Chapter 9 - Soulbound

"Sir, if we push any harder, we could lose the Subject." Voices, faint. I could hear concern in that man's voice. Whoever he may be... "We already got the location of the Apple. We don't need to do this! We can't risk killing her."

"Keep going. We need to find out exactly how the traps were triggered."

I felt as though I was being violated. Stripped of everything, even if I had the clothes on my back. I was tired. Weak. How many more hours was I to stay in the Animus? A flash of light had answered my question.

"You can't let them have the information."

"I.. I can't fight anymore. They're winning."

"Says from the same woman who has been trained by the many."

Through the blinding light, there I was again. Standing in the Temple. Where Mahir had died, fighting for his Creed. The corpse of Mahir hidden under the rubble. Lifeless. Yet, behind me I could feel his presence. The light in the area had dimmed, showing Mahir's Ghost stare at his own lifeless figure.

"The Sword I found. Altair. He had it. That..." Mahir pointed towards the dark hallway. Where the exit. "... is the final memory I had before..."

A silent scene had played. The Crystal Piece of Eden Mahir had found was glowing. Out walked as a hologram was Minerva. Better known how I knew her, however- Athena. The Goddess of Wisdom. Mahir watched the scene play out again. "Minerva said I could see my family if I did as she pleased. Able to save my soul, but not my body."

"If they take the Apple, Alyssa... I will be in their hands."

I wanted to do anything in my power to reach out, support or comfort Mahir. Yet I knew I couldn't. There would be no way I could. "Mahir."

"You need to keep fighting." I could feel as though he was giving me life. "Together. We can accomplish what is necessary."

Mahir had rushed right into my body. I breathed. "SIR! We got a problem. The subject. She's..."

My eyes opened to the sound of rushing feet surrounding me. I didn't have time to collect my thoughts. HURRY! Was the only word in the back of my mind. A shine of light into my eyes. It burned, but enraged me. I grasped the flashlight, ramming it into an Abstergo Employee's face. I could feel my body being possessed by Mahir. He was doing this with his ability.

At least to the best of his ability. Still with the flashlight in my grasp, I used it as a blunt object to crack over another Employee's Skull. I took his gun and baton. Mahir may have not known how to shoot. Though I did... laser sight pointed at three Abstergo Men around me. Make your move.

Seconds passed as shots emptied. I was capable of taking down one with a headshot, the other was more reluctant as I beat him with the baton in my right hand, having the compatibility to shove him back. Giving me time to react as I shot him a few more times.

Though my brain was incapable of processing the shock, I was in survival mode. I needed to get out alive. Turning behind me, I saw the Employee who was keeping me in the Animus in order to gather the necessary data. He was more frightened by the fact of my actions.

"The datacore." My left hand extended. "Give it to me."

"Are you mad?" The man was going to burst into tears. "Your results in the Animus could change everything. EVERYTHING!"

I locked the ring hammer into the pistol I had, placing it to the man's head. "Does it look like I care?" I asked, demanding he do what's necessary. He failed to cooperate.

I mercilessly shot the man, watching him in pain. Though I didn't kill him as he would expect. I knew I couldn't risk him alerting his Teammates. I kicked him aside, hearing him whimper in pain as I proceeded to check out his computer.

As Mahir would have expected. They had information regarding the Crystal Apple. I made sure there wasn't anymore information regarding Mahir. I may not been able to hack, but anything recent was going to stay with me.

"Say one word unless directed, I will shot you." My voice had a bitter tone towards the Employee. "Maybe you should consider a career change."

Mahir was pulling me to the entrance of the Temple they were trying to access. I could feel familiar memories from him. This is where he had passed on... where he had died. Mahir was finally to his resting place once more. I gave a look around the walls of the Temple. Though, again Mahir didn't seem to waste anytime.

Using my body to climb, we found a small entryway into the sand-filled area. I knew and was convinced by now that Mahir was in full control as he used me to scavenge the place. I was allowed to sightsee for only brief moments as Mahir was reminiscing about his past.

Any trap that was set off was already activated. Even some recently as corpses of Templar Abstergo Employees could be found. How much I wanted to appreciate the scenery, though I know I would probably have better luck with scorpions. If there were any...

Templars already seemed to have made this a site in order to dig for the Apple. Though, from what I could tell. There wasn't much luck. Maybe they should have taken warning from the bones? Mahir was impressing me as he bypassed everything he may have seen before.

Maybe he was just an expert Tomb Raider. Uncharted Archeological Explorer sounded more accurate. I was more or less still in awe that here I was.. Asyut, Egypt. I wanted to explore, but Mahir was reminding me we were on a tight schedule. Quickly traversing walls and leaps only a parkour expert would know. I was amazed at what he could accomplish with his ability to possess.

Sliding down through passage ways and into several untouched chambers, we had arrived. There Mahir was.. his bones. Body only containing what was left of his Creed's symbolism. Though I wasn't all saddened at the time. I felt myself gasp for air as Mahir departed from me, to examine his grave. I never realized how much strength Mahir was giving me until now.

Laying on the ground with Mahir and his Grave insight, I ached. Watching as Mahir pointed to his bones. "In there. The Apple is still here." His spirit walked up to me, knowing there were limits, though with time constraints, we needed to escape before Templars would follow.

We pushed, pulled and grunted our way through the remaining rubble. From there I saw a faint shine. It pulsed as I reached for it. That must have been it... the Crystal Apple. As our hands pulled it out, I could see a blue shimmer that shot into my eyes.

"Far too long have I waited for you, Keeper. It's good to know we could depend on you. Your job, however is not done. You must meet up with Seeker. He has knowledge of how to end this with the Apples he was acquiring, though one deigned for a winning strategy."

I could feel warmth around me. Something or someone had pulled Mahir straight out of my body and into the Apple. "Mahir has done his part and has earned his rest. Soon he will be with his family." I felt. Panic. "You must do what is necessary. Use your Eagle Vision I just granted you a way to seek out the remaining Pieces to the Puzzle. There is not much time!"

The Temple trembled as a sonicboom was released from the Apple. I had collapsed to the ground, my mind was willing, but my body wasn't capable to sustain anymore damage. I was hearing faint voices, urging me to press forward. Forcing myself to my feet, I knew Minerva wouldn't give me information here.

Crawling my way out of the Temple. I found myself at the entrance again. My stomach had dropped though. The injured Employee I took down before wasn't there. Instead I was met with lasers to my body, I was surrounded. I could hear the clicking of guns. Swallowing hard, I dropped my head.

Words were spoken. Though inaudible. I knew I wasn't going to get out alive. For once in my existence, I didn't cry out of fear or hurt, but of joy. "Sam Fisher... Solid Snake... Mahir Al-Saqr Sayyid... Altair Ibn La-Ahad..." I watched my tears drop to the sand under me. "Thank you. All of you... I couldn't thank you all enough..."

Sharp sounds entered my brain. What was that? Templars around me all acted in different ways. They couldn't take the sound either. It wasn't one of their devices. The sound had made me sick to my stomach, but just as it soon ended, I saw a remaining Templar that was still standing, pointing his Assault Rifle right to my head. There was no time to react.

Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Does our creed provide the answer, then? That one may be two things – opposite in every way – simultaneously? And why not? Am I not proof? We of noble intentions, possessed of barbaric means? We who celebrate the sanctity of life and then promptly take it from those we deem our enemies?

Gunshots. My ears were ringing. My body, falling limp. Shadows rushing to my view as my eyesight faded. My heart was slowing. Someone picked me up, The last thing before the flash of light was the breeze of wind brushing against my skin.