Inside Her World
Part 5
"I can't do it, this is betrayal."
"Betrayal is what you signed up for."
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Leona slowly sat down on a soft couch and hid her face in the palms of her shaking hands. The vision that opened before her was life changing and challenging to take in. She was sure that if someone else was in her place, their sanity would have vanished almost immediately. The world around her was sluggish, colored in black and white; her senses were sharper and caused a lot of discomfort. She heard voices from the upper floors of the tall apartment complex; she heard every conversation as if the strangers were in the same room with her. She tried to ignore them, but they were slowly driving her mad.
"Thank you for providing us with a good place to stay, Altio." Altair's voice was much louder even though he was in another room. Leona unwillingly grimaced and lifted her head up trying to see through the lack of colors in her vision. She saw Ezio lower himself to his knees before her with a worried look on his face; she could tell that he knew that there was something else wrong with her.
"My pleasure, Mentor." Altio's voice was less sharp than the Arab's, perhaps he was whispering to the assassin. "My apartment is always open and ready to serve a good cause for you." He said, and as it seemed to Leona, retreated to the kitchen. Now the girl saw Altair enter the room she and Ezio were in, his face showed no emotion, yet the girl could feel the tension coming from him.
"Where am I?" She asked trying to look around but an invisible force pushed her head back into her hands. She felt Ezio's arms wrap around her and softly pull into a tight embrace.
"After the vision, you had a panic attack and passed out after crying out an ocean and repeating one word over and over again." Altair explained and sat down on the couch next to the girl. He crossed his hands on his chest and lowered his head so the hood was hiding his face completely.
"W-what did I say?" Leona asked with a confused expression forming on her face. She slowly put her hands away and looked up at the Master Assassin; she had dark circles under her eyes as if she has not slept for days. Her face was much paler than before, the lively juices and energy were sucked up by the vision.
"War." Altair sighed and there was a long silence in the room. Ezio looked at Leona whose eyes were widened. She was staring at the Arab with disbelief as if trying to find a thousand answers.
"War?" She asked again and gazed in the distance of the room; the colors were slowly coming back adding a fresh feeling over her body. She did not feel dizzy anymore, only relaxed but terrified. Altair only nodded his head and ordered Ezio to bring her to the bedroom for some rest. "I do not remember the vision clearly…" She said once Ezio helped her to stand up and walk over to the place Altio pointed at after entering the living room. She was then placed on the bed and left with no answers to her questions.
"Try to get some rest; the memory will painfully come back. You have to be ready to experience it in a different way" La'Ahad nodded his head before closing the door. He ignored Leona's desperate pleading to explain and left her alone. No voices were heard now, the senses came back to Crowine within several minutes and she suddenly felt very tired and sleepy. She hid under the warm covers that smelled like jasmine and black tea; Altio must have been preparing the bed for her and picking out a soothing smell. She wondered how come he knew the exact mix of odors she loved, but then it was just a lucky guess.
"I hope this time she will understand what is coming." Ezio's velvet voice was heard on the other side of the door. Leona could tell how worried he was and mentally thanked him for caring so much. After all, Auditore has a kind heart and a loving character that helped him through the years of pain and bloodshed. Yet his words concerned the girl because of the tense suspense in them. She tried to relax and fall asleep, but the thoughts did not let her completely forget the existence of the world. Unwillingly the memories of the vision became slowly visible in the blurry view and everything around her started changing.
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Leona opened her eyes and looked around the room. There was nothing around but green fields with an endless amount of poppy flowers that raged with scarlet color. She blinked and rubbed her eyes, yet the field did not disappear from her vision. She then slowly stood up from the bed and looked down at her feet which were immediately sunk into the soft grass.
"What is going on?" She asked herself and took a step forward. The odd illusion did not disappear and continued to exist in front of the girl. Suddenly a strong wind hit the field from nowhere picking up every last bit of the flower petals and sending them into a crimson dance. The indigo sky was quickly filled with a foreign color; the petals circled around the field as if there was something in the very middle. Leona gulped and began running toward the very center of the field were the eye of the flower tornado appeared to be. As she reached the destination the petals stopped their dance and began to slowly fall upon the field as if there was something that banished them from a free flight.
Crowine took a step back feeling the petals land on her head and slide down her silky hair and soft shoulders. It was now when she noticed she was wearing a pure white dress and gloves of the same color. She tried to catch the petals but as they touched her hands, they turned into a crimson liquid that dyed the gloves at once. The liquid was nothing but blood that was now dripping down her palm on her dress. The clothing was soaked in the same color and a strong metallic odor hit Leona's nostrils in no time. The girl was disgusted and tried to turn away, but she was stuck on the field in a pool of blood that completely covered the green.
She cried for help but only a cold wind answered her call forcing the girl to turn toward the center of the field. Crowine bit her lip trying not to lose her balance and suddenly saw a figure standing near her. It was another girl as tall as she and with the same dark hair; the stranger was dressed in assassin robes with a unique design stretching across the edges of the hood with a sharp end. The face was hidden in the shadows cast from the cover and her hands locked behind her back as she observed Leona.
"Who are you?" Leona asked tilting her head to the side and trying to see who the strange girl was. The figure shifted from one side to another and brought her head up for Crowine to see her face clearly. Leona gasped, her eyes widening as she saw herself before her.
"I am you." The girl explained with a soft smile spreading across her lips. "In more detail, I am your hidden talent, your secret inheritance." She said taking a step closer to Leona and holding her hand up. "Even though my name is supposed to be Leona, call me Lois." She said and received an unsure shake from the real Crowine.
"This is absurd." Leona said frowning and letting go of the girl's hand. "Where am I, and how come you are my talent?" She said trying to move her legs, but they seemed to ignore the brain's order to step.
"This is the real vision you were supposed to see." Lois started as she turned around looking somewhere farther away. "The scratches on the wall were a door to open the real meaning. And I am, indeed, you hidden talent of an assassin, that is going to show you what is going to happen if you choose to expose me to the world." She said sharply turning to Leona and grabbing her hand. Crowine hissed as an odd burning feeling hit her skin and did not let go for a good while.
New images began to appear before the two of them; the landscape was dramatically changing. There were no flowery fields now; there was stone ground and fire everywhere. Leona gasped as she recognized the burning area of the place they were suddenly transported to. It was Chicago, were her soul was bound to her sweet and safe home. All of it was burning now and she could feel the hellish heat coming from it.
"What is going on?!" She yelled but was hushed by Lois that gently put her hand over the girl's mouth.
"Watch." She said pointing at the burning rooftop of one of the tall constructions. There were several people fighting between each other; some of them had hoods over their heads, the others had cloaks with a bloody cross decorated on the back. Leona immediately understood what caused such chaos in the city. There was a war between the Assassins and the Templars; a modern war between the old enemies that had a grudge on each other for thousands of years.
Leona looked to the side and saw Altair pressing his sword against a young Templar's throat. Within seconds the man was on the ground choking on his own blood while the Master Assassin jumped on the next enemy. The modern followers of the Brotherhood and the Order were consisted of completely innocent people that only loved the games and never thought of a real war. There was always a group of the Assassin fans that hissed at another group made out of the Templar fans. It was normal and peaceful on the streets of Chicago and cosplay conventions; no one expected a chaos happening just like the one Leona was now observing with wide eyes before her. It was a complete bloodshed that was considered passable back in the years when death was more or less acceptable and people did not mind a corps on their streets after some while. The present day was very different; every death was counted and mourned.
"This is what will happen if Altair, Ezio, and Haytham do not come back to their worlds. This is what will happen if you let me out in the light and not keep me to yourself." Lois said softly touching Leona's hand and trying to break her attention from the endless waterfalls of blood. Crowine gulped, her cheeks were wet from tears, her lips trembling in a silent cry. "War, this is what will happen if we do not act and leave everything as it is." She whispered and turned Leona away from the painful images that slowly vanished as her gaze disappeared.
"Is Chicago the only one being affected?" Leona asked trying to gather her strength and get some sense from what she has observed.
"I am afraid not. The chain reaction with bind together the whole world as the other modern fans of the games will become serious and actually fight each other." Lois was still whispering as if afraid to scare Leona away from her. "You are not the only one with a rare inheritance like this. There are some people out there just like you, do not know about their talent, yet they are awakening some of their skills in fighting and climbing." She embraced Leona in a tight hug as the tears on Crowine's cheeks resumed their stream. "So far you are the only one who has to save the world from this madness." She said with a fragile smile that was about to turn into sorrow.
"I am Desmond now, aren't I?" Leona said with an exhausted smirk on her lips. "Do I have to die too?" She asked looking over to Lois who represented her as an assassin. Leona remarked that the assassin robes of such sort really did suit her, considering that her hidden talent was a huge rarity.
"The Master Assassin has the answer." Lois said pulling away from Crowine and slowly walking away.
"Lois, how do you know so much? You are just a part of me; you do not exist on your own." Leona called after herself that almost vanished in the fire of the chaos in the background.
"I am still an inheritance from the ones that had the Knowledge." She said and waved her hand. "You have to go, and please, make the right decision. No matter what, I am still you, you will always have me." Lois disappeared like ashes that were scattered over an endless ocean. Leona turned away from the lasting fire and looked upon the field that was now slowly turning green and pushing away the abomination of the crimson. She reached her bed and softly lied down covering herself with a blanket as if protecting herself from the horrors. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body.
"I already made my choice, my dear me." She whispered at once waking up in the bedroom that Altair has left her in with a loud gasp.
"Altair, I need to speak with you, now!" She yelled turning her head toward the door that was pushed wide open within the moments of her awakening.
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"…And so, she has told me about the knowledge you might have, some kind of an answer." Leona finally finished her explanation of a strange dream she had when she passed out on the bed. The assassins listened to her with surprised expressions on their faces. The first one to frown was Altair, followed by Ezio and Altio that changed their expressions to more serious and concentrated.
"Some of it does sound absurd; you cannot know the outcome of this. Maybe in was Juno or Minerva disguised as something looking like Leona?" Altio said turning his gaze toward the two Mentors that exchanged a quick glance between each other. Altair shook his head at the young leader of the Modern Creed and turned his face back to Crowine.
"Some things are better to be unexplained than pushed for understanding." He whispered and touched Leona's hand making her jolt in surprise; he gave it a little squeeze and nodded his head. "I will tell you about our plan to stop this all before the world balance collapses at the dinner table. But you must promise me something." Leona tensed up and looked straight into La'Ahad's eyes waiting for him to continue.
"No one shall know about it. Only I, Ezio, and our fellow Altio with you will hold the plan in secret. No other member of this present Brotherhood, not even your beloved one." He narrowed his eyes on the last word gazing at Leona that seemed to become uncomfortable at his mention. She clearly knew that the assassin meant Haytham and that he is a Templar in no right to know about their intentions. She knew it and agreed with a silent nod. After all, Kenway was the enemy, and the fact that there was a Modern Creed; the opposing side existed with no doubt. There was even a quick thought that Haytham must have been sided with the Modern Order already, but Leona quickly shook those ideas away telling her mind that they were not true.
At the kitchen table the tension and suspense grew stronger as the assassin's exchanged looks between each other and sometimes looked at Leona for a couple of seconds before lowering their heads. Everyone was expecting the Great Altair Ibn La'Ahad to start the explanation of a mysterious plan, but as it seemed the Master Assassin did not rush to open his mouth first. After the silence grew almost annoyingly long, Auditore decided to step up and start the conversation, despite the fact that Altair almost started himself.
"My dear Leona, as you already know, because of our presence here," Ezio pointed at himself and then at Altair. "The Modern Creed became not only a name of a club full of fans, but an actual organization where Altio accepted Altair and then me as the leaders before him. The members of this Brotherhood were very surprised by our existence and thought we were in costumes. We proved them wrong, and now they follow us, as it seems, to the death." He said putting his fork down and locking his hands together in front of his face pressing the weight down on his elbows. "We do not want that. We do not want to let those innocents die because of their favorite obsessions." He turned his head toward Altair that with a gesture of his hand thanked Ezio and silently told him that now the Arab will take the lead in the conversation. Da Firenze nodded and lowered his hands waiting for the Master to continue the thought. Altair leaned back on the chair and looked at Leona, his eyes saddened as if he lost something in the broken silence.
"Here, we are a game. We want to keep it this way." La'Ahad sighed and closed his eyes. In the light of the lamps Leona could clearly tell how similar Ezio and he looked. The same scar in the right corner of the mouth, the same amber eyes that shined with power and knowledge. "I have the Apple with me." He suddenly said making Leona's eyes widen. "And it will play a very important role in our plan of preventing the world going mad." He said standing up from the chair and taking his empty plate to the sink where he quickly washed it. Altair then turned and nodded at Altio whose turn was to talk now.
"Well, Miss Crowine, the ancestors desire to erase everyone's memory of the events from the passed days. They want to completely remove any recollection of war in those people and turn them back into loyal fans, not soldiers." He said trying not to look at Leona who already understood that the plan touched her as well. "All of the members of the Modern Creed including me will be affected by the Apple, and you, Miss Crowine, as well…" He said feeling how the girl's eyes were quickly filled with sadness nearly pushing to tears.
Leona was against the plan and with it at the same time. The thought of forgetting the precious days spent with Haytham was a hurtful needle in her heart. She will forget him and Ezio that were her favorites throughout the games she played and enjoyed; all of it will be gone and she will feel nothing the next day. The world was indeed on the edge of collapsing, and the plan of erasing everything from the heads of so many innocents sounded perfect, but there was another thing that concerned Leona about its ideals.
"What about the Templars?" She asked finally bringing herself to speak to the assassins. "If there is a Creed, then there is always an opposite. I am sure there are Templars that are preparing for the war as well…" Her voice trailed off as she saw an approving nod from the Master Assassin.
"The night I met Altair, I and my people were pursued by one of the Templar spies." Altio turned his head toward Leona, his green eyes searching for something in her sorrowful gaze. "Mentor killed him, but I am sure their leader has already made an army of spies and other soldiers just waiting for a good signal to start a war in this city." Leona nodded her head slowly remembering her vision of the burning buildings and the opposing sides fighting.
"Leona, there is a possibility that Haytham may already found them…" Ezio raised his voice a little trying to wake Crowine up from her deep thoughts. The girl just shook her head, yet she heard an odd hint in Auditore's voice; perhaps he knew something that she was not aware of yet.
"Let the time speak alone." She said standing up and stretching. "I am going back home. Is there anything else I need to know about this plan, like time or place?"
"You need to know both." Altair said crossing his hands on his chest. "Three weeks from now we are going to gather every member of the Brotherhood at Millennium Park at midnight. The Apple will awaken at that time and fulfill my command, also opening a gate to our worlds for us." He sounded so sure about his plan, that Leona had nothing to argue about. The girl nodded her head and looked down before exiting the kitchen.
"So I will forget all of you and my talent?" She asked suddenly gazing up sharply at the trio that seemed to be uncomfortable.
"You will forget using them in those passed days. Yet since it is with you forever as your skill and talent, there will be hints of it breaking through. Like your Eagle Vision or a desire to climb the buildings and succeeding without even realizing it." La'Ahad explained and suddenly lightly smiled at Leona, which shocked her even more. "You are one of us, no matter if we erase your memory or not. There is still an Assassin living deep within you, you just have to keep it to yourself for the sake of your life and the world."
"I honestly," Leona started feeling tears dropping down her cheeks. "Even though I did not spend enough time with you all, I will miss you deep inside…" She whispered and rushed to leave the apartment before another painful arrow could force her to stay with them longer. She knew were to appear three weeks from now; she now has this time to spend with Kenway and secretly observe the surroundings waiting for the answers for her questions to appear.
"Be safe, we will prepare everything!" She heard Ezio's voice call after her before she jumped out on a balcony and climbed down a pipe unto the ground. Now that she knew she had the skill of an assassin, she freely let it take over her body without any fear. The people around her, of course, freaked out and called her insane, but she did not care as long as the police was not here. Perhaps there were a few Templars hiding in the crowd, she would have used her Eagle Vision to check, but there was no need. They did not attack her, maybe just observed with grins on their faces.
Crowine made her way over the bridge that stretched over the river. The loud noises of cars and people walking by sounded very far from the girl; she was drowned in her own thoughts of the upcoming future. In fact, Leona was so consumed by her ideas that she did not notice a familiar figure approach her and stop from walking.
"Leona, are you asleep?" Strong hands wrapped around her shoulders and gave it a squeeze. The girl suddenly shook away the mist around her head and looked up seeing a pair of familiar grey eyes. It was Haytham.
"How did you find me?" She asked trying not to sound exhausted; even thought she had a good nap at Altio's apartment, the vision still sucked the juices out of her. Kenway half smiled and titled his head as if observing Leona like an expensive painting on the wall. He was wearing a dark blue fancy shirt with a pair of black pants with one chain on the left side hanging from the front pocket to the back. His hair, accurately brushed back, shined a little in the streetlight. Wait, streetlight? Leona looked around and noticed that it was already getting dark; she never really remarked it until the Grand Master suddenly waked her up.
"I have a talent of the Sight as well, as you know; I only needed to follow the trail. It seemed like you have been coming from the shopping center, yet I see no packages in your hands." He said looking over the girl frowning a little. "And where is Ezio?" Haytham tried to catch Leona's eyes whose gaze fell upon the ground.
"Well, you do not always go to a mall to get something. We just looked around and then-"her voice trailed off and she shifted from one leg to another. The silence coming from the Grand Master told her that he was waiting for her brief explanation. "Then Ezio decided to look around himself, he also saw some girls he wanted to flirt with. I did not keep him because, well, I am not his mother, he can survive on his own." She said finally daring to look up at Haytham; she met a cold look and bit her lip. It was clear that he did not belief her little lie, but she could not tell him the truth.
"I thought you were going for breakfast, and now it is already dinner time." Haytham touched Leona's pale cheek and softly stroked it; it felt reassuring but the girl was terrified of what the man could do to her if she told him about meeting with Altair and the rest of the Brotherhood. He could have killed her and then go after all of them; that is something she did not desire to happen. Leona needed a distraction.
"Well, the other reason I kind of…escaped from the Italian, is that I wanted to spend more time with you." She said with a gentle smile placing her hand over Kenway's. The man seemed to believe; at least that is what she hoped for. "So will you invite me to a dinner, or what?" Haytham smirked and nodded his head bringing Leona into a tight hug.
"I was planning on it right away, yet here you have to pick a restaurant." He said pulling away and leaning over to press his lips against Crowine's forehead. "And please, pick an exotic one; I want to spoil you tonight." He said in a half tone and wrapped his arm around Leona's waist forcing her into blush.
"I see someone sold their weapons successfully." She giggled and snuggled against his wide chest. The man nodded with a hint of a smile and looked at the road.
"More than just successful." He then looked at the passing cars and back to the girl. "By the way, did you walk all the way here by yourself? Where is your car?" Leona's eyes widened as she remembered the car standing right outside the café Ezio and she wanted to have breakfast at.
"Ah shit, I left it at the place we wanted to eat at, and it is in downtown…" She said lowering her head, yet Haytham just shook his head and lifted his hand up. One of the dark green cabs slowed down and stopped near the couple. Leona looked up questionably at the Templar; the man walked over to the vehicle and opened the door for her motioning in. The girl hesitated and then entered the cab sitting down on the dark soft seats. Kenway followed and landed right next to her closing the door behind him. The driver slowly turned in his seat and cast a burning gaze on the duo as if judging them. Kenway smiled and greeted the driver, while Leona named the address they needed to attend to. The driver nodded his head and said something in a rough Arabic accent before driving off.
A while passed before they reached their destination. Haytham held up the needed amount of money for the driver with a little tip on the bottom as if thanking for a safe trip. The man nodded his head and wished them a good evening; the couple then got out of the car and watched it take off into the busy road blending it with the other vehicles right away.
"What an odd man." Haytham commented as they walked over to the parking lot where Leona's car patiently waited for its owner. Kenway unwillingly glanced at the place where Crowine and Auditore were supposed to have their early meal, yet the place was closed with a sign "Under Reconstruction." He gave the girl a suspicious look and she, trying to hide her nervousness, pointed at the place nearby.
"We went there instead; it is a shame that I could not show him my favorite place." She shrugged mentally cheering for her succession in fooling the Templar. The man nodded and got into the car as Leona unlocked it; the girl started the car and backed out before driving further into the streets. She then parked near another place that seemed to be a restaurant, a good one as Haytham requested.
"Here we are," she said getting out and letting Kenway judge the place by looking at the menu displayed on a darkened window. The Grand Master nodded a couple of times to his thoughts and then looked over to Leona.
"I would like you to wear a dress, dear." He said with a smile spreading across his lips. Crowine frowned and blushed at the same time crossing her hands on her chest. "Do not get me wrong, you look fascinating in any clothing, and without." He waited for the girl's face to redden more before continuing. "But a dress is more suitable for this place."
"I hate dresses." Leona finally managed to hide her burning cheeks under a cold mask that was a pain to pull on. Haytham shook his head and walked over to Crowine taking her hand. He placed a good amount of money in her hand and motioned over to a conveniently built boutique on the right side of the restaurant.
"Do not be a child, please honor me with an exception for tonight's dinner." Kenway looked straight into the girl's eyes, and could she refuse that gaze? No. Haytham always had a way of getting what he wanted, and refusing a request like this would be foolish. The girl nodded and put the money in her back pocket with a sigh.
"I will be right back, just wait here…" She said walking away and into the store leaving Haytham to patiently wait for her return.
The boutique was full of vivid things that Leona could have chosen for a date. Yet out of the leather pants, long ripped shirts, and cool sneakers, she had to pick a dress and heels that would make a good impression on the Grand Master. And off she went into the dress section; she needed something to match Kenway's fancy look, yet also differ from the upcoming ladies in the restaurant. After walking around, as it seemed, endless rows of dresses hanging here and there, Leona picked a crimson strapless dress with a tight corset that tied with black silky strings on the back. She also bought a pair black high heels that perfectly went with the taste of the dress she chose.
Crowine asked the seller to wear dress right away and have a bag for her original clothing. The lady smiled and nodded already knowing where Leona was going to go after she left the boutique. She helped the girl with the corset and even agreed to get her hair into an ideal braid. Leona thanked the lady a thousand times before she finally exited the store with a bright smile on her lips. Haytham was already watching the girl; he could not believe his eyes when Crowine made her way to the car to leave the package there. It was as if he knew two different Leonas. One of them entered the boutique as a wild rebel, and the other came out as a breathtaking young lady.
"Are you pleased?" Her former voice told Haytham that it was the only Leona he knew and fancied. Kenway slowly nodded not having enough of an enchanted view before him. He softly took her hand and kissed it as if making sure she was real, not a foolish dream that was about to vanish. The girl giggled and rolled her eyes. "Kenway, I am hungry." She said leaning over and placing a kiss on his cheek. The man nodded and smiled opening the door for his lady. Leona grinned and walked in immediately receiving a wave of curious glances. The men in the restaurant could not help but to look at the newcomer with interest and admiration, as if their ladies were hideous gorgons. Leona shyly looked away and asked for a table for two, the waitress nodded with a smile and led the couple over to a table that stood almost in the middle of the area. Crowine was against being in the center of attention, yet only thanked the woman for her kindness.
Haytham pulled out a chair for her and waited for the girl to sit before slightly pushing her in. Leona felt as if she transported from a modern world to 17th century and was a part of Kenway's world now. The man sat on the other side of her and continued to devour her with his eyes. The girl shifted in her seat feeling a slight blush approach her cheeks; thankful to the dull light of the restaurant, Leona pulled the menu in front of her face hiding her embarrassment.
"May I order for you tonight?" His voice was soft and velvet; his manner, of course, showed his aristocratic inheritance. The girl smiled and nodded unwillingly comparing Haytham to his father, Edward, who raised him into a real man, even though they did not have much time before the tragedy in Queen Anee's Square. Leona knew Edward as a wild pirate in the game that sailed the seas in his young and vivid past; and now, looking at his son, she could hardly see any similarity between them, also adding that one is relative to an Assassin and the other is a Templar. She was completely commended to Haytham; even though a few days ago he was ready stab her a thousand times. Leona was sure of Kenway's noble tasted regarding everything and food included; so she patiently waited as the Grand Master talked to the waiter about the oldest wine and the best meals.
It was the first time when Leona felt so madly in love with someone who would disappear from her life within three weeks.
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"I can't do it, this is betrayal." Chelsea pushed back on her chair and looked at the late evening visitor. She undoubtedly knew who he was and what he has come for. They want her back.
"Betrayal is what you signed up for." Jackson took off his hood demonstrating the scars of a painful past. Chelsea unwillingly smirked observing each mark. She clearly remembers putting those blemishes upon his face as if it was just yesterday.
"I still recall that time when you were mistaken of me, and you got some souvenirs from those fails." She stroke her cheekbone were Jackson had his scar; the spy looked away from the girl and narrowed his eyes at the wall were map of Chicago spread across. It had lots of markings on it that meant something; it had crosses at the locations of every Templar who decided to be more than a fan. There was a big blue dot where Leona lived with some notes on the side.
"It seems like you are still doing your job, my lady." He jumped down from the windowsill on to the wooden floor and looked over to Chelsea who was also looking at the map. The girl shrugged and shook her head.
"I am just updating the map every week to know what is going on. So far anything barely changed. We lost some people, and gained some also." She turned away back to her computer opening a couple of tabs. "Why are you here again?"
"Annette told me to say hi." Jackson sat down on a chair next to Chelsea, observing her from the side.
"And she wants me to resume my spying on Leona?" The man nodded when she titled her head to the side with a painful smile. "No, I am not going to do it. I left the Order three years ago for peaceful life. I told you guys, I do not want to have anything to do with you war plans." She popped her knuckles and closed her eyes. "After years on spying on her, pretending to be her friend, I truly became close to her. I do not want to betray an honest person like she."
"You did change, my dear teacher." Jackson grinned and stood up from the chair. "You have no choice, Chelsea; the Order is not just asking you to spy on Leona. It is an Order from Annette, which will be also supported by our other leader as well." He said leaning against the wall next to the map.
"Other leader? What do you mean?" She asked turning around in her chain and looking at the man questionably. Jackson smirked and took a red marker from a little stand on the table; he then put a fat red cross right on the blue dot. "He is right here with Leona, and his name is, Haytham Kenway." Chelsea's jaw dropped when she heard a very familiar name. Was that gentleman him back at the cafe? They have to be kidding her.
"I never thought you could be such a lame liar." She said standing up and crossing her hands on her chest. "Haytham Kenway is a fictional video game character, he cannot be real." She received an odd grin from Jackson and he slightly laughed.
"See for yourself; go pay a visit to Leona, and please, we do not ask for too much." He jumped on the windowsill again ready to leave. "The Order is relying on you, we suspect there is something going on. We are afraid that the Modern Creed might have already made contact with her, and if they did, then there will be a big conflict coming up. Get information." After that, Jackson jumped out of the window and vanished into the night as if he never came in anyways.
"What a messed up world…" Chelsea sat down on her chair and looked at the time. It was slowly getting late, but there was no desire to sleep in her. She turned to her computer unwillingly giving the map a side glance where a red cross pierced the blue dot. There was the only way to find out if Jackson was right, is to go and check. But will she go there as a friend, or a loyal Templar spy that left the Order a long time ago?
"Shit, this is absurd…" Chelsea pushed away from the table leaning in the chair and throwing her hands behind her head. "Need information, huh?" She whispered to herself and then a wild grin spread across her lips. "Well then, you will get it Annette."
"Let's hope I did not lose my skills just yet."
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They walked along the shore of the beach looking at the endless waters of the lake that sent rough waves upon the sand. The moon was hidden behind the clouds and only rarely came out to greet the visitors. There were fewer boats out in the lake tonight, no people came to enjoy a warm night or sit near the water. They took the beach all for themselves, as if it was their kingdom.
The girl walked on the chilling sand with her bare feet; her heels were swinging in her left hand. With her right, the girl supported the hem of her dress so no water or sand could get on the most part of the edges. The man walking right next to her watched his lady as if she was some princess from a fairytale. He still could not believe that it was his adored Leona before him.
"Thankfully," the girl started looking down at her feet. "This beach is clean and the sand is silky, otherwise you would have been carrying me all along." A smile spread on her thin but beautiful lips that invite to kiss. Haytham nodded his head and wrapped his left arm around Leona's waist pulling her closer.
"I am not against doing it anyway." He said with a soft smirk. The girl blushed and shook her head immediately.
"I am too heavy; I don't want you to carry me like a hefty burden." The man frowned and titled his head to look at the girl with a hint of annoyance in his eyes. She answered back with a curious glance as if wondering about his sudden indignation.
"Now you are leaving me with no choice, but to prove that you are a feather in my arms." He suddenly leaned over and grabbed the girl under her knees and back picking up right away and ignoring her outrage. "You provoked me." He said with a smile refusing to put her down.
"Kenway, seriously, put me down!" Leona hissed yet there was a bright blush spreading over her cheeks. She felt embarrassed and grabbed the Grand Master by the collar of his shirt fearing that she will fall from his arms unto the sand. The man shook his head and looked at Crowine that forcefully pulled herself closer burying her nose in his neck.
"There is no way I am letting go off you. See? You are not heavy at all, silly." He smiled as he heard an angry growl from Leona, yet her unsuccessful tries of getting down stopped. She wrapped her hands around Haytham's neck trying not to hit him with her shoes and pressed her lips against his cheek.
"Sometimes, I just have to give up, don't I?" She said pulling back and catching Kenway's spellbound gaze on her. "What?" She titled her head a little watching the man. "Haytham?"
"You are beautiful, you know." He said leaning over and embracing Leona's lips with his in a soft yet passionate kiss without giving her a chance to talk. Crowine was shocked by his actions, she always saw Haytham as a cold gentleman that would not make any sincere comments toward her. Now she did not care much about what was going to happen; she pressed her fingers on his cheek and gently forced the kiss to become deeper. Kenway did not mind, he quite enjoyed her ambition to get closer. The caress continued for several minutes, which of course felt like eternity for both of them. When the amount of air in the lungs became critically low, the couple pulled away from each other breathing heavily. Leona smiled wide and burst into a bright laugher; Kenway laughed too, not as bright, but with a grin on his lips.
"Why thank you." She finally said shyly stroking the man's cheek. "Can you put me down now?" She asked almost using her puppy eyes technique on Haytham; yet he just shook his head.
"Do you really want to get down?" He asked looking into Leona's blue eyes with a challenge. The girl had no power to argue with a glance like this; she simply understood that jumping down from Haytham's strong warm hands was a foolish option. And so she gave up, again.
"You win." She whispered and planted quick kiss on Kenway's lips before gazing over at the moon that honored them with its presence. The warm air around them began to slowly chill and the girl shivered a little as a cold breathe washed over the duo. "I think we should go back home, it is getting cold." She suggested and received an approving nod from Haytham.
"As you wish." He said and turned over to the stairs that lead to the exit; after walking up he looked around and finally put Leona on the stone ground. After brushing the sand off of her feet, the girl got out her keys and pressed on the button to unlock the car. The vehicle gave out a short beeping sound giving up its location near the entrance to the beach. The couple walked up to it and then landed on the cold seat that chilled over the time they were out on foot. Leona started the car and back out of the parking lot then taking off to the road and mixing with the other cars.
After a good 30 minutes of driving, they finally got home safe, happy, but tired. Leona walked into the house first sending her heels to the floor corner near a cabinet. She then unraveled her braid and shook her head from side to side letting her hair free fall on her shoulders. Haytham watched the scenery with a soft smirk on his lips and his hands crossed on his chest. He then observed Leona desperately trying to untie her corset a little but failed every time she tried to reach to the very top. She then slowly turned her head toward Kenway, her eyes near tears.
"Haytham, please help." She softly whispered and did not need to ask twice because the man was already at her side his hands loosening the black bows of the corset. He then leaned in and started planting kisses on her neck and shoulders wrapping his hands around her chest. The girl giggled stating that it tickled, but she enjoyed the warm caressing before a knock on the door interrupted their little moment.
After the knock, the door slowly opened and a tall figure of Ezio Auditore walked in holding several packages in his hands. He looked over the couple and smirked shaking his head. He then pushed the door closed with his foot and placed they packages on the cabinet.
"I am sorry for interrupting your preparation for bed, but I bought some food that I consumed from Leona's fridge." He smiled wide seeing Crowine's eyes glow with anger. "Yes, I destroyed a half of the products in you little storage cabinet, I am sorry." He then grabbed the bags and quickly retreated to the kitchen before Leona could attack him with complaints and probably a slap across the face.
"What a criminal." Leona giggled and called for Ezio to be accurate with the food and sort it out for her. The assassin yelled something back in Italian which sounded reassuring as Leona hoped for. She then turned to Haytham and smiled at him a little.
"Thank you for a great evening, Haytham." She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed Kenway on his lips before pulling back and blushing. The man nodded and brushed his fingers over her cheekbone.
"I wish to take you on another date like this in the near future." He bowed his head a little and then let Leona escape to the shower after she shyly agreed. He could see tears forming in her eyes as if she knew something hurtful about his last two words. Haytham walked away from the hallway and into the kitchen were Ezio was sorting out the food at the same time consuming a good piece of a chocolate bar. The assassin stopped his doing right away as he noticed the Templar standing near the kitchen table and watching the Italian. He nodded his head as if asking why the man decided to pay him a visit and not follow Leona into the bedroom.
"Did you tell her?" Haytham asked narrowing his grey eyes at Auditore and leaning forward a little pushing his hands on the tabletop.
"Yes, she knows about it, and now there is sorrow deep inside." Ezio explained with a saddened gaze. "Try to say a proper goodbye." He whispered fearing that Leona would have heard them. Kenway nodded his head slowly a couple of times as if processing information.
"Everything is ready." He said sending his gaze to the window where the lights became the only sun on the streets. There was another rainy morning slowly approaching the city, ready to spill the tears upon the unsuspecting pedestrians. The sky was not the only spilling its tears on the dry earth. Leona stood in the shower looking straight at the wall and weeping silently. The tears were mixed with the shower droplets that rained upon her head.
"…near future." The only two words she really recognized in the romantic sentence Haytham had told her. She knew what was going to happen very soon, she knew that she will forget those wonderful times and feel nothing after the Apple erases the memories. But now, she certainly knew, she will miss them before the midnight of the black day comes.
"Maybe I should write it down…" She whispered to herself, but then shook her head. "No…it will be absurd and much more painful if the memories do suddenly come back. Better leave everything as it is." She pressed herself against the shower wall and closed her eyes trying not to think of the plan Altair had created. She tried to forget the sorrow that was tightly sitting deep inside of her heart and not letting go. After all, she could not change the upcoming resolution, the fate held everything in her cold all-knowing hands this time.
"I am giving up, once more…"
Continued in Chapter 6...