Bad Blood

I opened my eyes.

There was a blue hue and fog that blurred the images of buildings around me. Faint shadows moved before me, ignoring my presence. This place. I knew this place until I saw him walking towards me. Robert De Sable had his hands behind his back with an expressionless face that could not be read so easily.

"Sacrifices are always made for the greater of humanity." He spoke knowing the pain I had with in my heart.

I could feel it growing inside of me. Everything that has been placed before me. All those years of hearing their voices yelling at me and the pain that was going through me at this moment. I wasn't sure if this manifestation before me was real enough to hurt, but I sure wanted to throw a fist. Throw a punch. Something of that nature so he could feel what I was feeling.

"Sacrifices?! I lost my father all for the sake of keeping this… this secret from falling in the hands of a mad man! Did you know of this?! Is all this just a joke for the Gods?!" I yelled. The tears had already started to fall all the while Robert stood there like a statue in the face of pain and loss.

"Many have sacrificed in the name of God! If the Ark were to be revealed, humanity would suffer! Place aside your emotions, girl. Your father's death should not go in vain because you believe yourself to have failed." He shot back at me. Those words dug deep like a burning sword through my heart.

The buildings and faint shadows becoming blurry. My anger. My hurt. It was all building inside and ready to go off. Was it pointless? Was the life of an assassin meaningless? Did the Templars know this would happen? Many questions have been forming in my head and I was afraid of the answers.

"I lost my father! His sacrifice may have been what is keeping the Ark from the wrong hands, but I did not have to lose him. I have dedicated my life. My choices. My beliefs all for the sake of some creed that was created before my time. Templars and assassin's may be different, but their beliefs have something in common." I retorted in spite anger.

This world of a blue hue was fading. The world was becoming clearer and Robert waited for me to continue. My chest was rising and falling hard through my heated breathes. My hands were clenched beside me and ready to fight. But, I just could not continue to do so. I felt defeated at what I was becoming inside. The anger and hurt was only to cover the pain of loss. For so long I was afraid that I was going to lose him.

I never imagined that I would. My father seemed invincible. His life was that of true struggle and understanding. I closed my eyes as the tears began to fall. The years have not been so kind to us. The struggle of the war. The fight between assassins and Templars. There was no turning back from the past and the decisions that I made through the years.

"They believe in a sacrifice for the greater good of humanity." I spoke.

I opened my eyes and almost felt my heart skip a beat. Robert grinned as before me where the faint outlines of men who had many different clothing. But the hood they all bore was shaped of that of an eagles beak. Each man was different with their unique robes and ancient clothing. Two had large eagles resting upon their outstretched arms.

Those eyes staring at me. Their feathers rested upon their bodies. Silently, speaking to me as if they were to bless me with something that I have no control over. Visions that were blurry. Images that seemed clear. Places I knew nothing of. People who were strangers, yet felt a connection with for reasons I could not explain.

I looked each of them in fascination once I had my bearings. The energy that was resonating from this new found sense. These men were assassin's of different ages; of different places far and wide. Of cultures long forgotten by time. These men had something in common when they were alive. Yet, they felt like living beings who had breath once more. By some act of God, they were looking at me as if they knew me.

Robert had dissapered into the blue hue leaving me to myself. Watching these assassins one by one, trying to find a name that was slipping from my worn tongue.

My eyes fell upon one that looked familiar to me with the way he had a similar build and facial features of that of Connor. It was as if I was staring at a different man, but the same. Could it be that this man was more familiar than the rest?

"Edward Kenway." He spoke.

And my world went black as the name echoed through my mind.

His life was one my father had told me from my childhood. There was never a name to this pirate that my father would speak of. Not because he did not know the name, but because he never wanted me to know. It all made sense now.

Edward Kenway. Connors grandfather. A pirate. An assassin.

...

Burning.

Pain.

Tired.

I could not recall what happened to me. I could barely remember seeing his face looking down at me. There were strange figures surrounding me as I held him tightly and tears streaming down my face. My voice was hoarse from me yelling at the top of my lungs. I knew I was trying to fight off these figures, but their grasp on me was taking its toll on my body. Father. Father. My mind kept recalling that day and the world was dead to me. I could not eat. I knew I was starving myself because I hated myself for letting him down.

The sea. She was trying to rock me to sleep and comfort me. The Gods have not heard my prayers and pleas. I felt alone here on this ship. A hollow shell without a soul to bring me to life. The looks they gave me and their words brought me no comfort. Nothing they could do would bring me peace until I destroyed everything the Templars and pirates believe. They took my father away from me. From my mother.

I looked up to the wooden rafters. The ropes that held someone's resting place above me. I was alone down here with only my angered thoughts to keep me company the little light keeping away from my darkened mood. I could hear life above on deck with voices yelling; calling out commands and the ship itself moving smoothly on the waters as it guided our way home.

My fists clenched at my side. The tension sending a sharp pain through my body where my wound was healing. The only sailor who knew any medical practice had talked to me when I awoken with a fright and slammed him to the floor boards. It took two men to get me off the poor sailor. I remember the frightened look in his eyes. I must have looked like a wild animal with my hair in my face and blood seeping through the bandage. Exposed for all to see, though there truly was nothing for them to gawk at. I knew my body was marked by scars from years of training and how much it was not that of a woman's. I came to peace with that many years ago.

At that moment I was naked. I was bleeding. I was weak. My muscles were sore, but those two who held me back had called me back to reality. My body went limp when I heard how much damage was placed upon me. What my future held. There was no easy way to speak to me. I already lost my father. The very man who raised me and trained me. Who loved me.

I slowly moved my body to sit up. My muscles protested against my wishes. Clenching my teeth, I managed to move little by little. I was feeling hot and sweaty. The longer I stayed here alone, the more my thoughts were playing tricks. The more I was willing to put my self through the guilt.

My father would not want me to lay here feeling like the world had me defeated. He trained me to be strong. The Jaguar warrior within me would not let the dark shadows claw their way in my head. I may have felt the pain of loss within me. The growing hatred for both sides of a long enduring war that has been fought before my birth. I was not them. I held no belief in their side. I was on my own, fighting because my ancestors held a life long deal.

What was I going to do? What choices were there for me now? Continue to fight by Connors side like I have been for years or look for meaning? There was something beyond the sea calling for me now. It was almost stronger now and it pulled at me. I was not sure what it was, but when we return to Davenport, I can recover and move on.


The days have passed slowly. The waters were smooth and the skies clear. It seemed that the sea had taken her fill of pirate blood and let us pass in safety. She was not vengeful and it made the sailors feel at peace knowing they would return home and see the land. Our journey had been a long one. My mood had become brighter, but I only wanted the company of myself and the sailor who practiced medical healing. Our talks were short and simple. Nothing to long and I was usually asleep when I saw Connor or Elliot come down to check on me.

When we reached Davenport, I could feel my strength come back to me. I was moving and walking, but it was wise to continue rest. My wound had been stitched and the bandage was firm and tight. The longer I stayed in my laying position, the more weaker I was becoming. I knew I was not going to be running or fighting for a good while. All that mattered for me was moving my legs and being at a comfortable peace.

The Aquila was at port and the sailors were ready to set their legs on land. Slowly, I placed my long coat over my shoulder and my arm slipped through the sleeve. I could smell how fowl I smelled and wished to bathe. The thought had me chuckling as I had spent many days on board with men and they must have a much fowler smell than I. Salt and sea. Maybe something else that I could not name or want to mention.

"It has been sometime since I heard a woman's laugh." I quickly turned around to find Elliot standing by the stairs leading to the deck.

His arms were crossed over his chest as he was staring at me. The look in his eyes were that of confusion and worry. Whatever light mood I was in had faded quickly and turned back into one that wanted to feel solitude.

"I know you do not want to speak. To any of us, really. Woman can be such fickle and over emotional beings. The sailors had kept their distance. Connor and myself have kept our distance. Even Haytham seemed to want to keep away." He spoke with a hint of smile as if thinking of something humorous.

"Solitude is a friend of mine. Why ruin it with your presence?" My voice had cracked from its lack of usage.

"The longer you hold in your pain it will kill you. Do you not see how miserable your making the assassin? Those around you? We all feel loss at some point in our lives. This is not your first war. Your first fight. Seliah, you have to remember your fathers sacrifice." I gritted my teeth and clenched my teeth.

Sacrifice.

That word keeps getting tossed around so willingly. My eyes narrowed and the anger rushed through me. I walked fast and hard towards him. I know we all feel loss somewhere in our lives. It happens. There was no denying it no matter how hard we try to pretend the world destroys us. Elliot placed his arms down and looked me straight in the eyes.

"That is all I've been hearing. Sacrifice. What good has it done truly? Has it won the war? Would it bring back the dead? What good deed is sacrifice when all it does is let those who survive to feel guilt?" I was angry. I was hurt. I was tired of having to be told of sacrifice. Is this what my life has come too? Would I be next in the long line?

"You knew the end result. Salty knew the end result. Your too blind to see it, Seliah. You should count your blessings and not your loss. You think you're the only one who has come to know loss. Do not act so mighty when you are merely weak in self doubt." I threw a right hook towards his jaw.

Elliot moved his head and grabbed my arm. I see these with anger and pain as it shot through me. My knees going weak. The shadow part of me wanting to manifest into a monster. I grunted as Elliot Griffey and let go of my arm. Was I pathetic for being such a child? All my teachings were thrown overboard and only for a fraction did I want to forget the world.

You are not alone.

"The end result that my father knew was killing Gray Eye. He did not have to die in the process. The Ark is safe. Isn't that what you wanted? What you all wanted?! I already made some peace with his loss, but what I could never gain back… what was taken from me." I placed my hand over my wound. The pain I was hiding was knowing I would never have children. I would be looked down on for the rest of my life. I would be shamed. No man would want a infertile woman.

"You would not know my loss. No man will never know. I know they look at me and they may blame me for the battles. What my linage may be. I know I am an outcast and the only way for me to gain their respect is fighting alongside them. Along side you and Connor. But Damn you! What man would look at me and know I can never bare children?" I could see my reflection in his eyes. His jaw slacked a bit at his loss for words. He knew. They all knew. I was barren for life.

What respect they have of me was through my will and fight. I had helped them. I have proven myself to every single man on this fucking ship. I had proven my self worthy to my Gods. To everyone. And the sacrifice that I made was here in the form of a scar. A reminder of a future I would never have.

"Let me mourn in my own way. Damn you. Damn all of you! Damn the Templars! Damn the assassin's! You know nothing. My father died and I couldn't do a damn thing to save him! Don't you dare try to lecture me about loss." I pushed pass him and walked up the stairs where the light blinded me.

...

Placing my hand in front of my face, I waited for my eyes to adjust. It truly has been days since I last seen the sun. Since I felt the wind gently blow against my skin. My hair moved with the breeze and the smell of salt lingered in the air. My body was feeling weak again and the contents of what little food I had was rising.

Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the ledge where the sea met the land. I could hear the sailors talking and the movement of supplies being taking off the ship, I was like a ghost. Ignored, but I knew they looked at me. They talked and pointed but nothing could be said. My head throbbed from the light and in the distance I saw her looking at me.

There were dark circles under her eyes. I knew she was tired. I knew she was hurting as much as I was. While the sailors watched for what I was going to do, Robert yelled at the lingering eyes to get back to work. Though, I could feel his eyes staring at me. I paid no mind to Connor or to anyone for that matter. I may talk to him if I felt the need to, but knew Connor had other matters to attend to. I was the least of his worries.

My mother walked towards me. I could feel my chest rising and falling with my mouth slightly opened. What was I going to say to her? What was I going to do? She had waited night and day for our return and yet, here I was. Standing before her all bruised and cut up. I looked like hell. I might as well have walked through it and lived to tell it.

My words were choked up inside of my mouth. All words dry and tears have yet to fall. Somehow, she knew. She knew he was gone and never coming back.

She quickly grabbed me in a tight embrace. He arms around me and not letting me go. It was as though I was a child that awoke from a nightmare of stories pass. My arms were shaky as I tightened my grip around her. All my troubles had wandered back into a deep crevice.

"I thought I would never see you again, Seliah." She whispered.

All the emotions. The guilt. I did not care if I smelled of the sea. Of my very own blood. I must have smelled of many different things to her, but she did not back away from me. She pushed passed it all and just embraced me in a motherly hug.

"I could not save him. I am sorry, mother." My voice cracked again. I cared not for the world around us. I cared not for the stares we were given.

"Your father is at peace. I know he is. But you, my daughter. You need to be at peace with yourself. You still have much to do here in the world." I embraced her even harder that I would never let her go. I wasn't alone in this world. I should never forget that I still have my mother by my side.

"Daughter of Salty Bones." I heard a familiar voice calling to me.

My mother let me go and turned around to see Sargon standing there. His expression seemed to hardened when he looked to me. His hatred for me may have softened, but there was no denying it. He still hated me for being of Salty's seed.

"Sargon?" I said.

Something did not felt right. His look on me had shadowed and it was hard to read any expression that he had given. He was here to tell me something. I had a feeling I was not going to like the news either.

"It's been sometime. We need to talk."


He watched as her mother embraced her. She in turn did the same. For that moment in time, he did not know what it was he was feeling. Would he be of any use in comforting her as she had felt the pain of loss? There was no true answer that could be found and he found it best to let her be until she was recovered enough to move forward.

Then he saw Sargon walking towards them. Breaking them apart. Seliah stood tall, even though she may have still been in pain.

"She will be ready to fight when she feels capable." Elliot spoke.

Connor looked to his right and saw the former pirate stand by his side. Eyes looking towards the two women who were talking to one another. Seliah looked battered and bruised. Her long coat torn and the fabric was ready to tear off, but it was something he knew she could not be without.

"The mission of her father had not gone in vain. I believe she will not be fighting by your side any longer, Connor. You could see it in her eyes that there is something calling for her. We both know this." Connor looked towards Seliah. Her and Adolfa were walking towards the manor with Seliah's arm around her mother.

"If she chooses to stay it would be of her own will. There is nothing here keeping her in this fight." Connor spoke. "Why do you care if she chooses to fight by my side. She has been doing so for many years. Seliah is a good companion with her own wits and tactics. Her use is what could be of a great assassin."

Elliot raised a brow as he had never heard Connor speak of Seliah so highly. Clearly, she has made an great impression on both men. Though, Seliah had a growing flame within her heart for the native assassin. Why? He could not say. They have been through the war and trained together for a few years. One could only say it was a bond of growing attraction.

"You seem too sure of such a thing, assassin. You two are blind to what is before you. She stays not only for her mother. Her father kept her with you for this war. With him dead, she continues to stay not only for her country. She stays for you." Elliot spat. "Why she should continue to linger next to your side is her own business. I see no use of it here. The roads you travel with not cross into the same territory. The assassin from other nations will come calling to her. Templars will hunt her. The last of the Jaguar warriors will die with her."

Thoughts of their early argument lingered in Elliot's mind. Seliah would have to decide on what was within her future. Whether it be with this nation at war or somewhere across the sea. No matter what she code, the assassins and Templars will want her or hunt her. She was not out of the woods yet. Both sides would want a marriage to continue the Jaguar legacy or destroy it.

Seliah was- without a doubt or uncertainty- the last of the Jaguar warriors. What was left of the Aztec descendants were no more. Grey Eye had slaughtered them all. And Elliot could do nothing to stop it.

"I would not let anymore harm come to her. I would not place a price on her head, but the Templars would want her dead for knowing what she does." Elliot chuckled at Connors protective nature for the pirates daughter. His ignorance of what danger she truly was in.

"Is she your property, assassin? Even if she chooses to side with assassin's as she has been. Do you truly believe your people would accept her even though you have made an oath under the creed? The assassins would marry her to one higher in rank and standing. Templars would do the same. I would be one to marry her, but she chose you. A half-breed. A pirates grandson. What would you offer her that I had not already done?"

There may have been some malice in his voice. Maybe a hint of jealousy even. Connor paid no mind to Elliot's words as he knew that Seliah has always been there for him. Through their training, war, loss, and even hurt. There was no love in war because it tends to leave one or the other in pieces. Connor was one to show little emotion in these time, but it seemed anger and confusion kept him blind from seeing what Seliah could be to him.

Right now, this was not the time to openly confess what he felt towards her. Not when he had much time thinking about all the happenings he has been placed into. There was the matter of apologizing to Achilles. The appearance of his father back into his life. The revenge he needed for his people and the death of his own mother. Connor felt there was little to nothing keeping Seliah here other than obligation. A country was tearing itself apart.

"Maybe so. Why must you speak to me about such things? This is not the most appropriate of times to be speaking of her reasons. Should you be thinking of what you and the other pirates will be doing once you leave the Aquila?" Connor was not going to continue this conversation.

As the men were continuing to get supplies off the ship, Elliot felt the need to pester him. Connor was in no mood and with Haytham long gone, Connor wanted what all the other sailors wanted. To bathe and rest until the calling of the next mission arose. There was still much to be done.

A war to still fight.

"Heh. You do not want to see the truth in my words. The truth about Seliah's future at hand. She will be hunted like an animal her Gods believe her to be. There is much more to this world. The dangers that lie before you. With Salty dead and Grey Eye, there is no saying what will happen now that her shackles are loose."

Elliot was dangerously close. Both men not seeing eye to eye on the problem. But, Elliot could not read the expression of Connor. His facade of emotionless had been passed down from father to son. He was like Haytham in many ways Connor would not like to admit. Even stories of Edward Kenway had shown what type of pirate he once was. By contrast, these men were nothing like the other but all the same in how they presented themselves.

"Truly you are like that of an assassin. What I or the other do is our own business. But rest assured, Seliah will be back in those waters. I am only trying to clear your eyes before you lose sight. Once we are rested, we will leave by morning. You will never have to see us again." Elliot grinned like a sly fox. Connor knew too well to never trust fox like grins. They were tricksters and like a pirate, Elliot was trying to play him for a fool.

"I could only dream of such a thing." Connor said and Elliot grin grew wider. His eyes shunned bright under the twilight of the sky.

"So you say, assassin."


Almost finished with this story. Thank God! I am almost finished! Many authors would only dream of finishing their works. So many years. So many writers blocks. New assassins creed games. I cannot wait for this story to be finished and I could move on with new projects that are waiting but cannot be started unless Bad Blood is finished.

Shout out to my readers still in the long game. I never intended for this story to ever be finished or even have this many chapters. But to see the progress I made thigh the years and the support, I am happy to announce that once I am through writing this story, I will be starting a new Assassins Creed story. I will be focusing on either origins or Odyssey. Which is best to do?

It would be great to see some reviews coming in or favorites and alerts. But, it's up to you. I will still be writing. Also, sorry for killing Salty. For years I've been debating on doing it but I felt it necessary because Salty was haunted by his past and I wanted him to find peace I his life. It will also give Seliah that push she needs with what I have planned for her.

Hope y'all saw my reference to the other assassins that were in the games. Could you guess who? Take care everybody and happy new year.