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Chapter 8 ~The awakening~
Pain was dragging you out of the slumber, your eyelids protested but parted open when you looked for Ezio with your hand finding nothing but an empty bed, your back against the bed was pulsing and when you tried to sit up the ache got worse.

-Maybe I exceeded myself… -You mumbled in a pained voice as your right hand went to massage the bruised area of your body. Trembling fingers searched in your robes to find the balm and before you started to undress someone knocked on the door.

-(Y/N) are you awake? –The soft voice of Claudia called you from the other side of the door.

-Si, passaggi, è aperto (Yes, come in, it’s open)… -Your answered happily, Claudia opened the door and entered almost giggling, you frowned at the suspiciousness and waited until she sat to question her.–What are you up to Claudia? –you smirked a little.

-Well I guess I’m not good at keeping appearances… -She started talking and smiled. –How was the night… Did you and my brother…? -The Young Auditore lady flushed with the thought of that Word and made you flush as well, you almost choke in your own saliva when she gave you a kind of dirty look.

-Mio Dio Claudia (Oh my god Claudia)! –You muttered and laughed nervously. –Why do you think that? Of course we didn’t… -You almost threw her a pillow but stopped when some needles nipped in your skin.

-Sorry… Is just that I saw him very happy this morning… I just thought… -She answered somewhat ashamed for the question, she was still a child but her affirmation intrigued you.

-What time is it Claudia? –it took her a few seconds to respond.

-3 pm I think… Why? –You opened your eyes like plates, it felt like you only had slept for twenty minutes, hurrying you tried to jump out of the bed but almost fell; Claudia extended her arms as if she was going to catch you. –(Y/N) stai bene? (Are you ok)? –She sounded very worried.

-Si,Si… the bruise, please help me with the balm. –You handed her the flask and started to undress leaving the shirt only covering your breasts, her small hands started to massage the area making the pain fade away again, once she was finished you stood up and started to dress with your normal robes. –Where is Ezio? –You requested as Claudia stood up and walked to the door.

-He is in the front yard, training with Uncle Mario. – Claudia exited the room followed by yourself but stopped in half way of the stairs when Mario busted into the hall furious passing by to his studio. –Why is he so upset? - She looked at you confused

-I don’t know I’ll go talk with him. –You gave her a comforting smile and patted her back.

Mario was walking from one side to the other of the studio, he was murmuring some incomprehensible things maybe cursing, and his hands were in his hips, then rushing his hair, then touching the bridge of his nose, the poor man was going mad; he stopped once you knocked on the wall to call his attention.

-Mess… Uncle Mario are you alright? –You approached him carefully, men were dangerous when angry, specially the most cheerful ones, he sighed and reclined in his desk.

-No bambina, I’m not… -The way he said these words made your heart sink, you swallowed hard before talking.

-What’s wrong? What happened? – You got closer to him seeking for his eyes that were fixed in the floor, he wasn’t exactly part of your family but seeing an old man sad always made your heart twist with pain.

-It’s Ezio… He’s still planning on leaving… -He looked at you. –I thought that maybe if I explained to him, maybe he would change his mind but it didn’t work. He has made his decision… - He stood straight and more determinate this time. -And so I am. –He unsheathed his sword and walked firmly to the back door of the studio, you were confused by the sudden change of energy.

-Wait… what do you mean? Where are you going? –words came out without thinking and made him stop before passing the threshold.

-To end the Pazzi. Once and for all –his voice was very threatening, but his expression was calm, he was completely focused with his emotions in place, though he was angry and then sad, now looked like he had came to a realization.

He crossed the door and disappeared, you stood there for a few seconds and turned back when you heard Claudia’s steps, she was standing in the entrance of the studio, her mouth opened to say something but Ezio came in, very agitated.

-Where is everyone? –He inspectioned the room until his eyes landed on you.

-Good morning to you too. –You answered mockingly. -Probably half way to san Gimignano to find Vieri. - Ezio smiled at you and then turned to see Claudia, the brothers locked eyes for a few seconds until she smirked thinly and left the room, as if Ezio had ordered to do so telepathically. He turned to face you again, this time more predatory made you have Goosebumps.

-Good morning, how are you feeling? –Ezio purred seductively and he walked closer to embrace you, his scent was pretty strong and his temperature high, he had been training with Mario all the morning.

-Better... I guess I over slept. –You choked as he let go of you. –What did you tell Uncle Mario to make him that upset? –The inquire seemed to disturb Ezio a little.

-I told him we are leaving and apparently… -He looked at your hands and took them into his. –He is not very happy with it. –He kissed your knuckles without breaking eye contact and attempted to steal a kiss but you pulled back before he could.

-There is no time, we need to hurry. – You answered calmly and smiled when he made pouts –He is going to slay that snake of Vieri and he may need some little help. - You broke the contact and walked to the door hearing Ezio behind you.

*~*~*~*~*~*

The sun was setting on the horizon by the time you two reunited with Mario, he and his men were in a small warehouse near the doors of san Gimignano and when he saw you getting down the horses a spark of surprise flashed in his eyes.

-Ezio? What are you doing here? –Mario spoke directly to him and gave you a quick look.

-Taking responsibility. Vieri troubles you because of me. –you looked at Ezio and a thin smile appeared in your face, he still thinks that everything spins around him, such a child.

-Vieri troubles us because he is a templar and we are assassins. –A slight tone of mockiness was perceived in his voice.

-Either way, I wish to help. –Ezio answered quite harshly, right in the ego, you were laughing internally when his hand took yours and grabbed you a little forward. –We wish to help. –A furtive flush covered your face as you tried to look at Mario, he smiled as a response.

-Va bene (Alright) then listen close. –His smile faded, he was all assassin business now, the explanation of the plan was very simple, Mario and the others would be the bait while Ezio passed the wall and opened the door from inside, everyone seemed to have their part clear.

-I will go with them then. –You pointed out and removed the hand that he kept holding during the talk –Let’s get going. –You looked firmly at Mario and waited until he nodded.

You had the odds in your favor with the veil of the night, the echoes of your steps was almost inaudible to prevent any guard nearby alert the others and when you were close the entrance everyone positioned in formation ready to strike, meanwhile Mario proceed to explain the process to Ezio.

-Alright Ezio this is how is going to work: my men and I will distract the guards, once we’ve engaged them, get yourself over the wall and find a way to open the gate. –He pointed at the wall next to you as he explained and then his hand went to his pockets. –Take these throwing knives. Use them to dispatch the archers. –Mario handed him the knives and you saw how he equipped them in his belt.

-I’m ready when you are. –Ezio affirmed and looked at you.

-Then let us begin. –Mario made a signal with his hand indicating his men to move, when you tried to go Ezio caught your wrist in a firm grip, his eyes looking you serious, there was a tiny slip on your chest.

-Be careful (Y/N) –You weren’t in a very good shape to enter a really heavy fight so this time you would have to be extra careful, to not worry him you nodded and waited until see how his gaze relaxed.

-I’ll be. –You said and smiled to ease him a little more, the sounds of metal clenching in the distance was the signal to start with the plan, you looked nervously behind you and then back at Ezio. –Now go. -You dismissed him and his hand freed you, he climbed skillfully the wall and once he disappeared in the other side you unsheathed your sword and made your way to the battle.

There were a tie in numbers from each side but quickly one by one guards started to fall, you approached to the angry crowd carefully trying to not let the guards see you so you could kill them without any trouble, you killed the first one by slashing his throat open while he was distracted for a mercenary, you moved gracefully between the coarse men almost as if you were dancing a waltz and got to your next target, this time you stabbed him repeatedly times from behind and let him fall to the ground agonizing by the pain, the scent of blood and sweat was filling the air at the point of being suffocating, you looked around to find your next target but didn’t notice a brute approaching from behind.

-Attento (watch out)! –Mario called out and put himself between you and the soldier taking the hint with his sword diverting it and killing with a clean lunge into his stomach. You were shocked by how close you were to death, slight shivers in your legs and lack of air.

-Gra… grazie mile uncle (Thank you) –You panted out trying to catch breath to calm yourself, He nodded at you and then went to find another opponents, once you were fully recovered you proceed with your lethal waltz slashing and stabbing whoever tried to dance with you, drops of crimson stained your white robes looking like rubies under the pale moonlight.

It didn’t pass too much time before the gates opened, you finished one of the last guards and entered beside Mario to find Ezio near a small well, he looked kind of anxious but when spotted and examined you relaxed. You smiled when your eyes met, a small flush under Ezio’s hood betrayed his cool behavior, maybe he was being a little over protective.

-I want you to distract those guards and keep them from raising the alarm. Hopefully it will buy me enough time to find and silence Vieri. –Mario popped you out of your bubble, his head motioned towards some men up the street.

-Va bene (Al right) –Ezio answered and was getting ready to go but stopped when Mario talked to him.

-Wait nipote (nephew) take a few of my men with you… just to be safe. –Ezio shook his head.

-(Y/N) and I will be enough, don’t worry. –he answered very secure of himself, Mario looked at you worried but you nodded just to calm him, by his expression you could tell that he wasn’t very sure or even approved it but right now there was no time to discuss.

-Bene… come join me once they’re dealt with. –He finally said and parted to the opposite way while you headed north to do the cleaning.

Trying to catch them by surprise was useless, they saw you from distance, sometimes these people could be very annoying, they surrounded you with swords ready to cut but even though you were outnumbered by people they didn’t compared to you two together in skill, he put himself back against back and waited for them to do the first move , when the first one came you slid your feet under his making him trip and crash with another guard, there was another one already coming and your sharp blade welcomed him by stabbing his throat, lifeless bodies fell one after the other, until only one was was left and he knew how precious his life was by running away in complete horror, you laughed a little and saw Ezio sheathing his sword.

-You are still too clumsy with the sword. –You teased. –We will practice a lot once we are back. –You continued and gained a smirk from him. Both of you kept walking through the street until finding a wounded mercenary lying near another well, he was clinging to life with all his strength and looked relieved when you two approached him.

-Ezio! Your uncle’s under attack and needs help, go to him. –The last spark of life on his eyes vanished just after that, you kneeled to close his clouded eyes and recite your speech as a last farewell.

The howling of men and metal was heard near there alerting you, Ezio got ahead and you joined him seconds after, He was hiding behind a haystack, you stayed in there to avoid your enemies as your eyes scanned the area looking for Mario, there were too many shapes and not very much light apart from the moon’s, it was difficult and you had to push yourself at the point of eyes hurting the result of such level of concentration was a distorted vision, flashes of blue and red and darkness, nothing was completely focused it looked blurry and even harder to tell what was what until a sparkle of golden light shown, you instinctively knew who that was.

-There! –You pointed at the direction and had to cover your eyes with your hands to stop looking, your eyes were pulsing and you could swear they would explode in any moment with all the blood that was rushing through your head, but not only the ears were affected there was a constant buzzing in your eardrums that made everything much more confusing and scarier, you didn’t know was happening and that scared you, a metallic flavor took over your mouth making you gag involuntarily. Ezio noticed your suffering and couldn’t help holding you in his arms.

-(Y/N) hey are you ok? –His voice was barely audible, you had to uncover your face but did it so slowly that it looked like you were afraid of seeing, luckily everything was normal again. Both were surprised when Mario drew near to you from the battle.

-Nipote, there you are…It seems that my plan has hit something of a snag… Vieri’s men ambushed us, and now we’ve got our hands full. –He looked back at the fighting crowd with a very unpleasant grin and then back at you.–My brothers and I will deal with these guards, I want you to go ahead and root out that snake. –You could understand some of the words they said but not enough to process what was happening, you tried to think what just happened, why everything turned so surreal, you remember your father had mentioned a condition some certain class of assassins had, something everyone called a gift, the ability to indentify the status of the people surrounding you, nonetheless this was something that ran in privileged bloodlines, just like the legendary Altair’s, but there were cases in which someone could develop, a real rarity but possible, what nobody knew was which could be the side effects to those that weren’t genetically adapted or prepared for it.

-Find Vieri! And See that justice is served Nipote (Nephew) –Ezio was anxious about leaving you in this state, he wasn’t very willing to let you but Mario made him get into reason. -(Y/N) and I will be fine go! –He nodded and leaned you in the haystack but you slid down until ducking on the floor, giving you a last long look before taking off, you saw him fading in with the darkness when again your vision started to get all weird and abnormal again, you didn’t have a clue on how to stop it and the longer you tried to stabilize the worse it get, you succumbed to tears due the despair that overwhelmed you.

-Are you hurt? –Ezio’s uncle saw you trembling and wiping and had to kneel down to help you. –What is it? – His hand patted softly your head but to you it felt like a dagger being dug into your skull, your hands reached for your temples and pressed on them to try and ease the ache, eyelids closed tight that the darkness stained with delusional stars, Mario didn’t know what to do so he opted for taking you out as fast as possible.-Ricardo! –His yell felt like hammering in your brain, you opened slightly your eyes and saw normal for a second but it shifted repeatedly times to glowing spectrums.–Take (Y/N) outside the walls and wait for us, protect her with your life. –The mercenary nodded and lifted you carefully; you put an arm round his shoulder and started walking.

The fresh air of the night helped you to relax a little, it felt like you hadn’t been breathing for years, you lungs were fighting to get enough air but it seemed never enough, your steps weren’t firm at all if it wasn’t for the man next to you, you probably would have to crawl to the entrance of the city, all this situation just came in the worst time possible, there was a war going on and you were dying, you were being a burden and that something you hated the most.

When you got closer to the gates a battalion of men entered and made a barrier for the upcoming special guests, four men, one in a dark tunic, an old senile man wearing a large grey tunic with golden ornaments, there was another long haired man with same style of dressing but it was shorter than the other and finally for your surprise the spoiled brat of Vieri, they were all into their business not even noticing your presence, it was a perfect chance.

-We need to hide… -You gasped to Ricardo but it was too late, some of the guards had spotted you already, the main bosses didn’t mind the intrusion but when Vieri identified you, they all looked very interested.

-That woman, she was with the bastardi (bastards) –Vieri informed his colleagues. –Capture her! She will be useful! –The spoiled kid yelled at the guards sending them to attack but stopped when a figure fell from a roof, it was Ezio.

-Leave her Vieri, this is between us. –Ezio confronted him, his colleagues took of immediately accompanied by other guards leaving only Ezio and Vieri and another half hundred men, Ezio started Chasing Vieri meanwhile the troops went after you, you were sure it was the end but just like every time, in the right moment, Mario appeared along with the cavalry crashing against the others in a violent fight giving you a chance to escape.

The mercenary had to carry you in a princess-like way to move faster between the crowd and when both of you made it out and thought that you were finally safe, two men in horses surrounded you, it were the same Vieri was talking to but the one with the dark tunic was gone, nowhere to be seen. They ambushed you two, you were looking at them from below and saw how they shifted from red to golden and then to normal, the moonlight made them look like demons, but you were sure that they didn’t only looked like them.

-Remember me how your son thinks she will be useful? –The older and senile man talked to the one that looked fairly similar to Vieri.

-We will have to find out brother… -The mercenary was holding you tight against his chest and was pointing his sword towards the men switching it continuously but was just a vain attempt to protect you, the black haired man drew out his sword and ordered his horse to precipitate towards him, the cool metal slashed clean his neck letting slide his head off by itself, warm blood spurted out of the headless body covering you, the body collapsed inevitably after seconds letting you fall with a loud stump, your back and head hurt like hell in that moment disabling you to get up by yourself, you had a fuzzy glimpse of the slaughterer walking towards you, it seemed like death getting closer, you were ready to die but instead of feeling the kiss of a sharp blade you felt disturbing warm hands lifting you, someone crying your name from far, then the neighing of a horse and after it gallops, lots of gallops, the rattle was turning your insides upside down without even mentioning crushing your head, it was too much, you were tired, you wanted to sleep, but before entering the void your vision shifted again, the man carrying you was red, he was an enemy, a feeling of despair and fear filled you but it wasn’t like you could do anything about it, the only thing you could do was let, let go of reality, let go of your consciousness and so you did.