The air was stiff and a cloud of smoke circled around them. Forming around their feet as if there was life and the smoke was taking form. Suffocating them- trying to intoxicate their minds with images of the dead. Nothing made a sound, which was strange. It was eerily quiet throughout the village. A ghost town with nothing but the dead walking and not seen. The wind did not even howl causing the flags to still. David could not see a soul in sight, only the movements of shadows around them. Watching with careful dead eyes. David had to be cautious with his hand on his sword. Would anyone dare attack them? Was this an ambush? David clenched his hand tightly on the hilt of his sword.
There was no life, but an endless silence. David felt unsure and cautious. Altair was feeling the same. It was as if Masyaf was a dead end. It was not how Altair left this place. Foul play had something to do with what happened here. David brought up the rear, but felt no protection- only exposed. The two men did not speak but used their body language to communicate. David felt it necessary in a sense and it came second nature to him.
'No good can come from this.' David thought as they made their way towards the slope of a hill. What was once full of life, now desolate and deserted. 'Something is here.'
An eagle's cry echoed in the strange silence. Could it feel it too? David wondered not too sure of it's purpose. Was it a warning? A guide? David followed close behind Altair who kept his eyes in-front of him. The assassin was deep in thought. Lost and confused- worried for his brothers and if he was right. Altair feared the worst. This strong presence was making Altair feel unease. Something was watching them. Waiting.
Altair looked up to the tower, wondering in anticipation if Al Mualim was watching them. Altair could feel his heart beating fast against his chest. His fingers twitching, but he kept his calm demeanor. Altair breathed in deeply as his mind was whirling around and aching. What was causing this pain? Closing his eyes to remain focused, Altair thought to himself if David was feeling the same. Since they arrived, David did not look affected by it. Whatever it was.
Altair pushed onwards through the buzzing pain forming in his head. David watched from Altair's side, as the assassin seemed bothered. There was nothing that could be said, not right now. David could sense something. Something strong, something familiar. Both men walked as their eyes wandered to see if there were signs of life. Everything seemed normal; untouched for a long time. It was unnerving to David as he felt his muscles twitch. Remembering that quiet village in the early hours of the morning before everything changed.
'No! Not now!' He thought trying hard to fight it.
A loud crash echoed causing both men to stand still as a villager walked out of his home. His eyes staring blankly into the void. Mumbling something incoherent to David, but the language was something heard before.
Altair walked slowly towards the villager asking him something. But the man was too void of life that he continued to mumble and walked towards the hill where both David and Altair were going. Soon, bodies of the villagers started coming out from their homes. All chanting in unison. It was a strange sight, if not a scary one.
They continued up the slope with the strange feeling not leaving them. Four figures stood before them, staring at them. Both men recognized Malik and Jabal, but there were two other assassin's by their side that they did not know. David and Altair were not sure if these men were like the villagers. They did not seem mindless, they seemed to be in control of their bodies.
"Altair. David. Up here." Malik said.
David felt a sigh of relief escape his lips. Altair felt relief as well and was thankful for his old friend to still have some sense left in him. God was good.
"You picked a fine time to arrive." Altair said.
David wanted to smile- feel some sense of joy. But there will be time for such occasions when this was all over. As Altair and Malik spoke, Jabal stood by David's side. The rafiq placed a hand of David's shoulder.
"All will be fine." Jabal spoke. "You seem to not be affected by this strange presence."
David took a moment to think about it. The rafiq was right. David was not affect by whatever was keeping the villager's in a strange trance. In fact, neither of the other assassin's were under this spell. Though, David seemed to be the one standing tall without much effect.
"Do not worry, my brother. Malik has told us of what it is you are. For now, we must keep what order we have here and not let Al Mualim win." Jabal watched as Altair ran up the slope leaving the other assassin's behind. David had yet to say a word and was confused on the matter.
Was what was happening here because of the Apple? David wanted to know because something was calling to him. Something soothing with a voice so light and firm that David wanted to run towards it. Malik kept his eyes on David, making sure to not let the man leave his sight. If he were to go to Al Mualim, their old master will use him. The Apple will have a strong hold on David and chaos will be unleashed.
"David." Malik said snapping the man out of his trance.
"I am fine. Just... I need to stay away from whatever is happening." David spoke through a croak in his throat. He found it hard to speak and he was very thirsty.
"We must keep the villager's from killing each other and find those who still have hold of their thoughts. Jabal, you and the other two assassin's search the market grounds," Malik ordered. Jabal nodded his head in understanding and shouted his order's to the two nameless assassin's to follow.
"We search the outskirts of the village. Be weary , David."
The strange calling was growing louder inside of David's mind. Malik knew that Altair had to hurry or else risk losing everything the Brotherhood stood for. The villager's were mindless and when they bumped into one another, they did not seem to care. Although they were not violent, one order from the controller could mean they could have a fight on their hands.
David tried to ignore his pounding head and search one building. Inside was a family huddling together in fear. Seeing that they were not mindless bodies, David sought no need to bring them anymore fear. Throughout the small outskirts and each building were people that were scared if not wanting to have answers. Malik had spoken in a light voice to them to keep them as calm as they can be under such circumstances. David had even offered a small child an apple as a means of peace.
The villager's were to remain in their homes until the threat was over. However, David turned his back against a dark alleyway and was pushed backwards by an unseen force. Malik heard the scuffle, but was stopped by mindless assassin's in his way.
"David!" He yelled.
Falling to the ground hard, David had to react quickly to whatever threat. He stood up quickly to find that Abbas was in-front of him. Malik was trapped in a corner and willing to fight against his own. Regaining his balance and breathing, David had to keep a clear mind. Abbas was not himself here. Mindless like the villager's. His movement erratic as he swung his sword straight towards David.
He moved quickly, but hit the wall. The space was too tight for his frame and that put him at a disadvantage.
"Abbas! What are you doing?!" David yelled as he dodged once more.
Abbas did not listen to David's plea and he continued to swing his sword towards David. There was a dead look in the assassin's eyes and one of anger. Abbas was still in there somewhere, but David had to continue to move.
"Wake up!" David yelled, but it was falling on deaf ears.
"They cannot hear you, David. They are under control. We have to render them unconscious or bring them out of their trance." Malik stated as he pushed one of the assassin's back. Despite having one arm, Malik was still much of a fighter. His blade swung pass one of the assassin's. He did not want to kill them. David had to handle his own, which Malik knew the novice was capable of defending himself.
Abbas ran at David with his hidden blade ready to tear through his neck- his sword thrown to the ground without much thought. But David grabbed hold of his blade arm and kicked Abbas in the stomach. Though, it did not knock him out of the trance it just made him angrier. Abbas was inhuman. Whatever was controlling his mind was keeping the assassin from feeling any pain.
Abbas did not seem to feel the impact or lose any breath. He may not have broken a sweat. David waited for the next unpredictable move, but what he was looking at was that blade arm. He had to take no chances or any risks. Abbas once again ran at him which David used the wall to use as a a secondary target. Moving quickly, David grabbed Abbas by the neck and pushed him to the wall hard. The assassin groaned with blood coming from his nose and mouth.
David reached for his sword that was not yet out of it's sheath. Abbas came running at him once again with his blade. David protected himself with his sword and Abbas weight was as light, making David push him back. Back and forth they went. Sword against blade. Abbas pushed back and landed a blow to David's leg, causing the man to yell in pain. David dropped his sword to hold on to his aching leg. Abbas took the advantage as David was down on one knee. His hidden blade struck down, but David took a strong hold on Abbas and headbutted the assassin. A loud crack could be heard as the assassin's nose was broken. If Abbas did not wake from his trance there was no telling on how far Abbas would go. He was already losing blood, he should feel light headed by now. Staggering back, David made sure that Abbas was within a good gripping distance. Ignoring his throbbing head, David grabbed Abbas once again.
"This is for your sake!" David shouted and punched Abbas hard in the stomach.
The assassin fell back and stayed down on the ground. David quickly went to his side to make sure he was not dead. A good sign. Abbas was alive.
Malik felt his breathing becoming short. His muscles burned as the last assassin fell to the ground unconscious. David placed his back against the wall to catch his breath. His body ached and his head was throbbing with pain.
"You going to be alright, David?" Malik asked.
"I will live. Right now, we have to make sure these men do not die on their own blood." David said.
"They will live. I do not see any danger to their lives, other then a broken nose and minor wounds." Malik looked to the assassin's. Their bodies injured, but time was of the essence. These men will live and Abbas would have to correct his nose when he awakens. David had no intention to kill. If anything, Malik has not seen David raise a blade to a man's throat. Sage's were powerful being, yet, David showed no signs of it. Not now anyway.
"We must help Altair now. The threat is over."
David coughed and hunched over. His vision was blurry from the sweat. His voice hoarse. David could feel something strong grab a hold on his heart.
"It's becoming stronger." Malik said.
"We... We have to go and help Altair. I feel... I feel it." David stood up straight despite the pain.
They ran through the village and up the slope. The villagers seemed to not be much of a threat. Regrouping, the men ran inside the large building that housed assassin's and scholar's alike. What was a lively place was bare and nothing moved. Books were thrown about and the candles burned on. Where were the other assassin's? Each man had no time to come up with speculation. Something was glowing bright.
David kept running even though his legs felt the burn and ache. His body wanted to give out. He wanted to rest. Down the stairs and straight ahead were the gardens. The bright light caught gold of David and he stood frozen. His body was shaking and his eyes wide. Malik and Jabal stood by David's side as they too saw the bright light.
Altair stood in-front of this image. It was strange. It was beautiful. The assassin's were blinded by this magnificent image of what could be described as the world. Malik and Jabal were silent and admiring the beauty of this object. Altair looked behind him and noticed them.
David felt his heart beating faster. The Apple pulsating as if it had a pulse. Altair noticed this in David. The Sage was being called to the Apple. The weapon that needed to be alive. David was the key to its knowlegde, but the man was scared. His lips were trembling. His eyes watering and,close to tears. David was fighting it. Al Mualim wanted David for his own purpose. The blood that flowed through his viens could unlock the secrets.
But as David stood there in a frightened state, Altair could not let that happen. The Apple was too strong to have and to hold. Turning around, Altair walked towards the weapon. Bending down and taking hold of it. The strong power within it was enough to make any man fall to his knees. It was no wonder Al Mualim was tempted by this artifact. It was powerful and dangerous.
Altair has the calmed that power and a sense of relief flowed all through Masyaf. David could breathe once more but his head and mind could not keep away from the Apple.
It called to him.
David collapsed.
He only saw darkness.
"He's crashing!"