is safe to say that you completed the mission?" the master asked me quickly.

I looked down at my feet in shame "Well…not exactly." The master seemed surprised by my answer, his eyes widening considerably.

"What do you mean child? The treasure?"

"Lost to us."

"And Robert?"

"escaped."

He is still for a moment thinking things over I presume.

"Do you know how important this mission was? And I send you, my best man to complete it and all you come back with is apologies and excuses! Unacceptable!" the master shouts angrily.

"I did-"

"Do not speak, not another word! This is not what I expected… we'll need to mount another force."

"I swear to you I'll find him! I'll go in-"

"No, you do nothing. You've done enough... Where are Malik and Kadar?" the master asks abruptly, noticing that neither is with me.

"Dead."

"No, not dead." Malik answers breathlessly from behind, shocking us both.

"Malik-"

"I still live at least."

"And your brother?" Al Mualim questions

"Gone, because of you!" He points a finger in my direction, his voice on the verge of breaking. I notice how his left arm has been injured horrifically to the point where he may no longer be able to use it.

"Robert threw me from the roof; there was no way back, nothing I could do!" I reason with the obviously devastated man.

"Because you would not hear my warning! All of this could have been avoided! And my brother…my brother would still be alive!"

My eyes narrow at this man's accusations.

"Your arrogance nearly cost us victory today."

"Nearly?" The master's eyes spark in interest.

"I brought what your favorite failed to find, here take it. Though it seems I have returned with more than just their treasure."

"Master! We are under attack! Robert de sable is seen throughout Masayaf's village!" an assassin shouts anxiously.

"So he seeks a battle, very well. I will not deny him. Go, inform the others, the fortress must be prepared." The Master commands.

The assassin bows and hurries off to warn the others. The master turns towards me.

"As for you Altair, our discussion will have to wait. You must make for the village. Destroy these traders, drive them from our home!"

"It will be done." And with that I take my leave to the now frantic village of Masyaf.

The city is on high alert as templars and citizens run amuck. Innocents litter the streets, their life's blood pooling the ground, turning it red. It is like hell on earth. I run as quickly as I can when I meet up with others at the gate.

"Altair, it is good you've come! We need your help!" the man asks desperately.

"What's happened?"

"…The templars. They attacked the village. Most of our people were able to get away. Most, but not all."

"What do you need me to do?" I inquire.

"Distract the templars, keep them occupied while I rescue those still trapped inside." The assassin explains

"As you wish." I answer coldly, and run toward the horde of templars coming this way.

The adrenaline pulses through my veins as I smell the sweet stench of blood and death in the air. I feel as I slice through templar skin and bone, ending their life on the spot. Wonders can happen when you hold the life of someone in your hands, when you decide to let them live or not. It is some sort of empowerment that could really change your view on life, like how it is too short and in a snap everything could be lost. Memories start flowing back, from a time before this.

-Flash back-

It was a weird day, in the small town that I had called home. Clouds hung over the land like a haze that wouldn't lift. Masyaf wasn't known to have weather like this, and I was wondering if my grey garbs would be enough to elude me of this sudden chill. The air was moist and crisp in place of stuffy and hot.

"Altair" a courier assassin called.

"Yes?"

"I was sent to inform you that you must return to the fortress immediately."

"What for?" I questioned, confused.

"The master would not tell me. You must speak with him at once for more information on this matter."

"My thanks to you." I bowed and hurried to the fortress of Masyaf.

"Master!" I called breathlessly when I reached the library.

"Ah Altair, please come in."

"But father!" a young girl pleaded.

"Not now child I have to deal with an important matter."

The girl huffed and stomped angrily away, muttering something about being rejected.

"What is the matter at hand sir?" I inquire worriedly.

"Altair, I need you to return to your home town for a while. I regret to inform you that both of your parents were killed in a templar raid."

Silence.

"Give them a proper burial and return here at once."

"Yes sir."

I dismount off the white steed that carried me to the small nameless town as I enter. Tired and weary, I search for any signs of life after the templar raid that killed my only real family. I search for their bodies and locate them in a nearby Brooke, laying them down on the burned soil. By the looks of it, this did not happen today, the water has been stained red by all the life's blood spilled into it. They are almost not even recognizable, my father's face is pierced through one eye and a gash runs straight down the middle where his head was split open. My mother is missing the bottom half of her jaw and a sword impales her chest. It looks like a war zone. I stare at their lifeless bodies, and the worst part is that I feel nothing, nothing at all. No pain, no anger, no sorrow, no devastation. It's just blank, as if I have never even known them.

As if my mother was not the one who cared for me up until the age of sixteen. As if my father never taught me the essentials of life. And that is when I realize that I am empty. Just a hollow shell of a man with no emotions. I can never love, never feel loved and never be loved. The only love I have ever thought was real was really nothing at all. No attachment once so ever. I look around at the destroyed remains of a once standing community, and still feel nothing. I gaze at the brutally marred bodies of the children that I grew up with and still not shed a tear. And this is the first event that turned my heart to stone.

The hollowness of that day was what killed me .I didn't even bother burying their bodies; I just left them and returned to the fortress, my new and only real home. The grey skies mourned for them when they knew I couldn't. And I never would be able to again.

-Flashback ends-

I shake my head furiously to rid myself of these memories, and carry on with my desired task.

"Altair come, Al Mualim is not done with us yet." An assassin calls from the tower.

"Where are we going?"

"Up there, we have a surprise planned for our guests. Just do as I do, it should become clear soon enough." He motions towards a ladder.

Once I reach the top, I am greeted by others standing on the edge of wooden planks overlooking the angry mob of templars.

"Stand on that platform Altair." The man instructs me. That's when it is clear to me that we will be performing a leap of faith.

"Give back what you have stolen from me!" the templar head screeches at my master.

"You have no claim to it Robert! Take yourself from here before I am forced to thin your ranks further." Al Mualim warned with caution.

"YOU PLAY A DAGEROUS GAME!" Robert threatened darkly.

"I assure you, this is no game!"

"So be it! Bring forth the hostage!" A man stepped out from behind Robert, and I watched as he was sliced in the back, falling to his bitter end.

"Your village lies in ruins! How long before your fort crumbles from within? When the wells run dry and the food is gone?"

Al chuckles.

"My men do not fear death, Robert they welcome it, and the rewards it brings!"

"Good and they shall have it all around!"

"Follow me, and do so without hesitation." The assassin guides me.

Al Mualim turns towards us.

"Show this fool knight what it is to have no fear! Go to God!"

As if on cue, all of us plummet down to our "deaths" landing safely in a haystack.

"AIY OWW OH MY LEG!" an assassin whales in pain.

"Quiet or the templars will hear us." The assassin scolds the man.

"I'll stay behind Altair; you'll have to go ahead without us. There are ropes there; it'll bring you to a trap we set. Go and release it,"

I nimbly cross the rope paths that lead to the trap set by the others, careful not to rouse any suspicion. I then climbed a tall tower that held large cylinders within. Cutting the gate, I let them fall onto the opposing enemies below, causing them to fall back and retreat. We were victorious.

"You did well to drive Robert from here, his force is broken. It shall be a long while before he troubles us again. Tell me, do you know why it is that you're successful?"

"…"

"You listened! Were it that you listened in Solomon's temple Altair, all of this would have been avoided."

"I did as asked." I grumbled.

"No, you did as you pleased. Malik has told me of the arrogance you displayed, your disregard for our ways."

Two guards grab me roughly by the arms.

"What are you doing!" I shout in outbreak.

"There are rules. We are nothing if we do not abide by the assassin's creed! Three simple tenants, which you seem to forget." He clutches me roughly by the chin.

"I will remind you. First and foremost, stay your blade-"

"From the flesh of an innocent. I know." He slaps me hard across the face.

"And stay your tongue! Unless I give you leave to use it. If you are so familiar with this tenant, then why did you kill the old man inside the temple, he was innocent! He did not need to die!" I averted my gaze from his in shame.

"Your insolence knows no bounds, may humble your heart child, or I swear I will tear it from you with my own hands! The second tenant is that which gives us strength, hide in plain sight. Let the people mask you such that you become one with the crowd. Do you remember? 'Cause as I hear it, you chose to expose yourself! Drawing attention before you struck. The third and final tenant, the worst of all your betrayals, never compromise the brotherhood. Its meaning should be obvious. Your actions must never bring harm upon us, direct or indirect! Yet your selfish act beneath Jerusalem placed us all in danger! Worst still, you brought the enemy to our home! Every man we lost today was lost because of you!" he walks away and pulls a dagger from his pouch.

"I am sorry, truly I am. But I cannot abide a traitor!"

"I am NOT a traitor!" I exclaim, tugging on the guards' tight hold on my limbs.

Al shakes his head.

"Your actions indicate otherwise, and so you leave me no choice. Peace be upon you Altair." And he shoves the dagger deep into my stomach.

"UGH!" I screech as I feel my body falling limp to the ground, my end coming near. I look up at the still grey sky, hatred locked deep in my heart.

Nothing good ever happens on a cloudy day.


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