Adventure Time With Altaïr

by Mystic Blade

Vivian's life takes a turn for the odd when she wakes in 12th century Jerusalem with no logic to explain it all. When she's unwillingly dragged along for Altaïr's new adventure for the pieces of Eden with Malik, she'll travel the world to find her own scientific answers. What mayhem awaits Altaïr's Crusade? Facing deadly enemies and wildlife, the adventure never ends. Post-AC1 AU

60. From This Day On

Music Inspiration: Inon Zur- "Destiny of Love"

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From This Day On . . .

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Agadir, Morocco

The endless horizon of the Atlantic coastline was a calming sight for the team, minus Altaїr, as it welcomed them to the last leg of their journey. Across the ocean lay the Canary Islands, their last stop before the final trip home to Masyaf. After being unable to collect the POE in Mali, they were even more persistent to find the last piece on the continent. Well, outside of it (similarly to Madagascar). The trip north had been smooth sailing compared to the boat and all Altaїr had to contend with were pesky thieves which were easy pickings. If anything, he welcomed the maintenance for his skills. The rainy season made the roads muddy and lonely for certain stretches but the little wagon was well-protected by the three Assassins. Vivian tried her hand at assisting them with a trusty frying pan since her halberd did not survive the sinking so she was out of weapons, aside from a hunting knife. However, she was better at shielding civilians than actually fighting.

Thus, the quartet made their journey to the northern coast to come full circle across the African continent. The port was a bustling town as large frigates sailed over the ocean heading north and small schooners wandered the piers. Fishing vessels were also plentiful as Agadir utilized its natural resources for commerce. The area was more densely populated than their previous stops but the closer one drew to the northern end of civilization, the population grew. Altaїr had his team disembark the wagon at the town's hub before it carried on with the starry-eyed Vivian and Bashir. The sight of civilization was a return to normalcy that the team lacked for years and Malik felt immediately at home. Altaїr, on the other hand, kept a vigilant eye for any sneaky Templars.

The rainy season was coming to an end on the northern coast which caused more of a bustle on the sea with boats. This was a great sign for the team since they would need transport to the islands after having the opposite setback back in Mali. They did not have to worry about sporadic downpours or storms but Vivian enjoyed the cooling weather rather than the hot blistering sun. Altaїr corralled his group into an inn not too far from the sea, which brightened them up at having a scenic view. That joy was short-lived when they realized he chose a view away from the ocean so they could survey the streets instead for anything suspicious. The boring views of rooftops and the top of marketplace stalls did not stir any excitement in the remaining group.

Vivian and Malik were quick to request room changes for a favorable view of the ocean, much to Altaїr's chagrin. After all, they were there on a mission, not a vacation! Malik was prompt to remind him that his wedding was soon so it would be best to appease his future bride before she changed her mind. Reluctantly, he allowed his team this one boon. Baths and food were the main priority after the lengthy trip they had undertaken in the past two months.

Bashir and Vivian were quick in jumping on the sightseeing wagon as they sprinted off after eating to wander the shoreline. Altaїr and Malik could only do a quick sweep for enemies but the late afternoon thinned out the crowds, leaving only travelers as the beach wanderers. The gentle waves of the incoming high tide lapped at their bare feet and Altaїr sighed when Bashir and Vivian ran down the coast in a splash. After being cooped up in a wagon for months, this was ultimate freedom for the two.

"Take in the sights now because we are not coming back here!" he called out after them, fussily kicking at the sand coating his feet like socks, and walked into the incoming tide. He hated the grainy sensation but accompanied the others to keep them safe, walking slowly behind them as he watched them like an eagle.

Vivian halted in the middle of her carefree spree and raised her arms to wave them in protest, "Altaїr!"

It was like being in Egypt all over again but there was no malice in his voice as he simply kept to their schedule. She splashed water in his direction with her feet as he approached while Bashir entertained himself by making footprints in the sand. Malik was the only one who decided watching the orange-pink sunset was more of a calming force than dipping his feet in the water. Otherwise, he would have to spend more time cleaning his limbs like the other three would undoubtedly do.

"We are not here to relax" Altaїr reminded them with a firm expression that caused the two to pout dejectedly for sympathy. The sights were beautiful for new undiscovered places but they could not allow that to shroud their vigilance. Appearing like blind tourists would get them caught by the enemy. He did not want to sound prudish either for squashing their fun and pointed out, "We can do that when we return home."

"As much as I hate to say it, I agree" Malik stated neutrally to contain the flurry of complaints from the younger two. It was nice to take a moment to enjoy the scenery but that was it. They could not risk exposing themselves when they were on a mission instead of shedding their roles at home where it was safe. Vivian was a civilian so she did not have anything to hide but Bashir was a young Assassin, who had taken an oath to uphold their rules. He didn't get to squeeze away and be himself today.

"Don't we deserve a moment to absorb this beauty?" Bashir attempted for sympathy and motioned to the calm ocean as it stretched endlessly to the horizon. These were moments he would likely not relive since his missions would be close to home as a beginner Assassin. His skill lay in weapons development rather than slaying his enemies so he had been cooped up in a tower for most of his time.

Altaїr didn't hesitate to state bluntly, "Exactly, right now is that moment."

"You're terrible" Vivian sighed dismally at his flippant attitude but she would listen to them. After all, they carried the most experience and she trusted them to keep her safe. She would not jeopardize their cover but she couldn't help but chide her partner for his dry humor. He was no longer allergic to water but he would not enter its depths willingly.

"We will not be spending much time here" he reasoned snippily because this was not their destination for the POE. It was simply a half-point needed to reach the islands but he did not deny the beauty of the port city. The beach had already claimed Vivian's attention and he did feel guilt tearing his bride away from a simple joy. Still, he needed to keep her safe until they returned to Masyaf and informed them, "We need to reach the islands and restock our provisions."

She crossed her arms at his insistence to leave so quickly and questioned skeptically, "You're actually eager to get on a boat?"

"No, but it's the last obstacle standing between me and home" he answered matter-of-factly on why he wanted to rush this last portion of the trip. One, he hated water travel- even more so after the sinking off the coast. Still, he survived it and he would carry on in case it happened again. Secondly, he did not want to leave the Order unattended for so long and make them wonder if he perished. Thirdly, he wanted to bring Vivian a semblance of home after years of endless travel.

"Can't we just enjoy our afternoon here?" she suggested softly with a hopeful smile, grabbing Bashir by the left arm to dance a little jig in the water. Bashir was more than happy to splash like a drunken rhino to mimic his friend's pace. Altaїr really should have chosen a more grim-faced assassin to accompany them. Malik tried not to laugh at their silly dance as she attempted to sway her partner, "Stretch our legs after being sardines?"

"Fine!" he resigned his order to keep them huddled like hens and shooed them away with his hand for the next order, "I will leave you with Malik while I procure our voyage."

Malik was not surprised to being handed leadership (or babysitting, as he called it) over the two, his face simply deadpanning. Bashir decided that he would risk his boss' ire by wadding knee-deep into the refreshing water to enjoy his valuable free time. Vivian, on the other hand, wished her partner would rest for an hour instead of running off at the next checkpoint on his mental list. Crossing her arms, she pointed out, "You need to rest."

"The entire wagon ride was a rest stop" he snorted tediously at having to sit endlessly without nothing entertaining to do. Even counting the clouds became tiring. He needed to move around to be himself again and scoping out the area to familiarize himself was mandatory. Otherwise, enemies could outsmart him and he refused to let that happen. He had several tasks to accomplish before the day ended and he told her, "I am ready to vanquish my enemies once more . . . and I need to find our wedding ceremony site."

With that said, he took off running down the beach with his boots in hand to outpace Vivian. She was frozen in place to his sudden revelation and by the time her brain processed the words, he was already halfway down the sandy dune to escape them. Her voice echoed behind him as she gave chase, aware she would not catch him, but attempted it nonetheless, "Wait, get back here!"

Altaїr was too fast for her shorter legs and he beat her within seconds to reach the dirt roads back to the city. He even managed to shake off the sand on his feet and put his boots back on before she made her way down the sandy dunes. Damn, she shouldn't have wasted her energy on dancing in the water. There was no way she could best him in speed but she gave it a shot, even if she failed when he slipped between the crowds.

That night, however, she was finally able to pin down the assassin for a heart-to-heart chat. Given their shared room, he could not escape her. She was happy for a lumpy bed and the chance for privacy, happily rolling over the mattress like a dog. Altaїr snorted to hide his laughter at her silly appearance as he finished changed into his own sleeping attire. He sat down at the left edge of the bed to become a physical barrier and stop her from accidentally rolling onto the floor.

Her legs kicked at the air when he nudged her side with his elbow, earning an instant grin from her end. She stilled her movement to lay on her left side, peering up at him with a fond smile. His fingers combed through her hair before he leaned down to kiss her cheek, smiling when she angled her head to kiss his lips. The past months had been awkward to sleep at night during the caravan stops as they all slept under the stars in a camp. There was little time to set up tents so they all bundled up their sleeping rolls to keep watch over one another. This reminded the couple more of their time as friends as they failed to have any form of privacy. Now, they were finally able to sleep alone beside each other without any nearby wandering eyes or ears.

Vivian's fingers trailed over his chiseled cheekbones as she asked curiously, "Why didn't we just have Malik marry us in the wagon?"

"Because it will be witnessed only by our friends" he justified to grant her that precious privacy and offer an appropriate ceremony. Frankly, he wished to have their union at Masyaf but they were still too far away. He did not want to wait another year for that when they already decided to share a life together. Vivian nodded silently but she didn't mind where she married him. All she needed was him to be happy but he pointed out firmly, "And you deserve better than that."

"We're already living like a married couple" she chuckled softly at his subtle affection since their conversation in Mali sealed their future. Their relationship had been rocky to start, given her insistence not to meddle in his world, but he wore her defenses down. There was no doubt in her mind that he was serious about their courting but she always left him the option of dissolving their bond if he changed his mind. Clearly, he did not.

Altaїr wanted to offer a token for her loyalty and to distract them for a brief moment from the world. He had already picked a public garden close to the beach to shroud her with the vibrant fauna and a view of the ocean. The ceremony would be later in the day when it was least crowded and Bashir insisted on unveiling his firework present. He lay down in the bed, slipping under the covers, and pulled her into his right arm to clutch her close. Vivian snuggled against his side with a content smile and he told her, "The endless travel has not allowed us privacy for our ceremony."

"You have a point" she agreed tiredly with relief at finally being able to rest in a bed. The silence in the room was comforting but she could faintly hear the sound of the crashing waves in the distance. They were close to the last POE and she understood his sense of urgency to put everything behind them.

"We will be married tomorrow evening after we finish our travel preparations" he informed her quietly, satisfied when she smiled against his chest, and considered himself lucky for reaching this point. There were moments when he debated accepting the loss of Vivian's affection after Madagascar when she refused to consider anything but friendship. Instead, he persisted and never gave up on her until she relinquished her stance on subduing her sentiments. He was happy to reach this moment with her and finished, "We will sleep in a different inn closer to the boat for safety and easy transfer in the early morning."

"A wedding, honeymoon, and cruise in two days" she chuckled warmly at his ability to bring a plan together within hours. They lived in an archaic era so she would be ecstatic with a fresh meal and sitting on the beach. It was a simple life that she grew fond of over the years as she fully immersed herself. This was now her future and she grinned at his confused expression. They were still working on her futuristic lingo and she helped him by explaining, "A honeymoon is a private vacation for newlyweds."

Altaїr furrowed his brow at the relaxed lifestyle, wondering what he would do with so much free time, and muttered, "You future folk have too many luxuries."

"I'm not one of them anymore, remember?" she pointed out amusingly because she was living there and currently wrapped around him like a barnacle. There was no second guessing her choice and she would never return to her old home if given the chance. It was a bitter truth to swallow but it would be heartbreaking to return and lose her new life as well. She loved him too dearly after all of their shared hardships. He would tease her relentlessly about the ways of the future during their early years together and she smiled sappily, "I choose my 12th century Assassin. Always."

"I will never let you go" he vowed quietly for her sacrifice to live a life with him instead of going back to her old world. He could not take that sacrifice for granted, especially when she entrusted him with her necklace to keep it out of her hands.

She blew out the candles on the night table to shroud them in darkness, their room dimly lit with the beams of moonlight that broke through the window cracks. Although she was blind as a bat, Altaїr would catch anything suspicious with his eagle vision. She inhaled deeply to settle in for the night, enjoying the rare silence after the endless wagon rides, and sighed softly, "Can I just say my vows here and we can call it a night?"

"Vivian" he chuckled warmly at her nonchalance to have their wedding done like a casual meal. He kissed the top of her forehead with a fond smile and whispered, "You deserve a wedding."

"All right, I will be patient so let's snuggle like good badgers" she said softly to give up the fight because tomorrow would come soon enough. She never imagined herself being his wife but she would keep him happy and protected for the rest of her life. The harsh antiquated era would likely dent her lifespan off for a few years but she wouldn't go down without a fight.

"We can finally stretch out decently" Altaїr remarked contently and stretched over the bed to rest comfortably. His limbs were happy not to be cramped up in the wagon or curled up in the makeshift camp. Soon enough, he would be flattened into a corner on the next boat ride but he would seize tonight as a victory. He kissed her forehead as it brushed against his chin, hugging her close, and told her, "Sleep well, my love."

"Likewise, my eagle" she replied fondly at their privacy and luxuriously soft bed (compared to the bare earth, anyway), more than happy to sleep the night away.

---

The day arrived for the wedding but it was anticlimactic when they gathered at the quaint garden. Vivian fell in love with the bright flowers enshrouding the site on all four corners, enjoying the time available to simply smell their faintly sweet scent. Their soft petals drew a delighted smile from her and she loved the location that Altaїr chose for their ceremony. They were shrouded in privacy since most travelers were drawn to the sea, much like yesterday. Her fingers tapped against the smaller flowers peeking through the bushes scattered through the gardens to grant them the same attention.

Malik managed to create the verses during breakfast but he couldn't help but ask in confusion,

"You're wearing the same clothes?"

Altaїr and Vivian did not see the need to change their clothes since the climate of the coast was refreshing. The lack of travel underneath the baking sun also didn't make them sweat enough to require frequent washing. Vivian only had one other robe in her wardrobe but she was saving it for use on the boat. They had to travel lightly which meant their belongings were minimal and she had abandoned her vanity a long time ago. Altaїr was similar to his bride, uncaring to his appearance as long as he was freshly-shaven with clean clothes.

He saw no reason to change into different attire for a few hours, shrugging noncommittally to say, "Why not? They're still fresh."

"You're getting married" the dai reminded them on their lifetime milestone that day but the two failed to register the weight of their choice. The couple had become muted and humble with their shared way of life so he was not surprised they showed up in their regular clothes. None of them had the luxury for a catered event and numerous guests but Malik didn't peg them as the type to accept that for their wedding either. Altaїr was already private enough with his life and Vivian followed the same, given her background.

"It's not like we're having a painting commissioned" Altaїr dismissed with a scoff and Vivian stifled a laugh behind her hand at his humor. They were both in agreement for a quick and simple wedding so they could carry on with their work. That, and enjoy the rest of the evening before departing for the islands. She shook her head when he clapped his hands for attention to draw the dai to start, "Let's go, time is wasting."

"All right, let's gather 'round" Malik sighed flatly to draw everyone to the corner where Vivian had been smelling the flowers. They would not have tokens to remember this day but he was certain Altaїr or Vivian would write about it in their journals. He realized that they all wore the same clothes from earlier that day so he would implore the couple to change. Altaїr and Vivian stood in front of Malik, the latter trying her best not to smile broadly, while Bashir stood beside Malik since he was the only guest.

Vivian kept her hands clasped over her abdomen to maintain a respectful public image as a lady. If she could be in her own time, she would have clutched his hand. She smiled widely, her blood pumping giddily, when he tucked a small yellow flower behind her right ear. He wanted to offer a small gift for his bride, mainly to hide the new robe he purchased. She never asked him for anything and when he saw her fiddling through her clothes yesterday, the idea came to mind. He couldn't wait to see her face later that night and straightened his posture when Malik spoke, "We begin this union between Altaїr and Vivian, two kindred spirits who managed to tame each other-"

"Are those the words?" Altaїr questioned his chosen words to start the ceremony, earning snickers from Vivian and Bashir.

"No idea" his friend answered frankly because he was not the one who presided over marriages within the brotherhood. He had been invited as a guest over the years so he would pull from those memories to help his friend. After all, he was a dai within the Order, and he was meant to help traveling Assassins in his bureau but that was it. Marriages did not play into his daily duties or responsibilities.

Altaїr aimed a deadpan expression for his response and shot back, "Then stick to a typical verse."

Malik glared at him for the easy but impossible order, pointing out quickly, "I have never married anyone before! Why do you give me more responsibilities?"

"Because you're the one I trust!" his friend exclaimed truthfully since he was the responsible one out of the two. After the disaster at Solomon's Temple, he trusted Malik to smack sense into him when he was making a brash decision. He was level-headed which is why he did not hesitate to give him orders that he would not entrust to anybody else.

"You drive a hard bargain by appealing to my honor" Malik forgave with great reluctance for the compliment that simmered his outburst. How was he supposed to be mad at that remark?

Vivian and Bashir smiled like cheshire cats at the back-and-forth between the two. They all knew there was never any ill will or actual tension between them, making the situation that much more hilarious. It cut the nerves floating around in Vivian's stomach and she nudged her partner when he attempted to do his usual sidestep with crossed arms for a timeout. They weren't there to hang out all day and Malik pointed to the ground before he decided to stalk off to sulk.

"Our marriages are for life, until one perishes" Malik explained carefully to the new bride and Bashir if the young man ever decided to court anyone. Both he and Altaїr were born from families within the order so the brotherhood was all they had known. With that background in their lives, their respective partners would be privy to that hidden world. Vivian automatically assumed that divorce was off the table until he added in, "If you do choose to break your bond-"

"Which we won't" Altaїr corrected swiftly because he would not disintegrate their bond without attempting to fix it. He would not give up on his marriage without exhausting all options and listening to his wife. Vivian decided to use a broom once they shared a permanent home to whip him into shape if words didn't work out.

"If you do, it must be brought before the Order" Malik finished tightly to avoid his friend's sidebar monologue before he decided to let him officiate his own wedding. He assumed it was leakage of his nerves through his words since he already tense in his posture. He highly doubted enemies would ambush them but said nothing to let him have that vigilance.

"Interesting" Vivian murmured at the process and wondered if anyone had actually divorced in the Order. Given their solitary nature to travel for missions, not seeing each other post-divorce could work but gatherings may be awkward. Not to mention, divorce was practically taboo before the 1950s. She was curious about this possibility and asked, "I am marrying the head boss, how would that work?"

Altaїr quirked a curious eyebrow at her inquiry, leaning down to meet her at eye level, and asked quietly, "Are you pre-planning for the demise of our marriage before it starts?"

She flicked his nose gently to increase their personal space, chuckling at his pout, and replied evenly, "It is curiosity, not planning for doom."

"Vivian, do you choose him as your husband?" Malik continued before the two delved into a side topic and ignored their ceremony. She turned away from the disgruntled assassin to return her attention to the dai. Her friend couldn't help but tease her one more time, "Last chance to escape."

She shook her head at the offer, unwilling to break his heart, and smiled at her soon-to-be husband to state contently, "I do."

Malik turned his gaze to his friend and repeated the same question, "Altaїr, do you choose her-"

"I do" he interjected to cut the sentence short and move things along. Malik resisted from smacking his friend and opted to throw leaves and flower petals at the man. Bashir had made a small collection in his hands to toss at the couple at the end and he sighed despondently at having it used prematurely. Altaїr waved the bothersome foliage out of his face for the silent reprimand while Vivian nudged his side again.

She decided to say her vows before Malik decided to toss all of Bashir's collection at her groom and spoke up, "I choose you as my husband and I promise to always support you, even when you're stubborn. Like, right now. We may bicker like cats and dogs but it is only because I love you. My loyalty will never waver, but we must always communicate."

Altaїr let the remark slide down his back and decided to bask in her declaration of love. It was best to stay on the positive side of things. Malik was not surprised that he failed to apologize to either of them for his nagging. That wasn't anything new for them, however. Altaїr met her emerald gaze to address her respectfully by vowing, "I will always protect you. I will kill anyone who dares to harm you and I will never leave your side willingly. There may be times when we may be at odds and you may wish to strike me-"

"I'd be a fool to do that" she sighed with an embarrassed smile at trying to beat down an experienced assassin. Not to mention, his towering height would give her quite the workout to reach his head. Still, even in the worst of her frustration, she could never commit such an act. She couldn't bear hurting him.

The softness in her gaze made him chuckle but it was not easy to live beside him. Maria had given up rather quickly after realizing his stubborn tenacity. Vivian, on the other hand, managed to smooth out those edges and returned his affection wholeheartedly. It was from that loyalty that his branched out to ensnare hers and he finished, "I am yours, for better or worse."

She wrung her hands bashfully at his fond declaration, averting her gaze shyly, and Malik confirmed their marriage by wrapping it up, "I declare you as husband and wife, acknowledged by our Order and our witness, and it will be written in our records once we return home."

Pride filled Altaїr at having Vivian as his wife and couldn't wait to call her that in private. Her hand slipped into his to offer an affectionate squeeze to avoid flustering him in public. Bashir seized this moment to toss his gathered leaves and flowers over the couple to finalize their marriage. While Vivian held out her hands to catch the bright petals, her husband decided to bat them aside. Now that the ceremony was over, he turned to Malik to question dryly, "Was that so hard?"

"Yes, marriages are not to be taken lightly!" Malik shot back at the heavy responsibility of binding two people for life within the Order. Frankly, he didn't know whether he did it correctly but his friend was appeased so he would call it a success. Given that the two were very casual about their nuptials, he assumed the impromptu ceremony was acceptable.

"May you both be blessed with long years together" Bashir said to wish them the best and purposely intervene to avoid another spectacle.

Vivian appreciated the intervention and stepped between the two older assassins to hug the young man with a beaming smile, "Thank you, Bashir."

The young scientist was happy for his friends and with that joy, he wanted to gift them something he created with his hands. For a moment, he pondered about a new weapon but Vivian was not a fighter so that idea was tossed out the window. With the last pink color of sunset disappearing over the horizon and dusk setting in, it was time to unveil his gift. He had not been joking about the fireworks display and moved over to grab a wooden crate holding his supplies. Vivian and Altaїr failed to notice the box, assuming it belonged to the establishment that shared space with the gardens.

He ripped off the brown fabric covering the surprise and grinned widely to announce, "With that said, I prepared this for you both."

Inside the crate lay numerous fireworks of various sizes and Vivian would by lying if she didn't want to see the largest go off. Her husband was mildly amused by the gift, mainly because he wanted to see the display but not draw any Templars to their commotion. He did not want his wedding day to turn into a bloodbath despite the inner child in him wanted to show off his skills to his new bride. No, he would not risk their last night in the port town exposing their group just to smite his enemies. There would be plenty of time for that in the future. On the other hand, Bashir's handiwork could draw a crowd as he stated, "You weren't kidding about the fireworks."

Lifting the crate, he clutched it to his chest as he walked off towards the beach. It was best to have a safe distance to discharge the objects to keep the buildings and residents safe. Sand would only absorb the impact rather than shoot it into people's eyes (at least, from his previous experience) and the view with the ocean as a background would be marvelous. The other three followed their youngest team member with amused gazes as he proclaimed, "Of course not, why wouldn't I want the night sky to burst into colors?"

His pace picked up to skitter down the sandy coast and he called over his shoulder, "Let's go!"

Bashir picked a spot between the incoming tide and the edge of the beach to avoid the waves or striking any of the nearby buildings. He was absolutely ecstatic to blow up his creations after staying up late to make enough of a dazzling show. Vivian was in the lead to witness the show, picking a safe distance and grabbing her husband by the arms before he decided to test the danger of explosives. Bashir whistled peppily as he picked out the first set of fireworks to stab their wooden spike into the sand to keep them upright. Malik and Altaїr held their breath when he lit the wicks with the sparks from two stones, gently blowing on the glowing embers to activate the first one.

The billowing smoke sent him scattering back to his friends and the first firework took off seconds later to shoot into the lilac-blue sky. The dark sky was still inbound for the next hour but their group had to seek shelter for the night early in their new inn before setting off to the islands at sunrise. Altaїr covered his ears when the loud crackling erupted over the beach but approved of the bright orange color that flickered through the sky. While his friends were enthralled with the firework, Bashir managed to light a candle to make the light show flow more smoothly.

The combination of multiple fireworks illuminated the sky in an array of colors, drawing curious bystanders to the rare display. Altaїr kept a vigilant eye to the small crowd growing on the beach to rule out any hidden Templars, keeping a firm grip on Vivian's sleeve if he needed to protect her. His wife, however, was enthralled with the colors painting the sky as she smiled widely, "They are beautiful . . . and quite loud."

Malik couldn't help but agree to the whistling crackles echoing through the air like metal swords clanging together, asking aloud, "What exactly did you put in the fireworks?"

Bashir grinned proudly to his handiwork as he managed to gather a curious crowd and told them nonchalantly, "Oh, a little of this, a little of that."

"Why is it screeching?" Altaїr questioned with a grimace to the terrible noise, not liking it at all while they stood in the open. While his friends were awing with the crowd, his instincts were driving him to stay alert. After years of danger and living as an Assassin, any sharp noise jostled their guard immediately.

He was not relinquishing his secrets, even if he was on another continent, and stated vaguely, "It has a bit of everything."

"I don't think weddings want screaming fireworks" Malik commented awkwardly to the piercing noise that threatened to overpower the waterfall display of color. His young friend was talented at fireworks since they all flew into to the air to successfully finish their trip into an explosion. He could develop his fireworks into a distraction tactic on the field but he certainly had a flair for a side gig for any future weddings in Masyaf.

Vivian agreed with the noise since it resembled the ear-splitting fireworks during celebrations and furrowed her brows as she managed to state gently, "Keep it to colorful only, friend."

Bashir didn't mind the loud noise from his fireworks and the growing curiosity within the crowd served as a positive sign. Vivian enjoyed her friend's wedding gift after failing to witness such a view for years after leaving her world. Her husband, on the other hand, was on alert to the growing crowd and kept retreating one step every time it gained another row. Malik highly doubted that every single person there was a threat but they all carried their hidden blades to defend themselves in case a Templar or two blended in.

"This is great!" Vivian grinned ecstatically to sharing a night out with her husband, even if he was eyeing the crowd suspiciously.

---

The Canary Islands

The joy of Altaїr's new marriage was short-lived once the group was lumped back into another boat for their western excursion. While Vivian was happy about being able to spend two nights in a warm bed, her husband was none too happy to resemble a sardine again. Thankfully, the trip only took a few days so the team was able to breathe before his ranting over the potential deathtrap bored them to death first. The sea was calmer and the lack of rogue waves lightened Altaїr's spirit enough that he dared to wander the decks, unlike his last trips. His arrival upon land struck him with immense relief that he didn't sink with the ship again and still had the chance to continue his quest. He would have to board the return voyage back to the mainland once his team finished but the route was an easy one compared to the last two. Vivian and Malik were just happy that he didn't sink to the ground and kiss it like he had in the past.

Their target location was the island of Tenerife, given its historical seismic activity and large terrain that would have allowed an ancient civilization to thrive. Not to mention, using the island's natural resources to create their technology. Instead of staying along the coast, he guided his team towards the interior of the island to set up camp in the isolated wilderness. Vivian and Malik were reminded of Madagascar but the climate was far more tolerable with the arid daytime air that cooled as they ascended into the higher altitude. Bashir had never been on an island before so he made sure to pack a lot of water for the road, his multiple canteens slapping against his backpack with each step.

Altaїr and his team set up their two tents on the side of a mountain since he decided to gain upper ground to map out their search area. The emerald landscape was beautiful when the last rays of sunlight peeked through the valley with the end of sunset as the horizon tinted pinkish blue. Their short time on the coast was relaxing but the threat of lurking Templars made it uneasy to linger. Now that they were in the wilderness, they could set up traps and use the natural landscape to elude any enemies. The team was happy again to return to their old travel dynamics to be fully able to be themselves.

He tried not to smile at Malik's lectures to both Vivian and Bashir for disobeying his cooking guidelines. He had caught wild hens for roasting while they purchased fresh vegetables at the port to enjoy them for their first supper. Their campsite was set close to a downstream creek so they could procure fresh water for cooking and bathing. The shade from the trees was invigorating, luring the tired assassin to nap against a log bench that he pulled into camp. He had also set up the tents for his team after breaking apart their chores to create their makeshift camp quickly.

Vivian sat down beside her spouse, using her knee to nudge his right side as he lay down with his eyes closed. His right eye opened halfway to see who dared to disturb his slumber but when he saw her holding two plates of hot food, his annoyance dispersed. She never saw him sit up faster to grab one of the plates with a genuine smile and chuckled with amusement when he began to dig into his dinner. The aromatic herbs and hot food drew him to fill his stomach after having only water during his trek into the mountains.

"It figures food would lure him awake" Malik joked dryly at his instant attention when food was involved and earned a glare for the wisecrack. It had been a long time since they had the time to share their meals with the freedom to be themselves instead of humble civilian travelers.

Altaїr was not shy in shooting back a quip for his own hard work and pointed out, "After fixing this entire camp for all of you, yes."

"It's the least you can do in exchange for food" Malik reasoned matter-of-factly, gazing down at his plate to pick up his sliced vegetables and avoid his friend's hawk-like stare. They both missed having their daily banter as they went about their days which was how they survived their sheer boredom on the road. While Bashir shied away from sharp sarcasm, Malik verbally debated the stubborn eagle.

The older assassin raised his chin proudly and waved his free hand to dismiss his friends airily, "I caught the food so if an animal or Templar barrels through the forest, it's your turn."

"He's got us there" Bashir told the others with a disappointed pout since his mentor had slayed the animals before he could shoot his own crossbow. He had run through the forest like a graceful gazelle while he resembled a newborn boar trying to match his pace.

Vivian didn't care who caught the food because they would all share the burden of preparing the meal. She would do her best to defend her dai friend, given there were several handy rocks lying around, and continued eating her meal blissfully. The juicy hen was absolutely divine in its freshness and she smacked her lips to exclaim, "This is delicious! Great job, friends!"

"I missed spending our days like this" Bashir admitted to the silly moments shared between them as friends rather than fellow travelers. He had started off as the awkward newcomer beside his older mentors but Vivian welcomed him with open arms as a newbie herself. What he didn't realize was that she was truly an outsider but that only bonded them further. He didn't regret a single moment in this mission and hoped to have many similar adventures as part of a group rather than alone.

"It will be nice to sleep under the stars tonight" Altaїr stated quietly, patiently waiting for the orange-pink sky to begin its shift to silver-lilac to usher in the night. The journey on the boat was tedious but his body's lack of rigorous exercise recently made the trek to the interior that much harder. His team had traveled on foot for most of the journey after leaving Madagascar and chartering the boat to Mali. After that, they grew weary of land travel on wagon that left them sitting like potatoes and gaining weight rather than moving like a flock. His body would have some aches come tomorrow but it was nothing he couldn't deal with.

Vivian wanted to spend their first night sitting around the campfire until the night drew them into their tents. She missed hearing stories from the assassins and latching onto Bashir when Altaїr complained that she would dislocate his shoulder during scary storytelling. She had grown a lot from their first sleepover under the stars, no longer running around in circles whenever a bug landed in her tent, and told them, "I will say I'll miss this."

"We've still got a way to go" her husband replied bluntly because they just landed to find the last POE. There was still a return charter to consider as well for their travel westward to Masyaf. They were a continent away from home and currently within a volcano-formed island. Their adventures were not about to end anytime soon and he caught a faint smile on her lips. As much as they sought a sense of home, this was another part of that life that they would miss within the fortress.

She wouldn't count all her chickens before they hatched and swallowed her bite before agreeing with him, "All right, I'll wait to say it until we're close to Masyaf."

"Are we voting for our next excursion?" Malik asked dryly, not exactly exuberant on throwing himself on another half-decade excursion. At some point, his bones would cry for rest if he never stopped. His friend may enjoy that type of lifestyle but he knew when to acknowledge his limitations. He didn't mind his days in the bureau and the monotonous routine of a stationary posting, unlike his wayward friend. Bashir was also a young man who was curious to explore new places while he had seen his fair share already.

"No!" Bashir and Vivian answered in unison at not receiving a well-deserved break to rest their poor feet. They wanted to sleep in a bed for a bit and enjoy fresh hot food, not to mention avoiding dangerous animals and people to earn some breathing room.

"Weaklings" Altaїr chided them playfully for their reluctance to dart off into another adventurous mission.

In the morning, the team set out further inland after he meditated with the Apple of Eden for more insight on where to locate the missing piece. They were on the correct island but finding the POE was never an easy feat. As long as he didn't have to sneak into a derelict temple again, he would kiss the earth. Despite the passage of time, the items were still linked when they were within range and he was becoming more adept at utilizing the technology for tracking. Being on an island without a place to start the search could drive anyone crazy. He was not aiming to repeat Madagascar when he was so close to returning home.

Vivian was happy to keep moving and explore the isolated island but kept her eyes downward in case of dangerous critters. She never forgot that a single bite could mean a death sentence in the middle of nowhere. They didn't exactly have a hospital nearby and any form of medical aid was across the ocean. Altaїr trudged ahead of her to keep his team safe so any threatening wildlife would have to go through him first. The silence in the green valley poked her to break the eerie void after being inspired by yesterday's dinner conversation. Her husband, on the other hand, flinched immediately at hearing her off-key voice.

"You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me

If you've got troubles, I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and can see it through
Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you
The way I do, it's me and you."

He could not chastise his wife when she prodded his backside gently with a fond smile. She had indeed started off as a pesky little friend who melted his defenses enough to draw him in like a drunken honeybee. He had called himself every name under the sun for doing so but he loved her just the same way. Her friendship, however, stemmed first with the dai and she smiled at the men to finish proudly,

"Boy, and as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see it's our destiny
You've got a friend in me."

"You're terrible at making me feel nostalgic" Malik chided the historian with a brotherly smile, remembering the endless chases he endured to keep his team alive. They had not started like the cohesive unit they were now and he was proud of their personal development. Otherwise, it would have driven him crazy and he would have used the staff of Hermes himself to return to Masyaf and let Bashir take his place.

Altaїr stopped their troop when he heard muffled voices separate from his own team. Given that only wildlife should be wandering deep in the interior towards the dormant volcano, he was on guard instantly. He raised his hand to silence them and Malik huddled the younger two between them to keep an eye on their rear. They did not have great coverage but the bushes and trees were tall enough where they could duck and slowly advance.

They were not alone.

Altaїr took notice of the familiar white attire and silver armor that glinted under the sunlight and a grin spread across his lips. Ah-ha, his old foe had surfaced! Malik kept Bashir and Vivian huddled within the bushes to keep them safe to avoid being spotted by the enemy. While he and the others were now dressed in neutral colors to ward off their true association, civilians were sparse deep within the island. Altaїr kept his fingers close to his hidden blade as he approached the group of men, pinpointing five as they wandered the wilderness. Were they also searching for the POE? Were they close? Were there more lurking on the island?

Before he could devise a plan of attack, the sound of arrows zipping through the air made him crouch instinctively. Malik practically tossed his two friends onto the ground before landing beside them to avoid being struck. They all assumed they were discovered and being targeted but when none of them were struck, Bashir sighed in relief as he breathed against the loose dirt. Being at the forefront, Altaïr witnessed the arrows strike the Templar group before another group erupted from the foliage to engage them in a physical fight. The ones who had not died from the volley now had to escape swords, knives, and daggers.

Was another entity trailing the Templars?

Were they being surveyed?

He kept his team huddled on the ground to keep them safe and risked his own exposure by briefly poking his head above the bushes for any movements behind them. The ruckus up ahead only intensified as the newcomers gained the upper hand and he slowly moved towards them in a crouch. Malik hissed for him to return and observe the scuffle rather than head into it, but his friend dismissed the concern. Altaïr moved closer to the new group, slowly treading in their direction with a calm breath and steady heart to remain focused. They were gaining the upper hand on the Templars, for which the ambush helped tremendously, and worked on picking off the stragglers. He noted ordinary clothing on the new group but they were armed similarly to his own team so they were no mere travelers.

Before he could creep closer to the group, a male voice from within called out, "Who goes there?"

He could not hide without risking exposure to his team if the other group was hostile. Vivian tried to army crawl her way to him when she saw him move forward but Malik held her back by her travel pack. Altaïr stood up without hesitation, his height towering over the bushes to make himself the largest target sign now that the Templars were dead. He kept his left fingers close to his hidden blade while his right hand stuck close to his throwing knives. Unwilling to show any fear or apprehension, he stared straight ahead with determined eyes to state clearly, "Altaїr Ibn-La'Ahad and I ask the same question."

Instead of a refusal of reciprocation or brandished swords, the small group broke into hushed whispers. Well, that was anticlimactic. He refrained from tapping his foot on the floor at the lack of action, partially eager for some knife jabs after being inactive for months. None of the Templars on the ground were twitching for him to stab one –

"Mentor!"

He was surprised at the words, stiffening immediately at his title, and narrowed his eye at the group. A small duo carrying crossbows joined the group of four that had tackled the Templars face-to-face. Like himself, the others wore neutral earthen colors and not the white robes of the Levant – but then again, there weren't many religious men of faith on the island. He took the initiative to approach the group but kept his fingers close to his hidden blade, just in case. One could never fall prey to sudden ploys, after all. As he walked forward to greet this group and determine their intent, he caught sight of two familiar faces among them and stopped immediately.

The echo of his name and title were enough to satisfy his curiosity that he was not their enemy. Plus, the sheathing of weapons and friendly greetings also quelled that suspicion. Meanwhile, Malik allowed the others to leave their hiding spot but he kept a cautionary guard as he approached his friend. Vivian brushed dirt off the front of her robes, relieved at not being caught in a standoff, and asked, "So, we're not going to be brutally murdered today?"

"Is killing all your group does?" a suave male voice questioned with a disappointed sigh before a man dressed in beige approached the raven-haired woman. It was not the white of the Assassins but pale enough to ward off the heat and humidity.

Altaïr did not react or join Vivian's and Malik's exclamation of delighted surprise, "Amon!"

The historian smiled widely with delight at meeting the talented thief after their separation back in Egypt. Quite frankly, it had been the best adventure for her while it was Malik's most despised memory. The thief was unchanged, apart from sporting a new beard, while his dark hair was covered under his hood. Vivian still envied the man's natural eyeliner from his dark lashes but waved in perky welcome rather than diving for hugs like she did with her family/team.

"Long time no see" he greeted the traveling trio, noting a new face among the bunch, and saw little changes in them either. The historian was better at concealing herself now compared to their first meeting. It was mainly due to her and Malik that he decided to ally himself with the Order to keep his territory safe for civilians in Giza. His guild had been able to repel the invading Templars after receiving aid from the Assassins and true to their word, they did not seek control of the city. He left that to the thief guilds to stabilize the city after flushing out those working under the Templars. With the city safe, he decided to explore this new avenue and explained, "I decided to explore west of Egypt and rid the land of those miscreants."

Vivian raised a curious eyebrow since they were both originally not willing to join the Assassins and preened innocently, "Are you part of the Order now?"

"I'm dabbling in it, like you" he admitted with a half-hearted shrug and confident smile that told her otherwise. If she stayed behind in his city, she would have made a decent thief after watching her swipe almost everything in sight. They had begun as outsiders peering into the Order and now, they were following its agents to familiarize themselves with that secret world.

"We do have need for skilled individuals" Malik pointed out helpfully and held out his hand for a hearty shake at the reunion. It was always pleasant to see a friendly face after time apart and know they made it through to the other side unscathed. While Altaïr did not trust thieves, he would not deny capable individuals with strong abilities from becoming allies. Unlike Bashir, Amon had yet to blow up anything.

"Friends!" the scientist exclaimed joyfully as he moved to greet the remainder of the group as he spotted familiar faces. It was welcoming to see the older faces of his colleagues and not worry about being stabbed by one of them. Walking around the corpses rather than over them like his leader, he sighed dismally when the group stepped back hesitantly. He raised his arms to show he carried no potions and claimed innocently, "I promise I have no explosives . . . on my person."

While Bashir tried to convince the Assassins that he was not going to accidentally kill them all, Altaïr moved away from the reuniting groups to approach the second familiar face. Vivian stopped in mid-conversation to stare in alarm when she noticed a woman dressed in gray robes approach him. The sharp blue-gray eyes and onyx hair that peeked out of her hood were a dead giveaway to Maria Thorpe. She had never seen the woman aside from her game counterpart but she gave her awesome Xena vibes. Admiration filled her at seeing a woman fight against societal norms before it was common and her ability to survive in that harsh world. Maria's gaze swept over his ragtag group before she addressed Altaïr with a soft but firm voice, "We were sent by Ilias to assist you in collecting artifacts to return to Masyaf."

"Maria" he stated with mild surprise at her presence, wondering about it since they had a small child together. Was Darim on the island? Or was he back on the mainland that they had just left? There were numerous questions floating in his mind and more stemmed with each that surfaced. While Amon could easily travel without attachments to his name, Maria was in charge of their son. He did not want to inquire about their personal lives in the midst of their people and stuck to business, asking simply, "How long have you been here?"

"Several weeks but the journey was longer" she answered with a worn smile since the distance from Masyaf to the islands was only made shorter due to sailing. While Altaïr chose sea travel as the last alternative, everyone on her team preferred it if it shaved off time. While some Assassins still distrusted her based on her past allegiances, this team had no issue with her leading the expedition – mainly because Ilias kicked off whoever did not comply. With their orders to investigate and retrieve the artifacts, she wanted to be quick and return to her son.

Altaïr hoped their progress fared better since they had yet to be there for a week and nodded to her, "Thank you for the help. What are you doing here?"

"It's a short mission and Ilias trusted me to do it after your last conversation" she explained easily on her presence since there weren't many people that Altaïr trusted with the ancient technology. She was not one to shy away from fights and Ilias needed to lead the Assassins, so she volunteered. Motherhood would not be her stamp now that she had Darim and her son was independent nowadays. Her skills with a weapon could not become rusty after everything she had gone through and she told him, "Darim is big now so he doesn't need me all the time when Ilias can provide the same care. There's been activity here so we're trying to establish a team on the mainland. You?"

"Finding a POE" he answered with a sigh at the last leg of their travel and hoped their son was safe. He was not in agreement with her decision when Darim deserved one of them beside him for safety and comfort. It was a reason why he wanted to finish finding this last item after relinquishing the one in Mali. He missed important years with his son and did not want to become a stranger. Still, he had a mission on his hands and couldn't dwell on that loss. He motioned to his own team to introduce his de-facto family, "This is Malik, a dai for the Order and my most trusted besides Ilias. You remember Bashir-"

"Hello!" the perky man greeted at their reunion and Maria smiled at her friend, reaching out to shake his hand with appreciation. Besides Ilias, he had been at her side to learn from her and protected Darim when neither could be there. Her son missed him after he began walking, searching for the scientist but Bashir had already left with Altaïr. Darim would undoubtedly be happy to reunite with him and she was happy to see he was well from his travels.

He had become a little brother to her, much like he was to everyone else, and she smiled, "Darim misses you, he keeps trying to creep up to your tower."

"And I miss his babbling, not so much on the biting" he chuckled fondly about the stubborn baby, remembering his large blue eyes glaring at him in defiance. The children born within the Order were never within his midst so he was not able to form familial bonds like Malik or have a little army of admirers like older Assassins did. His time in the tower kept him away from socializing so he was happy to see Darim grow up, even if he cried and bit more than he laughed.

Altaïr gazed down at his wife, who was trying to weave herself between himself and Amon to silently disappear, and announced, "And this is Vivian, a historian-"

"She's the foreigner? I expected someone a little different" Maria commented simply as she observed Vivian, noting her European descent rather than an exotic physique. Ilias and Altaïr divulged Vivian's true nature before the older Assassin left so she didn't really know what to expect. Maybe futuristic folk were not that different in appearance a millennia later? The smaller woman tried not to feel tinier than she was under the ex-Templar's analyzing gaze. Is this how dwarves felt in Tolkien's tales?

Oh shit, I'm Gimli, she thought pathetically at being a futuristic woman with zero advantage. Knowledge was her forte, mainly building alter egos and distraction, but her fighting skill was more geared to defense. If Maria expected a warrior of renown, the ancient beings picked the wrong person – which she had been vocal about in the last temple. Seriously, why was everyone so tall in this century? Her shoulders slumped but they perked at the next second when she thought hopefully, Maybe she can be the Legolas to my Gimli!

"To make the long story short, she's my wife and quite the little bookworm" Altaïr finished to avoid having to retell her story, glad that Amon was present since he knew their rocky start. Vivian, on the other hand, jerked at attention at having their marriage exposed and her cheeks flushed rosy instantly. The hushed whispers that echoed through the Assassins group, along with Maria's and Amon's pause made her want to curl under a rock and hibernate for a century. Did he have to say it at their first meeting? Great, Maria would likely skewer her on a sword like a kebob.

"You're married now?" Maria asked with bewilderment to the revelation, shocked that he was willing to stay still long enough to be married. Had he finally met his match? Was the small woman just as hardheaded? When they traveled together, it was his way or nothing. After the intensity of her physical attraction withered at realizing their personalities kept clashing, she decided to head east for her own exploration and search for adventure. Unfortunately, being pregnant cut that trip short.

"Really? You fought like cats and dogs" Amon echoed with agreement since the taller man practically leapt after her like a leopard on a poor gazelle. The brutal sarcasm shared between the two was enough to keep sane people away from their madness. When he conjured an image of marriage, the duo did not fit the mold but he did agree that they were a lot more calmer than before. Neither was reaching for the other's hair or attire, noting the man stood in front of the smaller woman guardedly. He could not help but chide the stern-faced man by smirking at Vivian to joke, "Blink twice if you're being held against your will."

Altaïr was not keen on being questioned on his marriage choices, protective of his private life and Vivian, and shot back at both, "Should I inquire on your status?"

Amon shrugged nonchalantly since he was not ready to bind himself to another human being. Maria had already moved on and cared little about Altaïr's marriage. All she needed to know was whether the woman was stable and safe to be around her son in the near future. She was already carving out her new life after setting a sturdy foundation with Ilias at Masyaf and stated firmly, "I would not leave Darim with Ilias if I wasn't."

Vivian gaped in delighted astonishment at the news, clutching her hands against her chest, and resisted from hopping in place. She was happy that Maria found a new path despite there was still a pang of guilt that she could not jam the two back together. She and Ilias were the new variables in this universe but even she couldn't deny the other assassin was swoon-worthy. Altaïr took note of her expression, not wanting his ex to have extra fanfare, and told her flatly, "Vivian, close your mouth."

"It's an admiration gap" she insisted innocently, scuffing the ground with her shoe, and Maria raised a curious eyebrow. That was a remark she did not expect at all. Who was this strange woman? Ilias informed her that the newcomer was not from their land or time but she had a hard time believing it until now. Was someone truly capable of bypassing the veil of time? If so, how had she survived this long? Is that why Altaïr was bound to her now? She didn't carry an accent from the western lands and her manner of speaking varied greatly to theirs when she declared, "She has tamed two Assassins."

"I will never be tamed" Altaïr pointed out sharply at being contained by mere mortals but kept his mouth shut when her eyes glinted humorously. Maria snorted under her breath at that fact since that trait repelled her away while Vivian kept bouncing back to gradually wear him down. All he could hope for was that they would get along and not bicker with each other over his past choices or current ones. He was the one who made his choices so the consequences would be his. That spurred another thought and he asked to inquire, "Is Darim safe?"

"Ilias has him, he is well and growing" Maria assured him since he had not received information on Darim for over a year. Their son was well on his way to reading now and a bundle of energy that Ilias managed to contain far better than herself. Her husband wasn't shy in teasing her that Darim took after her physically with his dark hair and bright eyes while his personality was still split. Hopefully, he would mellow out as he grew older but he was progressing as expected for a child of the Order.

"Good, I hope to see him once this is all over" he stated pensively on his goal after retrieving the final POE to finally put the journey to rest. He would have to figure out how to parent with Maria since their son would have two separate households - a situation quite uncanny for their time. Trying his best to ignore the powder keg of his old love life, he shifted gears to ask them, "What is the current situation then?"

"We are searching inland for the artifact, eliminating the lurking Templars" Maria explained as she adjusted the front of her hood to block out the sunlight. The climate was far more tolerable on the coast than Masyaf but that wasn't to say its rays would not roast her fair skin to resemble a lobster. She was pleased with the extra set of hands and if he wanted to assume control of the mission, it was all his. He would likely have a better chance with searching, given it was his sole mission this entire time. She had very little idea what to look for in the middle of nowhere and didn't hesitate to admit bluntly, "So far, we have had no luck in finding it."

Altaïr already had a hunch on where to begin his search and nodded to the group to inform them all, "We must search near the dormant volcano."

Everyone, minus his team, stilled at the confident revelation since they were keen on staying away from that spot. Altaïr and his group, on the other hand, were heading straight for it so their contradicting paths were now on a midpoint. Amon wondered how he was certain the sleeping giant was the mark and darted to ask, "How . . .?"

"To find them, we must use them" Altaïr answered grimly at pinpointing the hiding spot of the last item on the continent. Two POEs would remain lost in Mali and Uganda but he would keep that secret within his trusted circle until advanced technology would allow them to pierce the deepest trenches of water. He would not allow his friends to interact with the POEs to protect them, especially after the cave incident in South Africa.

"Is that not a dangerous approach?" Malik reminded him for the millionth time since they had no idea if the technology could indoctrinate his mind. Yes, his friend was able to wield the items for his benefit to gain information but it was a lengthy process that drained energy. Who was to say the beings were not using him as a battery of sorts to power their own ancient items?

He would risk his life to protect the world from harm and shrugged nonchalantly to state airily, "For those who cannot control the power."

Maria would not argue with his decision to frolic with unknown and potentially dangerous technology, telling the others, "Let's move on and make camp near the base then."

---

Altaïr assumed leadership of both teams now that they were both aiming for the same goal and he was glad of the numbers. Although his brief stay in Masyaf left him with a sense of melancholy for home, he knew it was worse for Malik and Vivian. One had not been able to return and one would never go home. Still, the chance to return among his own people was comforting – even if they were still in danger from the Templars. After looking over his shoulder to protect his small team since departing Masyaf, he held the numbers to keep them safer.

He decided to make camp across the base from the volcano to establish a vantage point to scope out any Templars. Lingering at the base of the volcano would be too risky so staying in the adjacent mountains would be safer. The coverage from the dense tree line and bushes would keep them concealed and he instructed his assassins to set up a perimeter around their camp to trap any trespassers. Bashir was more than eager to volunteer his services to blow up their enemies or release toxic fumes to incapacitate them. For once, Altaïr let him run free with that recommendation before remining him not to accidentally harm their team.

"Do you really believe it's here?" Vivian asked quietly as they stood at the edge of a bluff overlooking the large dormant volcano. It was surreal to stand on an uninhabited island that would one day be home to thousands and a hot tourist spot for natural flora and fauna. The POE's were hidden in risky areas shrouded in danger and this one would be another natural obstacle, similar to Giza.

He crossed his arms as he pondered how to tackle the beast of a volcano but at least he had numbers to spare for scouting. The problem was the unknown number of Templars lurking around it and the threat lying in wait for his subordinates. This was the part of leadership he disliked most with risking lives but he was their leader. Gazing down at his wife, he answered with the images bestowed to him by the Apple, "It keeps guiding me to the volcano."

"For all our sakes, let's hope it's not inside of it" Maria muttered from behind as she sharpened her sword while sitting on a large boulder. The shade offered underneath the trees was a wonderful reprieve against the harsh sun as she worked. The tireless work of eliminating her old colleagues was not a clean one and she was never one to let her weapons dull. Not when she had a son to return home to.

"Or luring us in to kill everyone with an explosion" Altaïr joked dryly at the potential threat of the Apple but it had not yet tried to kill him. On the other hand, he and his team were going off the expected path of the ancients to find their own answers and carve their own future. He refused to hand them Vivian now that her goal in aiding him was complete and would never leave her alone with any of the POEs. Even having her tread near one of the old sites brought a sense of dread to him but he didn't voice it to keep her calm.

Malik refrained from chastising him for his bluntness but Amon took up the mantle by stating flatly, "You're a bucket of cheer today."

"I never am" Altaïr replied firmly with an indignant scoff at being cuddly and bubbly. The only one who came close to that was Bashir and he tended to brush him off onto the other two for safekeeping. Bashir and Vivian were the approachable of their team so there was no need for him to be a jolly type of man, nor did he wish to be.

Vivian raised her hand to add her two cents on her beloved but grumpy husband, smiling sheepishly to state, "After four years, I can attest to that."

"After twenty plus, so can I" Malik muttered sarcastically, shaking his head at having spent most of his life next to the uncensored assassin. He always dreaded heading out on missions with the hardheaded and impulsive man but he had changed drastically into an honorable one – but still very much evasive.

The intense glare sent their way prompted Amon to escape the man's glower power and he looked to Malik to request, "Let's make lunch, hmm?"

The dai did not need to be told twice and it would give him something to focus on instead of keeping his friend level-headed. Altaïr watched the two disappear into the center of camp with a hawk-like gaze that earned an exasperated sigh from Vivian. Did he think they were both now in cahoots to bring him unbridled humiliation? She pushed him forward by the shoulders to distract him elsewhere and he decided prowling around the edges of the drop-off was best. Vivian decided to stick behind him because she was not eager to tumble down after him, trailing cautiously closer to the tree line.

Vivian bumped into him when she failed to catch his view of the looming volcano due to her short height. She had become sturdy enough not to bounce off his strong frame and fall to the floor, gripping the back of his robes to hang on. Altaïr smiled faintly at the clinging badger, who instinctively pulled him back from the edge of the drop, and asked, "What is it?"

Unlike her spouse that escaped socialization to scope out the volcano in the horizon, Vivian followed to avoid a confrontation. Now that they were all gathered in the same spot, guilt struck her for being unable to pry off the assassin and chuck him back to Maria. Did she blame them for how their lives turned out? She stilled at once with a pout as nerves ransacked her poor stomach since she had never seen her, only in the game. Ubisoft Maria could not hold a candle to the true Maria while Altaïr turned out to match his model exactly physically but the attitude was a bit of a miss. So, he had a point in not believing everything she saw at physical value.

Her green eyes darted wildly between the trees and himself, her hands pressed against his back, as she declared woefully, "I'm the little scrumpet that took you away-"

"Frankly, I think she was overjoyed that you did" he pointed out flatly since she and Ilias were together far before he earned Vivina's agreement. He provided what he couldn't but Altaïr wouldn't complain, not when he kept his son safe. Meanwhile, he found his own perfect partner that unleashed him without a stern lecture and he loved his feisty Vivian. They could fight verbally but they would never tire of each other or go to sleep angry at the other.

Vivian approached the tree line, leaning against the trunk as she peered through the dense branches to pinpoint Maria. The ex-Templar was still sharpening her weapons to make the most of her day while her own thoughts caved dismally at spying on her. Karma was eating her alive today! Altaïr didn't understand why she was so nervous when Maria could care less, given her approval at Masyaf, and reminded, "You have nothing to fear."

"Are you sure? Look at her, she's like Xena and I'm a little badger" she murmured softly with awe at the height difference, not to mention her skill set. All she had was a dagger and knife at her disposal while the woman carried a mighty sword to slice her in half. Okay, maybe she was being a little overdramatic but facing a key AC character was a bit intimidating. Altaïr had no idea what she was talking about and fought the urge to laugh at her hiding methods. Vivian leaned against the tree with a longing sigh before meeting his gaze and admitting, "I can see why you chased after her. If I wasn't ogling you, I'd definitely be ogling her."

He was keenly aware of her random blurbs about his fictional world in hers but it had simmered somewhat after her exposure to the ancients. Her songs touting the greatness of his descendants had disappeared to leave only himself and he preferred it that way. His honey-toned eyes stared at her dully for the new favoritism, given that he was her spouse, and she smiled innocently to justify, "What? She's pretty."

"Have you looked at yourself lately? You are captivating" he joked lightly to boost her own confidence and her expression softened to the compliment. There was nothing but honesty with his love for her and he enjoyed expressing it to his dear wife in private. He never tired of calling her that but he became even more cautious with that raised threat level for her against his enemies. His heart warmed when her eyes brightened at his words, filling him with that odd but familiar flutter in his chest for her. He would not let her second-guess herself with being in his life and insisted, "Vivian, don't fret."

"I'm a natural fretter" she shot back with a hushed voice, grinning afterwards for having her paranoia stomped to bits. It used to be the other way around with her comforting his unease and uncertainty. Where had her gumption for facing the unknown and troubling waters gone? She clutched the trunk of the tree to lean against with a sappy smile for him and doted, "Thank you for the support."

"It's what I'm here for" he assured with a warm smile because he would aid his little badger in her journey. She was now a part of his world permanently and he would guide her every step of the way to keep her safe. They would keep each other out of trouble and make trouble for their enemies. He planned to grow old and cranky beside her once they left the island, daring to ponder on having children of their own in the future. First, however, he would have to gain his lost time with Darim before focusing time on another. He ushered her back into the campsite with a wave of the hand, using a page from her futuristic book, and told her, "Go on and mingle."

She pouted humorously for the change of pace and crossed her arms to question, "Shouldn't I tell you that, given that it's your people?"

"Don't question my orders, little badger" he stated confidently to negate any disagreement since he was the leader of the expedition now. Vivian scoffed defiantly since she disobeyed him once or twice for the benefit of the team. This time, however, she was trying not to face Maria out of fear she'd be chased around the campfire. In her logical mind, she knew the risk was minimal with her husband and friends around but her mind was wild one.

Taking a deep breath to shove down her nerves to the pit of her stomach, she reached out to hug him around the waist. His familiar scent of leather and spice settled her nerves to give her the push she needed to conquer the world. Altaïr stifled a chuckle at her apprehension but he would keep an eye on her from within the tree line. Vivian released him to get moving, giving him one last forlorn gaze, and he nodded supportively for her to carry on. Her steps were slow towards the tree line but Vivian reminded herself that it was best to rip off the Band-Aid quickly rather than slowly. She weaved herself through the tall bushes on the tips of her toes to make less noise, crushing the foliage under her feet, and using her short height to hide.

Unfortunately, it was not her best work to go unnoticed.

"I can see you hiding back there" Maria called out knowingly when she caught the shifting gray hue behind the green bushes. She was aware the couple was walking the perimeter but found herself amused by the historian. Maria had never met her but the stories related to her by Ilias were curious. She had never heard of time travelers in all her life but then again, glowing orbs of power and ancient beings predating humanity had not been part of her childhood stories.

She almost sighed with aggravation when she heard a feminine voice call out, "Caw-caw!"

The failed crow imitation did nothing to sway her position and Maria sheathed her sword as she stood up to point out bluntly, "I'm looking straight at your hair."

Vivian frowned at her messy locks being her undoing, raising a hand to flatten her mop of curls, and cursed the bushes for failing to hide her. Altaïr shook his head from his vantage spot at having his wife fail her first solo scouting mission. Not that he would let do such a thing alone with actual enemies. Vivian knew the gig was up and stepped out of the bushes, pulling on the end of her skirt when the branches demanded she stay. Smoothing down her ruffled attire, she tried to appear half-decent in front of the taller woman and brushed her short hair back to correct, "I wouldn't call it hiding."

"Spying then?" Maria supplied with veiled amusement at the small woman trying to smooth over the fact that she burst out from within the forest. She still didn't see how Altaïr would marry the foreigner. She was humoring her more than the man and wondered how she survived his stone-faced façade.

The shorter woman shook her head because that skill was nonexistent given ten seconds ago and answered unabashedly with a grin, "No, more like strategic admiring."

That was a new one for Maria and her curiosity spiked even more at the uncanny woman. She expected the young woman to eye her suspiciously and demand that she keep away from Altaïr, given their past (no argument there). Instead, she was receiving compliments from the stranger. Vivian hoped that she wouldn't be chased off like her first encounter with Altaïr, wringing her hands together, and rambled with a hint of shyness, "I just want to say I'm a fan of your work and you're really making womankind proud."

"Were you dropped on your head?" she asked awkwardly since she had never heard that latter compliment. It had been the opposite her whole life from her family, friends, superiors, and even random strangers. Now, she had this acclaimed time traveler basting her in praise for her accomplishments. How did she even know what she did? Did Altaïr blab about her life? Her fists clenched instinctively at having her story told by another.

"Many times. . .but only in the last four years" she answered without hesitation or insult at the question because Altaïr had been the main cause of that. Her head had surprisingly survived every altercation but he knew how much pressure to apply to avoid incapacitating her forever. Thankfully, the knockouts stopped after Egypt and her poor brain recovered its might to continue plaguing the assassin.

Maria placed her hands on her hips as she dared to approach the other woman, making Vivian feel even smaller as she towered over her. Seriously, were people giants in the Middle Ages? Maria was everything she wished to be and it was from that vulnerability that she egged Altaïr to reconsider being with her. Who could say no to this dark-haired beauty? Maria quirked a curious eyebrow at her as her cooler eyes locked onto Vivian's jewel-toned hue and she said, "There is something incredibly odd about you but I can't put my finger on it."

"And you have Spidey-sense! This is awesome" she smiled with glee at her uncanny perception and clapped her hands giddily. Just how much had Altaïr told her? Bashir took a bit of convincing initially but once he saw her behavior and language lingo, he believed her. Maria's curiosity flattened into firmness at not getting a clear answer and Vivian sighed under her breath, "Wait, this isn't helping my case at all."

"Somehow, I didn't see you as Altaïr's wife" Maria commented on her strange behavior but this time, the playful badger gave way to its protective side. Vivian aimed to be someone worthy of her assassin husband and though her strength wasn't physical, it would be intellectual. Her smacks around the African continent were enough to make her hardy to survive but not fight. Her flicker of confidence withered when Maria pointed out, "I expected someone with a strong arm and broader build. Maybe a few scars."

Altaïr was not looking for someone who could break him in two, given how many people wanted to kill him. Maria was a capable opponent that he defeated before so she qualified as a lover but if she beat him within an inch of his life, he would have second thoughts. Vivian, on the other hand, tended to bounce off him or land minimal damage and that was during their training sessions years ago. The only time she managed to land a decent smack was during travel as a backseat rider or when he was trying to nap.

Vivian shook her head at lacking any of those traits but she could survive for quite a bit, wagging a finger to declare, "I may be a barrel of laughs but that doesn't prove I can't handle my own. I've knocked him over the head enough times to prove it and I will do so with everyone else that comes along as well. That grumpy but delectable badass assassin is mine and I am his for better or worse. . .we mostly get a crapload of worse."

"I meant no ill will, it is simply that he's quite intense and you're quite lively " she stated easily to avoid an altercation with the newcomer and Vivian's stance relaxed. Maria was taken aback by his choice of wife but it was a positive sign that he was not as rigid as before. One could only hope. The woman reminded her of Bashir but even Altaïr made up excuses to leave the scientist talking to himself. Her mind faltered at the thought of the man choosing her simply for a pretty face and nothing else. No, no, that could not be it. She was struck by curiosity on this enigma and tilted her head slightly to remark, "It is an odd combination to see which is why I didn't delve further. However, it seems you hold many surprises."

"I'm rigged that way" she chuckled amusingly at her witty ways that originally irked the assassin. Well, they still annoyed him but he was far gentler at letting her know than before. She did not miss the whacks to the head or spankings, which initially helped in deterring any affection until they stopped. Disarming the enemy with words or distractions was her strength rather than brawn so maybe there was a little hero in her after all. Her green eyes glittered joyfully as she clasped her hands over her chest to sigh dreamily, "It is nice to talk to another woman though."

"I can sympathize with that sentiment" Maria agreed since there were not many women to chat with in Masyaf. It was safe to say the men-to-women ratio was ridiculously high and when she traveled to the village, she was treated as an outsider due to her fairer skin. Bashir and Ilias were her only true friends, finding a small sense of home among the Assassins after decades. Still, there were times when she longed for a woman to talk private matters with instead of the two men. Clearly, the shorter woman carried the same sentiment and she added in dryly, "There are not many in the Assassin's Order . . . or the Templars."

"At some point, the Templars will need mass hiring with all the agents Altaïr eliminated across Africa" Vivian piped up optimistically with a proud nod at their resolution so the Templars could not afford to be picky. Maria smiled at the nonchalant tune in her language, noting her relaxed attitude despite being the middle of nowhere. For a civilian, she had adapted well in the harsh solitary world of the Assassins. Before the question on whether she joined them, Vivian added in with a small wave of the hand, "But I'm not with the Assassins either."

Maria didn't know what to make of that since Altaïr was all about the Order and assumed his wife would follow him in that work. She did not want to join the Assassins originally when she was self-reflecting on her own choices after leaving the Templars. Was she in the same boat as the time traveler? Wondering about their place in the world? Darim's birth grounded her more than anything but she was still debating if home was truly at Masyaf. Marrying Ilias put that lingering thought to rest since he was not budging from there, much like Altaïr, but her wanderlust thoughts of youth poked in every now and then. She wondered how old Vivian was, given her affinity to wear a hood even in the shade, and spoke gently, "That is a surprising revelation."

Vivian glanced down at her humble attire, patched up as it was, and her lack of an arsenal of weapons. Altaïr wanted her to appear harmless to avoid drawing a Templar's eye but she hid a dagger under the navy sash around her waist. There were a few handy snacks in there too for easy reach but her husband insisted she had one weapon on her at all times. She was not a warrior like everyone else present and didn't hesitate to admit it, "I am not a combatant-"

"You can support them in other ways" she interjected to boost her confidence, remembering herself hitting similar slumps. Women were meant to be in the home, whether by their parents' side or their husband's, and serve until death came as a good friend. She did not fit that mold nor did she wish to, aiming to live a free life like other bachelors. She wanted to ask if Vivian's timeline had evolved past that and suggested quietly, "Maybe the Order doesn't always need to be about fighting."

"Maybe one day but it's enough for me" Vivian declined with a humble shake of the head to remain a civilian. She was no longer a naïve AC fan ready to tackle the world with Altaïr, acknowledging the harshness of reality and her own mortality. Her strength was not physical and it would take time to reach the finesse of her spouse, which she highly doubted anyone could come close to. He had taught her how to defend herself but that was it - nothing impressive to tout about.

"You are indeed a curious one" Maria smiled kindly at her demure behavior to stay out of the line of fire. Altaïr was the opposite, dashing towards it. At least she could rest easy that the woman would not be luring Darim's father into more dangerous ventures. Then again, Vivian had no choice because she sought to return home . . . did that mean that mission was over for her? Or was Altaïr willing to release his wife to her own time? Questions upon questions.

"Please, you're going to make me blush" she joked charmingly and waved a dainty hand at the compliment. Well, that was how she was processing it. Given that she was not accusing her of seducing Altaïr, she could breathe a little easier. She liked Maria's character from where her timeline left off in AC2 and though she would not see the end of that fictional life over there, she hoped to see Maria's mark in this one. She yearned for a female friend to chat with and playfully chided with a silly smile, "We're both married ladies."

Both women stiffened when Altaïr was the next arrival to explode out of the tree line and he waved an indignant finger with the claim, "She's already my wife, stop making others fall in love with you."

Vivian chuckled at his interference to stop her charming nature to sway others while Maria blinked awkwardly at his words. Was he being serious? He did not remind her of the Altaïr she knew back in Acre at all! Had his time on this continent changed him or was it the time traveler? The long days on the island finally shed her firm expression to let her real self shine through. Her pale eyes narrowed at the man as she smirked to tease him, "Have you been there the whole time?"

"Of course" he answered astutely with a firm nod that made Vivian sigh in embarrassment at having the assassin become a guard pitbull. Still, she wouldn't love him otherwise. She appreciated his protection over her while Altaïr wanted to ensure nobody flustered his wife. This was the first time she was among his people and would eventually find her way back to Masyaf. He did not want her to be intimidated by their work and feel as an outsider but Maria was more than welcoming to the friendly face. He could already see the amusement shared between the two raven-haired women and told Maria hastily, "But I stand by what I said."

"Don't worry, I'm not running off anytime soon" Vivian reassured him with blushing cheeks at having her first meeting with Maria disrupted. The ex-Templar, on the other hand, bit back a laugh when Vivian latched onto Altaïr's belt to tug him away as if it were a leash. The effort was in vain because he was a tall wall of pure muscle compared to her soft petite bits. She came close to falling away, biting her lower lip when he shifted his weight to return to the edge of the drop. That was not about to happen and she gave a quick jerk to the back of his hood to stop him in place, stopping him instantly. Before he turned around to fret about his hood being manhandled, she smiled at the other woman to state amicably, "Maria, a pleasure to meet you and I hope to speak more with you later."

She replied with a similar sentiment, curious about the newcomer, and chuckled softly when she heard her order sharply, "Altaïr, let's pitch our tent. You're not surveilling anymore till after lunch."

They were indeed a strange couple but they fit like an odd puzzle piece because she certainly could not handle the man's temperament. She would have already threatened to strike him upside the head while Vivian distracted him to get him moving. He allowed his wife to lead him away and Maria shook her head, returning to her weapons cleaning, while Altaïr dreaded being tossed into the cooking circle for mingling. The firm look sent his way from Malik warned him not to tread into his peaceful reprieve after months without seeing another assassin. Vivian was not cruel to force him into socializing and potentially causing food poisoning so she headed to the clearing where others were pitching the group tents.

She released him to begin finding a decent flat spot to pitch their tent and he dropped his pack containing their canvas tent. While he unfurled the heavy fabric, she tested the dropping branches of the trees for a sturdy one to hold its weight for their stay. The upside was no rain to douse them in water or damage the canvas with debris. When she found the rightful branch, she motioned for her husband to tag the branch as theirs while she set to work on clearing the ground of rocks. While she made a pile of gathered rocks in a corner, he wrapped the rope ties around the branch to secure the tent to lift its frame in its classic triangular shape. He glanced over at his wife as she used her feet to sweep out smaller rocks and asked her, "Feel better now?"

"A little" she smiled sheepishly as she finished tidying up the dirt to leave their sleeping area rock-free. Otherwise, they would be shifting through the night to avoid the jabs or be woken abruptly by one when they shifted. Altaïr dropped the tent over the swept circle, allowing Vivian to smooth the fabric over the ground while he finished securing the ties with double knots. He had forgotten to do so once and an abrupt windy night caused it to fall on their heads so he would never slack on that step ever again. Vivian wiggled out of her shoes to enter the tent with their packs in hand, kneeling to place them in the nearest corner. She retrieved their bedrolls to unfurl them neatly side by side before placing their folded blankets to finish off their chore. It was so much easier to do it with an extra set of hands than alone.

She wiped sweat off her brow, sitting down on the bedroll to rest her legs, and called out, "You know what would cheer me up?"

Altaïr entered the tent through the open flap, closing it to prevent bugs from flying or scurrying inside, and nodded with approval to their handiwork. They were becoming faster at setting up their temporary home every time. He sat down beside her, collapsing in a loud heap beside her as he stretched out his long legs and yawned lazily. It was not the admirable look of a master assassin but it was the raw and real view of her husband. He leaned back on his hands to rest for a bit and glanced at her slyly to say, "I'm not dancing or letting you spank me."

"Don't be ridiculous" she laughed at the idea, shaking her head at her odd requests back then, as he brought back her cheer with his dry humor. She wouldn't mind seeing him dance but they were no longer in private or with their small group. Spankings were no longer humiliation for either and more of a playful swat of affection between them in their tent when they were alone. Most often, she did it at night to get him into bed and stop his meditations with the POEs. Her emerald gaze met his honey-toned hue and she smiled affectionately to whisper, "I want to. . . just hold you. I missed not doing so in the boat."

"I won't complain about that" he smiled confidently at the request, denying her nothing (indecent, anyway), and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He squeezed her tightly like a ball of dough to convey his sentiment, aware his wife enjoyed small tokens of physical affection rather than items. Still, he had been pleased to see his whittled half-formed falcon dangling as a pendant around her neck instead of her family heirloom. Vivian's left hand reached up to touch his chin and angle his head closer to hers, touching their temples with a delighted sigh. They had made it to the last location in one piece and they could go home after this.

Their small moment of peace was broken into when they heard Malik joke from across to get them moving, "You two better not be committing indecent acts in there."

"We're not . . . but we're well within our rights to do so as a married couple" Altaïr shot back protectively after being waved away with a figurative stick by Malik. He was shrewdly perceptive with him and Vivian when their affection sprouted but aimed to keep him back due to Darim. He refused to relinquish his affection for Vivian and his hard work paid off in having her beside him. There were moments of guilt when he remembered her family was a different realm away, one she should never see after choosing him. He would not let that choice be in vain.

Vivian clamped a hand over his mouth to muffle further insults and quickly shushed with burning cheeks and wide eyes, "Do not embarrass me on day one!"

"Fine, but come nighttime, you're mine" he told her sneakily to allow her to make a good first impression among the Assassins. His main concern had been Maria but the ex-Templar was now married with no concern over Vivian. It was the best outcome for them but the last hurdle would be Darim meeting Vivian since she would be a permanent part of his life.

---

Altaïr was up bright and early with renewed vigor now that he was reunited with his brethren. Malik and Amon, however, could have lived without the sharp imitation of bird calls used to wake up the entire camp. Vivian could not pretend she didn't exist out of embarrassment and protested by tying the front flaps shut to keep out her husband. Maria took it up a notch by flinging a nearby rock at him since she refused to sacrifice her shoe. Bashir was the only one who emerged fresh-faced and bright to begin the day and his smile soon turned upside down when everyone handed him the task of breakfast. After dressing quickly, Vivian tore herself from the tent to pull her husband away under the premise of filling everyone's canteens.

"Can you promise me to never wake us up like that ever again?" she questioned dully while she filled canteens that everyone piled into a makeshift basket of a blanket. She would earn her keep since the others were left to wrangle breakfast together and removing the squawking Altaïr would make things flow smoothly. She did not want him imitating a rooster ever again or worse, waking them up to repeat the order's tenets like a loyalty oath.

Her husband folded his arms with insult at his wakeup call methods and pointed out snippily, "I could not slam the pans together like my usual alarm without drawing Templar attention."

Vivian's green eyes were deadpanned and dull at his reasoning because neither was acceptable. She did not miss his old alarms during their camping days because she always assumed a wayward animal barreled into camp. His odd quirks were already normal to her but she doubted his brethren was used to the new Altaïr, leading her to say, "And a shrieking bird was better?"

"At the time, yes" he nodded confidently with a nonchalant shrug at his decision and his wife sighed dismally at his crazy antics. He leaned down into the surging river to fill his canteen with the pristine clear water before taking a drink of the cold fresh water. Water was surprisingly easier to find on the island than the desert landscape they left and he held out his canteen to his wife.

She accepted with a quick sip while she filled another canteen with her free hand, enjoying the cold water. The volcanic island did not carry the hot temperature of the coast as they camped in the higher elevation of the volcano. It was a refreshing trip for her now that they were northbound of the continent, closer to the ocean as well, and she handed the canteen back. He did not miss the sharp glint in her eyes when she pointed out, "Relax, focus on the POE, and don't drive us insane."

Breakfast was uneventful for the crew, much to Malik's relief, and nobody was alarmed by random animal calls. Vivian learned quickly that Maria was a lot like the dai, taking a no-nonsense approach with Altaïr when he tried to get out of hand. Is that why he latched onto her once he stopped his crazy paranoid shenanigans? Sure, she argued with him but physical threats were nonexistent. Then again, she couldn't break his arm like the ex-Templar probably could. Altaïr had to begrudgingly remind his wife not to stare dreamily at Maria since she finally found a kindred spirit.

Everyone broke down the camp to leave no remnants of their presence there and carrying on with their expedition. Altaïr wanted to tackle the volcano as he felt the invisible pull from the ancient items but it was no small volcano. It would take a day for them to tackle its circumference and that would only be achieved by splitting the group into small teams. Besides, smaller numbers would conceal them in the brush in case Templars were scouting nearby. He took the lead with nobody fighting him for the title while his team hoped they weren't about to fall into a dormant volcano. With Altaïr, anything was possible.

"Remember to keep our breeches tucked into our socks" Vivian reminded her team since they were all onboard the sock train now, stuffing the ends of her trousers into her socks. She did not want to end up with tick bites this far back in time without modern medicine. Even flea bites were dangerous. If she had fabric lying around, she would knit for the entire team for cushioned support. Maybe once everything was said and done, she could do just that on their way home.

"I promise no fat spiders will eat your ankles" her husband stated with mirth at her fear of any creature with more than four legs. He couldn't blame her since they did have dangerous wildlife in their outdoor adventures but he would be there to crush any enemies for her. For the moment, he was more worried about the sword wielding type rather than little insignificant bugs.

The others stifled laughter behind their lips when she insisted matter-of-factly, "There's plenty of other critters ready to devour us."

Bashir broke into their banter by waving his right hand for attention and piped up innocently, "Is there leftover bread with honey?"

"Our great leader finished the last morsels" Malik informed flatly after watching his friend swipe any leftovers, particularly desserts and meat. Normally, they packed the dry leftovers for snacks along the way to keep their energy. Given that they were heading straight for a volcano, energy was required. It appeared his friend decided to eat enough for an army to tackle the enemy alone.

Altaïr was not having any of his sass that early in the morning, especially with the sun not yet overhead, and shot back, "Quiet. Nobody asked for any when I made the last call!"

Amon had silently acquired a few snacks of his own, given his penchant for nabbing any curious item, and removed a square bread piece from his inner robe pocket. He unfolded the wrapped bread to hand it out to the young man, who needed it more than himself with his lanky appearance. Bashir's face lit up immediately at the procured bread but he broke it in half to give the leftover piece to the ex-thief. He would not let his goodwill go unrewarded and Amon tucked away his hidden treat with an amused shake of his head. Maria shook her head at having the rest of the team take care of the poor boy rather than Altaïr. Was this how the team dynamics revolved between the four? She could see why Malik smacked her ex-lover around to knock sense into him.

"Besides, I married a good cook so I no longer have to depend on Malik's goodwill for scraps" Altaïr remarked to add insult to injury, earning a mix of deadpan and dismayed expressions. He could rest easy in not throwing salt at everything and hoping for the best. The glare Vivian shot his way would not exorcise her rage with any amount of purified salt and he quickly backtracked to reason awkwardly, "That's not to say you're my personal cook – please don't kick me."

Maria chuckled at finally seeing the man crack, enjoying his tense posture and cautious eyes against the petite woman, and grinned with approval, "Ah, so you are capable of striking fear into him."

Vivian shrugged nonchalantly since it was once in a blue moon and told her casually, "It's rare, like an albino crocodile, but it happens."

"You three haven't changed at all" Amon sighed with disillusion at the rambunctious team that happened to fall into his clutches that day in Giza. If he knew what he was getting into when he abducted Malik, he would have headed in the opposite direction. Still, it did keep his town safe.

"Willing to join our crazy lot?" Vivian grinned excitedly and flicked her thumb to her awesome team to gain his favor. One more would only add spice to their team! She added a bit of brow wagging to convince the ex-thief to join their lot because they needed a few handy fingers for loot. Altaïr had lectured her enough down the continent that he ingrained chopped off hands into her dreams. Besides, if he joined, she could learn the craft of being a full-fledged kleptomaniac!

Amon burst her bubble with a vigorous shake of the head and laughed at her humorous pout, telling her bluntly, "Not yet, I should preserve my sanity for a while longer."

"Good luck when you're out here in the middle of nowhere" Maria muttered as she observed the silence around the volcano compared to their campground. Either there was a predator lurking about or something was off with the terrain that would lead them in the right direction. She didn't understand Altaïr's bond with that ancient technology and frankly, she didn't want to be anywhere near it unless absolutely necessary. He could lead the search on this elusive piece and she asked him, "Where do you suggest we start?"

Altaïr didn't hesitate to point straight at the center of the volcano and stated simply, "There."

Vivian would follow him loyally without question, rubbing her hands together to ask with enthusiasm, "Are we digging? Climbing? Spelunking?"

"What?" Bashir questioned awkwardly at the last odd word, never hearing of it and curious to know more.

"Cave exploration, my friend" she explained with a witty grin at marking off being in a geothermal cave off her bucket list. If they were going on crazy adventures, she would be making the best of their last leg with a positive attitude at her discoveries. For every negative, there had to be at least two positives to keep a strong mindset.

Malik saw the excitement in Bashir's eyes at diving into the unknown and he was quick to correct them, "Not alone!"

Altaïr agreed with the sentiment since their last above ground cave search went awry, mainly because they came to rescue him. He did not want to jeopardize the safety of his team and he had larger numbers this time. However, assigning leaders would prevent casualties since he had capable fighters. His main concern would be Vivian but his wife was more than ready to follow him, no matter the danger.

"Let's split into two groups to cover ground in this area" Altaïr informed everyone to keep them safe and spread out to be less of a risk. Traveling in a large group would be absurd but he would keep his core team together. They had been by his side for far too long for him to leave them behind. He appointed Maria and Amon to be in charge of the second team, ignoring Malik's glare for being automatically lumped into his team despite being the second-most senior member. Altaïr refused to be sentimental now of all times and told them all firmly, "Be on guard at all times."

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Thank you for reading this chapter and we're rolling towards the end with two more chapters to go!

To Altairla: Thank you for enjoying the last chapter! I can't keep the fellowship separated for long and now, they have two old faces joining their mission for the last hurdle. The next chapter will take them into the volcano as the story heads to its conclusion after a long journey.