Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed.

Warning: Nothing really. Sorry it's a little late.

!CHECK THIS SONG OUT! – I'm dead serious!

Here in the spotlight, this moment is ours,
No one can stop us, we're one with the stars.

Quiet by nature, standing tall,
Old stone circles, they have seen it all,
Caught like a ghost in yesterday,
Shadows down the hall,
Are locked within the crystal ball.

Fire and water, earth and sky,
Mysteries surround us, legends never die,
They live for the moment, lost in time,
I can hear them call,
They're locked within the crystal ball.

"Locked Within the Crystal Ball" by: Blackmore's Night

Big thanks to my beta, Believe In Fairy Tales

Chapter Six: Disciples Are Idiots in General

Two days had passed and the only time I saw that stupid and pathetic excuse for an Assassin was when he was coming back from a mission. And of course, he wasn't wearing the armor I worked my ass off for.

It stung. That armor was supposed to be for me! For when I became an Assassin. But no, Veterans weren't allowed to wear full assassin armor. So, I saved up and up and up - only to have it given away to an ungratefulassassin that wasn't evengoing to use it!

Tears pricked at the back of my eyelids. Why did I have to be so damn considerate? I felt I was owed atleast a 'thank you for saving my life', but apparently Altaïr dearest didn't get the memo.

I swear, sometimes caring is a curse.

I stopped and dismissed the thought - caring is what made me different from the others. I refused to become as numb and emotionless as the other assassins.

I was lazing around by the training ring whena novice ran up to me, out of breath. "The Mentor asked to see you in his office immediately."

I dipped my head in acknowledgment. "Thank you." I climbed to my feet and headed towards the Mentor'soffice.

When I got there, all the Levantine and most of the higher ranking assassins were in a semi-circle around The Mentor's desk. "Ah, Anima - we've been waiting for you."

I shrugged, "I came as soon as I heard your summons."

The Mentor's mouth curved into a small smile. "We have heard rumors that one of our targets is hidden within the church. We need a scout to go in and confirm whether this is true or not." He paused. "Anima, I think you would be best suited for this mission."

There were cries of outraged protest from the Levantine assassins. Everybody else was pretty much used to this sort of thing.

"Do you believe that a… a… girl can complete this mission?" Al Mualim stared directly at me. I met his eyes unflinchingly.

The Mentor nodded and shot me a quick grin. "I trust Anima to carry out any mission perfectly. She's shown that she's more than capable many times before."

I bowed my head respectfullyto the Mentor before smirking at Al Mualim, whose mouth quirked up in the corner, forming a half-hearted sneer.

The Mentor turned his attention back to me. "You must go now. Hurry." I nodded and vanished from the room.

A horse was already waiting for me in the stables. I threw myself into the saddle androde quickly to the outskirts of town, to where I knew the only church in the town was. I dismounted about half a mile from the church, walking the rest of the way so as not to arouse suspicion. As I neared the building, Islipped into the growing shadows surrounding it. The church stood high above every other building in the area. Guards surrounded it, and I realized by the amount of security that I wouldn't be able to simply walk in through the front doors. The rumor that my next target was somewhere inside the church certainly seemed to have some truth to it at this point.

Quickly, I skirted around the perimeter of the building, keeping just out of sight. Guards patrolled two or three at a time around the back of the building as well. There nowere cracks in their defenses at all. Not unless…

I looked up and stepped back to get a better view of the church's sloping roof. There was a small ledge just underneath the overhang of the roof - If I could get up there without being seen, I could easily sneak in through the bell tower and nobody would see me. A large crate pushed up against would work as a great stepping stool, but the jump to the window below the overhangto pull myself to the ledge would be difficult. I watched the guards for a few more minutes, figuring out their patrol routine. Between the time the first group rounded the side of the church and the next group appeared, I could easily make it up to the overhang if I was quick.

Timing my advances, I waited for the first group of guards to disappear around the corner, took a deep breath and made a running start.

Due to my damn shortness, I didn't make it to the window by a long shot.

I grunted and tried again. This time I made it. I hissed in pain, my fingertips struggling to hold on to the narrow window ledge and pull myself up. I used the windowsill as a foothold and vaulted myself up onto the ledge. After I got myself to the ledge, I let out a deep breath and allowed myself to relax for a moment and gather my thoughts. The sound of footsteps made me tense. I quickly scanned the area - guards were pacing the on theroof.

I instinctively pulled out a throwing knife, but my mind flashed back to how easily Altair had caught it before. I decided that my skills were lacking. I silently slipped the knife back into its pouch and unsheathed my hidden blade. I waited for the closest guard to come towards me along the edge of the roof, beforereaching up and grabbing his knee, pulling him off the roof. He plummeted past me with a sharp cry, and was struck silent when he hit the ground two stories down.

I heard alarmed voices as more guards thudded towards the edge of the roof. Steeling myself,I counted to three before hauling myself up onto the roofand plunging my blade into the nearest guard's throat. Faster than the next one could react, I slammed my blade into his gut and threw him off the roof. Three down, who knows how many to go. Suddenly, there were cries of 'Assassin!' from below. I risked a glance over the edge. There were guards checking over the hidden blade wounds and calling out orders to get more guards on the roof.

I had to act quickly.

Quickly, I sprinted tothe bell tower, hopping inside. I dove past the bronze bell and landed on surprisingly clean scaffolding leading down into the main body of the church. Below me were rows upon rows of pews, and a large cross in the front of the church. A lone nun was methodically cleaning the benches below. I hopped down the scaffolding as low as possible and spotted a large hallway across the room that looked empty. I crept back up the scaffolding until I was in the rafters, then made my way carefully across them to the other end of the church.

I grimaced as my boot squeaked against the wooden beam I was perched nun looked up suddenly, "Is anyone there?" her voice was shaky with age.

"Shit." I cussed under my breath, clinging to the rafters.

Her head whipped, her eyes managing to land on my exact position. A frown formed on her lips. "You shouldn't curse in God's house, child. Now come down from up there, you're going to break your neck."

My voice died in my throat. Maybe I could still make it seem as though I wasn't there – maybe she'd think she was just hearing things and go back to work. I started moving towards the hallway again. She was old, maybe she'd forget? But her voice stopped me again, "You're an assassin, aren't you?"

I stopped. It was obvious that I had been caught.I answered, "Yes." My tone was careful. My heart beat in my throat, my chest constricting.

"Well, come down child. There is nobody here and this is a place for peace." The old nun brookedno refusal from me. Something about how she said it made me pause in thought, and finally I clambered down from the rafters and made my way to her.

I didn't say anything more, and when I was about five feet away from her she spoke again. "This church is polluted with greed. You need information. And if you do me a favor, I will give you as much information as I can."

I cocked my head to the side in confusion and looked her in the eyes - they were milky blue. The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them, "You're blind."

The nun laughed slightly, "Only physically, child." I started to question her meaning when she cut me off, "You're eyes - they're grey, aren't they?"

"…Yes?" I squeaked. The old woman was starting to scare me.

"Hmm… like Athena's."

"The Greek goddess?" I clarified.

"Yes, yes. Goddess of war, with the symbol of the owl. Eagle and owl are among the best ruling couples in all of history. Though, usually air and earth and air and water work the best." I raised an eyebrow at her incoherent rambling. She stopped suddenly, "Well, I suppose it means little to you right now. I'm assuming you wish to know what I want you to carry out before I give you the information you seek?"

"That would be nice." I responded curtly.

"I need you to get my granddaughter out of this retched, vile place. If you can and do, I will give you the information as it comes."

"And if I refuse?"

The old lady shrugged, "Then you were just a figment of my imagination."

I nodded slowly, "I will talk to my leader. If your granddaughter is gone within the next two days, we agreed and you owe your loyalty to the assassins."

"Very well. Now be on your way, child. Guards are coming."

I nodded and made my way towards the wall to scale before turning around, "What did you mean about the eagle and owl?"

A low chuckle, "The eagle has perfect sight, but the owl has clear vision. Both of you are blind right now, however."

"What-" I started.

"There are things bigger than you and I, child. Things that cannot be seen until you close your eyes and let it come to you instead of blocking it out. Until you realize this, your path is an impossible one."

"How will I know which one's your granddaughter?"

"The secretary bird is vigilant enough to realize that." Her voice echoed ominously.

I turned towards her, but she wasn't there. My head was starting to throb with a migraine and I needed to get back to the bureau. I had been here too long and The Mentor and others would be worried. Plus, I needn't give them any more reason to doubt me. I already had to deal with their sexist views enough as it is.

Getting back to the bureau was easier than expected. I pushed through the large main doors and boltedthrough the hall at full speed, causing the assassins residing there to look up in surprise. One or two followed me, interested in what happened with the mission.

I hammered urgently on the door, and stopped only when the door opened to reveal an unimpressed-looking Assassin from Levantine. I wasn't sure which one it was, but his glare made my want to cower in a corner and die. It could've rivaled Altaïr's easily.

"Sir, sir…" ignoringthe assassin in front of me, I called out breathlessly to the Mentor, who looked up from his work with a worried expression.

"Anima? How was your mission?"

I leaned against the doorframe, catching my breath. "I snuck in, got caught by a blind nun who had the best hearing I'd ever, well… seen," I paused, taking another deep breath, and I considered telling them about her suspicious words, but decided against it. "Anyways, she said that if we saved her granddaughter, she'll give us information we need."

The one who opened the door spoke for the first time, "And what does the granddaughter look like?"

"Umm… I don't know." I backtracked slightly.

"How will we identify her then?" He questioned.

I shrugged. "She said something about instinct."

"And what does the old lady look like?" His expression was not amused.

"Like a nun? Milky blue eyes… average height?" I squeaked out under his glare.

I looked for The Mentor for assistance. He cleared his throat and stood up. "And you trust this nun?"

"Yes." I answered, clearing my throat.

He nodded, "Very well. You and Raan* will head out tonight."

One of the assassins that had followed me earlier stepped to my side. "Of course." He dipped his head in acknowledgement to the Mentor's request.

"And you're just going to let them go? With that little information?" One of the Arabian assassins questioned.

"I trust Miss Anima's decision." The Mentor smiled at me, eyes twinkling. I felt my chest swell with pride.

"This sounds like a job for an actual assassin, not some novices." Al Mualim argued.

"Mercenaries." Raan and I corrected him simultaneously.

"Still not an assassin." The glaring man responded tartly.

The Mentor sighed, shaking his head. "Leave now. Complete the mission quickly. We cannot afford to lose time."

Raan and I bowed before leaving. I led the way back to the church for the second time that day.

*Raan = Pronounced Ron. Also the same Raan that led the Levantine Assassin's in the beginning. Close friends with Anima.

Not as long as the last chapter, but I wanted some suspense. And this chapter would be really long if not.

I don't like asking for reviews, but I noticed that the set up changed so now, writing reviews is easier than ever! You only have to type and click one button! YAY! So, please review?