Chapter 36: The Truth of the Future

First off, I'd like to give a HUGE thanks whoever added (or suggested) my story to the community "Stealth and Steel". I actually cried tears of joy. I'm really honored. Thank you! :3

~*IF~*AC~*~

"What?" Jefferson said perplexed by the message box that had suddenly popped up on the screen of his laptop.

Do you want to open or save this file?

Name: File K.16

Type: Unknown, 1.1 GB

From: Unknown

"What is this?" Jefferson left the room and went to find Jackson. He found Jackson in the main room with Zeke and Paul, with a similar message box on their screens.

Message received 6:16 P.M.

He deserves to know the truth about who he is, was, and who he would be.

.- -...

"What the hell is that at the bottom of the message?" Jackson asked.

"Wait! That's Morse code!" Zeke exclaimed. "It stands for 16."

"16…that must be Subject 16!" Paul said.

"That's why I'm here, I got a message asking me to open or save a file by the name of K.16." Jefferson spoke.

"Of course, that computer is directly connected to Cole. Save the file. Then bring your laptop here so we can do a further analysis."

"Right away." Jefferson ran to his computer and clicked the save button. While the computer downloaded the file he brought his computer to the main room and plugged it into the large screen in the room. Once it was done downloading, another message box popped up.

File downloaded, open file?

Jefferson clicked yes and his laptop screen went dark. On the large screen, letters began to appear the dark background.

K….E…S…S…L…E…R…

Awaiting final command.

"Alright this appears to be in Cole's hands now. We'll be seeing this just as he is seeing it." Paul said.

~*A*~C*~I*~F*~

May 18th, 2032

"Sir! Look at this!"

"Operation B.E.A.S.T." has been initialized!"

"How is this possible? They weren't supposed to be ready for another twenty years!"

"This is the product Ray field energy and the power of Eden mixed together. The Suicide Mixture..."

"The Beast."

"Destroy the world and begin it again."

"Bring the world into a new world order…"

A select few were aware of this. Even in your time. They knew it was going to happen...

But then he came along to change it all...

"What can we do?"

"Only you can stop this..."

A choice was made. A choice that compromised the lives of many around the globe. A choice that brought the world to her knees.

And secured a revolutionary victory for the cross.

The world was to begin anew. The year 2100 was when everything was to be finalized and restarted.

It would be a process that would take years, to make sure that all who stood in their way were eliminated. The Assassins...

It was adamant to rid of you first.

And millions were killed in the hunt.

December 29th, 2099.

More than half a century would pass. Another year of destruction and gore has gone by. It would have been the final year that Mother Earth would suffer and as for her children...

They would have been born again.

The correct way.

They would have made sure of that.

"Are you sure this is the only way mentor? Perhaps there is still a way-"

"No; all of this was because of my cowardice, my hesitance. They have won this war."

"Again, there must be another way? A way we overlooked?"

"No!"... "The way I have is the only remaining way. I have to make sure that this future is not absolute. I must make sure that I do not make the same mistake twice. I have to make sure that I am ready. Moreover, it will be a proper punishment for me."

"The creation of this...this Beast was not your intention. It was a product of the Templars. You had no part in that."

"I played my part well when I fled. I had the power to stop it and possibly end this war, once and for all. They knew that. I broke a crucial rule of the creed. The deaths of my wife, my children, my best friend, my family and all of the innocents around the world are my responsibility. Their blood is on my hands. I am responsible for all this destruction, all the suffering. And I will continue to break every rule of the creed to carry this out to its fullest extent."

"Brother..."

"Do not try to talk me out of it, my mind is made up. I built this creed up and made it stronger than it ever had been; possibly stronger than that of the Italian Brotherhood. But now I broke it down completely; you and I are the only ones that remain. And that will not last long..."

"I will continue fighting in your honor. I will build the brotherhood back up!"

"No."... "Unfortunately you won't I'm afraid."

"Surely you are aware of my abilities?"

"I am aware of your abilities Jacob, but I'm afraid it will not be enough. It is too late."

Jacob dropped his head. His mentor had a point.

"This, this is a one way trip. Am I correct?"

"You are. I will not be coming back."

"Will we ever...see each other again?" Jacob asked.

… "More likely in another lifetime brother. I am sure of that."

Jacob and hugged his mentor and brother in a tight embrace and his mentor hugged back just as tight. Knowing that this was truly going to be the last time he would ever see the only remaining family he had.

"Jacob, when your time comes, promise me that you go with as much honor and dignity as possible."

"To you as well...brother." Jacob could barely keep his tears back.

"Little one." His older brother reached up and wiped his brother's eyes.

A loud roar could be heard not too far from where they were standing.

Jacob quickly composed himself and stood upright. "I will hold him off. Go."

"I have always been proud of you brother, I want to make sure you know that."

Jacob smiled solemnly. "I have always been proud of you too...Cole."

"A tainted name. Given to me after the powerful and influential Assassin in my lineage. Nicola, he adopted this alias. But I have disgraced it. A name that I am not worthy of, I will not continue to wear it and shame it. But I will make sure that when I do get this name again, I will carry it well. As I'm supposed to."

"What will you go as then?"

"Kessler."

The roar was much closer to them.

"Farewell brother. May we meet again soon."

"We will." Jacob promised. He ran off in the direction of the Beast who was pursuing them. Kessler lingered on further, for he already knew how this was going to pan out. But he wanted to make sure that his brother would keep his promise.

His brother shot projectiles of dark matter at the approaching the beast. It affected him slightly, but for the most part, he absorbed most of the blow. The Beast let out a resounding roar that echoed for miles. Then his brother was airborne.

This is it.

His brother floated aimlessly, helplessly in the beast's gravitational pull. Kessler was almost tempted to go down there and help his brother and redeem himself. But he that ran the risk of securing this future, and opening up a new era of Templar order.

He reluctantly remained as he was.

His brother continued to fight on, unleashing everyone ounce of power within him. The power of the darkness was limitless. But the human body, his in particular, as advanced as it was, still had its limitations. And he was already at or beyond his limits.

He wasn't going to last long.

And Kessler could see that. The temptation to help his brother grew with each passing second. But what was at stake kept him still.

It would spell the end for everything.

Jacob was on his last limb. He knew that he had to hold the beast off for as long as possible so his brother had enough time to escape and prepare. Like his brother was going to do, he made the ultimate sacrifice.

He got a running start and jumped towards the beast, his arms straight out, the darkness taking over. He flew towards the beast with his most powerful attack in his arsenal.

The Darkened Wings of an Eagle.

An eagle screech could distinctly be heard, but from where always remained a mystery. This phenomenon even stumped Jacob as well.

Time slowed down as Jacob got closer and closer to the Beast. He wasn't anticipating for his attack to kill the beast, but at least stun him enough so his brother could distance himself. He closed his eyes. He was now at fate's mercy. He would be keeping his promise to his brother.

And he couldn't help but smile at that.

He finally collided with the Beast.

And was instantly vaporized.

But in his wake, a large black eagle had engulfed the beast and it struggled violently to free itself.

The large image with an equally loud screech of an eagle filled up the sky. The black eagle had disintegrated and the Beast let out an agonized roar as it fell to its knees.

With honor and dignity. Kessler thought to himself.

December 31st 2099, 11:58pm

Kessler was in his hideout doing final preparations. Everything was set. Jacob's sacrifice had bought him just about two days. A lot longer than he initially needed but that was his brother; always exceeding his expectations.

Kessler went over one last self check and made sure that all his metal attachments were properly in place. With a flick of his wrist, white electricity immediately danced at his fingertips. He then put the palms of his fingers together, closed his eyes, and focused. After some time, he separated his hands and with it, a constant gold electric current traveled between his hands.

He grabbed the chain that held the piece that would make his plans possible and prevent his fears from coming true. He admired the tiny yet powerful object. It's amazing how something so small could wield such an immense amount of power.

He put the chain around his neck. Then he placed his hood on top of his head.

Just as he heard the Beast's roar in the distance.

It was time.

Before he left the hideout, he grabbed a photo from his wedding day; Trish and him happy and Zeke as his best man. It was a picture that gave him a reminder of what his selfishness cost him and what his selflessness could do.

Minus one aspect.

He could hear the thudding footsteps of the Beast grow ever so closer.

Kessler looked at a clock in the room.

Ten seconds to midnight.

He closed his eyes and raised his hand, charging up his power. This was the very first time he was going to ever do this. The first time he, or anyone else for that matter, was going to attempt to rewrite history. But he would not be able to live and tell the tale. It will be a one-way trip no matter what.

His fate was sealed.

5…

Kessler closed his eyes and thought back to all the happy moments that he had in his long life.

4…

His loving wife Trish, his two beautiful little girls…

3…

His partner in crime Zeke and all the adventures they went through.

2…

Seeing all of it taken away at the blink of an eye. The world being reduced to rubble. All in preparation of a new world order.

1…

Then all of it being stopped and finally seeing the Assassins win. The world being finally free, as it should be and like it should have been from the beginning.

0

January 1st, 2100

And he now he had a chance to redeem himself. He would make sure of it.

No matter what the cost.

*~I~F~*

"You have seen just part of the truth…

Your future...is an illusion

But it can still become reality.

All that remains is the past.

That I will not be able to show you, for you need to learn it, no, experience it to grasp it.

You need to understand your past to understand the present.

And prepare yourself for the future.

But the past is vast and wide.

Yours is no exception.

I'll be waiting for you. I am with you until the end. Find me...in the darkness..."

01000101 01000100 01000101 01001110

Destabilizing…

And there you have it. I couldn't possibly leave Kessler's timeline out of this. xD Subject 16 everyone, gotta love him.

ONE(or TWO) chapters to go! We're at the end folks :3

Thanks for reading! Please review =)