Essen, Germany – 11 October 1942

The coup had been an unqualified success, Jan thought to himself as he passed several Assassins in the hallways who respectfully bowed their heads at him. With the members of the council locked up and the armoury under Lutz's control, the other Assassins had accepted the new state of affairs quickly. Lutz was now the undisputed Mentor of the German Brotherhood of Assassins, and the only member of the Council. Jan and Elisabeth, being his most trusted comrades, were now accorded respect as close confidants of the Mentor. Jan's thoughts went to Kevin, who would've enjoyed the same position if he were still alive. He held his fingers tight and vowed revenge, now ever more possible with the Brotherhood under Lutz's leadership.

"Jan."

He heard the aging man's voice from behind him. It was a voice he knew well. Jan turned around and saw the veteran Assassin standing behind him. Broad-shouldered but otherwise lean, Jan had always thought he posed an imposing figure, more so from his dignity and presence than from his physical size.

"Uncle Rudolf. It's been a while!"

Though Jan sees him from time to time in the hallways, recently due to how busy he had been they had not seen each other for a while.

"Indeed, it has, Jan. Could we talk for a minute?"

"Of course. What about?"

"Walk with me."

Uncle Rudolf turned around and started walking the way they came from. Jan followed behind and caught up with him. They were now walking side by side. Jan noticed that Uncle Rudolf's beard was almost completely grey now, whereas before it had been black. It was just a few years ago, when Father had been murdered by the Templars. But to think that his hair had changed colour in such a short time. Such was their battle.

"Quite a show you put on yesterday," Uncle Rudolf began in a low voice.

"A show?"

"You helped Master Lutz take over the Council, didn't you?"

"Yes, what of it?"

"Spilled Assassin blood in the process."

"Nobody was killed."

"Spilled Assassin blood, didn't you?"

"It was unavoidable."

"The whole thing was avoidable."

"What do you mean?"

"There was no reason to do it."

"You can't be serious, Uncle Rudolf?"

After Father's death, Uncle Rudolf helped Jan's family a lot. He was a great help, emotionally and practically.

"You and Father often went against the Council's wishes. I can't believe you're taking their side in this!"

Uncle Rudolf stopped in his tracks and turned to face Jan.

"Disobeying the Council is one thing, Jan. Overthrowing them and putting them in jail is another. Have you people lost your minds?"

"It's the Council that's lost theirs. Not just their minds, but their guts. They were so afraid of the Templars that they never did anything! It's been three years of war and what have they done? You really think things would be better under the Council?"

"Yes, the Council has its flaws, Jan. Yes, I disagree with their strategy. But overthrowing them? At gunpoint? Shooting them? Locking them up? Do you know how that sounds? Assassin fighting Assassin."

"There was no other choice. And besides, everyone went along with it. I don't see anyone fighting back in the name of the old Council."

"That's because those that are loyal to the old Council aren't stupid enough to put the Brotherhood in even more danger. Think, Jan," he said, pointing to Jan's head. "What you are doing is setting precedent. Say you defeat the Templars. Say we win this war. And then in the future, new, young Assassins don't agree with your dear Mentor Lutz's methods. They will look to the past and see that overthrowing the leadership of the Brotherhood is the way to go."

"This was just a one-time thing. It was an emergency. We're in a war, Uncle Rudolf. You must understand that," Jan pleaded.

"I understand we're in a war, Jan. But this isn't right. And if you believe this is right, then you are staining the memory of your father!"

"Uncle Rudolf, please!"

"Go on. Follow Master Lutz like an obedient dog. For me and my comrades, he is no Mentor of ours."

He turned around and began walking away.

"You can't do that, Uncle Rudolf! The Assassins must stand united behind Lutz. Otherwise, we don't stand a chance."

Uncle Rudolf stopped and then turned his head around.

"We will not be part of this. What will you do, Jan?"

Jan stood there, frozen. He had no idea how to respond. With his father murdered, Uncle Rudolf was the closest thing he had to a father now. With Karl dead, the people he cared about were leaving him one by one. He couldn't lose another one.

"What will you do? Will you shoot us? Have us taken to the dungeons? Or maybe we don't deserve that treatment because we're not members of the Council. Will you have us shot at once?"

In response, Jan just looked down. After a few moments, Uncle Rudolf went away without a word, leaving Jan alone in the empty hallway.