Chapter Twenty: The Assassin Order
Stepping onto the dock to the port town of the Mountain of Purity Connor looked around at all the smiling people, most speaking Spanish or French going about their day at the fish market.
Fishermen having returned from the sea bringing in crates of ice filled with large swordfish and various other exotic fishes.
"Oh wait," Tercero spoke taking off his hood then removed his face mask allowing the others to truly see his face for the first time. Noticing the others staring he spoke again, "Qué?"
"You've never shown your face to us before, why take off the mask now?" Roscoe asked.
"Oh that, well this may come as a completa sorpresa to some of you but Asesinos isn't exactly viewed as the good guys here," Tercero explained leading the way through the port town. (completa sorpresa = complete surprise)
"Guess it does make sense, even if you're taking out someone who is a corrupt official, if they were secret about it, the public eye would assume you just killed a good law-bidding citizen," Kyler said gently carrying Ms. Kingston in his arms.
"Exactly," Tercero spoke leading them up a hill where a circle of Cullis Gates was circled around a large fountain with a water-like design.
"So, each of us just take one?" Connor asked.
"No, no, our Cullis Gates aren't designed for travels like that, each one is like a two-way stop, the placas on the gates will help you get around if you ever come to visit," Tercero explained looking for the right gate before stepping on and vanishing in a beam of light. (places = Plaques)
"Follow the leader I guess," Connor shrugged before stepping on after.
Waiting for the last member of their group the heroes arrived at a mountain trail where a group of tourists was beginning the hike up the mountain to the Mountain Spring.
"Look at that view!" Seth grinned looking out to the distance with miles of miles of thick forests, "Your base is hidden in there somewhere?"
"Si, stick close and please mind your footing, don't wanna roll down this montaña," Tercero warned leaning the group down a trail towards the Keylodge forest below. (montaña = mountain)
"Are those tree houses?" Jaya asked seeing that in some clearings homes were built into the trees themselves.
"They are, some feel closer to the earth around them by living in the trees whose roots run the deepest," Tercero explained.
"How did the Assassin Order get created anyway?" Connor asked following Tercero down the dirt path.
"I believe I can answer that," Gabriel spoke, "during the age of the Old Kingdom a rift to our world was open, and from it two warriors emerged, one in Albion and the other in LeDorada, one of these warrior was an Assassin, with no way to return to his home he created the Assassin Order, where for many centuries Assassins followed the Creed."
"Wait hold on! You're saying the first Assassin came from another world? That's not possible," Seth looking at Tercero, "right?"
"The seer speaks the truth, and while his leyenda lives on in secrets his origins have always been a matter of debate, some believe he simply sailed from a 'different world' while others, truly believe he was convocado here from a reality different from our own," Tercero explained. (leyenda = legend, convocado = summoned)
"What is this 'Creed' Gabriel mentioned? Are they like rules?" Jaya asked.
"Los Tres Principios, the Three Tenants, stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent. Hide in plain sight. Never compromise the Brotherhood. These are the rules we must follow," Tercero said looking to the sky to see an eagle flying high in the sky, "the Creed of our order is 'nothing is true; everything is permitted,' I have been thinking on this saying as of late."
"What do you mean mate?" Kyler asked making sure to watch his footing while carrying Mr. Kingston.
"Our Creed does not command us to be free as I had thought, it commands us to be wise," Tercero said reaching the bottom of the trail where they stood at the entrance to the large forest, "irónicamente our base of operations is called the Sanctuary as well." (irónicamente = ironically)
"How does one even go about finding it in this forest without getting lost?" Connor asked seeing Tercero touch a tree using his Eagle Sense to see hidden arrows engraved into the bark.
"A keen eye, amigo," Tercero spoke leading the way.
Traveling for an hour or so through the forest Tercero led them to old kingdom ruins of what looks like a temple, unimpressed Seth spoke, "This is your sanctuary?"
"Don't be deceived by appearance amigo, nothing is true," Tercero chuckled touching a broken statue and hitting a hidden switch behind it where a hidden staircase revealed itself into a secret tomb.
After letting the others enter Tercero closed the entrance behind them before approaching a locked gate that he stabs his hidden blade into that unlocked it.
Walking down a hall they reach a large hallway filled with giant statues and candles across a long red rug leading down stairs leading deeper into the tomb.
"Are these statues all Assassins?" Roscoe asked looking at the different statues of the men and women of the past.
"Si, every one of them while they will never see the light of day in your history books, their legado lives here in these halls," Tercero explained stopping at the statue of Leo Miles. (legado = legacy)
"Leo Miles," Seth spoke approaching and looking at his plague.
"Leo Miles; the Hero Assassin, who bravely aided the Hero of Oakvale in defeating Jack of Blades," Connor read aloud.
"The guild, only showed images of Zane alone, but he was never alone," Seth said looking up at Leo's statue.
"It was at their request," Gabriel spoke, "Leo and Ace thought it best that Zane be remembered in the Guild, one could not allow his Order to be compromised, while the other sought to make his glory on his own terms."
"That sounds just like someone I know," Connor chuckled elbowing Seth.
Entering a room with two staircases leading up and a hall under it the group moved forward seeing white hooded Assassins above staring and whispering, "Up there to the left is where we keep our records, the Biblioteca if you wanna call it that. The right hall leads to our training room for recruits." (Biblioteca = library)
"What ahead?" Jaya asked looking at the beautifully decorated marble floors and rugs following the stairs down into a large room where a balcony stood ahead of them with four elder members standing above the Order symbol.
"This is where we hold the initiations and where people are punished for breaking the rules," Tercero explained as they walked down towards a circle on the floor with four flame torches surrounding it, "keep back and silencioso, not a word understand? I must face my punishment." (silencioso = silent)
Keeping back as requested Tercero approached the circle looking up to the Council of the Sanctuary the first being an elderly woman, Luisa, who spoke in Spanish, "Tercero, you've come back."
"Yes Master Luisa, I come back to seek the aid of the Order," Tercero spoke while his allies tried to figure out by the body language what was happening.
"You seek our help after turning your back on the Order?" a graying man Filipe spoke, as they began to descend the stairs, "do you not think we do not know what you have done in Albion? Taking lives without first consulting with us? Walking the path of vengeance?"
"Your actions could have compromised the Order and your brothers and sister here at the Sanctuary," a man with a scar over one eye, Antonio spoke, "why should we not exile you here and now?"
"Because I realized to help Albion and our world, I had to set my need for revenge aside to pursue something greater," Tercero spoke getting the council's attention who looked to the group all looking at Connor.
"Why are they looking at us?" Connor whispered to Seth feeling all eyes were on them.
"Mate they're looking at you," Seth whispered back.
"That boy," Luisa spoke looking to her fellow councilmen, "such an aura has only been described in texts, of a hero bloodline."
"His birth name is Connor Lionheart, he is heir to Albion's throne and the only one who can stop the Corruption that's coming to our world," Tercero explained.
"Ok they're definitely talking about me," Connor whispered having heard his name.
"Shh!" Kyler shushed.
"A seer has shown me the truth, Lord Tirich is a pawn for a creature of the void, if something is not done soon the Corruption that once almost took Samarkand and Albion will come to our country," Tercero spoke holding out his seal before the council, "the Guild Seal transformed because of him"
Looking at the seal and then to Connor the Councilman Antonio slapped the seal out of Tercero's hand where it clanks against the ground, "this still does not excuse what you did!"
Reaching into Tercero's belt he pulled out the bloody feathers he collected from his assassination, "That boy does not excuse your actions!"
Two assassins then approached from behind restraining Tercero and bringing him to his knees before the council, "Do what you must then, but please aid my friends, we have a woman who Reaver's trying to kill, she's sick and needs our protection."
Staring wide eye Connor watched Antonia approach with his hidden blade out about to thrust it toward Tercero's stomach.
As if on impulse Connor used Slow Time appearing in front of Tercero and blocking the hidden blade with his hand the blade stabbing through his hand, "NGH!"
Wide-eyed eye Antonio watched Connor struggle to hold the blade back the Will Markings on his body glowing before glaring at the council with his blue eyes starting to glow, "Don't you bloody dare hurt him! If you are going to punish him, then you'll have to punish me too!"
Seeing an assassin getting ready to move Seth pulled out his pistol and pointed, "Don't even think about it!"
"Connor! You imbécil I told you not to do anything!" Tercero growled watching Seth approach after picking up his seal while still pointing his pistol.
"Nah fuck that mate!" Seth yelled glaring at the council, "Ey pendejos! You will have to punish me too!"
Staring wide eye at what Seth just called the council Tercero looked over to see Antonio was angry but Luisa was studying the three boys before speaking in English, "Enough. No one getting punished or exiled."
"Excuse me?" Antonio spoke in Spanish pulling his blade back.
"Antonio, look at these three, they are like Leo and his allies so many centuries ago," Filipe spoke watching Connor heal his hand, "release him."
Letting Tercero go the two assassins walked away leaving the three standing before the council, Luisa speaking first, "heir of Albion's throne, we can not join you in your fight for the crown, however, we can provide the protection you seek."
Two assassins then approached Kyler who handed them the woman, Filipe then approached Connor, "You took a blade to protect a friend, would you give your life for him? An assassin?"
"With all due respect sir, he's not just an assassin, he's my friend, I'd give my life to protect any of my friends in this room," Connor spoke crossing his arms, "and I'll fight anyone in this room who wants to hurt them!"
Luisa then smiled approaching, "Then by order of the Council, Tercero you will return to Albion with the hero, aid him, and when the time comes report back when Lord Tirich and Reaver have met your blade."
"I will," Tercero spoke watching the angry Antonio walk away.
"So, wait, you're not gonna help with the fight?!" Kyler called from the back.
"They have to stay hidden Kyler, they can't risk exposing themselves if they aid us in the war," Jaya spoke.
"We will protect the woman from Reaver, this is all we can do, that and lend Tercero to your cause if you will have him," Luisa spoke.
"Of course," Connor smiled putting an arm around Tercero's shoulder, "were the best of amigos now!"
Smiling Tercero chuckled, "si, we are."
'You have grown Tercero,' Luisa thought watching the group surrounding Tercero, 'a boy who would not smile, filled with anger, surrounded by friends, this is the best gift anyone can hope for in life, to be surrounded by those who love them. Cherish them, Tercero.'
"Tercero, it's time to upgrade your equipment, I'm sure your ancestor was honored you used them for so long but if you are to aid this hero on his adventures you'll need the latest gear," Luisa advised.
"I understand," Tercero spoke looking at his Hidden Blade.
Later that day Tercero led the group through a large room with many assassins on computers researching targets he led them to the medical room where the nurse was assisting Ms. Kingston.
Pulling out his phone Connor texted Isaac, "We delivered the 'package' Do you wish to know its current status?"
"Making it cryptic in case someone using spyware on his phone, very clever," Seth nodded waiting for a reply.
"Don't worry Ms. Kingston, you won't be here for very long, your son will call you when he can," Jaya smiled down to the frail woman.
"Oh, thank you dear," Jasmine smiled hearing Connor's phone ding.
"Very good, I'll personally call in later for an updated report," Connor read, "whelp guess that's it guys, let's see what kind of new gear you'll get Tercero."
Leading the group out of the medical wing Tercero led his friends into the Armory where the others looked in awe at the many weapons the Assassins used over the years.
"Wow, look at these hidden blades! The changes they went through," Connor said walking down a row of gauntlets through the ages, looking at a hook one, "I can tell this one hurt like hell!"
Removing his Hidden Blade and Phantom Blade Tercero looked at them with a sad smile before setting them onto the display made for Leo.
"Alright Diego! What you got for me mi amigo?" Tercero spoke approaching the Order Blacksmith.
"Gentlemen and my lady," Diego smiled nodding his head before placing a new Hidden Blade model on the workbench before them, "The Two Mode Pivoting Hidden Blade."
"Two modes?" Kyler asked watching Tercero put the hidden blade on his left wrist flexing his hand to make the blade come up then with a flick the blade became a dagger he grabbed with his hand.
"Oh wow! So, it can turn from a stabbing weapon to a dagger, that will make combat easier!" Seth grinned watching Tercero flex his wrist and making the Hidden Blade vanish.
"Impressive right? But that is not the second mode," Diego smiled grabbing Tercero's hand and flipping the wrist, "see this button? Hit it then flex the blade."
Touching the button Tercero flexed to release the hidden blade seeing two thin blades that had a spark of electricity between the blades, "a taser mode?"
"It can function as a taser but this is for a stealthier less bloody kill, the electricity can cauterize the wound you create hiding the evidence of a kill if you wanna leave a body sitting in a chair," Diego explained.
"How many volts?" Kyler asked watching Tercero stab his new hidden blade into a practice dummy watching a reading on the screen show 3000 volts.
"That enough to take out man, maybe not Kyler," Seth chuckled looking over at their large companion.
"It would still hurt like a bitch," Kyler chuckled watching Diego set a new Phantom Blade down.
"The Phantom Blade has not been upgraded with a Grappling Mode, will make scaling buildings much easier and save your energy that would have been wasted climbing it like our ancestors did," Diego spoke watching Tercero active the Phantom Blade and attach the bolt case to his belt.
"Why each one in different colors?" Connor asked seeing Tercero pick one up.
"This is a 'Berserker Bolt,' when an enemy is shot with this it injects a chemical into them, drives them muy loco," Tercero smirked holding the red tip bolt.
"That will come in handy," Connor chuckled watching him hold up another with a purple tip.
"This violeta one poisoned, this amarillo can put targets to sleep, and these normal ones do nothing but can kill if I hit the right vitals," Tercero explained putting away the bolts. (violeta = purple, amarillo = yellow)
"Now then, take off your boots and try these on," Diego spoke placing new black boots on the table.
"Oh, wow they look just like his old pair," Kyler spoke sarcastically watching Tercero put on the boots.
"These are Hidden Shoe Blade, one swift pointed-toe roundhouse kick can slice someone's throat," Diego explained.
"Ouch," Jaya winced at the thought, "shall we get going then?"
"Before we do, I wanna show you all something," Tercero smirked.
Later that day they made the climb to the Mountain Spring Tercero looking back to see his companions exhausted.
"Bloody hell! You didn't say the bloody climb would be this tough!" Seth panted.
"Are we nearly there yet Tercero?" Jaya panted whipping the sweat from her face.
"We are," Tercero smiled pointing to a waterfall, "the spring."
"Thank the gods!" Connor yelled running over and dunking his head in the water.
"This bloody hike for some water?!" Roscoe growled lapping up some of the water.
"Well, that and I wanted to show you all this," Tercero pointed making the other look eye-widening in awe to see the sunsetting and seeing the other islands in the distance, view the most spectacular thing any of them had ever seen.
"Look at that view," Kyler smiled taking a seat on a rock and looking at the sun setting.
"My hermano and I would climb up here as kids, up here we could see it all, no worries, no conflicts, just peace," Tercero smiled looking at the seal in his hand, "I miss him."
Moving close Connor took a seat next to Tercero but made sure his friend knew was not alone, seeing Seth sit on the other side and Roscoe at their feet all looking at the sunset.
In Bowerstone the five hooded figures stood alone in Tirich's office, the Vexator looking out the window, glancing over to his companions, the Acquisitor who sat in a chair flipping a gold coin, the Indolentor who laid in a lounge chair with his feet up, the Gratificator who sharpened his claw with a knife, and the Discontentress who stared out another window.
"It's time to test these new heroes," the Vexator spoke getting the other's attention, "I will not make the same mistake of underestimating the enemy, lure them to Ravenstone, Pride."
"Oh? How much freedom am I allowed to have to lure them to me?" The Gratificator asked tilting his head.
"Do as you please, kill the whole bloody city for all I care, just make them come to you and test their abilities, see if they are worthy of the plans we have," The Vexator spoke watching his brother stand up from his chair.
"Alas, guess it will be up to me to ensure our Master goals are met, hopefully, they'll be worth my time, I loath wasting time on the lowly specs beneath my boots" the Gratifcator spoke exiting the room.
"Why send pride brother?" the Acquisitor asked catching his coin.
"Simple, because Pride is a prideful show-off, he's sure to get the hero's attention," the Vexator spoke crossing his arms.
Viewing the room through a camera Reaver turned off the live feed before picking up his phone and making a call, "This is Reaver, is the new control crystal ready?"
Waiting for an answer a smile spread across Reaver's lips, "Good, send it to me and send the Half-Breeds to Ravenstone."