Chapter 2 - Emerging Light

"That's a real great way to start with my parents..." I mentioned as we arrived at my place that was only 20 minutes away.

"Well don't blame me for your mom being so... nosy."

"Yeah, so that's that. What would you like to do? We're home-free if not for a while."

"How long can you ignore your mom for?"

"About three days at most. So where do you want to head?"

"Maybe tell me fully what you live in?"

As we climbed the stairs to the third floor, I reached for my keys, unlocking the door to my living room and trailing to a door behind me, opening it to my bedroom. I gave a sigh, it was a mess, but not as bad. It's not much, but it's home. Altair saw the action figures on my dresser while looking around. Snake, Chris, Cloud and Aerith. There was also two of Altair; one out of the box and another in its box. Yeah, I know, amazing, action figures of you. I also got a few swords and a bow with arrows.

I rummaged through a few things, finding the bottle of aspirin within my belongings. I took a couple out, scuffling into my kitchen that was through my living room. Altair still gave a look around of what didn't have much. The Kitchen, and one half bath and a full bathroom, the other two rooms are for someone who would like to move in. They used to be college room dorms, this building is pretty old itself.

Altair saw me going through my fridge for some water. He observed as I downed the pills with some water. I saw you down basically the same thing at your mom's place. They're aspirin, right?

Yeah, I've had a headache lately, nothing major, don't worry.

Traveling back into my living room, I set up my PS3 and my laptop, only to know I set up a movie for background noise, Altair saw that I had my futon as a couch and the famous three dollar great condition chair I got at Goodwill. I crashed on the futon, only to be moved a moment later. Altair had moved my feet, sitting next to me.

"You must get lonely, being here by yourself."

I gave a laugh, walking over to a cage that was to the right of the futon. Reaching in, Altair only stared. I held the furry animal in my hands, having him move in-between my fingers. "Say hello to my pet rat Hewie."

"Hewie? What kind of name is that for a rat... that includes even having a pet rat in the first place."

"Well, I did name him Gary, but for some odd reason responded to Hewie."

I placed him back in his cage as I joined Altair once more. We were drawn by the movie I placed on, which was on Ghostbusters. It was a typical movie, I was feeling relaxed, seeing that the heat in the summer killed my senses. Altair was finding the TV enjoyable as I began to daydream. I closed my eyes, taking if not a moment to think things through. I felt the physical world melt around me.

"Beautiful is it not? Master Sinan told me your name and said that you were trust worthy. Don't think of anything absurd. You may be hanging at the end of a rope the next time you get involved in something like that again."

"I never wanted any of this. All I want is to..."

"Find your way again?"

"Yeah, but I know I need to find something of use."

"That will take time. Just try your best to figure everything out. Tell me everything once you can. This may sound strange, but I will be will to listen."

"Hey, wait. Here - I know with some work, your cloak can be repaired."

I gave a flinch, waking myself from the dream. Altair had calmed me by stoking my hair. Having a person connected to your thoughts wasn't half bad. I had glanced up at Altair, giving him a light smile. I could tell he was still hit that he didn't want to go anywhere just yet.

"Hey Altair, knowing you're here, do you think it's possible I can go back?"

"Let's see if we can, there is always a way I would think."

"The main question is.. would you want me to?"

"You got that wrong Alyssa, it's not up to me, it's up to you. Do you want to go back?"

I sat up from him, wanting to run. "Well, I wouldn't remember... but I always wanted to be sent to another world, breaking from daily life."

"Kinda how you crashed into me."

"Tell you what Altair, I'll show you around Ashland, I'll let you get to know my friends. I know I want that."

"All right, that way- I don't feel like you when you were first sent to my world."

I laid back down on Altair, giving a slight confused feeling; "Were you kidding about agreeing to date me? I'm wondering. Because now it's lingering."

"I never gave it thought, Strangely it's not bothering me. Again, thoughts and how we communicate is still a mystery to me."

"Again, I know I asked this question, but I think I will state it. I love you for who you are, it's not just your abilities, I know I am sounding obsessive over you, but there is a reason for everything. I want to remember the pieces that are flashing through my head. I'm not desperate, and I don't want to be a fangirl around you because it's childish."

"Get to the point."

"Well Altair, there must be a reason why you are here, especially with me of all things. From what I can tell you are resisting a feeling that is having you hold back what you are feeling. I know you feel something for me, but not as strong as me. I understand that, everyone's different."

"Everyone has roles to play, our paths crossing is one act, but again, I know you are like a leech, or from what I could tell. It took time, but I actually liked it. I know this sounds like it's coming from the horse's mouth and perhaps a bit degrading. Being with you was a change that slapped me in the face. I thought it was a load off my back when you left."

"...But?"

Altair sighed, knowing I could tell he was searching for words. "When you left, I was expecting you to be there, it was having me think more than imagined. That I knew that no one lives long. I thought of Adha. You reminded me so much of her, only knowing your stay was short. That was another reason why I never complained."

"Adha..,? Did you ever date her? So you were with someone, what ever happened?"

Altair had dropped his head. "I would rather not speak of her. Things got pretty rocky after she left."

"So that's- OH... I, I'm so sorry Altair."

"That's a major, it really is, you reminded me on how great it was to have someone again."

I gave Altair a hug, now feeling his sadness that was creeping as he felt the situation break like thin glass. I felt tears run down my face by this time as Altair now answered a couple questions of his own. I didn't feel so bad, but now seeing and knowing what was really going through his head. He too needed affection, it had been awhile since her last sighting, I could tell, feeling Altair's thoughts swim slowly, looping it's way through my brain.

It's been only so long since I seen her. Your personality reminded me of the days I had with her. It's just too hard to think about it. Altair explained. Every night you spent with me gave me a reminder that I didn't want to be alone.

I swallowed hard, only feeling more pain. "She would want you to be happy."

I gave a sob as I starting crying, as if to feel such a strong emotion. Altair clutched both my shoulders, wishing to apologize for having me be deep into a locked part of his memories. Only saying more would complicate things. His heart ached with every thought of her. I turned, embracing Altair. I reached my hand up to his cheek, feeling an actual tear.

"I miss her so much, I wasn't able to tell her my true feelings. I feel so ashamed."

"Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop."

I was feeling the sadness grow as I was thinking of all what I lost at, how many times I have gotten my heart broken. Altair felt the reflection from my thoughts, knowing that the whole situation wasn't getting any better. He brought my face into view, kissing me. He had also dried my tears. I had seen a slight smirk from Altair, he was smiling at my eyes, not saying a word, but knowing that seeing me sad wasn't something he wanted.

Altair allowed me to feel his heartbeat. I felt various memories of Adha as I allowed him to see the one who actually grasped my heart. No more, just no more, please. Altair had actually begged.

Let me tell you of someone that messed with my feelings. I had offered. I can tell you at least something since you told me of Adha.

Altair had felt regret telling Alyssa of Adha. Alyssa's story was like anyone's. Everyone had a story, knowing many had loved once before in life. A good amount of time passed as Altair figured out why he told her, being a part of his life was now making him think. Alyssa fell asleep crying out of exhaustion. He continued stroking her hair, figuring out that it must had been pent up inside. It wasn't any better for him. He thought of the friends lost, growing more distant with the Creed, trying to get above everyone else.

Alyssa was woken by Altair kissing her forehead, he wanted to thank her. The thought never made him realize that Adha was a main reason to why he turned to what he was now. It was hard enough, seeing no one in the Creed were into personal lives of their brothers. That's how it was verily viewed. Not many had time to exactly think on emotions, seeing most of them could get in the way of work.

"No matter what you say Altair, I love you." Alyssa mumbled. "That's what I think you would like to hear from time to time, and you will from me."

Alyssa kissed him again, even if he wasn't to respond. There was a small stare from him as she gave a light smirk. Altair brought her face back to him, now kissing her fully. The feeling of her was just too familiar. She had the same feeling that Adha did. There was more in depth that he knew he was feeling of the connection from Alyssa. The same taste he felt, smoothed was the same as Adha. It was only so much as he now started questioning why Adha was mentioned.

"Altair?" Alyssa asked, making sure he was all right.

Altair was light headed, only responding by kissing her. Memories of Adha flashed, having him keep going without questioning. Alyssa was concerned, not knowing how to think, knowing that Altair had quite the incomprehensible thoughts. She felt pressured as he kissed her once again. He looked into her eyes, now seeing the confusion. Alyssa was growing more than concerned, she was terrified. As if she wanted to tell him something, but couldn't.

"Alyssa, you are exactly like her, it's strange. I can't explain it, I'm sorry."

Alyssa pushed him away, feeling pain from her headache. Altair gave a concerned look. Wasn't the aspirin supposed to be working by now? There were tears in her eyes, he saw the pain. Can you concentrate at transferring the pain to me perhaps? There must be something I can do to help. Alyssa shook her head as Altair stopped her, feeling her forehead, she was pale. There was a thought of cold as shivers ran down her body.

You can do rather one of two decisions. You can get the blanket or carry me to my bed. I feel my-

"Alyssa, hang on, I know, let me put you in your bed. You need rest."

Altair picked her up, carrying her gently to her bedroom, being placed and covered with blankets. She was still shivering as he did his best to assist. Altair had slipped under the blankets, holding her close as she was sending signals to him that her body temperature continued to decline. Alyssa, focus on my voice, my thoughts. Focus on trying to relax, try to stop shivering.

"Al- Altair, I need to do this alone, I can get my temp up ev- eventually."

"Don't say that, let me at least do this, it's the least I can do."

Altair felt her forehead, her temperature was rising, giving indication it wouldn't get any better soon. How long have you had that headache? Tell me the truth.

"Ab- About three days, it's probably my body trying to fight something off. I haven't felt this bad since when I had the swine flu in April."

"You mean when you disconnected from everything for three weeks? I was still around. Ironically I agree. I know you had worse. That flu was really fun to deal with, even when you woke up, screaming in pain at the middle of the night."

"Yo- You remember."

"Even if I wasn't here physically, we have the connection still. I've grown used to the many thoughts."

Alyssa finally calmed as Altair could feel her muscles relax. She was now starting to breathe normally as Altair tightened his grip around her. Thank you Altair, I will be all right now. I just need to relax.

Would it be so wrong to hear me say that I don't feel like going anywhere right now?

No Altair, it's not. How about you admit it, you care for me.

If I didn't Alyssa, I wouldn't be here to help you.

Altair brought Alyssa closer to him, he was too concerned to say something too deep, knowing that she would get more attached. He stroked her head, now breathing in her scent. Another memory had flashed through his head,

"You feel that...? Something isn't right, something doesn't belong. Just a dream, remember that. Truth is, I wish to be free, but then again who doesn't... What I'm trying to say is that I've been blessed to travel your world, and yet unable to spread my wings. It's not just that. At the same time I know something doesn't belong, I believe that it's me."

Altair had given thought to the words as they echoed. The wings and being free. It was something Adha had said, how she could never be happy and in truth how she knew that the Creed would never accept her. Alyssa turned as Altair loosened his grip around her. She enveloped her legs in between his, he felt her wanting to pay him back, only seeing that it would take time.

"Hey, I got a question for you." Altair said, knowing that it would be appropriate for the time.

"What is it Altair?"

"Well, you once said you weren't able to spread your wings, what did you mean?"

"I said that to you before? Well, wings symbolize freedom for those who have none. Ever since I can remember, I yearned for wings, to fly to the skies. The ironic thing is that I am afraid of heights. If I were to ever go skydiving, or what you call leaps of faith, I would need some heavy convincing."

The hour had passed as she fell asleep. Altair got out of the bed carefully, knowing not to wake her. He traveled back into her living room, knowing that most of the things she mentioned. He scavenged through, finding a bag of Limon Lays chips. Altair gave a laugh. I guess you can get a little sour from time to time.

Altair saw her collection of CDs, now looking at an interesting title of one; Silent Hill Homecoming. He rummaged through a few memories, remembering that Silent Hill was a franchise that has been around for a long time. Altair had known she stayed up long nights, being scared. There were also the collection of other games, a few copies of Assassin's Creed and even Fallout. She had many games, always occupying her time. Even a few that caught his attention such as Diablo made him wonder how many people like him would get sent into world that created them.

There was also a group of CDs titled Thief the Dark Project, Gold, The Metal Age and Deadly Shadows. Altair knew it had sounded familiar, it was one of Alyssa's favorite series of games she deemed the opposite of Assassin's Creed because of a faction in the game called Keepers. They were much like vigilantists, but like the Creed. Instead of killing, they observed and got rid of corruption without disrupting what is known as balance.

He adjusted his thoughts to her backpack, taking out the strategy guide and artbook of Assassin's Creed. He saw how everything was drawn, created into something the game was, making it a breath taking world he lived in. Altair saw a few drawings, even a few maps Alyssa left or even drew. The maps were of what Altair saw of Damascus, Acre. Jerusalem and even Masyaf.

Sighing, he continued to look as the designs of how he was made, the various outfits and the eagle that they got examples from. Altair started to feel like whoever created him was a god, but he was of his own freewill. He understood how everything worked through a video game, but only made him question more. It was best by this not to question, but to make it more clear. If the events in the game were to come for him, Altair knew he could arm himself with knowledge. He didn't want to quite yet.

Putting everything together again, placing the maps and drawings in the book. Altair saw that Alyssa was piecing together something that she was figuring out. There were questions and even the picture were if not poorly drawn. Page 48 A was written. The note was that it's from the artbook. It was written that the outfit was similar. Altair continued reading the notes. Dreams- Past Life- Given the name Amir. There was the picture, looking similar to the page in the book.

A past life of an assassin? When was this written? Altair found the current year, February 17th. There was also something that was written. Check notebook. Altair didn't know where she would keep something that would speak of the Amir. He knew not of Amir, nor had Alyssa spoke of having a possibility of a past life. Perhaps she wasn't too confident to tell. Altair made a mental note not to tell Alyssa if she wasn't sure herself.

Altair carefully placed the artbook and strategy guide back in her backpack, now looking at her TV. The movie was near to over as he reached for the switch to turn it off. If there was something he learned, it was when she would talk on hours, explaining how things worked, unknown to his own knowledge that he would actually appear in her world. Altair didn't question, seeing that there was many possibilities open to him.

With a close decision, he walked back into her bedroom, knowing he wanted anything to give this to his own experience. Altair scratched his neck and yawned. Sitting on the bed, knowing that more questions were wanting him to investigate. He glanced down at Alyssa, now only engulfing in yet another memory.

"Altair, I can see something has changed."

A flash of white light, only to lose himself to the images.

Altair didn't say anything, only lifted Alyssa about his back as she closed her eyes, giving into her dark abyss. He had then given Malik a look as if to say 'only if you knew' type of situation. Altair then walks off, having his mind set upon Masyaf. The only thing that he was thinking of was getting Alyssa somewhere safe so that he wouldn't have to worry over her death or regret it.

Without notice, Altair turned his head. The city bell was going off. What would cause for such alarm? He placed Alyssa down, hastily climbing to the rooftop. His eyes caught many city watch and even Talal's own guard running about the city. Was it because of what happened? Were they after Alyssa for escaping? Altair hopped back down to the Bureau, looking at Malik.

"I can not depart with her today, the city is on alert."

"Fine, but don't expect more. I don't even understand why she trusts you."

"Speak of your biting words all you like Malik, but I will NOT risk her." Altair says firmly.

Altair approached Alyssa, seeing that she was now completely out. He carried her, placing her upon blankets and pillows. Altair sat next to her, not knowing what to decide.

Altair shook his head, looking at Alyssa. Two years did quite much on things around him changed. He slipped under the blankets, only knowing that he didn't want to wallow in the past, he rubbed his forehead, sighing deeply. He turned his head, seeing Alyssa lay there peacefully. He brought her in close, knowing that if it wasn't for her, he would continue on with his daily life. Rather it be fate or destiny, there was more. Being in the world was more than just an experience. It was a part of history, changing.