Unmei Force Solitary Legends: The Creed of Fate
Sequence EX-02: The Betrayal
Part 1: Prison Break
As soon as the cart arrived at said area, the ambush was sprung, just as Connor, Koyomi, Hitomi, and Eruza woke up, suddenly hearing a lock being picked, as the door opened, the light shining in and slightly blinding the four, to find Haytham there at the door.
"You're lucky that Riccard has managed to sway King Washington and his Generals enough that he can pull off playing a double agent role." Haytham said.
"What… where are…?" Connor would begin to ask before Haytham stopped him.
"It doesn't matter where you are, just get out here so we can cut your blasted bonds." Haytham said, as the four of them complied, stepping out as Haytham cut off the ropes.
"However we do know where Putnam is heading to. He's heading to Boston, about to tell King Washington the word that you four have been killed by Riccard and his platoon." Myriam said. "And there's more we've learned from an inside source we have in Boston, a man by the name of Sam Adams. One of his rebels has been captured, Kanen'to:kon." Myriam added.
"Kanen'to:kon!?" Koyomi exclaimed. "Where is he? We need to save him!"
"We'll show you." Stephane answered back. "Things are bad at Boston, mon amies... We need to put an end to this tyranny… This is not what we once fought for…"
The group were directed to a small prison in Boston, as Koyomi, Connor, Hitomi and Eruza had no problems in breaking in, with their cloaking powers, leaving the prison ghastly silent, as they found Kanen'to:kon, who was waiting in one of the cells, as Koyomi undid her cloak to reveal herself.
"Kanemik:zo…!? You live!? They said that you and Ratonhnhake-ton were killed along with the Cherokee huntresses!" Kanen'to:kon remarked with shock and relief. "I almost lost hope when you have died once… I almost couldn't bear you dying once more…"
"Rest assured, Kanen'to:kon, it will take more than schemes to truly slay us." Connor responded back, as he uncloaked with the rest of the group. "I cannot believe that you would be here. What has happened while you were captive?"
"Riccard… He had to play a difficult role, with his group, in order to ensure that they would be able to find the opportunity to kill Washington for his betrayal… I suppose that they would have told me that you were alive, had Washington not put his pride foremost, and demanded they join him in watching the 'festivties'... The word sickens me." Kanen'to:kon answered back. "What of the village?"
"It is burned down… And the Clan Mother is slain, as is most of the warriors." Connor broke the bad news firmly. "We are all but what remains of our tribe, a sad fate shared by the Cherokee huntresses that aid us in this quest for vengeance… But hope is not lost. We can still save our tribe, if we find natives who are willing to help us rebuild it."
"As long you two live, my determination to see that day will never fade." Kanen'to:kon answered back. "I fight with Sam Adams's rebels. However, we are too few and too weak. Let me free, we need to help him, for he has treated me well in this hostile land."
Hitomi did so, as she bashed the cell lock open, as Kanen'to:kon exited it. "You have my thanks, huntress of the Cherokee."
"Call me Hatomaun:ka and my parnter Erazakt'in." Hitomi introduced herself. "Now, let's go!"
The group quickly left the prison hallway, as they looked for the place where Kanen'to:kon's weapons would likely be in, as it guided them into a small room, where they got rid of the guards, as they found Kanen'to:kon's tomahawk, bow and arrows.
"Thank you very much, my brothers and sisters." Kanen'to:kon thanked the four natives. "Now then… I assume that we should leave this place… But wait, where did you acquire this great power to walk among the shadow like wolves… Is this the power of the Great Willow's tea that I heard about?"
"Indeed, we went on a Sky Journey as one, and share the same power." Koyomi responded back.
"Then let me share in that power as well, I will need the power of the Animal Spirits as well." Kanen'to:kon answered back.
"Kanen'to:kon… Think carefully about what you are bringing yourself into." Connor warned his friend. "The Sky Journey we encountered was no simple quest. There was the risk of being eternally lost in that realm, and even as experienced we are… we were at risk as well. You cannot drink it yet, I worry that it will be far too much for you, Kanen'to:kon."
"We have no choice." Kanen'to:kon tried to make a counter-argument
"Oi, oi, don't think that this makes you some native god or something. The Clan Mother of your clan herself told us we can still die like people the same way, even with all the power in us." Hitomi stated. "So I suggest that if you're just trying that for the power, you need a lot more consideration before you go for it. Some help the wolf's stealth did when Putnam put me out cold with a flintlock stock to the back of the head."
"Then at least, all of you try to make another Sky World Journey." Kanen'to:kon stated. "Every journey holds the chance of meeting a new Spirit Animal.'
"So we're not bound to one!? Hot damn, that's great news!" Eruza remarked. "Perhaps I might even get to be-"
"That aside, you have a point, Kanen'to:kon. I only ask that you guard over us while we make the journey." Connor responded back, before pulling out a clay flask. "I have stored what remains of the Great Willow's tea here. Take your fill of it, then hand it for the rest of you to consume."
The group took the tea once more, although this time, they were more used to it, able to keep their footing, as the world faded around them again, and they returned to the realm of nothingness where their trials would be, back to their trial-goer attire. They looked around, before they found a large tree in the vicinity, as an eagle soared around it.
"I suppose we must follow after the eagle." Connor guessed, as he soon ran to the tree to make his way up, traversing up the branches, before he found a nest of eagle eggs, as the realm shifted again, the eagle perching on its nest, while the four of them were surrounded by a pack of cheetahs, who were intent on robbing the nest of its eggs.
"Oh, the fucking irony." Eruza dryly stated, before one of the cheetahs leapt towards her, as she brought up a knee that cracked the cheetah's skull. "Alright, bring the damn hell on! I'll show you how a real cheetah does things!"
Connor was left wondering about Eruza's words, although he was too busy, like the rest, defending the nest from the cheetahs, as they knocked them away. After a while, the cheetahs stopped coming, and ethereal eagles appeared above them, as they swooped into each one of them, granting them their power.
"Alright, this is a bit different…" Hitomi remarked. "I feel a lot more lighter… like I could soar…"
She then transformed into a golden eagle of energy, as she flew up to one of the nearby branches, before she transformed back.
"Huh, so this is what it feels like to be able to fly." Hitomi stated. "It's interesting… Makes it easier to plan ways to take down people."
The group experimented with their eagle powers, flying from branch to branch, and then soaring through a obstacle course of shifting rocks, as they flew through a eagle-shaped crevasse, and towards the horizon, as it shone a bright light blinding them, and returning them back to the real world, as they were collapsed again.
"Urgh… Well, at least we completed the journey…" Eruza remarked, before she was jostled by Kanen'to:kon. "Oh, what is it? Kind of busy getting back to reality after flying like an eagle…"
"Then you better be quick, the Bluecoats have sounded the alarm. Seems that I was a important prisoner to them." Kanen'to:kon responded back. "But at least it means I can see your new powers for myself."
"Yeah…" Koyomi answered back, before they heard the sound of rushing footsteps, as Kanen'to:kon braced himself against the door, blocking it. "Hold the door, we'll try to see what is going on from atop."
The four of them transformed into their eagle forms, flying to the top of the wall, as they saw that there were a group of Bluecoats trying to break down the door, although Kanen'to:kon was resisting well against them. When the group found their perfect position to assassinate the group from, they took flight as eagles again, before transforming mid-flight and assassinating them from the air.
"It's all clear, Kanen'to:kon." Connor told his friend, as he opened the door to leave, before they heard the sound of another set of doors being burst open. "What the…"
"They're crazed savages! Kill them, or Washington will have our heads!" Benjamin Franklin stated, as he was among the group of advancing Bluecoats, as he turned to leave the prison.
"Was that… Benjamin Franklin…? Did the same madness that afflicted Washington also happened to him?" Connor stated. "From what I heard from father and Riccard, he is a fairly reasonable man… To be turned into a man of paranoia like this… The corruption on him is significant."
The group quickly fought their way out of the prison, as they spotted Franklin escaping on the rooftops, as Kanen'to:kon let out a war-cry to distract the nearby Bluecoats, as the Assassin group led by Stephane came to aid as well, giving the native group time to chase after Franklin.
Eruza quickly rushed onto the rooftops, as she dashed along them, before pinning Benjamin down with a powerful blow, digging the tomahawk on his chest, but only to the degree of a serious wound… yet the world faded around him and Eruza, and suspiciously… the rest of the native group as well.
"Who are you… ? And where…?" Benjamin stated, before he saw Connor and Koyomi. "You two… You're Haytham's son and daughter… The almanac… You and your father gave the missing pages back… I gave you a worthy reward…"
"Franklin... what is wrong with you?" Connor asked, walking over.
"All that before… Was that me… This is myself…? I'm myself now… then what was… Oh god, what have I done…" Franklin stated. "I remember your father taking my request… I remember you returning some pages... But why are they repressed in my head… and why does it hurt… to remember…? Washington… that sphere… My head… AAAHHH, MY HEAD!"
Franklin then began to convulse violently, screaming on the top of his lungs, clutching his head like something was drilling into it.
"What's happening? This is supposed to only happen when the target is dying… But Franklin isn't in a dying state right now… This isn't right… What is…" Koyomi stated, before the realm around them turned to a darker blue hue. "Oh… Oh this can't be good at all."
"I don't care for those who meddle in my plans." Washington declared, as he materialised before the group, as they drew their weapons.
"You…" Hitomi snarled. "Come back for another round? Too bad for you, wiggy, we're not the same hunters you came close to killing."
"It does not matter what power you delude yourself with. I will send you all right back to hell where you wretched natives BELONG!" Washington declared, as he brandished his sceptre for another fight, as he created his repulsing barrier.
"Look, up top!" Koyomi noted, as there were a gaping hole atop Washington's barrier. "The eagle's power… We can dive from above and strike him there!"
"First blood is mine!" Hitomi responded back, as she turned into an eagle, flying above the repulsing shock-wave, and dropping above Washington, as she pinned him down, and smashed his head back and forth with vicious hook-punches. "Not so fucking tough now that I have the means to get through that little barriers of yours!"
Washington only responded with a growl, and blasted Hitomi back. "Not possible… How did you…" He started, before Koyomi went next, and interrupted his words with a dive-kick to his head, sending him sprawling across the ground.
"You…" Washington stated, before he then summoned a triplet of golden orbs that orbited nearby around him. "Another magician's trick! You cannot hope to defeat me! I can see your every move!"
Eruza contradicted Washington in an instant, as she cloaked herself, avoiding the orbs, knowing that they meant nothing good, as she tried to throw Washington away, although her hands touched nothing, as Washington himself faded into particles.
"What the…" Eruza started, before the floor underneath them fractured. "FFFUUUUUCCCKKK!"
They free-falled for a while, before they slammed hard on another platform, as the ethereal image of Washington towered over them.
"Escape! Escape as best you can!" Washington mocked them, as the ground below them was dissolving, while another platform appeared before them in the distance.
"Son of a bitch, he's toying with us!" Hitomi growled.
"I don't know what he's doing… but if we don't act fast… We'll all be lost here! Follow the trail!" Connor remarked, as they flew to the next platform with the power of the eagle, before they were confronted by the ethereal visage of Kanenhti:to before them.
"Why did you disobey me, son!?" She boomed, as Connor froze.
"Mother….?" Connor responded back.
"Sort out your mother issues later! MOVE!" Hitomi shouted at Connor, snapping him out of it, as they followed the next platform.
"Your mother cannot help you now! Nor can any of your people!" Washington continued, as another platform appeared, and they flew to it.
"All I wanted was to protect you!" Kanenhti:to told them, as they flew to another platform.
"You all failed to save your villages! You failed to save your people!" Washington continued to mock them.
"Never again, Ratonhnhake-ton and Kanemik:zo!" Kanenhti:to shouted back.
When they reached the final platform, there was nothing but Washington's voice, as the platform faded around them.
"It's all falling away, falling away, falling away!" Washington breathed, as the group slipped off the platform, and right into the murky abyss below.
Suddenly, Koyomi snapped awake with a loud shout, as Kanen'to:kon rushed to her side.
"Kanemik:zo, what happened?" He asked her.
"Oh, Kanen'to:kon… something terrible happened. Franklin was in agony after being freed of control… We fought Washington, and he toyed with our minds… We dropped into an abyss, and then we woke up… I… I don't know why this is happening… How did Washington turn the effects of the Great Willow's tea against us!?" Koyomi stated, getting increasingly frantic with each word.
"Calm yourself, Mizo." Sam Adams said, as he walked up the group, who were slowly stirring awake. "You look positively spooked by whatever nightmare you have been through."
"Sam!" Connor exclaimed, recognising the man. "You're still alright… The times, they are…"
"I know. It has been hard for all of us." Sam answered back. "It would be best to have the two people who almost single-handedly saved us all from the Redcoats… and some Cherokee huntresses as well."
"Come, my friends… We should all get out of here." Kanen'to:kon advised the group. "I know a place where we can all be safe"
Part 2: Return to Sender
The group were guided to a derelict building, where the rebels took shelter in the basement, as Sam opened a map, gesturing to certain spots.
"We'll be trapped in this alley if Franklin comes with reinforcements." Kanen'to:kon informed Sam, looking at the map alongside Haytham, Myriam, and Norris.
"Hmm… My son would know about the best tactics possible. He's experienced in hunting and tracking, and knows exactly how to get the job done." Haytham said.
"Then I can use such a man." Sam said, as he turned to Connor. "I fought for years in the cause of freedom, before and after the Redcoats. I thought that Washington would lead us to a new age… But he turned, and I had to start again. Sadly, our second rebellion is faltering."
"Sir, we are out of gunpowder!" One of the rebels shouted, as Sam gestured towards the guard to prove the point.
"At this point, we must leave Boston, or be crushed altogether. But I wish to free some comrades to bring with us, Loyal boys, all of them, and they are veterans of the war." Sam continued.
"But this time, we must avoid being surprised by that murderer, Franklin." Kanen'to:kon stated.
"If I had a man who could track Franklin down while we attempt to free our friends, it would disorient the Bluecoats and ensure our success." Sam stated.
"We have our own reason to find Franklin." Koyomi stated.
"Capital! We have an accordance of desires, it seems." Sam smiled back, before he headed to the town map, pointing to a tavern nearby. "From time to time, we get important information from this tavern right here. Your appearances draw attention, but if you're able to mingle with the denizens, you should be able to discover Franklin's movements."
"You will have your results soon, Samuel." Hitomi answered back, as the group left the basement, before they snuck their way into the tavern, as they were already noticed by the people inside, including the Bluecoats.
"I didn't think they served savages in here." One of them remarked.
"They must've wandering in, looking for their pack." Another of them jeered.
They soon sat down at areas where there were those accepting challengers for a variety of board games, as Hitomi selected to play checkers with someone, as she took her seat with her opponent, as Connor, Koyomi and Eruza feigned interest, when their actual goal was listening in.
"It's much better than cards, don't you think? I remember when there was a huge mess here, when someone was accused of cheating." Hitomi's opponent stated, as he made the first move.
"Hm, in our tribe, dishonesty is punished severely." Hitomi answered back, as she made her move. "But let's not talk much, I want to see how good you are."
"Oho, fighting words from a wild-born lass like you. But you seem like you have a grasp of the game, I like to see you try to win, however." Her opponent remarked back.
Connor saw a pair of Bluecoats make their way to a table near the group, as they looked intently at the checkers match, with ears open to eavesdrop, so they didn't give away their position to the Bluecoats.
"Jimminy! Ol' Franklin's sending me out with another message!" One of the Bluecoats on the table shouted.
"Oh, you're in for it now." The other Bluecoat stated.
"And here's the worst of it- the message is for Putnam!" The first Bluecoat stated with fear in his voice.
"Christ, you're a dead mackerel!" The other Bluecoat remarked.
"Right. With either of those two, there's always some reason to end up flogged!" The first Bluecoat responded back.
"Franklin will give you the lash, and then Putnam will try to outdo him!" The other Bluecoat stated.
"Something big is up. Only one ale for me. I have to get this to Putnam's lieutenant, or it's the whip, or maybe worse!" The first Bluecoat remarked.
Just as the Bluecoat messenger left his seat, Hitomi initiated the final capture, as she had a smug look of victory on her face. "Looks like I win." She remarked.
"Seems to be that way. Never thought that I'd meet a lady of the wild who would run circles around me." Her opponent remarked, packing the board up. "I think that I had enough for today, pride's bruised enough. Maybe I'll find you again for a rematch."
Connor then tapped on Hitomi's shoulder, signalling her to leave, as she nodded back. "Perhaps, but you'll have to try hard for that." She stated, as she left the tavern, as they trailed the messenger.
Eruza sneaked up and undid his message pouch, and carefully pulled the message out, before bringing it to the group, as they read it.
"'General Putnam, there appears to be a misunderstanding regarding our respective positions and authorities. A personal meeting is called for: at the docks, tomorrow, ten at night. The usual sentinels will secure our safety. Yours, Ben Franklin.'" Koyomi read the message. "Right, that should be enough. Erazakt'in, could you do the pleasure of returning this message back to the messenger?"
Eruza nodded, as she did just that, resealing the message pouch without the messenger even knowing he was being tampered with. They then headed to the location of the meeting, as they found that there was a group of sentinels nearby the docks, as they dispatched them quickly, and taking their former positions, as Benjamin entered the meeting area first, and then shortly after, a Bluecoat lieutenant.
"Who are you?" Benjamin asked the Bluecoat lieutenant.
"General Putnam is unable to meet with you." The Bluecoat lieutenant responded back.
"What? Well, this is absurd! Washington will hear of this!" Benjamin exclaimed with disbelief.
"King Washington? His Majesty has removed himself to New York City to deal with the rebellion festering there." The Bluecoat lieutenant stated.
"Removed himself? Why wasn't I informed?" Benjamin asked back.
"General Putnam asked me to deliver this proclamation from the King." The lieutenant responded back, as he handed Benjamin a letter, as he read it.
"'This attests that Israel Putnam is heretofore to…' What is this!?" Benjamin stated with outrage.
"From now on, you take orders from Putnam." The lieutenant firmly stated, before Benjamin tossed the letter away violently.
"Me, take orders from him!? I suggest you show me some respect sir, or I'll have these men shoot you down!" Benjamin fumed. "Sentinels!"
When he was met with only silence, Benjamin began to pale. "Sentinels… But…" Benjamin started, before an arrow struck through the neck of the Bluecoat lieutenant, as he was left on the floor, choking on his blood. "AAAHHH!"
"Don't kill him, we know that he is not of sound mind." Connor warned the others.
"I know, we'll settle with just pinning him down." Eruza remarked, as she took aim, and sniped Benjamin through the shoulder, as he fell with a pained cry.
Connor quickly leapt down, as he held Benjamin firmly with one hand, and the arrow with the other. "I suggest you hold still." He stated, before ripping the arrow out with a single motion, as Benjamin wailed again in pain, before he then calmed down.
"You're… You're Connor Davenport… Haytham's son…" Benjamin remarked, before he then paled again. "My god, what have I done? I have become a monster. It was as if Washington had some, some great power. I'm so, so sorry, Connor. I threatened your life when I called those Bluecoat guards back then in the prison…"
"It is alright, Franklin, you are back to reality now." Connor assured Benjamin. "Now, let us leave, before we are seen in this suspicious scene."
The group quickly left the scene, as Hitomi and Eruza summoned their wolves, as they created a distraction for the nearby Bluecoat guards, as it amazed Benjamin.
"My stars… The animals do your bidding? Astonishing." Benjamin remarked.
"Just don't make us do anything that will make us turn them on you, Franklin." Hitomi spoke with a thin tone. "Connor and Mizo know and like you, so it would be best you be helpful."
When the group were clear of the Bluecoats, Franklin let out a sigh of relief. "I promise that I will help you with all I can. I don't know why Washington chose me as a man to lead… But I will use what I can to ensure he falls. I have known his habits under his control, perhaps it will aid you all…" He explained.
"Then we talk with Adams about this." Koyomi stated.
"Adams!? He'll have me killed for what I did to him while I was the monster!" Benjamin blurted out in fright. "Please, you mustn't!"
"I'm sorry, but this is the only way we can make things work." Connor stated with a apologetic tone. "But I assure you, there will be no death today. Samuel Adams helped us against the Redcoats before, and he will listen to our words dearly. We can convince him that you are not the same man he sought to kill."
"Hopefully so... Hopefully so…" Benjamin stated, as he tried his best to calm down.
Part 3: Men of Mettle
The group returned to the underground hideout of the rebels, with Benjamin in tow between them.
"Mr. Adams, we have a prisoner." Koyomi stated, as Sam turned around, before he saw Benjamin.
"Franklin! You bastard! Take him out, have him shot!" Sam stated with a furious expression, as Kanen'to:kon moved to hold Benjamin still with his stone dagger.
"Wait, Mr Adams, Franklin has come to his senses! He means no ill intent now. He is remorseful for whatever actions he has commited, and wants to do all he can to atone!" Connor reasoned.
"You don't understand, Connor, Mizo. He murdered my cousin John, and the families of Dorchester, and the countless people that burned inside the Old North Church." Sam growled. "I have no forgiveness for a man like him."
"Give him a chance, Samuel." Koyomi pleaded. "He stated that he has a way to put an end to all of this. Surely you can let your hatred for him stew a little longer. If he is to be punished, then let it be done in a fair trial."
"Heh… Looks like some things don't change after all." Sam chuckled lightly at Koyomi's words. "Alright, Franklin. You're on a short leash. If you are smart, you will do as Connor and Koyomi say. They are the only ones that stand between you and the firing squad."
"I will… I will… Washington is in New York…" Benjamin stated.
"Now, onto more important matters." Sam stated, returning to the town map. "If we could join Jefferson's rebels in Manhattan, we could attack the King together. But how am I to escape the stranglehold around Boston? The docks are overrun by soldiers."
"Putnam is gone, and the Captain at Boston Neck is secretly sympathetic to us. I am sure he will help us if he thinks he can get away with it. And somehow… he was overjoyed to hear about Mizo for some reason…" Kanen'to:kon stated.
"Me… Wait, is that captain Robert Faulkner!?" Koyomi exclaimed.
"Yes. You know him?" Sam asked Koyomi.
"Of course, he is the Aquila's captain before me, and he was a good second-in-command. He will aid us greatly, and there is no reason he will refuse to join if it is to help me." Koyomi responded back.
"Then hopefully, he has some tricks to deal with the soldiers at the docks." Sam stated.
"Once we arrive in New York, I can be of particular help." Benjamin stated, as Sam groaned, before walking away. "I created a very special means of protection for Washington's palace. An attack there would be completely unexpected."
"Then do you have some way to bypass your own defences?" Hitomi asked back with a raised eyebrow.
"You will need a metal of a specific weight, no more, no less. There's a blacksmith in town, loyal to me. He'll help you." Benjamin answered back.
"Then we'll get your metal." Eruza offered, before turning to Sam and the others. "And the rest of you can make preparations for what is to come."
"Hopefully, your work will have merit." Sam sighed. "We will see each other again in New York then."
"Be safe, son and Mizo." Haytham stated, as he saw the group off.
The group found their way to the blacksmith, as he was working some iron with his hammer and anvil.
"What can I do for you and your group, mister?" The blacksmith asked Connor.
"Benjamin Franklin has sent me. He asks something of you." Connor responded back.
"Franklin?" The blacksmith responded back.
"He told us you have an unusual metal. He would like you to give that to us, for purposes we can't tell you out in the open." Koyomi answered back.
"Well, about that… Fella came along the other day, wanted his horse shod. Times bein' what they are, I was clean out of iron. Man's got a right to feed his children, don't he? Sorry, lass." The blacksmith responded back.
"Tch… and the trail goes cold." Hitomi scoffed, before she then thought of something. "Actually, do you know who owns the horse you fitted those horse-shoes with our metal on?"
"He's a Bluecoat officer, works in the citadel." The blacksmith answered back.
"Right, thanks for the information." Hitomi responded back, as the group left the blacksmith to continue his work. "So… think we'll be able to tell which horse is the one we're looking for? Being a horse of a citadel officer ain't going to cut it, unfortunately."
"I have my ways of spotting it out. The citadel is all I need." Connor said, soon heading for that area, as he soon saw a guard dog, quickly attracting it away with bait, as he used Wolf powers to get in, and Eagle Vision to locate the horse. He quickly mounted it and began to ride out, when suddenly he was shot at, which his dodging made him fall off, as the shots caught the attention of Koyomi, Eruza, and Hitomi, as they soon saw said horse running scared through the streets of Boston.
"Damnit!" Hitomi remarked, as she cut down the shooters herself. "Looks like we're on for a chase. If we're going to do this, we do it like a proper pack. Spread out and corner that horse, if it won't stop running!"
The four immediately chased after the horse, using parkour and Eagle powers to traverse the rooftops to avoid encounter with the Bluecoats below, although they did sneak a few arrows after those who were too nosey about the frightened horse. Eventually, they managed to find the horse stopping, as it was tired from all of its panicked sprinting.
"Alright, be a good horse, and let us take you back." Eruza stated, as she gave a few comforting pats to the horse's head, as it snorted gently.
The group trotted the horse to where Benjamin was, as he came out wiping his brow of sweat.
"Oh, it's hot in there. I stoked the brick oven. I've got to get the heat extremely high in order to melt the metal. Did you get it?" Benjamin stated.
"Well, we have it. But it's those horseshoes our captured horse has." Koyomi answered back.
"Great… Looks like we'll need a crow-" Benjamin sighed.
"No need." Hitomi stated, as Eruza moved to pacify the horse, as she lifted one of the horse's legs. "You have a natural crow-bar. We huntresses don't get far without doing some heavy lifting."
Hitomi then swiftly pried the horseshoes from the horse, as she did it quick enough that it caused minimal pain to the horse itself. When she brandished the pack of horse-shoes in her hands, Eruza gently eased the horse to return to its owner.
"Well, that solves one problem… Come inside. There is another thing we need." Benjamin told the group, as they headed inside the building.
Part 4: Pieces in Motion
Benjamin then started putting the horseshoes in the heated furnace, as he slowly added air to stoke its flames.
"Sam, and Kanen'to:kon have gone with what's left of the men to Boston Neck. Connor, your father and his companions saw to their safety… surely they should make it, considering how well your father can fight…" Benjamin told the group. "I need a diagram of my design. I left it with an officer as a kind of insurance policy. He can almost be always found at the tavern. Get that and I can file this shape to the correct precision."
"Then we have our task… Let's go." Connor told the others, as they headed inside the tavern, as they were being eyed by the Bluecoats inside as expected. Koyomi quickly looked around, before she pointed out the officer with the diagram, as Eruza took a seat with him, while the officer himself was setting a checker-board up.
"Benjamin Franklin sent us to you." Eruza stated simply. "He needs something that he entrusted you."
"Sorry, girlie. You want something, you've got to beat me." The officer stated.
"We don't have much time, could you spare us the entertainment right now?" Eruza stated more forcibly.
"That's my condition." The officer answered back with a steely expression.
"Rgh, fine. But don't delay your moves. This will be a speed round." Eruza relented, as the two of them started playing, while the others kept their eyes on the Bluecoats, making sure that there is no trouble brewing in the building.
"Did you hear about the little fracas went down tonight?" The officer asked Eruza, as he captured one of Eruza's pieces.
"No, but do enlighten me." Eruza answered back, as she chained two captures in a row.
"It was quite a battle." The officer stated. "No, 'battle' is being generous. More like a massacre. Bunch a'fellers got suckered by Putnam. Pretty hilarious."
"I'm sorry, who were the ones who got suckered?" Eruza asked, as she had a feeling of dread weighing on her, as she managed to move one of her pieces across, turning it into a king piece.
"Shooting fish in a barrel, really. Dumb fish." The officer responded back, as he made his moves. "Putnam started a rumour that the Captain of the Guard was friendly to the rebels. Hilarious, and they even bought it. Yep. Ol' Putnam tricked those Redcoats into comin' out all in a group to Boston Neck, then just moved those stupid saps down."
Hitomi immediately twitched hearing that, as she reached for her tomahawk, as Koyomi quickly stopped her, before she could give them away. As for Eruza, her expression twisted slightly, and her eye twitched briefly in veiled anger, before she moved her piece, albeit more forcefully.
"O-Oh, well, that's an interesting ploy coming true, did you see it?" Eruza answered back with a forced smile.
"I was there myself. I saw ol' Adams take his last breath." The officer answered back. "Samuel Adams, hit the ground like a sack of flour. Fought back like a sack, too, frankly. Pleasure seeing him sent off to Hades. And I even watched that Redcoat sympathiser Haytham Kenway get stabbed through and through by his own friends. Oh, what bitter irony it was!"
The officer then went into a fit of uproarious laughter, as Eruza dropped her piece, making the last move to win the game. Although she was in no mood to care about winning, as did the rest of the group. She then slowly stood up, and narrowed her eyes threateningly.
"You know, I was actually being nice in taking your offer up. Would have enjoyed the fun." Eruza remarked with a stoic tone. "Thank you for telling me all of this, it is VERY helpful. However, I think that I'm no longer in the mood for being a fine lady. Because right now… I'm about to split your head open, and take that diagram, your life be DAMNED!"
Eruza then seized the board, and smashed the officer's face with it so hard, that the board broke into splinters, and the officer was knocked out could with a skull fracture for the force of the attack, while Hitomi bellowed in rage, as she grabbed two chairs, dual-wielding them, as she smashed them into a pair of Bluecoats, before using their broken legs to break in the skulls of anyone nearby.
Koyomi and Connor joined the fight, as the four of them engaged in a tavern brawl with the numerous Bluecoats, as their anger fuelled them enough that the Bluecoats stood little chance against them, as they were slammed, smashed and bashed until they were bloodied heaps on the ground.
"Good riddance to those louts! They never paid anyway." The bartender stated with a gruff tone, while Hitomi was left panting in anger, while Koyomi was horrified.
"Kanen'to:kon… He couldn't possibly have…" Koyomi started.
"We will know soon enough. We must head to Boston Neck to verify the truth ourselves." Connor tried to assure Koyomi, as Eruza took the diagram from the beaten officer, as they noticed loud footsteps outside.
The four of them brandished their weapons, as they rushed into the fray, killing slews of Bluecoats without any remorse and hesitation, as heads rolled on the streets, and blood stained the stony ground. After no more Bluecoats reinforcements came, the group quickly retreated into the shadows to rest.
"We will head for Boston Neck next…" Connor answered back solemnly, as the group slowly trekked their way there, as they found that the area was being patrolled by a heavy detail of Bluecoats, with guard dogs. "They are indeed here… There must be clues about the attack itself."
The group searched the area, as they found Kanen'to:kon's severed fingers and tomahawk, which made Koyomi and Connor concerned and fearful of what had become of him, and they found bloodied pieces of fabric belonging to Haytham, as it disturbed the two of them further.
Eruza and Hitomi managed to find a witness, as he talked with them quickly.
"Terrible! It was terrible! The rebels were overwhelmed, outnumbered four to one. I never seen slaughter. Piteous, piteous slaughter."
Connor and Koyomi quickly found Samuel's corpse, as he was riddled with stab and bullet wounds.
"Samuel…" Koyomi stated, with a sorrowful expression. "How could it have come to this…"
"Father and Kanen'to:kon… their bodies are not present here… There is still hope they live. Especially my father. If Riccard and his people were the ones fighting him and the Assassins, they must have faked their deaths…" Connor noted.
They left the area, making their way back to Boston, their morale deflated from the harsh truth they learned.
Part 5: Aquila Unchained.
They soon returned to where Benjamin was, in the old rebel hideout, as they entered the basement and found him there.
"This should get us close to Washington." Benjamin said to himself, looking over a map, before seeing Connor, Koyomi, Hitomi, and Eruza walked in, looking solemn as Benjamin looked up at them. "...By heavens, what happened!?"
"Boston Neck… Turns out it was a trap. Samuel Adams is dead and so are all rebels… except for Kanen'to:kon and Haytham himself." Koyomi responded back. "Their bodies are not there, but while Haytham could have fled… Kanen'to:kon… he wasn't so fortunate from what we have gathered."
"I…. Then this just means that we cannot stay here any longer." Benjamin stated. "I know that it may sicken you, with everything that cries for your help… But to cut the root of this problem, we must sail for New York, and confront Washington. The land routes are cut off, we must escape by sea. Mizo, you recognised the captain of the ship they had in the docks, did you? Then you can help to earn their trust. Meanwhile, I am likely already branded a traitor by Putnam himself. If I head out, I will be seen immediately. I need to disguise myself first, before I can go."
"Then we will find your disguise. And take this, we went through a lot to get this." Eruza stated, handing the diagram over.
"And just in time too." Benjamin stated, pointing to the slab of metal, and a hard file for chipping the metal. "I'll do the job while you do yours."
The four of them headed out, as they tailed one of the Bluecoats officers, until he was out of sight from the others, before Hitomi dropped down and knocked him unconscious, stripping him of his uniform, and hiding the officer in a dark place.
They returned to Franklin, as he quickly dressed himself up, giving it a quick test.
"Hm. Bit of a tight fit, you know, but I suppose that this might be your best candidate." Benjamin remarked. "I did indulge in the delicacies a bit too much from time to time… I know you think me ridiculous in this attire, but it is at least believable at first glance. Let us go, I've finished filing your metal into what you need."
The group quickly left with Benjamin, as they stuck to the rooftops and shadows, tailing Benjamin, and killing any Bluecoats who had their suspicions about Benjamin in his disguise, until they found Robert Faulkner, who was pressed against the wall, slightly drunk with booze in hand.
"Mister Faulkner! Sir!" Franklin stated, as Faulkner turned around.
"Who's that…?" Faulkner started, before he fell into shocked silence when he saw Koyomi herself. "What the… Have I drunken myself into stupor…? It can't really be you, Mizo…"
"I'm here, Mister Faulkner. I'm glad that you're still well and alive." Koyomi smiled back.
"Ahahaha! I knew it! People called me a fool for believing that the Spirit Wind of the North would be gone for that long!" Faulkner shouted with glee and joy, throwing his arms about. "This is great! This means that the Aquila has her fated captain back, and she will be free to sail soon! On that note…"
He then rushed towards Franklin, before choke-slamming him against the wall with fury burning in his eyes.
"Franklin, you goddamned bastard! Your men stole my ship, Mizo's ship, you shite!" Faulkner snarled. "You have the gall to stand before me, and before her, you bilge-rat! I should gut you here right now like the conniving pig you are!"
"FAULKNER! That's enough!" Koyomi shouted, stopping Faulkner, as he released his hold on Benjamin, leaving him gasping for air. "Franklin is on our side now. I know that you are beyond angered about what he did to the Aquila, but as long it is there, he can ensure that we get it out as planned."
"...I don't advise you to trust him, but you're the captain, and you never led us wrong. The Clutterbucks are just waiting for the day the Aquila fires her majestic cannons and swivel-guns again, and the entire crew has been hiding about, hoping for your leadership to unite us once again." Faulkner answered back. "I'll take care of gathering the crew. Kill those bastards who locked our ship up. And about those fierce-looking native women behind you… I have a feeling that you have a heritage not too different to our Mizo, eh?"
"You could say that. Admire the balls you have to address that, Faulkner." Hitomi remarked.
Faulkner let out a satisfied scoff, before the four of them made their way up the Aquila, as they assassinated the guards around it, before severing the chains holding the Aquila to the dock. After doing so, they quickly evaded detection, as they looked for Faulkner and the rest of the Aquila's crew.
Part 6: Escape to New York
The group soon returned to Faulkner, who had the crew ready to go.
"You have the crew, excellent." Connor said with a nod. "Are you prepared for a fight?"
"You're pulling my leg right? We're sailors! We do nothing but fight!" Faulkner said with a sly smirk. "Mizo, lead us to the Aquila! We're headin' for New York!"
"As you wish!" Koyomi shouted, before she raised her katana. "Crew! We take back the Aquila, and set her free upon the seas!"
The crew let out a war-cry, as they rushed the docks, as they overwhelmed the detail of Bluecoat guards inside it, before they reached the edge of the dock closest to the Aquila.
"Swim! We'll hold them off until you're ready to sail!" Connor ordered the crew.
"You heard the man, get swimming! First ready the cannons to give them payback, and then work the sails to get us out!" Faulkner relayed the orders, as the crew dove into the waters, as they swam their way through the water.
As Bluecoats snipers tried to take aim at the retreating crew, they were suddenly killed from behind by Hitomi and Eruza, with their tomahawks.
"Sorry, but there's not going to be any pools of blood in this dock, not at all!" Hitomi remarked. "The only blood spilt here will be yours on the wooden planks!"
The waves of Bluecoats stood no chance against Connor and the others, even less so when swivel guns and cannons fired at the dock to assault the Bluecoats, as they soon had dealt with them all, until…
Putnam and two of his officers were seen holding three people at gunpoint, as it was Kanen'to:kon, Haytham, and Lucina.
"Savages! Over here!" Putnam chuckled, as the four of them looked to see this scene. "A whole lot of your friends may have escaped me, but these three are now at our mercy! Do as I say and they'll live! You so much as move towards us, these three die! Call back your men and give yourselves in, and they'll live!"
"Don't worry about us, Son! Go!" Haytham yelled, as the officer holding him soon bashed him with his flintlock.
"Quiet!" Putnam yelled as this happened to Haytham. "So make your choice now! Yourselves, or your friends!"
"...Funny, I don't think that you assessed your situation enough." Eruza retorted back. "For example… you should have kept your distance, Putnam."
"What…!?" Putnam exclaimed, before Connor, Hitomi and Eruza used their Eagle power to take flight, as the shots of the escort missed, before they soared quickly to the officers and Putnam, pulling off an synchronised assassination, as Connor drove his blade through Putnam's heart, as he cried in agony, as the world faded around them both.
"...What… What have I done…? Victoria… Selda… They have done nothing… but save my men… from the Redcoats… But I am no better than what they were…" Putnam choked. "I've done such horrible deeds… They'll shame me for this… It's the sceptre… The sceptre turned my mind… But that's no excuse… Every man holds evil deep within. The apple just brought it out."
"The apple? What do you mean!?" Connor exclaimed, as he tried to get answers, although Putnam died too quickly to answer. "...The scepter and the apple… I sense manipulation in the shadows by some supernatural force…"
Haytham quickly took hold of Connor, as Kanen'to:kon dragged Hitomi and Eruza off, towards the edge of the dock, as Bluecoats reinforcements arrived, as they all leapt off the dock, and swam towards the Aquila in a hurry, as the crew covered them, killing the Bluecoats targeting them.
"Well, I suppose that this has fared as well as we hoped." Haytham remarked. "Riccard and the others acted excellently to keep Washington blind to our true plans. As for the other Assassins, they have made their stay in New York, to aid us once again. Good thing we are heading there… It's time for us to put an end to this nightmare."
"Alright, captain, take us to New York!" Faulkner told Koyomi, who took the wheel like before.
SEQUENCE EX-02 COMPLETE
FULL SYNCHRONIZATION