Under An Illusion: Chapter 3

**MiyaSess** · 02-21-2010 10:54 PM

Disclaimer: I don’t own Assassin’s Creed but I wish I did ^^
A/N:It’s been a WHILE! I’m looking at this and wondering to myself WHERE’S THE SEX!? But I’m not going to rush this one. I genuinely like it sssooo I won’t do anything rash til later. –evil smirk- Mmmm…. Anyway!! ^^ Secrets unfold here and an awkward wakeup call I think is the best way to go about starting so Enjoy <(^-^)>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 3~~~ Altair/Secrets Unfold

I felt myself drifting in and out of consciousness. Everything seemed so distant and yet at peace. I felt as if I could stay lost in the warm sensations lulling me back to sleep.
Wait a second.

‘Wasn't I fighting a Templar?’

I opened my eyes immediately and the first thing I saw was the calming color of a faded yellow ceiling. I relaxed slightly, before sighing in annoyance. I hadn't known anyone, personally, who owned a house. I turned my head slightly on the surprisingly soft surface I was laying on.

‘Definitely don't know anyone hospitable enough to place me on a bed. Who could possibly—?’

Pulled from my thoughts, vision clouded with drowsiness, my eyes fell upon the most alluring sight of long black hair. ‘A woman,’ was my initial thought.

It was mid-length and it looked soft and smooth to the touch. Gracefully billowing down her back, straight but curled somewhat at the ends. It caressed her tanned skin like silk and occupied my gaze for the longest time. I watched it silently, sideways, as her hair moved languidly against her back. When she cracked her neck and...’Was that a scar?’

Very confused at the thought of a woman bearing a scar I tried to sit up on the bed. The world spun furiously and I groaned in pain as I brought my hand up to nurse my headache. I felt like a horse had kicked me in the back of the head and I was only feeling the repercussions just then. I closed my eyes to block out the brightening light of the room and listening to the shuffle of clothing.

"Oh, you're up!" A soothing, male, voice called out to me and I opened my eyes instinctively.

‘Who in the world!?’

"I was beginning to worry. I hope I didn't hit you too hard. How are you feeling?"

‘Where'd the woman go?’ And the more my eyes focused, I realized his hair, in the style of a spiked mullet, was what I had been ogling barely seconds before. ‘I thought he was a woman!?! Wait....that's not important right now. Where the hell am I? Last thing I remember is fighting off...the...second Templar...’

Realization finally dawned on me. Instinctively I reached for my sword but it wasn't at my side. He must have taken it but my hidden blade was still attached to my wrist inside my sleeve. Not really a weapon I should've been using to threaten someone since its sole purpose was for quick assassination; not some knife I could wave around. I pointed it at him nonetheless. "Who are you?!"

He stared at me dumbfounded at first before erupting into laughter. Clearly he hadn't grasped the situation. To my annoyance at being ignored, he quickly finished wrapping his arm. Satisfied with his work, he turned towards me with a ridiculous smile on his face. Clearly an idiot.

"I think we should see Big Daddy before I tell you anything. Having him there will make it much easier for you to understand."

"Who?" He looked at me like I had two heads and then recognition painted its self on his face.

"Hahah!! That's right, you're new...I meant Al Mualim. We should go talk to him first. You did just finish a mission; you have to report to him anyway." The man walked out of the room and returned with his torso partly covered by a buttoned linen shirt.

My eyes followed his fingers that slowly fastened the top close and I averted my gaze when I realized I had been staring. He was a man, 'I'm a man', and I shouldn't have been staring when I already knew what was there. I stares at the bedding instead as I thought to myself.

‘He can’t possibly be an enemy…But I have no idea who he is…he knows of Al Mualim so he can’t possibly be anyone dangerous to the Creed…..Definitely someone to watch over….he’s very suspicious. I wonder why he allowed me in his home if he knows I’m an assassin?’

A soft chuckle and an immense source of warm heat pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up, ‘My hood was still on?’, and froze. His face was within touching distance of my own and I glared, unable to pull back without seeming weak.

“Are you alright? Is it too hard for you to stand? I could carry you if you’d like.” The back of his hand gently caressed my forehead and an odd sensation ran through my body. I pulled back immediately, batting his hand away as I felt my cheeks grow hot. ‘What’s wrong with me?’

“I can stand just fine, thank you.” I growled in annoyance as I moved away from him, feeling my face go back to normal, ‘That was weird’, and stood without his help. Clearly an idiot to think I would need his help.

I wobbled slightly as I felt my head rush with pain and I tried to nurse it back to good health. He took hold of my arm and I allowed the contact for only a second before I pulled away from him again.

“Alright then, let’s go.” He spoke with a smile and I followed him out of the house only to realize we were below the Fortress. ‘Well, at least I don’t have to walk the entire hill of Masyaf with this pulsing headache….Hold on, how in the world did I get up here anyway?’

“Could he have….No,” I whispered to myself before I sped up my step and walked at his side, “tell me you didn’t carry me all the way up here.”

“Hmm?” He turned towards me, slightly confused but smiled cockily nonetheless and chuckled. “Of course I carried you, how else do you guess I got us up here?”

I felt like I had run into a brick or even cement wall. “You’re kidding right?”

“No, I’m not but I can tell by the look on your face that you want me to be, haha! Don’t worry,” he said as he patted my back, pushing me forward slightly by the sheer force of it, “I won’t tell Big Daddy if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

‘There he goes using that ridiculous name for Al Mualim….’

“Was that your house then?” I asked curiously as we walked slowly up the hill. ‘God, I don’t remember ever getting so winded just walking this far…’

“No, I borrowed it from a friend. She didn’t mind much since she’s used to me bringing strangers home.”

‘So he’s married? And what’s that supposed to mean, used to bring strangers?! Who is this crazy man?’ We walked through the Fortress doors and up the stairs to Al Mualim’s personal assortment of books. I found him immediately, wrapped in the shrouds of darkness in a corner of a bookcase and he stepped out into the light.

“Did you finish your mission?” He questioned without prying his eyes from the book within his hands and walked towards his desk slowly.

“Yes master,” I bowed, “the Templar Captain who invaded the lower villagers is no longer in this world. He is with his other companions.”

“Good, good. You have done well,” He waved his hand dismissively and I glanced to the stranger at my side.

“Al Mualim,” he addressed as he stepped forward, “there is something we need to discuss.”

‘So the nickname is not within Al Mualim’s knowledge? Odd….’

“What do you—?” Al Mualim waved his hand in a more irritated dismissal as he looked up from his book but when they locked eyes, Al Mualim’s eyes widened and he finally realized just who he was talking to as his gaze fell on me. “Altair…how…How much do you know about this man?”

“Very little Master, he said explaining things would be a lot easier, with...you…here?” I hesitated in my sentence as I glanced over at the stranger and noticed his face was contorted into utter shock and disbelief.

‘Why in the world is he looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?’ I refrained from bringing my hand up to check, ignoring him as I returned my attention to Al Mualim. I sighed, slightly irritated that I could still feel him staring.

“Altair…What I am about to tell you is very important to keep a secret for the sake of Masyaf. Do you understand?” I gulped nervously but nodded nonetheless. I was the top assassin; no news of any kind could possibly throw me to my feet. I noticed the stranger and Al Mualim exchange glances before the man turned towards me.

“My name is Amir and I am a Templar Knight in disguise.” I was on the floor before I could register anything else.

‘I stood corrected, that kind of news can knock me to my feet.’

“What!? How is that possible?” I groaned in discomfort as a headache rushed to attack my spinning mind as I tried to comprehend the situation. A Templar Knight in disguise, was that even possible? The name began to nag me at the back of my head, as if I was to have remembered it from somewhere.

And then it hit me.

I drew my hidden blade instantly and lunged at him, but somehow he foresaw my attack and blocked it with a, ‘dinner knife?’

“You!” I growled as I pushed the edge on my blade closer to his neck and he defended himself with a calm gaze. “You’re the ------- who fought me in Jerusalem. What’s a Templar think he’s doing here, in an Assassin’s village?”

“I told you already, I’m a Templar in disguise. The only reason you’re here is because I saved your sorry ass from those city guards who would have otherwise killed you than spared.” I snarled at him and he growled low in his throat, pushing back against my hidden blade.

“You didn’t save me. I already told you, I don’t need saving.” He growled louder.

“And I suppose you arrived here one your own by sorcery I suppose? That your more serious wounds were magically taken care of, all by themselves? Impudent, haughty little assassin you are. I would have never guessed the great Altair was such a brat.”

“I am not a brat!”

“But you admit you’re impudent and haughty?” He smirked arrogantly and it boiled my blood as I clenched my fist.

“I never sai—”

“Enough!” Al Mualim’s voice boomed and bounced off the walls through the Fortress. It startled everyone, even the guards at the bottom floor, and he moved in between us, pushing at our chests with none too surprising strength.

“You’re both acting like bickering, starving children over a small piece of bread. Stop with your foolishness and start acting like the talented assassins I know. I’m going to need you both getting along, now that Altair knows.”

“What?!” We responded in unison and I turned my head to glare at him spitefully. He dared thought he was above me? ‘I am Altair. I am the top assassin.’ Al Mualim turned to us both with a stern gaze.

“Master, I don’t think I need any help with my missions and even then, why would you pair me up with some Templar?”

“Not a Templar, you arrogant brat.” He growled, taking a step towards me but stopped as Al Mualim glared at him.

“I’m not a brat and I’m quite certain I don’t need your help with anything.” I shook my fist at him and scoffed, folding his arms across his chest and ignoring me.

“I’ve already settled my mind on it, Altair.”

“But Mast—”

“I’ve already decided! You know of Amir’s mission which means you two will be paired up with each other more often. It will help me and the Creed greatly. But do not force me to make it an order.” He pointed towards me first in warning and then at Amir. Al Mualim wasn’t going to budge on the matter. We exchanged hate filled glances.

“Yes Master.” We replied again in unison but I bowed obediently, the man merely nodded. And he considered me the impudent one?

“Good,” Al Mualim stepped behind his desk and sat in his chair, slowly watching our reactions before continuing, “Rest and then venture out into Acre, I have need of both your talents working together. Some nobleman thinks preaching his own beliefs will bring him a higher rank in the Kingdom, I need you two to put him in his place.

He’ll be heavily guarded and I want you to negotiate with him to step down before engaging in battle. You need only teach him a lesson; it’ll keep him in place. Now go, I must focus on my studies.” Al Mualim waved us away and I went down the stairs after mumbling, ‘yes master’.

I walked away from the Fortress with ungodly speed, anger boiling my blood to the point of receiving a headache. As I walked through Masyaf I noticed it was a lot busier than before. I sat at a bench and scanned the area. To my dismay, as I listened in on all sorts of conversations, only one name was repeated constantly.

‘Amir…’ Angrily I stood up and walked towards training grounds. I looked up and realized he was standing not too far from me. How could someone so insignificant, rile me so? I glared daggers at him as I watched him talk with the others.

‘That’s the first time I've heard of him and now his name is all over the place. What? Did I just completely ignore the fact that there was another assassin at my level? No, that can't be it....’ Abruptly I stood and stomped towards him.

“Why is it that I've never heard of you before now?” Amir looked at me with a confused glance and answered with what seemed like he was a little unsure of himself. It wasn't that hard of a question. He should have just answered it.

“Altair. I'm two years your senior. There are many reasons why we've never crossed paths before.”

“That’s no excuse. Where have you been hiding all this time? You can’t expect me to believe you’ve been an Assassin all this time under the guise of a Templar Knight.”

“Altair. You remember the raid, the one you killed my superior over? How do you think the Templars were able to even find Masyaf, let alone attack it so coincidentally when all the Assassins were gone?” I opened my mouth in silent retort and then closed it. ‘How did that raid happen?’

“Al Mualim wants to eliminate the Templar’s no matter what; even if it means attacking his own village. Do you understand?”

“Are you saying the raid and my killing your Templar superior was all part of Al Mualim’s plan to get rid of the Templars?” He nodded before hitting my back playfully.

“You’re smarter than you let on Altair. Maybe you’re not so bad after all?” I smacked his hand away as he laughed.

“And what is that supposed to mean?!” I yelled in offense as he raised his hands in the air defensively. ‘I can’t believe I have to work with this idiot…’

“That’s it, let’s just go to Acre and get this mission over with. The faster I don’t have to work with you, the better.” I felt my entire face heat up again and I was thankful for my hood that concealed everything but my eyes. There was no way I would have allowed Amir to see me so frustrated.

He’d probably make me even angrier with another clever quip at my expense. ‘Clever quip? There’s nothing clever about him or the things that come out of his mouth. He infuriates me to no end.’

We arrived at Acre faster than expected and we were inside the city with ease as his Templar status gave him a clear pass for just about anything. It took us awhile but we were able to find our target.

The nobleman was nothing special. Just some lowlife who thought he could climb to the top with what little money he had. He thought that preaching his own beliefs and running his followers dry would help him succeed. I begged to differ.

We were near the docking bay for the ships. The nobleman most likely would preach from the biggest one; a boat he more than likely wasted all his assets on. We approached a crowd, I turned towards Amir and he nodded in response. Divide and conquer.

I moved towards the left side of the crowd, pushing people lightly out of my way. They swayed like tall grass in the wind, the sea crisp air wafting over all of them as they listened to the nobleman’s speech. ‘Complete and utter nonsense, if only they could see.’

A small breeze moved against my face and picked up, dangerously pushing against my hood. I caught it quickly before it flipped backwards off my head, and held my hand protectively over it before the wind died down. He had minimal guards, positioned underneath him and off the boat.

There was no way anyone would be able to stop me. I moved with ungodly speed as the nobleman raised his arms in the air and I jumped from an elevated platform, drawing my hidden blade. I pulled my arm back and as I landed the nobleman pulled back in terror. He covered his face with his hands and an enormous gust of wind pushed at my front and his back.

I ignored everything else as I went in for the kill. The world seemed brighter for some reason as I grabbed the back of the nobleman’s head and stabbed him in the neck. There was no sound from him other than the blood gurgling in his throat as he withered in my arms.

He clutched tightly onto my robes, staring at me with wide surprise before his grip loosened and he was gone. The screams of the crowd were voiced from the front first, as they always were. The guards barely registering what had happened and I released the body from my hold.

I stood and turned to see Amir, frozen in the running crowd around him, staring at me with a piercing heated gaze. I felt my entire body go hot before I looked away and ducked down, stepping off the podium. I felt my cheeks in wild amazement. ‘What in the world just happened?’

~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Finished!!!

Wow!! SSSOOO sorry that took so long. Really I am. It’s like 2:30 am right now. I’m tired as hell. I had a bunch of College work ta get done and then there was this story contest. The winner gets published and $200. I couldn’t resist!! My limit was 4,000 words, which sucked cause that meant I had to use an ENTIRELY new story idea. But, somehow I climbed over my writer’s block wall and was able to finish it. Now all I gotta do is send it in, Lol.
So what’d ya think? Cute right?!

I kept dying each time I tried to write past Altair thinking Amir was a woman. Priceless. And Big Daddy is what a friend of mine had gotten me to call Al Mualim when she had introduced the game to me so that was for ya sweetie!!! XP Hope ya’ll liked it. Remember, the more people who review this story, the fast a chapter is written and posted. Lol, see ya next time <(^p^)>

**shyladay12x** · 02-22-2010 05:13 PM

That was really really nice! I loved it! Im just wondering why Altar always got red when Amir stared at him? But other than that it was AWSOME!!!!!!!!!! When Altar kille the noble men I was like 'reading.

..what!' But it was supper cute!!!!!!!!! Like really really awsome! Yea I loved it!

**MiyaSess** · 03-03-2010 07:05 PM

Aw, thanks so much!! I knw, it's weird to see Altair turn red but it wasn't blushing it was more being uncomfortable every time Altair felt Amir staring. I would too if I had some hot hunk of meat staring me down, xD