*NOT MY FIC*
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Info: Now that I have successfully disappointed everyone with Aveline's death, the end of this chapter is HAPPY ENDING TIME! Until then, this is sort of, Hannah's chapter. Kind of… It's also about revenge. And what could possibly be more fun than that? "ψ(｀∇´)ψ We will also learn about the Ring.
Song Recs: Angel with a Shotgun – The Cab, Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
Warning: General Darkness. Sequences of Violence. Supernatural. Epic Plot Twist.
Ready to Fall
Part III: Against All Odds
Better Than Alright
1775
Boston Harbor
Across the world – across the ages… I would rise above, no longer being consumed with doubt. Not anymore – not with Charles Lee now leading the Templar Order. Even with Aveline gone, I had to finish this fight for her and for myself.
I walked through the crowded streets with unwavering resolve. My fists were clenched, brow tightened, and my face was hardened with my lust for revenge. Being clad in the new set of dark robes, passerbys glanced nervously to me, sensing my anger.
As I neared my destination, I removed my hood before running my hands over my skull to palm at the now bare skin on my scalp. After killing my father, it only seemed fitting to shave the sides of my head to signify that I was a warrior – that I would continue to soldier on – that I would kill Charles Lee and Robert King.
"Connor!" A voice snapped in the distance. "Over here!"
I looked up to see Samuel Adams waving me towards the docks. He was leaning against a stack of large, wooden crates with his arms folded over his chest. His hair was tied back as it had been the last time I encountered him. He wore a similar dark coat, much like he had five years ago. The only notable change was a slight greying in his brown hair and the oncoming factor of age around his eyes.
"It's good to see you again," He commented, taking my hand in a firm shake. "You've changed a bit since our last meeting." His head tilted to my hair, and the red and black lines I had recently painted under both eyes.
"I am here about your note." I said, not wanting to waste time on pointless conversation as I pulled the small roll from my pocket and handed it to him. As soon as he flipped it open to read, I snarled, "Where is she?"
His eyes lifted from the parchment to regard me suspiciously. "What are you planning to do?"
"Whatever is necessary." I replied firmly.
With a sigh, he pointed to the building behind me, "She's there…" He alleged. "I warn you; she's not alone. A few masked gentlemen followed her in there about an hour ago."
"Thank you." I finalized while turning to head into what looked to be a tavern.
"Be careful."
Pulling my hood back over my head, I stalked across the street and ignored the minor sting in my knee. Before I left Davenport, I made sure to wrap it up tight enough so that it would feel almost numb… That along with the hefty packing of herbal medicines I laced inside the wound.
I no more entered the tavern before getting a lock on Hannah… She was sitting in the upper level, heavily guarded by a swarm of Elites that had been stationed around the facility and at the top of the stairs. No doubt Robert wanted keep her protected after my escape, suspecting I would be back for all of them.
To avoid raising suspicion, I looked to the ground, chose the empty table at the furthest end of the bar and waited for my opportunity. There had to be a flaw in the blockage of Elites… I was no match for all of them. After a few minutes of careful scrutiny, I noticed one of the guards on the lower level rewarding himself with a drink… or five. He staggered away from the worktop with a bottle in his hand, bumping into other patrons and tables.
And then, by some stroke of luck, he lost his balance and fell against mine. I jumped up and grabbed his shoulder instantly to give the false impression that I was helping him steady himself. "Careful," I offered darkly.
He pulled himself back up right, "I'm alright." He slurred as his head shakily lifted to regard me. "Thanks… Wait…" He started, suddenly realizing that he knew my face. Being part of Hannah's army, I'm sure we had crossed paths before. "You… You're Conn-"
Before he could finish the thought, my blade had snapped free from the case and I quickly executed him. Rapidly glancing around the room to make sure I had not been seen, I positioned the Elite in one of the empty chairs at the table with his back to the garrulous crowd to make it appear as if he was enjoying a drink to himself before pulling the expressionless mask away from his face. Then I pushed the guise under my hood and fastened the ties around my own head.
I blinked a couple times, adjusting to the darkness the mask rendered. I sucked deeply through the thin slit in the mouth, feeling as if I could not get enough air, and wanting nothing more than to rip it away from my face. But the sound of very girlish laughter caught my attention and I looked up to the loft to see Hannah amused by something one of her Elites had said and I felt my hand tighten into a fist. Incensed by her happiness I stood and navigated through countless drunkards and tables until I found myself ascending to the upper level. By the time I reached the top and made to stomp past the Elite standing guard, his hand shot out and shoved against my shoulder roughly.
"What are you doing?!" He snarled.
"I need to speak with her." I replied harshly, pointing to Hannah. "It's urgent – a message from her father."
"I don't recognize you…" He bit, his mask tilting to my darkened garbs. "I have strict orders to-"
"Vincent…" Hannah chimed from behind, still sitting at the table. "Let him pass."
Vincent, I assumed, turned to her and in defeat his muffled sigh escaped from under his mask before he sidestepped and allowed clearance. Bumping roughly against his shoulder, I treaded on and lowered myself at the table, positioning myself right next to Hannah and making sure to keep my back to her watchdog.
"Don't mind him." She told me lightly, "He can be a little overprotective…"
I turned my head to regard him… He was watching the pair of us closely as if he knew my intentions. Then begrudgingly turned and stared at the intoxicated patrons below.
"Kissed him once and he never got over it." She whispered, rolling her eyes while her long finger prodded at the lifeless skull mask resting on the tabletop. "What can I do for you?"
Her insufferably large eyes glinted in the dim, tavern lighting as she affixed her gaze over my guise. Quickly leaning in, I grabbed her wrist in a tight hold before ripping her towards me with malicious force and snarled, "You can start by begging for your life…"
Hannah's stare widened considerably, "Connor…"
My blade withdrew from my vambrace before I pressed the tip to her ribcage, barely teasing as the point started to rip through her corset.
"Don't," She whispered. "Please."
"Give me one reason… Why shouldn't I?" I gnarred.
"I can help you." She stated quietly, her voice dangling on the edge of panic.
"How?" I gripped her wrist even tighter; enough to turn her already pale hand, completely white. "What can you possibly do for me?"
"I know where Lee is. I can help you find him."
I glared. "How do I know I can trust you?"
Hannah bit her lip and stared into the darkened eyeholes of my mask before answering, "You… You can't."
"Then this is over…"
"I'm sorry about what they did. I tried to stop them but-"
"You lie!" I gnarred quietly.
"It was your father's idea. I swear!" She implored. "Please, let me help you."
"Why?"
"Because I owe you that."
"You owe me so much more than that."
"Connor." She pleaded, "Let me help you."
I watched her through narrowed eyes, fighting against the urge to drive my weapon into her side with every passing minute. Then I made my decision… "Leave your weapons on the table and walk out of here with me. Choose to run, or alert your Elites and I will kill you. Are we clear?"
"Yes." She replied while slowly pulling from my grip to remove the dirk from her leg holster and the small flintlock from her boot before placing them on the table as I had asked.
"The claw…" I growled, remembering how deadly she was when she wielded it. "Get rid of it."
Glaring at me, she hesitated for a moment or two. Then her hands fell to her belt and she began to detach the metal chain from its clamp. Once it was on the table, I sheathed my blade and grabbed her upper arm before yanking her from her chair and dragging her toward the staircase. Vincent turned, hearing the screech as the chair was thrown back and immediately placed his hand on his weapon.
"Call him off." I ordered gruffly next to her ear.
"Vincent, it's okay. I know him." She rushed out as we neared him.
"Where are you going?" He bit in suspicion.
"I'm… I'm needed in New York." She lied. "I should return shortly."
"Do you need an extra sword?" He asked. Even through his mask I could see how disgusted he was with me holding onto Hannah as if my life depended on it. Clearly he liked her a little more than he should have.
"No. We should be fine."
"We?"
"Vincent!" She snapped, growing tired of his persistent interrogation. It didn't help that my fingers were wrapped so tightly around her arm that I began bruising the skin.
He unwillingly backed away, unmistakably irked by the situation and watched helplessly as I dragged Hannah down the stairs and out of the Tavern.
Nightfall
The Frontier
"He's going to kill you…" Hannah bit.
Immediately I froze. My hand gripped the flint and I stopped in mid-scrape against the steel before looking away from my tinder to glare at her. As if it wasn't demanding enough to wrestle her down and tie her to the tree she was currently fastened to, I had to listen to her sass-off.
"I thought I told you not to talk." I snapped back before resuming my previous errand – running the flint over the steel to send a series of sparks to the kindle.
"You do realize this is going to start a war." She retorted, leaning against her binds.
I halted again, my head snapping to her. "Look around you!" I barked. "We are already there! Our Orders have been at war since the Crusades!"
"That's not what I meant!" She growled. "You going after Lee!"
"Helping me find him was your idea! Or have you forgotten that your offer is the only thing keeping you alive!"
"You are going to die!"
"What do you care?!" I howled, getting to my feet and rounding the smoldering tinder. "Youwere the one who captured me and threw me into his hands in the first place! I fail to see how you suddenly regret your actions!"
"I was following orders!" She cried. "My father promised me you wouldn't be harmed-"
"LOOK AT ME!" I yelled, holding my hands out to the side, pitching my body towards her in order to hover, and felt my breath rush out in incensed, rhythmic patterns. She fell silent, her dark eyes raking up and down my form before pulling her bottom lip between her and directing her stare to the ground. I was covered in bruises, scars and half-healed lacerations and welts. I bent down on my good knee, mere inches from her, and repeated heatedly, "Look at me…"
She did. Her eyes flickered up as she cast a sideway glance in my direction, barely holding my stare, and trying in vain to push back against the tree to escape our proximity.
"Whatever he told you was a lie. Your fatherwas the one who did this to me. " I grated harshly, gesturing to the mutilations. "If you had truly cared, then you would have helpedme."
"I wanted to." She whispered.
"But you didn't." I snipped. "Because of yourinaction, I now have nothing left."
After that, Hannah fell silent and I stood, turning slightly away to see if the firewood had caught. There was nothing but smoke and I grumbled irritably before crouching down and bracing my weight on my palm to blow against the scorching tinder.
"What are you going to do with me?" She asked hesitantly. "When this is over…"
"What do you think I should do?" I replied, not bothering to look at her as I continued to blow into the small flames.
"You know, I really did want to be with you." I could hear the seriousness in her tone. "If I knew a way out of that situation, then I wouldhave helped you and Aveline escape… I loved you." She finalized.
I scoffed. "You're nothing but a liar…"
The sound of morning rain lightly padded around me and calmly fell across my cheek and temple before picking up and pounding against my chest, effectively pulling me from sleep. My eyes cracked open and I sat up, palming at my dew-ridden robes and trying to brave past the unpleasant moisture seeping through my attire.
Bending forward to stretch my back, I looked to the fire – predictably it had been reduced to wet smolder. Then, shifting against the hard, soused ground, I glared, remembering I wasn't alone, and looked through the smoke to fix my gaze on Hannah. I had left her bound to the tree the entire night, hoping to cause her some discomfort… Although it was nothing compared to the pain she and her father had caused me, I wanted to return the cruel gesture in any way that I could.
But as soon as I locked onto the tree, my heart dropped into my stomach… Hannah was gone. I jumped to my feet, ignoring the hot pain that blasted through my knee, and hurriedly looked in every possible direction to no avail - as if I would catch a glimpse of her running away. My eyes shot to the ropes she left behind… She had obviously cut them with a blade she had expertly hidden from me after I searched her.
"Damn it!" I snapped as I bent and stared at the now drenched ground, looking for tracks.
Then… a beat. After making her escape, there were slight indentions in ground, left by her careless footfall. The prints had begun to puddle due to the now heavy rain, indicating that time was running out. Soon, I would be left with no prisoner and no footpath to track… But even if it killed me, I was not about to lose Hannah – not after everything she and her Order had put me through.
Making sure to take up my discarded weapons, I took off, hell-bent on finding her and placing her back in my tight-fisted grip.
In no time at all I was gaining on her. As I hurried through the rain, tracing her fading trail, I caught glimpse of her burgundy-clad form through the downpour as she sprinted away. And after feeling my brows pinch together – the anger swelling my chest, I boomed "HANNAH!"
Being roughly sixty yards away, she halted instantaneously at the sound of my voice as it echoed through the forest, and looked down the steep hill she had been climbing to get a lock on me.
In panic she whirled around and continued scrambling up the gradient but my resolve was catching her – making her hold fast to her promise. No more than a few seconds later, I was closing in…
Quickly throwing my arm forward, I gripped her by the bicep and wrenched back until she collided firmly against my chest. At some point I had forgotten how capable she was in a battle until she threw her elbow back to hit against my cheekbone. After the unpleasant crack, I could only focus on the pain as it shot through my face. With my defense successfully rendered useless, Hannah took the opportunity to instruct her foot into a harsh backward kick. The very moment her heel dug into my worn knee I released her and without a trace of hesitation, Hannah was bolting back towards the top of the hill.
With that, I was dashing after her, no longer caring that she had promised to aid me. I just wanted her dead…
When she was back in range, I dipped forward and wrapped my arms around her torso before lifting her up and throwing her back down against the sodden earth. Mud slapped up around us as we crashed to the ground. And being as stubborn as she was, Hannah had no intentions of giving up without a fight. She thrashed, rolled, kicked – anything to knock me away from her but I would not budge.
Then the familiar, metallic shink sounded and she froze as my blade extended – the tip pushing just under her chin. "Do not move." I snarled with all the brutality I could muster. "You ran…"
"You were going to kill me anyway." She whispered.
"You deserve it!" I argued loudly.
She flinched under my solid tone before forcing her gaze to meet mine once more. "This isn't like you!" She bit. "This isn't -"
Before she could finish, I raised my fist and threw it down against the ground, inches from her head causing mud to engulf my hand and lightly pepper dark trails of grime across our faces. With a gasp she recoiled away, too late to realize my strike had not been intended for her. I was seething at her naiveté. Of course, I had changed… Of course, this wasn't me.
"Every part of my body hurts!" I snarled."Everywhere! Physically, emotionally, mentally! And it's your fault! You and your father betrayed me! You attacked my heart!" The tip of my blade involuntarily shoved forward just enough to puncture her perfect skin – the faintest bit of crimson drawing forth, causing her to shudder. "So congratulations, I'm broken." I grated in a low voice. "You killed the one person in my life who I can't live without, and once this is all over, I swear on Aveline's grave I'll drag you to hell with my bare hands if I have to."
"Connor… I'm sorry." She stated honestly. "I didn't have a choice."
My eyes suddenly closed. Choice… It was the predominate difference between our orders. I've always had a choice whereas Hannah did not. Templars sought order and not freedom… Not even for their followers. This girl, as infuriating as she had been over the last few weeks, was once my friend. Whether I chose to accept it or not, she protected me for as long as she could – kept the Manor a secret from her father. Hannah was not entirely corrupt, she was just… callow, ignorant, and too foolish for her own good.
With a sigh, I withdrew my blade and looked her in the eye. "Take me to Lee." I said. "No more lies. No more running. Just take me to him and I'll… I'll let you go."
She eyed me skeptically with a raised eyebrow. "I don't believe you."
"You have my word." I promised as I slowly pulled away and got to my feet, holding out a hand to help her stand. "I will let you go."
As if she understood the importance of my request, reluctantly she extended her hand and gripped mine before allowing me to pull her upright.
"But in return for your life," I started seriously. "I never want to see you again."
With a blank expression she stared at me. And then after a moment to process the requirement, she nodded. "Deal."
1775
New York - Restricted Area
"You're sure this will work?" I asked doubtfully as Hannah knotted my hands behind my back.
"All you have to do is pull and the rope should fall free."
"Should?" I repeated as I craned my neck back to look at her.
"It will." She corrected. "Now come on before someone sees us."
Taking my flintlock, she roughly shoved me out of the alleyway and into the streets. Being caught off guard by the action, I stumbled out and fell onto the cobblestone with my shoulder hitting hard against the ground. Shooting her glare to silently reprimand her for not warning me before the push, she stepped out with the weapon already aimed at my head. There was a look of fierce seriousness across her face, causing me to wonder if this was really an act, or if she had intended on turning me in like last time. Anticipating her lies, I had unloaded the flintlock without her knowledge as insurance for my life.
"Get up!" She ordered.
Shifting my weight, I propped myself up and begrudgingly got to my feet only to have a strong grip take hold of my hood from behind and yank me rearward. Barely registering what had happened, I found myself bent back awkwardly with a knife pushed to my jugular.
"Let him go!" Hannah barked and almost instantly I was released. I looked up to find my very tall attacker staring at me through his guise with his weapon in a firm grasp… from the telltale signs of his mask, the man was clearly an Elite. And after further inspection of my surroundings, I noted that there were no civilians – only Templars and Elites – all of them watching me from either the rooftops or the streets as they passed by.
"He shouldn't be here." The man growled, pointing to me. "Prisoners are to be taken to the docks for-"
"I know the procedure." Hannah retaliated hotly, stepping forward to seize me by the arm. "Lee is going to want to see this one before I haul him away for good."
"Oh? And what makes you so sure?"
"He killed, Grand Master Kenway."
"Wh-What?!" He rumbled in surprise. "This dirty nit killed Haytham Kenway?"
"It's far better than that." She started with an impish smile coating her lips. "This is also Kenway's son… Now tell me, where is Charles Lee."
"In the church." He stated, never taking his eyes off me. "He is hosting a commemorative service in Haytham's honor. He said he didn't want to be disturbed but in the case, I think he would welcome the intrusion."
Nodding once, her palm jutted forward to knock into my spine and force me onward, "Let's go!"
Hannah shoved me through the church doors, barking orders, and gaining the attention of everyone in the building. Each of them turned in their seats, staring in shock over the pews as she continuously kicked me towards the podium. Then, grabbing me by the arm she pulled me close and began hauling me down the aisle. Lee was standing at the front with Robert King at his side along a handful of Elites. I glared as Hannah directed me towards them, feeling a hot rage boil through my chest at the sight of Charles Lee… We had a score to settle.
Hannah pushed me a few steps closer, standing me only a few feet in front of him. And with a flippant flick of his wrist, Lee's Elites surrounded us – one of them moving behind me and hitting the back of my leg to bring me to my knees. With a groan I looked up to see Charles scowling down at me.
"He sent me away… That day at the fortress." He started darkly. "Your father feared for my safety. He said there was no danger."
"He was wrong." I bit.
With a low growl Lee bent forward and grabbed my collar, bunching it around my neck before tugging me roughly towards him and whispering. "I'm going to kill you, Connor. And after that, I'll burn that Homestead of yours to the ground and roast the head of your precious mentor in its flames."
With a glare I snarled, "You've already taken everything from me… You've done your worst. Now, untie me so I can do mine."
At that he stood, never taking his eyes off me and addressed the crowd. "Originally, we had gathered here today to remember a man of peerless vision. A man of strength and character. A man whose legacy will be retained throughout the ages… And I for one, can think of nothing more fitting than to see his killer brought to justice. Right here. Right now. For in this room is the very man who mercilessly and unjustly took Haytham's life. None other than his own son. His life was forfeit and all because he was betrayed by his own flesh and blood." He smirked callously and ordered. "Get him on his feet."
The Elite who previously forced me down was now yanking me upright to stand before Lee. Then drawing his firearm, he aimed it directly at my head causing the crowd to panic and begin flooding out of the church.
"Any last words?"
My eyes widened… I had not expected him to carry his revenge out so suddenly. I thought he would at least throw me back in a cell and have me beaten within an inch of my life. After I said nothing, he pulled back the hammer and gripped the trigger.
"Stop." Chimed Hannah as she directed my pistol towards Charles.
"Hannah!" Snapped her father.
Ignoring him, she tried in vain to shoot but instead of the gun firing as it should have, there was only a faint click. I clenched my eyes, regretting ever unloading the weapon. Had I trusted her, Lee would have been dead. But now, due to my actions, she had been thrown to the wolves.
"Foolish girl!" He barked, turning his firearm away from me and pointing it towards Hannah.
Dropping my gun, she backed away… Then I pulled at my restraints and broke free to tackle Lee just as he squeezed the trigger. The flintlock sounded and Hannah fell to the ground.
"NO!" Boomed Robert, rushing to his daughter.
Even though I had Lee on the ground, it was obvious I was too late. If Robert's cries were any indication, Hannah was dead… After receiving a punch to the side, I was flipped onto my back before Charles scrambled for the dropped pistol. Quickly reaching out and grabbing his ankle, I ripped him back towards me but unfortunately, he had already taken up the discarded weapon. Lee whirled around and knocked the butt of the flintlock against my cheek, forcing me to growl and fall back, holding fast to my newly bruised face. I was seeing black. With me momentarily stunned, he took the opportunity to bolt.
I jumped up, ready to run after him but before I could, I heard, "Connor…"
Turning I looked down to see Robert staring up at me with a solemn expression. He was holding Hannah as if she were made of glass – very careful. There was a thick layer of blood coating his hands were he had tried to stop the bleeding. There was something about seeing her like that… She sacrificed herself on my behalf. And even though she had put me through hell, her passing had somehow added to my misery.
"He's going to the harbor to catch a ferry. He's going to try to leave the country…" Robert said, drawing my attention away from the girl. "He's wearing the Ring."
I blinked… The seriousness of his warning sinking in. "What would you have me do?"
"Kill him." He replied angrily while clutching Hannah's lifeless body.
I turned, prepared to head out the door when I heard Robert speak once more.
"And just a warning; I won't be here when you return."
"If you are going to run then I suggest you start now. After I kill Lee, I am coming after you…"
He nodded and with that I was out the door.
Dusk
New York Harbor
I walked hurriedly – practically stomping – with my sights set on the target. Lee was standing before the Harbor Master, waving his arms in agitation, and raising his voice an octave higher to relay the seriousness of his situation. He knew I was coming for him… With my teeth grit and fists clenched I picked up my speed, keeping my blade at the ready. Perhaps too eager to make to the kill, my rushed strides caught the attention of my mark before I was within range, what with the way my boots knocked against the wooden docks. Lee's eyes flew past the Harbor Master's shoulder and landed directly on me, causing his face to grind in panic before he whirled in the opposite direction to flee the scene.
I smirked… He was running scared.
Now in a full sprint, I chased him through the multitude, expertly dodging fishermen and sailors by jumping barrels and other forms of cargo. Lee did everything in his power to slow me down – throwing civilians to the ground, shoving crates in my path, he even called for the guards…
Then finally, after he had nowhere left to turn, he darted into a large, war ship. It had been grounded and was halfway build up – undergoing repairs after a naval battle. The floorboards were weak, the walls unsteady, and with two men running across the already damaged wood, the ship creaked and rasped in protest.
With only a flight of stairs left, Lee was almost to the deck with me closing in fast when suddenly the ground gave out beneath us – just before I was within reach. With multiple sounds of snapping, the boards cracked under our feet, and we both fell through the floor, landing hard on the level below us.
As soon as I hit the ground, a sharp pain raced through my side and I rolled away, hoping to leave the sting behind but it followed – the intensity of it increasing as the broken floorboards continued to fall down around us. With a groan I landed on my back, my hand flying to my side to grip at the wooden stake jutting through my skin. Barely enduring the pain, I shoved multiple remnants of flooring off my body and made to yank the stave out before I heard Charles emerging from underneath his own pile of wood.
I looked over to see him getting to his feet and in vain I tried to do the same. But with the thick, spike hanging from my side I was rooted to the ground, unable to move. He gaited slowly towards me, stopping when he was only a few feet away, and glared down at me, shaking his head while sweeping his tongue against his teeth.
"Why do you persist?" He started heavily, voice winded from running. "You put us down, and others will rise. You end one plot, someone will forge another. You try so hardbut it always ends the same. Yet you fight - you resist… Why?"
Still gripping the stake, I breathed deeply having no idea how to answer him. Why do I fight knowing everything – my life's work is only temporary? Other Grand Masters will rise. The Templars will stop at nothing to see every last Assassin dead. The fight between our Orders would go on forever…
Biting the inside of my cheek, my hands wrapped tighter around the picket before I ripped it out of my body, roaring at the sensation as the splintered wood caught my insides. Then as if my strength had been renewed, I repositioned the stake in my hands, reared my arm back, and slung forth, directing the pointed edge of the spike into Lee's thigh.
With a howl, he wrenched back, his hands flying to the hilt of the broken post. His body was draped forward as he leaned over the intrusion in his leg, groaning, and muttering a string of curses. I quickly got up off the floor, holding my freshly wounded side, and snapped my blade from the vambrace.
"You foolish, boy!" He snarled. "What makes you think you can beat me?"
"This is over!" I barked.
Pulling himself upright, he smirked and replied, "Right you are."
With that, he held his hand out – palm facing me. The Ring was on his middle finger, the wings had wrapped themselves around his digit just as they had done to mine. I took a wary step back, unsure of his intentions and then… Multiple black streams of light flew from the Ring at an impossible speed before coiling around me, lifting me off the ground, and throwing me against the wall with force. With the snake-like beams holding me in place, Lee took a staggering step towards me, and chuckled in his habitual low, dark manner. His eyes had completely blackened from whatever sort of evil he was commanding…
"It's rather sad, don't you think?" He uttered playfully, still holding his palm towards me. His hand suddenly tightened into a fist and the black torrents stiffened, constricting around me even more, and shoving the air from my lungs. "You had the power to defeat us all along. And yet you still lost."
Still struggling to breathe, I wrapped my hands around one of the streams and tried to pull it away from my throat, glaring at Charles.
"You had everything – you had the Ring!" He snarled, snapping his fingers and signaling the torrents to release me. "That girl never had to die."
I fell to the ground, bracing myself on my hands and knees, gasping for air with my side still dripping blood. "Never speak of her!" I rasped, commanding a hand to press against the wound.
"Look at you!" He growled. "Here you are, cowering before me… You have nothing left! So, I ask again; why do you persist?!"
"Everything I do," I started, bringing my gaze up to meet his. "Is for her!"
"de Grandpre is gone!" He snarled.
"No… not entirely." I answered, pushing myself to my knees and defiantly staring into his eyes. She was still with me – as if she never left. Every time I closed my eyes, she was there. When I slept, I saw her. Sometimes, it was even as if I could hear her.
He scoffed. "Fear not. For you shall be joining her soon."
Lee held his palm out again, calling his malicious torrents to attack me once more. Only this time, as they flew towards me, the ends of the dark streams had become pointed. They soared through the air, aiming for my head, with a callous intent to impale my skull. Out of reflex, I flinched away and held my hand out in front of me to pathetically try and block the oncoming assault. As soon as the spiked edges collided with my palm I noticed only one thing… There was no pain. Only the sound of Charles Lee as his tortured cries reached a higher tone.
My eyes popped open to see the once black streams fading into bright gold, as if the corruption in them had gone. They were lightly sliding around my hand and wrist begging to be commanded. Slowly, I took hold of them and looked to Lee. He was thrashing about on the ground in panic, trying to free himself from the torrents as they twisted around him, and left simmering welts on his skin. Whatever it was, it was cauterizing him. I watched in shock as the streams continuously surrounded him, burning him with enthusiasm until I could no longer stand it.
"Enough!" I barked.
Instantly the flux of gold stopped and released him. With Lee still writhing on the ground, I warily approached him and bent down to hover. He looked up at me with pain filled eyes – his skin blistering from the unbearable burns he had suffered. He had been rendered useless and was no longer a threat.
"This gains you nothing." He ground out.
"You're wrong." I replied with a smirk. "This is exactly what I needed. This gains me everything."
"Just kill me."
"The Ring first." I growled, knowing if I killed him while he was wearing it, it would no longer be of any use to me.
With an agitated grunt, he reached slowly for his left hand and pulled the device from his finger before clutching it in his fist. "Now, do it…"
I nodded and withdrew my blade before plunging it into his throat, relishing in the guttural noises he made in his passing. When I was sure he had taken his last breath, I retracted my weapon, and reached into his fisted hand to take back what he and my father had stolen.
I took a moment to examine it, wondering how I survived Lee's attack, seemingly turned the tables, and took control of the situation... It was almost as if it refused to kill me. Perhaps it was because I was its first choice and it was incapable of slaying its original holder. Refraining from thinking too hard about it, I stood and pushed the band down over my digit.
With the Ring back on my finger, the wings clamped down to reclaim me and then my surroundings suddenly changed. Darkness fell around me as lights shot from the Ring as if to illuminate my environing proximate. Then there was an eerie voice I had not heard for a very long time reaching for me through the dark…
"Ah…" She started. "Long have we waited for you to return."
"Juno!" I bit, rapidly whirling around to find her but it was only her voice.
"You have done as we asked and succeeded!"
"No!" I barked through the gloom. "I have failed! Aveline is gone!"
"A sacrifice…" She offered.
"She was not a sacrifice! And most certainly was not one I was willing to make!" I argued hotly.
Suddenly behind me, was the ghostly figure of Juno, the spirit I had encountered as a boy. At first her proximity startled me and I stumbled back to evade her. "What made you think you had a choice?"
"The choice should have always been mine!" I growled. "I did as you asked!"
"And you are not finished."
"No…" I retorted. "That is where you are wrong! I'm through! Because of your little mission, I lost her! I will not be a pawn for you any longer."
Almost shocked, she stared at me, silently watching as I glared at her transparent form. "What if I offered a trade?"
"What I want, you cannot give." I bit.
"What you want is a second chance."
I blinked… "A second chance at what?"
"Aveline. In exchange, will you do as I ask?"
Crossing my arms I scoffed, "How? She's dead."
"You have made a difference and will do so again. That is why I will grant your wish."
"Wh-What?"
"Go…" She pointed to a very dark place somewhere behind me. "Change your fate."
I turned to see nothing but a black void… "I do not understand."
"Nor need you. Just go…"
Juno slowly faded away into the nothingness and I frowned. Then my body was rapidly thrust back in the direction she had pointed by some invisible force. The compelling drift slowed and I began to hear voices – very familiar voices. It was Aveline, only she sounded different. Younger… My feet landed back on the ground and I looked around to find her... There was nothing but darkness and an occasional glimpse of something from my past. Like broken mirrors floating around me, I saw her face reflecting in them.
"You… Complete… Arse!"
I turned again to see a glimpse of the day we met – me pinning her to the bed… These voices and small scenes were memories. Even my voice sometimes emerged from the silence.
"In exchange for the feather what do I get?"
I smirked, watching my fourteen-year-old-self falling from a tree and spraining my ankle.
Then the echoing sound of a horse braying caught my attention before Aveline's mare appeared… "I was distracted! You tore me out of a tree, Aveline!"
And at the clanking of dishes, I turned again to see us at the dinner table. "HIS CULTURE DOES MATTER!" She boomed, glowering down at Hannah.
"Kiss me…" Came Aveline's shaky voice from somewhere behind me and I whirled around to see her standing before another version of myself eagerly anticipating my next move.
I was thrust into memory after memory until finally I fell hard on my knees and found myself bracing my upper body against the stone floor I had become acquainted with at my father's fortress. My brow puckered and I stared at the rough stones, wondering how I ended up here. It seemed so real as opposed to the distant visions I had been previously exposed to. Then, a hand fisted into my hair and suddenly it was all very clear. I was yanked from the floor and positioned on my knees before a knife was at my throat… It was Robert King. I realized as I locked eyes with Aveline that Juno had given me that second chance – just minutes before she died.
"Last chance, pup…" My father said causing me to glance to him. "The Ring. Now."
I glared and looked to Charles Lee to see that he alive and well, and was readying to shoot Aveline in the head... Just as he had done before. Shoving the barrel of the flintlock against her skull, he smirked and I growled at the sight. I could not go through this again.
"You have until the count of ten or else I'll have Charles blow a hole the size of my fist into the back of her head…" Haytham threatened.
My lip curled into some sort of predator-like-smirk, which caused both Lee and my father to glance to one another, questioning each other in silence.
I looked to Lee – directly in the eye and said, "You were wrong about me…"
"What?" He snapped.
"Whatever made you think you could win – you were wrong. You tried to break me, but failed."
"Strong words for a boy with a knife at his throat…" He bit with irritancy. "You seem to forget I've a gun to de Grandpre's head." Lee leaned down to take a whiff of Aveline's hair. "It would be a shame to provoke me…"
"Enough of this!" Haytham barked. "I grow tired of this game, pup."
"Believe me," I snarled, "I stopped playing a long time ago."
"One." He growled with narrowed eyes… "Five."
The same as last time, he bounced over certain numbers before shooting a scornful look in my direction. My gaze pulled away to land on Aveline. She was worrying her lip and trying in vain not to fear the inevitable. Then she looked to me, realizing that I was watching her and said, "Connor, whatever happens, this is not your fault."
"Aveline… It's fine." I assured her. "I promise you, it's going to be fine."
"Six." Haytham continued.
"Trust me." I implored as I watched her panic stricken face scrunch in disbelief. "Please."
She nodded as much as Lee's grip would allow and looked as if she tried to relax… Tried. It was going to be now or never.
"Seven."
I flexed my hand and closed my eyes, concentrating hard on the device wrapped around my middle finger. I didn't know what exactly I was capable of – what Lee had been able to summon from it, but I knew it was either them or her. And I would be damned if they took her away from me again.
"Eight."
There was something building up in my chest. I could feel the change coursing through my body and as frightening as it was, it was equally liberating. The more control I took over the Ring, the more I lost over myself. It was as if I was changing into something else – something I couldn't explain.
"Nine."
And then, I felt it… A very authoritative power rushed through my body and my eyes snapped open. I felt as if I could do the impossible, and in a way, I could. A gold light shot from my hand in multiple streams, at a lightning pace and flew from the cell before wrapping around the Elites, Lee, both Kings, and lastly my father. As if tied by some supernatural rope, they were all suspended at least five feet from the ground, dangling helplessly and making futile efforts to pull at the golden courses and break free.
I had found myself with my hands on the ground, shaking my head furiously… I may have saved Aveline, but it also felt as if I endangered her. She hadn't been snared by the light-ropes but there was something wrong with me. I had a very powerful adrenaline taking over and I couldn't help but want to attack something – to kill it. It didn't matter what…
Every sense was illuminated… Smell. Taste. Touch. Sight. Sound. It was all painfully vigilant – more than ever before.
I could hear Aveline as she scurried over to me and I winced at the thoughts coursing through my head. I wanted to do terrible things to her and all because I could sensethe blood rushing through her veins. I was even conscious of her scent.
By the time she was in the cell and dropping next to me, I leaned up and pressed my hand to her stomach before shoving her back and demanding, "Get away!"
She fell back on her elbows with a thud and I looked up to see her staring at me… She was frightened.
"Your eyes…" She began. "Connor, they're-"
"Wait!" I bit as I shakily got to my feet, registering her words, and remembering how Lee's eyes had blackened with power. "Just stay away… Just for a minute." I tried again, hoping to make her understand that something wasn't right. Then pitching down I grabbed the knife Robert once held at my throat, trying to regain myself.
I stepped outside of the cell and bypassed Aveline, who still hadn't moved from the place I'd thrown her, before slowly gaiting towards Lee. He was wrapped up, and nearly consumed by the bright beams, still wriggling to get out. I reached forward and touched the bottom stream to lower him… Just as I had commanded, the gold coarse pulled him down and held him at eyelevel with me. Then something dark passed through me and I fisted my hand, silently bidding the stream to coil tighter and block his airflow – ordering them all to do so around their captives. Then I summoned others… They quickly wrapped around his limbs as I had asked and began pulling him apart. I didn't feel anything but anger and hatred. Wherever my mind was, it was dark and cold.
"Connor!" Aveline hissed as she wrapped a hand around my arm. I hadn't even realized she had gotten up. There was something off about her… Judging by her accelerated pulse, I sensed that she was afraid. Of me? Suddenly I realized what was happening.
After snapping my fingers, the beams released Charles and he fell to the ground, gasping for air. I watched him writhe against the stone for a short time before turning to Aveline. Hesitantly she reached out to cup my cheek and I didn't make a move for fear that the adrenaline would take over again.
She held my face and stared deep into my eyes before ordering, "Let them go."
"What?" I growled, feeling a heat rise in my chest.
"I know they all deserve to die but there is no honor in this."
"Where was the honor in killing you?" I bit.
"They… They didn't." She replied softly, brushing a thumb over my bottom lip. "You stopped them."
She was right… If I was going to finish this, it had to be done honorably. I blinked and felt everything release. The power. The golden steams. Everything… Haytham, Robert, and Hannah all fell to the ground, equally as winded before I dropped on one knee and ripped Lee up by the collar, pressing the knife to his neck.
"Charles Lee," I began hotly. "You don't deserve to live."
He chuckled through a gasp, "Why do you persist? You put us down, and others will rise. You end one plot, someone will forge another. You try so hard but it always ends the same. Yet you fight - you resist… Why?" He rasped.
It was the same question he had asked earlier – the one I couldn't answer… Why do I fight?
"Because no one else will!" I bit before driving the blade into his neck.
There was something pleasurable about killing him twice. Watching the life drain from his eyes. After everything he had put me through, it was only fair that I could take his life more than once… Even if I was the only one aware of this fact.
Lee struggled to breathe for a short time, his hands gripping painfully around my forearm, and his eyes widened by the pain. This was it for him – this time he would stay dead. He was not going to hold me back any longer.
"It's over." I growled, low enough for only him to hear. Taking his final breath, his head teetered back and he vacantly stared up at the ceiling before I dropped him back to the ground.
I turned around to see Aveline watching me with a look of confusion as I pocketed the blade.
"Aveline…" I said seriously. "Get down."
"Wh-What?"
"Get. Down." My voice was rougher than usual. "Now!"
Not fully understanding, she complied and dropped to the ground… And not a moment too soon. As soon as her knees hit the stone, the predictable array of poppingsounded as the Aquila's cannons began firing into the fortress. Just as it had happened last time, the back wall of my cell collapsed due to the collision and cannonballs flew through.
I ducked down just in time to evade the fire and looked sideways to see Robert and my father scrambling to get out of the room and escape before the building came down. Hannah stayed put, being taken off guard by the entire situation; she stared at me with her mouth agape.
"Run!" I yelled to her, remembering the way she helped me. If it hadn't been for her, I would have never been able to come back here – Aveline would still be dead. In return, I would let her go.
Another round of shots sounded and more cannons came through the wall, barely missing Hannah. It was as if her feet had been nailed to the floor. Without thinking I grabbed the pistol sitting next to Lee's body and hurriedly clambered across the room, staying low to the ground, before grabbing Aveline by the arm and hauling her to her feet in order to make a break for the exit. As soon as I began running, a horrible pain shot through my knee, reminding me that it was no longer as healed as it was before my encounter with Juno.
Gritting my teeth and holding fast to Aveline, I flew past Hannah yelling, "Follow me!"
As if realizing this was her last chance – that I was not coming back for her, she jumped up and sprinted out the door behind me. With Haytham and Robert running towards the refectory, I stopped in the middle of the corridor and aimed the flintlock towards my father. There was only one shot and if I was going to use it, it had to be on the Grand Master… I was forced to let Robert go free. For now.
I gripped the trigger, purposely targeting the back of Haytham's leg, and watched him drop to the ground. He wailed from the lead ball shattering the bones in his shin. His screams caused Robert to hesitate but after seeing me make my way down the flaming hallway, he ignored his leader and continued for the refectory.
Seconds later I was hovering above my father, staring down at him with a dark glare, and gripping the hilt of the knife I had used to kill Lee.
"Don't look at me like that!" He snapped out of irritancy, mainly because of his leg. "You're no different!"
"You're wrong!" I barked back, lowering myself to him and pushing the knife to his neck. "I fight for freedom!"
"Which I've said – time and time again- is dangerous! This freedom that you seek does not exist!"
"You fair no better!" I growled.
At that he nearly laughed. "The Templars will never be destroyed. My affairs will live on… But you – you will be forgotten – forsaken. You will become an outcast! And do you know why?" He paused allowing the question to sink in. "It is because, no matter how hard you try, you're hands will always be empty."
With a growl I executed him in the same way I had done before. I was tired of him – all of them. Clenching my eyes, I waited for him to finally slack against the floor before letting him go and standing up. I heard the distant sound of the Aquila firing another series of rounds and I looked behind me to see both Hannah and Aveline standing there, patiently waiting for my next move. Both of them appeared confused and slightly frightened…
"We have to go." I finally uttered as I grabbed Aveline's hand and started bolting down the flame-engulfed corridor.
By the time we met up with Ruth, and rowed back to the Aquila, I felt like exploding into a fit of laughter. Yes, I was forced to undergo the pain of killing my father twice. My knee felt like it was on fire. Lee had nearly killed me. But Juno had reversed time to alter my future. Amazingly, after everything I was better than alright.
I rolled on the deck, and landed on my back before staring up the tall mast in the middle of the ship and into the white sails of the Aquila, wearing the brightest grin I could muster. It was finally over.
We won.
Hearing a chain of thuds and a trio of labored lungs harshly rasping for air, I lifted my head to see Hannah, Ruth, and finally Aveline lazily tossing themselves over the railing. The four of us were soaked to the bone and completely out of breath, but we were all alive… Aveline, was alive.
Rolling onto her hands and knees, she heaved for a few moments longer before shakily getting to her feet to grasp the rail for purchase as she continued to catch her breath. And now that the danger had passed, I was up and gaiting towards her. I needed to make sure this wasn't a dream.
After reaching out, I found that I was gripping her arm, almost menacingly but I couldn't believe it… She was here – standing in front of me as if she had never died – looking at me with those same haughty eyes that had a way of driving into my soul.
"What's wrong?" She asked, trying to pull away from me. "Connor, that hurts-"
As quickly as I could, I pulled her towards me. Her body slammed a bit too harshly against mine but I needed this. I needed her. She whined a bit after the collision but it was short lived when I buried my face into her neck and held onto her like the lovesick man that I was. Slowly, her arms came up to wrap around my waste as if she was starting to understand how much I needed to feel her. We stood there for what felt like decades, just holding one another. Aveline was completely unaware of the fact that she had died. Juno had thrown me back in time, minutes before her death and I was determined never to let her go. She wouldlive. We would be together. I would have the privilege of raising children with her. I would be given the honor to see how beautifully she aged throughout the years. I would love her. And I would marry her… Without her I was a complete disaster.
"I love you." I finally said as I squeezed her. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Connor." She replied, still a bit confused.
"If I have not told you that as often as I should have, then I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Are you alright?"
"No… I'm not." I told her while pulling away to look directly into those gorgeous dark eyes. "You, Hellcat, have ruined me. And I intend for you to make it up to me for the rest of our lives…"
"Oh? How so?" The playful smirk that I had grown to adore crossed her lips.
"Marry me."
"W-What?"
"You heard me…" I answered sternly. "I want you to marry me."
Call it impulse, lust, or an absolute yes, the second the words were out of my mouth, Aveline was dragging me by the arm and heading for the cabin…
Davenport Homestead
The Manor
"I see…" Achilles hummed, lightly tapping his fingers against the new desk in his study. The manor had been restored, for the most part. There was still torn wallpaper, unsalvageable piles of furniture in the yard for burning, and the dining room had been turned into a catchall. Other than that, everything was either replaced, repaired, or renovated. "What of Hannah?"
"I let her go." I answered.
"You did what?" His eyes narrowed. "And you found that to be the best, possible solution?"
"She won't be back."
"How can you be sure?"
"She gave me her word."
"And you trust her?"
I nodded, knowing how strange it sounded. "I do."
Achilles sat quietly, staring at his hands as he twirled his thumbs around one another. "Forgive me." He stated, looking up to me. "I'm still not sure if I understand. Remind me again how you escaped the fortress?"
Aveline and I looked to each other, before turning back to our mentor.
"You wouldn't believe us if we told you." Aveline said almost with a laugh.
With a smirk, Achilles wrapped his hand around his cane and stood while eyeing the pair of us playfully… "Try me."
A/N: A proposal?! Awwwwwwwww! I loveweddings! Drinks all around! (´∀｀)
Anywho… See? It all worked out! Now, stay tuned for my Epilogue! It will be very short… ^_^
NEW POLL: And don't forget about the new poll I put up in my profile! It would be a hugehelp if you voted!
Review please. (￣▽￣)ノ
Replies:
Legionary Prime: Glad I got you hooked on the pairing. And yes! I do have a Tyranny of King Washington-type Fiction coming up. I actually have a couple of chapters written so I can get ahead and update faster. Unlike this story where I finish a chapter every month and a half :p I'm hoping to post it at the beginning of the year or possibly sooner. It just depends on my mood. :)
VanguardShores: Well I'm glad you decided to speak up because I enjoyed hearing from you! Thanks for the huge complement! I personally don't think my writing is anything truly special. It's not bad, just nothing special. I'm glad to see you have enjoyed it! By all means, don't stay so quiet next time ;p Like I said, its great/fun hearing from silent readers such as yourself.
Red9assassin: This will be done by the end of the month, actually… This fiction is actually finished. My epilogue is lined up and waiting to be posted. I will probably wait a week or two though. I'm getting tired of doing this story and am eager to move on to others. So I'd like to finish it quickly and give myself a break. I will be posting the new story around the 1st of the year. If you're interested. :]
Empresscotton: I'm so glad! You'll be happy to know that I actually wrapped this whole thing up a few hours ago. That's right! RtF is officially finished. I hope you are still loving it and will enjoy my Epilogue!
Zelink005: Everything is 'Better Than Alright.' ;)
Tyrannosaurus lex. Luthor: Your last review made me laugh out loud… :D
EagleOfMasyaf: OH MY WORD! No more crying! I feel sososo bad! o(╥﹏╥)o I'm hoping I redeemed myself a little. After making you cry so much, I mean. You poorthing. I feel as if I have sent you on this crazy rollercoaster of emotions where the cars continuously fly off the track. Luckily for your excitements, after the final chapter, you will be given a break from the tears (if you wanted one!) :D
KiraNyaNyan: I apologize for making you worry. :\ And no, A Shot in the Dark will not be an alternate ending for this. Mainly because one isn't needed now :) It's an entirely different fiction all together. Unfortunately, I will be closing the door on Ready to Fall once chapter 15 is published. At least for now. Its bittersweet but it's better than needlessly dragging it out… It has been a good run and I think I can safely say it's finished! :D Although depending on reader feedback, I may revisit it and do a sequel. But I'm very undecided on that.
Sup234: Wow thanks! I'm glad you like it so much! And I'm glad you now ship this couple. To say that you can't fault it, makes me so happy! I hope you still feel that way after this one. Also, I'm glad you liked the gradual build to the relationship. I was a little worried that it was TOO SLOW but you have assured me otherwise. And as for the Game of Thrones references… Believe it or not I have actually never seen that show, or read the books. So I was a little surprised to find that I've been referencing it! I'm glad you've enjoyed them though :) That makes me want to watch the show and compare it to what I've done in this fiction. Makes me curious.
Mandrs: Great story telling skills? Me? That's a huge compliment! Thank you so much! And I'm sorry that I made you cry. For some reason I didn't think I would get tearsover that last one. Just sad people and a lot of rage. Lol. I hope I was able to 'capture' you this time around. Thanks for hanging in there! :D
LadyOokami09: I'm glad you like this better than the actual story! That is a huge complement! And as for the sequel, I honestly hadn't planned on it. I have pushed the idea around but never really made an outline or anything. I guess the way I'm ending it, it could be left open for a sequel but who knows! Depnending on reader feedback, if I get enough demands for a sequel, I'd be mre than happy to oblige. Thanks for your review! It was highly encouraging. :)
DearReaders: Next Chapter, I Will Try and Reply to EveryoneWho Reviews This One.:)