An Ace in the Rabbit Hole
Chapter 21: An Ace in the Rabbit Hole
Mid-Sequence found.
Sequence 12.5: Another Branch
Synchronization rate: 57.6%
Cole P.O.V.
" Escape…"
" Take him out…"
" Keep the sanctity of the brotherhood together…"
Subject Sixteen's voice kept talking to me without rest. I was about to tell him to shut up out of exasperation because my head was already throbbing. But then I remembered the true reason why my head hurt.
I found Ezio, wounded in a field. I was about to heal him… then someone hit me, hard… in the back of my head. Before I completely lost consciousness, I remember someone saying "You're at my mercy now."
That obviously didn't sound like a good thing.
Feeling began to return to my body and I felt myself starting to reconnect with the physical world. My eyes finally opened and I found myself lying in a dimly lit area. My vision was still a bit blurry so I blinked in an attempt to clear it.
Once my vision cleared, I realized where I was. I was somewhere I was always afraid I would wind up; where I've always dreaded I would.
Locked in a cage.
"Merda…" I muttered to myself as I rubbed my head to ease the pain.
"Nice of you to finally join us." I heard a rough voice say, followed by a chuckle.
I looked at the cage door and found a man standing there. It was very hard to see him because of the improper lighting and because his skin seemed to be a sickly gray color. The only thing I could really see was his bright red eyes.
I sat up. "Who are you?" I asked.
"Hmm? They call me many things; a monster, a murderer, the devil, a demon… but you can call me Christopher Valence." He replied with a sinister but somewhat witty undertone; that Italian accent not making him sound any tamer either.
What's with this guy?
"… Right, um do you mind telling me where I am?"
"Not at all but how about I fix the lighting here. It would make our meeting here more… intimate…"
O… kay…
Soon all was lit up brightly by the torches burning brightly. He came back and sat down in front of my cage with a look that could make any man piss themselves. Good thing I'm not like most men.
"Now where were we?" He said.
"Um… you could start by telling me why I'm here."
"Simple. Because you belong here." He replied.
"Excuse me?"
"Cole MacGrath. A patron saint to the people, a hero, an advocate for freedom. An assassin. Disgusting."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Because of you, the Assassin brotherhood is stronger than ever, when you should be doing the exact opposite; tearing it down."
"Okay, now you've lost me. What ARE you talking about?"
"Fate will be determined by The Man of Light… I have yet to see that." He spoke.
What the hell is wrong with this guy?
"You were supposed to be here with us, from the start. You were supposed to be by my side and the two of us would rule all of Italia with an iron fist. Or rather… a fist of lightning…" He raised his hand and red lightning danced in his hand briefly before dying down.
"Che Cazzo?! How?"
"That's right. You are not the only one in this world with that ability. We are amongst thousands but it seems that we are the only ones who have been awakened."
The Templars have someone like me on their side. That's bad. Really bad…
"So why are you here, you ask?"
"Um yeah, that would be great to know." I said, my patience beginning to run low. And I'm a man with a lot of patience.
"Facilmente. If you haven't already realized, you and I look alike."
I didn't even realize it until he said it. He does look a lot like me. He could literally be my evil twin brother. I don't like where this is going.
"The Assassins are running around like chickens without heads trying to find you. I will end their search by coming back… as you."
"No way in hell. As soon as they see you they'll be able to tell that you aren't me. You underestimate them." A twin magic trick would have no chance of fooling the Assassins; their senses are much too keen for that.
"I'm hurt. You underestimate me Cole."
"What do you mean?" I asked for what seemed to be the millionth time today.
"You cannot judge what I can and cannot do…" He then raised his hand and this time gold lightning danced in his hand.
Realization hit me. My jaw fell open.
"Is that…?"
"Why don't you decide?!" He cackled. Before I could react, his gold lightning hit me right between my eyes. I fell back and grabbed my head in agony as voices echoed in my head. Then as quickly as it happened it was over. I immediately sat up and saw him smirking.
If I was outside this god damned cage I'd wipe that smirk clean off his face.
"I believe I rid of you doubt and skepticism. Anymore questions?" He said while rubbing his wrist.
"So what are going to do with me? I still doubt keeping me in a cage would benefit you in the near future. The VERY NEAR future."
He ignored my threat. "Very good! You are smarter than you appear." He said while clapping.
I growled lowly. I stood up and grabbed the cage bars, sending some electricity through them for effect.
He continued to smirk at me, not all fazed by my actions. "We will turn you into one of us." I stated with a chuckle.
I let go of the cage bars, stepped away and pinched my nose in annoyance. "The hell do mean by that?"
"We have the means to… change how you think per se. Through this we can make you see the error of your ways. You would then leave the brotherhood, join the order, and become one of us."
"Idiota, you cannot possibly do that. My allegiance lies solely with the brotherhood. My sole goal is to not only protect the people but also, their god given right. A right that you bastardi are relentless in taking away! My mind is incorruptible."
"No mind… is incorruptible." He replied sinisterly.
I clenched my fist tightly. I then let out a frustrated yell and shot out a strong bolt directly at him. He caught it in his hand and threw it back at me tenfold. His retaliation hit me in the gut and I flew back, harshly meeting the wall. I slid down to the floor and held my ribs, sensing that a couple of them have definitely been broken.
He moved closer to the cage. "I will single handedly tear the Assassin brotherhood down. Then bella Italia will be lead into a new age of order and stability." He said lowly.
I opened my mouth to challenge him but I shut it. I've been given a full demonstration of what he can do. He means what he says. He talks big AND can back it up.
"Well I suppose that's enough small talk for now. I have some business to tend to. Speaking of business, I'll be sure to have a… proper reunion with Luisella Cadone. She misses you dearly…" He laughed sinisterly.
I gritted my teeth, my temper was let loose. "Vai a farti fottere pezzo di merda! Ti ammazzo!" I screamed.
Amazing how anger can unlock your inner Italian. The more colorful side anyway.
"I'd like to see you try." He hit the cage with his the side of his fist and the cage bars shook from the force. I was praying that the cage would break, setting me free, and allowing me to shove my metallic boot so far up his ass he'd taste metal for weeks.
"Humph. All of you! Make sure that our… guest well taken care of. The Maestro wants him at his strongest. But… don't be afraid to knock him down a few pegs. There is such thing as too much will…" He walked away.
"Yessir!" I heard numerous voices respond.
Great. Of course this place is well guarded. Even if I try to escape, it sure as hell wouldn't be that easy.
I sent some electricity to my ribs to heal them. I stayed as I was, deep in thought. If I had some sort of idea of what this place looked like, I would be much easier to formulate an escape plan.
But I couldn't help but to think about what Christopher said to me. Is that really going to happen to me? I've spent all this time stifling every evil thought that came to mind to be the hero and the good man that everyone loved and deserved. Is all of that going to be overturned?
Like it was before?
"Look at him."
I was broken out of my thoughts to see two guards standing at my cage door with smirks on their faces.
So help me god if I see someone smirking at me one more time…
"What do you want?" I asked them harshly.
"Easy there amico. Remember, we have every right to do whatever we please with you. We are not responsible for our actions. All that matters is you are still in one piece when the time comes. I'd watch your tongue if I were you."
As of right now, I could care less. "Vacagare." I muttered.
"Such a mouth on this one." He said with amusement.
Then I felt a sharp sting on my shoulder. When I looked over I saw an arrow plunged deep into my shoulder.
Ugh…
I didn't say a word and I simply reached over and pulled the arrow out, stifling my whimper of pain.
"Let that be a lesson. Stay in your place and all will end well for you." The guards walked off, leaving me along once again.
I closed my eyes, not even bothering to tend to my wound. What a situation I've gotten myself into…
I heard incoming footsteps. When I looked up I saw another guard standing there.
I let out a frustrated groan. I've had it up to here with these assholes.
"Easy, I am a friend." He whispered while kneeling down.
"Oh really? What are you going to do? Force feed me your sword? Perhaps you'll hold me down and have your way with me? I would normally be sorry for my harsh words but I certifiably cannot be as I am having a tough time believing your words right now." I responded.
"Capisco. But at least come here."
This could be a trick Cole.
The guard sighed. "I understand you not trusting me but please, I am a friend. I'm here to help you." He slipped something between the bars and it hit the floor.
I crawled over to the object and picked it up.
"What is it?" I asked.
"A patch with a small alcoholic solution, for your wound."
"I appreciate the offer but it won't be needed." I handed the patch back to him. I sent some electricity to my shoulder and let it dance around to heal the wound.
"Incredibile…" He said as he watched the electricity moving in my wound.
"So what is it that you wanted?" I sat back Indian style and crossed my arms.
He had an apprehensive look on his face.
At least it wasn't a smirk.
"Your trust?" He meekly said
"Not easily earned." I spitefully responded.
"Please fratello. I am on your side." He pleaded
"How can I be so sure? Those two bastardi could have been on my side. Anyone here could claim to be on my side. What makes you so special?"
He removed the armored glove on his left hand and presented it to me. I leant over to get a closer look.
The burn mark of an Assassin.
The plots thickens! Another ASSASSIN? And Christopher Valence you demented little shit xD
Eh… review… please? =)
*TRANSLATIONS*
Che Cazzo? = What the fuck?
Vai a farti fottere pezzo di merda! Ti ammazzo! = Go fuck yourself you piece of shit! I'll kill you!
Vacagare = Piss off
