Altairila: I know, I'm so excited to be posting this! I feel sad too though, since I won't be posting more for a while. I hope you enjoy, and you stay safe as well!
AdeielSilverbird: I wrote a haiku for you after reading your poem, but I think I'll post it at the end of this chapter, for proper closure. Thank you so much for all the reviews you've left, and I hope you'll wait patiently for the sequel to come out! I look forward to more quips with you, silver-winged friend.
skyellebaby: Yeah, Assassin's Creed lore is very confusing, but the Apple and the Isu are canon, and some elements of time travel were already present, so I basically just expanded on canon concepts already introduced. And I love the ship name Maklyn! Yes, there will be quite a bit more of them in the sequel, as well as an expansion on other relationships. I look forward to talking again in a few months time. Stay safe my friend! PS: You're right about Shadin, but you'll have to wait and see...
Chapter 43: Reality is Changing"You're very tired. They want to talk to you, but I'm not sure I should let you wake."
The voice echoed clearly through the mist, past the waves of exhaustion and nudging me gently. I was floating again, in that timeless void, happily. They…
"The Eagle and his assassins. Your friends."
My mind twitched. Are they...ok…?
The Apple hummed, its presence like a gentle, soothing breeze. "Yes."
Then let me rest.
"But it's been a week, even Abbas is awake now! Are you sure-"
"After everything Minerva told us, I doubt it is permanent. Try to calm yourself, Rye-an."
"I know I just...she's my sister, you know?"
"...yes. I know."
"...thank you for taking care of her, Nadir."
"She is our daughter. Of course we are caring for her, just as we care for you."
"All those scars...and her fingers. Dear god…"
"Do not blame yourself, son. You and Makin did everything you could."
"She was tortured so badly, Father. Hurt far worse than I've ever been, and she is just a young girl."
"Malik tended to her wounds. She will heal."
"...I hope so."
"...How is Khairiya?"
"I miss her singing."
"Which one was your favorite?"
"I have something important to tell you, Kay-lin. You just...you have to wake up first, okay? I want to tell you how I feel. Please…"
Someone was sitting next to me, humming softly. It was a deep voice, a man's, and it sounded familiar. The tune was an odd, haunting melody, that reminded me of desert sand, and gentle laughter, and the crackle of a campfire. It brushed against my ears and surrounded my bed, cradling it gently. I sighed and lay still, listening closely. Slowly, I began to realize who it was.
It was Abbas.
Just as I came to this conclusion, the humming stopped abruptly, and someone spoke from another part of the room. "I haven't heard that since we were children."
The assassin sitting next to me said nothing, but I could tell he was uncomfortable. The emotion radiated off him in a pungent aura. The other man asked, "May I come in, Abbas? I wish to speak with you."
Abbas sighed. His voice was resigned as he replied, "You are the Grandmaster. You can do what you like."
Altair's footsteps drew closer, and I heard him pull up a chair, sitting down silently. The tension in the air was tangible, and Abbas shifted in his seat awkwardly. I felt his gaze on my resting form, and I assumed he was probably avoiding eye contact with his former friend.
"It isn't like you to visit the sick," He quipped.
Altair replied easily, "It isn't like you to watch over them."
"I made a promise to Rashid. We are to take turns, now that Malik and Nadir are away." He spoke matter of factly, but there was something...fragile in his tone.
"Why?" There was silence. Abbas didn't answer, and the atmosphere grew thicker. Finally Altair spoke again. His voice was surprisingly soft. "You have changed, then, Brother. As have I."
Abbas huffed in annoyance. "What do you want from me? Did you come to tease me?" He sounded almost bitter, like he expected Altair to use his position, knowing the other man couldn't retaliate. He wouldn't do that, would he?
"Nothing of the sort," The Master refuted firmly. He seemed eager to prove Abbas wrong, to show him that things had changed. "I wanted to ask you something."
"...what?" Abbas was tired, I could tell, and I wondered how late it was. I wanted to open my eyes and look, but they were still far too heavy.
"I was wondering…" Altair paused nervously, and I heard his fellow assassin stiffen. We were both, apparently, quite aware of how unusual this was. "I was wondering why you accept my leadership so readily. I can tell you still despise me, but you never object. Was it something Minerva showed you?"
"..." Abbas didn't respond, and the silence stretched on longer than it should've. Finally, he said shakily, "Yes, there...was something she showed me." He seemed very tense, more so than he should've been.
"Well? What was it?"
"She showed that night. What had happened, through your eyes, and…" He trailed off. What night? What is he talking about?
Altair seemed to know though. "Ah…"
"And the way you felt, seeing...seeing my father…" Abbas closed his eyes, his voice cutting off abruptly. His Master took a breath to say something, but he continued. "The day after, the way I treated you, after we had been friends. You just wanted comfort, but I blamed you and called you a liar and I was so-" His voice rose in pitch and emotion as he spoke, and he seemed unable to stop the flood of explanations pouring out.
"Abbas!" Altair exclaimed, stopping the stream before it could get out of hand. "Abbas…"
Both of them paused, and I felt like the very air around them was holding its breath. Altair continued awkwardly. "Look, I...Abbas…" The other man cut him off abruptly.
"I just...didn't want to believe...and I feel...god…" He sounded so...sad and vulnerable when he whispered those words that I wanted to wrap him up in my arms and protect him from the world. As if he, an experienced assassin, needed protection. "I feel so stupid…"
There was silence, except small sounds that might've been him crying. Then Altair shifted, leaning closer to his friend, his hand brushing fabric as he brought it to the other man's back.
Neither of them said a word.
The moment was comforting to be in, with both finally finding some solace, some conclusion in their rivalry. I felt like such an intruder, and wished I had the energy to cover my ears. As it was, I supposed it was their fault for having this conversation directly above me.
"I do have another thing to ask you, my friend," The Grandmaster said quietly once a few minutes had passed. Abbas said nothing, but he continued. "The commander of our soldiers fell during battle, and you have a lot of experience, both with guarding the Castle and with the men that work there. Would you be willing to fill that position?"
"W-what? Me? Why?" Abbas exclaimed, words dripping with incredulity. His voice was still thick with emotion. Then, "Wouldn't that make me one of your advisors? Why the hell would you want that?"
Altair sighed before explaining his position. "You have a lot of relevant experience, and it might be helpful to have an advisor who is willing to disagree with me. Besides…" He stopped, then continued awkwardly. "I have known you for a long time, even if we did not always get along."
SO. CUTE.
There was a pause before his friend responded, "You should have your head looked at for injuries. I have never known you to be this...sentimental."
"And you were humming a lullaby," Came the amused retort. "I will let you think it over. Goodnight, Abbas."
"...Goodnight."
Sun was streaming through a window somewhere, hitting me directly in the face. I winced, and opened my eyes slowly. Our room was the same as it had always been, messy clothes scattered about like flowers in a field, and dust on the desk in the corner that my brother and I never got around to using. I coughed, throat dry, realizing I probably wouldn't be able to talk. My muscles were weak and shaky. How long…
I pushed myself up onto my pillows with some effort, blinking as the ray of light left my vision. I tried to call out to someone, but nothing happened. I coughed, a horrible, scratching sound that felt like nails scraping against the flesh of my throat. Everything hurt, even my lungs.
There was a rustle outside my door.
Then Ryan pushed in, more haggard than I'd ever seen him. Huge bags hung under his eyes and his skin was very pale, a thin film stretched over his now visible cheekbones. He's lost so much weight! He looks...sick. He didn't look up at first, preoccupied with a piece of parchment in his hand. He read it and sighed.
I coughed again and managed to squeeze out a syllable. "Ry…" My brother jumped, head whipping up at the sound of my horrid voice.
He shrieked, "K-Kaylyn! Oh my god Kaylyn! You...hang on!" Ryan sprinted to the door, flinging it open and shouting hoarsely down the stairs. "Nadir! NADIR!"
Running footsteps echoed in the hallway, and then another pale face appeared. "What is it? Is she ok?"
"She's-she's awake!" Ryan gasped, breathless with relief. Nadir froze, then pushed past him to see me clearly.
He stopped and whispered, "Oh thank god…" Rushing over to me, he knelt down beside my bed and brought his hand to my arm. "Are you alright, my girl? How do you feel?"
I winced and coughed out, "Wa...ter…" Each syllable hurt immensely, and I gagged on my own throat.
"Of course!" Nadir exclaimed, and turned quickly to Ryan. "Could you get her a glass, please? Quickly?"
My brother, continuing with his unnecessary dramatics, flung himself bodily out of the room and down the stairs. I heard him fumble and curse as he tripped on one of the steps. I grinned. A hand brushed against my forehead as Nadir took my temperature, then he asked, "Would you mind if I looked at your pupils? Malik said to make sure they were the same size." I nodded, trying not to flinch away as he brought his face level with mine to check. He let out a hum of contentment and moved away, so I assumed they were fine.
Ryan came stumbling back in, shoving a glass of water into my hands so hurriedly it almost spilled. I gave him a withering look before chugging the entire thing. It was like drinking the elixir of life, the wondrous liquid soothing my throat and pouring strength back into my useless limbs. I finished it quickly and shoved it back at my brother with a pleading look. He nodded and ran downstairs again.
I turned to the man in front of me. "Hi, Nadir," I said hoarsely.
"Hello, sweet girl. How do you feel?" He asked softly.
"Weird. Tired." I coughed. "Kinda hungry, or I think I am, at least."
Nadir smiled infectiously, and I couldn't help but smile back at him. The man looked just as exhausted as Ryan did, his wrinkles speaking of many worried nights spent up and anxious. Ugh. Now I just feel bad. Still, he seemed very happy now that I was awake. "Oh, well. I know Nafisa will be thrilled to fix that for you."
I chuckled at that. I could just imagine her rushing around her little kitchen with reckless abandon, verbally tearing apart anyone who dared get in her way, wielding a soup ladle like a weapon.
Then my brother appeared again, looking ridiculously intense. The front of his shirt was soaking wet and I figured he must've spilled some in his eagerness to meet my demands. He stood there awkwardly, glass in hand, and announced, "I got the water!"
Nadir looked at each other, then burst into laughter.
Ryan froze. Aww, poor boy. He looks confused! I giggle even harder, bending over the bed and grabbing my stomach, holding onto the edge to stop myself falling off. Nadir was in a rather similar situation, throwing his head back in that iconic mannerism of his. We were both dying while my brother stood there, shirt almost dripping from the amount of water he spilled on himself.
"Kaylyn! It...it isn't funny!" He exclaimed, fighting against the tug at the corners of his mouth.
"Ryan...you...water!" I gasped, tears streaming down my face. Our adoptive father looked close to passing out from hyperventilation. "Sorry! Sorry….hahahaha…"
Finally, after about a minute, I managed to calm myself down enough to actually form a sentence. Nadir took only a few seconds longer, eyes red and face flushed with mirth. I grinned at him and he grinned back happily.
"So...how long have I been out?" I asked, figuring it was an important thing to ask. My brother moved closer, kneeling at my bedside beside Nadir.
Nadir frowned, happiness disappearing and wrinkles more visible as he shifted into a more serious manner. "Well…"
"What?"
"Kay-lin, it has been...about two weeks."
I stared at him. "What?!" Two weeks! How- "How am I even alive?!"
"We talked to Malik and the Grandmaster about this," Nadir replied, "They believe it has something to do with the Apple. That you have been kept alive purposefully."
I frowned, looking around. I sat in our normal, empty room, and the Apple was nowhere to be seen. Come to think of it, I hadn't heard it's voice since waking, or felt its presence in my head. "The Apple? But...where is it? I don't see it anywhere?"
"Kaylyn, you sort of...absorbed it…" Ryan spoke up quietly, playing with his fingers in the way he always did when he was nervous.
Silence.
I looked at him flatly. "I...absorbed it." He nodded. "Ryan, if this is a joke-"
"Do I seem like the kind of person to joke about that sort of thing?"
"Uhm, well-"
"No, don't answer that."
Nadir cleared his throat, and I noticed he seemed just as nervous as my brother did. "Rye-an tells the truth. When Minerva handed the Apple to you, it melted into your skin and you began to glow. That is when you lost consciousness."
"Sorry, I glowed?" Well, this day just keeps getting more interesting. I frowned and looked down at myself, tracing the skin of my forearm with my fingertips. I didn't look any different. I didn't feel any different.
"Yeah, it was super weird. Your skin had the same patterns as the Apple did!" My brother exclaimed, whipping his arms about like some sort of diseased monkey. I nearly laughed again, before looking back at Nadir.
"So...what does that mean?"
He frowned. "We have no idea. Do you feel any different?"
"No, I don't. I can't even hear him anymore!"
"Him…"
I sighed and miserably explained. "The Apple. He spoke to me before, and showed me how to do things, how to get out of dangerous situations. That's how I was fighting so well back down in the village."
"Ah…" Nadir looked uncomfortable. "We did wonder about that."
"No doubt." I jumped and squeaked. The assassin drew back, looking startled. "Kay-lin?"
I ignored him, focusing on the presence that had been absent for so long. Where the hell have you been?
"Here. Where else would I be?"
I frowned. How come I couldn't feel you, then?
"I was busy adjusting. I have not before been in a living vessel."
Adjusting. Huh...is that why I've been out for two weeks?
"Yes. It was best for me, and you told me to let you rest."
Technically, yes, but-
I blinked, returning to the real world to find Ryan directly in front of me, hand gripping my face in a desperate way. He looked very scared, and guilt immediately flooded me. "Ryan? What are you doing?" He gasped, moving his hands to my shoulders.
"Kaylyn! God, you scared me!" His voice shook, and I reached forward, hugging him as tightly as my weak muscles could manage.
"Sorry…"
When I pulled away, he asked, "What happened? We were talking and then you went all...spacey. Nadir went to fetch Malik to make sure you were ok."
"Oh…" Goddamn guilt, go away! "The Apple was talking to me, that's all. He said he was busy, adjusting, or whatever."
"Adjusting? Is that why you were in a coma for two weeks?"
"I suppose. I mean, it isn't easy for him, being inside something living." As I said the words aloud, I realized how absolutely insane I sounded. As if time travel wasn't enough to deal with, wasn't enough to get myself locked in a psych ward.
I knew that Nadir and Malik would return, that I would have to explain myself to the Grandmaster and everyone who Minerva spoke to. I suppose it could've been worse; I could've died when kidnapped by Garnier, or when Philippe tortured me, or when I was surrounded by an army of people possessed by an ancient artifact that, hello, had ended up in my head. But for some reason, I was still here. For some reason, I was important. And I knew, more than anything else, that the next part of my life was going to be a challenge.
Luckily for Minerva, I was used to challenges.
A/N: Oh my god, I can't believe this is finished! I've been writing and uploading since quarantine started, so it's a strange feeling to be done with the first book, so to speak. In any case, I'll be uploading the teaser right after this, so don't go anywhere! I'll miss you all, my wonderful readers!
A flash of silver
Witty quips and sharp reviews
Kind, my fellow bird
