Ruins
"How could they let this happen...?"
Arianna Auditore's question lingered in the air unanswered. She looked out from under her hood at Roma from a vantage point outside of the city, the once beautiful and gleaming city. Now it was just pathetic. Many of the buildings were crumbling and falling apart, the glimmer and gold gone. More than half of the population was begging on the streets in a sickly fashion, and the other part of the people were far too rich with money literally exploding from their purses. Dogs and death ran through the streets, and corruption was around every corner, seeping into the minds of the weak. Which was pretty much every person in Roma.
As the setting sun disappeared behind the city, it didn't give off the same glow. Before, from Arianna's memory, watching the sun set behind Roma was a spectacle for the ages. The city itself seemed to be soaking up the sun it glowed so magnificently.
Closing her eyes and picturing the sight, the young Assassin smiled slightly. She sighed with longing, running her hands up and down her arms. Arianna blew a slow, yearning breath from her lips before opening her eyes again. She glanced away from the sad city, her eyes falling on her fellow Assassin that joined her. Frederico Vazzeti was sitting on the cliff's ledge. He finished his Assassin training a few weeks ago now, so he was allowed to go on more important missions and receive assassination contracts. Right now, though, Arianna and Frederico were assigned to patrol the city. Now, he was leaning back on his palms, shaking his head in disgust.
"God only knows." He muttered, finally answering her inquiry. "When we rid Roma of the filthy Borgia," He paused and spat on the ground. "Then we Assassins can restore this city to what it once was."
Arianna moved over to him and knelt down. He looked up at her, his hood down, and Arianna found herself breathless. This usually happened when his grey-blue eyes locked with her own dark brown ones, and she never wanted to look away. Then, she remembered the advice her father gave her a while back: "Assassins and love, it just doesn't work, Arianna." He told her solemnly. Arianna turned her head away and stood up. Frederico watched her, a look of hurt flashing briefly across his face.
"We should be getting back," Arianna said quickly, already preparing to jump off the cliff.
"I suppose," Frederico murmured reluctantly.
Then, she jumped. Her hood fell back slightly as the wind blew about her face. The ground flew up to her quickly, and she landed perfectly into a roll before springing up. Frederico landed right beside her in the same fashion, throwing his grey hood up. With both of their faces obscured, the Assassins ran towards the city. Night had fallen by now, and they slowed down as the lanterns and candles of the city lit up.
They blended in with ease, making their way to yet another Borgia tower. And the Battle of the Assassins for Roma continued on.
***