"The subject seems to be in a state of rest. His brainwaves are going off the charts. Are you sure we cannot wake him up. I mean, the more he stays in there you know what will happen to him." She said.

The monitors showed a steady rhythm. His chest was falling slowly with each breath. The iv's in his arm kept fluid constantly moving. The bedsheets were changed again. His stomach filled with food from the feeding tube. He was moving his eyelids but he did not wake up. As each day passed, he was growing closer to death. The human body could not be in this shape. His mind will deteriorate and his body will get weaker.

She knew they had to do something. For the sake of his health, she had to save him.

"We cannot remove him from this state. His brain is not damaged, there are no signs. The testing has to continue if he is to wake on his own without repercussion." The man spoke. He was right. She looked at the computer monitor, lowering her eyes. Her lips made a fine line and quivered.

"He will wake up. But… if he does, he will not be the same. You do know this?" He said to her.

All the testing, the paperwork, they were trying to keep him alive. They were getting closer. All the secrets. What he saw out there in Afghanistan. They wanted it.

"I know. It is time he realizes that he is not some ordinary man. Let us continue. They will find us soon. We have to be out of here before they come."

He watched as the novice descended the stairs into the training grounds. He looked well rested and filled with food. It was the first time since he arrived that the foreign man was rested. There was no nightmares that haunted him in the dead of night. Altair has kept a close watch on David since their return. Whisper's circulated reaching ears about David's condition. Some say Altair has poisoned the novice while others say he has beaten the man near death. The assassin's always spread false rumors about Altair. Though, the master assassin was gaining back his reputation. The trails were becoming complex and Altair constantly questioned his master's motives.

He turned away from the window and faced Al Mualim's study. Altair was facing many doubts and questioned so much. These men that he killed are all connected. The Apple. It was such a strange thing. It was to advanced for their age. Altair has to think back to his studies as a child. All the myths and legends surrounding God's invention. To see his master holding the device made Altair nervous. The power to control other's.

"What troubles you, Altair?" Al Mualim spoke.

"Nothing troubles me, master. Do you think David is ready to join me in the journey to Damascus?" Altair said trying to give false pretense to his master. Al Mualim closed the book in his hands and placed it in his desk. The older man looked at Altair. He was trying to find a crack in his stoic mask.

"Why are you so concerned for the foreigners health? I have given him the best treatment that I can offer. He is strong and his will to return home is as fierce as a fire. It… surprises me to see you mentioning David." Al Mualim had some doubts in his time of voice. Altair could not slip or else he faces ridicule for doubting the brotherhood.

"I have saved his life on more then one account. The man makes far too many mistakes. He almost gotten himself killed if it was not for us saving him. My concern lies in his will to carry on the tasks given to him. David is no friend of mine. You have placed him under my guidance, master. I intend to prove myself worthy of the blade once more." Altair kept his form. Tall, stiff, and breathing deep and low breathes.

Al Mualim placed his hands behind his back. Was he going to accept Altair's answer? "You are understanding the importance of the brotherhood. You were once a novice, Altair. We all were at one time. David is learning, just like you have learned when you were a boy. You see yourself in the man. But you try to deny it." Altair stiffened at his master's words. Could it be true? Has Altair been blind or was he not to accepting of the truth? He thought closely about what Malik has said. He clenched his fists not wanting to be wrong.

"What should I see that I have not seen before, master? " Altair felt like a troubled child. Al his fears coming back and his memories clouding all judgement.

"Continue your tasks and in time all your questions will be answered."

For the first time, Altair was afraid.

'What do men fear most?'

Swords clashed together in a sparring match. The swords master yelled at the losing assassin in their language. The crowd around the fences watched and observed their comrades. David yawned away the sleep as the training grounds were alive and well with today's instruction. Two young assassin's circled each other. One was in a defensive stance while the other was calculating. David watched closely to the two young men. The journey from Jerusalem was a blurry memory. Through the long roads and the cold nights, Altair kept David alive. Though, the former soldier's heart was heavy with burden.

Jumping off a large boulder he sat on, David could not focus on the training grounds. Lowering his hood to feel the soft wind blow, he looked up to the grey sky. Breathing in deeply, he heard the sound of footsteps coming close to him. He was not to train today under Al Mualim's instruction. David had to rest his body for the next step in his journey. David felt he rested long enough since his return.

He wanted to continue training.

Altair looked at David. His mind wondered to the sky. His face was calm and solemn. Altair was not used to seeing David look to be at peace. David blinked and sighed. Looking over his shoulder he had noticed Altair.

"Follow me." The assassin spoke.

David raised a brow, but he did not question the assassin's motive. He followed Altair towards the training field. The crowd parted as the two men made their way in the middle. Altair asked for a sword and was given one by the master swordsman. David kept his eye on the assassin. He was unsure of what Altair was thinking. His mind raced when he heard a loud this hit the ground. Looking down, David could see a sword by his feet.

He smirked playfully as he went to get the sword. Though, as his eyes looked away, Altair came running forwards with his arm raised and the sword shining against the sun. David only had a few moments to react as thinking would have gotten him maimed. The former soldier rolled out of the way of Altair's deadly weapon.

Altair watched as David quickly stood up on his feet. His breathing was deepening meaning he hesitated. The assassin circled him like a bird of prey. Watching, seeing his prey try to guess his next move- David raised his sword. His fingers held tightly against the hilt of the sword. David was learning from his mistakes.

David's eyes followed Altair. The man was silent- even though he was right in front of David. Altair moved and struck with a deadly force. David had no choice but to block. Both swords clashed together. David moved his feet as he tried to find an opening. Like David guessed, Altair was no easy opponent. He had years of training to go against men like David. The skills of an assassin was present and with much skill flowing through Altair's veins. Unlike Abbas, Altair knew when to strike.

David grunted but he pushed Altair away. The assassin recovered quickly. He moved to the right of David and struck down once again, but David blocked. He had to get in a hit or else he would look like a fool. David had his height and strength, but Altair was something else entirely.

' What do men fear most?'

Altair struck like a viper. David grunted but was able to swing Altair's sword to the side. The crowd around them watched and whispered. Altair ignored their words. His opponent was the novice who circled him as Altair has done. David had to be precise with his movements. One wrong swing would cause the former soldier to be cut and bleed to death. Altair was very skilled- David could see the determination in the assassin's eyes. Sweat was running down his brow and his heart had to be steady. David's military training had not prepared him for the use of a sword, but his feet and body were prepared to take the brute of force as Altair took a step forwards and clashed his sword once more on David's.

They both were skilled, but their stance was different. David was tall and muscular. Altair nimble and quick. David had his strength, Altair had his speed. They both struck blows at one another. Both men were not going to stop. The crowd found amusement in the spar. It seemed as if they fought in for all eternity. Altair found his opening and moved his blade arm to attack. David- for a split second- moved out of the way of the deadly hidden blade. Altair then hit David at the side of his neck, causing the tall man to fall.

"Men fear what they cannot see."

He hit the ground hard. The pain ran through his body. David's eyes widened. Flashes of memories came to him in a blur. He gasped for breathe, he tried to scream. He was going to see black until Altair placed his hand on David's chest. The assassin kept David from seeing things. The nightmares. The worst memories a man can remember.

"Men fear being alone."

Altair stood knowing the spar was over. The wind blew steadily around him. Altair took a deep breath in. The sword that was in his hand dropped to the ground. The assassin felt no victory in this spar as he would of with any other. This spar was to see if David would attack him like he did with Abbas. But, the foreign man did not attack Altair for no reason. David's eyes closed for a moment as his lips trembled. Altair never seen this man feel to weak.

The crowd was silent but they were surprised. Sitting on the sidelines, eyes fueled by hatred. Abbas had watched the spar. The memory of his own defeat never leaving his mind. He felt envious that Altair has defeated the novice. Abbas clenched his fists tightly. His anger grew as Altair placed his arm out to David who was getting hold of his conscience. For The first time since David had stayed, he was shown something that he wanted. The assassin had given him respect.

The others had whispered seeing this new found revelation. Abbas spat to the side. Respect was given and he hates the idea.

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