Assassin's Creed:

Alliance Chapter 7

Arno sat in the window sill of his hideout. Over the Paris skyline, he could see the Pantheon. He remembered several operations he had performed in that very building, before his life had fallen into petty vigilantism and being hunted by Assassins and Templars alike.

In his hands, he held Elise's necklace. The red cross was still in relatively good shape, although the cross was warped and misshapen because of Germain and his damn sword. Arno glanced at that very sword in the corner of his dark room, every once in awhile, it seemed as if the sword glowed again, but it never did.

Arno dropped the necklace on the floorboard and stood up. He walked over to a simple desk illuminated by a single candle. He sat down and read the letter again.

"My love,"

"As I write this, you are asleep. If the light wakes you, I'll have some explaining to do, but at this moment, you are sleeping peacefully. Tomorrow is the day, is seems- the culmination of five long years, our moment of revenge. So why can I not quiet this part of me which fears that, at the tipping point, you will flinch?"

"Is it that I fear you loved my father less than I? Or do I doubt your resolve to strike the killing blow? I do not think so. Rather, I fear that you have lost so much already you cannot bear to lose more. I think that you'd let Germain rule France if you thought it would 'save' me."

"Have you ever known me to need saving? Have you ever had cause to think that I would accept it if it were offered? My fate is my own. My choice is my own."

"If somehow we both return from this, I will burn this letter. If you are reading it now, then I made my choice there in the Temple. Know that I made it gladly, and do not take the burden of it on yourself. Be at peace, my love. And walk the path you will."

"Elise."

Arno put the letter back on the desk. He slumped against it and stared at the floor. The fresh bout of tears fell to the ground and splattered. He hadn't read that letter in months, but each time he did, he was painfully reminded about the things that could have been, and never will be.

Arno sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Why do I torture myself?" he said to himself.

His thoughts trailed back to the Assassin who came after him. For an aging man, he managed to stay one step ahead of Arno. Arno was forced to hide from the old man in order to escape.

He cursed himself for allowing himself to go down this path.

"You're still living in this trou de merde? (shit hole?)" a voice asked from the door.

"Where else would I be?" Arno asked.

Belmont shrugged. "Out on the streets, killing criminals left and right."

"There was someone in Cour de Miracles today." Arno said.

"It's Cour de Miracles, there is a lot of people there." Belmont commented.

"He was different, I knew he was there to bring me back, but there was something different about him. He was oddly sympathetic, like he knew what he had to do but he really didn't want to."

"Well," Belmont said. "some people are like that. He's probably had a similar experience to you."

"I wouldn't know." Arno replied.

"Anyway, I know you've paid me quite a bit to keep this place a secret, but…" Belmont's voice trailed off.

Arno stood up cautiously. "Belmont, what did you do?"

"Sorry, Arno. They pay better." Belmont said as several Templar agents crammed in with swords and axes drawn.

Arno didn't draw his sword, instead he turned and jumped through the glass window onto the lower roof below him. He took off running across the rooftop, he peaked over his shoulder to see the Templars scrambling out the window after him. Drawing his flintlock, Arno shot one of them in the head, the Templar fell to the street below, Arno could hear the panicked people running away.

Arno jumped from roof to roof, barely stopping. Eventually he was forced the climb down and run on the street. He darted through alleyways and vaulted over passing carts in attempts to shake his pursuers, but they stuck with him like annoying flies.

While running, a strong arm grabbed him and pulled him into a dark alcove. "Qui diable êtes-vous? (Who the hell are you?)" he asked while struggling against the man's grip.

Ratonhnhaké ton put a finger to his lips to get Arno to calm down. Arno quieted a little as the Templars ran past the alcove. When they were gone, Ratonhnhaké ton let go of him.

"Who's side are you on?" Arno asked.

"Not theirs." Ratonhnhaké ton replied.

As the Templar's footsteps moved farther away, Ratonhnhaké ton motioned for them to exit the alcove. Arno followed Ratonhnhaké ton out of the alley and onto the street.

"I didn't need help." Arno said scornfully.

"The large amount of Templar agents says otherwise." Ratonhnhaké ton replied sharply.

Arno grabbed his shoulder, Ratonhnhaké ton glanced at Arno's hand then shoved it off. He turned to face the young Assassin.

"Your stupidity will get you killed." Ratonhnhaké ton said.

Arno looked at him sideways. "Haven't I proved that I am anything but stupid? I've been hunted for twelve years!"

Ratonhnhaké ton did not reply, instead he turned to leave. Arno went after him again when Ratonhnhaké ton turned and punched him in the jaw. Arno stumbled back, holding his jaw in pain.

"For an old man," he laughed. "you hit hard."

Arno threw a punch which landed squarely in Ratonhnhaké ton's face. Ratonhnhaké ton also stumbled back but made no sound and never touched his face, even when blood poured from his nose.

Ratonhnhaké ton exclaimed as he lunged into Arno's chest, knocking them both to the ground. With Ratonhnhaké ton on top and Arno on bottom, they both flew punches wildly at the other. Ratonhnhaké ton felt the sting of several jabs in his ribs while Arno felt Ratonhnhaké ton forehead connect with his. Arno managed to kick Ratonhnhaké ton off and scrambled back to his feet.

Both combatants were bloodied and bruised. Ratonhnhaké ton winced as he felt his side and Arno frowned as he touched his nose and saw blood on his hand.

Arno advanced on Ratonhnhaké ton. When he was close, he flew a wild punch which was easily dodged by Ratonhnhaké ton. Ratonhnhaké ton grabbed his arm and pulled it around his back. Arno yelped as the pain shot up his arm and into his shoulder.

"I could break your arm." Ratonhnhaké ton threatened.

"Go ahead." Arno challenged.

Instead, he let go of Arno's arm. Arno breathed a sigh of relief as Ratonhnhaké ton began to walk away.

"If you want to kill Corbett and end this, find me in Cour de Miracles." Ratonhnhaké ton said.

Arno stared after him in disbelief. He breathed heavily as he got up and walked in the other direction.