DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ASSASSIN'S CREED AND THE SONGS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CHAPTERS. THEY BELONG TO THIER RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
A/n: Ok so now that playtime is over we go back to our main program. But before I do I have somethings I wanted to clarify. Someone PM me asking why I have so many characters in place. Well if you read previous chapters you know why. As for why I have Dave on the back burner he will play a role later. But for now I need to get everyone back so it can get to the main task of just Malik and Evelyn. But I am not going to jump around like an idiot. So that is why everything seems so slow right now.
That and real life sucks I had been so busy lately that it was hard to find the time to write. So here right now I am writing this.
Ok enough ranting on my part on with the story.
BROKEN WINGS
Chapter 38: Will it succeed?
Oh soldiers of Allah
Never we will ever divert
Never we will ever divert... from the steps of faith
Our path is the straight path
Our path is the straight path... with the guidance of the Qur'an
Marching on, on the path of the truth, oh soldiers of Allah
Promise on us the lions of the sanctum
We will march forward, never will we yield
Until the moment of the battle... we return soldiers answering the call
And undoubtedly one day, the Aqsa will return
So the redemption will forever remain
To the gardens of my Lord the martyr went
From His path never we will ever divert
We will go forth as soldiers crushing our enemies
With the Qur'an of our Lord as our resource
And it sends in us a new certainty
That the day of martyrship is a glorious victory
Nasheed – Soldiers of Allah
MALIK'S POINT OF VIEW
Masyaf Syria 1191 A.D.
Malik had just returned from another run in with the city guard. Ever since the Crusades started up again he had been having a harder time dealing with the guards. His stump on his arm only growing more painful by the minute.
"What do you want Cripple?" a merchant said.
"Please be a bit nicer to him after all he did fight in the Sultan's army," another merchant said.
"How do you know?" asked the first.
"Look at his scars no man carries that kind of scars and lives to tell the tale unless he is a soldier," the second merchant said.
"So, does that mean I have to be nice to him? No!" The first merchant said.
"You don't have to be an asshole, but show some mercy on him," the second said.
"Fine whatever, what do you want?" the first said to Malik.
"I just need something for the pain," Malik said pointing to his stump.
"Ah some Hash and some of this should help," the man said finally noticing Malik's pained face.
Malik paid for the medicine and headed back towards the bureau. As he walked he noticed the stares. The fingers pointing at him and calling him names. One person actually threw a stone at him, but was quickly stopped by the guards. In fact one stone hit his head and he went down. A pair of arms quickly wrapped themselves around him to steady him.
"Watch where you throw that thing!" A man shouted.
"Damn cripple he should have died out there on the field!" another man shouted.
"Show mercy on his soul! Allah had praised him for his service to the Sultan with his life. So show some kindness!" the man said.
"Fuck Allah! he is nothing more then a false God!" the person who shouted was obviously not a Muslim. The first man, a guard raised his sword,
"What was that Infidel!" the man said.
"I said that man should have died with all your filthy kind!" the man clearly angry as he too pulled out his sword. Malik at that time was smart enough to back away from the fight as he walked down the street with his now forgotten medicine. The jar that contained his ointments had fallen and shattered on the street and he was in need of some pain relief.
Not that there was nothing the crippled man could do only go with the pain once more.
PRESENT DAY LUXOR
Malik woke with a start. The dream hadn't been an really unpleasant one, but a dream was still a dream. His time being complacent had returned the dreams to him. For the past two months he either been too tired to dream, or he had been busy with the others. In all Malik had been rather busy and thus did not have a dream.
Until tonight.
Movement caught his eye as he looked down at Evelyn's sleeping form. She too had been busy with the others. She had been mostly helping Rebecca and Shaun so they did not have much time together. The crumpling of her face into a frown had him carefully leaning over to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. That made her return to a more peaceful serene look.
He smiled softly on her sleeping form.
Of course she was fully clothed they had not done anything the night before because both were too exhausted by events to even consider sex. As he sat there thinking to himself he would have gone mad if it were not for the woman sleeping beside him.
In fact as he got up to use the bathroom he could not stop thinking of what might have happened had he not met Evelyn.
He probably would have died.
From what he remembered the doctor saying a while ago Malik's healers did a poor job of extracting the bone from his arm. The result was a serious infection. Back then however they did not have the healing techniques they do now. Maybe when he goes back to his own time he will perhaps find better ways similar to those of this time. His people deserve that much.
As he crawled back into bed Evelyn's arms wrapped around him in a loving embrace. He smiled as he returned the gesture and went back to sleep.
THE NEXT MORNING
EVELYN'S POINT OF VIEW
KAILUA KONA HAWAII, 2013
"Hey baby!"
Evelyn cringed once again as she turned to find Barry just outside of her workplace. He was once again wearing his customary black leather jacket. It made him seem as if he was bigger when in actuality it made him look ridiculous.
"Can I help you?" Evelyn said as she slowly backed away from him.
"Now, now is that anyway to greet you lover," Barry replied as he stepped closer.
"You know as well as I do that its over, now leave before I call the cops," Evelyn said.
By now he had gotten right up to Evelyn and right up into her face. Evelyn was shaking in fear when he grabbed the back of her hair and pulled. Forcing her head back he traced his lips across her neck. The sensation felt hot and disgusting to Evelyn as he ran his tongue along her arteries.
"You know you taste so sweet when you are scared. I like that taste of you," he stated.
"Leave me the fuck alone Barry," Evelyn stated but that resulted in him throwing her against the wall. The resulting crashing of boxes and crates caused her to stumble when he pounced. He pinned her to the ground,
"Get off of me!" she shouted.
"Now, now there is no one here to hear you my dear. It is just you and me tonight," Barry said as he undid his pants and Evelyn struggled even harder.
That only resulted in Barry forcing her legs open and her pants down while he worked his cock out of his pants.
The familiar pain of him entering her was all she felt as he thrusted into her. Tears clung to her eyes as he pumped into her. He rocked her so hard that her head was hitting the wall behind her. When he was done he spilled his seed all over her clothes. Evelyn was nothing but a twitching bundle of nerves.
"There is no one here to help you baby its just you and me," he said.
END OF FLASHBACK
Evelyn shot up with a start. Already the light of the desert sun filled the window as she looked down at the empty space in front of her. The sounds of the shower was all that she heard to let her know that Malik was up and getting dressed for the day.
Getting out of bed she too went to get dressed. She brushed her teeth and waited for Malik to get out of the shower. When he came out with a towel wrapped around his waist Evelyn could not help but admire the strong physique. But soon enough she too was in the shower enjoying the cold water cascading down her body. When she was done she was fully dressed for the day.
"Well it is nice to see you," Shaun said as he woke up as well. Rebecca just turned in for the night each taking turns monitoring Desmond's group progress. Aveline was sitting at the table enjoying some bread and cheese for breakfast.
"Good morning everyone," Evelyn said as she sat down.
"Good morning to you too Mademoiselle how are you this morning?" Aveline asked.
"Oh I am fine thank you for the compliment." Evelyn replied as she started eating her breakfast.
Aveline smiled as she too continued her breakfast. It was not long before Malik came out of the shower and gathered his own food of cheese and bread to eat. There was not much in the way of food and today was the day that Malik and Evelyn were to go to do a food run. Then they would continue to monitor Desmond's group as they entered the temple.
"Since you are all gathered I might as well update you on the latest with our group," Shawn said as he sat down.
"As of last night Desmond's group managed to get back into the temple with no problems. Thanks to the Apple's disguise mode we are able to get deep inside. However the main pyramid is still hard to get into but..." Shawn at this point was interrupted by a knock on the door. Everyone at the table froze and in the case of both Aveline and Shawn grabbed a couple of pistols. Both of them at either side of the door it was Malik who answered.
"Who's there?"
"I am sorry to interrupt but I have a message for a Mr. Malik Al-Sayf it is from Professor William Miles," a very hesitant voice said. Aveline held up her hand and her eyes quickly switched to a more gold color.
"He is clean," she said.
Malik opened the door and an Egyptian man stood at the entrance panting as if he had ran all the way from the desert.
"I am sorry sir, but I had to evade pursuit." the man said.
"Were you followed," Shawn asked.
"No, I managed to lose them when I took off my jacket and left it on some homeless man," the man said huffing and puffing.
"You said William sent you why?" Malik asked.
The man then put his hand in his pocket and the others held up their guns. At Aveline's assistance they lowered their weapons.
"The Professor asked specifically for you Malik. He said you might be the best at interpreting this," he said pulling out a book and handed it to Malik. Malik took the book and placed it on the table. There he opened it up and using his single hand rummaged through the pages. His eyes widened when he saw the contents.
"Malik, honey what is it?" Evelyn asked.
"It is a detailed map of the pyramid! This is exactly what we need," he said as he looked at the apple.
"Is there a way to get a hold of Desmond's group?" Malik asked.
"Yes the bluetooth that we gave him. He should be checking in shortly hopefully we can get a hold of him there.
DESMOND'S POINT OF VIEW A FEW HOURS LATER
Desmond placed the earpiece down. He just got off the phone with Malik's group in Luxor. So far the disguises held and he managed to get the information he need. Thanks to the book that Malik had they now have a detailed map of the pyramid. The Apple in Malik's possession allowed Aveline to transfer the information to his brain so that way he can make his way over to the pyramid to free his wife.
Jessica
Just the thought of his wife makes him worry more as he continued down the long tunnel to his destination. Right beside him was Arno along with Jacob, Shay and Shao. All of them once again entered the long expanse that was the underground city. The streets were deserted except for the few men that Abstergo has planted around. They held guns and walked around with a purpose. Desmond and the others remained in the shadows as a sentry moved past. When he did they moved across the shadows towards the pyramid. But just before they reached it they slipped underneath in a separate tunnel.
The tunnel itself is not like the streets above. This one is well lit with lights that go down the long hallway towards a destination.
"Is this part of the map Desmond?" Shay asked.
"Yeah if I remember from the memory drop we should be able to enter without detection." With that Desmond began to make his way towards the tunnel's end.
MALIK'S POINT OF VIEW
After Malik had Aveline deposit the memory into Desmond's mind the door opened to let in Ezio. The Italian looked worse for wear considering he was on night duty.
"What happened?" Shawn asked.
"I was tailed that was why I took so long to get back," he said depositing some groceries onto the counter.
"Abstergo?" asked Shawn.
"No, by locals looking to have a good time. But I figure Abstergo was not too far behind it. So I went scouting around and visited a few bars," Ezio replied.
"You mean visited with some whores," said Shawn.
"Nonsense those whores are of horrible quality here. No I have no time for that when my own flesh and blood is put on the line. I did as I said I went to the bars and made some friends," he said sitting down.
"Friends?" Malik asked.
"Oh yes the local rif-raff of this city. Sometimes its nice to make some friends. Well turns out I managed to find some interesting information concerning the people of the pyramid." Ezio said as he began to make his food to eat.
"Oh and what is that?" asked Evelyn.
"I've heard from my contacts that when the people return and change they start doing strange things." Ezio said.
"That part we know," Shawn replied.
"But that is not the half of it. You see they recently started doing ritual killings. People who wonder the streets at random fall victim to these people. They are known as the 'Children of Juno,'" Ezio said.
Malik chose this time to sit interested in what was being said, "Children of Juno?" he asked.
"Si, they would go into the cities dressed like the locals. Interact as them, but then a signal is given and then they attack without warning in the name of Juno. From what some of them tell me these people have all been workers at the Abstergo site out in the desert. Many fear that they are somehow cursed and when the spirits of the dead call they will answer," Ezio said.
"Brainwashing that sounds like subliminal messaging to me," Shawn said.
"Sub..what?" Malik asked confused.
"Subliminal messaging; messages hidden within something simple like a song or in this case those sermons that Desmond told us about. I bet they contain subliminal messaging or maybe...wait," with that Shawn gotten up and walked over to his computer.
Typing in a few keys he managed to bring up a screen. There on that screen was a video of Altair fighting his way through the crowds in Masyaf. The people kept chanting, 'Al-Mualim will save us all!'
"I don't remember seeing this on the Helix," Malik said surprised.
"That was because what you saw was the altered version of what happened. This is the video footage from the Animus before the time alteration. What you saw was what happened afterward. So if you had not left your original time this is what would have happened," Shawn said.
Malik watched the footage play out right in front of his eyes. Everything that happened in front of him from the death of his master till even before that.
It all started to make sense now.
If the doctors had not screwed up his stitches, and he had not disappeared then he would have still been the hateful man in Jerusalem. He would have survived true but...as he looked closer the signs of sickness are still there. It was just hidden better.
He was still sick with fever but he was not so sick as to be invalid.
As he watched Altair's quest through this unaltered footage Malik began to understand something about the apple. It was an object for control much like it is for illusions.
"I think I understand where this is going," he said looking up.
"What do you mean Malik," Evelyn asked.
"I was supposed to be that man in the video instead I was brought here. I have a purpose and that purpose was to protect those I hold most dear to me. That is you my dear Evelyn, your family, friends and even everyone here. So if its the last thing I do I will protect you all and protect the timeline. Ezio since you were dead when they brought you back what are the chances of you returning to your own time?" Malik asked.
"I don't know actually but if it pleases you I could stay here," he stated.
"So you don't wish to return to your time?" Malik stated.
"I could but what is the point I've already died no? So if I go back then what would I go back too?" Ezio stated.
"You could go back and train Shao after all she did come to your country to train under you since her mentor died. Maybe instead of seeing your wife again you can travel to China to help her," Malik stated.
"Or I could help you since you will need all the allies you can get in your time. Don't forget we are in this together Senor so no matter what happens we stick together," Ezio stated.
"You are right," Malik said.
"Guys you need to see this," said Aveline.
The group gathered around the monitor systems and saw through Desmond's camera something that they had not seen before.
DESMOND'S POINT OF VIEW
Now looking at what was before him was a total understatement. The room in front of him was massive with lights going in all directions.
"This is totally different then the one I dealt with in Libson," Shay said.
Looking around the group found themselves exploring the area.
"Shay did this look like the one found in the Arctic then?" this time it was Shao who asked.
"Aye, that one was full of light and booby traps," Shay said.
"Spread out and look out for booby traps," Desmond warned.
Sure enough the group manged to avoid setting off any booby traps. The triggers were everywhere, but the object in the middle of the room was the same. A dark pyramid unlike the one above ground. This one however was a lot sharper in appearance and it housed a very small object.
"That is the power cell I've touched back in Libson. It is very fragile and it can kill everything within a hundred mile radius," Shay warned.
"I see so it is like a portable nuke then?" Desmond stated.
"Aye," replied Shay.
"Then how are we going to get through to Desmond's wife mon ami?" Arno asked.
"According to the maps the way there is just above us. There are some service tunnels leading up towards the main chamber. Remember we are the lowest part. Down below is the planet's mantel and core. This thing feeds off that energy so we have to watch ourselves," Desmond warned.
"I understand," Shao said.
"So do we," the other two replied as they took to a pillar that led directly upwards. From there it was a matter of climbing directly up towards where they are located in the central chamber.
When they got to the top of the tunnels they quietly moved towards the pyramid's interior following the mental map that was downloaded to their brains.
It was sometime later that they managed to get to the top. Though by now their hands were sore and stiff with excessive climbing. When they got to the top of the pit they managed to scramble out. Inside was a room that was brightly lit and their feet thankfully did not make a sound. Though the occasional sound of a guard or two made them hide in many places.
Desmond checked the areas for cameras but so far there was nothing.
Most likely Juno already knows we're here, he thought to himself.
Walking quietly they made their way towards a corridor where there was even more guards. The guards were armed with strange weapons. Desmond knows they are from the first civilization. They walked with a purpose, their eyes blank as if their souls had been sucked from them.
"Shit mate this is not good," Jacob whispered.
"Yeah and according to the map where they are keeping the women must be in the harem chambers. It was were the old masters kept the women to themselves," Desmond said to him.
"That would be a good place to start," Shao replied.
They turned right then left following the map. Then after what seemed like hours in the well lit areas they finally came to a dark room. This one was used by the servants to house the harem. Opening the door they found to their shock the forms of all the servants lying as if in death on platforms.
There they are monitored by other people from the looks of it scientists from Abstergo.
Pulling back into the darkness they were shocked.
"Malik did you get all that?" Desmond whispered.
"Yes, it is rather disturbing to see. Did you see Jessica by any chance?" Malik asked on the other side.
"No, at least not yet," Desmond said.
MALIK'S POINT OF VIEW.
Evelyn stood by his side after seeing that Malik was disturbed. From what they had seen on the video feeds Abstergo has the girls on platforms and monitors.
But why?
"Why is it so important that they keep those women there. To use as both worshipers and slaves?" Malik asked Ezio and Shawn.
"I don't know but I have seen this kind of thing before back in Constantinople." Ezio replied.
"Really?" Evelyn asked.
"Yes, they would take young women mainly those from poor families and sell them as slaves. The families themselves would also try to sell them because they could not afford an extra mouth to feed. But here I see not only that but these women being subject to something far more vile," Ezio stated.
Malik and Evelyn looked up horrified at what they saw. Some of the women had tubes going through them as if testing for blood. Upon further inspection they looked rather unhealthy as if they have not been eating for some time.
"They are drawing too much blood," Evelyn said suddenly.
"What do you mean Habibi?" Malik asked.
"Those tubes leaving the women. They are blood gathering tubes and those tubes lead to those bags. I've volunteered for a blood drive on occasion. And from what I found out from the nurses there is that you can't take more then two pints of blood. If you do then a person can die. So it is required that only one person at a time can donate blood. Then when they are done offer them some iron supplements." Evelyn replied.
"Iron supplements?" Ezio asked.
"To replenish their blood. Iron or specifically small traces of it that naturally occur in food. Can be used to replenish the blood lost during donation or if a person is wounded or ill. I remember having to take them when I was in the hospital," Malik replied.
"I see so it can be any Iron then?" Ezio asked.
"No, normal Iron will kill you in its natural state. It has to be processed by food plants such as spinach or in animal byproducts such as milk." Shawn replied.
"Bene I see now. This world has so much to see I just wish I had time to see them," Ezio replied.
"Well when we go back to our own time we have to make sure to take some of this knowledge with us. After all what good would it do if the assassins were killed off early," Malik replied to Ezio. The Italian grinned.
"Guys you should look at this!" Evelyn said to them.
The group rushed over to the display once more.
To their shock a holographic figure is seen walking through the facility.
Juno
DESMOND'S POINT OF VIEW
Desmond was shocked to see Juno's holographic form floating there and examining the bodies. Each and every female there was examined as she checked out the monitors.
"Are they to your liking my lady," said one of the scientists.
"Oh they are to my liking, but there is still one that is resistant to the treatments is she not?" Juno said.
"Yes, the one we gotten from America. She has proving to be most difficult even when we threatened the life of her son." said the first.
"Do not threaten the life of the offspring it will only make the mother fight harder to protect them. What about this one's mate did you manage find find out who it is?" she said.
"Yes my lady Desmond Miles, the former Assassin," the man replied.
Desmond's eyes widened when Juno smirked, "So my chosen disciple has in fact produced an heir. Is the child safe?" she said.
"Yes my lady," the scientist replied.
"Good we need to make sure that child is well cared for and as for the female. Keep her alive for now her spirit is strong I could use some amusement," she said. With that Juno disappeared once again leaving the scientists in awe by her presence.
As soon as it happened they got right back to work draining blood from the victims. Desmond's face was pale as he looked towards the others in the darkness.
"We need to find my son," he whispered.
EVELYN'S POINT OF VIEW
"We need to find my son," Desmond's voice said over the speakers.
They all heard it and knew what that meant. They will have to try to find the boy as well as his wife.
As soon as all of the scientists left Desmond and the others quickly went to look for any cameras or security in the room. When they were done they quickly examined all the women on the tables.
"All of them are gone!" said Arno. His face showed his distress at having been too late. The women were unable to wake up and when opening their eyelids appear to be empty.
"They are like some sort of dolls," said Shao looking at the one closest to her.
"Their Minds must have collapsed," said Shawn over the radio.
"Minds collapse?" Desmond said.
"Just like your adventures in the Animus with the Pieces of Eden these people must have had their minds collapse under the power of a POE," Without hesitation it became clear.
This temple is one large Piece of Eden.
"We need to find Jessica Now," Desmond ordered.
They searched the room looking at all the bodies. Desmond quickly switched to eagle vision and scoured the bodies hoping to find his beloved wife. It was then that he suddenly past a flash of gold. Turning his head he was met with a fiery temper as the woman continued to struggle against the holds. Her cursing clear as day.
"I got her!" Desmond said to the others.
Shao was there first as she busied herself with freeing Desmond's wife from the table. Desmond got one look at her and felt her for the first time. Every scar on her body down to the birth mark on her back. He knew it was her but just to be sure.
"Jess! Jessie wake up!" he said to her.
Slowly dark eyes opened and a fist headed straight for his head.
"Hey Jessie cut it out will you! Its me Desmond!" Desmond said.
"Des...mond?" she said slowly as her eyes started to focus.
"Jessica its me, though right now I don't look like me at the moment," he said.
"How...?" was her weak question.
"Um...New York when we first met you were delivering liquor to the Bad Weather and Jeremy was there to greet you remember? I sounded like a total idiot that day." he whispered to her.
"What...was it...that you said to me...that day on our date?" she said.
"Which one?" Desmond asked.
"The one you took me to see the statue," she said. Her voice becoming more coherent as Arno detached the machine.
"The Statue of Liberty?" he said.
"Yes," was her reply.
"What part of that conversation do you want me to remember?" Desmond said his voice faultering.
"The one where you tell me who you really are?" she said.
He remembered now... "The part where I told you that I can't tell you because of my Creed?" Desmond replied.
"Yes," she said.
"I told you I could not tell you my real name because it would be against my Creed," he said.
"Desmond it is you..." she whispered before she passed out again.
"She is exhausted we must get out of here," said Shao.
"What about Alex?" asked Desmond.
"Not here..." was the whisper.
"Jessie now hold on we are going to get you out," Desmond said as he picked her up.
The rushed out just as a group of guards came around. Suddenly gunfire began to spout from their barrels. The group ran back towards the way they came. Not missing a single beat they ran towards their destination. The hidden doorway that they entered in.
The outside desert was all they needed to escape capture as men of all areas began to shoot. Luckily for the group Aveline's disguise held as they disappeared into the crowd of slaves. Once there they vanished completely unseen until they managed to get out of the pyramid area. Then they made their way quickly out of the pit amongst the alarms and sirens going on.
When they gotten out they barely managed to steal a vehicle and escape back towards the city.
While driving Arno made short work of the drones following using his eagle vision to see them in the sky. Once he saw them he shot them down one by one. When there were none left he managed to hide the gun and ditched the vehicle once safe in the city.
"That was close!" Desmond said as they raced into the streets towards the meeting place.
EVELYN'S POINT OF VIEW
Evelyn's heart nearly was in her throat when she saw the group return. She gave Desmond's group a hug Desmond in turn gave it back along with Malik and the others in the room. Rebecca at this time had woken up and Shawn filled her in on the details.
"Is everyone here? I mean your wife and son?" Evelyn asked.
At the solemn look did Evelyn realize her mistake. Only Desmond's wife was there but there was no signs of his son, "Desmond I'm sorry," she said.
"It's alright," he said.
"He...we don't know where he is or if he is even here," replied Arno.
"He is not here..." said a new voice. They all turned to see Jessica holding on to Desmond her face was ashen with lack of sunlight. But she can clearly see the Asian resemblance.
"Where is he?" asked Malik.
"He is being kept in a safe house in London. Oh Des I don't know what they are doing to him. I've...I've heard that you died, even seen your body...how?" she asked.
"I will explain later. Right now I need to get a hold of my dad to tell him the news and get back to Alexandria as fast as possible," Desmond said.
"Well all I can say is that we don't have much time. If we leave before they find us I am sure we can make it to the train station before it leaves this afternoon," Shawn said.
"Alright it is settled then," Desmond replied.
"We are off to London,"
TBC
A/n: Whew it has been a while. Work has pretty much killed the mojo for a while. That and I had art commissions piled up. So writing had been put on the back burner. Then I started watching Black Butler (Kuroshitsuji) and fell in love with it. I mean I love it even wrote a story about it. It was because of that, that I was able to finish this chapter. Oh man things are going to get thicker around here. I just hope I can get off my ass and finish playing Unity. It seems that I can only play it on Sundays now...what a shame. Anyhow enough random babbling from me I just hope you all like this chapter and remember comment, review but no FLAMES PLEASE! It is getting rather dull, and if you don't like it then don't read it. Thank you