Here we are! Thank you for all the loves! I'm sorry, too many distraction weigh me down, as well as the cold winter kicking in. Regardless, although later than usual, the next chapter.
Reviews...
PennyStroke: Okay, I can understand a misunderstanding, we all can, but actually... Anyway, I haven't played Rouge, since the story seems bleak, while Unity is just...you gotta love it. I already pulled lines from it. I don't know how I am going to add a rouge Assassin to the story, but I think an idea just came to mind. A bad one.
Spartan719: I agree. I'm not the best when it comes to English, as you can see my nationality on my profile. Gramar, vocab, typo, you name it. However, I still held enough to make a fluent sentence. I tried my best to fix typos from the 30 chapters in before, but anything else I just can't tell. So I hope you'll excuse me for that, and that it won't hinder you from enjoying this fic.
hammerheadcruiser: And how did you enjoy the story so far?
Blazedragon94: Ah, that. I myself thought it at first, but thankfully, the fact that Esdeath always check who's under the hood balance it out. If anything, it shows that Jack resigned, give up, if you will. I admit, it still left a bad taste in my mouth, and I could've did it better, still, it works, and I always enjoy seeing an Assassin pulling his/her hood up or down.
Now, let me add the line separators and get started!
"Geh..."-Jack gently wipe the blood from his lips.
The slap Esdeath gave him left a cut, and with the way Jack take care of his health, no doubt a scar.
Well, it suits him just fine.
Though he is going to get an earful from Chelsea on that later...
"..."-Jacks stares at himself in the mirror.
He used to think the Coat of Midnight would be a perfect fit for him as far as looks goes.
But years past, and after half a year as a true master assassin, he felt himself older and more mature.
That glint of youth and his energetic expression soon gave way to a more of an experienced veteran outlook, a more enigmatic expression, more calm and collective. His used-to-be favorite coat now seem so out of age.
If anything, his Creed Elder would've said 'You've aged.'
Although Jack found little problem in it, he was still only 24. Still young. He couldn't have mid-life crisis at 24.
Still, he really did grow as an Assassin.
"You look amazing."-Esdeath's voice pierce through his line of thoughts.
"Not angry anymore?"-He turned to her, as she stood at the bathroom door.
"A part of me is always angry at you eversince I knew you are an Assassin, doubly so when you could be the elusive Edward."-Esdeath grabbed a clean towel and cleaned up that lip injury for the Assassin.
"I'll say nothing on that matter."-Jack groaned. He's not in the mood for another argument. A greater part of him was surprised, Esdeath knows medicines?
Then again, she took her time studying the human body and how to make pain lasts, so the reverse isn't too hard.
As he is compromised as an Assassin now, the Edward part don't really matter. If she choose to ask, he'll answer. Whatever her reaction maybe.
Esdeath wasn't really paying attention, as she stares into him.
Jack, in the army's uniform.
Is hot.
She felt blood rushing to her face for some reason.
Unlike an Assassin outlook he usually dons, which is enigmatically charming and mysterious, Jack in a white uniform gave off an air of both class and power. The carefully tailored uniform had black belt and black leather straps, two lines of gold buttons, and the shoulder insignia added uneeded buffs to his broad shoulders. Tall, black leather boots added to that design, and a cap similar to Esdeath's proudly presented itself on the blonde Assassin's head.
Unlike those whimsy officers and even ministers she met in those few occasion where a party must have her as a guest, whose chest filled with medals and a modified, luxurious uniform, Jack looked like he would get second or third glances from anyone passing by.
"...Stop staring."-Jack twitched his eyes.
"? You are dripping in pheromones and manliness right now. I couldn't look away if I want to!"-She accidentally blurted it out.
Jack just crossed his arms and sighed as he stepped outside, passed the blushing Esdeath in the process.
He wasn't much of a fan for the color white, although he wore it in the years in the army. Still, he would admit he looks fine, presentable. Not that he ever cared.
But, Jack being Jack, he began thinking about how he can conceal weapons.
Swords and muskets are no problems, they are common for any soldier.
But he can't fit his hidden blades and bracer to it.
'My karambit can be hidden in the boots, and I intend to get my hidden blades back from Esdeath's hands'-Seems like he'll pay a visit to the armory soon. That girl would be excited.
"So. What do you want now?"-He finally asked.
"For now, glomp you."
"Spare me for now."-He tiredly groaned.-"What jobs would you have me do as your surbordinate? In case you haven't realize, I'm no good with paperwork."
"It depends."-Esdeath pondered.
She can't ask him to fight the Revolutionaries, or to sell his friends out. She had no real leverage over him. So Jack's most likely staying to gain her trust, as well as surveying not only how her army operates, but also a chance to escape.
She had to find a common enemy. Not the Creed, not Night Raid, not the Empire...
'The Templars.'
She had no real connections to them.
And it's time to hear some of Jack's tales.
"What do you know of the Templars?"-Esdeath carefully asked.
"..."-Jack turned to her.-"You're asking me to get rid of them?"
"Get rid of?"
"Ah of course."-Jack raised a mocking hand.-"You didn't know too."
"...Know what?"
"That there are Templar spies in your army, of course."
The Templars knows her army's every move.
It also tried to manipulate her by using document about Jack to distract and attempted to point her away from Verana Viranetta.
Spies? In her army?
Esdeath's lips curved into a sadistic smile.
'A perfect target, and even more perfect of a compromise.'
"Good. Then, I'm giving you that case, Jack. Kill them, bring them to me, I don't care. You already have the authority to carry it out with that uniform. So go."
"On top of that...they said there's unfinished work...what's so important about this Western city..."-Jack mumbles to himself.
"Jack?"
"Esdeath, did your army destroyed the library?"
"I'm no book fanatics and so are my soldiers. But besides a few holes in the wall and knocked off shelves, I think it's fine. What are you planning?"
"..."-He didn't answer as he paces around the room.
'I wonder if Chelsea had dropped off the codex page.'
It was then he realized there's no guarantee she and Sora got away on time.
Bad thoughts filled his mind, but he shooked his head and hoped for the best.
'Damn. I should have get something like the necklace I gave her myself... I could use a momment toying with a memento like that to ease my mind right now...'
Still, stuffs like that are best given by your special person, not crafted by yourself.
"I'm heading for the libra-"-A cold hand grabbed him.
"Stay for the night..."
"...Just...let me go."
"I won't. I won't let you get away. At least not tonight."
"I must repeat. I have a girlfriend."-He almost smacked himself, realizing he could use a better excuse.-"And I just got this uniform. It'd be a shame to mess it up."
"I'll repeat. I will rip you away from her."-Esdeath grinned in response-"And with the way you get from A to B, worrying about messing up your clothes is a trivial matter."
Jack groaned. This is going to be a long night.
A few days later...
"Jack's been productive."-Esdeath looked at the cell, filled with Templar spies.
She observed him once, how he did his work. Skip the detective-like clues, the Assassin simply looked at one and stated "That's a Templar", "The document's there is coded", "They are heading for an exchange". And he is spot on everytime.
If Esdeath hadn't known better, she'd say he can read people's mind.
Well, in reality, he came close to it. Eagle sense allowed him to sort out the odd one in a crowd, and after a few more second suspecting, he can also tell what their general aim was.
Esdeath failed to see how a person of his talent is ignored when he is in the Empire's army. Sure, he wasn't aware of it himself at the time, but...
How many more talented individal had gone by unoticed?
'Come to think of it...'
There was an old soldier who possessed a similar talent to Jack...
He ended up betraying her army to protect a civilian...
If she knew it was more than a measy natural talent, then things could have been different. Or it may have not, but it's always a shame to waste talent.
"General."-A soldier dragging a dead body came by.
At first, it didn't surprise her, it's normal to see that kind of stuff, but she noticed the dead body had her army's uniform on.
"Who is this?"
"Ah, it's one of those spies your surbordinate found."
Apparently, this one went down with a fight.
"Then you know where he is. I wish to speak to him."
"Oh, uhm..."-The soldier scratched his head-"He's either at the library or the bar in his free-time. You can start there, general."
Esdeath nodded, and the soldier bowed respectfully before taking his leave.
By a bar, that soldier meant a courtyard that soldiers began setting up tables and drinks.
Esdeath glanced at the spies, shivering in her presence.
"Good for you, I have stuff to do. We'll start later."-The ice queen left them to leek some more.
"Rum."-Jack ordered as he sat down an empty table.
He had little free time, but the point was to recover his gear. He's just got back the hotel room he and Chelsea stayed at, and retrieve the Pandemonium Cross. The ring fell into the sink, but Jack don't need a plummer to get it out, specially when the owner won't bother him.
Though on the way, he kepts getting side tracked by the history of the city and how the Assassins made their mark stands for all that time.
Now, rearmed, Jack only misses his hidden blades, which is in Esdeath's armory. The Assassin Armor has a pair, but to Jack, the pair Esdeath holds has important values.
'I made those with Chelsea.'
He plans to make a visit, hopefully without getting into too much trouble.
But for now, best to stay put and rest.
"Oi, skulk!"-Suddenly, a soldier pointed at him, bottle of rum in hand, obviously drunk.-"I've seen your face before."
"You have?"-Jack raised an eyebrow
"I've been in many places before a drifted to this army."-The guy began, staggering towards Jack.-"I've seen it all, many names and faces...but you! i've seen you before!"
"You have?"-Jack repeated. He was ready to fight.
"You're them mates with those pirates down the southern seas!"
"Oh? Fancy seeing you. What do you want?"
"Hahah! It's true then! You're that bastard that run away from us! Gyahahaha!"
This guy.
Used to be part of Jack's squadron. Before Jack took off and became an Assassin and pirate.
"And here we are. I made a man of myself, while you go drunk and swinging that bottle of rum like it's an actual weapon."-Jack retorted, taking a gulp of rum-"Fancy Esdeath, having a useless scoundrel like you fighting for her."
"..."-Even drunk, the guy can still see that mock, and angrily stepped forward.-"You want to talk about manliness boy! HAH! Which whore gave you that smack on the face over there, eh?"-He pointed at Jack's recently earned lip scar.
"I'm sure she'll disagree. Now shut your gob before I fill it with shots."-Jack patted the musket on his belt.
"Hah!"-The guy tried grabbing his head.
Jack responded by headbutting him, throwing him staggering back before doing a clean chest throw, knocking him crashing down a table.
"You bastard!"-Some of his buddies gang up on Jack.
"You want a dust up, I'll give you one!"-Jack assumed a fighting stance.
Countering the first attacker, Jack brought his hands out wide and hit both hand in the same time on both ears, a perfect counter hurt, before kneeing the soldier to his groaning knock out. A quick kick similar what soccer players do hits the next soldier's knee, break his defenses, before a chop hit him on the back of his neck, knocking him out.
"Come on! One more!"-Jack taunted, as he began combo hit another soldier, as it was turning into a huge bar fight.
Going on a streak, Jack threw a perfect right hook, before throwing a kick that sends the attacker far and out.
"Come on! Who wants a beat-down! Bring it on!"-If anything, the rum must've fired him up.
Fighting brash soldiers is fine. Unlike prisoners, they deserve that dust up.
A pirate's life brings him more than one fist fight, but he never had a good sastisfying fist-fight to vent his anger and stress as this.
It was getting the point that anyone getting into range with him was being beaten up in two seconds time.
After a good 12 to 15 men lying on the ground, licking their wounds, the others backed off. Some noticed he was the guy who was at the arena a week ago, and stay away altogether.
"You-you bastard!"-The first guy that picked a fight with him got back to his feet, nose bleeding from the head butt Jack gave him.
"Still not sober yet?"-Jack folded his arm, a strange act when he stood around men groaning and squirming in pain.
"I'll-"
"Whore, you say?"
An icy voice interupted him.
"Geh..."-Jack turned away.
"..."-Everyone gaped.
"How long have you been there?"-Jack groaned.
"Long enough."-The Empire's strongest grinned.-"An officer was susposed to keep his soldiers in order, not pick a fight with them."
"Oh, so I was susposed to do what? Give them a speech?"
"Anyway."-Esdeath abandoned the subject.-"Sorry about the scar."
"I'd say it suits me, but..."-Jack trailed off.
"It does."-She complemented-"Now."
"G-general! I-I didn't know!"
"Now you are sober!"-Jack rubbed his aching head.
"We're getting to it."-Esdeath grinned sadistically.
"Well, well. You actually showed up. Did the General kick you off the bed?"-The female officer grinned as she spotted Jack heading towards her.
"I never slept on her bed."-Jack sighed-"Anyway, I need to get in."
"Sorry, but our General raised the bar for you. You can't get in you know~"
"She raised the bar for me?"
"What, want to celebrate that over a bottle of rum? I don't mind."
"Well, it won't be hard getting in though. So let's work out a good compromise before I use the sword you gave me to make blood rain."
"Sorry, but we're kind of even now that you got the sword and have your word on keeping your mouth shut. And whatever happens, I'm in charge there. Whatever mess-up you do in there is on me~ Sweet talk won't help you in, hun."
"That's why I'm telling you to find a compromise!"
"If you are hoping to get your blades and bracers back, you'll have to convince Esdeath-sama~"
"I can't convince her to wear a proper bra, less this!"-Jack smacked his head.
He can try and sneak in and steal it, with high chances of success, but the girl will be blamed for that, and punishment as Esdeath's hand won't be easy...
"Sorry."
"...That was the only sentence that hold sinscere in you I've heard so far, so thank you."
"I bet those have sentimental value, right? You keep them in good shape."
"Ah."-He nodded-"Then, if I get her permission on paper , you'll let me have it, right?"
"Right. A sword is nothing to matter, she can't count all the swords inside. But their only one pair of hidden blades though..."
"Then, please get the documents ready for her to sign."
"You're going to convince her?"
"..."
"Ah...yes, on paper...I see. You'll need her seal for that. And getting your hands on it is a defacto death sentence you know."
"I've got kill-squads after me before."-Jack smirked-"Just get it done."
"Very well. I'll have the documents ready for you tomorow."
"Thanks, erm..."
"Katie."-She grinned-"You're Jack, right?"
"Indeed."
"Well, nice to meet you, but I have some documents that needs to be con."
"Of course."
With that, they seperates.
Then, the Assassin saw a group of soldiers hastily heading in one direction.
Stopping one, Jack asked for a report.
"Ah, we found one of those enemies hiding in one of the broken down house, so we're trying to break through."
"Enemies? Who are they?"
"Yes sir, a woman and her child."
"That's no enemy! They're just civilians!"
"Erm...we make no distinction between the two."
"Outta my way!"-Jack followed the soldiers, hoping he's not too late.
...
...
"Why won't that door budge?!"
"The beam's fallen on it I think! Plus the furniture she barricaded!"
"Oi, surrender already! Staying in there won't help you! Sooner or later, we'll get bored and burn this place down!"
The soldier used everything possible to try and break open the door.
"Papa said to stay until he comes back! Papa said to not let anyone in!"-A child's voice can be heard.
"Bwahahahaha! You think your little daddy's coming for you?! Well guess what?! We can have you choose your next pap-"
"ENOUGH!"
A male voice called out.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Does it matter? See this? An officer. Heed my orders, or I'll shoot you as an example!"
"You...!"
"What should we do?"
"Damn! That's...that's Esdeath-sama's lover!"
"That monster on the battlefield a week ago?!"
"Then, I take it you'll listen."
"Y-yes sir."
"Clear off."
"..."
"CLEAR OFF!"
Sounds of footsteps hurriedly scrambling can be heard.
Afterward, it's silence.
"Uhm..."-The guy started first.-"I'm here to help."
"...Who are you?"
"A friend."-Jack stated-"I can't do much for you. But if you still have strength, then you can still leave the city. As long as I come with you to the city gates."
"..."
"You can't trust me, yes. But staying there, and you will die!"
"Why would you help me?"
"..."-Jack lowered his head-"Because everyone deserves a chance to fight for their lives. A real chance."
A good 10 minutes passed, before the sound of furniture shifting can be heard.
Jack opens the door to find a weak woman with a young girl, tired, thirsty and hungry.
He said nothing more, and offered them his hand.
"He did what?"-Esdeath growled.
"He-he fed them, escorted them to the city limit, and ordered us not to fire after them."
"..."-Esdeath don't know how to react.
Should she be mad that he spend his time wasting it on weaklings instead of being useful to her?
Or should she be mad that he still haven't changed a single bit since becoming her surbordinate?
She turned, broke, twisted souls before. Changing them to suit her needs.
But Jack simply refuses to change.
In a way, he's asking her to change.
Asking her to submit.
And this is not a game of who is more stubborn.
Jack has a multitude of ways to keep convincing her, while Esdeath's only option is to keep showering him with affection.
"And where is he now?"
"...I...don't know ma'am."
"..."-Esdeath planted her face down the desk.-"You may leave."
The soldier hurriedly bowed and took his leave, and so only the groaning general remains.
"You look tired."-A familiar voice rang out.
"Use the door next time."-Esdeath sneered, seeing the Assassin climbing in from the window.
"What?"-Jack asked, seeing the general gazing at him unhappily.
"Nothing. Another day, another pile of trouble you caused for me."
"If you are talking about the bar fight..."
"There's an interesting point there, but we're getting to it."-Esdeath grumbled-"You just had to save anyone you can, don't you?"
"Ah, so the general is displeased because I spared an 'enemy', one that had close to zero capability in fighting, and one isn't old enough to hold a dagger."-Jack crossed his arms mockingly.
"..."
"You condemn what you do not understand. I don't have to explain myself to you about my views in life, what I believe as true and not true."
Saying so meant he already gave up on trying to make her understand. If she was to understand, it'd be by herself.
"But you do have to explain, as my surbordinate."
"What's there to explain? They are cilvillians, so I let them go."
"Against my order."
"Becareful who you cross, Esdeath. I maybe your surbordinate, but don't forget. I'm an Assassin, a child of the two worlds. And my obligation as an Assassin goes over an officer's job everyday."
"..."-Esdeath can't find a reasonable way to rebute.
"Then, fine evening to you, general."-Jack bowed mockingly before climbing out the window again.
"Wait."-Esdeath stopped him.-"That dog at the bar. He said you were a pirate."
"So?"
"Edward seems rather close to the pirates."
"Think what you want."-Jack didn't even turn back.-"I'm sure a day actually reading a book would help you figure out who I am."
"..."
What is this distance?
A wall is forming between them. No matter how hard Esdeath tries to break it, the wall won't budge, and Jack kept stepping away from it.
Their paths are separating.
She can't turn him to her side even if she keeps him with her for life.
So either she'll have to kill him, or she'll have to change.
But, first time facing such a situation when emotions and ideals clash, the young woman failed to find a way to balance it.
'First, I have to stop creating a bad atmostphere between us, so it's best to not talk about work. I need something fun and adventurous for us to do...'
If anything, the keystone hunt was actually enjoyable, if not for the fact that she tried to kill Edward multiple times.
Then again, Jack don't respond well with the way she throws her body over him, so the wisest choice would be to keep it mild.
In other words, be normal.
'If I can at least get him to look my way, maybe he'll feel guilty, and return somewhat of my feelings. At least then...I have a foothold.'
"Don't it interests you?"
"It does. A tomb underneath the city. This might be what the Templars are trying to get in. Whatever's inside would hold incredible value. Power, knowledge, whatever. To say it didn't raise my interest would be a pathetic lie."
"Then-"
"I didn't said I won't go."
"But you are implying you want to go without me."
"..."
"Am I that hard of a companion?"
"..."-Jack groaned-"Do what you want. Every thing the Assassins built is based on the fact that they are acrobats. If you think you can keep up and free-run, then feel free."
"Can we call it a date?"
"..."-The Assassin did not reply.
"Then, we'll set off immediately, seeing you are free enough."
"And what about your duties as general?"
"I can do that when I feel like it."
"..."-Jack slumped his head in defeat.-"Lead on."
"Okay, so, apparently, underneath us is a huge cave system, and I'm not talking shallow caves. We're talking about abyss-dark canyons underneath. Water flows down, nothing goes up."-Esdeath lead on, as the two walked the streets-"There are entry points to that system in many places, and signs of ancient ruins can be found, but with nothing to grab on, no one can explore it. Although those holes serves as fine light sources, so you won't have to worry about wandering in the dark."
"Sound like where the Assassins would set up."-Jack nodded.
"What are you hoping to find? Do you have any idea what's down there?"
"I'm hoping to find books, dead bodies."
"What? No valuable artifacts, or objects of great power?"
"The Templars are also after it, so maybe there is something inside."
There are no other records about other Pieces of Eden. So chances are that there are informations down there. Books, records, something that documented the truth or the location of another Piece of Eden, that Jack would have to whack his brains out to find.
Esdeath stopped at a tower.-"Here we are."
"Lovely tower. Minus the holes made by your cannons."-Jack complimented.-"Or was it your ice boulders?"
"Well, thank whatever hit it, because the floor collapsed and revealed the entrance underneath."
"..."-There should be a lock there, but with people like Esdeath around, locks meant little.
Getting in, Jack spotted stairs heading down to exactly like what Esdeath mentioned, a dark abyss that has sounds of an underground waterfall echoing up.
But a closer look, and the Assassin noticed that the stairs only go down very little, only a few floors, when the actual canyon is, well, as forementioned, an abyss.
"?"-He also noticed a body on the stairway.
Getting closer, he was met with a dried up skeleton in Assassin uniform.
"Rest in Peace, brother."-He mumbled in tribal language.
Jack searched the dead body, and found a valuable item.
"A hookblade."
Esdeath got closer and watches Jack put on the hook blade.
It was the same as the hidden blades, but the blade is longer, and have a sharp hook at the end, hence the name. It is both a blade and a hook, afterall. The hook has an eagle's head design to it, which both found fitting.
"It is hundreds of years, and this thing didn't even rust with this moist. What material..."
It's not steel, for damn sure. It feels lighter, yet stronger than steel, can bend more, yet hardened, and it hasn't lost a single sharp edge.
Jack tested the blade by flickering his hand, the hook blade slides out easily and fluently, like the years laying with a dead corpse meant nothing.
He suddenly felt oddly familiar. Like he had wore this before.
Who knows, maybe this pile of bones used to be one of his ancestors.
"I guess in there is books on how to make blades like these."-Jack nodded as he took a step forward.-"I think w-?!"
Suddenly, the old stairway collapsed at the Assassin's weight, the delicate cracks spread wide open and gave way.
"Jack!"-Esdeath reaches for the Assassin.
Her heart almost stopped when she misses his hand, as he fell down.
CLANK!
The sound of metal hitting stones resounded through the stairway.
"Not what I want to do the first time testing this thing!"-Jack dangled dangerously, the hookblade clinging on to a loose, slipery concrete outcrop some few meters down.
This is honestly, what Jack fears.
He's not afraid of heights, not that there was a need to say that.
But he is afraid to put trust into such a crazy method to cling on a ledge.
Esdeath wasted no time, and froze the entire stairway in place, as well as create a big enough ledge for Jack to stand.
Soon as Jack properly got to his feet, Esdeath glomped at him, her jugs pressing on his face.
"Jack! Are you okay?!"
She honestly thought she lost him.
"I'm fine, Es."-He patted her shoulder,-"I'm fine. Not the first time I stare into the mouth of darkness."
"Are you sure? You aren't hurt? Can you stand?!"
"Yes, Es, I can stand."-Jack smiled-"Don't act so girlish infront of me...it makes me feel awkward."
'But...you are treating me way better than when I am the cold general!'-Esdeath inwardly thought.
That's it? She just have to be more girlish?
"Come on. We still have a tomb to explore. And I can't explore it with you clinging on to me."
"Are you sure you are fine?"
"Coming from a girl that wants me killed, that's not reassuring nor logical."-He laughed-"Just let go of me."
Esdeath noticed that laugh.
It was the old Jack.
The one that was more open to rebute with humor, youthful and fun to be with.
Not the Assassin, who always looks at her with cold eyes, despondant and defying.
"If only you could always be like this..."
"..."-Jack sadly smiled.-"If you change your way. It'd be what welcomes you everyday."
"But!-"
"Maybe after all this...I don't expect to be your lover, but...I...I'll never hate you. Never have, and never will."
"!"
That...
Hearing that...
'He...he doesn't...hates me...'
Means more than stealing a kiss from him.
Not today, not ever.
"Jack..."
"Okay, really though. We're in a dangerous place. Anything else comes after."
"Uhm."
Hearing that for her is enough today.
After clearing her head just a bit, this is the response.
"Well, I'm sure we'll find something. It may not worth my time, but..."-Esdeath looked at how nostalgic Jack stares into the hookblade-"It certainly worth yours."
"..."-Jack silently nodded, as he pay his respect to the Assassin of old, before stepping down deeper into the tomb.
Wait wait.
"How did you know it was a tomb?"
"Some Templars you captured said it was. How did you know I even learned about this place?"
"So...in there is a tomb of a legend."-Jack dived into many records, but of course, little is said for anyone that took the path of an Assassin. Only legend remains. And if no one lived to tell that legend...
"Heck, I'll be glad if my name went off the records like that."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure your name is listed to every detail. There are people who wishes to be known, and you chose to be anonymous."
"I am an Assassin. I chose to walk with the night, not going after fame, but my work will always remain."
"Did you just make a pun?"
"I don't know, did I?"-Jack leaped over to a crane, as the stairs are now cut off.
"...You..."
"What, how do you thin-!"
The crane snapped.
Jack leaped to the wall, hoping to find a ledge, but he found a completely smooth wall.
'Crap.'
Esdeath reacted, hearing the sound of Jack's hookblade scraping against the the wall uselessly.
"Slide!"
However, she reacted to that command, and create a slide downwards.
With no idea how deep it goes, the only choice...
"...Is to follow!"-Esdeath leap down as well
'It's too dark, I can't see!'
A hand grabbed her, and yanked her right before she collide into a limestone pillar.
Jack's Eagle vision really does come in handy.
Esdeath can see a dim light, and the sound of a waterfall.
"Hang on!"-Jack's grip on her hand tighten.
They are ejected out to a cavern underneath. A huge one that the city is built on.
A few holes shone enough light.
Suddenly, Jack leaped, and grabbed a ledge on the top of the cavern with his hookblade, before gather his strength to throw Esdeath into an old scaffolding.
Getting up immediately, Esdeath turned to see him climbing the ledges towards her.
Landing down the scaffolding as well, Jack was immediately pulled into another squeezing hug.
But, to Esdeath's surprise, Jack responded by doing a leg sweep on her, using the hookblade, and so she falls flat on the wooden scaffolds while the Assassin look around.
"This thing really is versatile!"-Jack commented as he flick the hookblade back in.
"You use it like a pro."-Esdeath groaned as she got up.-"Are you sure this is your first time using it?"
The General sweat-dropped to see that before she even finished that sentence, Jack had already climbed up a very high ledge, the hookblade digging into small ledges.
"..."-Jack sweat-dropped-"I can see a way."
"You do?"
"Can you wait here say...6 minutes?"
"No."
The sound of the wodden scaffold creaking and cracking under Esdeath's boots seals it.
"Get up here then. And don't use that incredibly powerful strength of yours! The entire thing is fragile enough!"
"Che."
Esdeath pondered a little, before pulling out an item from her cleavage.
Jack did his best to try and and look away. Keyword 'Try'.
But the item she pulled out is familiar.
It was the rope dart he gave to her as Edward back on the island. The situations drifted back and forth so much in 5 minutes that he had no chance to reclaim it.
Made by an ultra class danger beast's tail, the thing is tougher than steel, yet more flexible than rope.
"Familiar?"-Esdeath raised the rope dart.
"Not exactly, no."-Jack sighed-"Just get up here."
He barely dodged the dart as it planted itself into the concrete dome supporting the cavern.
"Che, I miss."
"It was two inches from my skull!"
Climbing up, Esdeath saw what can only be described as a zipline.
It cuts straight across the abyss down below, from one side to the other.
Who in their right mind designed this as an entrance anyway? Anf if they did, can they built a decent gondola, or a cable car for the sake of it?
As the General curses the Assassins for their unique ways of 'making an entrance', Jack just awkwardly look at the zipline.
"It'd work..."
"What would?"-The general was ready to make an ice bridge.
Jack activated his hookblade.
A quick glance can tell the zipline fits the hook perfectly.
'That's how it is?'
"I'm going. Do as you like."-Jack stepped back to get a good running start, but then Esdeath stopped him.
"You're not leaving me here with no ways of going back are you?"
"Oh, so the general who can conjure up ice by thinking it can't create stairs of her own?"
"I'm going too."-Esdeath deadpanned as she grabbed a good hold of the Assassin.
With no room to rebute, Jack hooked up to the zipline, then both people shifted their weight, Esdeath clinging on to Jack as they zip-lined across the abyss.
'A rough, powerful form.'-Was Esdeath's inner comment, as she presses herself into the Assassin some more.
Looking down to the abyss, Esdeath really did have to check how the hook was hanging on to the rope. A fall here and you are reduced to a pretty splatter.
"Ready up!"-Jack noticed they were near the other side now, and he can't land properly if a girl is clinging on to him.
Esdeath complied, and on his mark, let go and jumped off, landing in the scaffolds on the other side, the Assassin followed shortly.
Thankful that the scaffolds didn't collapsed, Jack noticed a free-run sequence set up.
"...Keep up, but don't collapse this place."-He charged forward, climbing the cavern walls with his hookblade, and was already performing the huge leap jump using the newly acquired tool.
'I really do wonder if this is his first time using it.'-Esdeath followed by conjuring up ice stairs and bridges.
He was climbing heights, supports himself on anything that has a ledge, swinging poles and even do the infamous split jump. This is something she hadn't saw in Edward when he free-runs.
Esdeath suddenly saw him cutting a rope attaching to a weight, and used the rop as a lift lo launch himself upward a great distance.
Catching up, she saw Jack waiting near another zipline cutting across the dark abyss once more.
"We're close."
I mean, they have to be.
Esdeath wordlessly hang on to the Assassin once more, as they synch their leap and zip-lined across.
"...?"-Jack felt the cable was vibrating.
His senses screamed danger.
"Be ready!"
SNAP!
The cable snapped as they are coming up on the other side again.
Esdeath's reacted against human nature, and let go of the Assassin so he can manuver. That trust was well-placed, as he grabbed on the scaffolds structure and catches her before she falls.
Gathering his strength, Jack swinged her up, the General quickly grabbed on the scaffold to reduced the stress.
"I hate this place!"-This time, the ice queen swore that if the stuff inside aren't valuable, she'll bring this place to a...structural collapse.
Even if the city is built over this place.
Jack did not respond, and climbed the loose scaffolding, a few pieces snapped as he did.
Esdeath raised a tower of ice to follow him.
At the top, Jack stopped to see a wooden outcrop similar to what he usually stands on for a view point. They are right next to the waterfall now.
"Where to now?"-Esdeath don't see anything else to interact with.-"A hidden door?"
"No."
"Then..."
"We're going down."
"What do you mea-?!"
Esdeath gaped as Jack get a running start and perform a Leap of faith straight down.
She had no idea how far he fell, but followed suit, although much slower using her powers.
A great distance down, the general found a water step that was deep enough to dive into, and Jack stumbly crawled out of the water, no doubt stunned from that.
"Are you okay?"-Esdeath approached the Assassin.
"I'm okay..."-He groaned.-"We're there."
There is a small cave behind the waterfall. Classic.
"There's nothing in this room."-It's an excavated room, so it must be man-made-"Is there a hidden door?"
"Or, a giant stone door right in the front."
Indeed, there was a door made of tough stones there.
"Right."-Esdeath was ready to break it open.
"Stop stop! Don't destroy a puzzle, solve it."-Jack sighed.-"There's a key hole..."
"So it's not a puzzle, but a locked door."-Esdeath conjured a huge ice boulder.
"Put that away!"
"...Che."-She threw it outside and down the waterfall.
"It said: 'The Eagle turns its head to the right.' "
Esdeath's first response, was, obviously, to turn right. An Eagle usually means an Assassin, so it was telling an Assassin to look to the right.
Right?
Jack did a quick Eagle vision check, but found nothing of significance there.
An Eagle...
"Gack...I see now."
Esdeath saw him drawing his hook blade.
Like it was mentioned before, the hook was made with the shape of an eagle's head.
"The hookblade is the key. Unique."-Esdeath nodded-"Who would've thought their weapons would be the key..."
Jack inserted the hookblade, and twisted it to the right.
Hearing the sound of pins unlocking, Jack removed the hookblade from the key holes, other wise he'll get stuck.
Or so he thinks.
A secret door opens to their right.
"Oh, it really is to the right."-It was so good his Eagle sense didn't quite catch it at first glance.
Fancy, creating a hardstone false door.
Regardless, the two entered the secret tomb.
Jack hoped to find plans, ways to creat a strong blade like the hookblade he just found, or lost secrets of history, or something that points to where a Piece of Eden resides.
But...
"...No books...no wisdom...just you. Old man."-Jack saw another dried up skeleton, sitting on a chair right in the middle of the room-"Leave this life in peace. Traitor to the Assassins."-He saw a key the skeleton was holding onto, as well as a letter.
"You know him?"-Esdeath asked.
"You don't?"-Jack turned to her.-"Well, I guess it's too much for you right now, but...thank this dead old man for your powers."
"...?"-Esdeath's face suddenly sparkled with realization.-"The second Emperor?"
"Indeed he is."-Jack took the key and letter from the dead emperor.-"So this is where he resides."
'So, in the end, what's with him? I thought he was a traitor, and there are stuffs to prove it! But here he is, in an ASSASSIN'S tomb.'
Did he built this place on his own? Or did he go here to receive redemption and a final resting place?
To find out, Jack open the letter and read it.
My child.
I don't know if the word is appropriate, but I was asked to address you so. Nor do I trust that I am addressing the right person.
If you found this, you are an Assassin of later age. Let me guess. Blonde hair, purple eyes, and somewhere around 1m8 tall.
Jack was quite astonished, but he hide it with a snicker.
Then, I do not ask for your forgiveness, as I didn't with my brothers and sisters, as I broke the ultimate tennet of our Creed, and joined the Templar cause. You may think of me as you wish. But listen carefully.
I will entrust you with this key. Take it, and take this letter. Find my legacy in the codex pages, and bring peace where I couldn't. Bring foward a new world and replace the pile of corruption around you. It was all I can convey. Your duties won't stop there, but you have my legacy. And with it, you will find unexpected help.
Do you best,
Assassin.
"Damn you old man..."
Okay, so he's really close to some big events.
"What does it say?"-Esdeath peered in. All she can tell is that it was a short letter.
"It doesn't concern you."-Jack puts the letter away.-"It stays with the Assassins."
"Why the secrecy! Tell me!"
"Hopping like a bunny won't help! There should be a back door that leads to ground level again. Help me find it. It'll be more efficient then-STOP HOPPING!"
It took Jack an hour to locate the exit.
Under the spot Esdeath was hopping.