The early morning sun beamed in the hot Caribbean sky as its rays streamed through the thick jungle trees, its deep green seeming to glow against the shine. The rush of the wind against the ocean's waves filled the island with a sense of calm. An unsettling silence that left both Haytham and Amelia on edge.
The nights after the masquerade ball had been both long and agonizing, hours spent studying Charles' maps and documents before finally finding the information they needed. Shortly after Haytham and Amelia departed for Long Bay in search of the Observatory. Johnson had reluctantly decided to travel back to Boston following word from the Colonies of rising conflicts from the ongoing war.
Haytham couldn't help the sense of dread in his stomach since Amelia's meeting with Charles Lee. He couldn't understand why she'd walked away...Why he'd allowed her to walk away. It was an endless sea of doubts that never seemed to leave him, weighting on his chest.
The further into the jungle they went, the more the silence seemed to play with their minds.
"According to my father's journals; the Observatory was once greatly protected by the people of this land. But it would seem Spaniards drove them out years ago."
"It would appear that way but we must stay vigilant. Even if there are no people here; the wildlife won't hesitate to attack us."
The former Grandmaster gave a nod as they made their way through the area. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword all the while. The path took them through the wondrous sights of the island, the open waterfall casting out its crisp clear water to the river flowing below. Twisting vines, breathtaking views as far as they eye could see, the bold beauty of rare flowers blooming at the base of every tree.
Gasps escaped both their lips as the sight of the old ruins greeted them. The temple stood tall, its strange architecture somewhat frozen in time. Its unusual metals and markings striking out against its dull background.
"Incredible...It's just as my father described it. Wait here..."
Amelia moved to argue but decided against it, silently watching as her love cautiously approached the Temple's door.
As the Sage's blood touched glass, the Temple erupted to life. The strange hums of the past floating in the ghostly mists surrounding the two as the door began to drop; descending into the ground with a dull thud.
Mechanics fueled the burning fires of the wall's lights, as it lit their path illuminating the remains of the many unlucky souls at their feet. The Temple was grand in both size and appearance. The inside like that of a palace of both rock and metals all a strange glow. Blood vials of the forgotten filling the shelved walls.
In the center stood a striking golden circle of unknown markings holding a crystal glass skull; its empty eyes seeming to stare at the two as they entered.
Amelia took in the Observatory in all its glory and it was certainly a sight to behold. Haytham only ever more fascinated with the words of his father reading true as the reality stood before him.
"Haytham this is...incredible. Do you know how the artefact works?"
"Excellent question my dear..."
Both turned to be faced with Charles Lee and his Redcoats surrounding him as he made his way towards the couple. As the Templar stepped closer Haytham didn't hesitate to place himself between the two, his back shielding Amelia from the raised muskets of the Redcoats.
"Please; continue. I believe the lady asked you a question Haytham..."
Haytham replied with a hard glare, the anger and hatred burning in his eyes as he stormed forward with hidden blades drawn.
"I could kill you!"
"Haytham no-"
Amelia pulled Haytham back, her hand softly placed on his cloaked shoulder. Charles flinched; his Redcoats aiming their weapons at the ex-Templar. Charles sent a smirk Amelia's way, her skin crawling at the twisted look in his eye.
"He's certainly protective of you isn't he Amelia? Good, I can use that. Now the artefact, it would seem you're the only one with the knowledge to activate it Haytham."
Amelia yelped as a Redcoat took hold of her from behind, the cold sting of a blade being pressed to her throat drawing a small trickle of blood. Haytham moved to attack only to be knocked to the ground by the blunt end of a musket. Watching helplessly as Charles took hold of his love, forcing the tip of the blade further into her throat. The blood seeping into her clothes as it slipped down her neck. Amelia winced in pain refusing to give in to the hold the Templar had on her.
"Now listen closely, you are going to give me what I want! Activate the artefact or she dies! Edward Kenway left quite the mark on the West Indies; your father was trusted with the secrets of the Observatory only to be passed down through generations."
The piercing glare in his eyes, the steadiness of his hand proved he wasn't bluffing. Charles consumed with the overwhelming claim of power; now just out of his reach. The only reason he'd kept Haytham alive, to do what no other could. Armed with the knowledge of his father's memories, he cautiously stepped up to the crystal skull; the ghostly glow shining bright against human touch. Like a riddle of keys gleaming before the naked eye; the Temple erupted to life, flashes of fire light bursting from the walls and ground. The screams echoed of Charles' men as their bodies perished into a mess of blood leaving no trace behind.
Fear crippled Charles as wide eyes darted about the room, terrified at the instantaneous slaughter of his men. He stumbled back, arms trembled as his voice roared against the deafening rumbles.
"What have you done?!"
Amelia took her chance to push back against Charles' grip, her elbow swinging into his gut causing him to double back. His footing lost on the edge of the towering cliff to deep waters below. The Assassin screamed as he snatched her hand pulling her with him. His body tumbled over the ledge hanging over the pit, Amelia struggling to keep level. Charles ever weighting her down, their eyes locked as he snarled at her; his grip clawing at her skin. Fingernails drawing blood from her trembling arm.
"Perhaps you should have killed me when you had the chance my love. You're weak Amelia, you couldn't even save your mother. What is it that leads you to believe you can ever save yourself?"
The tears blurred in her vision, her pain clouding her heart pulsing through her mind like a rush from the tide. Her jaw clenched in anger as she loosened her grip.
"Go to hell Charles."
She didn't hesitate as she let go. Watching as his body hit the water before disappearing into the abyss below. She pulled herself back as she lay against the stone floor, her gasping pants of relief washing away the guilt weighting on her chest.
"Amelia..."
She chuckled into the embrace of Haytham's chest as he sunk to his knees beside her. His arms a welcomed warmth surrounding her. The two sat in the silence of the calming Temple. It was over now and they were safe. To Amelia that's all that mattered. Her heart still ached from the lost of her mother and from the pain the Templars had put her through but time would heal those wounds.
She saw herself building a future with Haytham now, nothing left to tear them apart. She could finally live a peaceful life. Rising to her feet she took one last look at the Observatory, the mystery to be left alone. It was not their time. And it was not their weapon to wield. Her Assassin blood telling her to walk away.
"We should handle the artefact carefully, if we're to return it to Boston in one piece."
Amelia's content smile faded at Haytham's words as he removed his cloak wrapping it tightly around the crystal skull.
"Haytham...what are you doing?"
"You're not suggesting we leave this here are you?"
"It's not for us. Put it back."
The frown set deep in Haytham's face as he rose to his feet.
"Amelia this device is capable of seeing great distances. Seeing into the minds of man, all that is required is a drop of blood. Think of possibilities...to be all seeing."
"Charles killed innocent people! All for power, control...It's not worth it Haytham! It's...not worth any of this!"
"He was a poor leader nothing more. In the right hands Amelia, we would use this device for ourselves. Think about it...the first Grandmaster and Mentor joining the Templars and Assassins together as one."
"The Templars destroyed everything!"
"Charles corrupted the Order but I can restore it back to it's former glory. Both Order and Creed need never fight again."
"No... You have to choose."
Amelia's heart broke as she saw the desire clouding in his eyes. The need for power, control. The same heartless Grandmaster she had hated years ago now reclaiming the man she loved. Standing toe to toe with his towering frame she gazed into his eyes only to find that man she knew was once again lost to his consuming Templar greed. Her trembling smile cracked against the tears that fell as she softly stroked his cheek, the memory of his touch aching in her heart until it hurt.
"Forgive me."
A breathless gasp left Haytham's lips as Amelia's hidden blade struck him, his lifeless body falling from the ledge. She stood numb and alone. Her heart stone and cold like her stare. She carefully unwrapped the crystal skull before placing it back to it rightful place.
The Temple once again in a deep slumber to be left undisturbed. Amelia lost count of the hours she'd sat alone in the Temple before finally returning to the surface. The sea was so peaceful at night, the waves slowly hugging the shore of the island with every heartbeat of the wind. The seagulls singing above as they flew across the clouded night sky that only held the few stars that dared to peek at the earth below.
Amelia stood silent and numb in a daze, the quiet on the outside only mocking the ache of her screaming heart. In that moment she simply let the exhaustion and the pain take her; as her pained cries called out to the empty night. Her body limp and broken in the sand as she sobbed for her lost love.