[A/N]: Thanks for reading! Feedback is always welcome!

Chapter 71

As the guard fell to the ground in front of him, Ezio kept his eyes on the Spaniard, who was certainly taken aback for a moment before he regained his composure. His lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Ezio," he greeted. "It's been some time."

Ezio heard the two guards behind him unsheathe their swords and advance. He had to decide quickly whether to drop the box he was holding or-

"No, no!" the Spaniard stopped them just in time with a wave of his hand before returning his gaze to Ezio. "Leave him to me."

The guards hesitated for a moment, and then backed away carefully as Ezio set down the box.

"Rodrigo," he growled. "So, where is he?"

"Who?" his opponent asked with a hint of mockery in his voice.

"Your prophet! Doesn't look like anybody showed up, Rodrigo! How many people have died for this? For what's in this box!" Ezio kicked it. "And look! There's nobody here!"

Indeed, the guards had done as they were commanded and left the area, although Ezio was certain they were still within earshot. The Spaniard's lips curled into a smile again and he let out a sinister chuckle.

"You claim not to be a believer, and yet, here you are," he observed. "Don't you see him? The prophet is already here. I am the prophet." With that, he drew his sword and pointed it at Ezio. "Now give me the Apple!" he snarled.

Ezio drew his in return. "Come and take it from me," he invited calmly.

Borgia advanced, putting Ezio on the defensive for a moment, but Ezio was quick to change that. While fast for his age, the Spaniard wasn't quite the swordsman Ezio was. Still, he managed to block everything Ezio tried.

"Is this all you have?" he taunted Ezio after a minute of this. "Where's the rest of your people?"

"What people?" Ezio asked.

Rodrigo looked at him for a moment, presumably trying to discern whether or not Ezio was taunting him in return. When he seemed to understand that Ezio's question was genuine, he looked even more bewildered.

"You really have no idea, do you?" he realized. "Guards!"

The two men (who were now joined by four others) came back in a sprint, and the Spaniard backed away from Ezio as the guards advanced toward him. Ezio slowly backed away, occupied with keeping them at a distance while Rodrigo, now safe, walked toward the box he so desired.

"This is a losing battle for you, hombrecito," he told Ezio. "You will die by my hand, just like your father."

"I've killed your friends, Rodrigo. Some were better fighters than you," Ezio retorted, trying to come up with a strategy.

"Drops in a sea of history, those men," Borgia scoffed. "This war has been going on far longer than either of us have played a role. They were expendable." He sheathed his sword as he approached the box. "As are you and your family," he added. "Your brothers didn't need to die. I just killed them to make a point. There is no mercy when you cross a Templar!"

Ezio was weighing his options. There was enough room to run, but that wouldn't be a choice for long. Borgia would get the box, but Ezio wasn't sure if he would survive the alternative. On the other hand, he couldn't let him win. It couldn't all be for nothing. How could he live with that? How could he-

His thought was interrupted by an arrow that flew into the eye of one of the guards, killing him instantly. It shocked the Spaniard too, as he drew his sword once again. The guards began to back away as Ezio heard footsteps behind him, then a hand on his shoulder, followed by a familiar laugh.

"Don't worry nipote! You are not alone."

"Uncle?" Ezio turned around. As he did, one of the guards lunged toward him. As Ezio fell to the ground and desperately tried to defend himself, a hooded figure fell from the rooftop behind him and produced a large knife, which was subsequently plunged into his assailant.

"Volpe? What are you doing here?"

"We could very well ask you the same thing!" the thief returned, helping him back up.

Suddenly, he heard more footsteps coming behind him, and was soon joined by Antonio and Bartolomeo, the latter of whom drew Bianca and charged two of the remaining guards while shouting obscenities.

"Save your questions, brother," Antonio told him. "Don't let Borgia leave with that box!"

It took a moment for Ezio to process what was happening, but Antonio was right. He charged toward the Spaniard as his allies kept the guards away. They exchanged blows once again, but the Templar was more nervous this time. Ezio noticed that he was slowly beginning to tire out. Finally, an end was in sight. It was time to finish this once and for all.

He raised his sword and advanced as Borgia was recovering from the offensive. "This is for my father, you-"

Rodrigo surprised him with a powerful kick to the stomach (which Ezio had left vulnerable by raising his sword). He fell back and slammed the back of his head on the ground. The last thing he saw before he lost consciousness was Rodrigo Borgia retreating into an alley.