Unmei Force Solitary Legends: The Creed of Fate
Sequence 08: The Dark Times before the End
Part 1: A Solemn Passing
"We reunited with my Father, who, after learning of what Charles Lee has done, has changed his ways. He and Lucine have decided to become Assassins, turning from the Templar ways. We can only hope Achilles and Riccard won't chastise them too much for their actions." Connor's voice spoke over the scene as the world opened to Davenport Homestead, now having an inn, a church, and a seamstress, with a new flag flying over the manor as well, one made by Ellen.
"Hm. Seems like Riccard's been busy." Haytham said, looking around to see all this.
"He has. And I'm sure he'll be glad to see you've changed." Connor said, as he soon walked up to the manor door, only to find Selkie walking out, with a rather solemn expression. "...Selda? What is wrong?"
"...You'll have to go see for yourself, Connor, Mizo…" Selkie said, not even caring about Haytham and Lucina for the moment.
Connor and Koyomi, both puzzled by this, walked inside to see Achilles sitting in his usual chair, but when they walked up to him… they soon realised what Selkie meant.
Achilles was limp. He was dead. Connor soon found a letter in Achilles' hand, soon opening it and reading it, with a solemn look on his face. After he finished reading it, he soon handed it to Koyomi.
"I must fetch the pastor that Riccard recruited to our homestead." Connor said, as he soon left to make his way to the church.
Koyomi slowly unfurled the letter, as she read it slowly.
'Connor, and Mizo. If you are reading this… I have failed to say goodbye as I wanted, but the time never seemed appropriate. I leave this land and all its resources to you both. I trust you two now know this place has become something of great significance. A community to serve as an example of what this-would be nation could become. But the larger and stronger it grows, the more fragile and difficult to defend it becomes. I hope that Riccard and his trusted group, as well as your friends who are birthing this infant country understand this truth. The unwavering tenacity and honesty has burdened you both with responsibility greater than any pair could possibly bear. But it is you both, out of all of those in the world, who are capable. You have given an old man hope that all is not lost and for that, I thank you. I ask that you lay my bones to rest on the hill overlooking the water, there is no other place on this earth I'd rather be. I am grateful to have met you both, knowing you two will guide this land and these people to a better future. Yours in brotherhood, Achilles Davenport.'
Koyomi let the letter drop from her hands, as a single tear streaked down her cheek, before followed by more, as she looked down at the departed Achilles, as memories of her training with him flowed through her mind, as it only intensified her sorrow, before she then collapsed on her knees, and wept into her hands, overcome with grief at the loss of Achilles.
"Master… Achilles... Master… Ahhhhhh…." Koyomi sniffled, before she then let out a wail of misery, as she then wept into her hands again, as Mai noticed the crying, as she walked over, as she saw the letter on the ground, as she slowly walked over to Koyomi.
"...Mizo… If it will help you, you can cry on my shoulder… I will not complain." Mai offered. "It was regretful that he passed away only hours before you arrived. If he came back to see you both return safe and sound before he departed from this world... It would have been what he wished perfectly."
Koyomi took the offer, as she kept on crying, as Mai stroked her head gently to soothe her.
Meanwhile, Connor had been walking towards the church as it was beginning to rain, with Haytham and Lucina following him, puzzled.
"I thought we were going to see Achilles, son?" Haytham asked as they walked.
"You could see him if you wished, if only to find his corpse." Connor said, which caught Haytham off guard.
"...He's dead?" Haytham asked, as Connor stopped, and solemnly nodded, as Lucina and Haytham soon walked up to Connor's side, having walked behind him most of the way.
"Connor… I… I… wow… I'm sorry." Lucina said, not having the words to say.
"So this is why we're heading to the church. To prepare his funeral." Haytham said, as Connor solemnly nodded again. "...Very well… I'll see to it his grave is dug. Did he have a specific location?"
"The hill overlooking the water." Connor said.
"Ah, behind the manor." Haytham said, having seen the very area. "I'll get right on it."
Haytham then left the both of them, as Connor and Lucina walked into the church, as Connor walked up to Father Timothy, who was the church's pastor.
"Father." Connor stated, as Timothy turned around to face Connor.
"Ah, you must be Connor. I have never seen you in the homestead before, but your friends and Achilles speak quite a lot about you in the sessions here." Timothy greets him. "What is it that you have come here for, young Connor?"
"Achilles… has passed." Connor responded back.
"...I'm so sorry. He was like a father to you and Mizo." Timothy stated with sympathy.
"He passed away peacefully and with dignity. Mizo must be struck with grief reading the letter in full." Connor answered back.
"A service then?" Timothy suggested.
"Yes. Please prepare something appropriate. The grave for him has been dug by a… acquaintance of mine." Connor nodded. "Can you gather everyone?'
"As you wish." Timothy stated. "It will be a while, so go find Mizo, she must need your company to soothe her grief."
Connor and Lucina made their way back, as they were joined by Haytham, who showed them the finished hole for the grave, before they returned to the homestead, as they saw Mai come out with Koyomi, whose eyes were raw from crying.
"Kanemik:zo…" Connor stated.
"I'm… fine. Most of the grief has passed through me already." Koyomi assured Connor. "Let's just… prepare a parting gift for Master Achilles… It's the least we can do."
After a while, everyone was gathered at the grave of Achilles, as the wooden coffin was draped with a decorative flag, as Father Timothy was already reciting the funeral rites.
"Prayer and sermon do not suit this occasion. Achilles was not a man of God. Not my God, at any rate." Timothy declared. "But he certainly believed in a guiding force, and he is at peace now and for that, we can be grateful. We lay him to rest here, atop the bluff where he made his honourable and dignified life, so he can remain that comforting presence, as the old man on the hill, that we have all grown to depend on. You all had your own relationships with him, your own moments, and I implore you to return here when the time is right for you, and share those stories with the waves and the trees. Achilles, you will be missed but never forgotten. Go safely, old man, safely to where your soul needs rest."
One by one, the homestead residents cast their roses and flowers into the grave, as the last ones to do so were Radtiz's group, Haytham and Lucina, and Connor and Koyomi.
For the gift Connor and Koyomi would grant Achilles, a pair of bald-eagle feathers, that slowly descended to the top of the coffin, as Haytham and Lucina came closer to the two.
"I've always wanted to meet the man… who trained the both of you. Personally trained the both of you… It seems that opportunity will never be granted to me now." Haytham said. "...But I can be assured, with the presence he has made on all the people here, that he was a very dignified man… a very honorable man… I wish I could have met him personally."
Haytham laid his hand on Connor's shoulder. "Know that from now on, I will do my best to be the father that you deserve, Connor."
"Thank you, father." Connor said with a small smile.
"...As much as I hate to break up this moment, there is more work to be done. Lee still has his uses and he's just informed us by letter that the British are shifting their march. It's no longer to Philadelphia, but to New York." Lucina declared.
"We must inform Commander Washington then." Connor said.
"They should be making camp nearby on the Frontier… Hopefully, we can deal with this problem before it gets worse." Koyomi stated.
"Well then, let's be off." Haytham said, as the group was about to set off, when Haytham was stopped by Raditz putting a hand on his shoulder.
"...All I have to say to you is this…" Raditz began with a scowl, before it swapped to a slight smirk. "Good to have you back, old friend."
Haytham smirked back and nodded, before he, Lucina, Connor, and Koyomi, took off for Washington's camp in the Frontier.
Part 2: Wavering Trust
The group of four soon reached Washington's camp, soon seeing Washington overlooking something.
"Sir." Connor would say, catching Washington's attention.
"Hello, Connor and Komi." Washington stated, as he got up, after reading a missive in his hands, that he placed on the table beside him. "What brings you both here?"
"The British have recalled their men in Philadelphia. They march for New York." Koyomi stated. "We need you to move your men in accordance to this intel."
"Very well, I'll move our forces to Monmouth. If we can rout them, we'll have finally turned the tide." Washington stated.
"And what's this?" Haytham stated, as he held Washington's missive in his hands.
"Private correspondence!" Washington shouted, as he tried to snatch the missive from Haytham's hands, only to miss.
"Of course it is. Would you like to know what it says, Connor?" Haytham stated. "It seems that your good friend here has ordered an attack on your village. Although attack might be putting it mildly… Tell him, Commander… Or I will."
Washington was taken aback, as he was met with the shocked looks of Koyomi and Connor, before he then gathered himself to answer.
"We've received reports of allied natives working with the British. I've asked my men to put a stop to it." Washington answered back.
"By burning their villages and salting the land . By calling for their extermination, according to this letter." Lucina scoffed. "You must really be intent on nipping this problem in the bud it seems, Washington."
"I-is this true?" Koyomi asked back. "Washington, you can't do this… If you need to move the natives out of the way, then let us do it. They'll be more likely to trust us than either the Patriots or the Redcoats!"
"Oh, I'm afraid that this isn't the first time he did this. In fact, take a guess what I learned about him just from the little letter. Something he is responsible for 14 years ago…" Haytham spat. "Tell them, Commander. Tell them which village you burned back then."
"That was another time. The Seven Years War." Washington argued back.
"And now, son and Mizo… You see what happens to this 'great man' when under duress. He makes excuses, displaces blame. Does a great many atrocities, in fact, except take responsibility!" Haytham roared. "Your actions only reinforce the statement that you're a lacking commander for your forces, Washington. The fact that you burned the village that my own wife has lived in, has proven that you have crossed a line you shouldn't have. I would swear your death here and now, but I've sworn off blind vengeance. I wash my hands of you, George Washington!"
Koyomi was stunned, as was Connor. Connor was left silent and betrayed, although Koyomi had a much more violent reaction, as she curled her fists, and stomped over towards Washington, pulling a Hidden Blade out, only to be stopped by Haytham.
"Mizo! I understand your anger, but killing him will only make the situation more severe!" Haytham scolded Mizo.
"I'm not going to kill him. I'm going to make sure he gets this message." Koyomi growled back, before she snapped towards Washington with a snarl. "Washington, you conniving, manipulating snake…! All this time… All this time we thought Charles Lee was alone to blame for the death of our tribespeople, and Connor's mother… We should have done you a long time ago, if we knew… But right now, we're going to fix the problem you created. We and you are done. No longer will we dance to your tunes. If you try to impede us in saving what remains of our tribe… Then we'll kill as many Patriots as you send to do so. Consider us enemies, if you like, but if you antagonise us, Washington… You will see yourself crumble soon."
Mizo then turned away with a huff, as Connor followed after her. Lucina and Haytham soon followed, with Lucina being in slight concerned about the situation.
"It's better him than Lee, Mizo. You know that as much as I do." Lucina said.
"He's not better by much… having him as an enemy is not wise, either. We don't need both sides of the war honing in on us." Haytham said.
"...I'm sure he meant well by his intentions, but he knew that Mizo and I were of the tribe. He should have sent it to us first." Connor explained.
"...That doesn't excuse what he has done. Either way, he would know better to press us as well. Like I have stated, it would be best we both never encountered each other again." Koyomi answered back. "Regardless, the Patriot messengers must be stopped before the plan is carried to the soldiers who intend to raze our village."
The four immediately rode on horseback, as they took out the Patriot messengers on their way to the village, as they soon reached the village, finding that the clan mother was still there, as Connor and Mizo approached her.
"Ratonhnhaké-ton! Kanemik:zo!" The clan mother declared. "You have returned! But why? I thought you would be with that other man."
"We would never side with Charles Lee, clan mother." Connor said. "Has he twisted his words and caused our people to go to war?"
"...Blast that Lee…" Haytham cursed, seeming to understand the native language, before he approached the clan mother. "Forgive me, Clan mother. I failed to keep that man, Charles Lee, in check, and I never considered, but should have, that he would go this far. Know that I will put an end to this. Whatever the cost."
"...I see. It has been a while since the people have seen you. If Kaniehti-io were here, she would have been relieved. But she perished in the fire years ago, and has become one with the spirits." The clan mother solemnly stated.
"Clan Mother, where are those who have been taken away to fight?" Koyomi asked.
"To push back those who would take our land." The clan mother responded back.
"No… This isn't right…" Connor stated.
"Why are you troubled, Ratonhnhaké-ton? Is this not what you wanted? For us to take a stand?" The clan motehr asked back.
"Yes, but not in this way, not under a twisted maniac like Lee!" Connor yelled.
"Come, we must hurry!" Lucina proclaimed in the native language of the tribe as the four of them rushed off, quickly and non-lethally neutralizing the force going out… all except for...
"RAAAAAH!" Yelled a familiar voice, as Lucina saw Connor in danger, quickly shoving him out of the way and blocking Kanen'to:kon's hatchet with Falchion, which was disguised as a gold bladed British sword.
"Have you lost your mind!? Who told you people were taking this land?" Lucina asked Kanen'to:kon.
"What does it matter? You all serve the Patriots, do you not? They intend to raze our land, and we will stop whoever steps in our way! Even Ratonhnhaké:ton and Kanemik:zo!" Kanen'to:kon growled, as Lucina kicked him back.
"Kanen'to:kon! Stop! We are not allied with the Patriots!" Koyomi shouted. "Whatever that snake Charles Lee has told you, it is all lies to turn brother against brother!"
"He said that you both have been corrupted. That you would try to deceive us. But here they are on our doorstep? What say you both to that!?" Kanen'to:kon retorted back.
"It's a mistake! We stopped the Patriots from attacking! If you attack them now, you'll play right into Lee's hands!" Connor shouted back.
Haytham, not wanting to see someone else his son considered close to be unnecessarily killed, soon stepped in. "Charles Lee lied to you! He used his twisted words to make you believe we are the enemy! We are not your enemy! I should know Lee lied to you, because he lied personally to me, many times! I once worked with him! Until I realized how wicked he was!" Haytham spat at Kanen'to:kon.
Kanen'to:kon was struck by those words, as he looked to Koyomi, who looked grief-stricken.
"Please… Don't do this… Master Achilles has returned to the land already… I don't want to suffer grief again by watching one of our closest friends perish because of a lie…" Koyomi pleaded. "Kanen'to:kon… You knew us since we were but infants crawling on the land… Would you believe we would ever betray the tribe…? Please, don't make us have to kill you to save everyone…"
Kanen'to:kon saw the pained expression on Koyomi's face, before he hesitated for a moment, before letting his tomahawk drop to the ground, as he knelt down.
"I… Ratonhnhaké:ton... Kanemik:zo…" He stated with remorse in his voice. "...How could I have been so foolish to blindly trust the words of someone who took advantage of my emotions over those who have stayed by my side since childhood… I'm sorry… Forgive this foolish hunter… I didn't join you, because I was afraid of turning against my clan, and yet I did this despite your wishes…. The ancestors would scorn me for such hypocrisy."
"Kanen'to:kon…" Connor started.
"Charles Lee rides for Monmouth… He intends to reveal the Patriot's plans, so that the Loyalists will destroy them. If you want to save us all… Then stop him, and come back safe, the people will pray for your return, Ratonhnhake-ton and Kanemik:zo." Kanen'to:kon answered back. "I will remain in the village as penance for my recklessness and protect the village from where I stand."
"Thank you, Kanen'to:kon." Haytham said. "Come, let us go."
The four immediately left, leaving Kanen'to:kon reflecting on his actions, as they prepared to head towards Monmouth to stop Lee's plans from becoming a reality.
Part 3: Battle of Monmouth
It wasn't long before Connor, Koyomi, Haytham, and Lucina arrived at Monmouth where they found someone trying to piece together the situation.
"Blasted Charles Lee, rides in here and gives orders and leaves me to pick up the pieces!" The man said in distress.
"Are you alright?" Koyomi asked.
"Ah, Connor and Mizo, you have arrived just in time to give us a hand." The man answered back.
"We heard that you were cursing Charles Lee out." Connor added.
"That batard. He shows up in the middle of our preparations and just takes charge. Screams at everyone to advance and rides away. I am left to pick up the pieces, as you have just heard." the man cursed.
He then looked over the horizon, and found that there were platoons of British soldiers walking across it.
"Where did THEY come from?" The man remarked. "Send word that we are falling back! Everyone to me! Now! NOW!"
"We will hold the area while you bring them to safety." Connor offered.
The man whistled with his fingers, as several Patriots came over. "I grant you my finest soldiers to serve as your personal guard. There is nothing they will not do to ensure you are victorious, even at the cost of their lives." He stated. "Bonne chance, mon amies."
"I'll man the cannon." Connor said.
"Lucine and I will take up muskets." Haytham said.
"You all, stay here and keep watch." Koyomi ordered the personal guard. "None of you will be laying your lives bare today. We will show you that we're as capable of guarding you all, as you to us."
And so the battle began, as British soldiers marched platoon by platoon to attack. Connor fired cannonball after cannonball as fast as he could, being aided by impeccable shots from Haytham and Lucina. Koyomi even managed to sneak in some trip mines, and tossed a few smoke bombs to disorient the British. 3 minutes passed, however, and the Patriots were losing ground.
"We are losing ground, sir, it would be wise to retreat." One of the elite soldiers said.
"Then we retreat, to regroup with the others. We have delayed long enough for us to make distance from the main British force, we merely need to cover the escape of our stragglers!" Koyomi shouted. "FALL BACK! FALL BACK!"
Everyone fell back at the command, rushing away from the scene of the battle. As they were falling back, some Patriots were about to be executed, as Haytham wasn't going to see to that, rushing at the redcoats.
"Father!" Connor shouted.
"Go ahead, son! I can handle this alone! Meet up with Washington!" Haytham yelled, as he began slaying redcoats.
There wasn't really a position for argument, as Lucina, Connor, and Koyomi continued their retreat, as there were two more instances of this. Connor and Lucina split off, as Koyomi pushed ahead to lead the retreat.
Soon enough, the soldiers were safe, as Washington saw Koyomi and approached her, seeing her tensing up, and stopped as soon as she did.
"Mizo… I understand that what Haytham said to you was truth. I won't hide that anymore. I will own up and admit that yes, I really did those things." Washington said. "But for the both of them, it was under the command of someone else. I had little choice in the matter. Now, as Commander and knowing the importance of having allies such as yourselves, I won't ask you for forgiveness, I only ask that you don't halt us and the Patriot forces from what we do… if there are any further instances, regarding your homeland and your people, I will fetch for you and Connor first before I ever give a direct action to my men."
"...You are far from forgiven, but the first step in confessing that you were wrong… It is progress indeed." Koyomi stated with a stoic tone, as she slowly relaxed herself. "However, this isn't the time for us to start repairing our relations. Charles Lee has betrayed the Patriots, he forced retreat in the midst of a battle, hoping the loss will take the lives of your men and see you relieved of your command."
"What!?" Washington exclaimed.
"He will not tell the truth about this. He will lie and shift blame, or make up false accounts." Koyomi answered back. "If he lies about us, it proves his guilt. I will tell you this, Washington. Since we both know he's the one who lit those fires… He must die, or else he will not cease defaming you, or attempting to assassinate you at all opportunities."
"The mademoiselle's words ring true." The man answered back. "Lee was acting most odd upon the battlefield."
"Then while I cannot do much, due to the fact I have an army to command, I will pass an executive order as Commander of the Patriots." Washington said. "If what you say about Lee is true, and he really does all these vile actions… then there is but one thing to do. Mizo, be sure you tell this to Connor, Haytham, and Lucine. I hereby charge the four of you with one task, on behalf of the Patriots. Charles Lee has committed treason, and thus, must be killed. I leave this task to the four of you, for compensation of the loss of trust, as well as the previous crimes against your people."
"It shall be done. If anyone asks of our agreement… It has never happened." Koyomi answered back. "Charles Lee will be written off as being assassinated by disgruntled men who he has wronged with his deceitful orders."
"I understand." Washington stated, as Koyomi left him to speak to his men. "Oh, one more thing, Mizo… Godspeed. We wish you the best of luck."
Koyomi nodded back, as she then found Connor, Lucina and Haytham, who were slightly scuffled, but otherwise unharmed.
"Charles Lee has been denounced. It will be soon that he will be dismissed for his actions, but he cannot be left alive." Koyomi answered back. "Commander Washington has charged the four of us with seeing to it that Charles Lee is murdered, on the crime of treason, unofficially at least."
"Hmm. I may have a cunning plan in order to make such a thing work." Haytham said.
"And what would that be?" Connor would ask.
"I had told Charles to avoid going to Fort George, because I anticipated that it may come down to you and me duelling there, son, and perhaps we can still pull this off as if that never changed." Haytham said. "In a sense, you two will have to kill myself and Lucine."
"What!?" Connor asked in shock.
"Let me finish the plan." Haytham said. "Once Fort George is bombarded enough, a hole will be blasted into its walls eventually. Nothing there but sea for Lucine and I to tragically fall to our deaths."
"But, instead of being left to drown, your men of the Aquila will bring us to safety by rowboat." Lucina explained.
"Such a deceit will bring Charles Lee out of hiding for sure." Connor said.
"Indeed, and with that, you two can finally bring down that power craving bastard." Haytham said.
With that plan set in mind, they made their way to set this plan into motion.
SEQUENCE 08 COMPLETE
FULL SYNCHRONIZATION