Chapter 7: Leap of Faith
It was now Friday afternoon and the members of the 701 pack were getting ready to leave. Today they would be welcomed into their clubs. However, they weren't excited about it due to them still being sick about their first kill.
The assassins, having gone through the same pain, had been helping them cope in the form of therapy sessions. The assassins talked to them individually and as a group, sharing their own stories. They explained how and why they made their kills and reminded the canines what it meant to be a part of the brotherhood.
The assassins never played favorites, but since Legosi was meant to be the leader, he was given slightly more attention to ensure he wouldn't falter while leading his team. This proved to be the right choice when Legosi started to slowly help his friends come to terms with what they did. It wasn't easy, but thanks to the wolf being as close to his pack mates as he was, he was able to calm them down when they suffered from panic attacks.
Now, however, they needed to go to their welcoming parties and that meant they needed to put on their best smiles, even if they had to force them. Their minds may have still been clouded by grief, but they had a job to do and they were going to do it.
"So… are you guys going to be ok?" Legosi asked in a quiet, almost whisper-like tone.
Jack just shrugged his shoulders, his face showing no emotion.
Collot and Durham nodded, but they also had blank looks.
Voss gave Legosi a thumbs up, but the wolf could tell he didn't really mean it.
"I… I'll be alright," Miguno said with an unsure tone. "Maybe… Maybe going to the clubs and talking with new people will help my mind off things."
The others nodded in agreement but again, Legosi could tell they weren't too sure.
sigh "Listen, you guys don't have to put on brave faces for me. I know you're hurt, scared, and not really sure about what to do. I know that you can't even look at yourselves in the mirror. And I know all this because I feel the same way," the wolf explained with sorrow.
The others looked down at the floor, their eyes shadowed by their fur.
"You know. After we did… that, I spent a whole hour washing my hands. I just kept washing them over and over again because no matter how much I scrubbed, they still felt dirty and disgusting. Even in my dreams, I continued to wash until I didn't have even a single bit of fur on my hands. Yet, no matter how much I washed, I couldn't get rid of the scent of blood."
Somehow, Legosi made everyone feel worse, which they didn't think was possible.
"I… I know I'd be lying if I said that everything was gonna be ok, but I can't say things won't get better either. The truth is, what we did last night, we signed up for it. We wanted this, to be able to fight and protect what's important. And we knew that this day would come. It sucks that it happened so soon, but maybe that was a good thing."
The others turned to Legosi, their eyes still hidden.
"What we did, we'll be doing a lot more of it. What makes it good is that we were lucky enough to do it someplace safe. Someplace where we were able to get sick, feel sad, and most importantly, someplace where we had our teacher with us. They are willing to help us learn and come to terms with this. The question is, are we willing to accept it?"
The 701 canines turned their heads to the floor once again, not answering the question.
"Listen guys, it's not like we have to answer these questions now," the wolf said in a calm tone as he opened the door. "We may have joined the brotherhood, but they've never forced anything on us. The assassins have always been about choice and free will. So, if you guys need time before you come back, I'm sure they'll understand."
"I can't say what will happen next, but at least we're together in this. So… if you guys need time, I get it. For now though, I'm gonna go and clear my head for a bit. You're all welcome to join me if you like, but I understand if you just want some time alone. I'll see you later, ok."
With his piece said, Legosi reached for the door, giving his friends one last look before walking off, hoping they would be ok.
It had been ten minutes since Legosi left the canine dorms. He didn't have a destination in mind and was just content to wander the school grounds.
As the wolf continued to walk, he couldn't help but notice all the animals enjoying themselves. They all looked so peaceful and happy as they got ready for the welcome celebrations. It made Legosi want to just stand there and watch as they went about their lives unimpeded. Something that he knew deep down they would never be able to do if the templars had their way.
Still, the large canine couldn't stop thinking about his friends. If he was asked if it was worth staining his hands with blood if it meant keeping the will of animality free, he would say yes in a heartbeat. However, Legosi couldn't say the same about risking the mental health and possibly lives of Jack and the others. He couldn't say yes or no because he knew it wasn't his right to say.
Thinking about this, Legosi couldn't help but remember the creed of the assassins. 'Nothing is true, everything is permitted.' It had been his guid for the past few years and he fully understood what it meant, especially the second part.
To say that everything is permitted is to understand that animals are the architects of their actions. They all have the freedom to choose and to take that away would go against everything he learned from the brotherhood.
As his thoughts continued to race, Legosi's instincts suddenly flared and he quickly started walking again. The only time his instincts acted like this was when someone with a lot of authority wanted to talk to missing a beat, Legosi moved to a secluded area. After making sure no one was around, the wolf started to parkour his way to the roof of the building.
He ran towards the wall and with his momentum, ran five steps up the vertical surface. The wolf quickly used his eagle vision to make sure no one was around. Once he did, he continued his climb, jumping and hanging from window to window until he reached the gutters. Upon reaching them, the wolf kicked off the side of the building and flipped his body up to the roof.
After steadying himself, Legosi looked around for a moment, only to quickly move his head back as a rapier suddenly shot past him along with its wielder. The wolf instinctually pulled out his dagger and readied himself for the fight.
"Ah… it's good to see your skills are as sharp as ever my dashing apprentice," a female voice said in a sultry tone.
Legosi's eyes widened as he instantly recognized the voice and the assassin robes.
"Elise?" the wolf asked in disbelief, his wagging tail showing his excitement.
The robed figure removed their hood, revealing themselves to be a beautiful English Springer Spaniel. Her name is Elise LeBelle, a French assassin who trained Legosi in the ways of swordsmanship for a year.
Her face and ears were entirely brown, except for a line of white fur that divided her face in two widened out to a white had large floppy ears that hung from her head, which perfectly framed her face. Her robes showed off her impressive figure and curves as if she were wearing an elegant dress and she held her weapon with all the grace and skill of a dancer.
She was originally from Italy, which one could determine thanks to her accent, but has lived in and became a citizen of France since she was eight. This was because her family was forced to flee her homeland when it was discovered that both of her parents were a part of the creed.
Since then, Elise had joined the ranks, renounced her old name that she no longer remembers, and has become one of the elites. She has built up her reputation thanks to her skills with a rapier and her mastery of silent kills.
"Lady Elise!" Legosi called out in joy as he caught the woman in a surprise hug. "It's so good to see you again! So much has happened since you went back home to France."
"Really?" the woman asked as she returned the hug. "Well, my darling apprentice, you can tell me all about later, but for now-"
The older canine released the hug and took a few steps. She then tossed a saber to Legosi, though where she was hiding it, the wolf didn't know.
"Let us see how much you have improved," Elise said as she pointed her weapon at the younger canine and took a ready stance.
Legosi looked down at the blade, then at Elise, then back at the saber once more. After a moment, the wolf let out a toothy grin before unsheathing the sword and getting into a stance of his own.
The two canines stared each other down, not moving an inch. Then, like a divine signal, a gust of wind blew through them and the fight began.
Legosi rushed forward with a powerful downward strike while Elise sidestepped the attack before striking with an upward thrust. Legosi parried the attack, forcing his teacher's rapier to the side.
The wolf, spotting an opening, spun on his heel, and used the momentum to strike at Elise's torso. She however, parried the attack before mimicking her student's move. Seeing this, Legosi met the attack head on with another thrust, causing the two swords to clash.
Step, step, parry, thrust, these were the moments the two canines repeated as they engaged in what can only be described as a beautiful and elegant dance. The whole roof became their stage as they jumped, sidestepped, attacked, and dodged, never giving the other an inch.
Flashes of light could be seen as steel clashed against steel, yet there was no sound in their steps. The two assassin's may have been the wielders, yet it was their swords that were the true stars of the show.
As the two blades continued flying through the sky, the two canines moved with all the elegance and grace one could only see in a ballet. For Elise, such a performance was to be expected as it was a core part of her repertoire, yet for Legosi, it was sight to behold.
Despite having the frame of a bodybuilder, the wolf had all the agility and flexibility of a gymnast. While others such as Jack, Durham, Miguno, and Jabari were far better, Legosi's abilities couldn't be denied. As such, he could not only keep up with his teacher, but shine as brightly the swords they wielded.
If one was watching, they would be captivated instantly. Each step the assassins took was as beautiful as the last, adding to the magnificence of their dance of death. However, all things must come to an end. After one more clash, Elise forced the saber out of Legosi's hand before pointing the tip of her rapier to his neck.
"Bon travail, well done my darling apprentice," the female dog said with a smile. "You have improved a great deal since we last met."
"Thank you Lady Elise, but it looks like I still have a long way to go," Legosi said with a soft smile, his hands raised slightly in surrender.
"Perhaps, but it's nothing a little experience can't fix. Something you will get plenty of in the field."
"Y-yea…" the wolf said in a soft, nearly somber tone.
"Is everything alright Legosi?"
"Sorry Lady Elise, I just have a lot on my mind right now."
"Truly? Then please, by all means share what it is that burdens you."
"I uh… it's nothing really. I've just been thinking about my friends."
"Oh, did the mentor give you your first mission?"
"No… not yet. He might soon, but I'm really not sure."
"Why is that?" Else asked, concern clear in her voice.
The larger canine let out a sigh.
"My friends and I… my team, we… we had our first kill."
Elise's eyes widened for a second, but immediately went back to normal as she gave a look of understanding. It was so fast that if it wasn't for his training, Legosi would have thought he just imagined it.
"I see, so that's what's going on," the dog woman said with a soft smile. "And am I right to assume that you are all feeling like you shouldn't be assassins?"
Legosi looked down, too ashamed to answer.
"As I thought. You know Legosi, the first kill is always the hardest. Every assassin has gone through what you are now and just like you, many questioned themselves on their choice to join the brotherhood. As such, we have just the thing to help get your head back on straight."
The wolf looked at his teacher with shock filled eyes.
"You know something that can help us?" Legosi asked with a voice that was both pleading and filled with desperation.
"I do!" Elise cheered. "Follow me."
After a good five minutes of jumping from roof to roof, the two assassins found themselves on top of the tallest building school grounds. That of course, being the bell tower.
"Why are we up here?" Legosi asked as he looked around.
"We are here for something truly special," Elise said with a big smile. "Tell me Legosi, have you ever heard of the leap of faith?"
"Leap of faith? You mean to believe or trust in something even though there's no proof that it will work?" the wolf asked as he tilted his head.
"In a manner of speaking, yes," the adult canine answered. "A leap of faith is a powerful thing and it can even change the course of one's life."
"Just look at you and your friends. You each took a chance and joined the brotherhood, even though there was no real proof that our intentions were pure. For all you know, we could have been a cult that simply saw a chance to recruit a pack of gullible children."
Legosi blushed at that.
Elise let out a small chuckle.
"Now, my darling apprentice, just as you made a leap of faith back then, you must make one now."
The wolf shot her a confused look, to which she smiled at before getting behind him. Elise then slowly pushed him forward towards the edge.
"Jump!" the female dog cheered after giving one last playful shove.
Legosi's eyes widened before he stopped himself and took a step back.
"Jump! What do you mean jump? I would fall to my death!" Legosi barked in panic before stepping further away.
Elise let out another chuckle before facing the spot she had pushed Legosi.
"Legosi, what you are about to witness is the very essence of the creed. This is what was meant to be the initiation for all assassins. Every assassin has learned to take the leap before they picked up their first blade. I am upset that Mentor T'Challa hasn't had you or your friends do this, but that is for another time."
Legosi's eyes widened.
"Lady Elise! Please tell me you aren't going to-"
"I am Legosi, and so are you," Elise said before pointing at something. "Now, come take a look."
The young wolf was hesitant, but did as he was told. He looked over to see what his teacher was pointing at, only to see a giant pile of hay. He also saw the large drop to said hay and quickly moved back.
"You… You can't be serious! Are you really asking me to jump and try to land in that pile of hay? Are you insane?! And where did that hay come from? What is going on here?!"
"Legosi!" the woman said in a serious tone, causing Legosi to freeze. "This… is the true symbol of the brotherhood. It is time to clear your mind, let go of your fears, and move forward."
Without another word, the English Spaniel walked to the edge, let her arms out, and with a small jump, went over the edge.
"LADY ELISE!" Legosi screamed as he ran to see his teacher.
As the young carnivore watched his teacher fall, time seemed to move in slow motion. She was falling, falling from an unimaginable height and at great speed. He watched as her body slowly flipped forward so that her back was to the oncoming ground. Finally, as quick as it happened, Elise landed straight into the hay pile.
Legosi could only stare. His teacher was dead.
"Why," Legosi said in what was barely a whisper as tears began to form. "Why… why would you kill yourself? Was it because I was a coward? You can't be gone! You-"
"LEGOSI!"
Legosi let out a gasp. He looked around for what was clearly his teacher's voice. After a moment, the wolf saw as the adult canine woman crawled out of the pile of hay and dust herself off before waving at him.
"Lady Elise!" the larger canine shouted in disbelief.
Before another word could be uttered, the wolf's phone began to ring. Without any hesitation, Legosi picked up the phone and immediately heard Elise's voice.
"It is your turn now."
Legosi went pale. He looked over the edge again and nearly threw up from the hight alone.
"I-I… I can't," the wolf said with a whine.
"Legosi," Elise said with a commanding tone, getting her student's attention. "Why did you join the brotherhood?"
"T-To make sure animals keep their freedom."
"And do you believe that what the brotherhood is doing is right, even after killing someone?"
"Of course I do… I just-"
"Then jump," Elise said in a serious tone. "Legosi, you and your friends are suffering because you are all unsure. It is at these times that we must open ourselves to the world outside ourselves. You want to be free, to know what you are doing is right, to be reborn into the assassin you are meant to be. A leap of faith, Legosi, that's all it takes."
Legosi looked over the edge again, his fear tightening around his heart like a vice. He saw his master waving at him again and gesturing towards the giant pile of hay. The more he looked down at it, the more something inside him stirred. He couldn't explain it, but it was almost as if it were calling to him, as if he had done this hundreds of times.
"Could this… could this be because of the bleeding effect?" the wolf thought to himself. "Mentor T'Chala did say that the bleeding effect would cause the genetic memory of my ancestors to blend in with mine. Is that why I feel like this?"
As Legosi thought about this, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He turned slightly and to his shock, he saw what looked like a white, see-through outline of an assassin. As he watched the specter of what was now clearly a male wolf, he noticed how it walked with confidence.
The white shade walked across the roof as if he'd done it all his life and as he walked past Legosi, he turned his head.
Legosi, who could only stare at the figure, could swear it was staring back. He couldn't explain it, but it felt like their eyes were locked on each other, as if they were gazing across time itself. Before the larger wolf could say anything, the spectral canine looked forward and continued his walk.
After making it to the edge, the ghostly assassin spread his arms out, exactly as Elise did. He then turned his head to look at Legosi, beckoning him to come and do the same.
Without thinking, Legosi walked forward in an almost trance-like state. He made it to the edge just in time to see the white shade look ahead. Not down, but ahead, as he was seeing beyond the buildings and possibly the sky. That's when the young carnivore noticed he had his arms out like a pair of wings.
Legosi was tempted to look down, but he resisted the temptation and just looked forward as well. The view he got was one he would keep with him forever. The wolf saw everything from the tops of buildings, to the animals walking along the streets, to the sky above. He was no longer afraid.
With his heart free of fear, the young assassin took a deep breath. He didn't need to see the shade as he no longer needed it. This was his moment, his time to truly join the brotherhood. Without another thought, Legosi closed his eyes and jumped.
As he fell, the wolf felt and sensed everything. From the wind that surrounded him, to the flipping of his body, to sounds that made up the world. Legosi opened his eyes and was met with the clear blue sky. He could only marvel at its serene beauty and for the first time, his mind was at peace. He was free. Free from the burdens, free from the fear, and free to see the world for what it was.
His teacher was right. Everything was clear and he knew what needed to be done. This was what went through his mind as the sky disappeared behind a curtain of hay.