Hmm, all right. Thanks for notifying me. May I ask what is this new job of yours?
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Woah! Such distance is no joke. Don't rush anything. If you can post tonight, awesome, but keep your priorities straight. Safe travels!
Oh and...glad you enjoyed my post. ^_^
Oh and...glad you enjoyed my post. ^_^
Here is that idea I mentioned earlier. I hope everything is fine! As always, feel free to point out if I overstepped my bounds or anything. Either way, there are a lot of options to take from here, that's for certain!
Also, something to note. I'm away from home for the weekend (and been away today too). Thankfully, I can still post, but with only basic formatting. And maybe a bit more typos than usual. Hope you enjoy it still though!
Also, something to note. I'm away from home for the weekend (and been away today too). Thankfully, I can still post, but with only basic formatting. And maybe a bit more typos than usual. Hope you enjoy it still though!
Luciano was not quite satisfied with the Assassin's words - they confirmed what he had already thought, but did not tell much new. One part still grabbed his attention however: that which told of the Apple apparently being much more than a simple but powerful object. It spoke to him, the Assassin said, almost commanding him to do its bidding. Emerico, who stayed very silent throughout most of the explanation, also nodded decisively when this part was mentioned. There was little doubt of its truth and Luciano was equal parts amazed and terrified.
The Grand Master talked about the artefact as a tool when it was more of a sinister entity of its own. The Templar did not yet think about how to present his failure - was it really one, after everything? - to the Order's leader. The knowledge he had just acquired was seldom enough, and if he wished to retain his elevated position within the organisation, he needed to get something more. He knew it well - and already had a plan.
"Thank you for your eager cooperation. I see no reason why we should not act the same," he said when the Assassin was done with his speech and the woman asked for their help for one last time. "Come. One of Firenze's best doctors works in the district above us. He will no doubt take care of your partner's wounds."
He beckoned the two Assassins to go forward so that he and Emerico could keep eyes on them. They were more cautious however and walked with their blades visibly out. The atmosphere was tense, but silent and bloodless as well. No one made a sudden move.
The exit from the catacombs was a rusty ladder leading to a hidden door in the wall of a church. The ladder was narrow, they had to go up one by one. Luciano was the third one to step on it, Emerico right behind him. This was his opportunity.
Exploiting the few moments when the two Assassins were already up and out and he was not yet expected to appear behind them, he turned and whispered one word to Emerico:
"Reinforce."
He could only hope he was quick and silent enough for his little act to go unnoticed by the Assassins. Once all four of them were on the surface and started heading towards the doctor Luciano mentioned, Emerico suddenly stepped away in the other direction.
"It was a...pleasure. May we never meet again," he said before disappearing into the crowd with haste.
"I gave him permission to leave." Luciano jumped to explain quickly before the Assassins became suspicious. "He is still greatly perturbed by the Apple's effects, but unlike you, he is thankfully mostly unscathed. There is no need for him here anymore - it was best to let him leave to rest at home."
He then ushered the two to keep on going as fast as the injured one could keep up.
Emerico did not head home. Much less to rest. Instead, he hurried to a specific guard patrol post. Since the Medici took control, they have replaced most of Florence's armed forces with men loyal to them. It was only thanks to hefty financial incentives from Rodrigo Borgia and other powerful people that the Templar Order could retain a heavy influence among the ranks, able to use the guards for their own goals.
Emerico went for the closest, knowingly Templar-affiliated guard captain and was most relieved when he found him with his entire squad waltzing around the area in patrol.
"Messer, come quickly! A brother needs your aid."
"With what exactly, eh?" The captain, though loyal, was haughty enough to question.
Emerico quickly looked around himself then leaned closer:
"Hunting Assassins."
That was enough. The captain ordered his men to follow him as he went after Emerico.
Luciano held his promise and the two Assassins could soon hear the inviting words of the doctor who offered his services to any passer-by. He wore the usual black cloak and beak-shaped mask, standing at his small but well-equipped stand. Luciano knew him personally, he had visited him before. He was a fair and impartial doctor, seemingly unaware of the grand war behind the scenes. The Templar did not plan on dragging him into it this time either.
"Here he is. Just ask, and he will treat you properly," he said to the injured Assassin and slowly backed off. "The deal is finished."
He lingered around the area for a couple more minutes, anxiously waiting for Emerico to arrive. And he did - with the reinforcement.
"I hope we are not too late yet," said the apprentice.
"You are right on time." Luciano quickly beckoned him and the guards towards the doctor. "Let us strike."
"You have violated the law of the great city of Firenze. In the name of the one and only Dio, you shall be brought to justice!" The guard captain stepped up to the two Assassins with a harsh voice and a blade drawn, scaring both the hapless doctor and the nearby civilians
"The deal may be done..." Luciano walked besides him, armed and ready. "But this is the true end."
The Grand Master talked about the artefact as a tool when it was more of a sinister entity of its own. The Templar did not yet think about how to present his failure - was it really one, after everything? - to the Order's leader. The knowledge he had just acquired was seldom enough, and if he wished to retain his elevated position within the organisation, he needed to get something more. He knew it well - and already had a plan.
"Thank you for your eager cooperation. I see no reason why we should not act the same," he said when the Assassin was done with his speech and the woman asked for their help for one last time. "Come. One of Firenze's best doctors works in the district above us. He will no doubt take care of your partner's wounds."
He beckoned the two Assassins to go forward so that he and Emerico could keep eyes on them. They were more cautious however and walked with their blades visibly out. The atmosphere was tense, but silent and bloodless as well. No one made a sudden move.
The exit from the catacombs was a rusty ladder leading to a hidden door in the wall of a church. The ladder was narrow, they had to go up one by one. Luciano was the third one to step on it, Emerico right behind him. This was his opportunity.
Exploiting the few moments when the two Assassins were already up and out and he was not yet expected to appear behind them, he turned and whispered one word to Emerico:
"Reinforce."
He could only hope he was quick and silent enough for his little act to go unnoticed by the Assassins. Once all four of them were on the surface and started heading towards the doctor Luciano mentioned, Emerico suddenly stepped away in the other direction.
"It was a...pleasure. May we never meet again," he said before disappearing into the crowd with haste.
"I gave him permission to leave." Luciano jumped to explain quickly before the Assassins became suspicious. "He is still greatly perturbed by the Apple's effects, but unlike you, he is thankfully mostly unscathed. There is no need for him here anymore - it was best to let him leave to rest at home."
He then ushered the two to keep on going as fast as the injured one could keep up.
Emerico did not head home. Much less to rest. Instead, he hurried to a specific guard patrol post. Since the Medici took control, they have replaced most of Florence's armed forces with men loyal to them. It was only thanks to hefty financial incentives from Rodrigo Borgia and other powerful people that the Templar Order could retain a heavy influence among the ranks, able to use the guards for their own goals.
Emerico went for the closest, knowingly Templar-affiliated guard captain and was most relieved when he found him with his entire squad waltzing around the area in patrol.
"Messer, come quickly! A brother needs your aid."
"With what exactly, eh?" The captain, though loyal, was haughty enough to question.
Emerico quickly looked around himself then leaned closer:
"Hunting Assassins."
That was enough. The captain ordered his men to follow him as he went after Emerico.
Luciano held his promise and the two Assassins could soon hear the inviting words of the doctor who offered his services to any passer-by. He wore the usual black cloak and beak-shaped mask, standing at his small but well-equipped stand. Luciano knew him personally, he had visited him before. He was a fair and impartial doctor, seemingly unaware of the grand war behind the scenes. The Templar did not plan on dragging him into it this time either.
"Here he is. Just ask, and he will treat you properly," he said to the injured Assassin and slowly backed off. "The deal is finished."
He lingered around the area for a couple more minutes, anxiously waiting for Emerico to arrive. And he did - with the reinforcement.
"I hope we are not too late yet," said the apprentice.
"You are right on time." Luciano quickly beckoned him and the guards towards the doctor. "Let us strike."
"You have violated the law of the great city of Firenze. In the name of the one and only Dio, you shall be brought to justice!" The guard captain stepped up to the two Assassins with a harsh voice and a blade drawn, scaring both the hapless doctor and the nearby civilians
"The deal may be done..." Luciano walked besides him, armed and ready. "But this is the true end."
This was admittedly a shorter post, and you can follow up with a similar one as well, depending on how much you want to detail the Apple and its effects. After this, I have an idea of something to happen when the four are back on the streets of Florence!
The second Assassin was injured. Like a hound, Luciano smelled the blood—or rather, caught sight of the wound. He gave it a thought. Maybe he and Emerico could take them after all. Maybe they should, even. That was what a true Templar would have done: strike at the perfect opportunity and strike deep. Yet, something stilled his blade. There was a different hunger in him in that moment—hunger for knowledge.
“Of course. Secrecy is not a lie,” he answered the woman's offer with a small smirk that told nothing of his intentions. “But if we have to leave this place empty-handed, at least let us acquire some...enlightenment on the forsaken artefact. I am particularly interested in your companion's experiences.”
The ache to find out more was much greater in Luciano than how he presented it. He himself was affected by the Apple of Eden, although curiously in a much different way than Emerico or the Assassin. He wondered why. Perhaps he had the chance to discard the vast knowledge it held when it became too overwhelming, something the other two could not. While that was fortunate, it also left him none the wiser which was somewhat to his chagrin after all his expectations. And so, he hoped to hear something that could at least help him understand.
Meanwhile, Emerico stayed behind Luciano and listened silently. He had his own knowledge to share of course—but why would have he divulged it to his enemies when they were so keen on telling it themselves? There was a certain satisfaction in holding the cards in a situation. It was the Templar way, that of inexorable control. Something which would have been so much easier to obtain with the Pieces of Eden...
“Of course. Secrecy is not a lie,” he answered the woman's offer with a small smirk that told nothing of his intentions. “But if we have to leave this place empty-handed, at least let us acquire some...enlightenment on the forsaken artefact. I am particularly interested in your companion's experiences.”
The ache to find out more was much greater in Luciano than how he presented it. He himself was affected by the Apple of Eden, although curiously in a much different way than Emerico or the Assassin. He wondered why. Perhaps he had the chance to discard the vast knowledge it held when it became too overwhelming, something the other two could not. While that was fortunate, it also left him none the wiser which was somewhat to his chagrin after all his expectations. And so, he hoped to hear something that could at least help him understand.
Meanwhile, Emerico stayed behind Luciano and listened silently. He had his own knowledge to share of course—but why would have he divulged it to his enemies when they were so keen on telling it themselves? There was a certain satisfaction in holding the cards in a situation. It was the Templar way, that of inexorable control. Something which would have been so much easier to obtain with the Pieces of Eden...
Well it was a hard decision, haha. Luciano is a ferocious Templar, but he is also very calculated. With Emerico almost completely out (and him of course not knowing Alessandro's state) and Elena being a rather worthy opponent, he would not risk a direct confrontation, at least not right away. But the choice is there nonetheless. So if you wanna fight, have at it! :D
There was no time. The quakes did not lessen, much less cease. Almost nothing remained standing from the formations anymore, but the forces the otherworldly artefact put in motion did not stop there. The very walls of the massive cavern started cracking with ear-shattering loudness, threatening with certain doom for any who linger too long. The Apple was rolling right into the depths of this madness and Luciano, breaking away from its ever-present allure once more, had to realise retrieving it was a lost cause.
“It's gone...” he said to Emerico, who was still on the ground. “Only our lives remain to be saved now. But not for long if we don't hurry!”
“No...” The apprentice's gaze was unnaturally fixed to the Piece still. “We must...have it...”
He got up on his feet slowly and started slogging towards it, ignoring all the fatal dangers in his way.
“What are you doing, idiota?!” Luciano made his way towards Emerico and grabbed him firmly on the shoulder. He resisted, trying to break away from the Templar's grasp, but then suddenly the ground split under the Apple and took it down to a rocky grave. “We leave. This is an order.”
Emerico was petrified for a moment before acknowledging the words with a silent nod. The two sprinted towards the exit, almost side-by-side with the Assassins who, for the first time, held a common goal with them. With mere seconds to spare before a giant falling boulder, followed by a sea of stone as the entire wall levelled, blocked the gate away, all four of them made it back into the catacombs. Yet, nothing changed on the fact that the sanctuary of the Piece of Eden...was permanently destroyed.
Luciano reclined on the nearest wall, hand on his chest and desperately trying to catch his breath. Emerico was even worse off as once the rush of impulses ran out, his legs gave in and he fell on one knee, holding himself with his remaining strength. None of this was usual for the able-bodied and strong apprentice, who felt like his energy was sapped away all at once.
“The instinct for survival...is truly the greatest...” he uttered.
Luciano had many questions to Emerico, but before anything, his attention was focused on the two Assassins who stopped just a few metres farther. He laid his free hand on one of his swords. He expected at least one of them to come leaping forward to finish them off now that they were the most vulnerable. Archenemies since the dawn of humanity, surely a pair of Assassins would exploit the weakness of a pair of Templars if they were capable to do so?
But neither of them came. Luciano heard the woman speak, her words echoing through the chambers. Was it about them or her companion, he could not know. All he knew was that someone somehow needed to resolve the situation. And if they would not...it was up to him.
“Can you walk?” he asked Emerico, who was starting to look slightly better.
“Yes, I think...ugh.” He took his mentor's hand and rose up.
Luciano unsheathed both swords now and beckoned Emerico, who also drew his weapon, to follow. They walked up to the Assassins.
“There is an easy way and a hard way out of this,” Luciano began. He saw that their condition was just as sorry as theirs. Yet, he knew better not to rush a trained Assassin head on, no matter how weak they seemed. It was time for a compromise. “All four of us have our lives to barter with...and we are willing to negotiate. Put your weapons away and share what you can bring to the trade. Or rise against us...and let us end this for good.”
“It's gone...” he said to Emerico, who was still on the ground. “Only our lives remain to be saved now. But not for long if we don't hurry!”
“No...” The apprentice's gaze was unnaturally fixed to the Piece still. “We must...have it...”
He got up on his feet slowly and started slogging towards it, ignoring all the fatal dangers in his way.
“What are you doing, idiota?!” Luciano made his way towards Emerico and grabbed him firmly on the shoulder. He resisted, trying to break away from the Templar's grasp, but then suddenly the ground split under the Apple and took it down to a rocky grave. “We leave. This is an order.”
Emerico was petrified for a moment before acknowledging the words with a silent nod. The two sprinted towards the exit, almost side-by-side with the Assassins who, for the first time, held a common goal with them. With mere seconds to spare before a giant falling boulder, followed by a sea of stone as the entire wall levelled, blocked the gate away, all four of them made it back into the catacombs. Yet, nothing changed on the fact that the sanctuary of the Piece of Eden...was permanently destroyed.
Luciano reclined on the nearest wall, hand on his chest and desperately trying to catch his breath. Emerico was even worse off as once the rush of impulses ran out, his legs gave in and he fell on one knee, holding himself with his remaining strength. None of this was usual for the able-bodied and strong apprentice, who felt like his energy was sapped away all at once.
“The instinct for survival...is truly the greatest...” he uttered.
Luciano had many questions to Emerico, but before anything, his attention was focused on the two Assassins who stopped just a few metres farther. He laid his free hand on one of his swords. He expected at least one of them to come leaping forward to finish them off now that they were the most vulnerable. Archenemies since the dawn of humanity, surely a pair of Assassins would exploit the weakness of a pair of Templars if they were capable to do so?
But neither of them came. Luciano heard the woman speak, her words echoing through the chambers. Was it about them or her companion, he could not know. All he knew was that someone somehow needed to resolve the situation. And if they would not...it was up to him.
“Can you walk?” he asked Emerico, who was starting to look slightly better.
“Yes, I think...ugh.” He took his mentor's hand and rose up.
Luciano unsheathed both swords now and beckoned Emerico, who also drew his weapon, to follow. They walked up to the Assassins.
“There is an easy way and a hard way out of this,” Luciano began. He saw that their condition was just as sorry as theirs. Yet, he knew better not to rush a trained Assassin head on, no matter how weak they seemed. It was time for a compromise. “All four of us have our lives to barter with...and we are willing to negotiate. Put your weapons away and share what you can bring to the trade. Or rise against us...and let us end this for good.”
Feel free to fill out the duel with details as you wish, it was actually quite lengthy!
Also, I am unsure on the ending situation. There are once again a lot of possibilities, and I've been thinking about maybe having the Apple destroyed? It's basically a ‘bad’ conclusion for both sides, yet there might just well be greater values at stake here. I did not write it in right away because it definitely closes off some options and I didn't want to do that arbitrarily. What do you say?
Also, I am unsure on the ending situation. There are once again a lot of possibilities, and I've been thinking about maybe having the Apple destroyed? It's basically a ‘bad’ conclusion for both sides, yet there might just well be greater values at stake here. I did not write it in right away because it definitely closes off some options and I didn't want to do that arbitrarily. What do you say?
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