The Kenways and the Al-Sayfs

italics: foreign languages, writing from books and/or journals, or flashbacks

"Haytham, what did your father say about climbing the trees?" Maja asked the young Kenway with a smile, watching him swing his legs on a tree branch far from the ground. The boy pretended to think for a bit and came up with an answer, "Don't do it."

"And what do I say?"

"Do it."

"And who should you listen to?" Maja smirked when Haytham gave her a big grin, "You and you always." Maja laughed, walking under the tree branch Haytham was sitting on and stretched her arms out. "Good. Now come on before your father kills me."

"Kenway?" Haytham blinked turning to the boy at his side, who had his brow raised, "You looked like you were... distracted." Unable to speak, the older Kenway shook his head and Akiva only shrugged, "Alright then. Let's hurry up and meet your son before he yells at us again." Akiva jumped onto a nearby rooftop, dashing towards the forest with agility he only saw in... no. There's no time to think about her now. Focus on the mission.
_

"Haytham, hide!" Maja hissed at the boy, drawing her blade from a hidden cupboard. Haytham shook his head, stating he has to protect his mother and sister. "You'll be killed. Your father and I will take care of it!"

"No!"

"Haytham, listen to- Shit. Just go hide, for me, please." Maja ran out into the main hall, Haytham going behind a small desk and wincing when he heard metal upon metal and metal entering a fleshy body. He prays that it isn't Maja or his father.

"Shit- Kenway!" Stepping out of his trance, a bullet nearly met Haytham's shoulder if Akiva hadn't jumped him and blocked it with his Hidden Blade, cutting down the soldier with uncontained rage. "Pull that again and I'll be the one to kill you!" Akiva growled him, moving on to two more soldiers and killing them with quick swipes to their necks.

She had infiltrated his mind once again. She's been dead for decades and she is still haunting him, still with him. Any more distractions like this and he'll be cut down just like her.
_

"NO!" Haytham yelled when a sword entered Maja's abdomen, the injured woman getting a bullet through her attacker's head before collapsing. Haytham ran to her, dragging Maja into his tiny lap and trying to stop the blood from escaping. "Haytham, please-"

"No, no, we just have to get you to Dr. Williams-"

"Haytham-"

"And you'll be fine-"

"Haytham." The boy finally peered into Maja's eyes, the light slowly seeping from them. No, this cannot be what takes her from him, no, not in a hundred years. She cupped his cheek with a shaky and bloody hand and he took it, tears spilling from his eyes. "It'll be okay," she said, smiling casually as if she wasn't stabbed moments before, "We won't be seeing each other for a while but it'll be okay."

"No, no, no-"

"I'll be watching... over you, alright? If you... look up, I'll be there, 'kay?"

"No, no, please, no!"
_

"Connor, what are you-" Haytham was distracted by Akiva's bewildered voice for a few moments, enough time for his son to deliver the killing blow to his neck. Blood gurgled from the wound, everything happening in slow motion. Akiva ran to the fighting men, quickly asking Connor what he was doing before ignoring the younger Kenway's answer and kneeling to Haytham.

Haytham saw both Akiva and Maja's face, giving him a closure that he did not know he needed. He slowly held out his hand, Akiva hesitating before taking it. Haytham whispered Maja's name and where to find her grave, Akiva gasping and about to ask what he meant but it was too late.

Haytham's life came to an end and to be honest, he thought Akiva would be the one to bring him down. After all, he is Maja's great-nephew and he promised to kill Haytham if he ever became distracted again. Oh well, perhaps in another life...
_

"I did not see that coming," Maja chuckled, dragging Haytham to stand once he got over his shock, "I was expecting Akiva to do it." She turned her head to whoever was behind her, that familiar smile creeping onto her face, "You win, Edward. Tell Najib he's giving up quite a few coins."

Haytham could hear his father laugh and the sound of another man groaning, cursing Edward's name to the lowest of hells. Maja turned her attention back to Haytham, her smile becoming soft, "Told you I'd be watching over ya."

Unable to keep his emotions at bay, the older Kenway embraced Maja, the woman freezing at the sight of Haytham being affectionate(God forbid, they once joked) before she accepted the embrace, running her hand through his now black locks. "It's alright, Haytham. Just let it out. You're home now."

And for the first time in decades, Haytham cried.