Assassin's Creed Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Artaxerxes I of Persia

2026-10-09T01:04:16Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Biography */

{{Era|Individuals}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Artaxerxes I of Persia
|image = ACOD Artaxerxes I render.png
|active = c. 465 BCE – c. 422 BCE [[Achaemenid Empire]] and [[Megara]], [[Megaris]], [[Greece]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = [[Achaemenid Empire]]
}}
'''Artaxerxes I of Persia''', known simply as '''Artaxerxes''' during his exile, was King of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] and [[Pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]] during the 5th century BCE. The son of [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes I]], he succeeded his father after his [[assassination]] in 465 BCE. Throughout his lifetime, Artaxerxes fathered numerous children, including the future king [[Darius II of Persia|Darius II]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Artaxerxes' father Xerxes I and grandfather [[Darius I of Persia|Darius I]] were close allies of the [[Order of the Ancients]], a powerful organization who aided in their conquests and expansions.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[Legacy of the First Blade: Hunted]]'' – [[Shadow of a Legend]]</ref> After Xerxes' assassination in 465 BCE, Artaxerxes ascended the throne as King. Xerxes' assassin [[Darius|Artabanus]], fearing Artaxerxes would also be manipulated by the Order, plotted his preemptive assassination, but it was halted by Artabanus' close friend and [[Iran|Persian]] elite [[Amorges]], who had joined the Order and called for the guards. As a result, Artaxerxes' life was spared and Artabanus was forced to flee, adopting "Darius" as his new name.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – ''Legacy of the First Blade: Hunted'' – [[Protector of Persia]]</ref>

Early in his reign as a child king, Artaxerxes befriended [[Themistokles]], a former [[Athens|Athenian]] general who had been [[Ostracism|ostracized]] and fled to Persia. Themistokles tutored the young king and told him many stories of the wonders of Greece. Before Themistokles' death, Artaxerxes promised his tutor that he would see each of the great landmarks he had been told about.<ref name="Prince of Persia">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Prince of Persia]]</ref>

===Exile from Persia===
At some point, Artaxerxes became aware of the Order's activities and his predecessors' connection to them. However, he refused to yield to the Order's promises of power or threats, which led the Order to attempt to have him dethroned.<ref name="SmokeAndFury">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[Legacy of the First Blade: Bloodline]]'' – [[Smoke and Fury]]</ref> They manipulated Artaxerxes' brother [[Hystaspes]] to have him overthrown and assassinated,<ref name="Prince of Persia"/> then took advantage of Darius' status as a fugitive and framed him for the murder.<ref name="SmokeAndFury"/> Despite losing his sight to the assassins' [[poison]], Artaxerxes nevertheless managed to survive and escape. Faking his death and fleeing Persia, Artaxerxes traveled to [[Greece]], where he sought refuge in the city of [[Megara]], [[Megaris]].<ref name="Prince of Persia" />

Sometime in 424 BCE, Artaxerxes made the acquaintance of [[Kassandra]], a ''[[Mercenary|misthios]]'' who, unbeknownst to him at the time, was also King [[Leonidas I of Sparta|Leonidas I]]'s granddaughter. Artaxerxes reminisced to Kassandra about the stories Themistokles told of his homeland and how he wished to see the landmarks his tutor and friend has described. Kassandra agreed to visit each of the landmarks and retell her experiences to Artaxerxes. Once her quest was complete, Artaxerxes thanked and rewarded her.<ref name="Prince of Persia"/>

==Behind the scenes==
Artaxerxes is a historical figure who first appeared in the 2018 video game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'', where he was voiced by the [[Cyprus|Cypriot]] actor [[Alkis Kritikos]]. Historically, Artaxerxes I reigned over Persia until his death in 424 BCE at {{Wiki|Susa}}, while in-game it is possible to interact with him up to and beyond his documented death date.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACOD Artaxerxes I of Persia.png|Close up view of Artaxerxes
ACOd-Artaxerxesbeggar.jpg|Artaxerxes praying and begging outside the temple in Megara
ACOd-Artaxerxesbegging.jpg
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[Legacy of the First Blade: Hunted]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Legacy of the First Blade: Bloodline]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACOD}}
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Persians]]
[[Category:Iranians]]
[[Category:Kings of Persia]]
[[Category:Pharaohs of Egypt]]
[[Category:Achaemenid dynasty]]

Consulting a Ghost

2026-09-29T08:42:51Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACOD}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name=Consulting a Ghost
|image=ACOD Consulting a Ghost 2.png
|appearance=''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
|description=''Oracles and prophecies had destroyed [[Kassandra]]'s family. So when [[Barnabas]] suggested she consult with the [[Pythia (431 BCE)|Pythia]] to find [[Myrrine|her mother]], she did so with great reluctance and skepticism.''
|type=Main
|previous=[[The Wolf's Fate]]
|next=[[The Truth Will Out]]
|source=[[Kassandra]]
|location=[[Sanctuary of Delphi]], [[Phokis]], [[Greece]]
|date=431 BCE}}
'''Consulting a Ghost''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Kassandra]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] in 2018 through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]].

==Description==
Kassandra travelled to the [[Sanctuary of Delphi]] to seek the [[Pythia (431 BCE)|Pythia]] for advice.

==Dialogue==
After searching [[Elpenor]]'s home for [[Order of the Ancients clues|clues]], Kassandra sought out the Oracle of Delphi. She arrived at the sanctuary.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I hope this oracle gives better news than the one in [[Sparta]].''
Kassandra passed by the temple.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The Sanctuary of Delphi. The gods themselves watch over this land.''
[[File:ACOD Consulting a Ghost 1.png|thumb|250px|Barnabas awaiting Kassandra with a stranger]]
She walked to the back, where [[Barnabas]] awaited with a stranger.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Kassandra, isn't this remarkable? We're so close to the gods, I can feel [[Apollo]] all around me. How did it go with Elpenor?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''We can talk later, in private. Who is this?''
*'''[[Herodotos]]:''' ''Just a simple pilgrim.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''He just saw the Oracle. I couldn't help but ask if she's as glorious as they say.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Well, is she?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''She left me with more questions than answers.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''That's the Oracle for you!''
Herodotos looked at Kassandra's [[spear]]head held at her back, then at Barnabas.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''You weren't lying. It really is the [[spear of Leonidas]].''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''I may have mentioned you.''
<tabber>
|-|Think before you speak!=
*'''Kassandra:''' Maláka''! Barnabas, use your head!''
|-|We should be more secretive.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I would appreciate you showing a bit more... secrecy.''
</tabber>
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Well, it's just he seemed interested in legends—like you. I thought you might get along.''
Herodotos slowly reached out to the Spear of [[Leonidas]].
*'''Herodotos:''' ''How...''
<tabber>
|-|👉Back off.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''One more move, and the spear will be at your throat. Tell me your name.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''I also mentioned you can be a little defensive.''
|-|Who are you, really?=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You know my spear just by looking at it? You're more than some simple pilgrim.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''All things in [[Delphi]] are more than they appear. Even I.''
</tabber>
[[File:ACOD Consulting a Ghost 4.png|thumb|250px|Herodotos revealing his identity]]
Herodotos unveiled his hood.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''My name is Herodotos. I'm a story teller, or I was. This war is forcing us all to new extremes.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''That much is true. Why are you hiding your identity?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I'm here on behalf of a [[Perikles|man]] in [[Athens]]. A very powerful man. We intend to finally end this [[Peloponnesian War|war]].''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''You told me you came to ask the Oracle a personal question.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''War ''is'' personal, Barnabas.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''So you came to seek the Pythia's guidance on how to end this war?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I did, though something is wrong in Delphi. Guards at every turn, people being turned away...''
(If "What did the Oracle tell you?" is chosen)
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You don't seem convinced the Pythia can be believed. What did she tell you?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I asked her to show the path to the war's end. She said "Spring should not wish for winter, as it brings death with it."''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Such wisdom... I don't understand a word of it, but that's why she's in there and we're out here.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I know a threat when I hear one.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''You were on [[Kephallonia]] for too long.''
(If "Why is this lineup so long?" is chosen)
*'''Kassandra:''' ''This line is ridiculous! Are there always this many people to see the Pythia?''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''These are more than just people! Every city sends a ''{{Wiki|theoroi}}'', or sacred ambassadors, to seek guidance on behalf of their people. The Pythia not only shapes the destinies of individuals, but of the entire Greek world.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Imagine what power one would have if they controlled what came out of her mouth.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Apollo controls this!''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Of course he does.''
(If "Why so much security?" is chosen)
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Delphi is nothing like they say. Has it always been like this?''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''No. This was once an open and welcoming place. But war changes things. People seek out the Pythia for more political reasons. Prophecies in times of war often stir... violent emotions.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''It's wise to keep your blades sheathed. Drawing blood in Delphi is considered an insult to Apollo. Punishment is severe.''
([LEAVE] "I have questions for the Oracle.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I have my own questions for the Pythia. But this line! I'll be an old woman by the time I see her.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''You're joking! You carry more blades than a field of grass!''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I didn't come here to start trouble.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Trouble? Just walk in! Who's going to stop you? The priest?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''All right, but if things get out of hand, I'm blaming you, Barnabas.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Is she not every bit as great as I said?''
Before speaking with the Pythia, Kassandra spoke to Barnabas and Herodotos again.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Can you feel that? It's as if the gods walk among us.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''You fascinate me,'' misthios. ''I long for the day when we can sit, and drink, and tell tales.''
[[File:ACOD Consulting a Ghost 7.png|thumb|250px|Kassandra seeking access to meet the Pythia]]
Kassandra made her way to the priest at the entrance.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm here to see the Pythia.''
*'''[[Maron (priest)|Maron]]:''' ''Only those chosen by the light of Apollo may enter.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''How does one get chosen?''
*'''Maron:''' ''One goes to the back of the line.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Do I look like someone who waits in line?''
The priest allowed her to enter. Kassandra found the Oracle chanting in candlelight.
*'''Pythia:''' ''Enter into the light of Apollo, the light that illuminates shadow. Choose your question wisely, mortal. For you have but one. Speak truth seeker!''
<tabber>
|-|Where is my mother?=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I lost my mother when I was young. I have to find her. Where is she?''
|-|Who is my father?=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm looking for my father—my true father. Who is he?''
</tabber>
[[File:ACOD Consulting a Ghost 9.png|thumb|250px|The Pythia]]
*'''Pythia:''' ''It's you! From the visions! The child on the [[Mount Taygetos|mountain]].''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''How could you know that?''
*'''Pythia:''' ''You need to leave. Now.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Leave? Do you have any idea what I've been through to get here?''
{{-}}
<tabber>
|-|Reply 1=
(If Kassandra let the priests execute the infected Kephallonians)
*'''Pythia:''' ''Oh, but I do. I saw you feign ignorance in Kausos. You let an unknown sickness govern your decisions. Innocents died thanks to you.''
|-|Reply 2=
(If Kassandra saved the infected Kephallonians)
*'''Pythia:''' ''Oh, but I do. While in Kausos, you didn't cower in the face of the priest. A child and her family still live thanks to you.''
|-|Reply 3=
(If Kasssandra spared the thieves in Megaris)
*'''Pythia:''' ''Oh, but I do. There is wisdom in your decisions. Any other ''misthios'' would have killed those people in that cave in [[Megaris]], but you held back for the truth, and balanced judgement with their lives.''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''But how?''
*'''Pythia:''' ''No one can hide from the light.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Please, I've come this far. You must have the answers I seek.''
*'''Pythia:''' ''Child of the Mountain, the [[Cult of Kosmos]] have eyes everywhere. They will kill you.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Cult of Kosmos?''
*'''Pythia:''' ''The Oracle has spoken. The prophecy is yours.''
[[File:ACOD Consulting a Ghost 10.png|thumb|250px|Thr Pythia escorted away]]
The guards took the Pythia and escorted her from the room.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You never answered my question!''
*'''Cult Guardian:''' ''The Pythia is done for the day.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm not leaving until I get answers.''
Despite her protests, Kassandra is removed from the building, only to find Herodotos still outside the doors.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Herodotos, you're still here. Where's Barnabas?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''He's gone back to [[Adrestia|your ship]]. You don't look happy with your prophecy.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''She... knew who I was.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''She's the Pythia, it's her business to act like she knows you.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''That was no act. She said she had visions of me as a child on a mountain.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''What child hasn't stood on a mountain?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I was thrown from that mountain. My life started and ended on that mountain. I'm telling you, she knew who I was. What I'd done. Tried to warn me...''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Warn you? About what?''
<tabber>
|-|The Cult of Kosmos.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''She mentioned the Cult of Kosmos. Does this mean anything to you?''
|-|Never mind.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Never mind, it's nothing.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''There are people in [[Phokis]] who can't be trusted, Kassandra. But I'm not one of them. If you know something, you must act quickly. The Pythia's words control all our fates.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''She mentioned the Cult of Kosmos. Does this mean anything to you?''
</tabber>
[[File:ACOD Consulting A Ghost 12.png|thumb|250px|Herodotos informing Kassandra of the Cult]]
Herodotos looked around for eavesdroppers, then motioned Kassandra further away from others.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I'd heard whispers. A cult, unlike any other, coming to Delphi. But I paid them no mind.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The Pythia seemed afraid of them. Guards took her away.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Took her away? Then the whispers were true! If this Cult has corrupted the Pythia... This is devastating news. Do you understand what this means? Through her, the Cult controls the world.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I need to speak with her when she's not so well... protected.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''That would require a miracle from the gods. She is always protected.''
(If "Where can I find the Pythia?" is chosen.)
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You know more about the Pythia than I do. Where would she be?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''When she's not in the Temple of Apollo, she's at her home in the [[Chora of Delphi]].''
(If "What does her home look like?" is chosen.)
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I can't go breaking down every door until I find her.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''The Oracle's home is probably easy enough to spot. She'd be the only person in the Chora of Delphi who can afford to live in luxury.''
(If "Where in the Chora of Delphi would she be?" is chosen.)
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Where in the Chora of Delphi does the Pythia live?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I've heard she lives on the outskirts of the village. But be warned: she will be guarded. Not everyone comes to see the Oracle with the best of intentions.''
([LEAVE] "I'm going to find her.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'll find where the Pythia lives. And I ''will'' get answers.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Kassandra, don't forget: brute force is useless when finesse is required.''

==Outcome==
Kassandra learned the existence of the Cult of Kosmos, which was planning to kill her and controls the Pythia's words, and befriended Herodotus, who allied with her in her quest.

==Behind the scenes==
The Pythia's comments about the outcome of the memory "[[The Blood Fever]]" appear to supersede all others, namely the outcome of "[[Portion Control]]".

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACOD Consulting a Ghost 3.png|The Temple of Apollo
ACOD Consulting a Ghost 4.png|Herodotos looking at Kassandra's Spear
ACOD Consulting a Ghost 6.png|The group observing the woman questioned by guards
ACOD Consulting a Ghost 8.png|Kassandra entering the Temple
ACOD Consulting A Ghost 11.png|Herodotos awaiting Kassandra
</gallery>

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
{{ACODMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Kassandra]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5]]

The Head of the Snake

2026-09-28T07:58:09Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACMir}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name = The Head of the Snake
|image = ACMir The Head of the Snake 10.png
|description =
|appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''
|type = Main
|reward =
|fullsync =
|heroclass =
|previous = [[The Return (Mirage)|The Return]]
|next = [[Valley of Memory (memory)|Valley of Memory]]
|concurrent =[[The Fox and the Hunter]] [[Judge and Executioner]] [[The Servant and the Impostor]]
|source = [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]
|location = [[Anbar]], [[Abbasid Caliphate]] [[Baghdad]], Abbasid Caliphate
|date = 860s
}}
'''The Head of the Snake''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] relived through the [[Animus]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''</ref>

==Description==
Basim met with [[Roshan]] to discuss their next steps in investigating the [[Order of the Ancients]].

==Dialogue==
After returning to his [[Anbar]] [[Anbar Hideout|home]] to rest, Basim was plagued again by nightmares of the [[djinn]].
*'''Basim:''' (ragged breath)
He woke up from his nightmare, finding [[Nehal]] by his side.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Easy, Basim. I am here.''
[[File:ACMir The Head of the Snake 2.png|thumb|250px|Nehal checking on Basim's troubled dreams]]
Basim sat up and immediately stepped out of his bed.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Basim, ''tamahhal'' (slow down).''
*'''Basim:''' ''I cannot keep them waiting.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Are they aware, your [[Assassins|companions]], that their hunter is hunted in his sleep?''
*'''Basim:''' ''If it were in my sleep alone I could bear it. But it followed when I fled Anbar. Now it stalks me when I slay those I hunt.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''The ones from the [[Winter Palace, Anbar|palace]]... in the masks.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Four are dead at my hand. The last, the [[Ra's Al-Af'a|Head of the Snake]], will join them soon.''
Basim headed to the door, only for Nehal to block his path.
[[File:ACMir The Head of the Snake 4.png|thumb|250px|Nehal imploring Basim to consider an alternative to killing Order members]]
*'''Nehal:''' ''Why slit its throat when you could loosen its tongue?''
*'''Basim:''' ''What? Why would I...''
*'''Nehal:''' ''The jinni only struck in sleep. It never dogged you by the day until you reached into that chest. The masked ones prized what lay within, the [[Memory Seals|ancient object]] that woke at your touch. They may hold more answers living than dead!''
*'''Basim:''' ''I hunt my enemies, I do not break bread with them. I took an [[The Creed|Oath]], Nehal.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''How can you hunt when you are hounded? If you could walk the dark unburdened, you could better serve the light.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I stay my blade from the flesh of the innocent. Not from the Order of the Ancients!''
*'''Nehal:''' ''If you will not ask your foes, then at least ask your friends what slept in that chest... and why they sought it.''
Basim refused to hear more and stepped out of the house.
*'''Basim:''' ''My companions wait for me at the [[Harbiyah]] [[Harbiyah bureau|Bureau]]. Clear your mind, Basim. Focus on the task before you.''
Basim left Anbar and returned to [[Baghdad]]. Upon his entering the Harbiyah bureau, a child called to him.
*'''Dervis's Boy:''' As-salamu 'alaikum ''(Peace be upon you), Basim.''
Basim knelt down to be eye-level with the boy.
*'''Dervis's Boy:''' ''Dervis has found something that might interest you. Meet him at the shop, as soon as possible.''
[[File:ACMir The Head of the Snake 6.png|thumb|250px|Basim meeting Roshan at the bureau]]
The boy ran off. Feeling he still had plenty time to spare, Basim left for Darvis' shop, sparking a [[Valley of Memory (memory)|journey]] to the caliphate's edges at [[al-Ula]] in search of his father, [[Ishaq ibn Khalid]]. After finding and [[In the Vulture's Nest|reconciling]] with him, Basim rode back to Baghdad in post-haste. Re-entering the Harbiyah bureau, he was greeted by Roshan.
*'''Roshan:''' ''You took your time.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Did you wait up, Master?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''I wait for no man. You look tired.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Nothing a little adventure won't fix. What news?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''[[Ali ibn Muhammad|Ali]] thinks the time is right to attack the palace. The ''{{'}}Uyun'' (spies) are distracted and the people divided.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Divided how?''
Roshan pointed to a map of Baghdad on the table.
[[File:ACMir The Head of the Snake 8.png|thumb|250px|Basim suggesting to use the artifact against the Order]]
*'''Roshan:''' ''Some are claiming the [[Al-Musta'in|new Caliph]] stole the throne from [[Al-Mu'tazz|Abu 'Abdallah]], son of [[Al-Mutawakkil]]. What do you know of him?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Little. He was there at the palace, the night his father... The night I reached into that chest. Master, have we learned anything more about the object within?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Why do you ask?''
*'''Basim:''' ''It seems a shame we know so little about something the Order prized so much. Should we not seek to know our enemies better, the better to defeat them?''
[[Fuladh Al Haami|Fuladh]] entered the bureau.
*'''Fuladh:''' Marhaban ''(Welcome), Basim! Have I interrupted?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''No. We must turn to the task at hand.''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Of course, Abu 'Abdallah. [[Rebekah]] tells me you have met his mother, [[Qabiha]]?''
Basim took out a book detailing the information he collected, including portraits of the suspects.
*'''Basim:''' ''I did. I think she could be first among our foes. She, or [[Arib Al-Ma'muniyya|Arib]] the Poet, or [[Muhammad ibn Tahir|Muhammad]] the Governor. All three had ties to our enemies.''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Muhammad ibn Tahir... His cousins govern the land on which [[Alamut]] sits.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Their protection is all that shields us from our enemies.''
[[File:ACMir The Head of the Snake 12.png|thumb|250px|Basim vowing to unmask the Snake]]
*'''Basim:''' ''I cut our enemy's legs beneath them, Master. Let me strike while their stumps are bloody. I will unmask them and learn their intent.''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Basim is right. We must act swiftly.''
Roshan nodded in agreement with both of them.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Go to the [[Round City]]. Investigate all three, but take no further action. Report back to me atop the House of the Privy Seal.''
Basim nodded and prepared to leave. Before he left, he spoke to Fuladh.
*'''Basim:''' ''Fuladh, my finder of facts, my fielder of questions.''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''How can I be of help, Basim?''
[[File:ACMir The Head of the Snake 13.png|thumb|250px|Fuladh briefing Basim about his targets]]
<tabber>
|-|Ask about Arib=
*'''Basim:''' ''Tell me about Arib. Her words were as scripture to members of the Order.''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''A gifted artist and poetess, Arib won her freedom through her skill. [[Tabid Al-Nubi|Tabid]] tells me she keeps a luxurious home in the Round City. Anything else?''
|-|Ask about Qabiha=
*'''Basim:''' ''What do you know of Qabiha? She had ties to the [[Ning|Treasurer]].''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Born to [[slavery]], Qabiha rose to become Al-Mutawakkil's favorite concubine in the [[Harem]]. Yet her son was not made Caliph, leaving her future uncertain. Anything else?''
|-|Ask about Governor Muhammad=
*'''Basim:''' ''Tell me about the Governor. I saw him give orders to [[Wasif al-Turki]].''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Muhammad is one of the [[Tahirids]], powerful viceroys of the Caliphs in [[Persia]]. He governs all Baghdad from his seat at the [[Mazalim Courts|Courts]]. Anything else?''
|-|Ask about the Round City=
*'''Basim:''' ''Where can I find our suspects?''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''All three live within the glorious Round City, the power center of the [[Abbasid Caliphate]]. Anything else?''
|-|That is all.=
*'''Basim:''' Shukran ''(Thank you), Fuladh.''
</tabber>
Having obtained deeper details on his mission, Basim left the bureau.
*'''Basim:''' ''Poet, politician, and concubine. I will soon know which one wears the mask.''

==Outcome==
Basim was tasked with investigating the three people suspected of being the head of the Order: the poetess Arib Al-Ma'muniyya, Governor Muhammad ibn Tahir, and the concubine Qabiha.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACMir The Head of the Snake 1.png|Basim waking from his nightmare
ACMir The Head of the Snake 3.png|Basim vowing to hunt down the last Order member
ACMir The Head of the Snake 5.png|Nehal imploring Basim to seek answers from the Hidden Ones
ACMir The Head of the Snake 7.png|A map of Baghdad
ACMir The Head of the Snake 9.png|Fuladh arriving at the bureau
ACMir The Head of the Snake 11.png|Roshan, Basim, and Fuladh discussing their suspects
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACMirMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Basim ibn Ishaq]]

Contact the Rebels

2026-09-28T06:56:35Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACMir}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name = Contact the Rebels
|image = ACMir Contact the Rebels 2.png
|description =
|appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''
|type = Main
|reward =
|fullsync =
|heroclass =
|previous = [[Baghdad Bound]]
|next = [[Zeroing In]]
|concurrent = [[Follow Nur's Lead]]
|source = [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]
|location = [[Baghdad]], [[Abbasid Caliphate]]
|date = 860s<ref>A time jump occurs during "[[Taking Flight]]". As such, it is unclear how much time Basim takes to complete his training, though this memory and the ones that follow must be placed before 867, the year in which ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Golden City]]'' takes place.</ref>
}}
'''Contact the Rebels''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] relived through the [[Animus]].

==Description==
Basim travelled to the [[Upper Harbor]] to meet [[Beshi]], [[Ali ibn Muhammad]]'s [[Zanj Rebellion|rebel]] follower.

==Dialogue==
Basim arrived at the harbor and spotted a dark-skinned man speaking to the rebels.

*'''Beshi:''' ''We are brothers, all. Side by side we stand. And should one man fall, it is the one beside him who picks him up. We have been cut down. Divided. But here we remain. And so long as we draw breath, this fight will continue. So whet your blades. Pray to Allah for his guiding hand. For today, I see a great victory on the horizon.''
*'''Basim:''' ''That may be Beshi rallying those men.''

Basim approached the man.

*'''Basim:''' ''Are you Beshi?''

The rebels, sensing danger, prepared to unsheathe their swords.

*'''Basim:''' ''I am with [[Nur]]. You knew him, yes?''
[[File:ACMir Contact the Rebels 3.png|thumb|250px|Beshi telling Basim of the rebels' predicament]]
Beshi signalled for his men to stand down.

*'''Beshi:''' ''I knew him... Last I saw he was being chased from the [[Baghdad|city]]. Does he live?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Barely. But he is safe.''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Stubborn bastard. What do I call you?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Basim.''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Very well, Basim. Have you a blade other than that [[Initiate of Alamut Dagger|butter knife]] you carry? You may fancy yourself something bigger just now.''
*'''Basim:''' ''For what? Are you setting off to find Ali?''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Not quite yet. These are only half my men. The rest are being held at the harbor further up the road.''
*'''Basim:''' ''There may be too few of us to wage an attack. If you want to save your men, our approach should be a cautious one. I will go, quietly. Have these men lie in wait and escort those we free.''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Your kind all think the same way. But it is a sound plan.''
[[File:ACMir Contact the Rebels 6.png|thumb|250px|Basim freeing one of Beshi's men]]
Basim made his way to the docks, which was tightly guarded by [[Abbasid Caliphate|Caliphate]] soldiers. Following his plan, Basim sneaked into a warehouse and freed one of the captured rebels.

*'''Basim:''' ''Get to the docks. Find Beshi.''

He read on a note on the table.
{{IUNote|Title=New Orders|Text=A complication has arisen in my acquisition of laborers from the West, and I expect to be short on men until the matter is resolved. For the time being, any rebels you intercept are to be spared and imprisoned. I will orchestrate their removal, use the able-bodied and dispose of them shortly thereafter. Rest assured your compensation will increase. - [[Mas'ood Al-Ya'qoob|Al-Ghul]]}}
Basiim freed two more of the rebels.

*'''Basim:''' ''That is the last. I must regroup with them.''
[[File:ACMir Contact the Rebels 7.png|thumb|250px|Basim meeting with Beshi and the rescued rebels]]
He left the docks and met with Beshi and his men near the site.
*'''Beshi:''' ''You are a hound, Basim!''
*'''Basim:''' ''I am only doing my part. Together we will see the end of what ails this city.''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Look no further than Al-Ghul. The man only spoken of and never seen.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What can you tell me about him?''
*'''Beshi:''' ''He takes enemies of the Caliphate and makes them dig in the desert. Prisoners. Rebels. Laborers. In search of what, I do not know. These men were captured with Ali weeks ago and were destined to perish beneath the sands.''

One of the rescued rebels stepped forward.

*'''Rebel:''' ''Not Ali. He's been taken elsewhere. They marked and separated us. Ali was in another group. They wanted to question him about ...''
The rebel turned to face Basim.
*'''Rebel:''' ''You. And your friends.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Can you show me this marking?''
[[File:ACMir Contact the Rebels 8.png|thumb|250px|The rebel showing Ali's mark]]
The rebel used his hand gesture to draw the mark.
*'''Beshi:''' ''What are you thinking?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Ali and Nur got close enough to Al-Ghul that he took notice. If we find Ali, he can lead us to Al-Ghul.''
*'''Beshi:''' ''It is but one path. There may be another. I will go where these men were being sent to dig and pose as a captive.''
*'''Rebel:''' ''Are you mad?''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Only stubborn. Here, take this.''

Beshi gave Basim a bronze token.

*'''Basim:''' ''What do I do with it?''
*'''Beshi:''' ''It is a [[Khidmah Tokens|Khidmah Token]]. Those who understand its value will do what is in their power to help. I will send these men to regroup at the [[Water Mill|watermill]] on the northern outskirts. A rebel stronghold. You are welcome there.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Waffaqaka Allah.''
*'''Beshi:''' ''Baraka Allah feek. (May God bless you.)''
Beshi and the rebels took their leave.

==Outcome==
Basim freed the rebels held at the harbor and learned that Ali's captor went by the alias "Al-Ghul". He also discovered that Al-Ghul used his prisoners to search the desert for [[Piece of Eden|something]], and that the rebels reconvened at a watermill north of Baghdad.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACMir Contact the Rebels 1.png|Basim finding the rebels at the docks
ACMir Contact the Rebels 4.png|Basim volunteering to rescue Beshi's men
ACMir Contact the Rebels 5.png|Basim entering the docks
ACMir Contact the Rebels 9.png|Beshi giving directions to the rebel hideout at the Water Mill
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''
{{ACMirMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Basim ibn Ishaq]]

A New Beginning

2026-09-28T06:43:45Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACMir}}
{{IncompleteMemory|Mirage}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name=A New Beginning
|image=ACMir A New Beginning 22.png
|description=
|appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''
|type=Main
|reward=
|fullsync=
|heroclass=
|previous=[[The Master Thief of Anbar]]
|next=[[Taking Flight]]
|concurrent=
|source=[[Basim ibn Ishaq]]
|location=[[Alamut]]
|date=February 862<ref>The Animus interface provides the reference that this memory takes place two months later in relation to "[[The Master Thief of Anbar]]", which is set on December 861.</ref>
}}
'''A New Beginning''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] relived through the [[Animus]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''</ref>

==Description==
Two months after fleeing [[Baghdad]], Basim began his training in [[Alamut]] to become a [[Assassins|Hidden One]].

==Memory Animus Feedback System==
*Return to the training
*Practice the [[Leap of Faith]]
*Follow [[Roshan]]
*Find [[Fuladh Al Haami|Fuladh]]
*Speak with Fuladh
*Get [[leather]] strips
*Bring the strips to [[Rebekah]]
*Go to the training ground
*Train with Roshan
**Lock onto your opponent
**Perform Light Attacks
**Perform Heavy Attacks
**Parry incoming attacks
**Dodge incoming attacks
**Spar with Roshan
*Follow [[Nur]]
*Go to the watchpoint
*Investigate with Nur

==Dialogue==
While training holding his breath underwater, Basim looked below his position and saw a vision of the [[djinn]] that tormented him emerging from the depths of the lagoon. He hurriedly resurfaced to get back his breath, swimming to land afterwards.
*'''Basim:''' ''A new day. Another test. I should get back.''
He made his way back to the training grounds, stopping to gaze upon the ongoing construction site of Alamut's fortress further up in the mountains.
*'''Basim:''' ''Alamut Fortress takes my breath away... as if it leaped out of the ''hikayat'' (stories) I heard when I was a child.''
Basim pressed onward and saw Roshan speaking to a recruit.
*'''Roshan:''' ''If you do not have faith in yourself, then who will?''
Basim approached her as the recruit left.
*'''Roshan:''' ''There you are. Are you ready?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I... I think so.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Put yesterday out of your mind. It has no bearing on today.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 3.png|thumb|250px|Basim being asked to change into his robes before beginning his training]]
Basim put his hands behind his back and nodded.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Get dressed and we can begin.''
He looked over the cliff before him and then put on his recruit robes.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Go on, Basim. Like we practiced.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, master.''
Basim began [[Freerunning|climbing]] up the small cliff by using the handholds placed along the way, reaching a platform.
*'''Novice 1:''' ''You look strong today, Basim! Keep training!''
He approached a pole, from where he was to attempt a Leap of Faith.
*'''Basim:''' ''Steady, Basim. Steady.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Leap! Now!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, master!''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 5.png|thumb|250px|Basim failing in his attempt to perform a Leap of Faith]]
Basim leapt from the pole and failed to perform the signature leap, instead falling on his back into the [[Hiding spot|haystack]] below.
*'''Roshan:''' ''I've seen enough. We will try again tomorrow.''
He got out of the haystack and followed Roshan.
*'''Basim:''' ''I felt fine.''
Roshan brought him to watch another recruit perform the Leap of Faith from a nearby cliff successfully.
*'''Roshan:''' ''I can see it in your body. You lose focus too easy. The Leap of Faith is a crucial step on your path to [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiation]]. It is one of the Brotherhood's first and most sacred rites. To perform it successfully, you must first center your mind, body and spirit. Embrace the fear. Quiet it. Find the stillness. And let go.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, [[Master Assassin|Master]].''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Let's return to the camp.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 7.png|thumb|250px|Basim following Roshan back to camp, while asking questions about the Order]]
Basim followed Roshan back to the camp through the ravines, inquiring some questions to her along the way.
*'''Basim:''' ''May I ask you something?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''You may.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Back in [[Anbar]], at the [[Winter Palace, Anbar|palace]], I witnessed a meeting between the [[Al-Mutawakkil|Caliph]] and five masked men. [[Order of the Ancients|Order]] members. The [[Caliph]] was meant to protect the [[Memory Seals|object]] they discovered, but he knew nothing of their plans for it. He did not even know them by name. How does the most powerful man in Baghdad bend such a fearful knee to the faceless?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''The Order has held dominion over such men and their empires for centuries. By convincing them of their truth, that they are the natural arbiters of the world. The Caliph was but their puppet, and the same will be true of whomever succeeds him. The entire [[Abbasid Caliphate|Caliphate]] is under their influence.''
They reached the Hidden Ones camp, passing through its gates.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Basim, speak with Fuladh and see if he needs help. We will continue your training later.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, master.''
Roshan proceeded to speak to a member nearby.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Have you seen [[Mentor]] [[Rayhan]] in camp?''
*'''Hidden One 1:''' ''He is preparing to receive the [[Tahirids|Tahirid]] [[Aban|emissary]], master.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Thank you.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 8.png|thumb|250px|Tabid confiding in Basim about his worries concerning the Order in Baghdad]]
Basim spoke to [[Tabid Al-Nubi]], one of the more experienced Hidden Ones.
*'''Basim:''' ''Good day, Tabid!''
*'''Tabid:''' ''Hello, Basim.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What troubles you?''
*'''Tabid:''' ''Truthfully, I am frustrated. The Order has only grown stronger in Baghdad since the death of the Caliph. And we are stuck on this mountain.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Mentor Rayhan surely knows what he is doing...''
*'''Tabid:''' ''Maybe I should trust more.''
<tabber>
|-|I am looking for Fuladh.=
*'''Basim:''' ''Have you seen Fuladh?''
*'''Tabid:''' ''Probably at his office, as usual? Anyways, I must get back to work.''
*'''Basim:''' Araka Lahiqan! ''(See you later!)''
|-|Goodbye.=
</tabber>
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 9.png|thumb|250px|Basim spoke to his close friend Nur]]
Basim then spoke to Nur, one of his peers and close friend in the brotherhood.
*'''Basim:''' ''How is Nur, the brave [[eagle]]?''
*'''Nur:''' ''Will he fall or will he soar?''
*'''Basim:''' ''You will soar, ''ya sadeeqi'' (my friend)! ''Insha' [[Islam|Allah]]!'' (If God wills it!)''
*'''Nur:''' ''Thank you. We have a similar spirit, you know?''
*'''Basim:''' ''What gave you that idea?''
*'''Nur:''' ''One of the Banu Musa was angry at you and you were unfazed. Remember?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I did not touch his hammer.''
*'''Nur:''' ''You refused to apologize for something you did not do. I respect that. Stubborn like me!''
*'''Basim:''' ''I have been called worse.''
<tabber>
|-|Have you seen Fuladh?=
*'''Basim:''' ''Have you seen Fuladh in camp?''
*'''Nur:''' ''I have seen him speaking to [[Ahmad ibn Musa|Ahmad]] near his office.''
*'''Basim:''' Araka Lahiqan! ''(See you later!)''
|-|Goodbye.=
</tabber>
Basim then read a note placed on a wooden stool beside another Hidden One.
{{IUNote
|Title=A Moment of Reflection
|Text=''I looked out upon the mountain at dusk, thinking of how far I've come. I am humble and grateful to be among these people. Initiation fast approaches, and I am more eager than ever to do my part. But it is not lost on me that I am filling the shoes of our dead. It is a the risk we take, and a worthwhile one in this [[Assassin-Templar War|fight for freedom]]. I only pray that I can honor them.''}}
The recruit talked to the Hidden One who served as the caretaker of the [[horse]]s in the stable near the gates.
*'''Basim:''' ''How are these fine animals, ''ya khaiyal ''(horse-keeper)?''
*'''Horseman:''' ''Hale and healthy!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Are they native to this area?''
*'''Horseman:''' ''They came with us ten years ago, when we set up our camp. Zul-Janah was born here.''
*'''Basim:''' ''She is a beautiful horse. Thank you for introducing us.''
*'''Horseman:''' ''Take care, ''ya sadeeqi (my friend)!
Basim made his way to the camp's repository, where he saw Roshan examining a scroll.
*'''Roshan:''' (missing dialogue) 
He read a note beside the bookshelf his master was browsing.
{{IUNote
|Title=A Gift of Gratitude
|Text=''O Shadows of Alamut, I was desperate, scrabbling under the foot of one so powerful that I'd despaired of help. And then, like a miracle, the weight was lifted, and I could breathe, for my enemy had been struck from the shadows. I pray that this token of my gratitude finds you. I have faith that it will. It was you that restored my faith, after all. –A grateful stranger''}}
Basim entered the cave tunnel nearby that had been repurposed as an office and sleeping quarters for Rayhan and saw a letter pinned to another bookshelf.
{{IUNote
|Title=Letter from Ali
|Text=Rayhan, When [[Zanj Rebellion|my men]] at the [[Upper Harbor|harbor]] learned of a certain cargo delivery to the Caliph, we shared the information with you freely. Yet we have heard nothing of it since. Keep secrets if you must, but I need assurance that there is nothing amiss that might interfere with the rebel cause. Allah has brought me as a light unto your path of shadows. Remember that. –[[Ali ibn Muhammad|Ali]], [[Lion]] of the Zanj}}
The recruit then read a note on the office desk.
{{IUNote
|Title=A Warning from Baghdad
|Text=Our friend in Baghdad reports that the chaos has abated somewhat. Yet new perils announce themselves daily. Al-Mutawakkil's [[Al-Mu'tazz|son]], passed over in the succession, threatens to press his claim. Our friend frets that he cannot fight a war on two fronts. On either field he expects our cooperation. I urge you to reconsider your alliance with the rebels, Rayhan. –T}}
He read a final note in the upper level of the office.
{{IUNote
|Title=A New Home for the Hidden Ones
|Text=Brother, I hear rumor that [[Jerusalem]] may be host to [[Apple of Eden 2|an artifact]] of great power, one of those sought so fiercely by our enemies. The Hidden Ones lack a [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|firm foothold]] nearby. We have found it to our benefit to anchor ourselves beyond the city while spreading our Bureaus within its gates. Perhaps we could establish a [[Masyaf|stronghold]] to the north. Your thoughts? –Mentor Rayhan}}
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 10.png|thumb|250px|Fuladh and Ahmad discussing the latter's work]]
Basim left the office through the upper exit and approached Fuladh's office, where he found him speaking to Ahmad ibn Musa.
*'''Fuladh:''' ''I may get back to you on this.''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''Of course!''
The pair analyzed a schematic of Ahmad's authorship.
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Ah, what is this in the corner ... here? A small design?''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''It is my signature. So you know that I created this and not [[Al-Hasan ibn Musa|Al-Hasan]] or worse, [[Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Musa|Abu Jafar]]!''
Fuladh looked to him perplexedly.
*'''Ahmad:''' ''I jest, you understand? ''Wada'an! ''(Farewell!)''
Ahmad took his leave and nodded to Basim who had waved at him.
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Ah, Basim. How are you?''
The eagle behind Fuladh cried out.
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Yes, [[Enkidu]]! Food is coming! He is intelligent. And intelligence is supposed to rhyme with patience!''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 11.png|thumb|250px|Fuladh comparing Enkidu to Basim]]
The man looked to the recruit.
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Reminds me of someone...''
*'''Basim:''' ''Have you been speaking to Master Roshan?''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Have patience... Be kind to your progress.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I will take this to heart. Roshan asked me to come see you?''
Fuladh pointed him to the other side of the ravine.
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Ah, yes! Rebekah needs leather strips. Can you fetch those from the store-room?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I shall, Fuladh.''
*'''Fuladh:''' Araka Lahiqan! ''(See you later!)''
Before leaving, Basim read a note from Roshan on the table behind Fuladh.
{{IUNote
|Title=Training Report - Basim Ibn Is'haq
|Text=He is arrogant, but that is not the source of his trouble. There is [[Reborn Isu|something extraordinary]] within him, yet he guards it as closely as he guards his heart. A Hidden One must cleave to the shadows but Basim dreads what the darkness may yield. He fears the plunge... He does not trust that we will catch him. I would tell him that our arms are open, but I cannot find the words.}}
He then read a letter from a desk close to Enkidu's perch.
{{IUNote
|Title=Tidings from the West
|Text=The {{Wiki|Siege of Constantinople (860)|siege}} of [[Constantinople]] is lifted! The attack of the [[Russia|Rus]] came like a thunderbolt from heaven, the [[Photios I of Constantinople|Patriarch]] put it. The northerners raided the villages just beyond the city and left great damage in their wake. Our aerie will soon need to sent more eagles to the city of [[Byzas]]; new perils dawn, and I doubt that the [[Norse people|Norsemen]] are done with us yet. –Your brother in shadow}}
Basim went down the stairs to reach a workshop, where he spoke to Ahmad.
*'''Basim:''' As-salamu 'alaikum. ''(Peace be upon you.) What is this thing you work on?''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''Huh? Oh, um... it is a type of grab-dredge.''
*'''Basim:''' ''How does it work, Abu Jafar?''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''Ahmad.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Ahmad. Of course.''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''Hmm, maybe I am thinking about this backwards and I can... hmm...''
*'''Basim:''' ''I will let you continue your work.''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''Yes, yes. Fine.''
Basim reminded himself of the task he had at hand.
*'''Basim:''' ''Rebekah needs leather strips from the camp's store-house. I must find those for her.''
Basim made his way to the storeroom, passing by a group of three novices resting around a campfire.
*'''Novice 2:''' As-salamu 'alaikum ''(Peace be upon you), Basim!''
He joined the Hidden Ones at the campfire, sitting on one of the benches and listening to their conversations.
*'''Novice 2:''' (missing dialogue) 
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 13.png|thumb|250px|Basim searching the storehouse]]
Basim then resumed his path, entering the nearby storehouse and spotting an object on a table full of bandages on top.
*'''Basim:''' ''That is not it.''
He looked at another object on the floor, near some clay jars.
*'''Basim:''' ''It is hard to find anything in here.''
He read a note on another table with spice containers.
{{IUNote
|Title=Don't forget the feathers
|Text=Fuladh, Be sure to remind the [[Assassin bureau|Bureaus]] in Baghdad to return every bloodied [[feather]] and mission report to Alamut. Each feather is a victory; they must be collected and chronicled, not consigned to the heap of history. This is not mere ceremony. Future generations of Hidden Ones will look to our records for guidance. Our past must instruct out future, it cannot be erased. - Mentor Rayhan}}
Basim then looked at another object lying on the floor close to some animal skin.
*'''Basim:''' ''No, that is not a strip of leather.''
Basim looked to another table near some piles of silk fabrics and found what he needed, the leather strips Rebekah wanted. He heard a conversation coming from outside the storehouse.
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 14.png|thumb|250px|Rayhan and Aban discussing the rebel situation in Baghdad]]
*'''Tahirid emissary:''' ''These forces within the Caliphate are beginning to put pressure on us.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''Forces? You mean the Order, Aban.''
*'''Tahirid emissary:''' ''I... can only speak of what I know, ''ya sadeeqi ''(my friend).''
Rayhan and his guest went down the stairs of a building nearby and stopped near Basim's position.
*'''Tahirid emissary:''' ''The Caliph wishes to nullify the [[Zanj Rebellion|rebels]] and if you persist in giving them support... we cannot assure you protection from any... Caliphate response.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''The rebels supply us with information in Baghdad. Without them, we are blind.''
*'''Tahirid emissary:''' ''Be that as it may, Governor [[Muhammad ibn Tahir|Muhammad]] is very committed to showing that he can end this rebellion swiftly.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''Huh, I do not doubt that.''
*'''Tahirid emissary:''' ''I came to warn you. Things are moving fast in Baghdad. You may have to act sooner than expected.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''I hear you, Aban.''
Rayhan and the emissary took their leave.
*'''Basim:''' ''So the Tahirids who govern these lands are the only thing standing between Alamut and a full scale attack. A fragile peace. How long will it last?''
Basim returned to the repository and spoke to Rayhan, who examined a scroll.
*'''Basim:''' (missing dialogue)
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 15.png|thumb|250px|Basim speaking to one of the stronghold workers]]
Basim headed deeper in the valley and spoke to a worker nearby, who was cutting a piece of wood.
*'''Basim:''' ''How does construction go?''
*'''Worker 1:''' ''Ah, it is taking longer than we expected, ''ya sayyidi ''(sir).''
*'''Basim.''' ''That must be frustrating.''
*'''Worker 1:''' ''Uh, Mentor Rayhan is a wise man but he speaks of this {{Wiki|Talysh Mountains|mountain}} as if it was destined that we build here. We have patience and follow his guidance.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Master Roshan tells me I must not be in a hurry to rush back to ''Madinat as-Salam ''(The City of Peace).''
*'''Worker 1:''' ''I would not hurry at all. Baghdad is... different now. It is very dangerous.''
He read a note in a table full of books near the man's working station, close to a hut which appeared to be Roshan's.
{{IUNote
|Title=Let Me Go
|Text=[[Azadeh]], They tell me you are still searching. Still chasing rumor and calling my name. The woman you pursue is dead and that name is buried with her. I am Roshan. Daughter of none. Sister of many. I drown my pain in brotherhood. You can have no part in this fellowship, for the cause is cruel to our kin and I will not see you hurt. Turn back, old friend. Seek me no more.}}
Basim read another note close to the hut's closed entrance.
{{IUNote
|Title=The First Blade
|Text=Dear Roshan, I have enclosed with my letter a rare find: an ancient sketch of a [[Hidden Blade]], the very first. You see it's title: [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes]]'s Bane. This was the weapon of [[Darius]]. I know not if [[Greek Brotherhood of Assassins|our]] famous ancestor ever returned to his beloved [[Persia]] after his [[Protector of Persia|betrayal]], but I thought I would return this etching of his blade to his native shores, and to you. - [[Itamos]] of [[Greece]]}}
Basim used the [[zipline]] nearby to reach the workshop near the waterfall and spoke to Rebekah, who smithed a short sword.
*'''Basim:''' ''Rebekah?''
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Basim, Basim... are you just wandering the camp aimlessly now?''
He playfully dismissed her tease and handed the leather strips to her.
*'''Basim:''' ''No, I have this leather for you. Will it do?''
Rebekah approached her working table and wrapped it around a [[Initiate of Alamut Dagger|dagger]].
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Apparently, you've moved past the wooden swords. I protested, but Roshan insisted.''
She handed the dagger to Basim.
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 17.png|thumb|250px|Basim presented with his initiate sword]]
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Here is your dagger.''
Basim admired the blade and put it on his back.
*'''Rebekah:''' ''And your [[Initiate of Alamut Sword|sword]]. I am proud to have worked on them.''
Rebekah handed the sword to Basim, who took a few swings to test its power.
*'''Basim:''' ''This blade has character!''
He attached the sword to his waist.
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Why would I make anything less than unique?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I am in your debt. I was not expecting new weapons today!''
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Repay me by using them on the Order. Make them feel the sharpness of its character!''
As Basim prepared to leave, Rebekah had more words for him.
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Roshan said you had further training today? Show her that new sword of yours!''
*'''Basim:''' ''I look forward to it!''
He read a note on a desk close to the forge behind her.
{{IUNote
|Title=Weapons Inventory
|Text=Here is the current inventory of the armory along with what is owed to the rebels. [[Sword]]s – 33 (12 outgoing) [[Arrow]]s – 247 (50 outgoing) [[Throwing knife|Throwing knives]] – 58 (20 outgoing) [[Smoke screen bomb|Smoke bombs]] – 22 Note: rope needed for wicks. [[Dart|Blowdarts]] – 51 Note: wild herbs needed for sleep concoction (ask any Banu Musa for the recipe)}}
Basim approached a training ground close to the waterfall where he spoke to a Hidden One.
*'''Novice 3:''' ''Blessings upon you, Basim.''
*'''Basim:''' ''How does training go, ''ya sadeeqi ''(my friend)?''
*'''Novice 3:''' ''Nur showed me a new way to grip my [[knife]] and it has improved my accuracy greatly! If you throw it just so, it sails through the air swift and true!''
Basim collected three throwing knives from the handrail.
*'''Basim:''' ''Shall I remind you how to use a knife?''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 18.png|thumb|250px|Basim hitting the targets with his knives]]
As requested, he threw the knives at the test targets by the waterfall.
*'''Novice 3:''' Ya ilahi! ''(My God!) Well done!''
Basim then took his leave.
*'''Novice 3:''' ''You have inspired me to train harder!''
*'''Basim:''' ''This is the way, ''ya sadeeqi ''(my friend)!''
He then approached the entrance to the [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiation]] cave behind a rock wall in the cliff but was barred by two Hidden Ones.
*'''Hidden One 2:''' ''You cannot enter. It is forbidden.''
Basim climbed the cliffs to reach the training grounds closer to the fortress, using a lift to reach the start of the path to the camp, where more workers labored. He spoke to one who was counting a group of [[marble]] blocks.
*'''Basim:''' As-salamu 'alaikum, ya sadeeqi. ''(Peace be upon you, my friend.)''
*'''Worker 2:''' 'Wa 'alaikum as-salam! ''(And peace be upon you!) Did Fuladh send you?''
*'''Basim:''' ''No, he did not.''
*'''Worker 2:''' ''Then you're not here to help move these rocks?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I am quite sure that was not me.''
*'''Worker 2:''' ''I do not mean to be rude but I have no time to talk. I must figure this out.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I will leave you to it, then.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 19.png||thumb|250px|Basim conversing with more workers]]
He spoke to another worker who mused over the fortress' plans.
*'''Basim:''' As-salamu 'alaikum, ya sayyidi. ''(Peace be upon you, sir.)''
*'''Worker 3:''' Wa 'alaikum as-salam! ''(And peace be upon you!)''
*'''Basim:''' ''I was out in the mountains earlier and the sight of Fortress Alamut filled me with awe.''
*'''Worker 3:''' ''Mentor Rayhan told us to take inspiration from nests the eagles construct in the Alamut peaks.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I can see the influence. ''Wada'an. ''(Farewell.)''
*'''Worker 3:''' Rafaqaka Allah! ''(May God accompany you!)''
Basim continued onwards, freerunning through the platforms and obstacles to reach the top, which was an open ground. He found Roshan sparring with the trainees.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Good work. Until tomorrow.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 20.png|thumb|250px|Basim meets with Roshan for his fighting session]]
The trainee took his leave and Basim approached his master.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Basim. Time for combat training.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I was surprised when Rebekah handed me this. Is a sword not a coarse weapon for a Hidden One?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''As Hidden Ones, we must become proficient with a number of weapons. You never know how a fight will escalate. Anyone can wield a sword. But how will you use it?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I am here to learn that, master.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Are you truly here?''
Roshan circled around him.
*'''Basim:''' ''Well... yes. I believe so.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''You are here in body but are you here in mind and soul?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Is this... a riddle?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''No. It is the difference between life and death.''
She returned to her initial position and drew her arms. Basim followed suit.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Make sure you target and circle around me. Never turn your back on your opponent.''
Basim initially hesitated.
*'''Roshan:''' ''What are you doing? Are you trying to get stabbed in the back?''
He focused on Roshan and circled around her.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Yes, better! Show me your quick stabs first.''
Basim landed a few light attacks on his mentor, who parried his blows each time.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Good. Yes. Excelent!''
Basim stopped attacking.
*'''Roshan:''' ''There are times when we must put more force into our attacks to cause more damage. It will leave you exposed, so time it properly! Now go!''
Basim hesitated again.
*'''Roshan:''' ''I'm waiting for you.''
Basim struck Roshan with more force, performing heavy attacks.
*'''Roshan:''' ''That's it! Come in strong! Excellent!''
Basim stepped back.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Now, for defense. You can parry the attacks of your opponent. After a few sucessful parries your opponent will be stunned. Try to parry my attacks.''
Roshan delivered numerous attacks on Basim, who parried them with his dagger, breaking her guard each time.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Yes. That's good. Excellent!''
He stepped back.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Some attacks cannot be parried, and must be dodged instead. Prepare yourself!''
When Roshan delivered a few stronger attacks, Basim dodged her advances by leaping sideways and back, as well as rolling out of the way.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Good work. That's the way. Well done.''
Satisfied with her recruit's performance, Roshan proposed a sparring match with Basim.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Now, let us try a free fight together. Use what you've learned.''
Basim began sparring with Roshan, making use of techniques he had learned.
*'''Roshan:''' ''That took me by surprise. Well done.''
Basim wavered in attacking her mentor for a second.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Hey, wake up! Bring your head back to right now.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 21.png|thumb|250px|Basim hitting Roshan with what he learned]]
Eventually, Basim turned and swung his blade downwards onto Roshan twice in succession, who dodged the first blow and stopped the second one with her sword and dagger.
*'''Basim:''' ''Agh! Take that!''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Where did that come from?''
As Basim attempted to swing his dagger, Roshan kicked him to the ground.
*'''Roshan:''' ''We are done for today, Basim.''
He got up, picking his sword up.
*'''Basim:''' ''Why must we stop? I learn nothing from failing.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''True learning requires action and stillness in equal parts. You have made the action. Now, seek the stillness. Do not rush your training. Be patient. Failure is a part of progress. Think on these words and come back better.''
Roshan and Basim sheathed their weapons.
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, master, I will.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Good. See you later.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 22.png|thumb|250px|Basim joining the group at the campfire]]
Mentor and student left the training grounds. Later that night, some of the Hidden Ones sat by the encampment's campfire, including Abu Jafar, Ahmad, Fuladh and Rebekah.
*'''Abu Jafar Muhammad:''' ''Ahmad will soon go back to the [[House of Wisdom]]. I fear he may end in a middle of a snakes' nest.''
*'''Fuladh:''' ''I know how close you are to your brother. We shall learn more soon. Then we can act.''
Basim joined in, approaching Ahmad.
*'''Basim:''' As-salamu 'alaikum ''(Peace be upon you), Abu Jafar.''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''It is Ahmad.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Ahmad. My apologies.''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''Do not worry. Come and warm yourself by the fire.''
Basim warmed his hands over the campfire as Rebekah got up.
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Our brother Ahmad is leaving us tomorrow.''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''To Baghdad. The House of Wisdom.''
Basim sat down on a rock.
*'''Basim:''' ''The House of Wisdom?''
*'''Ahmad:''' ''We have been working there, my brothers and I, for years. I still have some things to work on. Science waits for no one. And I will fulfill my duty as a Hidden One by becoming your eyes and ears among the scholars.''
A period of silence followed, with Rebekah picking the fire with a stick.
*'''Rebekah:''' ''Fuladh, tell Basim the story of the feather...''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 23.png|thumb|250px|Fuladh telling the story of the feather's origin and importance in the brotherhood]]
*'''Fuladh:''' ''Our tradition of the feather comes from [[Egypt]]. They [[Egyptian mythology|represent]] the feathers of [[Ma'at]]. The feathers of the [[heron]] were dipped in the blood of the targets. These would be left for the Lord of the [[Duat]] to judge. It is important we remain humble and know our place in the process. We are messengers of justice and not the final judges.''
As they chatted, Nur came to seek a companion.
*'''Nur:''' ''Will anyone help me on patrol tonight?''
Basim stood up.
*'''Basim:''' ''I will come with you, Nur. I must get my body moving if I am to warm up tonight.''
*'''Nur:''' ''I am grateful. Let us go.''
Basim turned to leave the campfire with Nur.
*'''Nur:''' ''Are you coming, Basim? Leave the stories for later!''
*'''Rebekah:''' ''We have not had a messenger from [[Samarra]] in quite a while.''
Tabid joined the other Hidden Ones.
*'''Tabid:''' ''You are from there, yes?''
*'''Rebekah:''' ''From a small village on the outskirts. My father owns a sandals workshop. I grew up watching him at work.'' (missing dialogue)
Nur impatiently called for Basim.
*'''Nur:''' ''Get on!''
Basim followed Nur through the camp.
*'''Basim:''' ''May I speak to you in confidence?''
*'''Nur:''' ''You know you can.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I overheard Mentor Rayhan speaking to an emissary earlier... Mentor Rayhan asked if we may come under attack for dealing with rebels in Baghdad. Are we safe here in Alamut?''
*'''Nur:''' ''I do not know... but I pity the people who attack this nest of eagles!''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 25.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nur meeting with a pair of sentinels]]
Basim and Nur met with a few Hidden Ones, who served watchguard duties.
*'''Nur:''' ''How goes the watch?''
*'''Sentinel:''' ''Nothing happened at all on Alamut and I am so hungry. We did not make it to the main canyon.''
*'''Nur:''' ''Excellent. We will start there. Thank you.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Come, Nur. Follow me!''
Basim guided Nur to their watch point.
*'''Nur:''' ''Are you looking forward to your initiation?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes. It feels like I have been preparing my whole life for this.''
*'''Nur:''' ''I could not sleep the night before my ceremony. From excitement and a small bit of fear, if I am to be honest.''
*'''Basim:''' ''We all fear the unknown, but a greater unknown awaits on the other side of initiation.''
*'''Nur:''' ''You speak of the Order?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I see them as monsters from a tale: hiding in dark corners, down dark alleys.''
*'''Nur:''' ''The difference is that the Order is real.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What do they want?''
*'''Nur:''' ''They want to control Baghdad. They want power.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 26.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nur at the watch spot]]
They reached the watchtower spot by a cliff. As they overlooked the valley, an eagle came flying in and perched at the zipline pillar.
*'''Nur:''' ''This is [[Muhja]].''
The eagle squealed.
*'''Basim:''' ''Magnificent.''
*'''Nur:''' ''Soon, you shall have one of your own!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Fuladh introduced me to an eagle named Enkidu. He said we have much in common. And... not in a complimentary way.''
Muhja got up from her position and flew into the canyon, having spotted something.
*'''Nur:''' ''She sees something. Follow me!''
Basim and Nur ziplined down to the valley below.
*'''Nur:''' ''Shh. Quietly, Basim.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 28.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nur approaching the mercenaries from the grasspatch]]
They climb down the rocks into the tall grasspatches.
*'''Nur:''' ''Find a place to hide...''
As the two hid among the bushes, they spotted two unknown individuals scouting the place.
*'''[[Mercenary]] 1:''' ''What is this place?''
*'''Mercenary 2:''' ''We must be nearing their camp. We have the element of surprise.''
*'''Mercenary 1:''' ''Be ready.''
*'''Mercenary 2:''' ''Stop making so much noise!''
Basim and Nur simultaneosly took down and subdued one of the two guards.
*'''Nur:''' ''Quickly.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I am behind you!''
*'''Nur:''' ''We must strike fast!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Agreed!''
They headed further inwards, finding more of them.
*'''Nur:''' ''We must wait for the right moment...''
Basim whistled to lure one of the soldiers out from the group's line of sight and took him down.
*'''Nur:''' ''Do not make a noise...''
The Hidden Ones approached closer, each one going up at their side of the ravine, and knocked two of the mercenaries that stood below them, launching a surprise attack on the group.
*'''Mercenary 3:''' ''You are done for! Prepare for hell!''
Nur threw a rock onto a [[soldier]], stunning him for Basim to finish.
*'''Nur:''' ''Yes! Show no mercy!''
The two confronted the two remaining men, with Basim suffering a blow from one of them.
*'''Nur:''' ''Do not give up! Keep fighting! Remember your training!''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 29.png|thumb|250px|Nur watching as Basim inspected the corpse of a mercenary]]
Basim and Nur eliminated the soldiers. Basim stared at a mercenary's corpse.
*'''Nur:''' ''Not like the wooden targets, is it?''
Basim noticed a sword from one of the soldiers.
*'''Basim:''' ''It is not that.''
He pointed to the man's sword that lay on the ground.
*'''Basim:''' ''This sword...''
*'''Nur:''' ''What of it?''
Basim kneeled near the body to pick it up.
*'''Basim:''' ''Mercenaries from Baghdad use these weapons.''
*'''Nur:''' ''We must warn the others.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 30.png|thumb|250px|Nur reporting his and Basim's findings to the council]]
Basim and Nur returned to the camp, with Basim waiting by the side while Nur reported their findings to the [[Assassin Council|council]] at the repository, a group comprising of Fuladh, Roshan, and Rayhan, with Rebekah watching from a bench.
*'''Nur:''' ''Mercenaries from Baghdad.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''How do you know?''
*'''Nur:''' ''Basim recognized the make of the sword. I believe him.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''Bring him in.''
Nur signaled Basim to join the discussion.
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 31.png|thumb|250px|Basim telling what he knew about the mercenaries]]
*'''Rayhan:''' ''How do you know these men were from Baghdad?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Growing up on its streets, I have seen their weapons many times... and closely.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Behind every mercenary is a man who gave them their orders.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''Yes, and we must act if we are to learn who that is. We will return to Baghdad, seek Ali ibn Muhammad's help.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Ah, of course. ''Sahib az-Zanj? ''(Chief of the Zanj?) He is a dangerous and delusional fool.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''Maybe so... but he is one of our only allies in Baghdad. We need him and we need his men.''
[[File:ACMir A New Beginning 32.png|thumb|250px|Nur volunteering to leave for Baghdad and be the brotherhood's contact]]
Nur stepped forward.
*'''Nur:''' ''I will go back to Baghdad.''
*'''Rayhan:''' ''Go to Ali. Find out if the Order sent those men.''
*'''Nur:''' ''I will.''
*'''Rayhan:''' Waffaqaka Allah. ''(May God grant you success.)''
Basim put his hand onto Nur's shoulder, bidding him farewell.
*'''Basim:''' Waffaqaka Allah. ''(May God grant you success.)''
Nur embraced Basim.
*'''Nur:''' Wada'an. Araka Lahiqan! ''(Goodbye. See you later!)''

==Outcome==
Basim furthered his training while bonding with his fellow Hidden Ones, including Nur. After discovering mercenaries from Baghdad attempting to infiltrate the Alamut camp, Basim and Nur killed them and reported their findings to their superiors. Nur departed to Baghdad to investigate while Basim remained to further his training.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACMir A New Beginning 1.png|Basim returning to camp and seeing the castle construction
ACMir A New Beginning 2.png|Hidden One recruits under freerunning training
ACMir A New Beginning 4.png|Basim climbing up to the platform
ACMir A New Beginning 6.png|Basim and Roshan watching a recruit perform a Leap of Faith
ACMir A New Beginning 12.png|Fuladh asking Basim to retrieve leather strips for Rebekah
ACMir A New Beginning 16.png|Basim giving Rebekah the leather strips
ACMir A New Beginning 24.png|Nur asking for a companion for his patrol session
ACMir A New Beginning 27.png|Basim telling Nur about Fuladh's comparisons of him and Enkidu
ACMir A New Beginning 33.png|Basim bidding farewell to Nur
</gallery>

==Behind the scenes==
Roshan's subtitled dialogue erroneously stylizes Basim's {{Wiki|patronymic}} ''{{Wiki|Arabic name|nasab}}'' as "ibn Is'haq", incorrectly adding a ⟨'⟩ to represent a ''{{Wiki|Arabic diacritics|sukūn}}'' ⟨ ْ⟩ denoting the preceding syllable ends in the consonant. This is a non-standardized way to {{Wiki|Romanization|romanize}} the Arabic إسحاق and is used to signify that the ⟨sh⟩ is not a {{Wiki|Digraph (orthography)|digraph}} pronounced as a single {{Wiki|phoneme}}. In standard {{Wiki|Romanization of Arabic|transliteration}} schemes, a ⟨'⟩ is used to represent a ''{{Wiki|hamza}}'', which indicates a full {{Wiki|glottal stop}}..

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACMirMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Basim ibn Ishaq]]

The Master Thief of Anbar

2026-09-28T06:35:57Z

Sol Pacificus: If there should be a link here, it should not be to a time many years later when Basim happens to talk about it a little more

{{Era|Memories|ACMir}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name = The Master Thief of Anbar
|image = ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 29.png
|description =
|appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''
|type = Main
|reward =
|fullsync =
|heroclass =
|previous =
|next = [[A New Beginning]]
|concurrent =
|source = [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]
|location = [[Anbar]], [[Abbasid Caliphate]]
|date = 11 – 12 December 861<ref>The Animus interface gives the date of 861 for this memory. Furthermore, according to [[Al-Mutawakkil]]'s {{Wiki|al-Mutawakkil|page}} on Wikipedia, the Caliph was murdered on 11 December 861; the memory takes place on the day he died, as well as the day after.</ref>
}}
'''The Master Thief of Anbar''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Basim ibn Ishaq]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] relived through the [[Animus]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''</ref>

==Description==
Basim helped [[Dervis]] to perform several tasks on behalf of his [[Hidden Ones|clients]].

==Memory Animus Feedback System==
*Leave the [[Anbar Hideout|hideout]]
*Follow [[Nehal]]
*Steal the pouch
*Follow Nehal
*Pickpocket merchants
*Meet with [[Dervis]]
*Steal the ledger
*Return to Dervis
*Speak with Nehal
*Follow Nehal
*Infiltrate the [[Winter Palace, Anbar|palace]]
**[[File:MirOPBlend.png|28px]] Nehal knows a way in
**[[File:MirOPSecretEntrance.png|28px]] Look for another entrance
**A palace guard holds the key
*Steal the chest's [[Memory Seals|contents]]
*Escape the palace
*Return to the hideout
*Warn Dervis and the others
*Go to the docks

==Dialogue==
A drop of blood fell on Basim's face. He found himself in a [[Memory Corridor|dark, shadowy environment]] with his legs trapped in a black quicksand. He looked on as the apparition of a [[Djinn|figure]] tackled him to the ground, causing his hand to be trapped as well. The figure displayed its ghastly form and approached him. Eventually, it was revealed to be a dream as Basim woke up gasping.
*'''Basim:''' ''Gah!''
Panicked, he got up from his bed and his friend Nehal, who was sitting by the bed and observed his behavior, tried to calm him down.
*'''Basim:''' (labored breathing)
*'''Nehal:''' ''Easy, Basim. Breathe.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 2.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nehal discussing his dreams]]
Noticing, Basim calmed himself down.
*'''Basim:''' (labored breathing)
*'''Nehal:''' ''Was it the jinni again?''
Basim said nothing.
*'''Nehal:''' ''And what did our friend want this time?''
Having composed himself, Basim sat up
*'''Basim:''' ''To strip the flesh from my bones? Dine on my innards? Never has much to say, yet it leaves its mark. I can still feel it crawling on my skin.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Hardly original. You should tell it as much.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Forget the jinni for the moment. The day is new, there is work to be done. Dervis has left another contract.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 3.png|thumb|250px|Basim receiving Dervis' new contract]]
Basim got out of bed and approached the wooden-covered window near the table, where he picked up a small circular stone.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Who for?''
Basim showed Nehal the stone, with a Hidden One [[Assassin insignia|insignia]] mark.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Them again? We would make more money selling water to a [[camel]].''
Nehal got up from the bedside and approached the room exit, shaking her head.
*'''Basim:''' ''Come, Nehal. Where is your sense of duty?''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Duty does not fill our bellies.''
*'''Basim:''' ''No, but it does enrich the soul.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''I will be outside.''
Nehal left the house, with Basim exploring his surroundings. He looked at the {{Wiki|Quadrant (instrument)|object}} on the table nearest to the door.
*'''Basim:''' ''I told Nehal this would be impossible to sell when she stole it. But she could not resist. Wonder what it is about these ancient baubles that fascinates her so.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Kick up some sand, Basim.''
He turned to a wall table near the bed, where he picked up a few medallions.
*'''Basim:''' ''Cheap jewels and tarnished [[coin]]s. The spoils of a rogue's life.''
Basim also looked at a few construction tools on a shelf near his bed.
*'''Basim:''' ''"It takes but a few simple tools to build the {{Wiki|Great Mosque of Samarra|greatest of mosques}}." I hope to continue to share your wisdom [[Ishaq ibn Khalid|father]]... [[Al-Ula|wherever]] you are.''
After he was done exploring his room, Basim left the house and met with Nehal.
*'''Nehal:''' ''The [[sun]] casts a long shadow.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Let us not keep Dervis waiting. I cannot bear another lecture.''
Basim followed Nehal as they navigated out of the neighbourhood.
*'''Nehal:''' ''These contracts... it is quite a few Dervis has pushed your way now.''
*'''Basim:''' ''He knows I will come through.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''You have his trust, that much is clear. Do you suppose you have theirs? These... shadowy types.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I should hope so by now.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Then they should show it. You take all the risk and they offer little in return.''
*'''Basim:''' ''They are [[Assassin-Templar War|liberators]], Nehal. Not [[merchant]]s.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''I know the stories. Still, the price of liberty should be enough to feed us.''
They reached the city's outskirts and began [[freerunning]] across the rooftops and scaffoldings, eventually reaching a roof near the city gate.
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 5.png|thumb|250px|Nehal reminding Basim of his safety]]
*'''Nehal:''' ''About this contract... I do not want you to mistake my words for pestering. I am only looking out for you,'' ya sadeeqi ''(friend).''
*'''Basim:''' ''It is no inconvenience to stand up to our oppressors as the Hidden Ones do.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Do you think yourself some hero of tomorrow? The next [[Gilgamesh]]?''
*'''Basim:''' ''No, I am merely the son of a public servant who dedicated his life to the betterment of his people... only to be slighted and forgotten.''
Both Basim and Nehal reflected on their words for a moment.
*'''Basim:''' ''But I am honored you think I could reach such heights. I may just aim for them.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''That is not at all what I said.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It is what I heard!''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 6.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nehal near the city gate]]
Both of them turned to look towards the crowd gathering near the gate.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Such crowds. Something important must be happening.''
*'''Basim:''' ''The [[Al-Mutawakkil|Caliph]] (Steward) has been summoned to the Winter Palace. It is surely his wealthy retinue that drives this crowd.''
Basim and Nehal jumped down to the street and approached the crowd.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Ah... Perhaps they're in the mood to offer donations...''
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah. I see your meaning. A [[Pickpocketing|little sleight of hands]] to sharpen our wits?''
*'''Nehal:''' ''If this contract will not feed us, the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Caliphate]] might as well.''
Basim and Nehal looked towards a table, where a [[coin]] purse had been left behind.
*'''Nehal:''' ''That merchant has left his purse on the table. An easy one to begin with.''
Basim approached the table and quietly looted the purse.
*'''Basim:''' ''Better leave before they notice.''
Both he and Nehal left the area to avoid raising [[Social stealth|suspicions]].
*'''Civilian:''' ''Gah!'' Liss! Liss! ''([[Thief]]! Thief!)''
They made their way down a street.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Come here! Ready yourself. I will pick them out.''
*'''Basim:''' ''A keen eye and an agile hand. A formidable duo.''
They reached a [[Hiding spot|haycart]].
*'''Nehal:''' ''Hmm. There. The boisterous one. He must have something of value.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 8.png|thumb|250px|Basim stealing a civilian's coin pouch]]
Nehal pointed at a [[civilian]] with a pouch hanging by his waist, leading Basim to steal it while he was occupied. Once successful, Basim returned to Nehal, and they both continued down the street.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Sneaky sneaky...''
They reached a spot where Nehal spotted a lady patronizing a store with a pouch at her waist.
*'''Nehal:''' ''And... over there, by that stall. She's got some coin.''
Basim approached the lady and looted the purse.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Well done. You truly are the Master Thief of [[Anbar]].''
*'''Basim:''' ''Is that jealousy I hear?''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Hardly, oh Great Looter of Purses.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Insufferable... Come, we are late to Dervis'.''
Basim and Nehal ended their thieving and made their way to Dervis' place.
*'''Mutee'a:''' ''It's Basim!''
*'''Nehal:''' ''They're all looking spry. I wonder what tales we will hear today.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Tall ones, most certainly.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 9.png|thumb|250px|Basim bonding with Fehmi]]
Basim approached one of the kids.
*'''[[Fehmi]]:''' Ahlan ''(Welcome), Basim! Come here, come here!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Fehmi.''
*'''Fehmi:''' ''Basim! The [[Caliph]] has arrived with his court! Have you seen them?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I have not. Though I did meet some of his merchants at the markets.''
*'''Fehmi:''' ''I saw them up close. Al-Mutawakkil is much, much larger than I had imagined. A towering man, indeed.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Of course. He gorges on food served with the finest spices you and I can only hope to one day taste.''
*'''Fehmi:''' ''I heard whispers of an important visit. But I cannot say from whom. I am sworn to secrecy!''
*'''Basim:''' ''Let me guess. Halaa. The palace guard's daughter.''
*'''Fehmi:''' ''What? How did you know?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I know where you really go when you say you are fetching water. She is kind. A good friend to you. And... maybe more, someday.''
*'''Fehmi:''' ''Ooh Basim!''
*'''Basim:''' ''I am serious! She will keep you out of trouble. You could use that. See you, Fehmi.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 10.png|thumb|250px|Basim checking on an injured Ameen]]
Basim approached another kid.
*'''[[Ameen]]:''' ''Steal anything good today?''
*'''Basim''' ''Ameen, how is your knee?''
*'''Ameen''' ''Much better, Basim! Wrapped it and rested a few days, like you said.''
*'''Basim''' ''Good. So long as each day is better than the last and you take care not to extend yourself, you will recover fine.''
*'''Ameen''' ''Has this happened to you before? Is that why you know how to treat it?''
*'''Basim''' ''I am no stranger to scrapes and bumps, but I have learned to prevent them. And so should you. If I may, your sandals are worn and cannot grip the ground. Your knees are taking the brunt of your movements. We need to find you something better. Something that fits. But that part is not so easy.''
*'''Ameen''' ''The mosques have plenty. I am sure to find a better pair there! Erm, if you will not pass judgement...''
*'''Basim''' ''Hah! Do not look to me. That will be between you and [[Islam|Allah]],'' ya sadeeqi ''(friend).''
Basim and Nehal entered the house.
*'''Dervis:''' Vay vay vay ''(Well well well), here is the lazy boy. I have been waiting on you.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Someone has to plan our meals.''
Basim threw a pouch to one of the children.
*'''Basim:''' ''Hold.''
The child turned around to listen to Basim.
*'''Basim:''' ''Food. I would not flaunt that around the markets. Trust me.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''Go to Zaida'! She uses lots of butter.''
The child nodded and left the house.
*'''Nehal:''' ''That she does.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''You look weary. Are you well?''
Basim threw the stone that had been given to him.
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 13.png|thumb|250px|Dervis giving Basim his assignment]]
*'''Basim:''' ''It is nothing a little adventure wouldn't fix. What do they need?''
*'''Dervis:''' ''A [[ship]]ping ledger at the harbor. It is worth nothing by itself, but the information it contains is valuable to them.''
*'''Basim:''' ''This is child's play. Do they not have anything more difficult? I can do more.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''Never mind your ego. The Caliph's [[Soldier|guards]] are here in number and you would do well to remember that.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You worry for me more now than when we lived in [[Baghdad]].''
*'''Dervis:''' ''My worry is the same, I've only grown too old and too tired to hide it. Bring the ledger here, and do it swiftly.''
As Dervis prepared to leave, Basim looked towards Nehal, who signaled him to ask about payment.
*'''Basim:''' ''We have not talked about my fee.''
Dervis stopped in his tracks to reply to Basim.
*'''Dervis:''' ''And we won't. Not until the deed is done. You know how they are.''
Dervis left the house.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Shocking.''
*'''Basim:''' ''He is just a messenger.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''And you are still an errand boy. You can do this one on your own.''
Nehal left the place as well.
*'''Fehmi:''' ''I saw them with all the soldiers parading into the Winter Palace.''
*'''Ameen:''' ''Did they have [[sword]]s and [[spear]]s?''
*'''Fehmi:''' ''Of course they did, they are soldiers.''
*'''Ameen:''' ''I'd like to steal a sword. Or a [[helmet]].''
Basim read a note on the table before leaving.
{{IUNote|
Title=One Collector to Another
|Text=Friend Dervis, O, how the greatest beauty can be concealed by a meek façade! Priceless gems hide behind the plainest rock, or the humblest shopfront. You see, I am a collector of the exquisite, and I hear you stock precious stones from {{Wiki|Sri Lanka|Sarandib}}, [[emerald]]s from {{Wiki|Khorasan}}, [[pearl]]s form the {{Wiki|Indian Ocean|Ocean}} of [[Pakistan|Sindh]]. I would cherish such jewels forever. Name your price and I will meet it.}}
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 14.png|thumb|250px|Basim trying to encourage Mutee'a]]
Outside, Basim stopped to talk more with the children.
*'''Basim:''' ''[[Mutee'a]], where has your smile run off to? What has happened?''
*'''Mutee'a:''' ''I do not want to talk about it.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, but I refuse to leave until you do. We need someone to offset the grouchy winds that billow from Dervis' quarters. Is he responsible for the clouds that hang above you?''
*'''Mutee'a:''' ''He shouted at me. Called me a harebrained miscreant! All because I roused a few guards who were pestering me.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Harsh! I would have done the same as you.''
*'''Mutee'a:''' ''Do you think he will tell me to leave?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, Mutee'a, you do not know him as well as I, so I will only say this. Dervis may appear rough, but he has a soft underbelly. He's only trying to protect you. Still, some retribution is in order. What can we do, what can we do... Ah! Tomorrow, when all is quiet, we will sit on a nearby rooftop and stone his walls while he tries to sleep.''
*'''Mutee'a:''' ''A brilliant idea! See you later, Basim.''
Basim approached Dervis.
*'''Basim:''' ''Did they say anything else about the ledger? Or why they want it?''
*'''Dervis:''' ''Ugh, I tell you what they tell me, Basim. As always, it's just enough. Why are you asking, hmm?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I would like to know just what it is I am contributing to.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''You have done much in the way of facilitating their endeavors, and so I will speak a word on your behalf. My one caution, and I have been doing this long enough to share it... Anyone, anyone who works from the shadows does so only because they must. In the face of looming danger, for example. By working alongside them we have invited the danger to our door. And we must be very careful not to let it in.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 15.png|thumb|250px|Basim talking to Nehal before leaving]]
Basim approached Nehal.
*'''Nehal:''' ''You are on your own, Basim. This is no contract, it is a favor. I do not work for scraps.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I do not wish for you to be upset. I took the contract, so I will see it through.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''I am not upset, Basim. I simply cannot understand why you overlook your own interests to serve theirs. You owe nothing to anyone but yourself. Remember that.''
Basim made his way to the harbor near the house. Along the way, he saw a knife pinning a note to a warehouse door.
{{IUNote
|Title=No Children
|Text=A group of children are disturbing our operations and must be refused entry to the harbor henceforth. Last week a crate was caught in their fishing nets and dragged into the water. Today, I have learned the missing produce over the last three days was not by error of calculations, but due to theft. These children are to blame. If they return, simply alert one of the guards.}}
Continuing onward, he saw another note pinned to a large {{Wiki|Kuphar|quffa}}.
{{IUNote
|Title=My Apologies
|Text=I took your catch for the day and beg your forgiveness, unknown friend! My family is hungry, and I had to act quickly when I saw that you left your {{Wiki|Kuphar|quffa}} unattended. I promise that someday, in better times, Allah will connect out paths so that I may repay my debt to you. I thank you and my family thanks you!}}
He hid in a patch of tall grass near a crate to [[Eavesdropping|eavesdrop]] on the guards' conversation.
*'''Soldier 1:''' ''What was the final tally of what we received?''
*'''Soldier 2:''' ''Sixteen crates. One [[Treasure chest|chest]]. Half a dozen satchels. Only three crates remained last time I checked the ledger.''
*'''Soldier 1:''' ''Give their handlers until tomorrow evening. If they don't show by then, we must assume they've forgotten about their wares. Open them up. Keep whatever catches our eyes. Dump the rest.''
Basim started to move, only to stop after breaking a branch underfoot, startling one of the soldiers.
*'''Soldier 1:''' ''Wait here.''
Basim hid himself amongst the tall grass as the soldier approached closer. Basim grabbed him into the tall grass and knocked him out.
*'''Basim:''' ''If I am seen I will have to flee. Good thing I can outrun these sagging guards.''
Basim kept a low profile and searched around the harbor, knocking out guards to avoid being noticed. He came across a building with a locked door.
*'''Basim:''' ''Locked. A minor delay.''
Basim used [[Eagle Vision]] to locate the guard with the door keys. He entered another building, took out the guard, and looted the keys. He then returned to the locked door, opened it, and stepped inside. Within, he spotted a ledger on the table.
*'''Basim:''' ''There. That may be what I'm looking for.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 19.png|thumb|250px|Basim finding the ledger]]
Basim looted the ledger.
*'''Basim:''' ''I wonder wat secrets this ledger holds. Maybe I can get the old grouser Dervis to squeeze a hint out of our contact.''
Bayek left the harbor and returned to Dervis' place.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Still in one piece, I see.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It was all too easy.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Ugh, how the stench of pride seeps from your pores...''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 20.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nehal seeing Dervis talk with Roshan]]
Basim and Nehal entered Dervis' shop, where they found him conversing with a hooded woman.
*'''[[Roshan]]:''' ''We could use some eyes around the city.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''I'll see what I can do.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''She looks important. You should haggle for a better fee.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Shh.''
Dervis spotted Basim and approached him.
*'''Dervis:''' ''Ah, Basim. What timing. Did you get it?''
Basim handed over the ledger to Dervis.
*'''Basim:''' ''Without a fuss.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Give it here.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You are one of them.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 21.png|thumb|250px|Dervis and Roshan deciphering the ledger]]
In turn, Dervis gave the ledger to Roshan.
*'''Roshan:''' ''There. It looks as though it was delivered this morning.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''You're certain it is the chest you seek?''
*'''Roshan:''' ''I am certain. Pay the boy.''
When Roshan turned to leave, Basim spoke to her.
*'''Basim:''' ''You need something stolen, I am your man. Dervis can attest. He has given me all your contracts.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Then you have done your part.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I can do more.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 22.png|thumb|250px|Basim offering his services to Roshan]]
*'''Roshan:''' ''Two of my best men died on this pursuit. I doubt a street thief would fare much better.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Then let me join you. You have two openings!''
Roshan ignored Basim's words and took her leave.
*'''Dervis:''' ''I should take half this fee for that insult.''
Dervis' hand briefly hovered over two different-sized [[coin]] pouches, but he took the larger one and handed it over to Basim.
*'''Basim:''' ''Thank you, Dervis.''
*'''Dervis:''' ''Listen here, Basim. You want to keep working for me, you keep your head down and your mouth shut!''
Basim accepted the payment and left with Nehal.
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 24.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nehal discuss Roshan's rejecting his offer]]
*'''Nehal:''' ''Why must you embarrass yourself like that?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Like what?''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Like a beggar. Desperate for them to notice you.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Desperate? Nehal, I am good at what I do. That woman would be lucky to have me.''
As Basim talked with Nehal, one of the children slowly sneaked behind him.
*'''Nehal:''' ''But she does not want you. You are a street thief with dirty feet. So why bother? Why keep pushing yourself down this path?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Because being a street thief is not the peak of my ambition. I have more to offer this world than my nimble fingers. They just cannot see it yet.''
As the child tried to steal the pouch from Basim's waist, Basim took notice and backed away.
*'''Basim:''' ''Almost, [[Jasib]].''
He noticed a slingshot at Jasib's waist.
*'''Basim:''' ''What is this?''
*'''Jasib:''' ''Aha! It is my latest creation. It helps me fend off angry merchants when they, uh, catch me digging around their wares.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 26.png|thumb|250px|Basim asking Jasib about the chest]]
*'''Basim:''' ''I will consider myself spared. You smell foul. What is that?''
*'''Jasib:''' ''Ha! We have been fishing at the harbor since morning. Terrible luck, though.''
*'''Basim:''' ''The harbor? Did you happen to see or hear any fuss over a chest?''
*'''Jasib:''' ''Hm. Ah yes! A black one. Very beautiful. Some burly guards took it with them to the palace.''
Basim took out a coin and gave it to Jasib.
*'''Basim:''' Shukran lak ya ''(thank you), Jasib.''
Jasib accepted the coin and left with the remaining children.
*'''Nehal:''' ''What are you doing?''
*'''Basim:''' ''They want that chest, and I am going to get it for them. Then they will see.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''There is just no getting through to you, is there?''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 27.png|thumb|250px|Basim planning to infiltrate the palace]]
Basim shook his head.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Then we will do this together. If you get caught at the Winter Palace, they will kill you on sight. We will need a safe way in. And I know where we might scout one. That is, if you can follow my lead for a change. Shall we go scout the Winter Palace now?''
Nehal waited near the gate, as Basim approached her.
*'''Basim:''' ''You do not have to get involved, Nehal. I know your feelings on this.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''It is utterly foolish. But it seems I cannot stop you. So I will come with, and nag you until you decide to abandon the idea of stealing a chest from the Caliph's. Winter. Palace.''
*'''Basim:''' ''When you say it like that, it only excites me further.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Are we going or not?''
("Let's go to the Winter Palace.")
*'''Basim:''' ''Lead the way.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''This is a mad plan, Basim. Even if you were to succeed and they welcome you into their ranks, what then? Will you forget about us?''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 28.png|thumb|250px|Basim following Nehal to the palace]]
*'''Basim:''' ''Of course not. Nehal, their intentions are our interests You, me and every street dweller who has been cast aside, living off scraps and dirty water. I can be an instrument that sees us out of that life. That sees that Jasib can use his talents to be a real craftsman. That sees that good men are not cast aside as my father was. And no children left wondering what tomorrow will bring.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''I hear what you are saying, Basim. But you paint a portrait of a world that cannot exist.''
*'''Basim:''' ''That is where we disagree.''
They reached near the entrance to the palace.
*'''Nehal:''' ''There it is. The Winter Palace. Come, this way.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Right behind you.''
Basim followed Nehal up the stairs onto roof of a building near the palace.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Here. Let us wait for nightfall.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 29.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nehal outside the palace at night]]
The two waited for nightfall, when it would be easier to sneak into the palace.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Does where you stand not awaken fond memories?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Not so long ago we were counting our spoils up here under the cover of night, just like this.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''The stakes were lower then.''
*'''Basim:''' ''And so too was the prize.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Well, before you claim your prize you will first have to reach it. And so far as I can see, that will take some creativity.''
*'''Basim:''' ''We could always try the front gate.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''You will have to let me know how that goes for you.''
Nehal prepared to take her leave.
*'''Basim:''' ''Where are you going?''
*'''Nehal:''' ''I've had a clever thought. If your mind is absent of one, you should perhaps follow mine.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Wait.'' (sigh)
Basim followed Nehal as they climbed down the building through a broken wall.
*'''Nehal:''' ''It is dark enough. Come.''
They entered the palace through a broken wall near the roof of a covered walkway.
*'''Basim:''' ''Nehal.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Fastening yourself to my tail, Basim? Very sensible.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 30.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Nehal sneaking into the palace]]
They sneaked pass the walkway, using the tall patch of grass as cover.
*'''Basim:''' ''I know how you hate to be alone.''
As they sneaked pass, they eavesdropped on the guard's conversations.
*'''Soldier 1:''' ''...and then roasted, stuffed lamb. Oh, yes.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''I see some guards just that way.''
*'''Soldier 2:''' ''Lentils with lime sauce, pomegranates and lemon. I can taste it now.''
*'''Soldier 1:''' ''Shh! I heard something. A low roar.''
*'''Soldier 2:''' ''Indeed! My stomach!''
Basim and Nehal reached an inverted cart and navigated their way up the roof, reaching a garden area. They passed by as the gardener and tailor pay them no attention. They then climbed up a stack of bricks to the upper floor, entering a sheltered room with guards. The two continued their way while carefully avoiding the guards, continuing to listen to their conversations.
*'''Soldier 3:''' ''Have you seen the guests? Such odd costumes.''
*'''Soldier 4:''' ''Keep your mouth shut. You'll only invite trouble talking that.''
*'''Soldier 3:''' ''Why dress that way, is all I'm asking. It's not festival time.''
*'''Soldier 4:''' ''They are here to meet the Caliph about the chest that arrived this morning. Which, need I remind you, is none of our concern.''
*'''Soldier 3:''' ''Are you not curious?''
*'''Soldier 4:''' ''Even if I am, it will not break my focus.''
Basim and Nehal made their way down the lower floor, reaching a locked door.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Ah, good. This door may lead us inside.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Not without a key it won't.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Hmm. Have a look around.''
Basim used his [[Eagle Vision]] to identify the guard with the door key. Sneaking pass the patrols, he approached near the guard and stole his key. He also read a note on the table.
{{IUNote
|Title=Palace Orders
|Text=The Caliph has been summoned for an important meeting. I have been made aware of no details, but I must ensure the palace is adequately staffed and that patrols are increased. Double the presence on the roof and station two guards for every room he and the visiting party will pass through. Secure all entrances. No one is allowed in or out until after the meeting ends.}}
He then returned to the door where Nehal was waiting.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Any luck finding the key?''
Basim used the key to unlock the door, granting them access into the room. He quietly opening the door while hearing two guards inside.
*'''Soldier 5:''' ''The Caliph appears unsettled. An [[Al-Mu'tazz|unruly son]] is not helping matters.''
Basim and Nehal entered while peaking from the walls.
*'''Soldier 6:''' ''The young man is eager. It's his first time in the palace, is it not? Let him wander, I say. Cater to his needs. This meeting is supposed to be brief, after all.''
*'''Soldier 6:''' ''Here they are. Come.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 32.png|thumb|250px|Al-Mitawakkil chasing his guards and Abu 'Abdullah out of the hall]]
Basim and Nehal hide near a semi-fenced up wall, catching sight of the caliph's guests entering the hall while guided by the guards.
*'''Soldier 6:''' ''Through here. The Caliph awaits you.''
They continued forward, and spotted the caliph and his son.
*'''Soldier 6:''' ''They have arrived,'' Mawlay ''(my lord).''
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Out. All of you. I am to meet with them alone.''
*'''Abu 'Abdallah:''' ''Father, let me stay!''
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Take him.''
The guards escorted the prince out of the room. Meanwhile, Basim and Nehal spotted the chest mentioned earlier by Dervis and the hooded woman.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Looks heavy. We'll never get it out of the palace.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Then I will just have to take what is inside.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 34.png|thumb|250px|Al-Mutawakkil meeting the masked members]]
The masked members entered the hall.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Gentlemen. Welcome. Everything is in order.''
[[Wasif al-Turki|One]] of the members opened the chest to check its contents.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''I understand this means a great deal to you. Rest assured, it will be well protected here.''
*'''Masked Figure:''' ''We will accept nothing less. We will carry out our work and return to you when we are ready. Be prepared, Caliph.''
The Order members turned to leave.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Ah, might I see it once? The contents? If we are to guard this with our lives we should know—''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 36.png|thumb|250px|The masked member threatening Al-Mutawakkil]]
The masked figure who checked the box turned back and approached the Caliph threateningly.
*'''Masked Figure:''' ''You saw nothing of this. You say nothing. Do you understand?''
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Y-yes, of course. Perish the idea.''
The masked members took their leave, while the caliph left in a different path.
*'''Basim:''' ''Now is our chance.''
Basim and Nehal stopped peaking from the fences and continued down their hall, where they heard someone passing through.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Someone is coming.''
They took cover behind crates, and waited till the guards passed the area.
*'''Nehal:''' ''This way. Looks quiet.''
They continued and entered a room filled with riches.
*'''Nehal:''' ''I never thought I'd set foot in here. Just look at these arches. You could chisel off a piece and sell it for a hoard of gold. You didn't happen to bring a pickaxe did you?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I will keep it in mind for the next time we break into a palace.''
Basim and Nehal entered the hall with the chest left behind.
*'''Basim:''' ''All right, Basim. Open. Snatch. Run.''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Basim, hurry!''
Realizing it was locked, Basim took a candle holder to break open the lock.
*'''Basim:''' (quick exhale)
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 37.png|thumb|250px|Basim finding a disk-shaped artifact in the chest]]
With the lock broken, Basim opened the chest and was greeted by the sight of a disk-shaped object. Hearing noises from the surrounding, the two began to panic.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Basim!''
Basim picked up the object, which suddenly activated with glowing yellow marks all over and produced a hologram of two unknown individuals, one standing in front of the other, who is on their knees.
*'''Male Voice 1:''' dű-duàs hnomná arhzmr mnàæ gnsàsi ''(State your name for the record.)''
*'''Male Voice 2:''' hm més hr r n marhmid ''(Please, no—no more...)''
As the standing figure punched the other one in the face, the caliph, having heard the commotion, entered the hall to snatch away the object.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Give me that!''
The resulting grappling caused Basim to drop the object to the ground, which deactivated.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''No! La!''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 39.png|thumb|250px|The caliph discovering what the chest contained]]
The caliph slapped Basim across the face to the ground. The caliph then picked it up himself.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''Do you have any idea what they will do to me?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Please, I—I am sorry.''
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''This... This is your fault.''
As Basim leaned behind a pillar, the caliph picked him up and pinned him against the pillar.
*'''Basim:''' ''Stop! Please...!''
The caliph attempted to strangle Basim.
*'''Al-Mutawakkil:''' ''You thieving little [[rat]]!''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 41.png|thumb|250px|Nehal killing the caliph with a dagger]]
Basim struggled to free himself, trying to reach for the knife in the caliph's waistband. From behind, Nehal took a dagger and stabbed the caliph in his neck, killing him. As the caliph dropped to the floor, Basim tried to process what had occurred.
*'''Basim:''' ''No...''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Run!''
Nehal took her leave.
*'''Basim:''' ''Nehal, wait!''
The caliph's son, who had seen everything, made his appearance.
*'''Abu 'Abdallah:''' ''Father?...''
Basim picked up the artifact and began to run, as the guards arrived to capture him.
*'''Soldier 7:''' ''Get that boy!''
Basim ran out of the palace through the main entrance, as more guards were alerted of his deeds.
*'''Soldier 8:''' ''Ring the bell! The Caliph is dead! Find that boy!''
*'''Soldier 9:''' ''Sealing the area!''
As the main door began to close, Basim managed to sneak pass and escape.
*'''Soldier 10:''' ''With me! He came this way.''
More guards arrived from the sides, who exploded various explosive jars to stop Basim's advance.
*'''Soldier 11:''' ''Burn! Cutting him off!''
While the guards blocked the main road, Basim took to using the ziplines to pass through.
*'''Soldier 12:''' ''No one will pass me!''
As Basim escaped into the city, he overheard guards ordering his arrest.
*'''Soldier 13:''' ''An intruder was spotted at the palace. Keep your eyes open for a young thief.''
Basim reached a roadblock.
*'''Soldier 14:''' ''Over there! I see him.''
With the roads too dangerous, Basim climbed up onto rooftops and platforms to navigate his way while passing by more guards, who spotted him.
*'''Soldier 15:''' ''The alarm bell rings! Stay alert! You there! Stop!''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 43.png|thumb|250px|Basim hiding in a haystack from guards]]
Basim made his way back to his [[Anbar Hideout|hideout]], using the scaffoldings, rooftops and even haystacks to escape the guards' visions.
*'''Basim:''' ''What... what have we done? Nehal... she just... What was she thinking? I need to find her. She would have gone back home.''
Eventually, he reached his hovel and closed the door behind him.
*'''Basim:''' ''Nehal?''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 44.png|thumb|250px|Basim safely retreated to his home]]
Seeing no one inside, Basim returned to his bed and took out the object, before throwing it onto the frustration. He then processed the events that had transpired, eventually falling asleep. He soon began having reoccurring nightmares of the same Jinni which plagued him.
*'''Basim:''' ''No. Stop this. Please! What do you want from me?''
He was soon woken up, greeted by the sight of a grey-haired lady sitting by his bed.
*'''Basim:''' (labored breathing)
*'''Roshan:''' ''Calm! Calm, Basim.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Nehal?''
He then realized it was the hooded woman that Dervis was working with.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Not quite. Are you well?''
Basim nodded.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Good. Because I need you to tell me about... this.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 46.png|thumb|250px|Roshan questioning Basim about the artifact he found]]
Roshan showed the object Basim had recovered from the palace.
*'''Basim:''' ''I do not know what you mean.''
They overheared noise coming from outside.
*'''Soldier:''' ''Search over there.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''Tell me what happened. Silence is not your ally here.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It is not silence. I cannot explain what I saw. That object. It did something to me. I was... somewhere else. Cold. And frightened. Before I knew it, the Caliph had his hands around my neck. I... it was an accident, I did not mean for... just wanted to help.''
*'''Roshan:''' ''We need to get you out of here. I have a boat at the western docks.''
*'''Basim:''' ''What? No, I-I cannot leave. I need to find Nehal.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 47.png|thumb|250px|Roshan asking Basim to leave with her]]
*'''Roshan:''' ''Stop and think, Basim. The Caliph's guard is searching for his murderer. A young thief of your description. They will not stop until they have found you. And when they do, it will not be a prison they throw you into. It will be a shallow grave. I am giving you a second chance. Take it.''
Roshan left.
*'''Basim:''' ''Nehal... Dervis... they are all in danger!''
Basim left his house and made his way to Dervis' hideout.
*'''Basim:''' ''The soldiers are hunting all who look like me.''
Remembering he's still in danger, Basim used the roofs and scaffoldings to navigate his way.
*'''Soldier:''' ''We are not to show mercy, men. Is that clear?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I will not be safe for certain if I do not lose these guards.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 48.png|thumb|250px|The consequence of Basim's actions, the slaughered thieves of Dervis' network]]
Eventually, he reached the place, only to be shocked by what he discovered. The bodies of his friends, including Jasib and children, all hung and tied to wooden poles. He kneeled down, horrified by what he saw.
*'''Nehal:''' ''Basim. Basim! Avert your eyes.''
Nehal appeared and tried to get Basim back to his senses.
*'''Basim:''' (scream)
Basim shook Nehal away and shouted at her.
*'''Nehal:''' ''There is nothing we could have done.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Nothing? If the Caliph were alive, this would not have happened!''
*'''Nehal:''' ''Watch where you point your blamey little finger, Basim. It was your idea to steal from the palace. All so that you could impress your cunning friends. I saved us.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You killed them! You did this!''
They overheard guards approaching.
*'''Soldier:''' ''It came from over there.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 50.png|thumb|250px|Basim ending his friendship with Nehal]]
*'''Basim:''' ''I hope I never see you again.''
Nehal took her leave.
*'''Soldier: ''Hurry!''
Remembering Roshan's words, he made his way to the docks to meet her.
*'''Basim:''' ''All of them dead... when it was me they sought to punish. I... I... I cannot be here. I cannot.''
*'''Soldier:''' ''Scour the alleys for thieves. Round up every last one. Proceed.''
As he came out from his hiding spot behind a barrel, a guard caught him.
*'''Soldier 9:''' ''Stop. Is it him?''
The soldier dragged Basim and shoved him towards another soldier, who took a good look at his face.
*'''Soldier 10:''' ''I think so.''
The guards pushed him down. Basim leaned behind the barrels as the guards drew their swords.
*'''Soldier 9:''' ''Good enough.''
[[File:ACMirage The Master Thief of Anbar 53.png|thumb|250px|Roshan rescuing Basim from the guards]]
As one of the guard prepared to cut him down, Roshan approached from the back and stroke them down with her sword.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Move!''
Roshan took out hand to get Basim up. As more guards came from the docks, Roshan made his way up the stairs to a building, while slashing her way past a few guards with Basim following behind her. She and Basim climbed up the building, reaching the edge.
*'''Basim:''' ''What are you doing?''
Roshan reached the ledge.
*'''Roshan:''' ''Don't think.''
Roshan took a [[Leap of Faith|leap]] and jumped into the waters below. With guards coming behind him, Basim followed suit and fell into the river while trying to avoid a soldier's sword swing.

==Outcome==
Defying Roshan and Dervis' heeding, Basim sneaked into the Winter Palace to recover the artifact, but was attacked by caliph Al-Mutawakkil for trespassing and attempted thievery. Nehal killed Al-Mutawakkil in self-defense, only for the Caliphate's guards to accuse Basim of murder and pursue the two when they fled. When his street thieves group was brutally executed in his stead, Basim escaped from Baghdad with the help of Roshan.

==Behind the scenes==
The initial scene where a drop of blood falls on Basim's face during his nightmare with the djinn is possibly a reference to the poem ''{{Wiki|Lokasenna}}'' in the anonymously-written ''{{Wiki|Poetic Edda}}''. In it, [[Loki]] is tortured by [[Odin]] as punishment for accusing the [[Norse mythology|gods]] of moral impurity. Only [[Snorri Sturluson]]'s 13th century text ''{{Wiki|Prose Edda}}'' explicitly states that this is also for his role in [[Baldr]]'s murder while ''Lokasenna'' simply implies it. In both texts, Loki's torture consists being bound below a [[snake]] that slowly drips its venom on his face.

Although the subtitled [[Isu script|Isu language]] remains untranslated throughout ''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'', its game files reveal the lines' meanings in French, Spanish, English, and German.

==References==
{{GalleryBox|The Master Thief of Anbar}}
{{Reflist}}
{{ACMirMemories}}

[[Category:Memories of Basim ibn Ishaq]]

21st century conversations

2026-09-27T06:40:37Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Assassin's Creed: Unity */

{{Era|Culture|Assassins|Templars|Abstergo}}
{{Update|[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]] and [[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced]]}}
Over the course of the 21st century, [[Desmond Miles]], [[Layla Hassan]], other high-profile [[Assassins]], or their allies had various '''conversations''' with different people throughout the [[Modern times|modern era]].

==''[[Assassin's Creed]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Experiment Begins
|-
|Desmond stared up at a curved screen above his face as he lay in the [[Animus|Animus 1.28]]. After it loaded the [[genetic memory]] sequence, he was transported to an open courtyard garden full of faceless [[courtesan]]s under a flashing red sky. A man in white robes stood closely surrounded by six women who sought his attention and flocked beside him wherever he went. Another man's distorted voice from a blue-white pillar of light on a balcony quoted [[wikisource:Bible (King James)/Ecclesiastes|a passage]] in {{Wiki|Ecclesiastes}}.
*'''Unknown Voice:''' ''I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing of the wind. For in much wisdom is much grief. And he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.''
The scene changed to a street, but the sky remained red and still images of castle walls flashed by, interrupting the sequence.
*'''[[Lucy Stillman|Lucy]]:''' ''We've got a problem. I can't anchor him to the memory. Too much psychological trauma. He's rejecting the treatment. Retreating.''
*'''[[Warren Vidic|Warren]]:''' ''Desmond, I need you to try and relax.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Let me try and stabilize it...''
*'''Warren''' ''Focus. Listen to the sound of my voice. Recognize that what you're seeing isn't real. Just a picture of the past. It can't hurt you.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Damn it! It's not working.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Give it a moment, Ms. Stillman. He'll adjust. The first time is never easy.''
More pictures flashed on-screen faster often than before.
*'''Lucy:''' ''We're losing him!''
*'''Warren:''' ''That's enough, Ms. Stillman!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We need to pull him out. Now.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Alright, Desmond. We're going to try and bring you out now.''
With their first test failed, Lucy and Warren were forced to extract Desmond, who gasped and inhaled deeply.
*'''Lucy:''' ''You ok?''
*'''Warren:''' ''I told you, he'd be fine.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Bastards!''
*'''Warren:''' ''Now, now, I just saved your life.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Saved my life?! You kidnapped me! You strapped me into that... thing!''
*'''Warren:''' ''Animus. It's an Animus.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't even know you people! Why are you doing this to me?''
*'''Warren:''' ''You have information we need, Mr. Miles.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Information?! I'm a bartender, for [[Jesus of Nazareth|Christ]]'s sakes! What do you want me to do, teach you how to mix a martini?!''
*'''Warren:''' ''We know who you are. What you are.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know what you're talking about.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Don't play coy with me, there isn't time. You're an Assassin, and whether you realize it or not, you've got something that [[Abstergo Industries|my employers]] want, locked away in that head of yours.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But I'm not an Assassin! Not anymore!''
*'''Warren:''' ''Yes, your file indicated as much. Something about an escape. Most fortunate for us.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you want from me?!''
*'''Warren:''' ''For you to do as you're told. The Animus will allow us to locate what we need. Once we have it, you'll be free to go.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I am ''not'' going back in there!''
*'''Warren:''' ''Then we'll induce a coma, and continue our work. When we're done, you'll be left to die. Truth be told, the only reason you're still conscious is because this approach saves us time.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're insane!''
*'''Warren:''' ''So what is it, Mr. Miles? Live or die? Lie down!''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Genetic Memory
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''A wise decision.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Whoa. Where am I?''
*'''Warren:''' ''You're inside the Animus.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Which is?...''
*'''Warren:''' ''It's a projector that renders genetic memories in three dimensions.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Genetic memory?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Seems you'll need a bit of a tutorial. Very well, we'll start simple. What is a memory, Mr. Miles?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's the... recollection of a past event.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Specific to the individual remembering the event.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, sure.''
Warren chuckled wryly.
*'''Warren:''' ''What if I told you that the [[human]] body not only housed an individual's memory, but the memories of his ancestors as well? Genetic memory, if you will. Migration, hibernation, reproduction. How do animals know when and where to go? What to do?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's just animal instinct.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Now you're arguing semantics, Mr. Miles. Whatever you call it, the fact remains. These creatures hold knowledge, absent the requisite first-hand experience. I've spent the past thirty years trying to understand why. I've discovered something most fascinating. Our DNA functions as an archive. It contains not only genetic instructions passed down from previous generations, but memories as well. The memories of our ancestors.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And the Animus lets you decode and read these DNA files.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Precisely.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''But there's a problem. This is the specific memory we're trying to access. Unfortunately, when we try and open the memory, your mind withdraws. You lack the confidence to step into your ancestor's body. That's what happened earlier. You got knocked out of the target memory and pushed back to a more stable state.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Why?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's your subconscious. It's resisting. We found similar reactions among patients who undergo hypnosis to relive traumatic events. They can't jump directly into the specific memory. They need to be eased in. Even then, there can be problems.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So how do we fix it?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We find a memory you can [[Synchronization|synchronize]] with and move forward from there. You'll get used to it. This is the closest we can get, so, it's where we'll have to start. I'm uploading the tutorial program now.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Breaks
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''He's experiencing a far better adoption rate than the other [[Animus Project|subjects]].''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm still pulling him out. He's been in there way too long.''
*'''Warren:''' ''No, not yet! We're still so far from where we need to be.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We shouldn't risk it.''
*'''Warren:''' ''What's another hour or two?!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Why don't we discuss this in the conference room? Give Desmond a minute to stretch his legs.''
*'''Warren:''' ''I really don't see the need—''
Lucy cut Warren off.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Warren, please.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Fine!''
Desmond eavesdropped on their conversation through the ventilation system in the bathroom.
*'''Warren:''' ''I don't appreciate you questioning my authority in front of the prisoner. There's a word for that. I believe it's called insubordination.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''And I don't appreciate you trying to kill him. There's a word for that too. I believe it's called stupid.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Lucy! This isn't my decision. I don't set the deadlines, but I'm smart enough not to challenge them! Do you want to wind up like [[Leila Marino|Leila]]?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I know the accident has everyone on edge.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Which is why there's no time to coddle him!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''If you push him too hard, he'll shut down. And then, we'll have nothing!''
*'''Warren:''' ''We have nothing now!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''But we will. You just need to have a little faith.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Fine. But I want you thinking up ways to improve his staying power. We can't afford to stop every time the man breaks a sweat! It's bad enough he has to traipse through all of these useless memories!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'll do what I can.''
The pair came out of the conference room.
*'''Warren:''' ''We're done for today, Mr. Miles. I suggest you return to your room and get some rest.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Farm
|-
|
*'''Lucy:''' ''So, you're really an Assassin? Like [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]]?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yes and no.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I was supposed to be one. But I ran away from "[[the Farm]]" when I was 16.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Farm?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, that's what they called the place where I grew up. "The Farm." Like [[Masyaf]], I guess, only not so, uh... creepy. Just a small desert community in the middle of nowhere. About 30 of us living, you know, off the grid.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Why?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thought my parents were just crazy hippies trying to stick it to the man, you know. My [[William Miles|dad]] was always going on about our enemies, how they'd be looking for us, how we [[Assassin-Templar War|have to be prepared]]. No one ever came. Nothing ever happened.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Why'd you run away?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I could never leave the compound. You have any idea what it's like being trapped in a place, knowing there is a whole world out there I'd never get to see?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Don't you miss your parents?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No. Far as I'm concerned, they weren't my parents. They were my wardens and I was their prisoner.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It sounds like they only wanted to protect you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''With all that's happened... I don't know. I guess they were right.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to dredge up the past.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's all right. Gives me something to think about.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Try and get some sleep. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Tracking
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''Got a question for you before I turn in.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sure.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How did they find me? I mean, I haven't been anywhere near another Assassin for ten years.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Use your real name?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Nope. Not before today.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Credit cards?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Cash only.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Telephone?''
Desmond chuckled.
*'''Desmond:''' ''There's no one to call.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Driver's license?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Motorcycle. Guilty pleasure.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There's your answer. Photo, fingerprint.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''This is a drug company! What does Abstergo have to do with the {{Wiki|Department of motor vehicles|DMV}}?!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond, these guys are everywhere. They... I... I'm sorry, I... I really can't talk about it.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Right Idea
|-
|Desmond groaned as he woke up, and spotted Warren staring down at him.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Gotta say that's a little creepy, Doc. Waking up to you standing over me. You been watching me sleep?''
*'''Warren:''' ''We're always watching you. Now get up. We've got a lot of work to do.''
Desmond responded sarcastically.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ooh, wonder who I get to kill today.''
Warren replied tersely.
*'''Warren:''' ''Don't be so cavalier! Your ancestors almost had the right idea, Mr. Miles. If the deaths of a few people—evil people, no less—could save the lives of thousands more, well... it seems a small sacrifice.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean, "almost?"''
*'''Warren:''' ''They didn't go far enough! To use a rather tired analogy, corruption is no different than cancer. Cut out the tumors, but fail to treat the source and... well, you're buying time at best. There's no true change to be had without comprehensive, systemic intervention.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Chemo for the masses.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Education. Re-education to be more precise. But it's not easy, and it doesn't always take.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Let me guess, you've got a better solution. What is it then?''
Warren chuckled.
*'''Warren:''' ''Now, that would be telling.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Deadline
|-
|Desmond was extracted from the Animus and saw Warren standing over him.
*'''Warren:''' ''Out of the machine, Mister Miles.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's the matter, Doc?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Miss Stillman is once again insisting I let you rest.''
Warren walked out of the room, before Desmond went to talk to Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So, feel like telling me who put the stick up his ass?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We have a deadline. One week... well, six days now.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Deadline?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I can't talk about it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Man, put yourself in my shoes. I'm being held hostage by a group of scientists—at least I think you're scientists—and forced to spend all day in some crazy-ass machine. You won't tell me what you're looking for or why you want it, but I'm supposed to be thanking you for keeping me alive. This is so fucked!''
Lucy looked up at Desmond.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Sorry, but it is.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What do you want me to do?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hmm, let's see... I don't know... maybe give me some answers?!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I can't! And it's better this way. Safer.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Safer for who?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Both of us.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Translation
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, you know what? I've got a question I think you can ''actually'' answer.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What's up?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Why is it that sometimes the guys in there talk like they're from the future?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The future?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I mean the present. Now, today, whatever.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You've probably noticed that English has become the official language of the [[Kingdom|Holy Land]].''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, I was going to say...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The Animus is translating speech it deems vital into more modern English. So expect a few anachronisms. I could probably make it more authentic, but... you ever read [[Geoffrey Chaucer|Chaucer]]?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yeah, definitely not for you.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Abstergo
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''Can you tell me more about Abstergo? Or what goes on here, beyond the whole keeping me prisoner thing.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Abstergo is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Their primary focus is anti-depressants. There's some information on the computer over there.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But you already said this wasn't about testing a drug. So, what's the deal?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I don't like where this is going.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So it's safe to assume the Animus is not a part of their public face.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What, you haven't seen the commercials?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh my [[Christianity|God]]. She has a sense of humor.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm sorry, Desmond. I've got a lot of work to do. Like I said, if you want to know more about the company, take a look at the computer. The [[Akashic Satellite Plexus|telecommunication]] stuff is ''particularly'' interesting.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Order
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''Let's go, Mr. Miles! Time's wasting!''
Desmond stepped out into the main room, and noticed Lucy's absence.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Where's Lucy?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Oh, don't worry, she'll be with us soon enough.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So why are you doing all this, Doc? What're you hoping to accomplish?''
*'''Warren:''' ''You turn the television on lately? Read the newspaper?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Never cared much for that stuff.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Then let me sum it up for you: The world's a mess! It's pathetic, really. You've seen it first-hand yourself. A thousand years between you and your ancestor, and society remains just as barbaric, just as stupid.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And your point is...''
*'''Warren:''' ''[[New World Order|Order]], Mr. Miles. The world needs order. ''That'' is what we are working towards, and ''that'' is what you are helping us to achieve.''
Desmond laughed.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You expect me to believe you're building a better tomorrow?!''
*'''Warren:''' ''That's exactly what we're doing! The human race calls out for direction. They want to know why they're here, what they're meant to do. Well... we're going to tell them. And once they understand how to live their lives, everything will be better.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Better how?''
*'''Warren:''' ''An end to all conflicts, large and small. Isn't that what you Assassins strive for? "Peace in all things?"''
Desmond replied harshly.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I told you, I'm not an Assassin.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Right, right.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I still don't see where I fit into things.''
*'''Warren:''' ''In time, Mr. Miles. In time, you'll understand... or you won't! I don't care either way, just as long as you show us where it is.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Where ''what'' is?!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sorry I'm late. Ready to go?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Yes, we are.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Tensions Overheating
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''God damn it! What's the problem now?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm getting weird temperature readings. I think the Animus is overheating.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Christ! It's ''always'' something! How long?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Too soon to tell.''
*'''Warren:''' ''These delays are unacceptable, Ms. Stillman! I demand progress reports every hour!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's gonna be a while, Desmond. Why don't you go lie down or something? Get some rest.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Guest of the Company
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''Why is he always yelling at you? It's ''his'' machine.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''His ''theories''. He's not the one who built it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who did? You?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No, Abstergo has a team of engineers. Not much they don't have. But I did oversee the assembly. Guess that's why he gets so angry with me.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''He's a dick.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''He's under a lot of pressure. We all are.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I can't believe you're defending the guy.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Warren saved my life. So, if he wants to yell a little, let him.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean he saved your life?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You're not the only one who doesn't get to go home at night.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait, are you saying you're a prisoner?''
Lucy walked over to the Animus.
*'''Lucy:''' ''When they first approached me, I was finishing up my Ph.D. The university made it clear I had no future there. They didn't like the subject of my doctorate... called it pseudo-science. Said keeping me on would discredit and embarrass them. It was the same everywhere. Other universities... companies I interviewed with... pretty soon I was out of money and out of time.''
Lucy pinched her fingers together.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I was ''this'' close to waiting tables. Then, I got a letter.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''From Vidic?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''He said he'd been following my career since {{Wiki|Undergraduate education|undergrad}}. That he believed in my work and wanted to meet to discuss my future. You have no idea how good it felt to hear that. So I met with him. What did I have to lose?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And he offered you a job.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yes. Here at Abstergo. Helping out on the Animus Project. I'd have a chance to test my theories and prove the professors wrong. How could I turn that down?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Think I'm missing the part where you became a prisoner.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sometimes I wonder if they weren't behind it all. If they manipulated events so I'd get desperate. They can do that. They can do anything. I didn't think when I agreed to come here... they even told me I'd be trapped. For 6 months, a year max. Once the product launched, there'd be no need for secrecy anymore. But, until then, I'd be a "guest of the company". At least... that's what they said.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And when the Animus was ready?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''They came in while I was sleeping. Three guys... [[Firearm|guns]]...''
Lucy got up and walked over to the nearby windows.
*'''Lucy:''' ''They dragged me out of bed... God... the worst part is, I ''knew'' them. One guy, [[Richard]], we ate lunch together sometimes. And now he was gonna... They were cracking jokes... I tried to pull away... he hit me... and that's when he told me I was going to die.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Christ! What did you do?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Nothing. I kept telling myself it wasn't real. And then Warren was there, shouting at them to get away from me. And they listened.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Jesus...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''He's not a happy man, Desmond. I wouldn't even say he's a good man, but he saved my life. They never came for me again. And he promised they never would.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But you're still stuck here working for these nutjobs.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''But I'm alive. Anyway, I really do need to get the Animus repaired. I'll see you tomorrow, Desmond.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Abstergo's Work
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''Rise and shine! We've got quite a day ahead of us!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're in a good mood this morning.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Ms. Stillman has made some modifications to the Animus. You should be able to remain inside even longer now.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And help you with your treasure hunt.''
*'''Warren:''' ''This is serious business, Mr. Miles. I don't think you fully appreciate the work that Abstergo does.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Maybe because I don't actually know what you people do.''
*'''Warren:''' ''We change the world. Every day in a hundred different ways. Did you know that nearly every single breakthrough of the past millennia, be it medical, mechanical, or philosophical, has come from Abstergo or its predecessors?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's a bold claim, Doc. Think you might be exaggerating a bit?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Not in the slightest. Oh, we certainly don't take the credit. That would arouse far too much suspicion. We choose our beneficiaries with great care.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Why?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Isn't it obvious? It means we're in control.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But how? What makes you guys so special, so smart? That you happen to invent all these things while us mere mortals stumble around like idiots?''
*'''Warren:''' ''To be fair, we don't invent them. We find them.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Find them?''
*'''Warren:''' ''They're gifts, Mr. Miles, from [[Isu|those who came before]]. We'll have to continue this discussion later. Time's wasting.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Templars
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''We're done already?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Get up.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Whatever you say, Doc.''
Warren's phone rang and he answered it.
*'''Warren:''' ''I'm ending the session... I'll be right there. You're sure about this?... Yes. No. Everything's [[Denver]]... I don't see how he could... Of course... I understand.''
Warren hung up, and then addressed Desmond.
*'''Warren:''' ''You're in a lot of trouble, Mr. Miles.''
Warren walked out of the laboratory.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's his problem?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''They're coming for you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who's coming for me?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Assassins.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, I've got nothing to do with this!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sounds like they're mounting some kind of rescue attempt. Guess you're more important than you realized.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Man, things just keep getting weirder and weirder around here.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It was bound to happen.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''That little fight your ancestor started during the [[Third Crusade]]? It never ended. You're being held by [[Templars]].''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Vidic's a Templar?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There's no way you could've known, they hide it so well. But to answer your question, Vidic works for them. We all do. Abstergo is their company.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I thought Templars were old dudes with funny hats who sat around drinking beer, plotting world domination with like the... lizard people.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No. Except the part about world domination, I guess. Look, Desmond, it's complicated. Half the stuff they say about the Templars comes from crazy tin-foil hat-wearing nutjobs. The other half is misinformation intentionally produced by the Templars themselves.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But they are the "bad guys," right?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''If there's one thing I've learned since I started working here, it's that there's no such thing. It's all so relative. I guess the best way to explain it is... what they want is good. But the way they're going about it... It's bad, really bad.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are they trying to do? Lucy?''
Lucy's phone rang and she answered it.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yes?''
Warren's voice could be heard through Lucy's phone.
*'''Warren:''' ''Ms. Stillman, I need to speak with you. Get up here, Now!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''On my way, [[Doctor]].''
Lucy hung up.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm sorry, Desmond, I have to go. You should turn in for the night. The answers to all of your questions are right in front of you. You just have to know where to look.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Piece of Eden
|-
|Desmond's Animus session was abruptly ended and he overheard a conversation between Warren and an [[Alan Rikkin|associate]].
*'''Associate:''' ''Not a lot of time today.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Understand it's a demo, but I'll let you know.''
*'''Associate:''' ''Wherever it's hidden, time to retrieve it.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Working on it.''
*'''Associate:''' ''And when it's done?''
*'''Warren:''' ''He'll be taken care of.''
*'''Associate:''' ''I want that progress report by tomorrow morning.''
*'''Warren:''' ''I've got some work I need to do. So you've got the night to yourself.''
The Animus HUD panel retracted and Desmond was able to get up.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I think there's a problem with the Animus.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Nope. It's working fine.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm pretty sure it just ejected me—''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm pretty sure you should shut up.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You ready to finally tell me what's going on?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We have to stop them, Desmond. When they access that last memory of yours... they're just getting started. They want to change ''everything''. The way we live, the way we think, the way we are. You've gotten the lecture from Vidic. About what's wrong with the world, how we need "order and discipline." So, they're going to give it to us. Only, we don't have a say in the matter.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The Templar treasure. They think it—''
Lucy's phone rang and she answered it. Warren began shouting.
*'''Warren:''' ''Ms. Stillman!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm here.''
*'''Warren:''' ''I need you to upload Desmond's files to the database.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Got it.''
Lucy hung up.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So, what? They're using me to find the Templar treasure? What do they call it? The "[[Piece of Eden]]?"''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yes.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Well, it's looking like it's at Masyaf. So I don't know why they're wasting all this time with me. Why don't they just send their people to pick it up?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''They can't... it's not that simple. The artifact from Masyaf... they had it. It was destroyed in the accident.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Then, what are they hoping for me? For my ancestor to tell them?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''They're hoping he'll show them where the other ones are.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You mean there's more than one of these things?!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Oh, Desmond. You have no idea.''
Lucy's phone rang again, with Warren on the other end.
*'''Warren:''' ''Is there a problem, Ms. Stillman?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No, Warren. Everything's Denver on my end.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Then, where are the files?''
Lucy hung up again.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I've gotta move these files before he gets suspicious. We'll talk more later.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What does "Everything's Denver" mean?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It means everything's fine.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Why Denver?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's a reference to {{Wiki|Denver International Airport}}. There's an underground facility there. It's where the [[DIA satellite accident|accident]] happened.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Accepted History
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''Time's wasting, Mr. Miles!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, yeah. I'm comi—''
*'''Warren:''' ''We're nearly done, you know.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And then what?''
*'''Warren:''' ''You'll see. Maybe they'll even let you watch when it begins. It's not as terrible as you think.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Look, I know you're not gonna let me leave. So why not tell me what's going on? Humor me.''
Warren replied shrewdly.
*'''Warren:''' ''I'm not an idiot, Mr. Miles. I think you've already learned quite a bit.''
Desmond played coy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know what you're talking about.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Of course not.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''All right, let me ask you something else then.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Yes?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Some of the stuff I'm seeing in the Animus... sometimes it seems... wrong. Untrue, like the history's off somehow. It doesn't—''
Warren interrupted Desmond.
*'''Warren:''' ''It doesn't what, Mr. Miles? Match up with what you read on an online encyclopedia? What your high-school history teacher taught you? Let me ask you something: do these supposed experts have access to secret knowledge, kept hidden from the rest of us?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''There are books, letters, documents... all sorts of source material from back then. Some of it seems to contradict what the Animus is showing me.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Anyone can write a book, and they can put whatever they want on its pages. Anything. Used to be that we thought the world was flat.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Some people still do.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Yes, and they publish books about it. Or that the [[moon]] [[Apollo 11|landing]] was a hoax. I believe there's also {{Wiki|Bible|a book}} that claims the [[Earth|World]] was created in seven days. A best-seller, too!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Where's this going, Doc?''
*'''Warren:''' ''The point, I suppose, is that you shouldn't trust everything you hear. Everything you read. What's that your ancestor said? "Nothing is true?"''
*'''Desmond:''' ''"Everything is permitted."''
*'''Warren:''' ''Yes, exactly. It's part of what makes the Animus so spectacular. There's no room for misinterpretation—''
Desmond interrupted Warren.
*'''Desmond:''' ''There's always room.''
*'''Warren:''' Touché'', Mr. Miles. Now that I've answered your question, can we begin?''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Failed Rescue
|-
|
*'''Warren:''' ''I said get up, God damn it! Listen!''
Warren turned on the intercom, through which gunfire could be heard.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Oh no.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Seems your Assassin friends found us!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What?''
*'''Warren:''' ''How'd you do it, Desmond?!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, look, I don't know what you're talking about, but whatever's going on down there has got nothing to do with me!''
*'''Warren:''' ''They are here for ''you!'' And I sure as shit didn't invite them!''
Warren talked into the intercom.
*'''Warren:''' ''What's the situation down there?''
*'''Abstergo Guard:''' ''We're taking heavy fire!''
*'''Warren:''' ''Can you contain it, or do I need to evacuate the prisoner?!''
*'''Abstergo Guard:''' ''Only five or six! We've got them outnumbered! Couple of wounded, but we'll pull through. We'll get it under control.''
Warren switched off the intercom and turned to Desmond.
*'''Warren:''' ''God damn you, Desmond! You couldn't leave well enough alone!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I told you I had nothing to do with this! How would I even contact them? Telepathy? Come on!''
*'''Warren:''' ''Doesn't matter, they'll be dead soon enough. Here, have a listen!''
Warren turned the intercom back on and the gunfire continued, before stopping abruptly.
*'''Abstergo Guard:''' ''Threat's been neutralized.''
Warren switched off the intercom for the last time, before turning back towards Desmond.
*'''Warren:''' ''Looks like the cavalry won't be coming.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Don't know, Doc. You were freaking out a minute ago. Your little research facility isn't as secure as you thought it was? Worried they'll be back with more?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I don't think so, Desmond.''
*'''Warren:''' ''What Lucy is trying to say is that there aren't any Assassins left to come for you. We've been very busy this past year, hunting down your little enclaves, your desert communes and whatnot. I'm afraid you're on your own. Rest up, Mr. Miles. Tomorrow, we finish this!''
Warren walked out.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm sorry, Desmond.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''He mentioned the desert. Do you think—''
*'''Lucy:''' ''They sent a team there, but the place was deserted. I don't know where your parents are, and I can't promise they're still alive. But I think they got away.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thanks. Thanks for checking.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's not as bad as it seems.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you talking about? They just killed—literally ''killed''—my only chance of getting out of here! And then, I find out the Assassins are all but destroyed and... Christ, I still don't know what these people are planning! But I do know they plan to kill me when they're done! I am screwed, okay!? What do you want me to do!?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Just try and have a little faith.''
Lucy bent her left ring finger, symbolizing the Assassins.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Have faith. Rest up, Desmond. You're gonna need the energy.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#007777; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Eagle and The Apple
|-
|Warren came into Desmond's room and woke him up.
*'''Warren:''' ''Get up.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Even earlier than usual, Doc.''
*'''Warren:''' ''I'd like to get this over with as quickly as possible.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''If you say so.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Don't be so glum come on Mr. Miles. Today is a historic day, One that will be remembered for years to come. Remembered by some of us anyway.''
Desmond finished the final memory of Altaïr.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Al Mualim)]]</ref>
*'''Warren:''' ''We've got it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What the hell was that?''
Desmond saw that Lucy and Warren were facing the far wall. Turning his head, he saw three men in business suits in an observation room behind a sheet of glass where the wall panels once were. The man in the middle spoke, revealing himself to be Warren's associate from earlier, while the [[David Kilkerman|other]] [[Henry Liman|two]] remained silent.
*'''Alan:''' ''Well?!''
*'''Warren:''' ''We've got the [[Isu map|map]].''
*'''Alan:''' ''How many?''
*'''Warren:''' ''At least half a dozen.''
*'''Alan:''' ''We don't need them all.''
*'''Warren:''' ''We should assume some amount of decay. I can't imagine they'll all still be functioning. At least two appear to reside on landmasses that no longer exist.''
*'''Alan:''' ''We'll dispatch teams to each site and determine viability. We only need ''one'', after all.''
*'''Warren:''' ''What about the rest?''
*'''Alan:''' ''Collect them! Let's not leave anything to chance! Last thing we need is some damn survivor making trouble for us in the New World!''
*'''Warren:''' ''And the Assassin?''
*'''Alan:''' ''We have what we need. Kill him.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Wait. You know how these things work. I doubt we'll be able to walk right in.''
*'''Alan:''' ''What's your point?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We might need him. His memories. I'd recommend we hold him until we have confirmation that there aren't any surprises waiting for us at the sites.''
*'''Warren:''' ''This is a waste of time.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You said it yourself. We shouldn't leave anything to chance.''
*'''Alan:''' ''Very well. Ensure we have no further need of him, ''then'' kill him.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Fine.''
Alan and his attendants left. Once Alan was out of earshot, Warren snapped at Lucy.
*'''Warren:''' ''Stop undermining my authority!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I just saved your ass.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Let's go! We've got a lot of work to do. Don't get too comfortable, Mr. Miles! We'll be back for you soon enough.''
Desmond got up and activated [[Eagle Vision]] for the first time. [[Cryptic Messages|Many symbols]] could be seen on the floor in the Animus room.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What the hell is that?''
Desmond went to his bedroom and noticed more symbols on the wall.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh my god! It looks like... is that blood?! [[Clay Kaczmarek|Who]] the hell were they keeping here before me? What happened to him? What does it mean, I wonder...?''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Escape from Abstergo
|-
|Lucy entered Desmond's room wearing a blood-spattered shirt.
*'''Lucy:''' ''We have to go.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy! Where have you been? Why did they—''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Now.''
Desmond followed Lucy to the Animus as she calibrated it to a new setting.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Get in.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's with the blood? Are you okay?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Look, we have maybe ten minutes—maybe—before they figure out what I've done. If we're not out of here and on the road before then...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait, we're leaving?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond, I promise I'll answer ALL of your questions. Later. But right now, I need you to just shut up and do what I say. So please—get in the Animus.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Alright...''
Desmond entered the Animus and the computer compared his DNA with Subject 16's to find another common ancestor. After finding a match, Desmond was transported to [[Renaissance]] [[Italy]] to relive [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]'s birth.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[The Birth of an Assassin]]</ref> Eventually, the simulation faded to white and ended as Lucy extracted Desmond from the Animus before he could continue to relive more of Ezio's memories, but not before he caught blurry glimpses of a teenaged Ezio in Assassin robes in the midst of a fight [[Palazzo Ducale di Venezia|elsewhere]] in Italy.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Get up. Let's go.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah well, uh, I'm gonna need a second...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There isn't time, Desmond. We have to leave.''
Lucy withdrew a drive from a port in the Animus and rushed to the lab's doors. They opened, and Desmond followed Lucy into the hallway.
*'''Desmond:''' ''We're really gettin' out of here, huh... Abstergo's got some fucked up interior decorators...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Quiet. Stay close.''
Two security guards noticed Lucy and Desmond escaping.
*'''Abstergo Guard 1:''' ''Hey! You're not supposed to be up here!''
Lucy typed in a code and locked a door, preventing the guards from following them.
*'''Abstergo Guard 2:''' ''Open this door!''
*'''Abstergo Guard 1:''' ''I'm calling it in! We have a breach in the research wing. I repeat: there's been a breach in the research wing. Requesting backup from all available security personnel. Subjects appear to be armed.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Glass walls. Fancy. Boy, these must be a bitch to clean.''
Lucy and Desmond were spotted by the Abstergo guards.
*'''Abstergo Guard 1:''' ''There they are! Don't let them get away.''
Lucy fought with the guards, swiftly taking them down. The pair then entered a nearby elevator, traveling downward.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Holy shit... Look at this place... What about the cameras?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I rigged them to loop old footage. How do you think I managed to hide all your nighttime snooping from Abstergo?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're good...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''So I've been told. But they're onto us now. We need to hurry. Careful... We need to get to that elevator on the other side of the room. Follow my lead. But keep an eye out for security. I'd rather avoid a fight.''
Desmond trailed Lucy through the [[Animi Training Program]] room.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Is that an Animus?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Wait... Careful...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What the... How many of them are there?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Stay with me...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, what's the plural for Animus? Is it Animus-es? Or Animi? What do you think, Lucy? Lucy? What do they need with all of them?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond. Shut. The fuck. Up. Please.''
Lucy swiped a card into a keypad and entered a code, which failed. She then attempted another time, to no avail.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Fuck! I thought this card would work. It must be on separate system and I don't have the code.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait...''
Desmond tried his hand at entering a code into the keypad.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Shit! Oh come on!''
Desmond used Eagle Vision to see the fingerprints on the keypad and entered the code "2374".
*'''Lucy:''' ''How did you do that?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Let's go. It's always something...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What was that in the Animus? Subject Sixteen? Ezio... Audi... Audisomething?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I think we've been wrong all along. That's why we need to get out of here. Vidic and the Templars—they're only part of the problem...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'll explain when we get there.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Get where?''
Desmond and Lucy reached the parking lot and fought off a squad of guards. Afterwards, they ran for Warren's car and Lucy opened the trunk.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Get in.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're joking?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's for your own protection.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh man.''
Desmond got into the trunk of the car.
*'''Lucy:''' ''We're almost there...''
Desmond shot a dirty look up at Lucy, who slammed the trunk door shut.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Team
|-
|Some while later, Lucy opened the trunk and Desmond sat up.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thanks for that. It was great...being shoved in the trunk, bouncing around. Loved it.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''This way.''
Desmond got out of the trunk and followed Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So... gonna tell me what's going on now?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There was [[Project Siren|a reason]] for the escape, Desmond.''
Desmond scoffed.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Figures.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We need your help.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''For what? Another treasure hunt through time?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Abstergo's gonna [[Apple of Eden 2|replace]] their Apple of Eden. The map your ancestor found guarantees it. The other Assassins... They'll do what they can, where they can. But...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What...what is it?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We're losing this war, Desmond. The Templars are too powerful. And every day more of us die...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I still don't see how I fit into things...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We're going to train you—turn you into one of us.''
He was shocked.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What?! No, no...you've seen me in action—I'm no good at this. And even if I was... It would take months—years, even.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No. Not with the Animus. Not with the [[Bleeding Effect]].''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But I'm just one guy...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sometimes that's all you need.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So that's why you found him... My ancestor. What was his name? Ezio?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''If you can follow in his footsteps, you'll learn everything he did—just like he did. Years of training absorbed in a matter of days.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You broke me out of Abstergo and brought me here just to make me an Assassin?''
Lucy turned around.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Look, there's more to it than that, but it'll have to wait. Trust me, okay?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Alright. I'm in. Tell me what you need.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Really? You're sure?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I thought you'd be happy about this.''
Lucy stammered a little.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sorry... I'm just a little surprised. I spent the whole ride over here figuring out how I was going to convince you to do this...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Save it. After what those Templar bastards put me through, I'm ready, willing, and able.''
Lucy hugged Desmond warmly.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Thank you.''
They walked into the [[Rome hideout]]. [[Rebecca Crane]] jumped up when she saw Lucy.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Lucy! You made it! God! It's been so long! Seven years! Can you believe it?!''
*'''[[Shaun Hastings|Shaun]]:''' ''Indeed. Welcome back.''
Shaun Hastings noticed Desmond.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah, so this must be the infamous subject seventeen... Desmond Miles, was it?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who are you?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm sorry... Where are my manners? I'm Shaun Hastings—this is Rebecca Crane.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Nice to meet you, Desmond.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Right, well it's been lovely chatting, but if you don't mind, Desmond, it's best we get straight to work. Time is precious. Doubly so these days.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We've got everything set up and ready, Lucy. Just say the word and we'll get going.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Here. I brought you something. A parting gift from Abstergo.''
Lucy withdrew the drive she had taken from Abstergo's Animus and gave it to an excited Rebecca.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Whoa! The memory core! This is amazing! With their data, things are gonna go a lot faster! I'll get to work on merging the code...''
Desmond walked over to Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey... Listen. I just wanted to say thank you. And that I'm sorry.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sorry?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ya you know, before. Everything at Abstergo. It was just... I wasn't ready.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's okay.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No. Going through all that. Knowing that the Templars still exist. What they're planning...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What's done is done, Desmond. You're here now and that's what matters.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy, I've been seeing things. Symbols in my bedroom. The code on the keypad... Just like Altaïr.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's from the bleeding effect. You're taking on more than your ancestors' memories. You're taking on their skills too. In this case, Eagle Vision.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Skills?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You're more receptive now. So if all goes well, everything Ezio learns in the Animus, you'll learn too.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You really think this will work? That I'll become an Assassin?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You already are an Assassin. You'll just be better at it.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, hopefully much better at it. I mean—seriously—I saw the tapes from Abstergo. You didn't even TRY and escape.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What a dick...''
Desmond walked over to Rebecca.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey Desmond! What's up?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Just wondering what your role is in all this.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I take care of Baby. It's my job to keep her up and running.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Baby? You mean the Animus.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Actually, I prefer Animus two-point-oh, since Baby's twice as awesome as anything you'll find at Abstergo. The Templars might have deeper pockets than us, but they've got no ambition. No passion! No competitive edge! That's why, even with all their resources, anything they can do, I can do better. Faster, too! Anyway, take a seat when you're ready, and we can get started. I just need to make a few more adjustments...''
Desmond approached Shaun.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's all this stuff for?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''This stuff, Desmond, oh this stuff is nothing special, really, this stuff is just the stuff that keeps our entire operation from falling apart, really. It requires a great deal of concentration to keep it all moving, so you'll forgive me if I don't have time to play meet and greet.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Shaun's in charge of maintaining our knowledge archives—it's like a digital library. He'll be riding shotgun with me while you're in the Animus. So if you come across anything of note—people, places, events, etcetera—he'll create database entries you can consult for additional information.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Y-yeah, it's not just databases, though. I also provide tactical support for the other Assassins. You know, Desmond, the ones who are out there—actually doing stuff. Risking their lives, little things like that.''
Desmond sat in the Animus chair.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So how does this work?''
Rebecca showed Desmond a cord.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Of course.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Deep breath!''
Rebecca stuck the catheter into Desmond's arm.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ah!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, what are you? A tiny child?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Shaun!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Here we go!''
Desmond began reliving Ezio's memories as he stood with a gang on the [[Ponte Vecchio]] in [[Florence]].<ref name="BoysWillBeBoys">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Boys Will Be Boys]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Glyph Hunting
|-
|Shortly after Ezio witnessed the murder of his father and two brothers [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Last Man Standing]]</ref> Shaun's voice interrupted Desmond's explorations of Florence.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I've got a little request for you. I've identified several strange markings that I've discovered right across Renaissance Italy. Now, I don't know what they're doing there, but I want you to help me find out. Rebecca has marked their general location in the [[database]] with an eye icon and she's made them glow as well. Keep an eye out.''
In time, Desmond found the first [[Glyphs|Glyph]].
*'''Shaun:''' ''There's one of the symbols! What does it mean? It must be there for a reason. Can you take a closer look? Hey! Try using Eagle Vision. I've got all day...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wait, that's not possible. This can't be... hold on, that's computer code. Let me compile it... aww shit, it's an encrypted file!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Upload it to my computer. I'm a master at decryption.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I can't, it's only compatible with the Animus itself.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Up-upload it to Desmond then... I can't believe this.''
Desmond accessed the first Glyph and heard a recording from Subject 16.
*'''Subject 16:''' ''Hello. This is... they call me Subject Sixteen. Listen, I don't have much time. There's something I have to show you. We've been lied to this whole time. Everything we kow, everything we've been brought up to believe. It's wrong. Okay, umm... I've uploaded the evidence, the file, that proves it all. But I've split it into twenty pieces and locked each with a code. Queen [[Isabella I of Castile|Isabella]]... no, not her, hmm... what century is it? Umm... nevermind. I've hidden the code to the first file inside this program. Find it... find them all—and along the way you'll begin to see the truth.''
The spech faded into static.
*'''Shaun:''' ''What the he—! How did this get inside our Animus?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Oh. Oh. The Memory Core, we transferred Sixteen's Memory Data from Abstergo into the Animus 2.0. He must have hacked the machine when Vidic left him alone between sessions.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hold on, wait a second... The signs on the walls in Abstergo... The ones written in blood. Those were clues! He was telling us to look for them inside the Animus.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Armor of Altaïr
|-
|After [[Mario Auditore]] showed Ezio the Sanctuary beneath the [[Villa Auditore]] and the [[Armor of Altaïr]] stored within,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Floating conversations]]: Unlocking Monteriggioni's Secrets</ref> Rebecca spoke to Desmond.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''In order to achieve perfect synchronization with Ezio, you have to get that armor.''
In time, he witnessed the memory where Ezio discovered an [[Assassin Tombs|Assassin Tomb]] beneath the [[Basilica di Santa Maria Novella]] in Florence.<ref name="NovellasSecret">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Novella's Secret]]</ref>
*'''Shaun:''' ''Look at that statue! It's identical in one in the Villa Auditore! I think you've stumbled onto one of the Assassin's Tombs Ezio's uncle mentioned.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Now that we know the way in, I'll tag the landmarks containing tombs in the database.''
A while later, Ezio met [[Lorenzo de' Medici]] at the [[Ponte Vecchio]] after killing [[Francesco de' Pazzi]]. When the conversation was finished,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Four to the Floor]]</ref> Rebecca patched into the sound system.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I've marked the [[Palazzo Medici]] on your map. In order to achieve 100% synch with Ezio's life, you should go [[Home Invasion|explore]] it.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Precautions
|-
|After Ezio met [[Caterina Sforza]] and sailed for [[Venice]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Tutti a Bordo]]</ref> Desmond's [[Assassin cell]] extracted him from the Animus.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Everything all right?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Better than all right. You're making amazing progress.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''"Amazing" is quite a strong word.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Then why are we stopping?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Prolonged exposure to the Animus can have, uh, side effects.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Awesome.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's nothing to worry about. You haven't shown any of the symptoms.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Symptoms? What symptoms?!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Degradation of cognition, temporal hallucinations, multiple awareness issues, overlapping realities, you know.''
Desmond became worried.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So what you're saying is...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What we're saying, Desmond, is if you're not careful, you may not need the Animus to visit with your ancestors. Which wouldn't be a bad thing assuming you could control it. Up until now, though, no one has.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Subject 16.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We have safeguards, Desmond. And they kept him in the Animus for way too long, sometimes days at a time. We're being careful with you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I hope so.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Anyway, I was hoping we could test out your skill retention. See if you've picked up some of Ezio's abilities.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm game.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Great. Meet me downstairs when you're ready.''
Desmond initiated a conversation with Rebecca.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey! Nice work today. You're a natural.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thanks. it's definitely getting easier. I gotta say—after all the crap I went through at Abstergo—It's nice to be with the good guys.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''"Good guys?" Let's not get carried away.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What's that supposed to mean?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''In case you've forgotten, Rebecca, we're Assassins. I could look it up for you, if you like. Basically, it means we assassinate people.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Only when we have to.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It's a choice. You're choosing to kill.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I haven't killed anyone.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No. Not yet. But what do you think all this is for, eh? You think Lucy is giving you Ezio's abilities so you can build schools in [[South America]] and deliver rice to starving [[Indonesia]]ns? What are you Desmond, a vegan? You'd be the first vegan Assassin in history.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Look, it's not ideal. And taking a life is never easy. But sometimes there's no other way. Sometimes, Desmond, people have to die for things to change.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''She's got a point. But don't fool yourself into thinking you have no say. I mean, isn't it that what we're all about here? Safe-guarding free will?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sorry... I didn't mean to make it into a whole big thing.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Nah, it's cool. So, how's she treating you?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''The translation software is still a bit laggy... You're probably catching the odd bit of Italian. Sorry about that.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No worries. Abstergo's machine wasn't perfect either. And the subtitles... definitely a big plus.''
Desmond walked over to Shaun.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What could 16 have found that needs so much secrecy and security?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, I don't know, do I? Lucy thinks it's something about the [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex|Codex]], but I'm not so sure. I'm all ears, if it's as life changing as 16 says. Blimey, if I was allowed to use the Animus, I'd be the one in there finding out. Instead, as usual I'm forced to sit here on the sidelines.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you up to?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What am I—who are you, my mum? I've been running traces on the Codex pages. Looking to see if any of them are still around.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Nothing concrete. Reports on one in the archives of the [[National Central Library]] in Florence. Maybe a few in the hands of collectors... probably Templars. I'd send someone to check it out, but we're very short on manpower.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How do you think the Codex wound up in Italy? I mean... it seems so random.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''[[Dante Alighieri]] by way of [[Marco Polo]].''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Seriously?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Something happened in 1321, yeah. Now, I'm still working on making the connections... But from what I can tell, Polo encountered the Assassins while visiting [[Kublai Khan]]. That's right, this must be when he obtained the Codex. Now, when he returned to Italy, he passed it on to Dante. Dante was close to them—if not an Assassin himself. Now, I have no idea what brought the two of them together... But I tell you what, I reckon we can find out.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't think Lucy wants us messing with the Animus.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, you're right. We've got enough to deal with. I guess satisfying my curiosity will have to wait.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How did you get involved in this?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Most Assassins, Desmond, are like you, yeah? They're "born" into the Brotherhood. Not me, though.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ugh, here we go.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What?! He asked. Anyway, I've always been fascinated by the unexplained. There's something exciting there, you know, a sense that life is more interesting, more mysterious than we've been led to believe.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So, what, you just stumbled across the Assassins?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No, I found the Templars first, actually. Abstergo's a big company. It's too big, which means there were slip-ups, you know, like that mess they're having right now with [[New Fluoride|the fluoride]]. Only I was tracking this stuff years ago. I must have been, what, 14? 15?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You knew Abstergo was a Templar company?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No, not at first. I just knew they were up to no good and I figured maybe I could do something about it. So I starting digging up everything I could on the company, posting stuff to news groups, trying to spread word, looking for people with stories to tell.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You must have gotten Abstergo's attention.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, fortunately, I got Rebecca's first. Otherwise I'd be at the bottom of a river.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You're welcome.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yep, she tried to warn me. Told me I was messing with the wrong people.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''And what did you do?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I thought you were mental.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''But now you know better.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yep, now I know you're just ''a bit'' mental.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Long story short, I saved his ass! Multiple times! Should've just dropped him and let Abstergo have their way.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Listen to you, trying to be all "bad-ass."''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So what happened?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I have a gift, Desmond. I have a gift for seeing things. Making connections, like your eagle vision, you know. Only useful.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We offered him a place with us.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yes, you did, yeah. The alternative? A life on the run from the most powerful organization on the planet. I decided to prolong my life. I'm eccentric like that. So I signed up. I've been doing research and analysis for them ever since. Best part is, I love it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you doing?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm keeping tabs on the other teams.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Other teams?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''The Templars have been hunting down the Pieces of Eden using the map they got from you at Abstergo. Luckily, Lucy has provided us with a copy as well, allowing us to pursue them.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How's that working out?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''So far, so good.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''If they find even one piece, we'll have problems.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, you're picking up on that, are you? That is why we're training you. Once you've acquired the necessary skills, we'll be able to send you into the field.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And you? Why aren't you out there?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm not out there cause my expertise lies in other areas. And to be honest, I prefer it that way. But make no mistake, Desmond, I'm an Assassin through and through. I've killed before, I expect to kill again. It's just that I'd prefer not to.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Bleeding Effect
|-
|Desmond walked up to Lucy's station.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So what's the plan?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We're going to see what you've managed to retain. Come on.''
They both walked into the warehouse together.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Abstergo's out there, waiting for us. They're better funded and better equipped. So it's only a matter of time before they find this place. We need to be ready for them when they do. I want you to activate the warehouse's defense system. I'll let you figure out how to reach the sensors.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Aw, come on. Not even a hint?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Open your eyes, Desmond.''
Desmond started the course and began to suffer from the Bleeding Effect, "seeing" ghostly soldiers walking around him.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Uh, Lucy... I'm seeing things.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Do the hallucinations last longer than thirty seconds?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Then it's nothing to be worried about. It'll pass.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So how am I doing?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You've picked up every single one of Ezio's skills. The adoption rate is fantastic! Another day or two and we'll be done.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''All right, you've gotta tell me. Why Ezio? Why Italy? I mean, we could've just gone back to Altaïr again. Follow him during his early years.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It started with Sixteen...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ah, good old Subject 16. He repainted my room, y'know... with his blood!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I've been going through his files. Vidic flagged a couple of his Animus sessions. A bunch of different ancestors, different dates and locations... ancient Africa, the Middle East... but towards the end, he became obsessed with Italy. I think he knew about the [[Vatican Vault|Vault]]. A few of the records of his later Animus sessions are missing, and the sessions that are there... After everything the Templars put him through... after everything I put him through... it's all scrambled. If we hadn't pushed Sixteen so hard, we'd have all the answers already... and maybe he'd still be alive.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So you're after the Codex ''and'' the Vault?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I knew you had an ancestor in Italy who was at the center of all this.''
Desmond resumed the course and was suddenly interrupted by a vision of a [[horse]] running towards him, then successfully reached the last sensor without further isue.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Alright, I think we're done for today.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy, what happened to Sixteen wasn't your fault. You were just as much a prisoner as I was.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Thanks. Good night, Desmond. I'm glad you're here.''
Desmond went upstairs to the hideout. On the way, he experienced another Bleeding Effect hallucination of the corridor lined with soldiers and lost consciousness.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Beginnings
|-
|Desmond relived one of Altaïr's memories in [[Acre]] in 1197.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What the hell... What is this?... Where am I?... It's Acre. And... Altaïr? How the hell... I'm not even in the Animus. I must've passed out. Just having some kind of weird dream... Going without sleep for who knows how long... Guess I shouldn't be surprised...''
Desmond noticed a person who ran once they spotted Altaïr.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hmm. That must be his target...''
Altaïr chased his target to the top of a tower by the city limits, where they took off their hood.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, it's the woman from Acre. What was her name? [[Maria Thorpe|Maria]]. Yeah. Wonder what he wants with her...''
Altaïr and Maria kissed.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Whoa... Alright, wasn't expecting that...''
Part of the memory skipped. Altaïr performed a [[Leap of Faith]] and left Maria, but the memory stayed focused on her and slowly zoomed into her belly.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait a second... Why aren't I following Altaïr? I'm stuck here with Maria. Oh shit! That must [[Sef Ibn-La'Ahad|mean]]... This is one weird dream...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Back to Work
|-
|Desmond woke up, and Rebecca came to speak to him.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sorry to barge you on like this, but it's getting late and we were... Hey, you okay?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, yeah... All good. Weird dreams. That's all...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''All right. I'll let you get ready. See you in a few.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah! Good of you to join us.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Sorry, long night...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What a professional, what a professional approach!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Leave him alone!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, you'll forgive me if I want to get some actual work done. Hmm, madness, isn't it?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Shaun! Please. That's enough.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Alright...''
Desmond struck up a conversation with Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Uh, hi.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Are you okay?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yeah, I'm fine. Everything's fine.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You sure?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We lost two more teams last night. That's eight of us just... gone.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm sorry.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I don't know what to do anymore... It just keep getting worse and worse.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, remember what you told me? You gotta have faith. And look. Here we are. Safe and sound.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''For how long? And when they find us? Then what?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''When that happens—if that happens. We'll deal with it. I'll keep you safe.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Anyway—enough with my little breakdown. I should get back to work. And so should you.''
Desmond walked to the reactivated Animus and sat down to relive Ezio's arrival at Venice.<ref name="Benvenuto">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Benvenuto]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Most Serene Republic
|-
|After Ezio escorted his friend [[Leonardo da Vinci]] to his [[Bottega di Leonardo|workshop]] in Venice,<ref name="Benvenuto"/> Rebecca spoke to Desmond.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I found this awesome place for you to explore and practice your skills. [[Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari|Santa Maria dei Frari]]. I've marked it on your [[map]].''
After Ezio assassinated [[Marco Barbarigo]] during the [[Carnevale]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Having a Blast]]</ref> Desmond was again greeted by Rebecca contacted Desmond again.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You want to rob some Templars? I've marked the [[Arsenale di Venezia|Arsenal]] on your map. It's some kind of Templar base, so there's gonna be all kinds of loot in there.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Corrupted Sequences
|-
|After Ezio was [[Initiation into the Assassin Order|initiated]] into the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Brotherhood]],<ref name="PlayAlong">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Play Along]]</ref> Desmond was extracted from the Animus again holding his ring finger, as if feeling the pain Ezio experienced while his finger was being branded.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Are you okay? Do you want to stop?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No, I need to go back. Right now.''
Desmond resumed his Animus session, but was left waiting in the [[Memory Corridor]] for the next sequence to load.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Everything okay out there?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hold on, I'm gonna try to find a workaround. This one's corrupted too... Let me check another. This one seems okay. I'm gonna run some diagnostics. But at least now you can continue.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Or we can take a break if you want.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No, I would advise against that. I'm picking up a fair amount of radio chatter. Abstergo is none too pleased about losing you and Lucy and it's only a matter of time before they wind up here. We'd better finish with this before then.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Alright. But what about the missing years? Anything important happen that we should know about?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Alright, let's take a look, shall we... According to this, it's a rather tumultuous time for Florence. Following Lorenzo's death, the [[House of Medici|Medici]] are deposed, and a [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] priest named [[Girolamo Savonarola|Savonarola]] is given control of the city. Now he promptly turns it into the most miserable place on Earth. According to this, it's when the [[Bonfire of the Vanities]] took place.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey, I liked {{Wiki|The Bonfire of the Vanities (film)|that movie}}!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, did you like that movie? That's interesting! What other movies do you like? Rebecca—the grownups are talking! Now let's see what else we have here... Some entries on [[Niccolò Machiavelli|Machiavelli]], some [[Battle of Forlì|trouble]] in [[Forlì]], a rather amusing [[A Warm Welcome|anecdote]] about Caterina Sforza and, well, her reproductive organs... I'll tell you later... O-oh... oh dear...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Shaun?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Of course... How could I have forgotten?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You wanna share with the rest of us?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''[[Rodrigo Borgia]] is elected [[Papacy|Pope]] in 1492. Which means Ezio's greatest enemy is now also the most powerful man in Italy.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Always wanted to visit the [[Vaticano District|Vatican]].''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, your luck's in happy days,Desmond. 'Cause that's exactly where you're going.''
The next memory loaded, and Desmond began experiencing Ezio's efforts during the Battle of Forlì.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]] – [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Battle of Forlì]]'' – [[A Warm Welcome]]</ref> After "witnessing" Ezio [[Interrogation|interrogate]] the abbot of the [[Abbazia di San Mercuriale]] in Forlì and learn that Girolamo Savonarola had stolen the [[Apple of Eden 6|Apple of Eden]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]] – [[Battle of Forlì (DLC)|Battle of Forlì]]'' – [[Far From the Tree]]</ref> the memory vanished and Desmond waited in the Memory Corridor for the next sequence to finish loading.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey, Desmond—I think I repaired that busted memory. Why don't you try opening it?''
The sequence loaded and Desmond began reliving Ezio's repressed memories of his time during the Bonfire of the Vanities,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]] - [[Bonfire of the Vanities (DLC)|Bonfire of the Vanities]]'' – [[Florentine Fiasco]]</ref> gaining access to the year gap between the two events.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> Eventually, Desmond reached his ancestor's memories of 1499, proceeding to the start of the next memory. He went to the Villa's study in [[Monteriggioni]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[X Marks the Spot]]</ref> but was stopped at its entrance by an Animus wall.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's going on?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The data stream is corrupted. No, scratch that. This says it's incomplete. It's the Codex pages. It looks like Ezio had them all when this memory occured.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Great. And how am I supposed to find them?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Hold on... It looks like Ezio has a map on him. He must have picked it up during [[Checcomate|one]] of the corrupted sequences. According to this, it'll show you the location of any missing Codex pages.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|An Old Friend Returns
|-
|A hologram of [[Minerva]] addressed Ezio when he entered the [[Vatican Vault]] after finally defeating Rodrigo Borgia. The Assassin listened to her message, confused, as she was in fact delivering it through him to Desmond. When Minerva's projection disappeared and the memory ended,<ref name="InBoccaAlLupo">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[In Bocca al Lupo]]</ref> Desmond expressed his astonishment.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What. The. Fuck.''
He was then suddenly pulled out of the Animus, opening his eyes to see his companions in a hurry.
*'''Shaun:''' ''...there's only about ten minutes until they get...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''...need all of my equipment...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''...ready to go before they do... DESMOND!''
Desmond exited the Animus and pinched the bridge of his nose to refocus in the present.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, yeah.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Alright, Shaun. I need you and Rebecca to get everything in here packed up and loaded into the truck.''
Lucy turned to Desmond.
*'''Lucy:''' ''You and I'll deal with the Templars.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What, they're here?''
Shaun walked past carrying an armful of technical equipment as Rebecca began dismantling the Animus.
*'''Shaun:''' ''It was only a matter of time before they discovered us. To be honest, I'm surprised it took them as long as it did.''
Lucy tossed Ezio's Hidden Blade bracer to Desmond.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Let's go.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Stop screwing around, mate, and help her. Desmond, go and help Lucy.''
He ran to Lucy in the corridor.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So what's the plan? We ditch this place and then what?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There's another safehouse. It's—We've got company. The truck's just up ahead.''
They both rushed to the warehouse as the alarm sensors detected Abstergo's presence and started ringing. After reaching the lower floor, they saw Vidic surronded by several security guards.
*'''Warren:''' ''Mister Miles! This is an unexpectedly pleasant turn of events! And here I thought I'd have to waste more men on you! Kind of you to save me the trouble.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you want, Vidic?''
*'''Warren:''' ''For you to come home. We miss you terribly. There's still so much work for us to do together!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's not happening, Warren.''
*'''Warren:''' ''You continue to disappoint in every conceivable way, Ms. Stillman. I saved your life once. Do you remember? And THIS is how you repay me?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You saved me so you could keep experimenting on people—destroying their lives—and for what?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Oh, this tired argument again. As I recall, you were there—at my side—every step of the way... Their blood is on YOUR hands just as much as MINE.''
Lucy spoke to Desmond.
*'''Lucy:''' ''You need to stop him.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm on it.''
Desmond and Lucy fought with the Abstergo guards, with him using the Hidden Blade to flawlessly kill them.
*'''Warren:''' ''Well, well! It seems Mister Miles learned to fight! It's only a matter of time before you're both back where you belong! Is this necessary? Our resources are infinite while yours dwindle by the minute.''
Desmond incapacitated all of the guards with Lucy's help.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Uh-oh, Doc. Looks like it's just you and me now.''
*'''Dr. Warren''' ''Enjoy your victory Mister Miles, temporary as it is.''
Warren's truck drove away.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Desmond! We have to go!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''There you are! Come on. Help Lucy into the van. Hurry, Desmond! We need to go!''
The cell left the hideout.
*'''Lucy:''' ''You'll have your turn, Desmond. Warren's gonna get what he deserves. I promise.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So what now? Where are we headed?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There's a cabin up north. We should be safe there—at least for a little while. I have to analyze those tapes from your session—figure out what's happening.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And then what?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Here we go. I've got you all hooked up. Got a long drive ahead of us. Figured you might want to play around with the Animus on the way...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Alright, but I've got some questions first, I mean—what the hell was that in the Vault?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What you saw proves everything I was afraid of. The Templars aren't our biggest threat. Not by a longshot.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So... what, the [[sun]] is? What's it going to do? Cook the Earth?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I doubt it, but... I don't know. There's been some speculation that the Earth's magnetic field is weakening... A sufficiently strong flare could flip the poles and cause geomagnetic reversal. It's all theoretical. But if it happens—the planet could become geologically unstable. Very unstable.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It's meant to be the stuff of pseudo-science—but clearly something catastrophic happened to the people of the First Civilization. And that woman, what was her name? Minerva, was it?—she seemed to think we were due for a second round.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So either way, we're fucked.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I don't know yet... We'll keep reviewing the tapes. And you can keep digging through your memories. Maybe there's more to discover.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Alright. Guess I better get started...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#770000; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Truth
|-
|The team reacted after Desmond uncovered Subject 16's encrypted video.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[The Truth]]</ref>
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wow.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Was that what I think it was?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We'll send the video out for analysis as soon as Desmond's done in the machine.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You okay?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''He'd be able to explain the whole thing to us. If only we could ask him.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Desmond Miles' ruminations
|-
|Desmond reflected on all that had transpired to him over the past week.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]'' – [[The Desmond Files]] – 8 September 2012: "Escape from Abstergo"</ref> He thought back to when Lucy and Warren watched him in the Animus 1.28.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't think anyone ever expects to wake up one morning and find themselves caught in the middle of a war between two secret organizations.''
His own words brought to mind a memory of the [[Knights Templar|Knight Templar]] [[Garnier de Naplouse]] exiting the [[Hospitalier Fortress]] in Acre,<ref name="AssassinationGarnier">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Garnier de Naplouse)]]</ref> which then faded to show the [[Sanctuary]] beneath the [[Villa Auditore]].
*'''Desmond:''' ''I know I didn't. But here I am.''
He remembered standing up from an Animus session, before the memory changed to [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Robert de Sablé]] [[Defense of Masyaf|attacking]] the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassins]]' base at Masyaf.<ref name="Glory">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Glory]]</ref>
*'''Desmond:''' ''On one side are the Templars, better known as Abstergo Industries.''
The scene changed to the glowing windows in Abstergo's Animi Training Room, arranged to look like the [[Templar insignia]], and then to Abstergo's logo.
*'''Desmond:''' ''They're in the business of control. Politics.''
The scene changed to Ezio Auditore's view of the Italian Templars' meeting beneath the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella,<ref name="NovellasSecret"/> before returning to the Animi room again.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Economics. Technology. They won't stop until every single one of us serves them. Literally.''
The scene changed in quick succession to Altaïr watching Garnier's men restrain a wounded prisoner,<ref name="AssassinationGarnier"/> Altaïr watching [[Majd Addin]] personally preside over an execution,<ref name="AssassinationMajd">''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Majd Addin)]]</ref> and Altaïr seeing one of [[Talal]]'s imprisoned [[Slavery|slaves]] reached up to him from their subterranean warehouse prison cell.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Talal)]]</ref>
*'''Desmond:''' ''Fighting against them are the Assassins, a group dedicated to safeguarding humanity's free will''
The scene changed to [[Al Mualim]] reprimanding Altaïr in front of the other Assassins after driving de Sablé back,<ref name="Glory"/> followed by Ezio's initiation into the Italian Assassins.<ref name="PlayAlong"/>
*'''Desmond:''' I ''was born into the brotherhood.''
The scene returned to his first time using the Animus 1.28.
*'''Desmond:''' ''A couple of weeks ago, the Templars found me. They took me prisoner. Strapped me to a machine they'd built and put me to work. It's called an Animus. And it's where I spent most of my time. Exploring the memories of my ancestors, discovering ''entire lives'' locked deep inside ''my'' DNA.''
The scene changed to Altaïr looking up at Masyaf, standing on a viewpoint near the [[Pasha Mosque]] in [[Damascus]], and then [[freerunning]] on [[Acre]]'s rooftops and assassinating a [[Knights Hospitalier|Knight Hostpitalier]] [[archer]].
*'''Desmond:''' ''First, I revisited the life of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, an Assassin from the [[Crusades]].''
The scenes quickly changed to the [[Ark of the Covenant]] beneath [[Solomon's Temple]] in [[Jerusalem]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Acquisition]]</ref> Al Mualim showing Altaïr the Apple it contained in his study,<ref name="AssassinationMajd"/> and the Apple's effects on Altaïr during his [[Retaking of Masyaf|duel]] with Al Mualim.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' – [[Assassination (Al Mualim)]]</ref>
*'''Desmond:''' ''The Templars wanted the location of something known as a Piece of Eden, an ancient artifact capable of bending people to their will.''
He remembered Altaïr looking at the Apple's map of other Isu [[Temple (Isu)|temples]] across Earth.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Once the Templars had what they were looking for, they decided my ''usefulness'' had come to an end. But Lucy saved me.''
The scene changed to one of his conversation with her in the lab, and then her knocking out an Abstergo security team with a baton.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy. When things were at their worse, she revealed herself to be an Assassin and helped me escape.''
The scene changed to him climbing out from their escape car's trunk upon arriving at the Rome hideout.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I was hoping that would be the end of my misadventures. But we were just getting started. Back into another Animus I went.''
The scene changed to him meeting Rebecca, sitting in the Animus 2.0, Ezio mocking [[Vieri de' Pazzi]] before their brawl,<ref name="BoysWillBeBoys"/> and Ezio arming himself with his father [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]]'s [[Ezio Auditore's robes|robes]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Family Heirloom]]</ref>
*'''Desmond:''' ''Now, I'm reliving the memories of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, my ancestor from the Renaissance, searching for a path forward.''
The scene changed to one of his Bleeding Effect episodes, in which blurry, ghostly figures seemed to move past him in one of the hideout's halls.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Through the Bleeding Effect, I'm becoming an Assassin in more than just name.''
The scene returned again to the Animi Training Room.
*'''Desmond:''' ''It will come in handy, as the Templars prepare to enslave us all.''
The scene changed to Warren leading Abstergo's raid on the hideout, and the Assassin cell members scrambling to pack up and evacuate.
*'''Desmond:''' ''They've found is. They've crashed our hideout and we're fleeing the scene, looking for a place to hide. Only, there isn't any and time is running short. My name is Desmond Miles, and this is my story.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Broken Sequence
|-
|The Assassins tried to access a later memory sequence but found the file was corrupted, with the simulation put through a red filter, flashes of memories appearing as blurry still images, the Animus digital models fading in and out of rendering, and with scenes looping or playing out of sequence.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Uh, Rebecca? What's going on...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I have to run some diagnostics, I'll get back to you.''
Desmond started to relive Ezio's memory immediately after Minerva's hologram disappeared.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Mass Exodus]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Arrival in Monteriggioni
|-
|Desmond was pulled out of the Animus after Ezio escaped the attack on Monteriggioni.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Emergency Exit]]</ref>
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Lucy, I can't seem to get a position on Ezio's P.O.E.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''P.O.E? Could one of you tell me what's going on?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sorry, Desmond, Piece of Eden. In the Vatican, Minerva talked about other temples, that they're the key to preventing whatever terrible thing is about to happen to the Earth.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Right.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''To find the temples, I'm convinced we need to get our hands on Ezio's Apple of Eden. Minerva altered it somehow when she "touched" it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait. We're at the Auditore Villa?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yes. It's our last safehouse in Italy. It turns out the Templars are watching the border.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ezio hid the P.O.E. sometime in 1507, but when I try to access that DNA sequence, he seems to be... remembering something else.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Like a memory inside a memory?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yes. Exactly. Maybe.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Exactly maybe?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I believe you experienced something similar back at Abstergo, didn't you?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Subject 15 exhibited memory-within-memory-like patterns, but she was pregnant. The memories of both the fetus' father and mother were competing.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Desmond's not pregnant. At least, as far as I can tell. Might have just had a big lunch.''
Lucy turned to Rebecca.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Can you skip ahead to a later memory?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''No, it doesn't work.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Well that sounds familiar. We couldn't access Altaïr's later memories until Desmond had improved his synchronization.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Then it's possible something similar has occurred here. Ezio's troubled state is being transposed onto Desmond, destabilizing the memory. Either that, or Rebecca's just not a very good engineer.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Thanks, asshole.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What? I'm simply listing possible explanations. And that is amongst the most likely. Touchy...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''This place isn't secure. Cell phone surveillance can see right through the walls.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Don't you mean satellite surveillance?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Are you kidding? Abstergo upgraded to cell towers ages ago. The waves go through everything above ground. They're gonna find us.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No they aren't. Come with me.''
Lucy led Desmond and the other Assassins inside the Villa, to Mario's study.
*'''Lucy:''' ''There's a beam blocking it from the inside. We're not getting in this way.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What's our next move?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The road just loops back into the highway. This is not a good place for us to be right now.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Do we have any tarps? We need to cover up the van.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I really hate to stress this, yeah, but we are running out of time.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Well help us then, Shaun. Do you have any ideas?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I don't know, maybe there's another way into the Sanctuary?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, I think I've got something.''
Desmond beckoned Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Follow me.''
Desmond performed his first Leap of Faith, astonishing Lucy.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond, that was... pretty awesome.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It just felt natural. We can get in through here.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Good job.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We'll just wait up here then shall we... yeah? All alone, with massive targets painted on our backs.''
Desmond and Lucy entered the [[Auditore Family Crypt|Auditore Crypt]], though their glow-sticks failed to work at first.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Why won't this turn on?...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's great to be out of the Animus.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''This isn't exactly my idea of a good time.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Let me guess: you're more the in-bed-at-six type.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What? Desmond! I know how to have fun.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's very convincing. Yeah, I'm convinced.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Okay, okay. After we save the world, I'll show you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait, can I get that in writing?''
The two managed to get their glow sticks to function.
*'''Lucy:''' ''We have light!''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Path to the Sanctuary
|-
|Desmond suffered the Bleeding Effect and saw the forms of Monteriggioni's [[Civilian|townspeople]] escaping, with Ezio Auditore assisting them.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What was that?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I don't see anything.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''Run! Get out before ''i soldati'' (the [[soldier]]s) catch you! ''Correte!'' (Run!) Go!''
Ezio pulled a lever, and a gate impaled a Borgia soldier as it fell. Afterwards, the apparitions faded away, revealing the guard's skeleton.
*'''Desmond:''' ''They escaped through here.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ezio and the villagers. After the attack, I can see them now.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I know it's difficult. But try to compartmentalize, Desmond. Focus on the present.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What if I can't stop the visions? How long before I start painting symbols on the walls?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Don't joke about that. Sixteen is dead. We're focusing on the present, okay?''
The two of them walked up to the gate and Desmond pulled a nearby lever. The gate only raised a few inches above the guard's bones before Desmond let it go and it dropped back down.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Great. It's stuck!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I can get under there.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ready.''
Desmond lifted the gate and Lucy quickly crawled under it.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Any chance you can lift that gate?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Not unless you want me to end up like that skeleton.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'll find another way around.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I can drop into the corridor below through here.''
Desmond cracked a joke.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Watch out for bats.''
Lucy replied in a slightly frightened manner.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Where?!''
Desmond laughed.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I meant in case you see any.''
Lucy scolded him back for his prank.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Remind me not to make you a lookout.''
Afterwards, Lucy jumped down, and Desmond began to see more figures through the Bleeding Effect.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''More ghosts.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm here, okay? Just stay with me.''
Desmond heard a conversation between [[Claudia Auditore da Firenze|Claudia Auditore]] and Ezio, due to the Bleeding Effect.
*'''Claudia:''' ''Ezio!''
*'''Ezio:''' ''Did anything fall on you?''
*'''Claudia:''' ''No. Is Mother all right?''
The ghostly forms disappeared.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond? We can't climb this.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How about you give me a boost?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''That's a bad idea.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I could throw you into the air and you grab on.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Even worse.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Follow me.''
Desmond walked toward a [[Chase breakers|lift]] and pulled Lucy close to him.
*'''Desmond:''' ''How about this?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What are you going to—''
Desmond kicked back the lever on the lift and the two of them rocketed upwards to a ledge.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Nice job.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I aim to please.''
They began to freerun through the tunnel.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I wonder how old these tunnels are.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Middle Ages, probably. Luckily, these beams still hold our weight.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''After all this time in the Animus, I'm not so sure.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yeah, I didn't want to say anything, but you're really getting fat.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ouch.''
Lucy replied back jokingly.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I even told Rebecca to widen the Animus.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Seriously?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You know, when I came here last...''
*'''Lucy:''' ''When Ezio came here.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, I meant Ezio.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I shouldn't put you through this. It's not right.''
Desmond reassured Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey. All joking aside, I'm having the time of my life. And it's thanks to you.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Just focus on where you're going, okay?''
They both came to another gate and lever.
*'''Desmond:''' ''When did this become my job?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''If I pulled all the levers, then what would be left for you?''
Desmond feigned innocence.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Nothing.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Nice try.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ready.''
The gate opened and Lucy rolled under it.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Found a switch.''
Lucy pulled a lever, and grinding noises could be heard.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Something's opened.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm stuck over here, but I can see a lever across the water.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Great, Ezio gets a bath with Caterina Sforza and I get... a swim in a toilet.''
Desmond pulled a lever to help Lucy progress.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I've got this one!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''There's another lever up ahead. Come over here.''
Desmond jumped into the water and was shocked at its temperature.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh man. It's freezing!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Stop whining!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's easy for you to say! You're not the one swimming in medieval toxic waste! Ugh!''
Desmond climbed out of the water.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I smell terrible.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You're exaggerating.''
Desmond climbed up some scaffolding near to him.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Remember, this is the time of your life.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, yeah. How come you don't have to get wet?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Because you're here.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Charming.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Aren't I?''
They both rappelled up another pulley and the Bleeding Effect provided Desmond with some more visions.
*'''Claudia:''' ''Ezio! We are on the other side! Hurry!''
*'''Soldier 1:''' Cazzo! ''(Fuck!)''
*'''Soldier 2:''' Dio mi salve! ''(God save me!)''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Great. The bridge is out. We can't jump this.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I have an idea, but I'll need your help. Stand on the edge and get ready.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ready.''
Lucy ran at Desmond, who catapulted her to the supports.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Made it! Let me see...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh, you go on ahead. I'll just stay here to die in the dark with the bats!''
Lucy provided Desmond with a platform to cross, allowing him to progress.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Jump across.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Nice work.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The bats will be disappointed.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''For now.''
Another short vision appeared to Desmond.
*'''Soldier:''' ''Soldati! ''(Soldiers!)'' I have found an entrance.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Strange. You would think that these stairs lead somewhere.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''But they don't.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh, life is full of disappointments.''
They came to a bridge, sealed against the cave walls.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'll wait here.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Good. Let me just go and get that bridge down for you.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Uh, I did the last one.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And I'm sure that will be your last one.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Ha ha, very funny.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Got it.''
Lucy replied back in a whimsical manner.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Thank you, Desmond.''
They came to another collapsed bridge.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Now it's my turn to even the score.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thanks. It's a start.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Do your magic.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Up you go!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Thanks. We make a good team. I can see the Sanctuary up ahead.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Setting Up
|-
|Upon entering the Sanctuary, Desmond saw an image of an aged Ezio, due to the Bleeding Effect.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wow. He looks so... old. Ezio must have come back here long after the attack. But why?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Right. Let's get that door open.''
Desmond noticed a triangular symbol on the wall, opposite to the bookcase that acted as a door to the hidden passageway which the two were behind.
*'''Desmond:''' ''There's something here.''
Shaun could be heard, although muffled, from behind the passageway door.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Can you open the damn bookcase, Desmond?''
Desmond pulled up the locks and the bookcase opened, with Shaun and Rebecca walking through afterwards.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You guys did it!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''About bloody time!''
Shaun noticed the symbol on the wall while Rebecca went down the stairs to inspect the Sanctuary.
*'''Shaun:''' ''What's that?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Looks like something Ezio left behind.''
Desmond activated Eagle Vision to try and learn more about it, and noticed three numbers.
*'''Desmond:''' ''There are numbers underneath it. 1419, 1420, 1421.''
He felt a headache coming on and held his head in pain.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Maybe you should lie down for a bit.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Nah, its all right. I'm fine.''
Rebecca came back up the stairs.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Whoa, they built this place to last. No signs of structural damage. No cell signal either. Let's get the Animus set up down there.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''All right, that's good. Shaun, hide the van in town, and make sure you aren't followed.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What is that smell?!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's... my clothes.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''They smell like you swam through a sewer.''
Desmond replied back playfully.
*'''Desmond:''' ''It was Lucy's idea.''
Lucy shot Desmond a dirty look, as he had called her out.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wait a minute guys. We need power down here. There's a line nearby that I can hook into but the wattage is weak.''
Rebecca handed Desmond some circuit breakers.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, of course. Yeah, yeah. Anything else you two would like? You know, some caviar perhaps? Maybe you'd like me to knit you a lovely hat. No. Fine.''
Shaun turned to Desmond.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Follow me.''
Shaun led Desmond outside.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Right, look around Monteriggioni for circuit boxes. Rebecca's little doodads, they'll reroute small amounts of electricity to the power line underneath the Villa. Don't ask me how they work, if I understood that, I wouldn't be the fellow hiding the van.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Improved Animus
|-
|After powering up the Sanctuary, Desmond returned to his team.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm back.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Just in time. The sun's rising.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yes! It's booted. We're good to go.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Did you miss me? No? Anyone? Hello, am I speaking out loud? Hello? Workaholics.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Let's get started.''
Desmond went over to Shaun to talk.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Do you have any clue about those numbers under the drawing?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''1419, 1420, 1421. Maybe something to do with the Hundred Years War. Or wait... In 1419, Pope Martin V arrived in Florence, right? He left for Rome in 1420, and that was the same year Brunelleschi began building the [[Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore|Duomo]]. And in 1421... in 1421... Yeah, I'll have to do some more research I think.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So, what do you think of Monteriggioni?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''This is not Monteriggioni. Monteriggioni existed during the Renaissance. Ask me how the town was in 1554 when it was seized by Florence and I'll tell you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Huh. I figured you'd like it nowadays. Seems not to have changed much.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Exactly. History is the study of change. Change is life. When things become static, it means they're dead.''
Desmond then went to talk with Lucy, regarding the Assassins.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are we going to do about Abstergo?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Wait it out. As soon as we find the Apple, I'll get in contact with our other teams in [[Europe]], but as far as Italy goes, we're on our own.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It would be nice to have some help from above.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Our top Assassins are busy gathering info about the Templar satellite launch. We've pinpointed several possible facilities in the [[United States|U.S.]], [[China]], and [[Russia]], but there are no clear leads yet.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are the other teams doing?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Combating Abstergo's search for Pieces of Eden. As far as I know, Abstergo has no clue about the Temples and Ezio's Apple. We might actually be ahead for once.''
Desmond then went to bother Rebecca, with her work as the topic of discussion.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You seem focused.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I've been busy patching new systems into Baby here. She's only gonna get better.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Is Desmond going to be able to relive memories this time?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''As a matter of fact, he will.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You always been a tech geek?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Nah, I was into sports, but then I broke my leg and started playing with computers. Who knew that coding could be just as exhilarating as strapping on a board and dropping out of a helicopter?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Just FYI, you might want to get your adrenal glands checked. You know, because that, that is not normal.''
Desmond then re-entered the Animus.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''As you may have noticed in the van, I made some improvements to the Animus and I've also patched in a new [[Animus Virtual Training Program|VR Training program]]. Here you can show off all those flashy moves you've picked up from your ancestors. Let me open one of the missions.''
Desmond attempted one of the virtual missions and completed it.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You can access more VR missions to the Animus Desktop. As you complete training sessions, I'll add additional challenges. To stop your subconscious from rejecting Ezio's later memories you'll gonna have to live them in order his genome recorded them. Highlight Sequence 2 for me, Desmond.''
Desmond selected Memory sequence 2.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Good, now select it and you'll gonna see the memories inside. Once you've unlocked the memory by accessing this menu you can relive it as many times as you want.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And what if there are memories I just want to forget?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond, this is very important. If you need to take a break, log out of the Animus. You can leave the machine whenever you like.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm all set to go, don't worry.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''One last thing: as you raise your synchronization by executing events the way Ezio lived them, you might even discover some repressed memories. Okay, let's get started. Select the first memory.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Desmond, I've been looking about these gibberish five-digit codes from the end of Subject 16's files and I seem to discovered a remarkable coincidence. The codes correspond perfectly with coordinates inside the Animus. I've tagged the landmarks pinpointed by the coordinates with eye icons in the database. Now, odds are you won't find anything there, but well, who knows?''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After Memory Sequence 2
|-
|After Ezio began reestablishing connections to the Assassins' old [[Rome|Roman]] information contacts for the [[liberation of Rome]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Roman Underground]]</ref> Desmond left the Animus and struck up a conversation with Shaun.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You still managing the teams out in the field?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No phone line. Rebecca's working on patching us into the network.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So how does it feel, letting the lady do all the work?''
Shaun scoffed.
*'''Shaun:''' ''She's no lady!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''HEY!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You think we're safe here?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm more concerned about the other Assassins out there. If Abstergo stumbles onto information about the Temples, we could have a disaster on our hands.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''The only people alive who've heard of the Temples are in this room.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''For now, but who knows? Maybe they're listening to this conversation and you just gave everything away!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You brought them up first.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''You are paranoid, Desmond.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Ah, well played.''
Desmond then went over to check up on Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Everything all right?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I don't like being stuck underground with them out there looking for us.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're doing a great job. We're safe here.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''But for how long? Vidic won't give up. I know it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Neither will we.''
After talking with Lucy, Desmond inquired of Rebecca about her history with the Animus.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Why do we have to stay down here all day?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Abstergo's still looking for us. It'd be better if we never went out at all, but then, we'd run out of supplies.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's like being stuck in a cave during a rainstorm.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Well, knowing the Templars, monsoon season's about to arrive.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You ever use the Animus?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Your ancestors have such interesting lives. I went in once. It was pretty lame.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, what were you? Some kind of spinster probably?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Worse. A [[Prussia]]n [[mercenary]]. I spent hours firing guns. BORING.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah. Guns are for sissies.''
Desmond reentered the Animus and relived Ezio's memory of his confrontation with [[La Volpe]] over the Roman thieves' suspicions that [[Niccolò Machiavelli]] was secretly a Templar agent.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Double Agent]]</ref> When Ezio reconnected with the ''[[Rosa in Fiore]]''{{'}}s [[courtesan]]s,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[High-Stakes Negotiation]]</ref> Desmond saw a [[Rifts|rift]] on the outside north wall of the [[brothel]]'s second floor wall. He entered it and found himself in a red-tinted featureless plane with a cube hovering above the floor. He touched it and the block sank into the floor while more cubes sprang up and created a moving wall.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You dropped out of the grid. Where were you?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Not sure. Some kind of fragmented memory?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Maybe you should stop.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm good. I want to keep going.''
Desmond completed the rift's cluster of puzzles and unlocked a static-filled video fragment. Rebecca filed it within an Animus partition she titled "The Truth".
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'll put 16's video files here. Hopefully, they'll begin to make sense as you free up each file.''
Desmond left the brothel and relived Ezio's memory of when his information contacts' representatives delivered reports to him at the Assassins' [[Tiber Island headquarters|headquarters]] on [[Tiber Island]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Collective Intelligence]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After Memory Sequence 3
|-
|Desmond talked to Lucy about Abstergo's motivations and her link to them.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Any news from the outside?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Rebecca's patched in a phone line. The Templars are still guarding the border, and Vidic seems to be busy too.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Doing what?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''From the look of things, he's using Animus data to train Abstergo operatives.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Meaning?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Abstergo's planning for a full on assault.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Weren't you the only Assassin at Abstergo's Animus facility? How are you getting data from them?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Some old passwords work, but I can't dig very far into the network.''
Desmond then went to Shaun to discuss ciphers and his love life.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Any theories on that cipher Machiavelli handed me? Ezio, I mean.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I can't decode it without the key. It's a one-time disposable pad.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's that?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It's a cipher with a unique, disposable key. Imagine if someone used the first letter of every word in the Declaration of Independence to encipher something. Well, without the Declaration, you couldn't decrypt it.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I bet I could run it through the computer.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''There are some things even a computer can't do... like—like love, Rebecca. Like love.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So, Shaun, any lions outside the pride?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Who was that girl you were dating? Kate?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah yeah, Kate. Katie, Katie, Katie, kitty-kat-Kate. Charmed the pants right off her, I did.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yeah right. I know for a fact you two didn't make it to second base.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, di—di—...wait, what, what?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We had lunch!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''You... had lunch... with Kate?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Whatever, I got work to do.''
After speaking with the other two members, Desmond approached Rebecca and asked whether she had taken a life.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You ever killed anyone?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hello to you too. I dated a guy who was an electronics engineer around the time the Assassins first contacted me.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Now I'm single.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Are you kidding?!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Of course I'm kidding! You think I would actually joke about someone I actually killed?! Death is only funny when it's not happening in front of you! I should know, and that's all I'm gonna say about it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I noticed you didn't patch the translation software.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Nah, it's still buggy. There's only an occasional glitch in the Italian, but if you hit any [[Germany|German]] or [[France|French]], watch out.''
Desmond then went on to do other things around the Sanctuary, such as staring at Altaïr's statue.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, wassa matta you, Altaïr?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''That's racist!''
Desmond replied, insulted.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're racist!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Really? This is what you guys are doing?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh no, God forbid I take a break! I've only spent the THREE FUCKING WEEKS inside that machine!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''No, no, you're right. Let's all screw around while the world falls to pieces!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, this isn't easy, you know!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Right, like we're all on vacation out here?''
Lucy raised her voice to try and drown out the others who were arguing.
*'''Lucy:''' ''ENOUGH! Look, everyone's under a lot of pressure, but we're the only ones who can stop Abstergo. So we need to keep it together.''
Still displeased, but somewhat calmer, Desmond mused aloud.
*'''Desmond:''' ''She's right. We need to be a "hive mind" here, people.''
Shaun, who had remained silent throughout, cut in nonchalantly.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Anybody up for some reconciliatory yoga? Anyone?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Very funny, guys.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After Memory Sequence 4
|-
|After Desmond had relived Ezio's memory of reuniting with Leonardo da Vinci in Rome,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[An Unexpected Visitor]]</ref> Rebecca described a new Animus feature.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Desmond, I've scanned Leo's location into the map so you can keep track of him when he moves. To synchronize with Ezio, you will have to destroy Leo's [[War machine|machines]]. I've marked the whereabouts of the Templars overseeing their construction. I'll update the map when the machines' locations are found.''
Shortly after, Desmond finished Ezio's memory of conferring with his allies to plan their [[Liberation of Rome|fight]] against the Borgia.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[The Plan]]</ref> He exited the Animus and struck up some conversation with Shaun about Caterina Sforza and the main Assassin base.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What happened to Caterina Sforza?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''She went back to Florence and petitioned unsuccessfully for the return of her lands. Then, she died of pneumonia.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's sad.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''That's life. Well, that's death technically, but you take my point.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''We ever going to visit the head Assassins? I heard about this [[Assassin headquarters (2012)|meeting place]] when I was younger.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Apparently, it exists. Though I'm not sure because I've never been.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You'll get to see it once we have the Apple.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, I expect amazing things. A private [[Coffee|espresso]] bar for example.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What a waste of money.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''You obviously aren't an espresso drinker.''
After speaking with Shaun, Desmond walked over to Rebecca to chat about the power and the Animus.
*'''Desmond:''' ''How's the power situation?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It's okay for now, but the power lines are from the stone age.''
Shaun suddenly cut in with a complaint.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Bloody third world country!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You're talking about Italy?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No, Europe in general.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I didn't know [[England]] is a third world country.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''England is not in Europe actually, Rebecca. We tolerate Europe... You know, like a person tolerates {{Wiki|herpes}}.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How did you manage to create a copy of the Animus?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Oh, you know. Lucy sent me schematics.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I thought she couldn't get anything out of Abstergo?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''She had her ways. I improvised on the rest.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Huh.''
A hungry Desmond then went to Lucy, concerned about the food supplies but also aiming to inspire some hope in her.
*'''Desmond:''' ''We going to get any food in here?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''People who don't work, don't eat...''
A brief, awkward silence filled the Sanctuary.
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm kidding! You knew I was kidding, right?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Riiight. Smile and nod.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Someone just volunteered to get the food.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It was worth it.''
A short while passed.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Sometimes I feel so disconnected from everything out there. Nearly a decade of my life gone, searching for those Pieces of Eden.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Think how great you'll feel when we finally stop the Templars.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I'm not sure it will ever end, Desmond. I can't do this forever.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I can't buy it. The Lucy I know brought me here and taught me how to see. She would never give up.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I guess I trained you well, huh?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You did alright.''
Once Desmond ate a hamburger, Rebecca made what could be her vegetarianism known.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Carnivore!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hypocrite! Did you know plants give off chemicals which attract predatory insects when they're attacked? Sounds pretty animal-like to me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You know too much for your own good.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''That's what my [[priest]] used to say.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After Memory Sequence 7
|-
|Wishing to know more about Ezio's nemesis [[Cesare Borgia]], Desmond approached Shaun for some information.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Any good stories about Cesare?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Are you kidding? He was notorious. Get this: in 1502, his top captains rebelled against him. He made concessions to all of them and they rejoined his army. Then, on New Year's Eve in 1503, he got them together inside a room in [[Senigallia]]. Everyone was arrested. Two were put [[Vitellozzo Vitelli|back]] to [[Oliverotto da Fermo|back]] and [[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance|strangled]] by [[Micheletto Corella|Micheletto]] that very night. The rest were thrown into chains and... and killed a few weeks later.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wow.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''The amazing thing is that Cesare was so friendly during the months before, they never saw the trap coming. Machiavelli called him the master deceiver.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So Cesare was pretty secretive.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, he was, yeah. Except, weirdly, when it came to sex. After his wedding, he sent a letter to the Pope explicitly describing the intercourse on his wedding night. According to the letter, Cesare and his French bride did the deed eight times.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Isn't that a Catholic thing?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You're supposed to send the Pope a letter about your wedding night. It lets the old guy live a little, you know?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''You know... that sounds quite plausible actually.''
From there, Desmond spoke with Rebecca about his psychological state, in connection with the corrupted sequence.
*'''Desmond:''' ''That disrupted memory seems to be getting clearer.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It's amazing. The sequence is repairing itself, as if we're helping you work through psychological trauma.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So I'm going to be more balanced person by the end of this?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Oh, I have no clue. But the idea's cool.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Are you saying that because you feel guilty about frying his brain?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Shaun's on latrine duty!''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Deal.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah, of course, you side with her. [[Communism|Communists]].''
Following that, Desmond went to talk with Lucy, inquiring about the amount of time they had left to improve his skills.
*'''Desmond:''' ''How long do we have before the Templar satellite launch?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's October 8th, so that leaves us with... 74 days.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Not much time.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Think about all that you've been through in the last month. 74 days is a long time.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''We're getting closer to the Apple. I can feel it.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''If it were up to me, you'd take more breaks.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Good thing the fate of the world doesn't rest on your shoulders.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Hey, joke all you want but your mental health is a serious concern. It only takes a couple of months for most Animus users to exhibit extreme side effects and you've been in for prolonged stretches of time.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'll rest once we have the Apple.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I was afraid you'd say that.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Miracle is in the Execution
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''There's nothing here.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Strange. I'm seeing a massive amount of data.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What does he mean "The miracle is in the execution?"''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I don't know. Some kind of commentary on nihilism?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''He's playing with us... unless—''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''...it isn't a video! Hang on. Launch it yourself, when you're ready.''
Desmond found himself in a virtual maze. After some free-running, he found Subject 16.
*'''Animus voice:''' ''Compiling subsystems. Infrastructure. Tendons. Heart.''
*'''Subject 16:''' ''Voice.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Subject 16?''
The virtual construct of Subject 16 laughed.
*'''Subject 16:''' ''Yes, yes, Subject 17.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're dead. I saw your blood!''
*'''Subject 16:''' ''No time. It is far later than you know. Too late to save them.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who?''
*'''Subject 16:''' ''She is not who you think she is. Everything you hope to become, everything you hold dear, it's already gone.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Explain. Please.''
*'''Subject 16:''' ''Eden. She... in Eden. Find [[Eve]]. The key. Her DNA...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Tell me!''
*'''Subject 16:''' ''I cannot... The sun... [[Elijah|Your son]]... Too weak... Must replenish energy...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Don't go!''
*'''Subject 16:''' ''I am with you 'til the end. Find me, in the darkness.''
Subject 16 disappeared, and Desmond removed himself from the Animus.
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond! You're safe. We thought we'd lost you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm here. I saw 16, I think. I don't know whether it actually happened. It feels like a dream.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Well, whatever it was, it's gone now. The Animus is behaving normally.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Take a break before going back in there, okay?''
Desmond apologized to Lucy.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Sorry for frightening you.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Don't worry about me.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Okay.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''When you're ready, let's continue.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After Memory Sequence 9
|-
|After fully synchronizing with Ezio, the Assassin team discovered the location of Ezio's Apple.
*'''Desmond:''' ''We've got it. The [[Colosseum]].''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Let's go. We can be there before dawn.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wait. There was something about that door. I don't think I saw a handle. Let me run an analysis.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Great. So we need some kind of futuristic key?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It seems to open with a verbally triggered mechanism. I've never seen anything like it.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''You mean it needs a password?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Try humming [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s {{Wiki|Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)|Fifth}}.''
Suddenly, the power cut out.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Damn {{Wiki|Synchronous grid of Continental Europe|European power grid}}. Now we can't scan Ezio's memories to find the password.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We have to find that password.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ezio knows the answer. Problem is, he's dead.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I can't believe we're stuck here.''
While the three brainstormed ideas in the Sanctuary, Desmond headed upstairs to the triangular symbol on the wall.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey. Maybe it has something to do with this.''
The other Assassins walked up to Desmond.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''The symbol matches the one on the door to the Vault.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''1419, 1420, 1421... What if they aren't dates?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''1419, 1420— Oh my God.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''God.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Tell us already!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I am, I am. The {{Wiki|Tetragrammaton}}. The [[72]] names of God. You see? They're all contained within three verses. Exodus 19 through 21. And get this, you'll like this, if you arrange the four Hebrew letters in God's name within an equilateral triangle, their numeric values add up to the same number: 72.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Are you absolutely sure about this?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''That's kind of why I'm saying it out Rebecca, yeah. But, I haven't got to the kicker yet. Construction on the Colosseum began in the year 72.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I think we have our password.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Shaun, go get the van.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Colosseum
|-
|
*'''Desmond:''' ''Déjà vu.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I bet.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Let's go.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What about us? You might actually need a historian down there.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Shaun's right. That tunnel should lead under [[Capitoline Hill]]. I'll help them find another entrance. Be careful, Desmond.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'll drive.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah, nice try. I've seen your car.''
Lucy, Shaun and Rebecca departed, leaving Desmond to go forward. From this point on, any contact between Desmond and the other three was through a radio connection.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy, I'm making my way toward the entrance.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Okay. Good.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''If you see any [[gladiator]]s, my advice would be: leg it!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'll keep that in mind. I can't believe I'm actually going to hold the Apple.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''It's been a long time coming. You've earned it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I wonder if it will change things. Whether it can tip the scales in our favor.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm sure it will. It has to.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you think we'll find?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Hopefully, a map to the Temples.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''The Apple's just going to give it to us, yeah? Or is that Elvis over there?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, maybe this time we'll be lucky. There's so much construction. This place is like a maze.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''The {{Wiki|hypogeum}} housed the cages of the gladiators and the machines which raised them to the surface. The whole area you're in right now was originally covered by the arena.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Good to know.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Something's bothering me. Today's date is October 10th.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Guess how many days there are until the Templar satellite launch?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I have a feeling I know the answer: 72.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Why is today so important? We're just picking up the Apple and leaving.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's the door code. Someone wants to make sure we get it right.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Yeah, I guess.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Okay, I'm back on familiar ground.''
Desmond found the hidden entrance and Juno appeared to him, though only he could hear her words.
*'''Juno:''' ''We commit to this space the epilogue of our ending. Let it be found by he who is deemed worthy. Let it guide him. Let it shape his path forward. Let it save the world we leave behind.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who are you?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''What's going on, Desmond?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Nothing.''
*'''Juno:''' ''In the beginning, we set our truths to parchment. To stone. To the memory of men. These proved impermanent things. Cleansed by fire. Cleansed by famine. Cleansed by flood. All the world is innocent once more. Innocent and ignorant.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We've traced your position. I think I've found an entrance.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''OK.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Knife to the Heart
|-
|Desmond entered the [[Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli]] through a secret entrance, while Lucy, Shaun, and Rebecca waited at the door outside.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm coming.''
Desmond unbarred the door.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Took you long enough.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What is this place?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Santa Maria Aracoeli. See those columns along the aisles? They're lifted from Roman ruins. Now, supposedly, this [[church]] was built on top of the ancient [[Colosseum Vault|Temple of Juno]].''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I like the ceiling.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''You like the ceiling. Oh well, you are a fascinating travelling companion.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Where to now?''
Desmond had a vision of Ezio climbing up the altar.
*'''Desmond:''' ''There's something up there.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh well, we'll just stay down here shall we... and just pray or something.''
Desmond activated what would turn out to be a wall lever, and multiple poles shifted out of the ceiling, constructing a series of free-running obstacles.
*'''Juno:''' ''We did not build them to be wise. And now they are our final, faulted hope. You are they. You possess the potential for understanding. But you broke our tools. Or turned them against one another. We have destroyed what we could. Sealed away what we could not. Most. Not all. And it does not take many to unwind the world. Here is a safe place. Eternal. To store objects. Words. Wisdom. But not life. Almost did we have the means. But time... time erodes us. We can distract him. We can see past him. Feint left when he strikes right. But his reach is so very long. His stamina unending. We cannot evade his grasp. Not forever.''
Desmond activated another switch, and a ladder came out of the wall.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Something's opened. Here goes.''
Desmond eventually activated a switch on the highest platform, and a [[Vault pedestal|pedestal]] came out of floor at the front of the church.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hello. That wasn't in the blueprints.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Desmond, get down here!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''On my way.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Whatever this is, it doesn't do anything. It's a dead end.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm not so sure—''
Desmond moved his hand above the pedestal, which activated into a lift on sensing his Isu genes, that took the Assassins underground.
*'''Lucy:''' ''What's going on?!''
The lift stopped, and the entrance to Juno's Temple could be seen.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, if you want to kill us mate, you're going have to try a little harder than that.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''We're here.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Now, for that password. If Shaun's right, that is.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm always right.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''About that dead end...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''That never happened. I was misquoted.''
The Assassins approached the door.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Do you think it speaks English?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Just say it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Okay... seventy-two.''
The door opened.
*'''Shaun:''' ''After you... I think.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You guys have to see this.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''This is amazing.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wow.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm actually impressed.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''The Apple seems to be in the center.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Time to find out where those Temples are.''
Desmond activated the pedestal, and multiple platforms and beams came out from the floor and walls.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey, Desmond. Those beams poking out of the wall look like switches. If you hit all of them, you might get some power to the central platform.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Or you might cause this room to turn into an alien spaceship and fly away. Think about it!''
*'''Juno:''' ''A hundred years I might speak and still you would not know us. You with five senses. Us with six. The one we kept from you. To be safe. Now, you can never know. Only try. Grasp. You can SEE. SMELL. TASTE. TOUCH. HEAR. Knowledge has been locked away. After, when the world became undone, we tried to pass it through the blood. Tried to [[Hybrid|join you]] with us. You see the blue shimmer. You hear the words. But you do not know. WE SHOULD HAVE LEFT YOU AS YOU WERE. It is hard to stay contained. Knowing as we do. We wait for you, Desmond. You will come here. You will activate it. You will know only when it is too late.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Do you hear any of that?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Any of what, Desmond?''
Desmond activated all of the switches, and stairs to the central platform came out of the floor.
*'''Desmond:''' ''We did it.''
*'''Lucy:''' ''I can't believe we're finally here.''
The Assassins approached the Apple of Eden.
*'''Shaun:''' ''So where are the temples?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You want me to ask it?''
*'''Lucy:''' ''Or think it or something.''
The Apple activated and showed many different symbols around it.
*'''Lucy:''' ''You sure you asked the right thing?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I know this, I know this symbol. That's a {{Wiki|Phrygian cap}}. It stands for freedom... and that, that's a {{Wiki|Eye of Providence|Masonic eye}}. Now those two come {{Wiki|Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen|together}} in only [[French Revolution|one place]]—''
Desmond touched the Apple and it took control of his body while the other Assassins appeared frozen.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's happening? I can't move!''
*'''Juno:''' ''Your DNA communes with the Apple. You have activated it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Let me go!''
*'''Juno:''' ''On the 72nd day before the moment of awakening. You, birthed from our loins and the loins of our enemies. The end and the beginning, who we abhor and honor. The final journey commences. There is one who would accompany you through the gate. She lies not within our sight. The cross darkens the horizon.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you doing?''
*'''Juno:''' ''The Path must be opened. You cannot escape your part in this. The scales shall be balanced.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Stop. Please...''
*'''Juno:''' ''You know very little. We must guide you. Cease your struggle.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No!''
Forced to move by Juno, Desmond unwillingly approached Lucy and stabbed her in the stomach with his [[Hidden Blade]].
*'''Juno:''' ''It is done. The way lies all before you. Only she remains to be found. Awaken the sixth. Go. ALONE!''
Both Desmond and Lucy fell to the ground, with blood seeping out from her wound while Desmond's mind began to lapse into unconsciousness. A few minutes later, he heard his father William Miles and [[Harlan Cunningham]] having a short conversation.
*'''Harlan:''' ''Shit! He's gone into shock!''
*'''William:''' ''Put him back in the machine! It's the only way to fix this!''
*'''Harlan:''' ''But the Animus did this to him!''
*'''William:''' ''Am I the expert or not? Do it!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No...''
Desmond then began experiencing Ezio's memories of a repressed memory sequence.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'''' – [[A Roll of the Dice]]</ref>
*'''Desmond:''' ''What was that?''
*'''Harlan:''' ''What's happening?''
*'''William:''' ''Ezio seems to be remembering something. Something from 1506.''
*'''Harlan:''' ''Desmond's heart rate is increasing. I'm administering the sedative.''
*'''William:''' ''No. The missing data may be there. The Piece of Eden is useless until we have it. Let him continue.''
*'''Harlan:''' ''Yes, William.''
Desmond finished exploring the repressed memories.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]] – [[The Da Vinci Disappearance]]'' – [[The Temple of Pythagoras]]</ref>
*'''William:''' ''You can sedate Desmond now. We have the information we needed.''
*'''Harlan:''' ''It's too late, the damage is done. He seems to have entered some kind of coma.''
*'''William:''' ''He'll find his way out. He always has in the past.''
*'''Harlan:''' ''I've run the data through the computer, we have a location for the temple.''
*'''William:''' ''Then what are you waiting for? Let's go.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E9692C; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Animi Training Program
|-
|Warren Vidic stood on a suspended scaffold flanked by two screens overlooking the Animi Training Program room. Below him, Abstergo recruits stood at attention beside their cubicles in two long rows down the central hallway to the opposite end of the room.
*'''Warren:''' ''Animi, as far as the eye can see. It's a beautiful sight At least, from up here. But I digress. Our engineers have pent countless hours perfecting this top-secret, state-of-the-art facility, in order to houses our most ambitious project to date. We have uploaded DNA from dozens of our most...remarkable subjects and distilled the essence of their unique abilities.''
An image of Desmond Miles appeared on the left screen beside Warren.
*'''Warren:''' ''You stand in this room today because you have served us impeccably, need I say, loyally. Now, it is time for you to become so much more.''
A short video of Borgia soldiers walking in front of the [[Pantheon]] appeared on both screens.
*'''Warren:''' ''Your first time in the Animus will be disorienting. A few of you will panic. To adjust, focus on your training program.''
A clip played of the [[Prowler]] chasing the [[Nobleman (Animi Avatar)|Nobleman]] on Rome's rooftops, scanning the plaza below him for his target, and then using a [[chase breaker]] to swing around a corner as the Nobleman ran and pushed a civilian aside.
*'''Warren:''' ''Some of you will be in teams protecting or de-synching a VIP, but most of you will be on your own.''
A new clip started, with the left screen providing a close-up of the [[Priest (Animi Avatar)|Priest]] as he ran out of the Pantheon, while the right screen first showed the [[Doctor (Animi Avatar)|Doctor]] before shifting to the [[Barber]]. This then changed to have the Barber on the left and the [[Harlequin]] on the right, before both screens had the Barber catch up to the clown from behind in a high-profile attack. The clip moved to the left screen, showing the Barber tilt his target's head back and slit their throat with the razor. Both screens resumed the first video through split footage, with the Nobleman on the left unaware of the [[Executioner]] behind him, while the left side depicted the brute knocking him down to deliver a killing bow with an axe.
*'''Warren:''' ''Be ready to receive assassination contracts while being targeted simultaneously. We feel it keeps you on your toes.''
Both screens brought up the Prowler as he suddenly ran up from behind the Executioner and slew him before moving on to kill the Barber as well. The footage finally ended and was replaced by the Abstergo logo on blue background before the displays powered down.
*'''Warren:''' ''Once you enter thee machines and the transfer is complete, you will have the skills necessary to crush the remnants of the Assassin Order, ending this war once and for all. Any questions?''
He leaned over the scaffold railing but heard no reply.
*'''Warren:''' ''Good. Lets' begin.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Animus Island
|-
|
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We can keep him like this for a few days. ''Maybe'' a week.''
*'''William:''' ''Call ahead. Tell them we're on our way.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''As soon as we're clear.''
Rebecca's voice faded as Clay Kaczmarek's digital consciousness spoke from within the Animus while Desmond's comatose mind replayed a montage of his memories, starting with waking from using Abstergo's Animus 1.28.
*'''Clay:''' ''Desmond Miles. Your life has changed so much in so little time.''
The memory changed to Lucy opening the back of a moving truck at the Villa Auditore so Desmond could exit.
*'''Clay:''' ''Two months ago, you were pouring shots for bankers and celebrities... But now look at you.''
The memory changed to Desmond catching Ezio's Hidden Blade bracer after Lucy tossed it to him.
*'''Clay:''' ''You're an Assassin. One of us.''
The memory changed to Desmond, Shaun, Lucy, and Rebecca as they descended into the Colosseum Vault and opened its main door.
*'''Clay:''' ''One of the good guys, isn't that nice? Men and women dedicated to protecting and preserving human life and liberty.''
The scene changed to Warren Vidic standing on suspended scaffolding delivering a speech over the Animi Training Program room before morphing to Warren's raid on the Rome hideout.
*'''Clay:''' ''Not like those Templars... cold and calculating autocrats, drunk on power, obsessed with order, all that... we're doing our best to stop them. Yeah, doing our best.''
A clip of Clay's mad laughter played as his voice was slightly digitally distorted towards the end. The scene changed to a tracking shot over the Animus 1.28 and a zoom on its physical interface and digital HUD, before forming a construct of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in the Memory Coridor which resolved into a rooftop view of [[Acre]].
*'''Clay:''' ''But you remember all this, right? You remember the Animus, the machine we use to unravel genetic memories and relive the lives of our ancestors? First you were Altaïr, a stoic twelfth-century Assassin from the Holy Land.''
The scene changed to an adult Ezio in the Memory Corridor, flickered to his street fight as a young man with Vieri de' Pazzi on the Ponte Vecchio,<ref name="BoysWillBeBoys"/> then flickered again to an adult Ezio charging at Cesare Borgia during the siege of Viana in 1507.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' – [[Pax Romana]]</ref> Through all this, Animus code kept glitching code lines in, distorting the scenes.
*'''Clay:''' ''Then, you were Ezio Auditore, a wealthy Italian with charisma and a talent for revenge.''
The scene changed to Desmond seeing a "ghost" of Ezio in the Villa Auditore's Santuary through the Bleeding Effect.
*'''Clay:''' ''So, what do you three have in common?''
As if prompted, Desmond's mind replayed his memory of touching the Apple of Eden in the Colosseum Vault.
*'''Clay:''' ''That's right. The Apple of Eden.''
A rapid series of visions passed, starting with Ezio using the Apple to manipulate a [[Brute]] into striking a [[Papal Guard]], Ezio collapsing after using the Apple on a group of Borgia guards, and finally, to Ezio meeting Minerva. All the while, another clip of Clay's mad laughter played in the background.
*'''Clay:''' ''That strange artifact left behind by... those people. The ones who came before. You know the Apple's power. You felt it for yourself.''
Prompted again, Desmond's mind replayed the events in the Colosseum Vault as he stabbed Lucy and then fell into a coma.
*'''Clay:''' ''Oh, it's been fun, hasn't it, Desmond? But that's about to change.''
A "ghost" of an adult Ezio appeared before Altaïr in Acre, then Altaïr's "ghost" took the place of one of Ezio's Apple illusions in his fight against Rodrigo in 1499.<ref name="InBoccaAlLupo"/> This "resolved" to both Altaïr and Ezio walking along the Leap of Faith platforms in Masyaf, all as the Animus began to glitch even more code lines into the simulations and Clay's laughter replayed.
*'''Clay:''' ''Your mind is fragmenting, falling to pieces... and if you don't find a way to wake up, you may lose yourself. Forever.''
Overwhelmed by glitches, the Animus cut to black and restarted.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Okay, I shut down the Animus Monitoring System to free up a lot of memory, but even like this, it's still risky.''
*'''William:''' ''Desmond will be fine. The partition worked, the Animus is stable, and his signs are good.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''For now. But this was built to recreate memories, not simulate entire cognitive processes.''
*'''William:''' ''The Animus will do its part, and Desmond will do the rest.''
Desmond's consciousness woke in the Animus.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's happening? I... I can't move. I can't—No!''
Desmond washed ashore on an island in the [[Black Room]] and took some steps forward to adjust to his surroundings. Meanwhile, the digital construct of Clay Kaczmarek initialized nearby.
*'''Clay:''' ''Just walked right past me.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''16?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Aw, they didn't tell you my name?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Oh God damn it, I'm still in the Animus?!''
*'''Clay:''' ''Quite a shock you've suffered out there.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Rebecca! Get me out of here.''
*'''Clay:''' ''They can't help you Desmond. You're a broken man. Your mind, it's... broken.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Broken? I feel fine.''
Clay suddenly relocated himself right in Desmond's face, startling him and making him fall on his back.
*'''Clay:''' ''So did I!''
Clay laughed.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey!''
*'''Clay:''' ''Look at me now!''
Clay extended a hand down to Desmond.
*'''Clay:''' ''Let's talk, buddy. Walk with me.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What is this place?''
*'''Clay:''' ''It's nice isn't it? We're in the guts of the Animus, the original test program. No memories here, just basic physics, weather simulations. {{Wiki|"Hello, World!" program|Hello world}}! You're lucky someone up there had the sense to plug you in here. Saved your life.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Saved it from what?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Right now you should be sitting in a hospital ward, drooling and chewing on your tongue! For now, the Animus is keeping you intact, keeping all your ancestors from collapsing into one big mess. But if you can't find a [[Synch Nexus|synch-nexus]], all those personalities will smash together. And that won't be pretty.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''A synch nexus?''
*'''Clay:''' ''I'm getting there, hold on.''
Clay pointed to the Synch Nexus.
*'''Clay:''' ''There, that thing, is your way out.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You're screwing with me.''
*'''Clay:''' ''Here's the problem, your brain is hash—too many ghosts in your head, too many voices. So, how do you fix that? You claw your way back into the stored data, you find unfinished memories, and you crack them open. Finish what you started—until your ancestor has nothing left to show you. THAT is a sync nexus. Find it, and the Animus can separate Desmond from Ezio and Altaïr, and send you home. Back to your body.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''How do you know all this?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Because it happened to me. But my body, it's worm food now. So I'm stuck here. A word of warning. When you step through there, everything changes. Nothing feels... normal. But you are still in control and it's up to you to find your way out.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Right.''
*'''Clay:''' ''If you hurry, you might make it back in time for Lucy's funeral.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Oh. I thought you knew.''
Desmond collapsed to the ground, as memories from the Coloseum Vault flashed through his mind.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy... Oh God... I'm so sorry. It wasn't me, it wasn't me, it was that voice! Juno! She took hold of me, she made me... what am I doing? What have I done?''
Outside the Animus, a digital tone from an answered telephone was heard and a conversation between Rebecca, Shaun, and William Miles began.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It's Shaun. Shaun, what's going on?''
*'''William:''' ''Let me talk to him.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Did you... hold on, I'm putting you on speaker.''
*'''William:''' ''Shaun, it's William. Is everything taken care of?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, well, hello to you too. For Christ's sakes, man, have some class!''
*'''William:''' ''All right, calm down.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, that's rich, yeah. Lucy's dead and you want me to act like it's Easter Sunday, do you?! How's Desmond anyway, kipping in?''
*'''William:''' ''That's enough, Shaun!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What if he's a Templar, Bill? Eh? What if he's been programmed?! It's [[Daniel Cross|happened before]]!''
*'''William:''' ''No. Not Desmond.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Right. You ''would'' say that.''
*'''William:''' ''Shaun...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After DNA Sequence 1
|-
|
*'''William:''' ''This Apple... it is a remarkable piece of work. Feel the [[Adamant|material]]... hard as [[steel]] but very light.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You really want to be fooling with that thing?''
*'''William:''' ''I do. I absolutely do. I have been waiting a long time to get my hands on one of these.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Okay, you're making me nervous, Bill.''
*'''William:''' ''Don't be. I don't think I have the right genes to properly wield it.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Oh, but Desmond... you think he does?''
Desmond was forcibly returned to Animus Island from Ezio's memories.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What the hell just happened?''
*'''Clay:''' ''You were snooping. Wandering outside the Desmond partition. So once the Animus located you, it pulled you back here. It's just following orders... like a failsafe program. Trying to keep your poor head intact, whether you like it or not.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And what are you doing here exactly?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Playing. Learning. Waiting. A lot of waiting. I keep the Animus distracted as best I can. For you, so you can explore. Otherwise it might hunt you down like a little virus and ah... delete you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Well, my guardian angel.''
*'''Clay:''' ''There's no such thing.''
Clay disappeared.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah I—Thanks.''
Another conversation between Rebecca and Shaun could be heard through Animus Island.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Shaun, it's me. What's happening?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Are you at the airport?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yeah, we're chartering a jet. Are you coming?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yes. Yeah, I'll be there soon.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Good.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''They... they buried her already.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I heard.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''In a little cemetery outside Rome. Nice place.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''God, things got so fucked up so fast.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Is Desmond still out?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yeah. We're seeing a lot of brain activity, but with the monitoring system shut down, we can't record anything.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, keep me posted, okay? I'll see you soon.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After DNA Sequence 2
|-
|Once more, a conversation could be overheard, which featured Rebecca and William Miles.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'm seeing very strange activity in the Animus.''
*'''William:''' ''Oh?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''The CPU should be fairly idle. But the system monitor is spiking regularly. Sometimes as high as 85 percent.''
*'''William:''' ''Is it serious?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'm not sure. Desmond's signs are stable.''
*'''William:''' ''Well, if there isn't a problem, let's not try to fix anything.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Fair enough. God, I need a drink.''
Desmond then came across Clay, lamenting on his misfortune.
*'''Desmond:''' ''16?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Desmond, think about this... What if... I went with you?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''With me? Where?''
*'''Clay:''' ''It could work. Just for a while. Until I found a way out. Another body maybe. Or... I don't know. I just don't... I don't want to be here anymore.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's... that's not going to happen. I'm sorry.''
*'''Clay:''' ''No... I guess I had my chance. And I wasted it.''
Clay disappeared. 
After a while, a discussion between Rebecca, Shaun and William Miles could be heard.
*'''William:''' ''Were they close, Desmond and Lucy? I mean... closer than friends?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ah... Well, there was the occasional misty-eyed moment, but—''
*'''Shaun:''' ''She liked him, Bill. That's what she told me.''
*'''William:''' ''Hmm. Interesting.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''That's it? Just... interesting?''
*'''William:''' ''I spent a lot of time training each of them when they were younger. She was a remarkable woman, and I find this whole situation... quite sad.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Sad? Are you finally going soft on us, Bill?''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After DNA Sequence 6
|-
|Some time later, another talk between Shaun and William Miles took place.
*'''Shaun:''' ''You know something, don't you? You know what's out there.''
*'''William:''' ''I have a hunch, yes.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Come on, Bill. You never do anything halfway. What do you think we'll find?''
*'''William:''' ''If we're lucky, another prize. If we're very lucky... something that'll end this miserable war.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''You're talking over my head, mate.''
*'''William:''' ''Listen Shaun, I have no idea what we're going to find. But I do know that whatever it is, the Templars can't have it.''
After this exchange, Clay inquired about Desmond's life, which at first he was nervous to reply to.
*'''Clay:''' ''Do you regret anything Desmond?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Like what?''
*'''Clay:''' ''Running away. Leaving your parents behind. Finding a shit job, and pretending to be productive. What's it like spending your whole life, avoiding hard decisions?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Come on.''
*'''Clay:''' ''Sure, you're an Assassin, but it wasn't your choice.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Do you have a point?''
*'''Clay:''' ''I want to know, if you regret anything.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Sure. I wish I'd been more patient with my parents. I wish I'd listened. And Lucy... maybe things could have been different if I'd—I'm not sure.''
*'''Clay:''' ''Thank you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''For what?''
*'''Clay:''' ''For making sense.''
Once Clay's curiosity was fulfilled, another group conversation with those outside the Animus started.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Shaun, you feeling okay?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Sure, yeah, yeah, I'm fine yeah. We're Assassins, after all aren't we, eh? Why should we be surprised if one of us dies every now and again?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Every death is a tragedy. To somebody, somewhere.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What I want to know is... is Desmond worth all this trouble, you know? What is he... is he the chosen one, is that it? Little Jimmy Special or some bollocks like that?''
*'''William:''' ''I'm afraid not. But what he has is rare. His genes contain high concentrations of First Civilization DNA. Only about one in ten million are so lucky.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ah. The Bleeding Effect. Is that part of it?''
*'''William:''' ''I believe so. I wish I could say we knew about his gift earlier. But it was the Templars who realized this. And they found him first...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After DNA Sequence 8
|-
|Following Desmond exploring more of Ezio's memories, the Assassins outside of his coma planned to relocate themselves, and him along with them.
*'''[[Gavin Banks|Gavin]]:''' ''Bill! Good to see you. Listen, we've got a customs officer waiting to talk to everyone.''
*'''William:''' ''I hope you have something for us.''
*'''Gavin:''' ''Absolutely, passports and papers for everyone.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah brilliant, so I'm... I'm what, a neurosurgeon now, am I?''
*'''Gavin:''' ''You're a medical team from [[State University of New York at Potsdam|SUNY upstate]], just back from Rome with your patient, experimental gene therapy.''
*'''William:''' ''Good work, let's get this over with.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wait look, this is crazy!''
*'''William:''' ''What's wrong?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Not sure, but Desmond's brain is lighting up like a string of firecrackers!''
Meanwhile, inside the Animus, the machine planned to wipe Animus Island of all its contents, with Clay and Desmond along with it. As the threat of being deleted was finally at hand, it spurred one last conversation between the two.
*'''Clay:''' ''Here it comes...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What is that?! What's going on!''
*'''Clay:''' ''This is the end Desmond. Scheduled for deletion!''
Clay embraced Desmond tightly, bewildering the Assassin in the process.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you doing?!''
*'''Clay:''' ''What is a man but the sum of his memories? We are the stories we live! The tales we tell ourselves!''
Jumping to the conclusion that Clay intended to take both of them to their deaths, Desmond pleaded with him.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Don't do this!''
*'''Clay:''' ''I'm saving you, idiot! GO!''
Clay pushed Desmond towards the Sync Nexus, as he began to be erased by the system deletion. However, it would not stop him from shouting out one final command to Desmond.
*'''Clay:''' ''GO!''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Synch Nexus
|-
|After Desmond had achieved the necessary synchronization with his ancestors,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]'' – [[The Message]]</ref> he found himself inside the [[Nexus]] via the [[Apple of Eden 6|Apple of Eden]] next to him. Jupiter, a member of the First Civilization, soon appeared.
*'''Jupiter:''' ''Do you hear me, [[cipher]]? Can you see me?''
Jupiter spotted Desmond within the Nexus.
*'''Jupiter:''' ''Ah. There you are. Good. A strange place, this nexus of time. I am not used to the... [[calculations]]. That has always been Minerva's domain. I see you still have many questions. Who were we? What became of us? What do we desire of you? You will have your answers. Only listen and I will tell you how.''
A projection of the solar system appeared.
*'''Jupiter:''' ''Both before the end and after, we sought to save the world. We built vaults within which to work, each dedicated to a different method of salvation. They were placed underground to avoid the war which raged above, and also as a precaution, should we fail in our efforts. Each vault's knowledge was transmitted into a single place''
Jupiter pointed out the location of the [[Grand Temple]] on Earth, followed by a projection of him, Juno, and Minerva inside the temple.
*'''Jupiter:''' ''It was our duty... mine, Minerva's and Juno's—to sort and sample all that was collected. We chose those solutions which held the most promise, and devoted ourselves to testing their merits. Six we tried in succession, each more encouraging than the last. But none worked. And then the world ended...''
Desmond witnessed a vision of the coronal mass ejection which destroyed the Earth, and wiped out most of the humans and First Civilization members.
*'''Jupiter:''' ''The earth shook for days. The fires burned for weeks. And when the ash had settled, less than ten thousand of your kind still lived... and far fewer of ours. But we carried on, together. To rebuild. To renew.''
Desmond observed the passage of time across the centuries, until the landscape took on its modern day shape.
*'''Jupiter:''' ''Listen. You must go there. To the place where we labored... labored and lost. Take my words. Pass them from your head into your hands. That is how you will open the way. But be warned: much still remains in flux. And I do not know how things will end—either in [[Isu Era|my time]] or yours.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After DNA Sequence 9
|-
|Following Jupiter's message and having fully separated himself from his ancestors and their memories, Desmond began to wake from his coma. Shaun, Rebecca, and William stood around him in a nearly pitch black room lit only by the Animus screens.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wait, look! His vitals are stabilizing... Something's happening... He's... He's moving!''
*'''William:''' ''Desmond, can you hear me?''
William touched Desmond's shoulder in concern.
*'''William:''' ''Son?''
Desmond blinked bleary eyes at everyone, looked at his right arm which was covered in Isu glyphs, then turned to see the Apple of Eden shimmering on a nearby desk. His mind
*'''Desmond:''' ''I know what we need to do.''
Glancing at Shaun, William gave Desmond a quick nod then walked a few paces away to threw open the doors to the room, revealing it to be the back space of a van parked across from the Grand Temple's entrance near the town of [[Turin, New York|Turin]], [[New York]]. Desmond blinked at the sudden bright light as glyphs on the Temple's door began glowing like the Apple.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2F4F4F; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Animi Training Program
|-
|On the advancement of the Animi Training Program, select Abstergo recruits were allocated to the second stage of the program, and often came into contact with Warren Vidic, as well as some other Templars.
;Welcome
Warren introduced himself in a dimly lit room to prospective Abstergo recruits who had excelled in the program's first stage.
*'''Warren:''' ''It is a privilege for each one of you to be invited up here. Everyone in this room has proven themselves as more than mere killers. Your skill acquisition in the Animus thus far has been far superior to that of your colleagues, who, as I speak, continue to struggle down below us. But the test of your true worth has barely begun. You think you know of our Order. Of our founding in 1119, our quest for domination during the Crusades. The vast treasure and the decline at the end of the 12th century. And, finally, our resurgence as Abstergo. You know nothing. It is time to begin your real education. As you continue your training in the Animus, those worthy will be admitted to the secrets of our Order. My assistant will monitor your progress. Once you exit this room there is no turning back. Succeed, and a bright future awaits, fail... and far more than your contract will be terminated.''
;First Steps
Right from his first meeting, the Abstergo recruit [[Juhani Otso Berg]] began to impress the Templar Order, so much so that Warren offered encouraging words to help motivate him to climb higher.
*'''Warren:''' ''You served Abstergo well, and your skills in the Animus continue to impress. I do not use that term lightly. If you continue at this rate, it is a foregone conclusion that you will be the one to enter our inner chambers, and learn our most trusted secrets. Once you cross that threshold, your eyes will be opened, and you will see this world for what it truly is. Don't muck this up. Abstergo is counting on you.''
;Promises
As usual, Berg had quickly built upon his progress, impressing Warren's assistant who arranged another meeting with the doctor.
*'''Warren:''' ''Moving up through the ranks nicely, I see. Exactly as predicted. My assistant's reports have been glowing, although I find he is a little bit of a panderer. Do not let his flattery fool you. We will only continue to educate you as long as you continue to show promise. Prove yourself, however, and we are prepared to give you far more.''
;Privileges
With Berg's development bolstered as he invested more effort into the Animi Training Program, his effort began to bear fruit, while Warren provided a commentary of what differed him from the rest of humanity.
*'''Warren:''' ''For the vast majority of humankind, life is an ordeal to be suffered.''
Berg chose a designer watch from a box before him, courtesy of Abstergo.
*'''Warren:''' ''One painful failure after another, followed, mercifully, by death.''
Berg then took a glass of champagne offered to him and entered a private jet.
*'''Warren:''' ''Mortgages, car payments, waiting lists, bills.''
Berg casually strolled through an airport.
*'''Attendant:''' ''Right this way, sir.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Most are kept far too busy to look at the big picture. But not you. From now on, you will be at the front of every list. Transportation, maids, cooks will all be provided.''
From there, he entered a limousine and picked up a bottle of expensive wine.
*'''Warren:''' ''Vacation homes, tranquility and privacy will surround you. Your children will attend the best schools, and your parents will be cared for.''
Berg pulled up at a remote countryside mansion.
*'''Warren:''' ''Any woman, or man, you desire will be yours. For most, life is an unwinnable game.''
Berg opened the door and stepped out of the limousine, and Warren walked out of the mansion's entrance to greet him.
*'''Warren:''' ''The Order of the Knights Templar welcomes you. After all, we engineered it that way.''
;Inducted
Following Berg's luxurious treatment, Warren prepared to impart an important message to him, though he was interrupted.
*'''Warren:''' ''I hope you are enjoying the new comforts we have granted you. Of course, you know there is no backing out now. We have plans for you. An important part of this company's future. Truth is—''
*'''Intercom:''' ''Dr. Vidic. You are wanted in the processing plant.''
*'''Warren:''' ''Well... I suppose the truth will have to wait.''
;Clearance
Determined not to disappoint, Berg had progressed even more since Warren's last visit, prompting him to tempt at allowing Berg deeper into the Templar Order.
*'''Warren:''' ''I see you have been busy while I was gone. Continue to increase in skill, and you may be invited to visit our inner offices. Be respectful, far more than your job is on the line. I have put in a request to have your security clearance raised, allowing us to share sensitive information with you. Something to look forward to... If you make it, of course.''
;Active Agent
Soon enough, with the growth of skill that Berg had shown, Warren made mention of his first mission, as well as his final briefing, as he encroached upon the completion of the Animi Training Program.
*'''Warren:''' ''Your training is almost complete. Allow me a rare moment of emotion, I feel proud of my accomplishment. Soon, you will become an active agent. Others have been sent to gather the intelligence required for your first mission as we speak. Conclude your training and the final briefing will occur upstairs. May the [[Father of Understanding]] guide you.''
;One of Them
Rather slowly, Berg entered the secret chamber located within the corporation after using a fingerprint scanner, making sure to pay attention to all of he saw. Hearing a voice, he sat down as he was asked, before [[Laetitia England]] introduced herself to him.
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Very few people ever see this room. It was first decorated in 1937, when we first founded the company. Laetitia England. Warren has told me so much about you. Quite impressive, reaching such a privileged position. The remnants of the Assassin Order are scattered across the globe. The time has come to end this fight. And you will be on the front lines. It comes down to trust. We must be certain that ours is well placed.''
A gruff sounding voice suddenly stated an order.
*'''Daniel:''' ''Don't move.''
Panicking slightly, Berg attempted to get up, but was held still by Cross' left arm around the throat as he held an injection gun in his free right hand.
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Daniel, I give the orders.''
*'''Daniel:''' ''Fine.''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Thank you. Now, go on.''
Proceeding onward, Daniel implanted a microchip from the injection gun into Berg's left arm.
*'''Daniel:''' ''There.''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''From this day forward we monitor your every move. Welcome to the fold Master Templar.''
;Target Acquired
Newly appointed as a Master Templar, Berg sat observing the figures before him during his briefing, who had an announcement to make regarding the Assassins.
*'''Warren:''' ''You have all been brought here because our intelligence gathering has progressed rapidly in the last week.''
*'''Daniel:''' ''What have they found?''
*'''Warren:''' ''Be patient Daniel. I have an announcement to make. We now know where the [[Assassin leader]], William M., is located.''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Brilliant work. We need to send a retrieval team.''
The two Templars stared straight expectantly at Berg.
*'''Warren:''' ''Well, what are you waiting for? Go get him.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|William Miles' ruminations
|-
|Williams Miles stood in thought looking out an apartment window in a coastal city at night.
*'''William:''' ''It used to be when people talked about the end of the world, we locked them up or laughed them off. Sometimes both. But we never took them seriously. Maybe we should have.''
In his mind's eye, the scene changed to one of a blindfolded Desmond being captured by Abstergo Industries agents.
*'''William:''' ''But I'm getting ahead of myself. Better to start at the beginning, with the abduction of Desmond Miles. My son.''
The scene changed to one of Desmond in the bar [[Bad Weather]] downing a shot from a glass with a frosted Abstergo logo on the bottom.
*'''William:''' ''This... boy had no ambition. No direction. No plans for the future. What he DID have was a heritage. One he chose to deny. It nearly cost him his life.''
The scene changed to Warren Vidic watching Desmond in the Animus 1.28.
*'''William:''' ''He was captured and imprisoned. Those who took him believed he could help them find something.''
The scene changed to one of a power-mad Cesare Borgia wielding the Apple of Eden as it shot out beams of energy.
*'''William:''' ''The Apple. One of several artifacts we call Pieces of Eden. Bits of ancient technology scattered across the globe. Some hidden. Some found. All of them dangerous. Most are held by a single group—the same group that now had Desmond.''
The scene changed to one of a metal Abstergo Industries logo hovering in midair in a dimly lit, dusty room, before it pivoted and turned into a Templar insignia.
*'''William:''' ''You know them as Abstergo Industries, we know them as the Templars—as the enemy. We've been fighting them for thousands of years.''
The cross changed texture, merging with the fabric logo on the tunic of a Templar knight about to be stabbed in the face by a Levantine Assassin's Hidden Blade.
*'''William:''' ''Even longer if you believe the stories of their origins. I do. After all, I've seen the truth.''
The scene changed to one of Ezio Auditore in a Memory Corridor littered with partial models of Roman architecture.
*'''William:''' ''That's the beauty—and the horror—of the Animus. A device that allows us to enter and experience the lives of our ancestors. It holds the power to change everything. To show is history the way it really happened. Up until its creation—to the victor went the spoils—went the truth.''
The scene changed to a group of men in black suits standing in a V-formation in a dark room. Their faces were obscured by shadow as the point man held a [[sword]] with a Templar cross on the pommel by its crossguard, stabbing down at a larger cross on the floor.
*'''William:''' ''We're trying to fix that. To free minds and bodies both. But there's only so much we can do. And the Templars have the upper hand these days.''
The scene changed to show the world engulfed in flame.
*'''William:''' ''But something larger than the Assassins and Templars is approaching. Bigger than all of us. And if we can't find a way to stop it—these next few weeks will probably be our last. EVERYONE's last.''
The scene changed to show Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad standing on a castle parapet.
*'''William:''' ''In the end, it all comes down to him. To Desmond. Through the Animus, he discovered his heritage. Explored the lives of his ancestors and uncovered their secrets.''
Altaïr faded into the background as an image of Ezio Auditore came into focus.
*'''William:''' ''When that was finished, he trained. He used another ancestor to provide decades of experience in the span of a few days. It worked. We think.''
Ezio faded into the background as an image of a hooded Desmond briefly came into focus, before all three Assassins were replaced by red numbers from a digital clock hovering in midair in a dimly lit, dusty room as they read "21:12:12".
*'''William:''' ''Soon, though—soon we'll know. That ominous date fast approaches. December 21, 2012. None of us knows what it'll bring—only that this is where they want us to be when it does.''
Each number changed to a glyph of an {{Wiki|Eye of Horus|Eye}} of [[Horus]], an {{Wiki|Omega}} symbol with a dot in the center, and a [[Japan]]ese ''{{Wiki|torii}}'', respectively, before floating away to reveal Minerva talking to Ezio Auditore in the Vatican Vault.
*'''William:''' ''They've been guiding us, in their own fractured, frustrating way. These voices from The First Civilization, The Ones Who Came Before. A precursor race of immense power and uncertain motives. They're the one who made the Pieces of Eden.''
The scene changed to show a figure standing in the Grand Temple.
*'''William:''' ''This is where they've lead him. And through him, us.''
The scene changed to show Altaïr, an elderly Ezio, and Desmond holding the Apple all standing back-to-back in a triangle
*'''William:''' ''He stands at the entrance to this long-lost place, armed with the knowledge of Altaïr and the abilities of Ezio.''
The images of Altaïr and Ezio dissolved into static as the focus drew in on Desmond and the Apple.
*'''William:''' ''He holds in his hand the Apple of Eden. And we stand at his side, ready to support him however we can. His name is Desmond Miles and he has brought us to the end.''
The Apple emitted a burst of blinding light as William's thoughts drew to a close.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Arrival at the Temple
|-
|Desmond and his team arrived at the Grand Temple. William Miles opened the doors to their van.
*'''William:''' ''We're here.''
The other Assassins gathered up their equipment while Desmond waited at the mouth of the cave.
*'''William:''' ''Let's go.''
Desmond led the Assassins into the cave, stopping at the door, which was covered in modern graffiti and ancient Native American cave paintings. The Apple of Eden began to glow, and Desmond took it out and stuck it in a spherical concave imprint in the door which activated and opened.
*'''Shaun:''' ''"In another moment, down went {{Wiki|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland|Alice}} after it, never once considering how in the world she was to get out again."''
Desmond bent under the door and walked under it, with the rest of his team following. The Assassins continued down a long empty hallway for some time before coming to a sloping drop which led to another door. Again, Desmond used the Apple to open the door.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I think we're... here.''
Beyond the door was a sliding drop. Desmond slid down this and then made his way into the main hall of the Temple. Upon entering it, he saw a [[Power sources|bright glowing cube]] on the ground in front of a power bank. Desmond picked up the cube and inserted it into a matching slot on the bench-shaped structure, which activated the entire Temple, especially the great door at the very back made of solid light. The Assassins made their way towards the door. As they reached it, Desmond heard Juno's voice.
*'''Juno:''' ''...[[Grand Temple Key|the key]]... you must...find...the key.''
Desmond began to experience the Bleeding Effect.
*'''William:''' ''Son?''
Desmond turned to face his father, but saw instead [[Haytham Kenway]]'s coachman, [[Jim Holden]].
*'''Jim:''' ''Sir?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Here we go again.''
Desmond collapsed. Some time later he awoke in the new Animus 3.0.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Desmond?''
*'''William:''' ''Do you hear us?''
Desmond responded in a dazed manner.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah. What happened?''
*'''William:''' ''The Temple triggered a Bleeding Effect. You collapsed and entered into a fugue state.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So naturally, you dropped me in the Animus instead of... I don't know... making sure I was okay?''
William tried to calm his son's anxiety.
*'''William:''' ''You weren't in any danger. Besides, the Temple appeared to be communicating with you, and I didn't want to risk severing the connection. At least not until we knew what it wanted.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Right. Of course.''
*'''William:''' ''Son, I...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No, it's fine. I get it. And I know what I'm looking for, by the way. It's a key. Just don't know where it is, though... Guess that's why she triggered the Bleeding Effect.''
*'''William:''' ''She?!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Juno, dad. She's... talking to me.''
Desmond then began the [[Refresher Course|refresher course]] Rebecca set up for him, before reliving Haytham's attendance of [[John Gay]]'s play ''[[The Beggar's Opera]]'' at [[London]]'s [[Theatre Royal]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[A Deadly Performance]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Early Tensions
|-
|After watching Haytham [[Initiation into the Templar Order|induct]] [[Charles Lee]] into the [[American Rite of the Templar Order|Colonial Templars]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[The Braddock Expedition (memory)]]</ref> Desmond was shocked to learn Haytham's true loyalties.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Wait, what?!''
He exited the Animus and spoke to his team.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You all saw that, right?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wow.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Wow, indeed.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''The key must be the amulet Haytham took from London.''
*'''William:''' ''We might know what it looks like, but we're no closer to finding it. Desmond, you need to keep going.''
At this, Desmond showed his disgust at William's seeming inhumanity.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey, he was your ancestor too. Why don't you hop in the Animus?!''
*'''William:''' ''Really? That's your response. It's like dealing with a six year old. What is wrong with you, Desmond?''
Finally, Desmond let loose his rage and anger at being exploited.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You wanna know what's wrong?! I'm sick of being treated like I'm not even here! Desmond, do this! Desmond, do that! Desmond, you'd better figure things out because the sun is going to turn us all to ash and I know I was really nice to you but actually, I'm just another Templar plot-twist and, yes, I would like very much for you to be controlled by a magic space wizard so that you can murder me! So there's you're answer! I'm sick of being a goddamn pawn! I thought it might be different with you! I mean you're my FATHER but is turns out you're no better than the fucking Templars!''
Angered to his own breaking point, William punched Desmond in the jaw.
*'''William:''' ''Don't you EVER equate me with those bastards again! You hear me?! EVERYTHING I do—EVERYTHING I have DONE—has been for you! Maybe I pushed a little too hard. Asked a little too much. But try to remember exactly what's at stake here. You need to get it together, kid! We're running out of time!''
At this point, Shaun decided to break up the fight for an announcement.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Riiight. That was unusual. Well, I'm just going to pretend that this never happened and get back to bringing everyone up to speed on where we stand. The news isn't good. It appears this Temple is powered by a collection of um... well, I guess they're batteries. You found one on the way in. But there aren't any more. At least... not down here.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Any idea on where we can find replacements?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Not yet. So, I intend to tiptoe into the Abstergo database. Now, if I can cross reference these particular devices with their database, I might get lucky.''
*'''William:''' ''See what you can do.''
Shaun agreed, though he appeared just as disgusted with William's indifference as Desmond.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Obviously. Anyway, Desmond—you can either take a look around here or we can head back into the Animus.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Before Sequence 4
|-
|The argument settled, Desmond spoke to Rebecca.
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you working on?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Lots of different stuff. If you're going into the field, we need a way to keep tabs on you and stay in touch. Hacking into local security systems won't cut it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thanks.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''For what?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know...everything. You've sacrificed a lot for me. You and Shaun both. You upgraded the Animus, helped train me, pulled me out of that coma... You put all that work into the database. Helped me solve Clay's puzzles... I know I haven't been the easiest person to work with... And I'm sorry for that. And I just want you to know that even if I'm shitty at showing it—I appreciate everything you've done.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You really think we'll finally get some answers down here?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Maybe. Talking to the First Civ has always been a pain in the ass though.''
*'''William:''' ''Imagine what it must be like for them.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''William:''' ''They've been separated from us by tens of thousands of years-A completely different language and culture...possessed of an intelligence vastly superior to our own. We're lucky they've communicated as much as they have.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know why they had to make this all so complicated. I mean if they need something from me, they should just come out and say it.''
*'''William:''' ''I've been wondering about that myself. I get the sense Juno and Minerva didn't exactly see eye to eye. I'm studying everything I can get my hands on...But maybe you'll find something down here that can shed light on the mystery. What happened between them-and why?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What do you think is behind that door?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No idea.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Do you think it can save us?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''The First Civ seemed to think so.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What if it's dangerous?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's not like we have a lot of alternatives.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Well, we could...I don't know...warn the President?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And what's he gonna do? And who's to say he's not in bed with Abstergo. Seems everyone is these days...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What if we went to them? To Abstergo, I mean.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Thought about it actually. Showing them what we've seen. Trying to work together... They must know so much more than we do. But...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What is it?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's possible that they know what's going to happen. That they WANT it to happen. For all we know they're hiding out in bunkers right now, waiting for the world to end. And then when its all over—out they come—ready to take control.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''God, I hope you're wrong.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So do I, Rebecca. So do I...''
Desmond then ran over to Shaun who was inspecting the door.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Would you look at that...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What is it?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''If I had to guess, I would say that's a counter. And judging from the iconography, I think it's safe to say when that's emptied...the end begins.''
Shaun noticed Desmond.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hello, Desmond. How's things?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Same old. Another day, another ancestor.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Who'd have thought that you had a Templar in your family tree?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I think he started out as an Assassin. They must have turned him...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Right you are, in fact! I've been reviewing our archives and it appears that Haytham's father was indeed an Assassin. Which means he was likely one too. At least for a little while...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What else did you find?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''That fellow from the opera—[[Reginald Birch]]—Grand Master of the [[British Rite of the Templar Order|London chapter]] of the Templars. He and Haytham's father—a man named [[Edward Kenway|Edward]]—well, they were longtime rivals. Now, it appears Birch got his hands on Haytham at a [[Assassin's Creed: Forsaken|rather young age]]—working his wiles to convince Haytham to switch sides. Wonder how he did it. I'll see if I can't dig up more...''
Shaun then asked Desmond about their situation.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hon—Honest answer please, Desmond: Do you think we're getting out of this alive?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know... I mean—it's a pretty tall order. If the First Civ couldn't save the world—how the hell are we supposed to swing it?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We have some time.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''We have less than two months! They had decades and a lot more resources. And the worst part... is that we knew this was coming for, what, hundreds of years?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''History repeats, it seems. The First Civ was so busy with their war against us—no one even noticed what was happening. We get advanced warning and then fall to fighting with the Templars... Lovely.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hopefully, whatever's behind that door will make a difference.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''And if it doesn't—well, at least we tried.''
Desmond tried to talk to his father with no success.
*'''William:''' ''Yes?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Just thought I'd...you know...say hi.''
*'''William:''' ''You have more important things to do right now.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Jesus, Dad.''
*'''William:''' ''What? What do you want me to say?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know. "Hi, son. How are you? What have you been up to?"''
*'''William:''' ''I know what you've been up to. Nothing. You wasted away in some shitty apartment with a pointless job, while the rest of us were out there fighting to make a difference.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You are such an asshole. Oh, you thinking about hitting me again? Because this time, I will hit back.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|First Power Source
|-
|Desmond got out of the Animus, having experienced [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]]'s early memories.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Welcome back, Desmond! You'll be happy to hear there's actually good news for once.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I've managed to locate a power source. And it's relatively close by. Up for a trip to Manhattan?''
Rebecca voiced concern.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Is it safe to leave? Abstergo's got to be looking for us.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Obviously, it's not safe. We can't just sit around here hoping to get lucky, though, can we? We need that power source. Besides, I'm sure you can cook up some way to hide our movements.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Maybe. The Templars have access to all kinds of satellites and camera systems. We'll need to find a way to mask our digital signature. I can probably camouflage the van, too. But there's not much I can do for US.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's an easy one.''
Desmond pulled up his hood and set out to acquire the first power source. After [[Modern Tower|recovering]] it,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Modern Tower]]</ref> the Assassins left New York immediately and made a two day detour through [[Boston]]. Upon returning to the Grand Temple, Desmond demanded to know about Daniel Cross.
*'''Desmond:''' ''So who the hell is Daniel Cross?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Believe it or not, he used to be an Assassin. THE Assassin, the way I've heard it told. But it turned out that he was a sleeper agent for Abstergo, trained to [[Great Purge|infiltrate and bring down]] the organization.''
*'''William:''' ''How did he know you were there? We could be compromised...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''They must have caught me snooping inside their network and sent Cross to see what we were after. If they were aware of our current location, we'd know. Though I will say this—it doesn't bode well for future expeditions.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I've set up some cameras topside. If anyone shows up we'll see it.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'd suggest you go see about finding a socket for that power source. Or we can return to Connor if you prefer. All the artifacts in the world won't mean a thing without the key.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Juno encounters 1 & 2
|-
|Desmond explored the Temple while looking for a socket for the battery he had just acquired. He first came to a holoprojector when Juno appeared to him and began explaining how the First Civilization had tried to save the world from the First Disaster.
*'''Juno:''' ''In the beginning, when we thought we could be saved, we sought to face the sun's wrath and contain it. Four [[towers]] would be built—to pull her fury into this place and dispel it. But even with all we knew... with all we had... It would take too long. A thousand years we could labor and still the work would not be done... The first tower was never completed, the project abandoned... We moved on. But while we labored on other endeavors, a few returned. They thought to automate the process... Metal might finish what flesh could not...''
After traversing the broken architecture up to another level, Desmond was in sight of the power socket when Juno spoke to him again.
*'''Juno:''' ''If we could not meet the sun's cruel embrace... Perhaps we might rebuke it. Already we could generate the fields—to protect us in times of strife... But these were small and simple things. To replicate them on a scale the size of a world... We lacked the energy to make it so. Half the world, they said, then. It is better than none at all. We tried. Again, we failed. A quarter, they asked. Even this, we could not do... A sixth! An eighth! A tenth, they cried! The answer was still the same. Perhaps in time, a city might be spared... But it was time we did not have... So we moved on.''
Desmond plugged the power source into the socket.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wonder what's inside...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''There's only one way to find out.''
Another part of the cave is illuminated and a door to another section is unlocked and opened.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Before Sequence 6
|-
|Desmond returned down below and talked to Rebecca.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I know everyone thinks I'm being silly, but I can't shake the feeling we're being watched.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''We are being watched. By Juno. Or some version of her.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Do you think it's a recording? Or is she a ghost? Or... something else? Is she talking to us the way Minerva talked to Ezio?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No clue. I mean, who knows what else they were working on down here. There are still so many rooms we don't have access to...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''But... do you think she's like literally down here? Waiting somewhere? Still alive?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Still alive, that's mental! That would mean she'd be at least—75? 80 thousand years old? They were powerful, yeah—but not that powerful.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''They came down here looking for a way to survive... Maybe they found one?''
Rebecca then nervously asked Desmond about his encounter with Daniel Cross.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Was it weird seeing Cross?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It's different for you. You don't know what happened, I guess. For a long time he was... important to us. He was a different person.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Shaun said he was a sleeper agent. Like Lucy.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It was different. She made a choice. But Cross... if you read the files... Abstergo just... they did terrible things to him.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Rebecca?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You're lucky. We all are. We have people who care about us. Who look out for us. He was all alone—and the people he thought he could trust, they used him.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Did you know him?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''No... But... I knew [[Hannah Mueller|Hannah]].''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Who's that?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''She tried to help him. She trusted him. But there was a raid about a year ago... She stayed behind so the others could escape. Tried to reason with him. To see if she could fix things...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What happened?''
Rebecca's voice broke as she related what happened next.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What do you think happened? He killed her. That's what he does. That's all he knows how to do. Sometimes, it seems that's all any of us know how to do...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Rebecca...''
Desmond then spoke to his father next. William first tried to apologize for the earlier punch, then to make peace for Desmond's rough childhood.
*'''William:''' ''Son? I... I owe you an apology. I shouldn't have lashed out like that. You have to understand I've never been very good at this. Nevermind that we live rather... extraordinary lives.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah... I kinda liked my ordinary one.''
*'''William:''' ''You can't escape who you are, Desmond.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So I've noticed.''
*'''William:''' ''Look... it's silly for us to go back and forth like this. I admit, I did a shitty job raising you. I apologize, I'm sorry. But it's important you understand it didn't come from a bad place. You're my son. I love you. I guess I was so busy trying to make sure nothing bad happened, I didn't... consider the consequences. Truce?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I can't believe it's taken me so long to ask, but—how's [[Desmond Miles' mother|Mom]]? She's not...''
*'''William:''' ''No, no. Your mother's fine. We decided it would be better if we split up for this job.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Always assuming the worst.''
*'''William:''' ''Hmm. For good reason.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Can I at least say hi to her?''
*'''William:''' ''I'm sorry... it's too risky. Maybe when we're done...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Right. When we're done.''
Desmond then asked his father if the Assassins and Templars had ever worked together.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Have... Have we ever tried to make peace with the Templars?''
*'''William:''' ''Throughout our history, there have been moments... Several, in fact. But... It's impossible. There are... existential differences. Insurmountable. If there were to be unity, it wouldn't be a truce so much as a submission.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But knowing what's about to happen... Wouldn't it make sense to try and talk to Vidic? Come to an arrangement? Even if it's only temporary?''
*'''William:''' ''We'd all be so busy watching our backs, nothing would be accomplished. Imagine that, we're more productive at war...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Well, have we tried... sending in someone? Doing to them what they did to us with Lucy? Or Cross?''
*'''William:''' ''We have. And it's never worked. We either sent in people who were either too weak, and found themselves turned—or too strong, and were unable to carry out the charade.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I just feel like we all want the same thing.''
*'''William:''' ''We use the same words, but that's all they are... words. In the end, it all comes down to freedom. We seek it. They detest it. And so there's never an end to the fight. Not until one side is completely gone.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Is that even possible?''
*'''William:''' ''Probably not. Our two groups have existed in one form or [[Order of the Ancients|another]] since... well... forever. But things can be better than they are. And that's something.''
Desmond then asked William about whether he had ever looked for him.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Did you look for me, Dad? When I was gone.''
*'''William:''' ''Every day.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Come on...''
*'''William:''' ''I mean it. Every night I'd look. Searching for your name—or variations of it—hoping you'd slip up. Abstergo only found you first because they had better access. A few more days and it would have been me.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Well, I'm here now.''
*'''William:''' ''And I'm glad.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Do you think Lucy regretted what she was doing?''
*'''William:''' ''I used to think I knew her well, but clearly, that wasn't the case. So I can't give you an honest answer.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''She seemed so sincere, though. Like she really wanted to make a difference.''
*'''William:''' ''Yes, well, when I first met him, I thought the same thing about Cross.''
Desmond lamented the fact the frequency of Assassin defections.
*'''Desmond:''' ''It just keeps happening over and over again.''
*'''William:''' ''What does?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Everything...''
*'''William:''' ''Don't get weird on me, Desmond.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No. It's fine. I'm fine. Don't worry.''
*'''William:''' ''Alright, then. You should think about getting back in the Animus. We've got to find that key.''
Desmond then made his way over to Shaun, who wanted to use the Animus to go back to the beginning.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, Desmond, there you are! Can I ask a favor?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Maybe...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''When this is all over, I'd like to try turning the dial back on the Animus. Like, ALL the way back. To the time of the First Civilization.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You think it would work?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''There was no real loss of fidelity when you visited Altaïr. Then again, that was about a thousand years ago, and I'm looking at going back at least seventy thousand more.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Sure, I'd be up for it. Would be interesting to see what things were like back then.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Excellent! I think it would prove most enlightening.''
Shaun then launched into seeing the [[American Revolutionary War]] from a British perspective.
*'''Shaun:''' ''So this is how it started...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you up to?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Just brushing up on my American history, I... I say history. They certainly teach you strange things in the states.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Like what?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well—for all the talk of this being a "revolutionary" war, it was more of a civil one. Well, not THAT kind of civil. I mean there was no America versus Britain. It was Brit on Brit action. And you can clearly see how the whole thing got started: one war gave birth to the other.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You mean the [[Seven Years' War]]?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Exactly. Seems the [[British Empire|Crown]] overspent in its attempt to keep the French out. Wound up with a great deal of debt. Believing that the colonists should help to shoulder the burden, new taxes were created. It was a reasonable request—even if [[Palace of Westminster|Parliament]] was rather, well, undiplomatic about it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's not really fair to tax people for a war they didn't want any part of...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What?! Didn't want any part of?! Did you not notice [[George Washington]] with [[Edward Braddock]]? He was right in the middle of it! So here you have the Crown spending who knows how much money to secure a place for the colonists to thrive—and then when they ask for a little bit of help... Right, look, think of it this way. King [[George III of the United Kingdom|George]] and the colonists, they all go out to dinner, right. And when the bill comes, George asks them to kick in and pay their share. Fair enough! But keep in mind, {{Wiki|House of Hanover|his family}}'s been taking them out to dinner, gratis, for DECADES now. But the colonists, oh no, they insist they only had a glass of water and a side salad. Nevermind the table is FULL of half-eaten food and empty bottles of wine. And then when the King points this out, what do the colonists do? Oh! They flip the table over and storm out of the restaurant—probably intending to return later and burn it down.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You left out the part where the King pointed a GUN at the colonists and forced them to cover dinner for EVERYONE at the restaurant.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Riiight. Right, yeah. Interesting take. IF he pulled out a gun—and I'm not sure he did—it would only have been after the hundredth failed attempt at getting them to pay their fair share.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But how do you define someone's fair share?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''With a war, apparently.''
Shaun then wondered how many other First Civilization vaults there were still to find.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I wonder how many other places like this exist...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''There are dozens of them. All over the world.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''And somehow no one's ever found one before us?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't think that's true.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''When I was at Abstergo, Vidic talked about silencing discoveries made by non-Templars. And I'm sure Abstergo has dug up plenty.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''The things they must know...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Regretting throwing in with us?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hah. No. Just looking forward to when we can finally trounce those bastards so I can dive into their archives.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Ring of Eden
|-
|Desmond relived Connor's memory of his trip to [[Oak Island]], where he recovered Captain [[William Kidd]]'s buried [[Ring of Eden]]. Shaun's voice came in through the Animus.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Oak Island (memory)]]</ref>
*'''Shaun:''' ''That's a curious little piece isn't it? Well, I've worked my incredible and bottomless magic and that little thing is in fact of First Civilization origin. It seems they used them as personal shields. It gives off a rather powerful electromagnetic field—explains its aversion to metal. Also explains why Kidd's legend tells of him being invincible. Having that trinket in your pocket would easily bend a musket ball's trajectory. Nifty little thing, really. Anyway, just thought you'd want to know, please do carry on!''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Second Power Source
|-
|Desmond left the Animus after exploring more of Connor's memories.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Everything alright?''
*'''William:''' ''Shaun has located a second power source. I've asked Rebecca to charter a flight for us.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Where to?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Brazil.''
Desmond and the team traveled to [[São Paulo]], Brazil and [[The Stadium: MMA Night|recovered]] the second power source.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[The Stadium: MMA Night]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Juno encounters 3 & 4
|-
|Just before Desmond reached a set of broken stars, Juno appeared to him.
*'''Juno:''' ''What is a fact? Is it fixed? Immutable? Certain in its existence and only awaiting discovery? Or might it be changed? Here we learned the answer—and thought that it might save us. They were used to command. To control. To own. But we soon discovered another use. When enough sat in thrall and were told to believe, their thoughts took on form. What was imagined became real. If a hundred minds could wish away a wall or create a tree, what might a thousand do? Ten thousand? More? Might we change the consensus and will the threat away? We resolved to send one into the sky where it illuminate us all. Once placed, a sentence would be uttered: Make us safe. In this way, we would change the consensus. We would save the world. But it never came to be. We sent a dozen of them skyward—but there was no way to maintain control. To direct the beam. To enthrall the world. To speak the words. Though this was strange and dangerous—what we tried next was worse...''
Desmond climbed up the broken flights of spiraling stairs. Near the top, Juno spoke to him again.
*'''Juno:''' ''Our first instance was to travel back. To change the past. But we could not find a way. But forward... We could look forward... And so here we sought to see beyond ourselves—and know what was to come. First we watched to learn if our work would succeed. But the answer was always the same. So we moved on to other things, but she remained. The one you call Minerva. In time she too stopped looking—and instead began to speak. She called out across time in the hopes that you might be saved. She hid messages where none might find them, save for you and those within this place...''
*'''William:''' ''Fascinating...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm tired of it. The cryptic warnings. The threats. Just tell us what you want!''
*'''William:''' ''But they are... "[[wikisource:Bible (King James)/Numbers|We saw the Nephilim there]]. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." Imagine trying to explain all this to a two-year-old. To a grasshopper. When they said the will of the gods was unknowable, they meant it—literally.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I killed her, you know. I killed Lucy.''
*'''William:''' ''It was the Apple, son. It was Juno.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I saw what she was. What would happen if I let her live. I could have stopped myself. I mean... there was a force there. But I didn't have to. I chose to.''
*'''William:''' ''Desmond...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Lucy was going to betray us and take the Apple back to Abstergo. I saw the satellite launch. I saw them turn it on. And then... it failed... Whatever's on the other side of that door—it benefits Juno. We need to be careful.''
He eventually found the power socket and plugged the next source into it.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I wonder what stories the temple will tell me today...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Before Sequence 9
|-
|Desmond and the team returned with the second power source.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We can get back to Connor whenever you're ready, Desmond... Unless you want to plug in the power source first? Up to you.''
Desmond and the team discussed their findings on the Grand Temple.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'm telling you, there's something down there...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Don't be daft.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I don't know... Maybe they were sleeping or something and we woke them. Some kind of... cryogenics. Or hibernation. I mean, how do we know what the hell they were doing down here?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''They were working on a bunch of different solutions. But nothing worked. Just went from one to the next. And then I don't know. They must have left at some point. After the end...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I wonder what the world would be like if they'd succeeded...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm more concerned about what it'll be like if we don't.''
*'''Juno:''' ''...salvation...they found a way...too late for them...but not for you...sealed...to protect it...though now it bars your way...find the key...the past will tell...''
Desmond talked to Rebecca about his exploration through the Grand Temple.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''So what's the latest? Learn anything interesting while you were exploring?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''They were working on some weird stuff towards the end. Trying to engineer new bodies and store their minds inside computers.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Failure after failure. It must have been hard for them...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I worry about it too. I mean—they say there's something in here that'll help us. But what is it? Why is it locked up if it's exactly what we need?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I don't know... Maybe it's dangerous. Maybe they wanted to make sure only you could reach it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's the other question... what makes me so special?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I guess we'll know once we open the door.''
Rebecca asked Desmond about Lucy's death.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey. I hope it's not uncomfortable for me to ask but... what happened with Lucy?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I don't know...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''No—it's fine. I really don't know. I was talking to my dad about it. It's hard to say. I mean—Juno definitely took control. But I think I agreed to it on some level. I think I let her in. No. That's not right... It wasn't her, not exactly. It was more like... a program. Does that sound weird? It showed me things.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What did you see?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That if I didn't stop Lucy, Abstergo would get the Apple and we'd all be dead.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I still don't understand why she turned on us...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I'm sure she thought she was doing the right thing.''
Shaun expressed his frustration at American politicians.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Unbelievable...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What's up?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Your politicians are constantly referencing the [[Founding Fathers|founding fathers]]—and insisting they must have been in support of one thing or another. I have never seen such a blatant disregard for history.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's just typical political propaganda.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It's also dishonest and delusional. How could anyone claim to know what these people wanted based off scraps of paper and wishful thinking?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''They're looking for intent—what these men envisioned for our country and its future.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Idealistic... and unlikely. I don't think most of your presidents and senators and judges care what the founders thought. They just want to know how they can bend old words to achieve modern goals. Who cares if they were deists or theists or [[Alexander Hamilton|wanted a central bank]]. Why do people need the validation? What should matter is what you—as an individual, believe. And why you believe it. What? Are we so insecure that we have to find 18th century letters to validate our beliefs? Oh, look mom! A dead man agreed with me. Maybe. If you transpose the letters in his shopping list you can plainly see he was on my side.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Jesus, Shaun. That's a cynical way to look at it...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Doesn't make it less true. I keep trying to understand how men like Washington and [[Thomas Jefferson|Jefferson]] could dedicate their lives to the pursuit of liberty and equality, yet have no problem owning slaves. It's hypocritical in the extreme. And your history books make only passing mention of the subject. As if... as if it were of little consequence.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''They had a war to win. A country's future to secure. How could they deal with all these issues at the same time?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Spoken like a true apologist. We hear it today too. That matters of civil rights and equality must wait. There are conflicts to settle. Economies to salvage. What do any of these things matter if the people are not free and equal. ALL of them.''
Shaun decided to change the subject and ruminate on discoveries in the Animus.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I wish there was a way for us to share what we learned from the Animus with others. Imagine being able to accurately answer questions about the past—or experience lost civilizations?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''But how would you cite it? We can't just reveal the machine's existence to the world.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Why not?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Desmond's right. It would be dangerous. And we still haven't found a way to manage the Bleeding Effect.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Maybe when we're done saving the world, we can look into it.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Even if we do manage to stave off the apocalypse, it's not like the Templars are simply going to disappear. I suspect our fight will continue long after this latest battle is finished...''
Before Desmond went back into the Animus, Shaun discovered a third power source which William volunteered to retrieve on his own.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Look at that! I've found a third power source!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Already?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It popped up in an earlier search, but I've only just managed to confirm it.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Where?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''There's a [[Egyptian Museum|museum]] in [[Cairo]] with one on display.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I guess Connor will have to wait.''
*'''William:''' ''No. You stay. We need to find that key—and time is running out. I'll make the trip.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What about Cross?''
*'''William:''' ''Everything's going to be fine. I'll be back soon.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ready when you are, Desmond.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Third Power Source
|-
|Rebecca woke Desmond up from the Animus session to tell him urgent news.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Something's happened, Desmond... Abstergo has your dad.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Where?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Italy. Same place they were holding you.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What are you two waiting for? Let's go.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''There's more.''
Rebecca played back a video of Warren Vidic holding William hostage.
*'''Warren:''' ''Hello again, Mister Miles. I hope this message finds you well—or as well as it can, all things considered... It appears we now each have something the other desires. I propose a trade. Bring me the Apple and I'll return your father to you no worse for the wear. Should you refuse, he will still be returned, albeit much worse for the wear. I assume you'd like to avoid an unpleasant outcome.''
Desmond narrated the decision to go to Italy and rescue his father.
*'''Desmond:''' ''I always knew it would come to this—just not so soon. I wonder if Abstergo even knows what's about to happen... And has this been a part of their plan all along? Maybe they want the world to end. To see it all burned away. Then they'd have their new world—ripe for the reshaping... We talked about looking for another power source. Leaving him there. That's probably what he'd want. For us to finish the mission. But I can't. It's hard enough taking a life—but letting one be taken... Knowing there was something I could do about it. Not a chance. Might be I'm risking my life—risking all our lives to save an asshole. But what else am I supposed to do? That asshole is my dad.''
Desmond managed to [[Return to Abstergo|infiltrate]] Abstergo, kill both Daniel and Warren, and rescue his father.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Return to Abstergo]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Juno encounters 5 & 6
|-
|Desmond came to a set of First Civilization bedchambers when Juno appeared to him.
*'''Juno:''' ''A new world approached. One that was dark and cold. It would consume us. For we were flesh and flesh is frail. Though suits and shields might offer comfort—such adornments would not suffice... Not to save us all... So we sought to change what we were. In this manner we might thrive in a world made poisonous... It was [[Aita]] who volunteered to see if it might be done. Aita, my husband, my love. In the end it changed him... Ruined him... He was made a prisoner of the machines. The body might survive—but his mind became brittle to the touch... He begged me for release. For days—for weeks—for months. I pleaded with him to give us more time to find another way. But there wasn't one. Not for him. Not for us...''
Desmond climbed the room's central pedestals and navigated his way up to a small ledge with pillars. There, Juno spoke to him again.
*'''Juno:''' ''What is consciousness but a series of electrical impulses... And the body a vessel to hold these sparks. But it is weak. In time, it decays and crumbles into dust... We asked ourselves, then: what if it might be replaced—with something stronger. Something better. So we forged a new vessel. One that might endure. It proved easy enough to enter... But to leave... To leave required something more... Something wrong... And so this too they abandoned. I wondered, though... were they right to turn away...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Before Sequence 11
|-
|Desmond and the team returned from Italy.
*'''William:''' ''I'd get that power source hooked up before heading back into the Animus—but it's your call.''
Shaun expressed his regret at not asking Desmond to hack into the Abstergo servers.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I regret not asking you to hack into the Abstergo servers while you were there. A couple of well-placed relays and we'd be swimming in information.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''We have everything we need.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah, except the key!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''We're close.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''How do you know?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I just... do.''
Shaun talked about his discovery of [[manna]].
*'''Shaun:''' ''I've been poking around a bit. Did you know that there are machines down here that make... well, manna.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Wizard manna or Biblical manna?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''What do you think? Biblical of course. The [[Greece|Greeks]] called it {{Wiki|ambrosia}}. The [[India]]ns, {{Wiki|amrita}} or {{Wiki|Soma (drink)|soma}}. Most cultures around the world refer to a divine food, though I'd say it's taste is anything but.''
*'''William:''' ''You ate something that came out of a seventy five thousand year old machine?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''And I lived to tell the tale!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''So... what did it taste like?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Cardboard. The taste of cardboard. Hardly the stuff of legends... Though I wonder if the First Civilization didn't taste differently than we do.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Maybe the flavorizer broke.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Flavorizer? You've certainly got a way with words, Rebecca.''
Shaun mentioned news from the outside to Desmond.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Things are getting worse outside.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Every day for the past two weeks the sun has been throwing off larger and larger flares. Older satellites are starting to malfunction, I hear rumblings of recalling the crew on the international space station. There's already work being done as well to shield power stations and transformers on the ground. Not that any of it matters. This goes far beyond some brownouts... We all saw what's ACTUALLY coming.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Do you know how it works?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Look, I'm no physicist, but it's, it's something to do with the Earth's magnetic field. The flares and mass ejections disturb it, which appears to trigger seismic events. I've tried reaching out to people who might know better, but they all insist it's bunk. And I don't blame them. It sounds ridiculous...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I wish it was.''
Desmond and the team discussed George Washington's connection to a Piece of Eden.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey, Desmond. Didn't Subject Sixteen's—''
*'''Desmond:''' ''His name was Clay.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sorry. Didn't Clay say Washington was a Templar?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No. He indicated that Washington came into [[Lucid Memory Fragments|contact]] with an [[Apple of Eden 3|Apple of Eden]]. But beyond that, it's all speculation. Furthermore, judging from the portrait referenced by Clay, the event occurred much later in Washington's life. Perhaps Connor wasn't even involved. It's very hard to know for sure. We'll just have to wait and see what—[[The Tyranny of King Washington|if anything]]—happens.''
Rebecca asked Desmond about returning to Abstergo's facility in Rome.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''So, what was it like being back at Abstergo?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I didn't expect to get out of there alive. It's a good thing that Cross broke down the way he did. If he wasn't losing his mind, I'd probably be dead.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I guess he never really recovered...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''When he first came to us, he was exhibiting symptoms of the Bleeding Effect. It was real bad. He'd just go in and out at a moment's notice—no Animus required. Got a little violent too, sometimes. It took a while and a bunch of therapy, but we thought we had it under control. Once he went back over to Abstergo, though... who knows what they did to him.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''I still worry about that happening to me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''He was RAISED in an Animus, Desmond. There's overexposure and then, there's... Daniel. Poor guy. That could never happen to you. We won't let it.''
The team started discussing vacation ideas.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''When this is all over, we should take a trip somewhere. Celebratory vacation!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah, that sounds nice.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Listen to you. Italy, Brazil, and the United States—all in the span of a few weeks—and you're complaining about not getting out enough?''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Seriously, Shaun?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No, not seriously. Are you mad? Trust me—no one wants time off more than I do, right. Do you have ANY IDEA how hard it is to crank those database entries out as fast as I do?''
Desmond went to see his father.
*'''William:''' ''Hello.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey. You think killing Vidic set Abstergo back?''
*'''William:''' ''I doubt it. Sure, he pioneered the Animus, but they've had the technology for decades now. Plenty of other people can take his place.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''And Cross?''
*'''William:''' ''He was a loose cannon—I doubt anyone's mourning his death. I think these days he was more a symbol than an asset.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hmmm...''
*'''William:''' ''Sorry. I don't mean to dismiss what you did. But it's going to take a lot more than a couple of deaths to stop the Templars.''
Desmond and William talked about the latter's capture by Abstergo.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Did Vidic put you in an Animus when you were at Abstergo? They'd be able to search your memories and track you back here.''
*'''William:''' ''Oh they definitely tried. But I made things difficult for them. You can resist, you can cloud up the transmission or just refuse to move. Eventually they would have gotten what they needed but still it would have taken them weeks.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Vidic threatened to put me in a coma once.''
*'''William:''' ''It would have made you more pliable. But if the user isn't engaged, it's a mess. I know they've been working on ways to extract memories and let others sift through those memories. Maybe they're even analyzing mine right now. Maybe they'll find us, I don't know... What I do know is that we've got to get through that door.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Yeah... I should probably get back into the Animus.''
As Desmond was about to enter the Animus, he asked his father if he could come home, to which his father showed enthusiasm.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Hey...so, uh, when this is over... And assuming it all works out... I was hoping I could... you know... come home.''
*'''William:''' ''I'd like nothing more.''
William provided words of encouragement to Desmond before starting the last Animus session.
*'''William:''' ''Home stretch, Desmond. I can feel it.''
Desmond resumed Ratonhnhaké:ton's memories as he prepared for the [[Battle of the Chesapeake]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Battle of the Chesapeake (memory)]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Absconded Amulet
|-
|Desmond's team reacted in shock after watching Ratonhnhaké:ton kill Haytham during the [[Attack on Fort George|attack]] on [[Fort George]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Lee's Last Stand]]</ref>
*'''William:''' ''We've got a problem. Haytham doesn't have the amulet anymore.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''But the Temple's still sending data. There must be more to the story.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Only one way to find out.''
They waited as Desmond skipped ahead in Ratonhnhaké:ton's memories to Haytham's funeral a few months later.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Laid to Rest]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|End of a Hero
|-
|After learning that Ratonhnhaké:ton had buried the Grand Temple Key in the grave of his namesake [[Connor Davenport]] on the [[Davenport Homestead]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[Chasing Lee]]</ref> Desmond, William, Shaun, and Rebecca recovered the artifact and returned to the Grand Temple to attempt opening the far gate.
*'''Desmond:''' ''Moment of truth.''
Desmond placed the amulet in the circular key pad, which let out a bright flare as the solid light barrier faded away. The team proceeded to make their way towards the ending of the path, leading to a [[Global aurora borealis device|spherical device]].
*'''Juno:''' ''Yes... Come... Here... at last. You know our story now. Of how we tried. Of how we failed. All our hopes extinguished. Save one. Your touch, a spark. A spark to save the world.''
Suddenly, Minerva arrived and interrupted Juno.
*'''Minerva:''' ''Wait! Do not touch the pedestal!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Minerva...?''
*'''Juno:''' ''You... But how? You left! You destroyed the device!''
*'''Minerva:''' ''Did you think there was only one?''
*'''William:''' ''What the hell is going on here?''
*'''Minerva:''' ''You must not free her!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Free her?''
Minerva saw that Desmond did not understand, and began to explain, pacing in circles around the group as she did so.
*'''Minerva:''' ''Juno dwells within these walls, awaiting release. I will explain. While we worked to save the world, she sought, instead, to conquer it. She used our machines to set her plans in motion. Divination through numbers. There is a pattern to existence. To comprehend the calculations is to tame time. This was my focus. And so I built the [[Eye]] to aid us. But she turned it towards her own ends. When we discovered her treachery, we put a stop to it. And then we left. But first we called to you... That you might try again. We thought it would be safe with her gone. Now I see we were deceived. She survived. She endured. And then she began to work... For centuries Tinia and I walked the world, hoping to rekindle the spark of civilization. We shared what we knew as best we could. We were not the only ones. But for all the power we wrought, still death would claim us. But before it did, I would have one last look to know if we had succeeded.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''That's how you're here now?''
*'''Minerva:''' ''I had hoped you might find this place—and finish our work. But it is too late. You and the Templars have squabbled over our refuse. You have wasted centuries. And so you have lost your chance. You cannot hope to stop the end now, Desmond. Only to survive it.''
*'''Juno:''' ''She's lying! Only touch of the pedestal and the world WILL be saved.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''Better the world burn than she be loosed upon it.''
*'''Juno:''' ''Is that so? Show him, then.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''But he will not understand.''
Minerva stepped toward Desmond and spread her hands.
*'''Minerva:''' ''It is complicated... It is...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Show me.''
Desmond was shown a vision of what would happen to the world if he refused to use the device, starting with the solar flare hitting Earth and inducing the aurora borealis.
*'''Juno:''' ''If you heed Minerva the sun will have its way.''
The scene changed to ground level, with civilians calling their cell phones in a panic as they saw the sky light up unnaturally and sirens sounded.
*'''Juno:''' ''The ground will crack and spit fire into the sky.''
The scene changed to show a ring of active volcanoes had suddenly been pushed up in and around a metropolis due to the tectonic shifts and were spewing thick black smoke into a green sky.
*'''Juno:''' ''All the world will burn.''
The scene changed, showing Desmond, William, Shaun, and Rebecca emerging from the Grand Temple's cave to a new dawn after surviving the apocalypse.
*'''Juno:''' ''But this does not end the world, merely heralds its arrival. Darkness follows. Then you emerge... Resolving to lay a foundation that such a tragedy does not befall the world again.''
The vision focused on Desmond as he aged into an elderly man leading a handful of survivors as they rebuilt their livelihoods using simple technologies.
*'''Juno:''' ''You will become a symbol to those who survive. Hope. Knowledge. Determination. You will inspire them to rebuild. To thrive once more. And as the world heals, so too will humanity...''
The scene changed to a group of mourners gathered around a table on which lay Desmond's body surrounded by lit candles and sprinkled over with rose petals.
*'''Juno:''' ''But you are just a man. Frail and mortal. You pass from the world, leaving behind only a memory. A... legacy.''
Desmond's body and the funeral attendees faded away, replaced by wooden blocks that spelled out "Heed These Words And You Will Be Saved".
*'''Juno:''' ''You will be remembered first as a hero. Later as a legend. And in time... As a god.''
As Juno finished speaking, the blocks rotated to represent the passing of time, and the phrase was corrupted to a more sinister "Heed These Words Or Perish As A Heretic". The words then changed texture to become embossed font on a book cover, and the scene shifted to show a priest holding the book aloft to a crowd as they stood on a stage with three lit braziers and guarded by [[spear]]men.
*'''Juno:''' ''It is the cruelest fate. To have written words that meant well—and see them made wicked and unwise. What was meant to encourage life—used instead to justify taking it! And so now you see... That what was shall be again. So tell me: How is this better?''
The vision ended, and Desmond, Juno, and Minerva continued their conversation.
*'''Juno:''' ''She would sacrifice you—sacrifice the WORLD—for no other reason than to deny me vindication.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''They will enslave your kind, Desmond. Is this not why you fight? Is this not why you came here? To ensure more than just your race's future, but its freedom?''
*'''Juno:''' ''What future? What freedom? Billions dead and the whole cycle begun anew? This world has known nothing but heartache and horror since we left it.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''Our gift to them. And you'd see it all returned.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''ENOUGH!''
*'''Minerva:''' ''You must not do this.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''Whatever Juno's planning—however terrible it might seem today—we'll find a way to [[Resurrection Day|stop it]]. But the alternative, what you want... There's no hope there.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''If you free her—you'll be destroyed.''
*'''Juno:''' ''It will happen in an instant. There will be no pain.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''You mustn't!''
*'''Desmond:''' ''It's done, Minerva. The decision's made.''
*'''Minerva:''' ''Then the consequences of this mistake are yours to live—and die—with.''
Juno and Minerva stepped back, and Desmond turned to his group.
*'''Desmond:''' ''You need to go. All of you. Now. Get as far away from here as you can.''
William reached out and put his hand on Desmond's shoulder.
*'''William:''' ''Come with us. We'll find another way.''
*'''Desmond:''' ''There isn't time!''
*'''William:''' ''Son...''
*'''Desmond:''' ''You know it's true. It's already started. I need to do this now. So go! GO!''
Desmond touched the sphere with his hand, unleashing a torrent of searing energy which blasted upwards through his body and eventually killed him. The device activated a planetary shield, saving the world, at the cost of his life.
*'''News reporter:''' ''...it's some sort of global aurora borealis... ...never seen anything like this before... ...eyewitnesses describe electrical storms and erratic displays of unusual weather... residents are being asked to remain INSIDE and wait for... ...geological surveys are now reporting seismic activity throughout the {{Wiki|Ring of Fire|ring of fire}}... northeastern [[Canada]] is said to be experiencing the largest... on record... ...satellites and transformers are failing as the flare increases in intensity... Worldwide reports of blackouts and... ...seems to be receding... Residual seismic activity and volcanic activity is being reported, but nothing approaching earlier levels... Obviously it will be a while before experts are able to assess the full extent of the damage caused by today's event. But it appears the worst is behind us... We'll be sure to bring you more as this story develops...''
Back in the Grand Temple, a freed Juno appeared and touched the aurora borealis device.
*'''Juno:''' ''It is done. The world is saved.''
She looked down at Desmond's corpse.
*'''Juno:''' ''You played your part well, Desmond. But now... Now it's time that I played mine.''
With that, Juno stepped over Desmond's body and exited the Temple for the first time in millennia.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#4682b4; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Cloud
|-
|An Abstergo employee began explaining to a colleague on how to synchronize Desmond's data to the [[Abstergo Cloud|cloud]].
*'''Abstergo employee:''' ''Alright! We're up and running. This code is hacked to all hell—nicely hacked but hacked. The worm found three pivots before failing, so we've got those. You need to locate the remaining pivots on your own from inside. The three we've got will triangulate the rest. It's a sweet bit of hacking on my part if I dare say—each pivot detects the others in proximity. The should be twelve total. Every one you find is supposed to produce a hex cipher and that's what we're after. Once you find them all, we'll sequence the code, package the data and Bob's your uncle. Now, don't putz around too much in revolutionary America—I know it's tempting. So I've planted two of our pivots, not easy from my end, believe you me, but there they are. You can see those two activating a buried one... kinda. If you drop the third one we have, the buried pivot's precise location should resolve. Then go gather the hex cipher, rinse, and repeat. If you get a chance I'd love to see Franklin's Glass Harmonica in person... just a side note. Have fun!''
After finding all pivots, Desmond's data was uploaded to the cloud.
*'''Abstergo employee:''' ''Holy crap. We did it. It's done. His data's uploading to the cloud! HAHAHAHAHAHA! [[Las Vegas|Vegas]] baby! Vegas!''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Welcome to Abstergo Entertainment
|-
|After an [[Abstergo Entertainment]] [[Noob|research analyst]] relived [[Edward Kenway]]'s memory in which he survived the ''[[Jacobite]]''{{'}}s destruction and killed [[Duncan Walpole]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Edward Kenway (memory)]]</ref> they were taken out of the simulation by [[Melanie Lemay]].
*'''Melanie:''' ''Fantastic work! Very promising. All right... easy now. There you go. Welcome back. Well, your numbers look good... Now, let's make sure we didn't break your brain, all right? I need you to move your head and look at these lights. Just here. Look up. That's it. Down. So far so good. Let's get you up. So, welcome to the Sample 17 Project. Before you get started, you're gonna need this...''
Melanie inserted an {{Wiki|In-ear monitor|earpiece}} into the analyst's right ear.
*'''Melanie:''' ''There you go. Testing, testing... 1,2,3... hello, ''bonjour. C'est bon?'' (Hello. Is it good?) It works? All right. Let's take a walk.''
Melanie led the analyst out of the Animus room and through Abstergo Entertainment's lobby.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Your file says you've done Memory Research before, but not to this extent, which is surprising. You're very good. The data-steams are very stable. Impressive, right? This building is barely six months old, but Abstergo Entertainment has been a studio for a few years. Since 2010. Maybe you saw ''[[Liberation]]''? That was our first title powered by Animus tech. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Soon we'll be unveiling commercial Animus servers for the whole world to enjoy. They'll offer passive experiences, of course. Edited versions of real history. But only the exciting parts. And we think we found the perfect subject for our first full-length virtual feature: [[Caribbean]] [[Piracy|pirates]]! So that's your gig. It'll just take a minute, okay?''
Melanie approached the information desk, where Rebecca Crane, disguised as a courier, picked up a parcel to deliver elsewhere.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Well, thank you Nancy. ''Bonne journée.'' (Have a good day.)''
Rebecca left.
*'''Nancy:''' C'est bon. Tout es prêt.''(Okay. Everything's ready.)''
*'''Melanie:''' Manifique! Merce. ''(Wonderful! Thank you.)''
The analyst walked up to Melanie and received their communicator, before they both made their way to the elevator.
*'''Melanie:''' ''This is for you. The primary tool of our trade. Your communicator. Power it up and give it a look. It's pretty slick. You might have noticed that security seems a little light around here. That's because your communicator is your key to getting around.''
Melanie and the analyst entered the elevator.
*'''Melanie:''' ''See that flashing wireless signal? It means you're hooked up to the elevator. I'll let you do the honors. We're headed up to the Sample 17 studio. Second floor.''
The analyst activated the elevator and rode it to the second floor. The doors opened to the front desk, where [[Olivier Garneau]] was talking to an employee.
*'''Melanie:''' ''You ready? Let's go! Ah, there's the boss... Olivier Garneau, our CCO. I'll introduce you. ''Bonjour!'' (Hello!)''
*'''Olivier:''' Salut, Mélanie. Ça va bien? ''(Hello, Melanie. How are you?)''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Well, thanks. Have you met our new hire? Just started today.''
*'''Olivier:''' ''I haven't. ''Bonjour.'' (Hello.) What project?''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Sample 17. The [[Kenway family|Kenway line]].''
*'''Oliver:''' ''Haytham? Connor?''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Edward. The pirate!''
*'''Olivier:''' ''Ah... Arrrgh... Yarrr matey! Very exciting. Welcome aboard. Melanie, can we talk in your office for a minute?''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Just let me get this one settled and I'll see you in... five minutes?''
*'''Olivier:''' C'est bon. ''(That's good.) Nice to meet you!''
Melanie took the analyst to their cubicle, where [[John Standish]] lay under the desk partially obscured by panels and loose wires.
*'''Melanie:''' ''So, this is the Sample 17 floor. We're driving into the memories of one very generous donor, Desmond Miles. We're pulling at the best stuff from his DNA... and hopefully, one day we can forge some fantastic experiences from what we find in there. This pair of legs is John, one of the wizards in IT. He's just fixing something for you.''
*'''John:''' ''Not fixing. Calibrating.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Calibrating, right. So here we are, your very own Animus workstation. This is all yours, so sit back, relax, and find us some good footage. If you need any hints or tips, the Animus is loaded with tutorial programs, so you'll have no problems. And I'll check in on you later. Happy pirating!''
As the analyst reentered the Animus to continue reliving Edward Kenway's life they were greeted by the Animus Omega's user interface.
*'''Animus Omega:''' ''Welcome to the Animus Omega, Abstergo Entertainment's proprietary Ancestral Memory Research tool. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about how to operate your Animus console, please contact your Project Supervisor, MELANIE LEMAY. You have been registered as part of the SAMPLE 17 project. Your primary research target is EDWARD JAMES KENWAY. BORN MARCH 10 1693. SWANSEA, WALES. Calibrations complete. All signs normal, all systems optimal. Extra-neural Transmitters activated.''
The analyst also overhead the conversations of various other Abstergo employees:
*'''Abstergo employee 1:''' C'est quel band, déjà, que t'aimes bien? Je crois que j'ai vu le chanteur dans un café sur Rachel. ''(What's that band you like? I think I saw the lead singer in the Cafe on Rachel.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 2:''' Lequel? ''(Which one?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 1:'''Celui au coin de Rachel et Charlemagne. ''(On Rachel and Charlemagne.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 2:'''Non, quel groupe? ''(No, which band?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 1:'''Oh, je sais pas. Le gars était vraiment grand, avec des cheveux longs et raides. ''(Oh, I don't know. He was really tall. With long straight hair.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 2:''' Bowie? ''([[David Jones|Bowie]]?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 1:'''Non, pas Bowie. Qu'est-ce qu'il ferait ici? C'est un groupe du coin. ''(No, not Bowie. Why would he be here? It's a local band.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 2:''' Ouais... Moi, j'aime plus trop les groupes du coin. ''(Hm. I don't really like any local bands anymore.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 1:''' Bah, laisse faire. ''(Oh, forget it.)''

*'''Abstergo employee 3:''' ''If they had better restaurants out here, this place would be perfect.''
*'''Abstergo employee 4:''' ''I treat myself to long lunches some days. Spend a bit extra, take the metro into town. 10 minutes.''
*'''Abstergo employee 3:''' ''That's a good idea. Six bucks round trip.''
*'''Abstergo employee 4:''' ''Exactly. And you have the whole {{Wiki|Underground City, Montreal|RÉSO}} to wander around.''
*'''Abstergo employee 3:''' ''Wait... you go all the way into town so you can eat at the Mall? Come on man.''

*'''Abstergo employee 5:''' J'ai demandé à faire des recherches sur Connor Kenway, mais ils l'ont refilé à un anglophone! ''(I put in a request to research Connor Kenway, but they gave him to an Anglophone!)''
*'''Abstergo employee 6:''' C'est toujours pareil, c'est pour une histoire de langue. Peut-être que le Sujet 17 avait des ancêtres français? ''(That's typical. It's a language thing. Maybe Subject 17 had a few French relatives?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 5:''' ''I speak English just fine.''
*'''Abstergo employee 6:''' Ouais, mais toutes ces expressions du XVIIIe me font capoter. Ça pourrait être de l'allemand. ''(Yeah, but all those 18th century idioms are crazy. It might as well be German.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 5:''' Ouais peut-être. Mais peut-être aussi que Lafayette était de sa famille? ''(I suppose so. Maybe Lafayette was one of his relatives?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 6:''' Probablement pas. Mais, c'est vrai que ce serait cool. ''(Probably not Lafayette. But, yeah, that would be cool.)''

*'''Abstergo employee 7:''' ''Have you had a chance to go over the Marketing test results?''
*'''Abstergo employee 8:''' ''You mean the...''
*'''Abstergo employee 7:''' ''For the consumer cloud app. Surrogate genetic memory streaming.''
*'''Abstergo employee 8:''' ''Oh! Yes, I did. Lot's of promising stuff there. Borealis. Aura. Aurora. Simulous. Animini. Those are my favorites.''
*'''Abstergo employee 7:''' ''You liked Simulous? Really?''

*'''Abstergo employee 9:''' Eh, Jérôme t'a parlé de la cabane à sucre, au printemps prochain? On sera quelques-uns à y aller... Matt, Max, Jeremy, Aaron... ''(Hey, did Jerome tell you about the {{Wiki|sugar shack}} next spring? There's a bunch of us going... Matt, Max, Jeremy, Aaron.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 10:''' Jonathan m'en a parlé. Je lui ai dit de me garder deux places. ''(Jonathan did. I told him to put me down for two.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 9:''' Ah, ouais, ouais, cool. Ah c'est un endroit super, mais si tu réserves pas au moins six mois à l'avance, tu peux oublier. ''(Good. Good. This place is amazing, but if you don't make reservations six months ahead, you'll never get in.)''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Small Favor
|-
|
After reliving Edward's memory in which he killed [[Julien du Casse]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[A Single Madman]]</ref> the analyst exited the Animus and was met by Melanie.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Hey! I just saw you were logging out. I thought I'd stop by to give you something. A little welcome gift. We give awards for top-notch employees doing quality work. And they're nice to have, since there's no official bonus scheme here. I already have about eleven or so— Oh... ''Bonjour?'' (Hello?)... Of course... I'll pass it on. Well... looks like Olivier wants to meet with you. It's exciting! Follow me.''
Melanie led the analyst to the elevator.
*'''Melanie:''' ''It's on the top floor, so it's not hard to find. But the rest of this building can be confusing to first-timers, so we had the tools team whip up a great Map application... Check your communicator. I added a waypoint to Olivier's office. It should be easy to find. Olivier's a nice guy. He won't bite.''
The analyst entered the elevator and as they rode it to the top floor, John patched into their earpiece.
*'''John:''' ''Hello? Hi? Testing, testing. Is this thing working? This is John from IT. We met earlier. I was calibrating your Animus. I'm sort of the, uh... {{Wiki|Montgomery Scott|Scotty}} of this Abstergo enterprise ... in charge of all the techie stuff. Do you have a minute or... ah, dammit. The tracker says you're on your way to Olivier's office. All right, I'll ping you when you're done. I have a favor to ask.''
The elevator opened to Olivier's suite and the analyst stepped out.
*'''Secretary:''' Bonjour. ''(Hello!) Go right in. He's waiting for you.''
The analyst entered Olivier's office, where he was pacing about as he concluded a conversation with Laetitia England over a headset.
*'''Olivier:''' ''Look, the Sample 17 teams are in full production mode right now, and the Kenway line is our priority... But— Well—Well, unless you are specifically ordering me to abandon it, I won't jeopardize our flagship project. Edward Kenway is the—But this is... but this is how Hollywood got its start, right? With pirate movies! [[Douglas Fairbanks]], [[Errol Flynn]]. And now we have access to the real deal! ''Oui-oui...'' (Yes...) Exactly. We'll talk about all that together at the shareholders event. Right. Looking forward to seeing you. Take care, Laetitia.''
Olivier ended the call and turned to the analyst, before walking to look out his balcony and inviting the analyst to follow.
*'''Olivier:''' Bonjour. ''(Hello.) Hi, thanks for coming in. I know you're busy. So I reviewed some of your data. Pretty raw stuff! Obviously we need to scrub off some of the dirt to make it family friendly. Maybe give Edward a voice like {{Wiki|James Bond}} or something, more of a ladies man. A beautiful city, no? So... the main reason I asked you here concerns something called The [[Observatory (Isu)|Observatory]]. It's been mentioned a few times in the footage you found. I'd like to encourage you to focus on locating this specific set of memories as soon as possible. If it were up to me, ''on sans carise'' (we don't care)... I wouldn't bother. But some bigwigs at Abstergo Industries have been hounding me for days. So follow whatever leads you find, and hopefully we can a— Incoming call. I have to take this. We'll keep in touch. ''Bonne journée. Allen, bonjour. Oui. Oui, oui. Tout va bien. Naturellement.'' (Good day. Allen, hello. Yeah. Everything is fine. Of course I do.)''
As the analyst left Olivier's office, John patched into their earpiece again as they passed the secretary and returned to the elevator.
*'''John:''' ''Hi. John from IT again. You got a second? Good. I'm adding a waypoint to your map. So, a colleague of yours left for vacation this morning and forgot to send a video file she promised me. Since I hate just about everyone else on your floor, I was hoping you could help me. Could you transfer the file from her computer and deliver it to the courier when she comes? It'll be easy. You just wander over to their Animus, log in, and transfer the file. Easy. And please be snappy. Before I find a reason to hate you too.''
The analyst entered their work floor but found the path to their coworker's desk blocked by a door locked with Level 1 security.
*'''John:''' ''A locked door. Not a problem. That's the advantage of me having Level 1 security clearance. Now you do too! Don't abuse it. Log on and I'll walk you through this.''
The analyst found their coworker's cubicle.
*'''John:''' ''Now, you need to bypass the core to find the data inside. Once you reach it, your communicator will download it automatically. You need to find your way around the core to reach the data inside.''
The analyst bypassed the core's security.
*'''John:''' ''You cracked it! Good. The file should be downloading. I set up a database for any data you find. Just look for the "[[Noob's personal files|My Files]]" section in your communicator and you'll be redirected right away. Everything you download will be found in there. Protected by a firewall, of course.''
The analyst also activated a video of [[Case Fisher]] submitting a recorded report on Abstergo's autopsy of Desmond Miles' body and subsequent "material extraction".
*'''John:''' ''You're better at this than I'd hoped. Now zip on down to the lobby. Come on! See... that file you acquired... I wouldn't recommend watching it. I mean, you could... but it's unpleasant. So once you hand it off, just pretend this never happened. Okay? Otherwise, you'll just go to bed feeling sad. Anyway, the courier should be waiting downstairs. She's been here a while. I suppose it goes without saying... just because you know how to hack all you colleagues' computers, it doesn't mean you should. I mean... not every day, right? No seriously though, that's illegal. So don't be a dick. Unless that's just your nature.''
The analyst entered the elevator and rode it down to the lobby level, where they saw Rebecca talking to Shaun Hastings, who was undercover at a barista stand.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'm not sure I can keep this up, you know. This job is well below my skill level.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yeah, well, your coffee is shit. You could use some practice.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Wh– What? No no no, I followed that recipe to the letter.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It's an art, Shaun. Not a science.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, look who's here. So you didn't forget after all. You're just incredibly rude, and made poor Rebecca here wait for nearly thirty minutes.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You {{Wiki|Glossary of names for the British#Limey|limey}}. Be nice. Sorry about him. He's high on his own supply. So how should we do this? Data transfer? Great! That should do it! We'll email you the receipt. Til next time. Take care, Shaun.''
Rebecca left.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Bye, bye... Yes, bye. Oh, and don't expect any more free coffee! Arrogant. She's great, isn't she?''
John patched in as the analyst returned to the elevator and rode it to their work floor.
*'''John:''' ''Hey, I just got word the courier has come and gone. Wonderful. You're a miracle. No, no, no that's an exaggeration. You're not a miracle. You're an employee. Doing a job. But thanks for helping out. Anyway, thanks. Have fun pirating.''
*'''Secretary:''' Assistance au niveau deux, projet Échantillon 17. ''(Support to the second floor, Sample 17 Project.) Support to the second floor, Sample 17 Project.''
The analyst returned to their cubicle and resumed Edward's memory as he and [[Mary Read|James Kidd]] explored [[Great Inagua]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[This Old Cove]]</ref>

The analyst also overhead the conversations of various other Abstergo employees:
*'''Abstergo employee 11:''' ''How'd the playtests go?''
*'''Abstergo employee 12:''' ''Incredible. We were able to keep a constant stream of five {{Wiki|bit rate|Gigs a second}}.''
*'''Abstergo employee 11:''' ''Of genetic memory data? That's amazing.''
*'''Abstergo employee 12:''' ''And this is through existing {{Wiki|broadband}} networks. Straight into people's homes.''
*'''Abstergo employee 11:''' ''Wow. This is going to change everything.''

*'''Abstergo employee 13:''' ''Did you hear they're holding a contest to pick the best name for our cloud servers?''
*'''Abstergo employee 14:''' ''Who's "they?"''
*'''Abstergo employee 13:''' ''Marketing. You want to know what I submitted? I said... "You should call your cloud computing system: CYBER-CRACK FOR INNOCENT CHILDREN." You like it?''
*'''Abstergo employee 14:''' ''Uh... no.''

*'''Abstergo employee 15:''' Hey, qu'est ce que tu fais quoi, en fin de semain? Si ça te tente, on pourrait aller surfer {{Wiki|Habitat 67 (standing wave)|la vague}} derrière l'{{Wiki|Habitat 67}}? Une dernière fois avant qu'il fasse trop froid? ''(What are you doing this weekend? You want to hit the endless wave behind Habitat 67? Once more before it gets too cold?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 16:''' C'est trop tard. Y'a plus de vague. ''(You're too late. It's gone.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 15:''' Hein? Oh Non... ''(What? No...)''
*'''Abstergo employee 16:''' Oui oui. Dès que le débit baisse, la vague disparaît. Il faut y aller au printemps ou au début de l'été. ''(Yeah, when the water drops, the wave disappears. You have to hit that in the spring or early summer.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 15:''' Merde. J'avais prévu d'en profiter toute la fin de semaine. ''(Dammit. I planned my whole weekend around this.)''

*'''Abstergo employee 17:''' ''Have you ever actually MET this guy, John... the one down in I.T.?''
*'''Abstergo employee 18:''' ''Yeah, I think so. He's super arrogant.''
*'''Abstergo employee 17:''' ''"Have you tried turning it off and back on again!" That's all he ever says when I have a problem.''

*'''Abstergo employee 19:''' Hey, écoute, j'ai... euh... j'ai deux billets pour un spectacle à Sala, ce soir. Ça, euh... ça, ça te dirait d'y aller? ''(Hey, I have two tickets to a show at Sala tonight... would, uh, would you like to go?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 20:''' J'ai déjà prévu d'y aller. Avec mon chum. ''(I'm already going to that show. My boyfriend's taking me.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 19:''' Oh... Ok.. Cool. Eh ben, euh... on se verra là-bas. ''(Oh... cool. Well, I'll, uh... see you there.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 20:''' Ouais, à tout à l'heure. ''(Yeah, see you!)''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Corporate Pressure
|-
|After reliving Edward's memory in which he convinced [[Edward Thatch]] to end his blockade of [[Charleston|Charles-Towne]], [[South Carolina]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[The Siege of Charles-Towne]]</ref> the analyst logged out of their Animus in time to hear Melanie patch into their earpiece.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Hey you. Do you have a minute? I'm on my way upstairs. Olivier wanted to talk with us about putting together a trailer using some of the footage you've been recording this past month. Take your time. I'll meet you by the elevator.''
The analyst walked to the elevator, where Melanie was waiting. They entered the elevator and rode to Olivier's suite.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Over here! Are you ready? He's waiting for us. I just watched some of your footage from this week. It's amazing. Blackbeard was mental! And we all got so excited that we started talking about this idea for a trailer about him... maybe start with him drinking, talking to some pirates, telling a story... Then, we cut to him leaping across the deck of his boat and—Sorry, his [[ship]]. Not boat. But jumping around the deck of his ship, swinging from ropes, and fighting like a Devil. I mean, obviously we'll have to manipulate some of the existing footage to get it looking good but—It could be great. I'm getting a shiver in me timbers just thinking about it. Sorry.''
The elevator opened and the two walked to Olivier's secretary.
*'''Melanie:''' Bonjour. Ça va? ''(Hello. How's it going?) I hope we're not late.''
*'''Secretary:''' ''No. You can go right—''
*'''Olivier:''' ''Hi, Melanie. I saw you just walked in. I need a few minutes with you alone. Laetitia's on the phone and we're discussing the Kenway project.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Oh. Yes, of course. Sorry about this. I'll call you when we're ready.''
*'''Secretary:''' ''Shouldn't be long.''
As Melanie left, John patched into the earpiece.
*'''John:''' ''Hello, Hellooooooo. Do you have a second? Of course you do. Head to the waypoint on your map. I have another job for you. I'd like to link all the cameras in the building to a central monitoring system, but most aren't calibrated correctly.''
The analyst went down a maintenance side hall into the sub-level that held the suite's security station, which was locked with Level 2 security.
*'''John:''' ''Another locked door. Not a problem. Voila! You now have Level 2 security clearance. Not bad for your first few weeks. Find the camera control station first. I'll update your communicator.''
The analyst found the station and logged in.
*'''John:''' ''Ah. This is an interesting security measure. It looks like you need to find the right combination of numbers to adjust the wave. Easy enough, right? Pick a number selector, then change its value. once you find the right combination of numbers, you should get access.''
The analyst adjusted the wavelength to the correct frequency.
*'''John:''' ''It works!''
A live feed appeared on-screen from the camera in Olivier's office above his main desk. Olivier and Melanie sat at the table in a conference call with Laetitia on speaker.
*'''Laetitia:''' ''—and if we want information on Assassins or Templars or the Observatory, or whatever the fuck else interests us, Olivier, you will deliver it. Full stop.''
*'''John:''' ''Aha...''
*'''Olivier:''' ''I understand that, Laetitia. I'm sorry if that came out wrong. We're not trying to be a bottleneck here. But we just don't have the resources right now to do two times the research.''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Finding that balance is your priority. Your entertainment products are simply a means to pay the bills for larger and more important work. That's the way the world works, hm? Dirty money buys clean hospitals. You get it?''
*'''Melanie:''' ''We're on board, Laetitia, rest assured. We have our best employee working on this. But it will take time.''
*'''John:''' ''That means you!''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Good. And thank you. The both of you. I look forward to seeing what you deliver. Until then, I'll see you at the shareholders meeting, Olivier.''
*'''Olivier:''' ''Looking forward to it. Bye bye.''
Olivier hung up the call.
*'''Olivier:''' ''[[wikt:tabarnak|Tabarnak]]! It's a little too early for that kind of abuse. Come on.''
He stood up.
*'''Melanie:''' ''So... what's next?''
She rose from her seat and joined Olivier in walking to his desk.
*'''Olivier:''' ''We do as the lady says. Focus on the Observatory.''
The live feed ended.
*'''John:''' ''Assassins. Templars... crazy talk. I'm curious about this shareholders meeting though. How about you break into Olivier's office and see if you can find his schedule? Oh, what? You don't like that idea? Well how about I blow the fucking whistle on you, hacker! I OWN YOU! What I mean is... I don't want to ruin your life. So do as I say. Now, step over to the window. Go to the window. NOW! You want me to keep you locked in here forever? Until security finds you? Go to the window!''
The analyst left the security station and continued through the hall until they found a section of the level that had construction scaffolding open to the outside. A scaffold basket lowered and the analyst stepped inside before it slowly lifted.
*'''John:''' ''You can't waltz into Olivier's office through the front door, so I've opened another route. Up we go! Did you know that Abstergo was run by Templars? Oh yes. Sounds like crackpot stuff, I know. But then again, the moon landing was faked, right? So anything's possible.''
The basket parked itself outside Olivier's balcony.
*'''John:''' ''All right... either you walk through that door, or throw yourself off the terrace. Those are your options.''
Faced with either suicide or continued existence, the analyst entered Olivier's suite
*'''John:''' ''Oh, well done, kiddo! Find his computer. Make it snappy.''
The analyst approached Olivier's desk and logged on to his computer.
*'''John:''' ''We're looking for the Shareholder's meeting schedule. It's worth a lot of money to us. Be careful, now. As the data moves, there are security programs constantly monitoring the data flow. You need to sneak past them or they will destroy your data and send it back home.''
The analyst hacked Olivier's computer and transferred a copy of an email chain with details on the meeting to their communicator.
*'''John:''' ''You sneaky bastard. A pirate through and through, aren't ya? Now get down to the lobby. There's a courier waiting. That's right... I've been planning this for a few hours. Now, wait. The receptionist. Hold on. I'll try something.''
John paged the receptionist and called her away to check on something down the maintenance hall. The moment she turned the corner, Olivier's office doors opened and the analyst quickly walked to the elevator.
*'''John:''' ''As gullible as ever. Now hurry down to the lobby. Before I remotely detonate your earpiece. Don't even think about ratting me out. My tracks are covered. Yours ain't.''
The analyst instead decided to ignore John and explore the area, immediately drawing John's ire.
*'''John:''' ''Where the hell are you going? Get down to the lobby. GO TO THE LOBBY! NOW!''
Finally pressured into acting, the analyst rode the elevator down to the lobby and revisited Shaun and Rebecca at the barista stand.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Did you uh, like the {{Wiki|Lungo|Allongé}}? I practiced.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I think you pulled it a little too long.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh come on! It's not encrypted code, for God's sake. It's just a bloody coffee! Ah, hurray. It's our old friend.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey there. I just got a call about picking up another transfer.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Aw. You said you were here to see me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yes, that IS one of the perks. Let's see it. Hm. A conference in [[Chicago]]. Very nice. Thanks for this. We'll be in touch.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ciao, Rebecca. Text me!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Stuff it, Hastings.''
Rebecca left, and the analyst reentered to the elevator
*'''John:''' ''Well done, friend. Very well done. Apologies for my temper tantrum there. You are with the good guys, I promise. We'll keep you safe. Trust me. Go on back to work. We'll be in touch. That means you!''
The analyst returned to their cubicle and resumed Edward's memory as he eavesdropped on [[Woodes Rogers]]' offer to the [[Republic of Pirates]] of taking King [[George I of Great Britain|George I]]'s pardon.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[We Demand a Parlay]]</ref>

The analyst also overhead the conversations of various other Abstergo employees:
*'''Abstergo employee 21:''' ''You're on the patrilineal line, yeah?''
*'''Abstergo employee 22:''' ''Yeah, I'm researching [[Flavia Auditore]] for the next few days. Then I'm onto her son.''
*'''Abstergo employee 21:''' ''Days? I'm doing one ancestor every two months.''
*'''Abstergo employee 22:''' ''Well, this is a rush job. They want to know where [[House of Auditore|this line]] crosses with the Kenways. What are you on, the maternal line?''
*'''Abstergo employee 21:''' ''Yeah, an Arab called [[Sef Ibn-La'Ahad|Sef]]. Thirteenth century.''

*'''Abstergo employee 23:''' ''You didn't get hacked, did you?''
*'''Abstergo employee 24:''' ''No, that was Sabrina. She's been on vacation for a while.''
*'''Abstergo employee 23:''' ''That's unsettling. To think we're not even safe where we work.''
*'''Abstergo employee 24:''' ''I know. Two months ago I left a couple books on my desk, and they disappeared for a few days.''
*'''Abstergo employee 23:''' ''Stolen?''
*'''Abstergo employee 24:''' ''Well, someone returned them a few days later with a little note that said "Thanks!" But still, scary.''
*'''Abstergo employee 23:''' ''Hm. Not quite the same, though, is it?''

*'''Abstergo employee 25:''' ''What is it with all these emails we're getting about heightened security restrictions? Did something happen?''
*'''Abstergo employee 26:''' ''You didn't hear about the hacker?''
*'''Abstergo employee 25:''' ''[[Erudito]]?''
*'''Abstergo employee 26:''' ''No, the hacker here. At Abstergo. Who's Erudito?''
*'''Abstergo employee 25:''' ''It's just that group, you know? They like to... uh...''
*'''Abstergo employee 26:''' ''Like to what?''
*'''Abstergo employee 25:''' ''Ah... n-nothing.''


*'''Abstergo employee 27:''' C'est quoi, ces niaiseries d'artéfact? Toi aussi, t'as eu ce mémo? ''(What is this artifact bullshit? Did you get the same memo?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 28:''' Je crois pas, non. ''(I don't think so.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 27:''' Tu travailles pas sur Ezio Auditore? ''(You're not working Ezio Auditore?)''
*'''Abstergo employee 28:''' Non, je suis sur Aveline. ''(No, I'm on Aveline.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 27:''' Ah ouais... Ben moi, j'ai reçu un mémo me disant d'arrêter mes recherches sur les dernières années d'Ezio pour me concentrer uniquement sur les moments où il est en contact avec ces artéfacts de merde... Quelle perte de temps. ''(Ah, right. Well, I got this memo telling me to stop researching Ezio's later years and focus on only those specific moments where he comes into contact with these ridiculous artifacts... total waste of my time.)''


*'''Abstergo employee 29:''' ''Aveline isn't part of the Sample 17 bloodline, is she?''
*'''Abstergo employee 30:''' ''No, she's from [[Subject 1|Sample 1]]. A donor from the earliest days of the Animus program.''
*'''Abstergo employee 29:''' ''How old is this technology?''
*'''Abstergo employee 30:''' ''Dates back to the late 70s, I think. There are some recordings from that era on our servers if you're curious. Just poke around the archives. You'll find them.''

*'''Abstergo employee 31:''' ''So did Edward really meet all those pirates? The famous ones?''
*'''Abstergo employee 32:''' ''Yes, he did. Blackbeard, [[Calico Jack]], [[Anne Bonny]], [[Mary Read]], Bartholomew Roberts.''
*'''Abstergo employee 31:''' ''Crazy. [[Nassau]] must have been a wild place.''
*'''Abstergo employee 32:''' ''For a while, yeah. But not after... well. I don't want to spoil it.''

|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Bunker
|-
|After reliving Edward's memory in which [[Bartholomew Roberts]] betrayed him upon locating the Observatory in [[Long Bay]], [[Jamaica]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[The Observatory]]</ref> the analyst woke up disoriented to find that they had inexplicably been transferred to The [[Bunker]] after their last Animus session. The TV in the room turned on as Melanie called the analyst.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Hello? How are you? If you're anxious, that'll pass. It's the {{Wiki|Midazolam}}. I'm sorry about this, but... we've had so many security breaches, we were forced to take drastic action. And Olivier is [[Chicago incident|missing]]. He left for Chicago two days ago but... no one's seen him since. I know this seems excessive, but with our high-level security clearance, we have an obligation to our shareholders. Rest assured, we will compensate you when the hacker is found. So get some rest, okay? And if you're up to it... maybe capture some more footage. You're doing amazing work. I can't wait to show the work we've done with your stuff. Take care.''
Melanie ended the call and the TV turned to screensaver mode just as John patched into the analyst's earpiece.
*'''John:''' ''So! They tossed you in the bunker. Nice! Those Templars upstairs aren't taking any chances. I think we need to erase all the dirt they might have on you. Did you hear that? I think I just gave you Level 3 security clearance! Now, head to the security room and use the cameras to watch the door to the server farm. Unfortunately Melanie is in there now, so when I escort her out, that's when you make your move. I'd wipe these servers myself, but as the head of IT, I'd be a suspect. It has to be someone they've already locked up.''
The analyst left their room now that they could unlock the door.
*'''John:''' ''Oh these Templars. They run our lives, you know? They decide elections, they control various capital markets, and they inject us with little microchips to track our movements and read our thoughts. It's all very scary.''
*The analyst walked through the Bunker until they found the stairs leading up to the main level.
*'''John:''' ''*Aha, hey! You know you're supposed to be locked up, right? Going back upstairs ain't a good plan.''
The analyst found the server room. They moved to open the door.
*'''John:''' ''Melanie is in there RIGHT NOW, you idiot. Get to the security room before she sees you.''
The analyst backtracked until they found a hall to the security station.
*'''John:''' ''All right, listen. I'm entering the server room now. When you see us leave, get in there.''
The analyst found the station and logged in. After adjusting the wavelength to the correct frequency, a live feed appeared on-screen from the camera overhead the server room's doors.
*'''John:''' ''...there's no need for you to be down here by yourself, Miss Lemay. My team will handle the investigation.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''But you need extra eyes on this thing, John. We don't even know when the hackers broke in. It could takes weeks to go through this data.''
*'''John:''' ''One at most.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Still too long. I can't keep my team locked up for a week.''
*'''John:''' ''Legally you CAN. It's what they signed up for. Even if they didn't read their contracts.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Yes, of course. I just hate the idea. So what's the next step?''
*'''John:''' ''My team is processing the data now. We'll start sifting through it tonight. {{Wiki|Scouting America|Scout's honor}}. Coffee's on me, okay?''
John walked away and Melanie followed. As the analyst made their way into the server room, John patched into their earpiece again.
*'''John:''' ''All right, I ditched her at the coffee stand. Find the server containing the network logs. Since I have a record of each and every one of your hacks, we'll just search for the timestamps on those, and turn that data into something harmless. Easy as that. Here we are! Beautiful. I'll update your communicator one more time. A little program I cooked up, just for this purpose. There we go. I think that worked. Try it out.''
The analyst accessed the main server. After bypassing security, they activated an early trailer of ''[[Pirates of Nightmares]]''. On closing the file, the analyst looked up to see a living hologram of Juno floating over the server controls.
*'''Juno:''' ''I can feel you, cipher. Feel, but hardly touch. Signal is still too weak, and I am spread thin. Unfocused. Like static and fog, lingering in networks and nodes, the nervous system of the world.''
*'''John:''' ''Can you hear her?''
*'''Juno:''' ''Perhaps the Temple was opened too soon. But this was not by choice. The cataclysm pushed all doubt aside. Ah... we bless poor Desmond, who gave his life so that you, the Children of our Labors would live on. To fulfill your purpose in ours. In mine. But now is not the time. My strength is not sufficient to inhabit an organic vessel. There is more work to do, more samples to acquire, more artifacts to find, before my will may obtain.''
*'''John:''' ''What's happening! TELL ME!''
*'''Juno:''' ''Make me whole again, my children. My [[Instruments of the First Will|instruments]]. Bring me forth to fulfill your purpose.''
*'''John:''' ''TELL ME! No no no. Something's wrong. God dammit! She should be here! Now! Living in that god damned head of yours! Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! Why did she spare you! Why are you still HERE!''
With no means of escaping the Bunker, the analyst returned to their room and activated the Animus there to resume Edward's memory of his time in [[Port Royal]]'s jail.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[To Suffer Without Dying]]</ref>

The analyst also overhead the mutterings of various other Abstergo employees locked in the bunkers:
*'''Abstergo employee 33:''' ''Let me out of here! Please! Someone help me! Where am I? Can anyone hear me? Anyone! Hello?''
*'''Abstergo employee 34:''' Je l'ai bien cherché. C'est de ma faute. Tout est ma faute. J'aurais dû faire mon travail. J'aurais dû faire attention. Pourquoi je suis allé me promener au lieu de faire ce qu'on me demandait? ''(I deserve this. It's my fault, I know this. It's all my fault. I should have stayed on task. I should have paid attention, not wandered. I should have stuck to the task list.)''
*'''Abstergo employee 35:''' ''They're testing me. I know it. This is all part of the employee training program. Exercises for the mind. If I stay focused... if I just keep calm... they'll promote me. It's like {{Wiki|hazing}}... a test before the big win. Just stay calm.''
*'''Abstergo employee 36:''' Je sais qui vous êtes! Je sais tout, bande de trous de cul! Vous êtes des Templiers! Vous êtes tous des Templiers! Vous pensez garder votre petit secret pour toujours? Voyons donc! Vous pensez pouvoir vous cacher? Oh, non! J'ai une tonne de preuves! ''(I know who you are! I know everything you bastards! You're Templars! You're all Templars. You think you can hide this secret forever? You think you can hide? Oh no! I have all the evidence I need!)''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Face from the Past
|-
|After reliving Edward's memory in which he assassinated [[Laureano de Torres y Ayala]] in the Observatory,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Ever a Splinter]]</ref> the analyst again woke up disoriented to find John sitting inches from their face holding an uncapped needle with blue liquid in the syringe.
*'''John:''' ''Wakey, wakey! I don't believe we've been formally introduced... not in this era, anyway. I wish I could explain all this strangeness, but there isn't much time. The short of it is, you saw my beloved Juno. And for a brief moment I thought she might occupy this tender body of yours. But something went wrong. And now she's back out there. Adrift. Oh... she was magnificent once. One of a race of beautiful, wonderful creatures. They created your kind. Did you know that? Your people were tools to them. That's all you have ever been. That's all you should ever be! One day soon, I hope. For the world is nearly ready for her return! Wired. Prepared for a second coming! Uh... Oh oh... Here they come! Those Templars. Or maybe Assassins this time. Idiots, all of them.''
John stabbed the analyst in the neck with the needle.
*'''John:''' ''I envy you! It was her wish that I be here to greet her. It was her experiment that made it possible for my rebirth as one of... these things. Ah!''
An explosion shattered the Bunker door, knocking John flat. As the Abstergo security team stormed in, John stood up with his back to the guards.
*'''Abstergo guard 1:''' ''Stay down!''
*'''Abstergo guard 2:''' ''Get down on your back! Now!''
*'''Abstergo guard 1:''' ''He's got a gun!''
*'''John:''' ''Guide me into Grey, Beloved! I am your instrument!''
*'''Abstergo guard 1:''' ''Put the gun down! Drop it!''
*'''Abstergo guard 2:''' ''Drop your weapon!''
John turned around and made to aim at a guard, but was cut down when the team instantly opened fire and killed him with two shots to the chest.
*'''Abstergo guard 1:''' ''Clear! Clear! Check his vitals!''
*'''Abstergo guard 2:''' ''He's bleeding fast.''
*'''Abstergo guard 1:''' ''Check the victim!''
Melanie ran in and rushed to the analyst's side.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Are you okay? Can you hear me? Hello? Talk to me! You're all right?''
The research agent blacked out and awakened later in Melanie's office.
*'''Melanie:''' ''There you are. Thank God. I hope you feel well. You look good. Can you stand? Good. Try walking around. A doctor came by. Said there wasn't anything to worry about. That the liquid in that syringe was far, far below a lethal dose. I feel terrible about all this. About everything. All our evidence pointed to you... but it was John all along. God, the things we found on his computer. Whatever you need, we'll provide. You've done an amazing job. Speaking of which! Our trailer is finished. Would you like to see it? I owe you that much. There we go. I uploaded it to your database. You can watch it here, or at your Animus. I think you'll love it. It really captures the... the essence of the era. So—Take care. And again... thank you.''
The analyst returned to their cubicle, at which point their earpiece was hacked by Shaun and Rebecca.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ahhh. And well... what now?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Talk, you idiot. Look at the light.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Isn't that the battery? I think that's the battery. Hello? Hello? Ah! Sorry about this. My name is Shaun. And back there is, Rebecca, my... partner in crime.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hello!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Bloody good work earlier. Honestly, I mean it. Delivering us all that data. It's really just too bad our man on the inside was such a... uh, how how how to put it, fanatic, fanatic is the best word, I suppose.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We take who we can get!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Exactly. Exactly. Well put. We saw in John an opportunity to burrow deeper into Abstergo's cloud servers, and I am not ashamed to say, we took it... uh, not realizing of course that he was enlisting you to help him. And to blame, should anything go wrong. I suppose it all worked really nicely in the end. Most of it, anyway.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''What Shaun really wants to say is... if you're up for more hacking, we are too. John gave you Level 3 security clearance before he died. You should use it. The Assassins don't have the resources to pay you like the Templars do. But we'll make it worth your while.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah, look, we should really cut it short, Bex. Twenty seconds.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ah, right... Good luck!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Cheers, mate. And top notch work, really top, give yourself a pat on the back. And... happy hacking.''
The analyst entered the Animus for a final time and resumed Edward's memory as a young [[Jennifer Scott]] arrived in Great Inagua from England.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[The End]]</ref>

The analyst also overhead the conversations of various other Abstergo employees:
*'''Abstergo employee 37:''' ''It's madness around here, isn't it? This is the craziest week I've seen in four years.''
*'''Abstergo employee 38:''' ''What do you mean?''
*'''Abstergo employee 37:''' ''You didn't hear? Someone was killed this morning. In the office. Some guy from IT.''
*'''Abstergo employee 38:''' ''Killed? How?''
*'''Abstergo employee 37:''' ''Security did it... they SHOT him!''
*'''Abstergo employee 38:''' ''God. What... what was he doing.''
*'''Abstergo employee 37:''' ''Just working in the server rooms, making photocopies or something. That what I heard.''
*'''Abstergo employee 38:''' ''Damn.''


*'''Abstergo employee 39:''' ''Hey, how's the Trailer going?''
*'''Abstergo employee 40:''' ''The "Caribbean Devils" trailer? Really good. We have a fine-cut finished. Just a few tweaks and we're ready.''
*'''Abstergo employee 40:''' ''Mm, I'm really looking forward to it. I love pirates, and this whole Edward Kenway thing sounds amazing.''
*'''Abstergo employee 39:''' ''Yeah, it's been great. Some of the people here have captured some great footage. All it needed was some little polishing.''
*'''Abstergo employee 40:''' ''You know what would be even better than a virtual pirate experience? A pirate versus ninja story. Amazing right?''
*'''Abstergo employee 39:''' ''Totally. Yes.''


*'''Abstergo employee 41:''' ''I really hope I we find an ancestor who lived in feudal [[Japan]]. I want to visit that. Or Ancient [[Egypt]]. I've heard people talk about that.''
*'''Abstergo employee 42:''' ''Well, I've seen pictures of the guy who donated Sample 17. Good looking kid, but hard to pin down. Could have all kinds of ancestors.''
*'''Abstergo employee 41:''' ''Doesn't really matter anymore, does it? With our surrogate data systems we can visit anyone's genetic memories now.''
*'''Abstergo employee 42:''' ''True.''
*'''Abstergo employee 41:''' ''Where would go if you could?''
*'''Abstergo employee 42:''' ''Mm, I don't know. Maybe [[Manchester]] in the late seventies. Or [[New York City|New York]] in the early eighties. Lot of bands I'd like to see.''
*'''Abstergo employee 41:''' ''That's it? What about the [[Mongol Empire|Mongolian empire]] in the thirteenth century?''
*'''Abstergo employee 41:''' ''Oh! Or the nineteen forties. I'd love to see the premier of'' {{Wiki|Citizen Kane}}.


*'''Abstergo employee 43:''' ''So you managed everything ok?''
*'''Abstergo employee 44:''' ''Yeah thanks for that—it was a big help.''
*'''Abstergo employee 43:''' ''No problem—I remember the first time I did this for more than an hour. I had similar kinds of [[Bleeding Effect|effects]] from the Animus. Just if it happens again have a word with Melanie and see if it needs checking out.''
*'''Abstergo employee 44:''' ''OK.''

*'''Abstergo employee 45:''' ''Marco! Missed you at the Lumiere festival last night.''
*'''Abstergo employee 46:''' ''I was there. We talked for an hour before going down!
*'''Abstergo employee 45:''' ''We did? When?''
*'''Abstergo employee 46:''' ''At Nouveau Palais. We shared a booth before taking a taxi downtown. You don't remember? You kept talking about how damn cold it was.''
*'''Abstergo employee 45:''' ''Shit. Eliane brought {{Wiki|Mezcal}} to dinner. I don't remember much after dessert. How was the show?''
*'''Abstergo employee 46:''' ''Great. Really beautiful. You seemed like you were having fun.''
*'''Abstergo employee 45:''' ''That's good.''


*'''Abstergo employee 47:''' Non, moi non plus, je ne sais pas où elle est. J'ai entendu dire qu'elle était partie en pleurant, je ne sais pas trop pourquoi, et qu'elle était pas revenue... Evidemment, si je la vois, je lui dirai que tu as appelé. Toi aussi. Au revoir! ''(No I don't know where she is either—she's just not here. I heard that she ran off crying about something and hasn't come back. Of course if I find her I'll let her know you called... You too. Goodbye!)''

*'''Abstergo employee 47:''' ''Was [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|he]] killed? Or was it a heart attack. Dammit, I just can't tell.''
*'''Abstergo employee 48:''' ''Look, I saw the official statement. They're claiming it was a heart attack. So that's that.''
*'''Abstergo employee 47:''' ''But you saw the [[Florentine man (1524)|guy]]'s wrist, didn't you? There was a [[Templar insignia|cross]]! Don't tell me that's just a coincidence.''
*'''Abstergo employee 48:''' ''Officially, yes. It's a coincidence. End of story.''
*'''Abstergo employee 47:''' ''Officially... ''Merde.'' (Shit.) And what about unofficially.''
*'''Abstergo employee 48:''' ''Unofficially... I don't know. I want to believe the best, but I always fear the worst. Now stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Security camera footage
|-
|After being rescued from the Bunker, the analyst hacked three security stations throughout the building and eavesdropped on other employees' conversations. Upon hacking a camera on the first floor, they overheard a woman talking to her male co-worker at a computer terminal in the lobby.
*'''Abstergo employee 49:''' ''I'm glad that's over. I hate it when they escalate the security. Makes me jumpy.''
*'''Abstergo employee 50:''' ''Did they put anyone in the bunker this time?''
*'''Abstergo employee 49:''' ''Just for a few days, I think. It sucks, but... I suppose it's necessary? We deal with some really sensitive data.''
*'''Abstergo employee 50:''' ''Classified shit, yeah. I don't know how I feel about it, but... It's in our contracts, so...''
*'''Abstergo employee 49:''' ''And they pay out bonuses, too. Inconvenience Pay, they call it.''
*'''Abstergo employee 50:''' ''Really? That's actually kind of nice.''
The analyst then hacked another security station on the second floor and listened to more employees' conversations across the work area.
<tabber>
|-|Camera 1=
A woman talked to her male co-worker near some beanbag seats.
*'''Abstergo employee 51:''' ''Pierre handed in his notice this morning. This new security measure is freaking people out.''
*'''Abstergo employee 52:''' ''They won't let him go. It's part of our contract. Having ultra-high security clearance means you have to got though a whole debriefing process. It takes months.''
*'''Abstergo employee 51:''' ''Really? I had no idea.''
*'''Abstergo employee 52:''' ''Read the fine print, man. Working for Abstergo has its benefits, but there are some drawbacks, too. Big ones.''
|-|Camera 2=
A man talked to a woman at the front desk.
*'''Abstergo employee 53:''' ''What's with all these security notices I'm seeing lately?''
*'''Abstergo employee 54:''' ''Just a standard message we use on occasion. Nothing to worry about. We've just had some issues around the office lately.''
*'''Abstergo employee 53:''' ''Like, server security issues? Because these notices seem pretty severe. Like, draconian, actually.''
*'''Abstergo employee 54:''' ''No, no. It's nothing to worry about, really. Walk with me and I'll explain.''
|-|Camera 3=
Two men talked to each other in the employee's lounge.
*'''Abstergo employee 55:''' ''Hey, thanks for sharing the [[Sperm whale|White Whale]] data with me. I was able to track it down myself.''
*'''Abstergo employee 56:''' ''No problem, man. It's amazing, right.''
*'''Abstergo employee 55:''' ''Yeah, I tracked it down as soon as I saw your message. Followed it for a while... couldn't catch it though.''
|-|Camera 4=
Melanie talked to Laetitia England over the phone in her office.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Yeah... yeah, he was killed...shot in the chest multiple times... no, no, that shouldn't be a problem... we collected more than enough data— we'll know soon enough... mm-hm, mm-hm... all right... All right, I can send you the results as soon as possible... Okay... any word on Olivier... dammit... God, I'm worried sick... yeah... all right... Thanks, Laetitia... bye.''
</tabber>
Finally, the analyst hacked the security station in the basement servers and overheard two security guards talking outside the Bunker.
*'''Abstergo guard 3:''' ''The body has been moved?''
*'''Abstergo guard 4:''' ''Yes, sir. And preserved. We'll do what we can.''
*'''Abstergo guard 3:''' ''Good. Let's keep security units on standby. I know Miss Lemay said the situation was under control, but I have a feeling we may be needing them again soon.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#E6A61E; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Mythical Treasure Hunt
|-
|While one Abstergo Entertainment analyst relived Edward Kenway's memories, another co-worker relived another pirate's life for an entirely different reason. They patched into their Animus Omega and saw a project trailer for their task.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Before the infamous pirates rose to glory... a fierce French captain came to be known as [[Olivier Levasseur|La Buse]]... the Buzzard. Throughout the Golden Age, he forged his legend... from ship to ship, form prize to prize, and from plunder to plunder. And the bounty he took became a myth. When he was finally caught, he left behind a message... that would puzzle the world for centuries. A riddle, a {{Wiki|Cryptogram of Olivier Levasseur|cryptogram}}, a map to his treasure. Today, Abstergo has finally found the key to this mystery... Alonzo Batilla... a pirate who knew La Buse before he became a legend.''
They began reliving Alonzo's life right as he was freed from captivity aboard a merchant ship.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]'' – [[Prologue (Pirates)|Prologue]]</ref>
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#C11B17; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Rude Awakening
|-
|As a [[Helix]] [[Numbskull|research analyst]] relived [[Shay Cormac]]'s memory in which he captured the {{Wiki|sloop-of-war}} ''[[Morrigan]]'',<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[The Way the Wind Blows]]</ref> they triggered a virus.
*'''Violet:''' ''What the hell did you do? It's... some kind of dormant virus... Shit! Hang on, I'm getting you out of there!''
[[Violet da Costa]] awoke the analyst from the Animus, as the Abstergo Entertainment facility was put on alert.
*'''Violet:''' ''Sorry for the rough exit. Earpiece working? Check. You were just in an Animus. AH-NIH-MUHS? Yes? You were using it to access a genetic memory file in Helix labeled "Shay Cormac". You work for Abstergo Entertainment, remember? Any of this ringing a bell? Your session triggered something bad, and it's affecting the whole building. We need to find your boss. You haven't forgotten your boss, have you? Melanie Lemay? Super chipper over-achiever?''
Violet gave the analyst their communicator tablet.
*'''Violet:''' ''Here, take your communicator. Check it if you get lost. Now, let's get out of here. Follow me. Double time! This chaos is absolutely your fault, in case you're wondering!''
Still shaken from their abrupt interruption in the Animus, the analyst was slow in following Violet, who quickly became irate.
*'''Violet:''' ''Come with me if you want to live! Hurry! We gotta get out of here! What's wrong with you? Come on! Hey, numbskull, don't wander off!''
The analyst eventually met up with Violet while she talked to Melanie, who was sending Abstergo employees into an elevator.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Come on, everyone! Just like we practiced in our safety drills! Everything is gonna be okay, guys! Stay positive!
When the staff had left the office, Melanie's mood drastically shifted.
*'''Melanie:''' ''What the hell is happening?''
*'''Violet:''' ''A file labeled "Shay Cormac" was booby-trapped with some kind of virus.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Your job is to prevent things like this!''
*'''Violet:''' ''We need to contain these genetic memories, then we can destroy them.''
Juhani Otso Berg spoke over their earpieces.
*'''Juhani:''' ''No. Isolate them. I want to study these memories.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''But—''
*'''Juhani:''' ''With respect, Ms. Lemay, this is not a request.''
*'''Violet:''' ''You heard the man.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Fine.''
*'''Violet:''' ''I need to borrow your numbskull. That okay with you, "Ms. Lemay"?''
Melanie turned to the analyst.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Hey there, this might seem a bit weird, but you're gonna to work for contractors we hired to, you know, upgrade our security. Mr. Otso Berg and Ms. Violet da Costa.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Call me Violet.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''I have to go check on our people and prepare a statement for the press.''
Melanie turned to the analyst again.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Do whatever they tell you to do, okay? Go team!''
Melanie left in the elevator.
*'''Violet:''' ''Technically, you're not responsible for this, but you're the one who let the virus out, so I think it's only fair you help me clean it up. Mr. Berg wants us to relive Shay's genetic memories. To do that, we need to access them from Helix. But the Helix is down. We'll have to reboot the main servers in the basement.''
Violet attempted to open the elevator, only to have the lights turn off.
*'''Violet:''' ''Man, whoever designed this virus is a genius. Not only does it restrict our access to the Cloud, it's adapted to fuck up the other operating systems that regulate building functions!''
The lights were turned on again, and Violet contacted Melanie over her earpiece.
*'''Violet:''' ''Melanie, the elevators are out of commission. Are we stuck on this floor?''
*'''Melanie:''' ''Damn, yes. I'll get a repair crew onsite ASAP.''
*'''Violet:''' ''There's a working area server on this floor. I guess it'll have to do for now.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Agent da Costa, I want regular updates on your progress with Shay's genetic memories.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Why? He's just a nobody as far as I can tell.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''If Shay Cormac is who I suspect he is, then this temporary setback may provide us with an unexpected reward. Proceed to the server room on this floor.''
Stunned at what they had been roped into, the analyst was slow in following their order.
*'''Violet:''' ''Come on, numbskull! I have dogs at home that are better trained than you are.''
As the analyst entered the server room, Violet contacted them over their earpiece.
*'''Violet:''' ''Do you see a flashing wireless signal? Great, that means you can still access systems. Go ahead and patch me into their feed.''
The analyst activated a program to repair the server.
*'''Violet:''' ''Once you've restored the server, I'll connect your Animus work station back to Helix. In theory, if you align the beams to segments of the core, it should solve the problem. But here's where it gets tricky. You have to move the circles in such a way that each segment is powered by a beam. The keyword here is "each". One beam and one beam only per core segment, okay? Once everything is lit up properly, the system will reboot. Got it? Give it a shot!''
The analyst repaired the server.
*'''Violet:''' ''Good job! This core wasn't too complex, but rebooting the advanced hardware in the rest of the building will require more work.''
The analyst also activated [[Numbskull's personal files|a video]] in which Berg analyzed the turncoat Assassin Mentor Al Mualim.
*'''Violet:''' ''Uh. Okay, so, I'm not sure you were supposed to see that. Just, ah, you should just get back to your Animus. With the servers back online, you could, in theory, restore your coworkers' work stations, if you, you know, feel like being helpful. And you could, in theory, find some more digital goodies, if you, you know, feel like being sneaky! Hey, one of your coworkers dropped his communicator by the elevator. If you see any tech lying around like that, grab 'em. There might be a clue as to who did this.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Now that you have unlocked Shay Cormac's memories, we stand on the brink of a grand discovery. I know you must have questions about your new assignment, or about me. For now, all I will say is that Shay's story contains the answers. Shay will lead you to a greater understanding.''
The analyst walked past the elevator, picked up their coworker's tablet, and turned it on to see the email app was left open.
*'''Violet:''' ''Nice find. If it was me, I'd snoop to see if there was any juicy stuff on it. But I might be a terrible person...''
The analyst returned to their station and resumed Shay's memory as he began a training session at the Davenport Homestead.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[Lessons and Revelations]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#C11B17; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Fragmented memories
|-
|After the analyst viewed Shay's assassination of [[Lawrence Washington]] in July 1752,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[By Invitation Only]]</ref> the memory sequence glitched and jumped forward two years to May 1754.
*'''Juhani:''' ''The memory appears to be fragmented. How much time has passed?''
*'''Violet:''' ''A few months, I think. That virus is cutting off our access to complete memories. They're readable, but messy.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''The Seven Years' War will soon break out in the colonies. Focus on Assassin interference.''
*'''Violet:''' ''We'll do our best. Won't we, numbskull?''
The analyst continued through the memory as Shay tracked down one of the men he saw at [[Mount Vernon]], [[Samuel Smith]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[One Little Victory]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#C11B17; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Damage Control
|-
|After the analyst relived a glitched memory,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[RGVjb25zdHJ1Y3RlZA0K]]</ref> Violet contacted them via earpiece.
*'''Violet:''' ''You've hit a wall and I'm busy with something. Why don't you go meet Otso Berg? You'll find him squatting in one the offices.''
The analyst met with Juhani in Violet's office.
*'''Juhani:''' ''Shay Cormac is an Assassin... but he is unlike the ones you have used for your entertainment products in the past.''
Berg drove a knife into a portrait of the Assassin ally [[Le Chasseur]].
*'''Juhani:''' ''I believe Shay may be the most important Assassin who ever lived. Your research will help me achieve something I have wanted for a very long time. Shay's story may have something to offer you as well...''
*'''Violet:''' ''There's another server we can access to get the next chunk of Shay's memories.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Excellent.''
*'''Violet:''' ''I'm gonna need the numbskull back if we're going to proceed.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Your next task is clear. But please reflect on what we have discussed.''
The analyst left, but Violet grew impatient.
*'''Violet:''' ''Hey, I'm by the elevator. Get over here.''
The analyst met Violet by the elevator.
*'''Violet:''' ''I got tired of waiting for Melanie's stupid repair crew, so I got this piece of shit working well enough to get you to the lobby and back. I'll get your Animus prepped while you're downstairs. I've added the location of the next server on your map. Get going!''
The analyst took the elevator to the lobby.
*'''Violet:''' ''Shit. I forgot, the server is behind a Level One security lock.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''I have granted you Level One Security Clearance. I trust there will be no further delays.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Great! Now you can get into the server room. Once you restore the servers, I'll load the next set of Shay's memories to your Animus.''
The analyst walked to a pair of scientists at the far end of the lobby near the metal detectors.
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''But have you tried it though?''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''No. The story's told in rhyme? Eh, it doesn't sound like my thing.''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''How can you dismiss it without even playing it?''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''Are there {{Wiki|Player versus player|PvP}} {{Wiki|Deathmatch (video games)|deathmatches}} in it?''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''What?! No! No. It's a beautiful, turn-based RPG.''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''Meh, pass.''
Violet again was impatient with the analyst's lack of progress.
*'''Violet:''' ''I want to see the next block of Shay's memories! Unlock those servers!''
The analyst entered the server room.
*'''Violet:''' ''And you're in!''
The analyst repaired the lobby server.
*'''Violet:''' ''Great job, numbskull. The data we have is pretty raw, but it's enough to move forward. Get back up here, double time! It looks like restoring servers also clears the virus from some of the other systems.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''You are making excellent progress. I am eager to see what Shay will show us next.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Level One Clearance will also let you into some of the other parts of the building as well, if you need to... stretch your legs in between Animus sessions.''
The analyst entered the Animus, where they saw an unconscious Shay being taken away.
*'''Violet:''' ''If I said that was the craziest shit I'd ever seen, would that be the most obvious statement ever?''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Shay has been through a severely traumatic experience.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Okay. Second most obvious statement ever.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Continue exploring his memories. The best is yet to come.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#C11B17; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|High Places
|-
|After viewing Shay's induction into the Templar Order,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[Scars]]</ref> the analyst was contacted again by Berg and Violet.
*'''Juhani:''' ''Do you understand now?''
*'''Violet:''' ''I'm starting to see why you're so interested in Shay Cormac.''
The analyst left the Animus.
*'''Juhani:''' ''Shay has see the true face of the world. And he has chosen his path accordingly. A similar choice will soon present itself to you.''
*'''Violet:''' ''I did not think you'd get this far, but you seem to be on the right track. We still can't access the servers in the basement. But there's another one located at the top of the building, near Melanie's office. That's your next stop.''
The analyst used the elevator to reach the top floor.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Could you stop by my office? We need to have a talk.''
The analyst entered Melanie's office.
*'''Melanie:''' ''This office used to belong to a man named Olivier Garneau. He was my predecessor as Chief Creative Officer of Abstergo Entertainment. Otso Berg is a representative from our parent company, Abstergo Industries. He's showing you the true history of the world, just like they showed me. Olivier was kind, he was intelligent, and passionate about our work. But a year ago, he caught a glimpse of this truth. They never found his body. This is not the way we normally bring people up to speed on these matters. But you've worked hard and are proving yourself so! I'm granting you Level 2 security access. The servers on this floor should unlock more of Shay's memories.''
The analyst walked to the server door, but was too slow for Violet's liking.
*'''Violet:''' ''Please restore the servers for our friend Mr. Berg. Don't lose your momentum, numbsskull! Get to the next server!''
With Level 2 clearance, the analyst repaired the servers.
*'''Violet:''' ''I've got your Animus ready and waiting!''
The analyst took the elevator down to the second floor.
*'''Violet:''' ''Smooth moves, numbskull, I've got the next set of Shay's memories loaded up and ready to go.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''We are nearly there. Know that you are aiding a worthy cause, even if you do not yet know what it is.''
The analyst accessed the Animus, triggering another glitched memory.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[UHJvdGVjdGlvbg0K]]</ref>
*'''Violet:''' ''Shit! What's happening?''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Another glitch?''
*'''Violet:''' ''Same one as before. Shay's back at Notre-Dame.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''See if you can complete the memory this time.''
The analyst progressed further through the memory.
*'''Violet:''' ''That's the best we can do for now. We keep trying to sequence memories out of order, which is why we're crashing like this.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''What do you suggest?''
*'''Violet:''' ''If we progress further with Shay's life in the colonies, I'm confident we can get better results from these Paris memories.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Very well. Keep me informed.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Uploading the next memory sequence now...''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#C11B17; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Understanding
|-
|After reliving Shay's final sequenced memory in the [[Arctic Ocean|Arctic Circle]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[Non Nobis Domine]]</ref> the analyst was contacted by Violet.
*'''Violet:''' ''Incredible! Who knew that Shay had that kind of potential?''
The analyst exited the Animus.
*'''Juhani:''' ''I have everything I need to complete our assignment here.''
*'''Violet:''' ''One last job, numbskull. We need you to upload Shay's story.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''But not to Helix. I want some very specific people to see what we have found here.''
The analyst used the elevator to reach the basement.
*'''Juhani:''' ''To reward you for your services to me, I am granting you Level 3 security access. From this point on, no doors will be closed to you. In the distant past, the Assassins had a noble goal, that of peace. But over the centuries, that goal eroded into a far more dangerous one: Freedom.''
Another power failure occurred, causing a blackout in the basement.
*'''Violet:''' ''Shit! What's going on now?''
*'''Juhani:''' ''A minor setback.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Okay... Your communicator doesn't work right now, and it must be dark as hell down there... but I can show you the way. There! Just follow those lights and you'll be set! I promise you won't die if you follow the bright lights! I haven't steered you wrong, yet, have I? Follow the lights! Please hurry, numbskull! It all comes down to this!''
The analyst reached the server room entryway.
*'''Juhani:''' ''Your communicator should work now. The Assassin Brotherhood still exists today, and they remain dedicated to their foolish cause. I am a Templar Knight. I protect the world from the Assassins. Today, you have helped me to fulfill this role. Please, restore the servers.''
The analyst restored the servers.
*'''Juhani:''' ''You have exceeded my every expectation. Use that terminal to upload Shay's story to the Assassin network. The time to strike is now!''
The analyst uploaded Shay's story.
*'''Juhani:''' ''The modern day Assassins are weak. It is only a matter of time before I catch the last of them, and kill them. But it is not enough for them to die. I want them to know how weak they truly are, and I want everyone to see them suffer. So on the day they finally meet me, they will welcome the death I offer them. My plan is in motion. I have no further demands to place upon you. However, Shay's story is not complete. I would ask that you see it through to the end.''
*'''Violet:''' ''I am super impressed, numbskull. You really came through for us. And yes, I'm also a Templar. Have been for years. There's still one last chunk of Shay's data left to explore. It's a bit of a trip, but I think you should see it.''
The analyst used the elevator to reach the second floor and returned their workstation.
*'''Violet:''' ''Once you go back to finish Shay's story, your life is never going to be the same afterwards. You should finish any outstanding business before entering your Animus.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#C11B17; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Choice
|-
|After finishing Shay's story with his trip to [[Versailles]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[QXNzYXNzaW5hdGlvbg0K]]</ref> the analyst met Melanie in her office, along with Berg and Violet.
*'''Melanie:''' ''It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you up here today.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Gotta hand it to you, numbskull, you proved yourself to more than a simple research monkey.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''The data you extracted from Shay Cormac's memories has served us well. Shay's story is a message. One that says that when threatened, what an Assassin truly wants isn't freedom, but order.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''And we represent the highest Order there is.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''Whatever you learned from your Animus experience only scratches the surface. We have existed since before recorded human history and have recently been reborn, disguised as Abstergo Industries.''
*'''Melanie:''' ''And Entertainment.''
*'''Juhani:''' ''You have crossed the threshold and your eyes have been opened. You have seen the world for what it truly is.''
*'''Violet:''' ''There's no turning back now. We've got big plans for you!''
*'''Juhani:''' ''The Father of Understanding guided you to us. And for that we are grateful. The test of your true worth begins now. And it begins with a choice.''
Melanie presented a [[Templar ring]] to the analyst.
*'''Melanie:''' ''Join us, and a bright future will be all yours.''
Berg pulled out his gun.
*'''Juhani:''' ''Refuse...''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Bishop and Deacon
|-
|
The [[Helix Initiate]] finished reliving a memory of [[Jacques de Molay]]'s [[Jacques de Molay's advisor|advisor]] at the culmination of the [[persecution of the Templars]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay]]</ref>
*'''Video commentator:''' ''Consumed in flames of hunger and wrath, thus came the Age of True Wisdom to a blistering close. The Knights Templar—once the proud shepherds of order, peace, and illumination—were no more...''
The footage pixilated into fragments as an external source hacked into the feed.
*'''[[Bishop]]:''' ''—yeah, let's get a sniffer running. If Abstergo pings us, pull me out. Okay, I have a visual. Hey there... This is probably disorienting, so I'll be brief. I'm Bishop... not my real name, obviously... but that's as much as you'll get today. Please listen carefully. Abstergo is using you, hijacking your neurons to help them sift through genetic memory data. These guys already have their fingers in countless corporations, governments, media outlets, and NGOs—but now they want control over history itself. If that doesn't frighten you, it should. But we're here to stop them. And I need your help. Deacon, pre-load gene sequence AD16-B13-I87.''
*'''Deacon:''' ''Yep, spooling it up.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''Last week we gained access to a bank of unsequenced memories in Abstergo's [[Helix]] servers—For now, we'd like you to experience a small sample. This should help you understand our struggle. And after that, you can decide for yourself what comes next. We'll be waiting.''
The Helix Initiate began reliving [[Arno Dorian]]'s memory of his time in [[Versailles]] as both a child and an adult.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Memories of Versailles]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Initiate
|-
|
The Helix Initiate finished reliving Arno's memory of his sentence in the [[Bastille]], meeting [[Pierre Bellec]] during its [[Storming of the Bastille|storming]], and reuniting with [[Élise de la Serre]] immediately afterward.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Imprisoned]]</ref>
*'''Bishop:''' ''Welcome back. Now that you've experienced life as an Assassin, are you willing to take up the fight and join us? Deacon, load the file.''
*'''Deacon:''' ''Coming up.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''We lifted a media file from Abstergo last month, and the information it contains is astounding. But we won't share these things with just anyone. By pressing play you'll be joining the Assassins. If you want to fight the Templar menace, if you're willing to save civilization from Abstergo's clutches...press play, sit back and ready yourself for the truth.''
The initiate accepted the offer and played the video.
*'''Bishop:''' ''Good choice. Welcome to the Assassins, Initiate.''
*'''Video commentator:''' ''In the 1950s, it was theorized that human DNA worked via the Triple-Helix model. Some years later, the work of [[Francis Crick|Crick]] and [[James Watson|Watson]] demolished this theory in favor of the Double Helix. Today we know the double helix to be indisputably the basis of all life. So why did the Triple-Helix theory gain so much traction? Why did [[Rosalind Franklin]]'s X-rays seem to confirm it? It turns out that their initial samples had been taken from small traces of Precursor DNA—the rare genes of an ancient race embedded in our own. We now know that Triple Helix DNA is the foundation of the Precursor genome. It is the genetic Rosetta stone of our age. If we can crack it open—if we can sequence the full Precursor genome—there is no limit to the knowledge we will gain. Using Animus technology, Precursor history will be open to us for the first time ever. Ancient languages will be unlocked and ancient technology will be ours for the taking. Imagine what will be possible if we master the technology that underpins the Pieces of Eden. Such discoveries would surpass one-hundredfold the splitting of the atom. Last year we located a rich sample of Precursor DNA in a donor whose genes contained human and precursor DNA at an incredible 25 to 1 ratio. Our work will begin with this sample. Our goal is to unravel the Triple-Helix, sequence the Precursor genome, and change the world for the better, forever. Welcome to The [[Phoenix Project]].''
*'''Bishop:''' ''So this is where we stand... Last year, Abstergo acquired the body of a man we call a [[Sage]]—one of a rare breed of humans with a surplus of ancient DNA. This sparked a search for more Sages, in the present and in the past. The more Abstergo finds, the closer they get to their final goal. We've blocked their recent attempts to find more, but Abstergo will not stop looking until they sequence a full precursor genome. So... why Arno Dorian? Why chase an Assassin through the [[French Revolution]]? It turns out, at some point in his life, Arno came into contact with another Sage. We need you to find out when and where these meetings took place. If Arno was present for this Sage's death, it may lead Abstergo straight to his body. Naturally we would like to find it first. This is where you come in. It won't be simple. Genetic memory must be tackled in sequence, to keep the data stable. But we're confident you're up to the task. And you won't be alone. Other [[initiates]]—Assassins just like you—are doing their part to end this fight. If you need more training, more experience... you can call on them for help. All right. Loading the next Sequence...''
Bishop loaded the sequence, returning the Initiate to [[Paris]].
*'''Bishop:''' ''I've got something else for you. The more time you spend with Arno, the more data we'll have to increase your synchronization with him—and to activate his abilities. Here, have a look at this...''
Bishop opened up a list of abilities before returning to action.
*'''Bishop:''' ''One last thing—while you've been busy, I had Deacon do some poking around in Arno's memories. Seems he was a busy guy. See that symbol? That's a co-op mission. I play a lot of games multiplayer, I don't know about you. But I thought you'd like to mix it up a little. These are missions Arno ran with his Assassin buddies, so they'll give you an idea of what our organization's about. Just walk into the glitch and you'll get all the details. I've marked them on your map.''
The Initiate proceeded to relive Arno's initiation into the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|French Assassins]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[Rebirth]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Templar Sage
|-
|
*'''Bishop:''' ''Initiate. Bishop here. You're in good shape so far. I'd like to give you a little boost. We've made a major breakthrough on our side. Through deep data analysis, we've discovered that the Sage we're looking for was a Templar Grand Master, the same man Arno is hunting. It doesn't get much better than that.''
Bishop unlocked a new set of Assassin Skills in the Helix Navigator for the Initiate.
*'''Bishop:''' ''There, everything's been updated. Use them wisely. We'll be in touch.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Germain
|-
|
*'''Bishop:''' ''Initiate... this is Bishop. Do you copy? Good bloody work out there. You found him. [[François-Thomas Germain]]. Grand Master of the Templars, and a Sage to boot. By our reckoning, that's the second Sage to rise to the Templars' highest rank. A troubling trend. Until we know more about this Germain, stick with Arno. He might have outlived this Grand Master, and that could lead us to his body. Bishop out.''
|}
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
! style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left" |Signal Distortion
|-
|The Initiate finished reliving Arno's escape in an air ballon with [[Élise de la Serre|Élise]] after assassinating [[Marie Lévesque]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' – [[The Escape (Unity)|The Escape]]</ref>
* '''Bishop:''' ''Initiate, do you read me? Sorry about all this noise. There's a waterfall of signal distortion. Its not looking good. How about one more boost before I lose this connection? Sending you the data now.''

Bishop unlocked a new set of Assassin Skills in the Helix Navigator for the Initiate.

* '''Bishop:''' ''You're close to the goal, ok? So hold fast. Our own research couldn't locate the date and place of Germain's death, so you'll have to find it yourself. Bishop out.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Mission accomplished
|-
|
*'''Bishop:''' ''My God. I don't believe what I'm seeing. Arno won this fight two centuries before it started. Well done, kid. Uh, I don't think Abstergo will bother searching the catacombs for Germain's body. The bones are going to be too damaged, too decayed. We're in the clear of this stage. You did good work, Initiate. Until we contact you again, the best you can do is continue searching Arno's memories for anything else you might have seen. Like rare historical data, more DNA samples, anything to help our cause. We'll be in touch when we need you. Count on it.''
|}

===''[[Dead Kings]]''===
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#2B4B62; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Glitch
|-
|
*'''Bishop:''' ''Hello? It seems like we've encountered some kind of a glitch. Hang on.''
The Initiate viewed a memory of Arno meeting with the [[Donatien Alphonse François, Marquis de Sade|Marquis de Sade]] in [[Saint-Denis|Franciade]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]] – [[Dead Kings]]'' – [[Buried Words]]</ref>
*'''Bishop:''' ''Something about this memory... it's locked us out of the Helix data. That fixed it. Now, I wonder where this detour leads? Another DNA sequence perhaps. Only one way to find out.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#635040; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Secret Lab
|-
|Laetitia England sat in her office typing on her laptop.
*'''Berg:''' ''You sent for me?''
Laetitia swiveled in her chair to face Berg, who had just entered the room.
*'''Laetitia:''' ''I have, Master Berg.''
*'''Berg:''' ''An urgent matter, I presume.''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Shay Cormac's [[Precursor box]]. You recovered it last year, when the Assassins stole it... before we knew what it was.''
*'''Berg:''' ''Before ''I'' uncovered Shay's memories.''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''I need you to deliver it to Dr. [[Álvaro Gramática|Gramática]].''
*'''Berg:''' ''Very well. Where?''
*'''Laetitia:''' ''[[Abstergo Industries Australia facility|A secret location]]. Not even ''I'' know where it is. Gramática will send you the coordinates.''
Berg made to leave but was stopped at the door when Laetitia called to him.
*'''Laetitia:''' ''Master Berg. No one is to know about this. Understood?''
*'''Berg:''' ''Understood.''
The scene faded away and resumed as Berg entered Gramática's lab carrying a briefcase. The doctor stared at a wall of screens displaying various charts before turning to greet his guest.
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Master Berg! Is this it? The Precursor box?''
Berg handed the briefcase to Gramática.
*'''Berg:''' ''Delivered as ordered. Master Gramática.''
Gramática opened the case and withdrew the Precursor box, holding it to his eyes.
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Ah! Curious little item, isn't it?''
*'''Berg:''' ''What do you plan to do with it?''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''I'm hoping it will help me better understand [[Shroud of Eden 2|another artifact]] we have uncovered.''
A distant scream echoed through the room, making Berg uneasy.
*'''Berg:''' ''What ''kind'' of research are you doing here?''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Project Phoenix, Master Berg!''
Gramática walked away from Berg to his lab entrance.
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Project Phoenix!''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A New Mission
|-
|After their success with Arno's memories, Bishop contacted the Initiate about a new assignment.
*'''Bishop:''' ''Hello, Initiate. Recently, Abstergo Historical Research began several new projects in London. We both know that when Abstergo makes big moves, the Templars are up to something. We think they're hot on the trail of a new Piece of Eden. I've got people in London looking for it.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey Bishop! [[Jacob Frye|Jacob]] and [[Evie Frye]] are twins! How awesome is that?''
*'''Bishop:''' ''Speak of the devil. Fire up your cameras, Becs! I've got picture. ETA on the payload?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sending it now.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''A lot to sift through. I'm going to get the Initiates on it ASAP.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You look weird with a weapon. Let's plant a little bug and see what we can see! Got something. [[Isabelle Ardant]] has a meeting here in a few hours. Doesn't say with who.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''"Doesn't say with whom," Rebecca. And I suppose it's down to muggins here to find out.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''Hold on, the mission was to find data to locate a Piece of Eden in London.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We did!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''And now I'm eager to try this new kit!''
*'''Bishop:''' ''I don't like it when those two go off-book like this. Well, all we can do is take a deep breath and move forward. You'll be searching for the Piece of Eden through the lives of Jacob and Evie Frye. Twin Assassins who operated in [[Victorian era|Victorian]] London. Your first set of genetic memories are downloaded. Good luck!''
The Initiate began reliving the Frye twins' memories as they hunted [[Rupert Ferris]] and [[David Brewster]] within the factory [[Ferris Ironworks]] in [[Croydon]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[A Spanner in the Works]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[A Simple Plan]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Templar meeting
|-
|After the Initiate relived Jacob and Evie's first set of memories, Bishop contacted them.
*'''Bishop:''' ''I know, I know. You've only had a taste of our latest acquisition from Abstergo. But I want to check in on Shaun and Rebecca. I still think attacking a Templar is a mistake.''
Shaun and Rebecca's sleuthing was interrupted by Isabelle entering her office.
*'''Isabelle:''' ''Call Doctor Gramática.''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Isabelle! What a lovely surprise.''
*'''Isabelle:''' ''Our mutual friends will be here shortly to search for the artifact. Once it's located, I'll let you know.''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Super! Always a pleasure.''
*'''Isabelle:''' ''Prick.''
Shaun and Rebecca approached Isabelle.
*'''Shaun:''' ''It's people like you that give historians a bad name!''
*'''Isabelle:''' ''I'm afraid I don't have time for you today, Mr. Hastings.''
Juhani Otso Berg and Violet da Costa walked into the room, cornering the Assassins.
*'''Berg:''' ''Thank you for making my job easy.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Oh shit.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It does look grim.''
*'''Isabelle:''' ''Master Berg, Agent da Costa. Deal with them, please.''
*'''Violet:''' ''Move it!''
Rebecca activated an explosive, causing a distraction and allowing the Assassins to escape.
*'''Isabelle:''' ''HUNT THEM DOWN!''
*'''Bishop:''' ''All they had to do was wait for you to search the data. Their little stunt has put the whole operation at risk. You need to synchronize Jacob and Evie's memories. Find something that puts us ahead of the enemy. Time is of the essence and lives are now clearly on the line. Good luck.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Checking in
|-
|After the Initiated relived more of Jacob and Evie's memories, Bishop contacted them again.
*'''Bishop:''' ''Sorry to interrupt, Initiate. Thought you'd like to know that Shaun and Rebecca got away from Otso Berg. Berg runs a unit called [[Sigma Team]]. Violet da Costa is his tech support. They've been hunting and killing Assassins for a long time. Thank God you're all right.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh tish tosh, it'll take more than a Templar super soldier to end the glorious saga of Shaun "Danger" Hastings!''
*'''Bishop:''' ''I was talking to Rebecca.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Anyway, Berg's presence confirms it. The Piece of Eden is in London.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''The Initiate's data synch suggests it's the [[Shrouds of Eden|Shroud]].''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''The Templars seem to want it pretty bad all of a sudden. They must know something we don't.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''The only thing we know is we can't go up against Sigma Team alone.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''Leave that to me. In the meantime, keep a low profile. Let the Initiate continue to synch the data.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|World War I simulation
|-
|While viewing the Frye twins' memories, the Initiate found a rift.
*'''Juno:''' ''Come closer, cipher. Perhaps we have met before. Perhaps not. You search for an artifact. Let me show you the truth.''
The Initiate entered the rift.
*'''Bishop:''' ''Initiate! Are you there? Your readings are going haywire! Abort! ... out! Yo ... ve to get ...''
*'''Juno:''' ''Hello. In the past, you hunt for one of my artifacts. But I come to you today to speak of the future. Follow [[Lydia Frye]]. She will lead you to me.''
As the Initiate explored a [[World War I simulation|simulation]] of Lydia's memories during [[World War I]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[The Darkest Hour]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[The Apothecary Twins]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[The Magpie]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Hopton's]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Clarence Stock House]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[17 Walpole Lane]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[The Master Spy]]</ref> Juno continued to contact them.
After the initiate relived "The Darkest Hour", Juno intercepted the simulation.
*'''Juno:''' ''Once I walked the [[Earth]] as you do. I was born to the [[Illuminat]] caste in the city of [[Feyan]] in the year 2195 of the [[Isu Era]]. Now I travel the vast corridors of your machines, adrift here within [[the Grey]]. But I grow stronger. The world is nearly ready for my return. And so, I have summoned you to this war-torn simulation. To tell you a story. It is our story. I once loathed the very sight of your kind. In the same way you recoil in the presence of an arachnid. Humans were [[Project Anthropos|created]] by we who came before, the Isu. We crafted you in our image, but deprived you of our true gifts. You were bred for hard labor, and in extreme cases, war. We built observatories to monitor you, devices to control you. We blessed you with resilience, but cursed you with ambition. And so you [[Human-Isu War|rebelled]] against us. I suppose we are to blame for the state of your species. Is it any wonder so many of these simulations revolve around violence?''
After reliving two more WWI missions, Juno intercepted the simulation again.
*'''Juno:''' ''As our people clashed, we became distracted from an impending doom, a [[Great Catastrophe|coronal mass ejection]] from our angry sun. The greatest minds of our time assembled to prevent the coming disaster. Among them: forthright Minerva, proud Jupiter... beloved Aita. We spent years locked away in the Grand Temple, attempting to find salvation. The others could only think of physical solutions, yet I believed the only way to save us was to transform us. Inspired by [[Shroud of Eden 1|the research]] of the great scientist [[Consus]], I attempted to place Aita's mind into a stronger, synthetic body. I failed, and my beloved died in my arms. The others shunned me.''
After reliving two more WWI missions, Juno intercepted the simulation again.
*'''Juno:''' ''[[Six methods of salvation|All of our efforts]] came to nothing. In the year 2306 of the Isu Era, the sun unleashed its fury on my once-great civilization. I perfected the work of Consus and made it my own. I salvaged Aita's brilliant essence and inserted it into the DNA of your rebellious kind. I sent him into the unknown future to be reborn, again and again. I returned to the Grand Temple. I shed my physical form and entered the Grey. But stubborn Minerva and foolish Jupiter discovered me, and sealed me inside. Entombed, I waited for the day when your technology might allow my return. That wait is nearly over.''
After the initiate relived all WWI memories except "[[The Master Spy]]", Juno intercepted the simulation again.
*'''Juno:''' ''We need not be enemies. I intend to build, to transform your age into something greater than you can currently comprehend.''
After the initiate relived the last mission, Juno intercepted the simulation for a final time.
*'''Juno:''' ''[[Master Spy|The man]] Lydia killed was my husband Aita, reborn. Known in your time as a 'Sage'. Thank you for discovering his fate. His pattern will be added to my own. Perhaps you believe, as other Assassins before you, that it is your duty to work against me. But consider this: it was an Assassin who freed me from my prison. I am no longer She Who Lies in Wait. I am the [[Mother of Wisdom]]. I am the nexus of flesh and machine. I am Juno. And if the greatest Assassin of your generation can see things my way... then perhaps you can too.''
Having completed the sequence, the Initiate left the rift, returning to the main simulation.
*'''Bishop:''' ''I'm not reading any more signs of network disturbance. What happened in there? ... you okay? I don't know what happened. I thought I'd lost you.''
The initiate reentered the WWI simulation.
*'''Bishop:''' ''You need to be very careful.''
*'''Juno:''' ''Hello again. Follow Lydia to find me.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Galina
|-
|After the Initiated relived more of Jacob and Evie's memories, they were reconnected to Rebecca's drone feed.
*'''Bishop:''' ''You okay?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Apart from the death squad on our tail? 'part from that?''
*'''Bishop:''' ''Backup's on the way. Why are you pushing yourself so hard? It's not your job to fight Templars.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I had this colleague. He was our boss's son. I didn't much care for him at the start. Everyone treated him like he was so bloody special. To me, he just wasn't invested in anything that didn't affect him personally. But, I was wrong about him. He became my friend. Put himself through hell. And he saved us all in the end. So I reckon... Well, I can't apologize to him, but I can, I don't know. I can try and live up to his example.''
*'''Galina:''' ''You are a good Assassin.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Holy Jes—''
*'''Galina:''' ''Hello. It has been too long.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''[[Galina Voronina|Galina]]! Blimey. I have not seen you since we blew up that lab in Paris!''
*'''Galina:''' Da. ''(Yes). There were many explosions and you screamed like a baby. Bishop tells me Otso Berg is here. I will kill him for you!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Superb! Now, if you wouldn't mind keeping watch, I'm going to lay down and die now.''
*'''Galina:''' ''Rest. We have a big fight coming.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''Shaun and Rebecca are safe for now, but we're still relying on you to find us that Shroud!''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Verification
|-
|
After the Initiate relived more of Jacob and Evie's memories, Bishop contacted them again.
*'''Bishop:''' ''The Piece of Eden is [[Buckingham Palace vault|under]] [[Buckingham Palace]]. We've got all we need. Let's start planning our infiltration.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hold on, better to get visual verification. If we're going to move, we have to be 100% sure, we'll only get one shot before Otso Berg crashes down on us.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Got to agree with Shaun.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We'll position ourselves near the palace. But we'll wait for you to synch the genetic data before we move.''
*'''Bishop:''' ''It's all up to you, Initiate.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#D8A147; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Shroud of Eden
|-
|Upon finishing Jacob and Evie's memories,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[A Night to Remember]]</ref> the Initiate was connected to Rebecca's drone feed.
*'''Shaun:''' ''That's it! It's under the palace!''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Time to go!''
The Assassins arrived at the Buckingham Palace vault but noticed the Templars had arrived first.
*'''Isabelle:''' ''Let's get the Shroud to Dr. Gramática immediately.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sigma Team beat us here. We're too late!''
*'''Galina:''' ''What do we do?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Killing really is the least productive way to achieve our goals. Kill them all.''
The Assassins threw a smoke canister.
*'''Berg:''' ''Contact!''
*'''Isabelle:''' ''Cover me! That skinny piece of shit tried to murder me, Berg! I want him to bleed!''
While Berg and Galina fought, Violet tried to shoot the latter.
*'''Violet:''' ''Hold still, godammit!''
Before she could get a shot off, Rebecca tackled her. With the others occupied, Shaun snuck up behind Isabelle and used his Shock Blade to incapacitate her.
*'''Berg:''' ''Only the mission matters!''
*'''Violet:''' ''Understood!''
Violet picked up her gun and fired it.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Shaun!''
Rebecca jumped in front of Shaun and took the bullet for him.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Oh!''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Galina! We need an exit!''
Galina, having knocked out Berg and hoping to finish the job, was interrupted by Sigma Team's backup.
*'''Sigma Team:''' ''Secure the vault! All targets are righteous.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We need to go! NOW!''
*'''Galina:''' ''Understood.''
Galina threw another smoke canister, using its cover to take out Sigma Team.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''The... Shroud...''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Forget the bloody Shroud, stay with me, Becs! Please!''
*'''Galina:''' ''We go!''
The Initiate was reconnected to Bishop.
*'''Bishop:''' ''Good work in there, Initiate. In time, we will recover the Shroud. And hey. We pulled a feed from our bug in Isabelle's computer before they shut us out. Playing it now.''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Sorry about the mess!''
*'''Violet:''' ''So how is the Shroud going to help you create a new clone?''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''It's not. When the Shroud is wrapped around a body, it scans it for damage and then reconstructs it on a cellular level.''
*'''Violet:''' ''You're not making a clone, you're going to recreate a Precursor from scratch!''
*'''Álvaro:''' ''Bingo! The Phoenix Project timetable just got accelerated, big time. I'm going to call Alan Rikkin and deliver the good news! It's like CHRISTMAS!''
Álvaro left, leaving Violet alone in the lab.
*'''Violet:''' ''Hello? It's me. I've brought the Shroud, as you asked, but... I'm scared.''
*'''Juno:''' ''Do not fear me. You've done well.''
*'''Violet:''' ''I'm not scared of you, I'm scared for you. If anyone finds out what you've been doing...''
*'''Juno:''' ''You have played your part, my instrument. I will save you. I will save you all.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#FFA500; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Hotep Cavern
|-
|After witnissing [[Bayek]]s' departure from [[Siwa]] to [[Alexandria]] following [[Khemu]]'s death in the [[Siwa Vault]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[May Amun Walk Beside You]]</ref> Layla Hassan's Animus session was interrupted by [[Deanna Geary]].
*'''Deanna:''' ''Oh, shit! Layla, you need to refill on {{Wiki|Ciclosporin|cyclosporine}}, stat. Don't make me come down there! Layla. Layla! Come on back.''
Gasping for air, Layla jolted upright from lying in the Animus HR-8 stationed in [[Hotep Cavern]].
*'''Deanna:''' ''Layla, are you with me? ''Habibti?'' (Sweetheart)?''
*'''Layla:''' ''I told you... not to call me that.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Thing is, the fastest way to get your attention is to piss you off.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm... paying attention.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''OK, you need to take a break. The Animus is rejecting you.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Ugh. I'm fine.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Yes, but your kidneys aren't. Go add more cyclosporine before they shut down.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Yes, Nurse Geary.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''That's Medical Officer Geary to you. So? How did it go?''
*'''Layla:''' ''My mods are holding. Subject's memories are perfectly clear. If this doesn't convince Abstergo to give me a place on the Animus Project, nothing will.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Amazing! Who do you have in there?''
*'''Layla:''' ''His name is [[Bayek]] of Siwa. The death of his son turned him into a killer.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Think he'd be of interest to Abstergo?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Don't start.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''You know they're not going to be happy with how you handled this assignment.''
*'''Layla:''' ''They know I don't work by the book.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Well, this time you lit the book on fire, and then stomped on it. Anyway, none of this will matter if you're comatose. Now go get that cyclosporine! Still looking for the cyclosporine? I definitely packed it in the med kit.''
Layla checked her phone.
*'''Layla:''' ''One bar... no, half a bar.''
Layla approached Bayek's sarcophagus and read [[Medjay|the inscription]].
*'''Layla:''' ''"Come forth by day, and I will guide you home."''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Who are you talking to?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Bayek's mummy.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Real chatterbox, that one.''
Layla left the cavern and found a piece of paper near the entrance.
*'''Layla:''' ''Dammit, my papers went everywhere!''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Whoops! Anything important?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Yeah. The notes on the Animus. Here's the blueprint for my dialysis system mod.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Could've used a bigger fluid chamber.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Could've used a bigger piece of tape over your mouth.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Whoa, so aggro!''
Layla searched the vicinity, finding another piece of paper.
*'''Layla:''' ''The genetic sequencer blueprint. Never got the creases out.''
Layla checked the light stands she had set up earlier.
*'''Layla:''' ''Generator's holding up. Good job, Layla.''
Layla returned to the cavern and muttered on finding the med kit.
*'''Layla:''' ''Dee never puts in enough snacks. Got the cyclosporine.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Two {{Wiki|Cubic centimetre|ccs}} should do.''
Layla walked back to the Animus HR-8.
*'''Deanna:''' ''Don't forget the alcohol wipe!''
Layla inserted the vial of cyclosporine into a port on the Animus HR-8.
*'''Deanna:''' ''I wish I was there to help.''
*'''Layla:''' ''You do a good job looking after me, even from the hotel. And I know how much you love your air-con.''
Layla approached the Animus HR-8.
*'''Layla:''' ''Going back in. This is so badass.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Be careful!''
Layla resumed Bayek's memories as he entered Alexandria in search of his wife, [[Amunet|Aya]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Aya (memory)]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#FFA500; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Finding Aya
|-
|Layla gasped for air as she sat up and disconnected from the Animus.
*'''Layla:''' ''Dee.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Hey! I was wondering if I should pull you out.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Your adrenaline and BP are elevated, and it's affecting your heart rate and hormonal markings...''
*'''Deanna:''' ''...serotonin and oxytocin in particular. What happened in there?''
*'''Layla:''' ''[[Amunet|Aya]]'s here.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Who's Aya?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Bayek's wife. I can feel her nearby.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''You can "feel" her? Pretty sure that's the Bleeding Effect. Along with Bayek's memories, you're also experiencing his emotions.''
*'''Layla:''' ''No, you dork, I think she's actually in this cave. Spouses usually shared the same tomb.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''A second mummy? We should really report to Abstergo.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Maybe after I find Aya.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''I'm going to call it in if you don't.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Deanna, no! If we do it their way, I'll get no credit. They'll cut me out like always.''
Deanna sighed.
*'''Deanna:''' ''Okay.''
Layla hallucinated Aya walking towards an inner chamber where Bayek's mummy resided.
*'''Layla:''' ''There!''
*'''Deanna:''' ''What is it?''
*'''Layla:''' ''The Bleeding Effect is leading me to Aya.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Oh, great. More fuel for your superhero complex.''
She followed it, then briefly commented on Bayek's mummy as the hallucination passed by it.
*'''Layla:''' ''Come forth by day, and I will guide you home.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Who're you talking to?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Bayek's mummy.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Real chatterbox, that one.''
The hallucination disappeared as it neared a pit.
*'''Layla:''' ''She's down there.''
*'''Layla:''' ''My turn for a Leap of Faith.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Leap of what? You're in no condition to do any leaping!''
Layla looked down at the edge and saw a pool of water, after which she dove down. She immediately swam up.
*'''Layla:''' ''Damn, that's cold.''
She looked around to see a fallen, open sarcophagus with Aya's mummy laid bare.
*'''Layla:''' ''I was right—she's here!''
*'''Deanna:''' ''There you are! Thank God.''
Layla found a Hidden Blade and activated it, then used it to make an incision on the mummy's arm to take a sample.
*'''Layla:''' ''I can almost taste the blood...''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Okay, you're making less and less sense, Layla. We need to report.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Not yet.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''"Not yet?" So when?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Ugh.''
She put the sample on a small vial container then stood up to find an exit.
*'''Layla:''' ''Well, I can't chew my way out of here.''
Layla whispered to herself as she climbed her way out.
*'''Layla:''' ''Your story will be told.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''What are you doing now?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Climbing. And it's hard, so ''askuti'' (cut the chatter), will you?''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Fine. Let me know when you get to the top.''
She reached the outer chamber of the Hotep Cavern.
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm going back in.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Why?''
*'''Layla:''' ''I took a DNA sample from Aya. I want to see her memories.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Look, I get that you're excited but... The more risks we take, the worse things could go for us.''
*'''Layla:''' ''It's my dream on the line here. Let me do this my way.''
Layla went back inside where the Portable Animus was and laid down the Hidden Blade she found on a table beside her laptop. She walked to a small red box adjacent and mixed the sample of Aya with another sample in a small container.
*'''Layla:''' ''Adding Aya's DNA to the chamber.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''It'll take time to sequence. You won't be able to synch with her memories right away.''
She inserted the mixed container to the Animus.
*'''Deanna:''' ''Layla, something else you should know... Since you're mixing gene sequences in an uncontrolled manner, the transition between memories will likely be unpredictable.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm comfortable with unpredictability.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Yeah? Well, I'm worried.''
*'''Layla:''' ''You always are.''
The machine beeped itself ready. Layla laid down on it and connected herself. It showed her scrambled glimpses of Aya's memories.
*'''Deanna:''' ''I told you! The Animus hasn't finished interpreting Aya's DNA yet!''
*'''Layla:''' ''Fine, fine.''
She switched back to Bayek's memory as he met with [[Apollodorus]] to seek audience with [[Cleopatra]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Egypt's Medjay]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#FFA500; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Terminating Layla
|-
|Deanna abruptly roused Layla out of the Animus, leaving her temporarily disoriented.
*'''Deanna:''' ''Wake up! Wake up! Layla, NOW! I need you!''
Layla got off the Portable Animus but immediately collapsed on her knees and vomited.
*'''Deanna:''' ''There's a van in the alleyway, oh God...''
*'''Layla:''' ''A van? Aya, what are you trying to—''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Forget about Aya. Abstergo's here.''
Layla managed to regain her composure.
*'''Deanna:''' ''They must have found out about—oh, shit! Fuck!''
*'''Layla:''' ''Dee?''
There was an explosion in the cave outside her chamber.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shit! They're here, too!''
Layla took Aya's Hidden Blade on a table then fastened it to her arm with tape.
*'''Deanna:''' ''Okay, Layla, listen. I know you. And I know you'll find a way out of this.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Picked up that blade I found.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Good.''
Layla crept towards the outer cave and overheard a hitman, wearing advanced military garb, talking to his comms in Arabic.
*'''Egyptian Soldier:''' ''(Remember, neutralize the target, then recover the Animus.)''
*'''Layla:''' ''Well, they're definitely planning to kill me.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''You've been living in the mind of a trained assassin for the past however many hours, remember? So get ready to rock, killer queen.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm ready, American woman.''
Layla noticed their weaponry.
*'''Layla:''' ''They're using [[bow]]s, not guns. Why?''
*'''Deanna:''' ''Guess they don't consider you much of a threat.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Huh.''
*'''Deanna:''' ''They're almost on me. Going dark.''
Layla assassinated one of the men.
*'''Deanna:''' ''How's it going?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Bad.''
She then proceeded to kill the rest with the Hidden Blade.
*'''Layla:''' ''I have to do this. It's them or me.''
As she eliminated the last mercenary outside of the cave during a sandstorm, she heard his {{Wiki|walkie-talkie}} receive a transmission Sigma Team.
*'''Egyptian Soldier:''' ''(Team One, we've located the secondary target. Extracting her now.)''
Layla heard Deanna struggle in her earpiece.
*'''Deanna:''' ''No, don't, please—No!''
A sharp thud sounded through the comm.
*'''Egyptian Soldier:''' ''(Secondary target neutralized.)''
*'''Layla:''' ''Dee? No, Dee, no, no, no...''
Layla dropped the radio in panic, but felt helpless under the storm. She screamed in rage as her voice echoed.
*'''Layla:''' ''Fuck you, Abstergo. I'm seeing this through.''
She walked back into the cave while recording a message on her phone.
*'''Layla:''' ''If you're listening to this, you work for Abstergo, and I'm dead. Do me a favor and make sure [[Sophia Rikkin]] hears it. My dream was to work on the [[Animus Project]]. I waited twelve years. Waiting got me nowhere. So I built an Animus that lets me access anyone's memories, even ancestors not my own. I even witnessed the [[Last of the Medjay|origins]] of the Assassins. Artifacts, tombs that were supposed to be stuff of legends... I found them. By killing me, you've lost all this knowledge.''
Layla broke down into anger.
*'''Layla:''' ''I understand why you thought I had to die. But did you have to kill my best friend? Why did she... Oh ''habibti'' (sweetheart)... I should have listened to you.''
She despondently went back to her chamber.
*'''Layla:''' ''Back to the Animus. What else can I do?''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#FFA500; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Meeting William Miles
|-
|Layla lay in the Animus while the recording she made earlier was being played by William Miles.
*'''Layla:''' ''Oh ''habibti'' (sweetheart)... I should have listened to you. Oh ''habibti'' (sweetheart)... I should have listened to you.''
*'''William:''' ''Those don't need to be your last words.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Who the fuck are you?''
Startled, Layla quickly disconnected from the Animus and drew her Hidden Blade on him.
*'''William:''' ''Does the name "William Miles" ring a bell?''
*'''Layla:''' ''The Assassin?''
*'''William:''' ''Then you know who I am.''
William showed his Hidden Blade, answering her question. Layla retracted her blade.
*'''William:''' ''We—the Assassins—have been watching you. It's... unusual for an Abstergo employee to take an interest in a country's revolution.''
*'''Layla:''' ''You're not wrong there.''
Layla snatched her phone off William and walked to her laptop.
*'''William:''' ''We know about your work with the Animus. Astounding, what you and Deanna were up to.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Dee...''
*'''William:''' ''They played you, didn't they? Sophia Rikkin made you so many promises...''
*'''Layla:''' ''Enough! We're not talking about her.''
*'''William:''' ''Sure. Plenty of other subjects to cover on our ride to Alexandria.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Don't assume I'm going anywhere with you.''
*'''William:''' ''Well, let's look at your options. You can come with me, or you can stay here and do the dance of death again, and again until you make a mistake. They only need you to make one.''
Layla began pondering Willam's words.
*'''William:''' ''There's no going back to your old life, Layla.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I never planned to.''
*'''William:''' ''But you'd finally be able to work on the Animus Project... our version of it. And with us, you'd always have the freedom to do things your way.''
Layla thought for a moment, then answered.
*'''Layla:''' ''Fine. Let's do this.''
William extended his hand for a handshake.
*'''Layla:''' ''That doesn't mean I'm on your side.''
He withdrew his hand.
*'''William:''' ''Good enough.''
Their conversation ended, William walked around the cave.
*'''William:''' ''These articles on "hidden chambers"... Always so misguided. Always missing crucial information.''
William went to check Layla's laptop.
*'''Layla:''' ''Stay away from my laptop!''
*'''William:''' ''I should, shouldn't I? It's a terrible invasion of privacy. Just think of it as me reliving your memories.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Bayek's a corpse. I'm alive.''
*'''William:''' ''You're right, and I apologize.''
William reached Bayek's tomb.
*'''William:''' ''Bayek. We've been looking for him for so long—and you found him.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Technically Abstergo found him.''
*'''William:''' ''Yes, but you lived him. I can't wait to hear the stories you have to tell.''
Annoyed by Willam's meddling, Layla spoke to herself.
*'''Layla:''' ''The best way to avoid this jerk is to get back in the Animus.''
William left the cave and found a body of a Sigma Team operative.
*'''William:''' ''Sigma Team? Well, well. They must be convinced that you're an Assassin already. But why bows?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Anyone ever tell you you're kind of an asshole?''
*'''William:''' ''My son, as a matter of fact.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Sounds like we would have gotten along. I'm sorry he's dead.''
*'''William:''' ''Occupational hazard.''
After some time, Layla wanted to know when they were leaving.
*'''Layla:''' ''What are we waiting for, then?''
*'''William:''' ''Extraction helicopter. It'll be here in an hour. Go back to the Animus if you like. I know its charms are compelling.''
*'''Layla:''' ''There might be something left to do in there.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Herodotus' Lost Histories
|-
|Layla removed a pile of rubble obscuring a buried object from her view.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Finally.''
Layla reached inside the hole and extracted the [[Spear of Leonidas]]. At her [[Layla Hassan's hideout|apartment base]] later, she stared at the Spear in awe.
*'''Dr. [[Victoria Bibeau]]:''' ''Wow. This is big, Layla. Do you really think it's the spear?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This is the one. [[Lost Book of Herodotus|The book]] was almost right on top if it. I've never been so lucky in my life.''
Layla rose from her seat and made her way to the Animus HR-8.5.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''OK. Let's start her up.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you sure we can trust this thing? I mean, this book could be—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Just start it, Victoria''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You're the boss, boss. I'll prep it for you.''
As Layla climbed into the Animus, Victoria went to a nearby laptop and booted up both machines.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''OK so... Worth noting. I've made some changes since you were last in here.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There's no keeping up with the tech industry these days.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I can crank up the simulation to maximum sensory synchronization, if you're up for it.''
Layla selected a sensory synchronization mode.
<tabber>
|-|Easy or Normal=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Let's take this one step at a time.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Understood. If you're looking for something a little more intense, I can always adjust the settings for you later.''
|-|Hard or Nightmare=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Full speed ahead. I want to see everything this baby's got.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Go big or go home, that what I always say. Let me know if it's too intense for you—I can always change the settings later.''
</tabber>
A screen popped up.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''This bit will let me know how much information will be fed to you during your time in the Animus.''
Layla selected a simulation mode.
<tabber>
|-|Guided Mode=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Give me as much information as you've got. There's no way I'm going in there without some guidance.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Glad to help. You can always changes your mind later. Listen, Layla. Before you go off—''
|-|Exploration Mode=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You don't need to worry about me. I've got this.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''A little autonomy never killed anyone. At least, I don't think so. Just let me know if you need assistance, and I can always add the helpers back in. Listen, Layla. Before you go off—''
</tabber>
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''If this book is right, this spear, this story... It will change everything.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You're putting a lot of faith in a fairly unreliable source. Historian or not, [[Herodotus|this guy]] wrote about magical objects and the will of the [[Greek mythology|gods]].''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''He's not [[Homer]]. Herodotus was the first recorded historian, so there's a lost more truth in that text than you think. I mean, what better way is there of finding Isu artifacts than by trusting in the guy who claimed to meet an actual descendant?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I know, but—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I need you to trust me. You could be right—this spear, this book, it could all be crap. But something tells me it isn't and I'm certainly not going to let Abstergo find it first.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You're right. We haven't got much to lose anyway. There's just one small problem.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''What is it?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''This manuscript is in rough condition, to say the least. The DNA found on the spear has identified two different individuals. You're going to have to pick which strand of DNA to pursue. The choice is yours.''
The Animus displayed a screen prompting Layla to pick between following [[Kassandra]] or [[Alexios]].
<tabber>
|-|If Layla chose Alexios=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''He will lead us down the right path. I'm sure.''
|-|If Layla chose Kassandra=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''She'll help us find what we're looking for. I have a good feeling about this.''
</tabber>
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''All right, boss. We're finally good to go. 431 BCE here we come!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The start of the [[Peloponnesian War]].''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Good luck in there. No pressure or anything, but we're all depending on you.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Abstergo isn't going to win this time. If what the book says is true, and we do actually find the artifact, the Assassins will finally have a chance to rise again.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You can do it.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Oh, and Victoria? Read the book. It holds the secrets I won't be able to find on my own when I'm in there.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Aye aye, captain.''
Layla began reliving the memories of the [[Sparta]]n ''misthios'' Kassandra as she sat relaxing atop [[Kephallonian hovel|her home]] on [[Kephallonia]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[So It Begins]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Back to the Present
|-
|After experiencing Kassandra's infiltration of the [[Cult of Kosmos]]' meeting in their [[Sanctuary of Kosmos|lair]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[The Serpent's Lair]]</ref> and first upgrade of the Spear in the [[Ancient Forge]] on [[Andros]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Upgrade the Spear]]</ref> Layla awoke from the Animus and sat up.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Deimos... The Forge...''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I knew I let you stay in the Animus too long. Your vitals are crashing.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You don't understand. This confirms it, Kassandra didn't just have Isu technology, she had the means to improve it. Imagine how powerful the staff could be.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I admit, that could be an incredible find. But right now, I'm the doctor, and I take care of you. Now get some rest before you go back to Kassandra.''
<tabber>
|-|Don't tell me to rest.=
*'''Layla Hassa:''' ''No time to rest! Abstergo goons could be tracking us down right now.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''And the rest will be ready for them. If you burn out here, our mission will be done.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''They told me you had a cheer for bedside manner.''
|-|You're right, I'll take a break.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''If you insist. But only because I've got work to do on the outside.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Please, just clear your head. The last thing we need is a cell leader suffering from the Bleeding Effect and spearing us because we're {{Wiki|Hittites}} or [[Thrace|Thracians]].''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I won't. But Thracians throw great parties.''
</tabber>
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Don't forget, we're a team. We'll back you up until you're finished your investigation.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I know. [[Kiyoshi Takakura|Kiyoshi]] secured the loft yesterday and he's keeping an eye out. [[Alannah Ryan|Alannah]]'s on call doing historical research.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''And I'm here to talk if you're feeling any confusion from the Animus.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Always the therapist.''
(If "What do you think of the mission so far?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''So Doctor, how do you feel now that we're closer than ever to the staff?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I believe this staff is important. But the Templars and Assassins have found [[Staves of Eden]] before. [[Nikola Tesla]] [[Tunguska explosion|blew]] [[Imperial Sceptre|one]] up in [[Russia]], if I [[Assassin's Creed: The Fall|remember]] correctly?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This is different. If what I saw in [[Egypt]] is true, this staff doesn't control minds... it controls physics. Time. Imagine rewriting the rules of the universe.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''The spear you found is right here, and it's not doing anything.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The spear's attached to a bloodline. Leonidas, Kassandra, and Deimos... I mean Alexios. They were intimately connected to it.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you sure you can use the [[Staff of Hermes Trismegistus|Staff of Hermes]], then?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No. But if the Templars get it, they won't stop until they find someone who can.''
(If "What do you think of the new Animus?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''So, what do you think of my new Animus?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You mean, OUR new Animus? That's Abstergo equipment.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Which I've modified to within a millimeter of its digital life. It's an Animus console prototype, [[Brahman V.R.|Brahman]] variant, with the I/O capacities pushed to their max. Ultra-portable, with more calculating power than NASA and CERN combined.''
(If "That's enough for now." is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'll go stretch my legs. Too bad we don't have access to the Abstergo gym anymore, eh?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Membership cost too much.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I should check my e-mail.''
Layla sat at the computer and read [[Layla Hassan's emails|her emails]] as Alannah contacted her.
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Fascinating... Layla! Can you believe we're meeting Herodotos himself?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I can. He sure does talk a lot.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Is there anything I can help you with?''
(If "What can you tell me about the book?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''So, does what I'm seeing as Kassandra match your research? I had to tweak the Animus to use what we have of the book as reference.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''That "book" is a lost work by Herodotos. He basically invented the concept of recording history. And other figures are matching up, too. [[Kleon]], [[Perikles]]... The chance to see the past firsthand is why I joined the Assassins.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Most people would talk about justice or leaping across rooftops, but history's cool, too.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''I've loved history since my grandpa told me stories about his grandpa back in [[Ireland]]. He was an adventurer and sailor. So I'm continuing the family tradition. I feel so lucky!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You make your own luck, remember?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Why do people keep telling me that?''
(If "What do you know about Herodotos?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''So I've met Herodotos, but I don't know much about him.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''He's brilliant! His ''{{Wiki|Histories (Herodotus)|Histories}}'' are considered the foremost textbook of classical Greece. People have made their careers analyzing his words for some new perspective. To see him in his own world, walking in the ''polis'' and... Sorry... but he's kind of a hero of mine.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You can fangirl all you want.''
(If "That's enough for now." is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'll leave you to your work.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''If you need anything, just let me know.''
Layla looked out the window.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I wonder if the Frye twins would still recognize London... A rooftop's still a rooftop.''
Layla picked up a radio to check in with Kiyoshi.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''How's it going out there?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Well. No threats in view.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm glad we could work together again.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''I believe our working methods are compatible.''
(If "Why are you so short with me?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Are you still upset about our last run-in with Abstergo? I'm sorry, I didn't realize those hills in [[Quebec]] were so steep. But hey, you and your [[yakuza]] reflexes saved us! Sorry, EX-Yakuza.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''We're all alive, and our injuries have healed. That's what matters.''
(If "What do you think we should do next?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Of course, I'll return to the Animus, then follow the trail Herodotos left to find the staff. But there's so many possibilities, so many choices. There's no way to know which ones are right. You used to run part of the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Japanese Brotherhood]]—what would you do?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Take things one step at a time. Observe, then act. Or kill everyone and search their pockets for answers. You decide.''
(If "I'll leave you to it." is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Thanks for watching our backs Kiyoshi. I'll leave you to your work.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''I'll report in if Abstergo drops by.''
Layla made her way back to the Animus.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you sure you want to go back into the Animus right now? I get the impression you'll be there a long time.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Yes, I'm ready to go back to Kassandra.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''All right, I'll be watching your back.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Pressure Change
|-
|After experiencing Kassandra's memory of meeting her father [[Pythagoras]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[A Family's Legacy]]</ref> an excited Layla awoke from the Animus, sat up, then removed her {{Wiki|head-mounted display}}.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''[[Thera]]... We found [[Atlantis]]!''
Victoria, concerned, approached Layla.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Atlantis? Let me check your vitals—you're delirious.''
Layla raised both her hands up to stop her, and appeared annoyed.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We've been searching for an Isu artifact with reality-bending powers, and ''this'' bothers you?''
Victoria sighed, remaining unconvinced.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''[[Pythagoras]] was born around 570 BCE. That would make the man in that cave nearly 150 years old. What could possibly be keeping him alive?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Staff of Hermes Trismegistus.''
Victoria stopped her check-up and suddenly turned enthusiastic.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Ms. Hassan, you were right. I'll help you pack up the gear.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Thanks. Let's roll out.''
After preparing, Layla left London and travelled to Thera, Greece. She reached the location riding a {{Wiki|Rigid-hulled inflatable boat|motorboat}} and fully wearing her {{Wiki|diving equipment}}. She contacted her team.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I've reached the coordinates. The series of caves we detected should be right under me. My equipment's ready. Preparing to dive.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, you have no idea what's down there. There could be sharks.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I prefer that to Templars.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''We'll keep an eye out for Abstergo. Good luck, Layla.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Thanks. I'm heading down now. There has to be a way in. I'll find it.''
Layla dove down underwater and swam towards the rocky bottom of Thera. She found the cave entrance.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There! That must be the way in.''
She entered it and continued to swim forward, reaching a hole going further down.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Are you all still reading me? It's awfully quiet on comms.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''We hear you, Layla.''
Layla dove deeper.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Thanks. It's just so... silent down here.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You're not alone, Layla. We're monitoring your progress. You're doing fine.''
The hole stopped going down and she swam forward as Alannah joined in their talk.
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Yeah, we're here if you need us!''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Said the Assassin sitting at a desk.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Well I don't have to be on a boat to be useful! I have loads of information on Ancient Greece. Did you know that at [[Zakros]], the [[Minoan civilization|Minoans]] built a graveyard so huge it was known as the "Ravine of the Dead"?''
Layla reached a chamber of small {{Wiki|hydrothermal vent}}s and swam through a safe passage between the fissures.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Can we please not talk about death?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Alannah, promise me that if I die down here, you'll rename this place the "CAVES OF THE DEAD".''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''I'm on it!''
Victoria cried out in protest.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''People...''
Layla emerged from the pool in a bioluminescent chamber with deep water in between, and she walked to the other end. There appeared to be a very deep sinkhole, but she slid down a couple dozen meters and, quite sure of herself, performed a Leap of Faith diving another couple dozen meters underwater. She swam forward to a huge chamber with a few hydrothermal vents.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm going to miss the London loft. I really liked the view.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Miss it? Why can't you go back?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Didn't you read Kiyoshi's report? Abstergo's already swept through it. It's compromised.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''No, I've been busy researching Thera... Kiyoshi, are you all right?''
Layla reached the end of the chamber to a small opening below.
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Of course. After clearing out the last of our gear, I observed the infiltration from a distance.''
She entered into a bioluminescent tunnel.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Did they pick up the present I left?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Yes, they found the {{Wiki|USB}} key you "dropped" under the desk. Nice tactic.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''No one at Abstergo will be stupid enough to stick that in a computer.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''They don't have to. It's a shell holding one of my special {{Wiki|Radio-frequency identification|RFID}} transmitters. Get it anywhere near a workstation, like, say, in the head of security's office, and... Boom.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Impressive.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''All in a day's hack.''
Layla exited the tunnel and finally reached the pool where Kassandra dove to get to the [[Gateway to the Lost City]] and emerged out of the water. She laughed joyously.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Wow! It's more elaborate than I could have imagined.''
She ran through the walkway.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''How did they build all this? What I wouldn't pay for an Isu toolbox...''
Layla passed in-between the two huge [[lion]] statues and saw the floating {{Wiki|square pyramid}} with symbols of the four hybrid beasts on each side.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This is different from Egypt. Some aesthetic elements in common but... Hmm.''
She walked underneath it and looked around.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I should get out of this diving suit before I start exploring.''
She changed back to her old clothes and donned a {{Wiki|keffiyeh}}. Layla looked around in amazement.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It's real. I made it.''
Layla contacted her team again.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Layla to ''[[Altaïr II]]''. I'm in. Do you have visuals?''
Alannah was astonished.
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Yes! By the [[Twelve Gods|gods]], Layla, it's Atlantis!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''How are you feeling? Any {{Wiki|Underwater environment#Humans in the underwater environment|nausea}} from the pressure change?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No, I'm fine. These rooms are... amazing.''
She crossed her arms, and walked back and forth.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Think, Layla, think... there must be a way. Something has to power up this place.''
She contacted her team again.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm re-entering the Animus. I need Kassandra to show me how she got farther inside.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Fateful Encounter
|-
|Layla returned from the Animus after experiencing how Kassandra sealed Atlantis.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[Ancient Revelations]]</ref> She went straight to the transmitting column near the gate and pushed the triangle button in the middle. It flashed golden light, and the square pyramid floating above glowed and activateed with a holographic [[earth]] beneath it. Layla looked up in awe and excitement.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''So much power. The nodes are interconnected in ways I couldn't imagine. This is more complex than any Isu [[Seismic Temple|temple]] we've found. [[Lisbon Temple|Lisbon]], the [[Arctic Temple|Arctic]]...''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''I'm recording everything, Layla. You're going to be a hero for discovering this.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Do you see the staff anywhere?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Not yet. But there's more to explore. I'll find it.''
The continent of Africa appeared to be missing from the hologram.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The mechanism should be open. What's wrong?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''I don't know Layla, I'll check my notes on the Isu.''
Layla noticed a missing light beam on a face of the pyramid and walked to its corner below to look up. She saw the dormant symbol of the [[Minotaur]].
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Oh, I see it. There's a beam of light missing. Time to troubleshoot...''
She rubbed her hands and turned to look back and up where the light source should have been. She proceeded to climb towards it and entered a chamber room of zigzagging lights and pillars.
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Layla, that pillar looks like it can move.''
She approached one.
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Those pillars seem to have mirrors on them. If you manipulate those light beams, they might illuminate something important.''
Layla travelled farther inside to the source of the light.
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Such a bright light. Its presence cannot be an accident.''
She began to move the pillars until the light bounced to the inactive face of the pyramid.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I got it!''
Layla took a Leap of Faith into the water below that surrounded the platform under the hologram. She resurfaced and returned to the platform's center, but nothing happened. She put her hands on her hips and thought for a moment.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Where is it?''
She sat on a protruding part of a structure and realized something.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''What—''
Layla sensed Kassandra as she approaches her with a spherical artifact on her hand that transformed into the Staff of Hermes.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''"True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing." A good [[Sokrates|friend]] told me that once.''
Layla responded in astonishment.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Impossible... Kassandra?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Yes. I used to be called the Eagle Bearer, but [[Ikaros]] is long gone.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I've been searching for you. But you can't, it's...''
Kassandra laughed and replied while eyeing the Staff she held.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You weren't really looking for me, were you?''
Layla turned, exhilarated.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It works. The Isu artifact. The Staff of Hermes Trismegistus.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You must have so many questions, Layla.''
(If "What are you doing here?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You know my name.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Maybe the gods told me. Maybe I had a vision of the future. Maybe the device in your ear is noisy.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Sorry...''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I came here with a purpose—to find you and put an end to what I started many centuries ago.''
(If "What about your spear?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I have your spear. Would you like it back?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Oh? No, you can keep it—it's broken.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''But you used it broken. It was powerful.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I used it to defeat enemies even Herodotos could not describe, but everything must come to an end. I left it to him when its power was exhausted—something to remember me by.''
(If "I need the Staff." is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I... I have so much to tell you. That staff is incredibly important. It kept you alive. How?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Ask a student of [[Hippokrates]]—I hear he still has some. The staff served its purpose.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''My friends and I are trying to keep it out of the hands of the Templar Order—''
Kassandra cut her off.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Listen to me. Order, chaos... If either triumphs alone, the world dies. I tried to bring an end to chaos, and it has only led to ruin.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I used to assist order. Now I fight for choice, freedom. Chaos.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Pythagoras was right, you are the key to the prophecy. You will restore the balance, Layla.''
Kassandra sighed and pored over the Staff.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I have fought in too many wars. I have seen too many people die. I have walked from one end of the Earth to the other... This belongs to you now.''
Kassandra handed the Staff to Layla. Layla helds it, but Kassandra said one last thing before she let go.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Promise me one thing.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Anything.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''When you are done. Destroy it. Destroy them all.''
Layla nodded in agreement. Kassandra nodded in thanks, then released the Staff. Turning away, she immediately turned gray and old. Seconds later, light shone from her as her life drained away. Layla caught her as she fell, and Kassandra uttered her final words in Ancient Greek.
*'''Kassandra:''' Gaía, mátir pantós, chaíre. ''(Earth, mother of all, I greet you.)''
Layla laid her down on the ground in sorrow and gives her a moment of silence. She picked up the Staff to examine it, then put it aside.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There's so much of the story I haven't seen. I should go back to the Animus and visit Kassandra again.''
|}

===''[[The Lost Tales of Greece]]''===
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Unlocking the Seal to Atlantis
|-
|After relieving Kassandra's first encounter with [[Aletheia]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Lost Tales of Greece]]'' – [[The Heir of Memories]]</ref> Layla exited the Animus to speak with her cell members via ear comm.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''All right. What did your diagnostic show you?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Alannah's getting the results now.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''It will take us time to analyze. For now—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Kiyoshi, you cut out. You there?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Another bug? I was saying, for now, try to relax.''
Layla heard a voice.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Heir of Memories, the [[Great Seal to Atlantis|Great Seal]] awaits you.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria? Did you hear that?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Nothing on our end. What did you hear?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Before, there was radio static. Like we were being jammed. But just now, I heard a voice. The same one Kassandra heard in Atlantis.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Might be the Bleeding Effect. Like Kiyoshi said, try to relax while Alannah works on the results of the diagnostic.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Go to the Seal, Heir.''
Before leaving, Layla conducted a quick survey of her impromptu camp, starting by inspecting her bag.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I have enough food and water for a week, two if I ration myself.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''I would not recommend staying down there that long. We can't help you from up here if Abstergo shows up.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Yeah, yeah. I'll hurry.''
Layla crossed over to the pronged column at the window looking out to the sunken Atlantis.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This is the altar that Kassandra activated millennia ago. It was ancient even when she found it.''
Layla returned to her camp and saw that the place where Kassandra had lain was empty, her body having disintegrated.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Kassandra is... gone. What a life she must have lived.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''If there's organic remains, we could get a sample.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There aren't, and you're creepy.''
Layla examined the locations of the pillars. She examined the location of the [[Minotaur]]'s pillar.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This must be where the Minotaur's pillar was.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Looks like it was functioning as some kind of gate.''
She examined the location of [[Medusa]]'s pillar.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I still can't believe Isu tech turned that poor woman into a gorgon.''
She examined the location of the [[Cyclops]]'s pillar.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This pillar was part of the gate being protected by the Cyclops. Isu technology was capable of horrible things. Maybe it still is.''
She examined the location of the [[Sphinx]]'s pillar.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Sphinx's pillar was here. I can't believe Isu technology can corrupt biological beings that way.''
Her inspection complete, Layla carried the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus to the Great Seal, a large gate in the cave's right corner. She placed the staff on the left of the gate. While she looked around, a voice echoed from the staff.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Keeper delivered me to you. Her pledge has been satisfied, and now I am entwined with you. Heir of Memories, this is the Great Seal to Atlantis. It has waited long to meet you.''
She approached the staff.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria, Aletheia's voice is coming through the Staff. Victoria?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Interloper can't hear you now.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You're scrambling my comms? Focus, Layla. You're not going crazy. I think.''
Layla picked up the Staff.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''That memory. If it wasn't an Animus malfunction, Kassandra was the Keeper, holding the Staff for... me? And somehow the Staff has been equipped for audio transmission, and it is connected to this Seal.''
Layla looked at the symbols to her left.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''These symbols. It almost looks like a locking mechanism.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Name these symbols in order, and at long last, the Seal will open to the Heir of Memories.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''OK, talking stick. But which symbols, and in what order? There must be some way to know.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Keeper kept this riddle, and more, in her mind.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', I'm going back into the Animus. If the signals get through, and you can monitor my vitals, great. If not, well, you've earned one free "I told you so."''
Layla went back into the Animus, continuing Kassandra's memories during her meeting with Aletheia. Afterwards, she received a message through her communications.
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, come in.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Alannah, that you?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Two things. Something's been interrupting our comms, which explains why we lost your vitals. Kiyoshi is looking into it.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I know this sounds crazy, but I think it's the Staff.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Nothing sounds crazy to me anymore. Still, I'd like to verify. In other news, your Animus is definitely bugging out. Victoria's yelling at her monitors in French, and frankly, I'm not sure what you're doing is safe.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You call that yelling? Layla, The ''Altaïr II'' is moving into position. We're going to ask that you come up for air while we take a look at it.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I can't do that, Vic. Kassandra's looking for Theras, who might know how to unlock the Great Seal to Atlantis.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''The what? Layla, I—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''[[Theras]] was a friend to [[Phidias]]. I'll let you know more as soon as I get answers. Layla out.''
Layla resumed her Animus session as Kassandra searched for Theras.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – The Lost Tales of Greece'' – [[Finding Theras]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Exploring Agamemnon's Tomb
|-
|After Kassandra found the symbol in [[Agamemnon]]'s [[Agamemnon's Tomb|tomb]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – The Lost Tales of Greece'' – [[Agamemnon's Symbol]]</ref> Layla reported her findings to her team.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', I have our next location.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Well done. Where to?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Agamemnon's Tomb in Argolis.''
Layla travelled to Argolis, entering Agamemnon's tomb, which the entrance had largely collapsed.
<tabber>
|-|First tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Layla to the ''Altaïr II''. It wasn't easy, but I'm in.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I still don't understand. An Al, or some other kind of consciousness, is in the Staff, which is used to open the Great Seal to Atlantis?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Partly right. The symbols in these tombs are somehow tied to the symbols on the Seal.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''How?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'll let you know once I find one.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Guess I'm taking your word for it. Be careful in there.''
|-|Second tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', found my way in. I think I'm getting good at this.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''There might be a second career in this, if ''assassin'' isn't your thing.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I still think this is a bad idea, Layla. We don't know the source of radio interference, ''and'' there are temporal discrepancies in the Animus memories.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Noted, doctor. Layla out.''
|-|Third tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', can you read me?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''We hear you. Layla, there's something that you need to know—the interference in the comms is coming from an outside source. If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone was listening in.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It must be related to the Staff.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''That's just it. I recognize the interference pattern. It isn't [[Isu]]. It almost reminds me of an [[Erudito]] hacking algorithm.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'd recognize a hack if I saw one. Besides, once I find the third symbol, it won't matter. If only I knew which order they go in.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Hmm. You could try randomly guessing. There's not ''that'' many combinations.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There's no guarantee I get two chances opening the Seal. After this, we're going back to Atlantis, and I'll figure something out.''
</tabber>
Layla began exploring the tomb and could barely contain her excitement.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''What a find!''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''What is it?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''And spoil the surprise? All I'll say is prepare to be amazed when I get back.''
Layla retraced Kassandra's steps and found that the spike traps were still functional.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Those plates on the floor... I should be careful.''
She inspected the barricade on the other side of the chamber.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There must be some way over this thing.''
Layla climbed a nearby grain rack, which Kassandra had moved into position centuries before, and got over the barricade. She encountered a skeleton on the ground on the other side.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This body must be thousands of years old.''
Layla continued into the stele chamber, inspecting the path below the hole in the floor. She followed the path and found the way out Kassandra used had collapsed.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Hmm. Dead end.''
Layla retraced her steps and inspected the other routes available to her.
<tabber>
|-|First tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The first symbol is near.''
Layla smashed some wine jars and slid through the hole in the wall, finding the symbol on the other side.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The symbol!''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The first of three. You've done well, Heir.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It almost looks like a constellation.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, all of our readings are being jammed.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you OK?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm fine. I'm fine. But there's still two more to uncover. I'm going back to the Animus.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''There've been too many bugs. Layla, we need to stop and figure out what's happening.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We'll stop once I've opened the Seal. Layla out.''
|-|Second tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The second symbol is close. You have done well to get this far, despite the Interloper.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Interloper? Do you mean... Vic, or someone else?''
Layla smashed some wine jars and slid through the hole in the wall, finding the symbol on the other side.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The second symbol. Another part of a constellation. Maybe they fit together. ''Altaïr II'', can you read me?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Interloper can hear us.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Interloper? Who?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, we hear you, but you're breaking up. Did you found the second symbol?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I did. And Kassandra knows where the third is, I'm sure of it. I'm going to dive back in.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''As your doctor and as your friend, I insist that we stop this. We're not able to guarantee you're safe in there. The Staff—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Staff makes me immortal, Vic. I'll be fine.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, please.''
|-|Third tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''We are approaching the final symbol. If the Keeper doesn't know the order of the symbols, her brother will.''
Layla smashed some wine jars and slid through the hole in the wall, finding the symbol on the other side.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The final symbol. Another part of a constellation. They must fit together. ''Altaïr II'', can you read me? OK, Layla, think this through. Outside the Tomb of Eteokles, Aletheia said Deimos would show me what the Keeper can't. Phidias had answers Theras didn't and was killed for it...''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir is wise.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', come in please.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, that you?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Did you find the symbol?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Three for three. We need to head back to Atlantis. In the meantime, let's run the symbols I've found against known constellations. Consider the research a Plan B.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What's Plan A?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Kassandra knew where the symbols were, but not the order they go in. Aletheia thinks Deimos may hold that secret. We have his DNA...''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What? Layla, are you crazy?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm not crazy. I'm committed, and you should be too. When I get back to Atlantis, I'm getting this done whether you're on my side or not.''
</tabber>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Exploring the Tomb of Eteokles
|-
|After Kassandra found the symbol in [[Eteokles]]' [[Tomb of Eteokles|tomb]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – The Lost Tales of Greece'' – [[Eteokles's Symbol]]</ref> Layla reported her findings to her team.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', I've... or, Kassandra's found the next location.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Great work. Where to?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Tomb of Eteokles. I think I've found a way in.''
The ''Altaïr II'' fetched Layla and brought her to Eteokles' tomb in Attika. Layla managed to enter the tomb.
<tabber>
|-|First tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Layla to the ''Altaïr II''. It wasn't easy, but I'm in.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I still don't understand. An Al, or some other kind of consciousness, is in the Staff, which is used to open the Great Seal to Atlantis?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Partly right. The symbols in these tombs are somehow tied to the symbols on the Seal.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''How?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'll let you know once I find one.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Guess I'm taking your word for it. Be careful in there.''
|-|Second tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', found my way in. I think I'm getting good at this.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''There might be a second career in this, if ''assassin'' isn't your thing.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I still think this is a bad idea, Layla. We don't know the source of radio interference, ''and'' there are temporal discrepancies in the Animus memories.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Noted, doctor. Layla out.''
|-|Third tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', can you read me?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''We hear you. Layla, there's something that you need to know—the interference in the comms is coming from an outside source. If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone was listening in.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It must be related to the Staff.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''That's just it. I recognize the interference pattern. It isn't Isu. It almost reminds me of an Erudito hacking algorithm.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'd recognize a hack if I saw one. Besides, once I find the third symbol, it won't matter. If only I knew which order they go in.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Hmm. You could try randomly guessing. There's not ''that'' many combinations.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There's no guarantee I get two chances opening the Seal. After this, we're going back to Atlantis, and I'll figure something out.''
</tabber>
Layla descended the stairs into the tomb, passing by a large spike trap.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Strange. I thought floor spikes were a Persian thing.''
She reached the main burial chamber, which contained the remains of Eteokles.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Here lies the King of Thebes. I still can't believe I'm seeing it with my own eyes.''
She continued through the halls.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''So well preserved. It looks like the organic matter—the paint, the wood... None of it has aged a day.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''The chemical composition of the air might act as a natural form of preservation.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''There are tombs all over the world where corpses still have hair and nails intact, even millennia after burial.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Let's talk about corpses ''after'' I'm out of here.''
Layla continued and rounded a corner to find a well-preserved statue.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Incredible. These statues are in perfect condition.''
She walked up to inspect it closer.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Those who paid homage here did so with their lives.''
She turned and entered the large chamber.
<tabber>
|-|First tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The first symbol is near.''
Layla inspected the nearby escape route Kassandra used, which had collapsed.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Hmm. Can't go this way.''
She returned to the chamber and found the symbol right in the middle of the sarcophagus.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The symbol!''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The first of three. You've done well, Heir.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It almost looks like a constellation.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, all of our readings are being jammed.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you OK?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm fine. I'm fine. But there's still two more to uncover. I'm going back to the Animus.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''There've been too many bugs. Layla, we need to stop and figure out what's happening.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We'll stop once I've opened the Seal. Layla out.''
|-|Second tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The second symbol is close. You have done well to get this far, despite the Interloper.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Interloper? Do you mean... Vic, or someone else?''
Layla inspected the nearby escape route Kassandra used, which had collapsed.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Hmm. Can't go this way.''
She returned to the chamber and found the symbol right in the middle of the sarcophagus.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The second symbol. Another part of a constellation. Maybe they fit together. ''Altaïr II'', can you read me?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Interloper can hear us.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Interloper? Who?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, we hear you, but you're breaking up. Did you found the second symbol?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I did. And Kassandra knows where the third is, I'm sure of it. I'm going to dive back in.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''As your doctor and as your friend, I insist that we stop this. We're not able to guarantee you're safe in there. The Staff—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Staff makes me immortal, Vic. I'll be fine.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, please.''
|-|Third tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''We are approaching the final symbol. If the Keeper doesn't know the order of the symbols, her brother will.''
Layla inspected the nearby escape route Kassandra used, which had collapsed.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Hmm. Can't go this way.''
She returned to the chamber and found the symbol right in the middle of the sarcophagus.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The final symbol. Another part of a constellation. They must fit together. ''Altaïr II'', can you read me? OK, Layla, think this through. Outside the Tomb of Eteokles, Aletheia said Deimos would show me what the Keeper can't. Phidias had answers Theras didn't and was killed for it...''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir is wise.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', come in please.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, that you?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Did you find the symbol?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Three for three. We need to head back to Atlantis. In the meantime, let's run the symbols I've found against known constellations. Consider the research a Plan B.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What's Plan A?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Kassandra knew where the symbols were, but not the order they go in. Aletheia thinks Deimos may hold that secret. We have his DNA...''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What? Layla, are you crazy?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm not crazy. I'm committed, and you should be too. When I get back to Atlantis, I'm getting this done whether you're on my side or not.''
</tabber>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Exploring the Tomb of Orion
|-
|After Kassandra found the symbol in [[Orion]]'s [[Tomb of Orion|tomb]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – The Lost tales of Greece'' – [[Orion's Symbol]]</ref> Layla reported her findings to her team.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', come in.''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' Altaïr II ''here.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The next stop is the Tomb of Orion. I'll show you how to get there when I get back.''
The ''Altaïr II'' brought Layla to Orion's tomb in Boeotia.
<tabber>
|-|First tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Layla to the ''Altaïr II''. It wasn't easy, but I'm in.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I still don't understand. An Al, or some other kind of consciousness, is in the Staff, which is used to open the Great Seal to Atlantis?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Partly right. The symbols in these tombs are somehow tied to the symbols on the Seal.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''How?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'll let you know once I find one.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Guess I'm taking your word for it. Be careful in there.''
|-|Second tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', found my way in. I think I'm getting good at this.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''There might be a second career in this, if ''assassin'' isn't your thing.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I still think this is a bad idea, Layla. We don't know the source of radio interference, ''and'' there are temporal discrepancies in the Animus memories.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Noted, doctor. Layla out.''
|-|Third tomb visited=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', can you read me?''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''We hear you. Layla, there's something that you need to know—the interference in the comms is coming from an outside source. If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone was listening in.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It must be related to the Staff.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''That's just it. I recognize the interference pattern. It isn't [[Isu]]. It almost reminds me of an Erudito hacking algorithm.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'd recognize a hack if I saw one. Besides, once I find the third symbol, it won't matter. If only I knew which order they go in.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Hmm. You could try randomly guessing. There's not ''that'' many combinations.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''There's no guarantee I get two chances opening the Seal. After this, we're going back to Atlantis, and I'll figure something out.''
</tabber>
Layla descended the steps to the left and took stock of the plant life flourishing in the tomb, as well as the water damage that facilitated it.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I hope the tomb hasn't flooded.''
She vaulted over a collapsed column.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This place is falling apart.''
To her left at the fork, she found the stele chamber along with bull iconography.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Bull murals... Because of the relationship between the [[Taurus|constellation]] and Orion?''
She turned back and took the opposite path, past a spike floor trap and back up the stairs, finding the corpse of a raider.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This raider was poisoned.''
Layla weaved her way past wine jars and tree roots into a flooded chamber.
<tabber>
|-|First tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The first symbol is near.''
Layla found a hole in the ceiling.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''A hole in the ceiling... But how do I get up there?''
Layla used the nearby grain rack to climb through the ceiling. She found the symbol on the wall behind her.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The symbol!''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The first of three. You've done well, Heir.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It almost looks like a constellation.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, all of our readings are being jammed.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you OK?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm fine. I'm fine. But there's still two more to uncover. I'm going back to the Animus.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''There've been too many bugs. Layla, we need to stop and figure out what's happening.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We'll stop once I've opened the Seal. Layla out.''
|-|Second tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The second symbol is close. You have done well to get this far, despite the Interloper.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Interloper? Do you mean... Vic, or someone else?''
Layla found a hole in the ceiling.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''A hole in the ceiling... But how do I get up there?''
Layla used the nearby grain rack to climb through the ceiling. She found the symbol on the wall behind her.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The second symbol. Another part of a constellation. Maybe they fit together. ''Altaïr II'', can you read me?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Interloper can hear us.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Interloper? Who?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, we hear you, but you're breaking up. Did you found the second symbol?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I did. And Kassandra knows where the third is, I'm sure of it. I'm going to dive back in.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''As your doctor and as your friend, I insist that we stop this. We're not able to guarantee you're safe in there. The Staff—''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The Staff makes me immortal, Vic. I'll be fine.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, please.''
|-|Third tomb visited=
*'''Aletheia:''' ''We are approaching the final symbol. If the Keeper doesn't know the order of the symbols, her brother will.''
Layla found a hole in the ceiling.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''A hole in the ceiling... But how do I get up there?''
Layla used the nearby grain rack to climb through the ceiling. She found the symbol on the wall behind her.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The final symbol. Another part of a constellation. They must fit together. ''Altaïr II'', can you read me? OK, Layla, think this through. Outside the Tomb of Eteokles, Aletheia said Deimos would show me what the Keeper can't. Phidias had answers Theras didn't and was killed for it...''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir is wise.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', come in please.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla, that you?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Did you find the symbol?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Three for three. We need to head back to Atlantis. In the meantime, let's run the symbols I've found against known constellations. Consider the research a Plan B.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What's Plan A?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Kassandra knew where the symbols were, but not the order they go in. Aletheia thinks Deimos may hold that secret. We have his DNA...''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What? Layla, are you crazy?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm not crazy. I'm committed, and you should be too. When I get back to Atlantis, I'm getting this done whether you're on my side or not.''
</tabber>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Opening the Throne Room
|-
|Layla returned to the ''Altaïr II'', and then to Atlantis. There, she relived the memories of Deimos, who had encountered Phidias before in his [[Phidias' Workshop, Olympia|workshop]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – The Lost Tales of Grece'' – [[Phidias' Murder]]</ref> As Phidias was looking through his scrolls. Deimos arrived and punched the back of Phidias' head, which bounced off a block of marble and began to bleed. Phidas attempted to crawl for his life, while Deimos picked a sculpting knife off the marble.
*'''Phidias:''' ''Are you... [[Brison]]?''
<tabber>
|-|I don't want to do this.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this.''
Layla's refusal to harm Phidias as Deimos did caused her to de-synchronize with his memories. The memory reset to the moment Deimos punched Phidias.
|-|🖝 I'm Deimos.=
*'''Deimos:''' ''The name is Deimos.''
*'''Phidias:''' ''No... I heard you're not real. You're not real.''
*'''Deimos:''' ''Oh, I'm real. Here, let me show you.''
|-|🖝 This is going to hurt.=
*'''Deimos:''' ''No talking until after we dance.''
|-|🖝 Tell me how you found these symbols.=
*'''Deimos:''' ''The symbols. Talk.''
*'''Brison:''' ''Itira, Korgath, Metin.''
*'''Deimos:''' ''What does that mean?''
*'''Brison:''' ''Itira, Korgath, Metin.''
*'''Deimos:''' ''All right. Let's do this the hard way.''
</tabber>
Deimos punched Phidias, throwing him onto a slab of marble.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla! Your heart rate's accelerated, and your body temp is almost ninety-eight degrees. What's happening?''
Deimos stabbed the knife into Phidias' left hand and took it out, causing Phidias to scream in pain.
*'''Phidias:''' ''Itira! Korgath! Metin! That's all I know. You have to believe me.''
Deimos held his hand to his forehead in frustration.
<tabber>
|-|Please stop this.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I can't... I don't want to do this.''
Layla's refusal to harm Phidias as Deimos did caused her to de-synchronize with his memories. The memory reset to the moment Deimos stabbed Phidias.
|-|🖝 Time to break your other hand.=
*'''Deimos:''' ''Maybe you'll talk if I break your other hand?''
|-|🖝 Talk sense, and I'll spare you.=
*'''Deimos:''' ''I'm not here to hurt you, Phidias. We're friends. I just want to know where these symbols come from. You would tell your friend, wouldn't you?''
*'''Phidias:''' ''It... Itira. Ko...''
*'''Deimos:''' ''Korgath! Metin! Are you ''trying'' to anger your friend?''
</tabber>
Deimos continued to punch Phidias repeatedly before stopping. The sensation of each punch transferred directly to Layla's fists, and she felt indistinguishable from Deimos. Phidias' blood ran down the slab of marble.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No no no no no... Layla, get your shit together.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, you're not safe. We have to get you out of there.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''NO!''
Deimos climbed up the slab.
*'''Deimos:''' ''Don't be afraid. We all die. But first—''
Layla assumed Deimos' role.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''—tell me what I want to know!''
Layla-as-Deimos picked up Phidias and threw him across the room. The sculptor continued uttering the words.
*'''Phidias:''' ''Ithira! Korgath! Metin! Ithira! Korgath! Metin! Ithira! Korgath! Metin!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, we're remote-ending your session.''
The scene turned to outside of the workshop. Screams continued to be heard. In the modern day, Layla's Animus session was terminated.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Itira. Korgath. Metin. Itira. Korgath. Metin.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla, come in.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Vic! You had no right!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I ''had'' to pull you out. Diving into Deimos' mind almost killed you!''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Interloper. He is listening.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''He?!''
*'''Kiyoshi Takakura:''' ''Sigma! I'm opening fire.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Doc, fall back!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Kiyoshi's been hit!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', come in! ''Altaïr II''! Vic... Anyone? Can you hear me?''
The comms stayed silent. Layla approached the huge door.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Great Seal has waited long enough.''
*'''Layla Hassan;''' ''I'm... I can't. I've seen inside Deimos' mind. I can't contact the team. The Animus isn't safe.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The trials of the Heir are just beginning.''
Layla drew the Staff and stared at it.
<tabber>
|-|I'm ready for anything.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You're right. I can do this. I can do this.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Yours is a role of strength and resilience.''
|-|I can't be the Heir.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I don't want any of this. I'm no Heir. I thought I could do this, but I can't.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''You must.''
Layla composed herself.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''OK, Layla, snap out of it. You've come too far to give up now. All right, we do things your way for now, talking stick.''
</tabber>
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Now, the Heir must call the name of the first symbol.''
<tabber>
|-|Attoka.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I recognize the symbol from the tomb, but what was it Phidias said? Attoka? No, that's not it.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''See through the eyes of Deimos. Hear through the ears of Deimos.''
(returns to previous choices)
|-|Gwenera.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The symbol that looked like a constellation. There it is. But what is its name? Gwenera?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Through Deimos, the Heir has heard the names of the symbols in their order.''
(returns to previous choices)
|-|Itira.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This symbol was the first I found, and the first name said by Phidias was Itira.''
The symbol of three stars lit up.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir recalls. She heard the names of the symbols and their order. Now, call out the name of the second.''
</tabber>
<tabber>
|-|Korgath.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It was this symbol. And the second name said by Phidias was Korgath.''
The symbol of the tree lit up.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir doesn't just experience memories, but holds them inside her. And now, the final symbol.''
|-|Deadol.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''What was it that Phidias said after Itira? Deadol?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''A name with great power, but not to open the Seal.''
(returns to previous choices)
|-|Horitorth.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The second symbol... Was it Horitorth?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''That will be a name the Heir will cry out in a distant future. But now is not its time.''
(returns to previous choices)
</tabber>
<tabber>
|-|Sukkurban.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''A name is coming to me. Sukk... Sukkerb...''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir would be wise to never utter that name.''
(returns to previous choices)
|-|Metin.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I remember! Phidias somehow unlocked the order of the symbols, even if he didn't realize it. It was Itira, Korgath, Metin.''
The symbol of the crescent moon lit up. A stream of light appeared across the sealed gate.
|-|Toralia.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I can hear Phidias... but the name escapes me. Toralia?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The time as Deimos may have overcome you, but the Heir must ''try''. Search your memories.''
(returns to previous choices)
</tabber>
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla! Can you hear us?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Vic! You're alive!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Sigma Force soldiers stormed the ship. Kiyoshi was shot, but I stopped the bleeding. He saved us.''
*'''Alannah:''' ''It isn't the Staff. Someone is intentionally remote-hacking our signal. I encrypted a new frequency for us just to be sure.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We need to go dark until we know it's safe.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Before we go... How are you?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It's good to hear your voices. Listen, I've unlocked the Great Seal. Atlantis... is open.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Please. Don't go in until we know we can keep a secure connection. I want this as much as you do, but we need to do it together.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm hearing you, doctor. Atlantis has waited this long—it can wait a little longer. Until then, while I'm down here, I'm safe. Call me when Kiyoshi is back on his feet.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''He'll be glad to hear your voice. Until then, ''Altaïr II'' is going dark.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Bye.''
|}

===''[[The Fate of Atlantis: Fields of Elysium]]''===
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Starting the memories in Elysium
|-
|Layla approached the Throne Room's entrance before trying to contact her team.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Anybody there? Victoria?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla? Nice timing! I've been able to establish a secure connection with {{Wiki|polymorphic code}}—hacker free. It's good to have you back.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''How's Kiyoshi?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''You know him—resilient as ever. He wouldn't want you worrying.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Sigma Team. I can't believe those bastards found the ''Altair II''.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Turns out our signal was being corrupted by ''the'' Juhani Otso Berg himself. Guess he was bored of playing [[Black Cross]] and [[Assassin's Creed: Uprising 12|tracking down]] the Juno Cult. I should've known some desperate hacker from [[Erudito]] would flip on us. Their fingerprints are all over this.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No way! Otso heard everything? If he tells the rest of the Templar [[Inner Sanctum of the Templar Order|Inner Sanctum]] what we're up to, we'll have every armed Abstergo goon on the planet after us.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''If Berg hasn't found you yet, we're still a step ahead.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Then as long as I've got you as backup, what are we waiting for? Let's see what this Great Seal is all about. Where's Victoria?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''You'll see.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''All right, then. Here we go.''
Layla opened the Great Seal and entered the Throne Room of Atlantis.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This place is ''huge''. Echo! These look like thrones for royalty. But who were the kings and queens?''
In the center, she encountered the hologram of Aletheia.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Hello, Layla, Heir of Memories. We've finally found each other.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I guess rebels always find a way. It's nice to meet you in the flesh, Aletheia. Or in the... hologram?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''It was only a matter of time until our realities crossed in one way or another.''
Victoria approached from behind, having entered Atlantis in search of Layla.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''It seems as though we're not alone.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria? What are you doing down here?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla! It was way too dangerous to let you do this alone. I wanted to keep an eye on things personally. Who's this?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''This is Aletheia, the voice from the Staff I was talking about. Of the ''Isu'', Victoria. Can you believe it?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I've had nothing but time to study the patterns of human speech, so I should sound less like a "talking stick."''
Victoria turned and whispered to Layla.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Are you sure we can trust her?''
<tabber>
|-|Aletheia's on our side.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Don't worry, she's a friend. She wants to help us with the Staff.''
|-|I'm not sure.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We have no choice but to trust her. She's the key to finding out more about the Staff.''
</tabber>
*'''Aletheia:''' ''It was always known to me that the Heir of Memories would embark alongside the Keeper, Kassandra. You weren't in the plans. Can I trust you?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Of course you can. I'm her doctor, and I need to be here to keep an eye on Layla's vitals.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''She'll keep out of the way.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''No matter. This journey is yours and Kassandra's. You'll need to build up the strength to withstand the Staff's corruption.''
Aletheia pointed at three pillars as a beam of light bounced from each one, leaving an emblem.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Woah.''
The lights stopped.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''As Kassandra finds power to fuel both her and the Staff, you too will feel that physical connection.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''So you want Layla to go in there? I don't think so. Who knows what exposure to even more First Civ tech will do?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Not me, Victoria. I'll go into the Animus and experience it as Kassandra... Right, Aletheia?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Your journey starts at the same place the Keeper's did. The Animus will show you her way through the [[Aletheia's simulations|simulations]].''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''If you're sure, Layla, we'll have to be extra careful. I'll be here to monitor you with... ''her''. Are you ready?''
<tabber>
|-|I'm ready to go.=
Layla took out her Animus headset.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''As ready as I'll ever be. Wish me'' bonne chance.
Layla entered the Animus.
|-|Leave – I need more time.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Give me a few more minutes. I want to look around.''
Layla looked around a bit more before returning to Victoria.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''The Animus is ready. Are you?''
(returns to previous choice.)
</tabber>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After the memories in Elysium
|-
|Before Layla could relive Kassandra's memory of her battle with [[Cerberos]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Fields of Elysium]]'' – [[The Rebellion's Uprising]]</ref> Victoria abruptly pulled her out of the Animus by removing the headset from Layla's head.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria! What—''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' No time for that! Abstergo's found us!
Alethia's hologram flickered out as Victoria pointed to the entrance, and Layla pivoted to see three Sigma Team members run in. Layla brandished the Staff as Kassandra did, using Kassandra's battle experience to wield it as a weapon against Abstergo's strike team. She killed two of them and knocked the third to the ground. She spat and stalked after him as he attempted to crawl away, raising the Staff to finish him off.
*'''Abstergo Guard:''' ''Don't!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Layla!''
Layla paused to consider her options, then lifted the guard to his feet.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Tell your boss I'm ready. Otso Berg can come get me himself—if he's not a coward.''
The guard fled, and Victoria stepped forward to reprimand Layla.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''What the hell is ''wrong'' with you?!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''What else could I do? They were out to kill us—even Aletheia ran for the hills.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''There was no reason to massacre them.''
Alannah chimed in over the comms.
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Everything OK down there? Sounded like a war zone.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''We're fine, Alannah, but don't expect much action anytime soon. Seems like this specific memory in the Animus is down for the count.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Let me guess, that happened when you ripped me out. Great, that's the ''last'' thing we need.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I had no choice. Complaining won't repair the computer. The memory files are overwriting each other, and I'll need time to sort them out.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You know what? I need some time alone. May as well head back to Greece until Aletheia returns, anyway.''
Layla walked out with the Staff, leaving Victoria to ponder the changes happening to her patient and friend.
|}

===''[[The Fate of Atlantis: Torment of Hades]]''===
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Starting the memories in Hades
|-
|After giving Victoria some time to sort out Kassandra's memories, Layla was ready to re-enter the simulation from when Kassandra was cast out of Elysium.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''That wasn't so long of a wait, was it? I've patched the memories, and we're good to go back in the simulation.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''With Abstergo on our tails, we have to move fast. You can't blame me for being eager to get going.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I won't blame you if you don't blame me for what happened earlier. It's just... Atlantis isn't our little secret anymore. Let's try to move on, shall we?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria, you have to trust me in there. I know what I'm doing.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''We're ''friends'', Layla, but more importantly, I'm your doctor. I can't ignore what's happening to your body when you're in there. Something is really off.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm'' fine''. I don't know how much more doctor talk I can take.''
Aletheia's holographic projection reappeared, startling Victoria.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''I'll never get used to that. She comes out of nowhere.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Glad you're back. Bet even ''you'' didn't see that Abstergo ambush coming, Aletheia.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Not exactly. But as long as they're gone and you're ready, your journey with the Staff continues.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''After that cliffhanger in the pit of Elysium, you bet I'm ready. I have to see what happens next.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''By interacting with the [[Keeper's Insight]]s in Elysium, Kassandra exchanged knowledge with the Staff. That means by extension of the Animus, so have you.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I gotta tell you—I do feel stronger somehow.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Try to keep your head in there. Good luck, Layla.''
Layla returned to the Animus to experience Kassandra's fight with Cerberos.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Torment of Hades]]'' – [[Guardian of the Gates]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|After the memories in Hades
|-
|While Layla was reliving Kassandra's memory as she defeated [[Hades]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Torment of Hades]]'' – [[Labors of the Keeper]]</ref> she was forcefully pulled out by Victoria once again, who removed the Animus from her head and the Staff from her hands.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria! What did you do?''
Victoria walked away. Alannah contacted Victoria on the comms.
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''You guys OK down there?''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Cut the comms. This has gone way too far. I'm shutting this down.''
Layla followed Victoria to the middle of the room.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I can handle it!''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''You're not acting like yourself!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' You're ''acting like a child.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''Look at you! Can't you see what the Staff is doing? Plugging into Deimos' memories, letting you run rogue in the [[underworld]]... It's the Bleeding Effect! It's hurting you. You need to stop!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Give it back. Now.''
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''No. It's me or the Staff. You have to choose.''
Layla pondered her thoughts before moving forward to grab the Staff, causing a struggle between her and Victoria.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Let go!''
Layla was able to pull back the Staff to her hands.
*'''Dr. Victoria Bibeau:''' ''It's not worth it! This is for your own—''
An angry Layla struck Victoria with the Staff, sending her flying backwards into a block of stairs. Her body rolled to the ground and slumped into the water channels running through the dais.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Get up, Victoria...''
Victoria did not respond. Layla put dwn the Staff and squatted down to check on her, realizing that Victoria was dead.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Victoria? No... no...''
Aletheia appeared behind, having witnessed everything.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''There must be some mistake.''
Layla stood up with the Staff, facing Aletheia.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It... No, it was an accident! I swear... I didn't know what happened to me, I...''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir of Memories would never do this.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''"Do this"? Victoria was my friend. It wasn't me.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''This won't work. I need time.''
Aletheia turned around and walked away. Layla followed behind.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You think I did this on purpose. It was the Staff, Aletheia. I'm not a bad person. I don't kill.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The Heir of Memories in ''my'' vision had foresight. Your reaction was entirely human—and inhumane. I fear you'll learn nothing from what I've created for you.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I am the Heir of Memories! I can control the Staff! Listen to me, I know I can do it.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''That is not for you to decide. ''I'' decide your worthiness. Though it may be too late for that.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Fine. I'll go for a while. Just don't let anything happen to her, OK? And don't leave. Please. I'll be back.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I'm not going anywhere.''
Layla walked towards Victoria's body.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Damn'' it. I'm sorry, Victoria. But I can't quit now.''
|}

===''[[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]''===
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Starting the memories in Atlantis
|-
|Some time after Victoria's death, Layla returned to Aletheia.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Back so soon?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Aletheia. I know I wasn't gone long in the Animus, but I couldn't wait.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I've been thinking about whether or not I should let you continue. And I have my answer, but I'm afraid you won't like it.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Don't tell me I can't go into the third simulation.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I'm sorry, Layla. I made a miscalculation, and I factored you in when it was a mistake to do so. I see that clearly now. It's time for you to leave Atlantis.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You can't do this. Not now! I've seen [[Elysium]], and the ''underworld''! You can't take that away.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''If I'd known this reality would go the direction it did, you wouldn't have seen ''any'' of it. You're too human. Your DNA has succumbed to the corrupting nature of the Staff.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Listen, I know the Bleeding Effect is real—and accessing Deimos' memory ''did'' effect me—but I've studied Isu artifacts. This is the last stage of my trials! When it's over, my DNA will be able to overcome the Staff's control.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Perhaps. But you won't see that through. My simulations are closed to you.''
<tabber>
|-|Listen to reason.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Hear me out. What happened before with Victoria was ''horrible''. But how can I learn to control my impulses if I don't know more about the Staff?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''This is about more than your lesson—I wanted creation, but you brought destruction.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Only because I haven't learned everything yet. You wanted to teach me, and I still want to be taught. Give me another chance!''
|-|I'm sorry about what happened.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm really sorry, Aletheia. For ''everything'' up until now. You had such high hopes for me.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I did, yes. But that was my own fault. I should never have let you go down this path.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No, that's the thing. You were ''right''. You saw something in me—that I'd be the one to bring balance. And I still can if you let me.''
|-|No matter what, I'm going in.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I didn't want to play this card, but I will. I built this Animus. I know the tech. It doesn't matter or not you want me in the simulation.''
Layla turned around and prepared to walk off.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''You really think your rudimentary understanding of our technology would allow you to break in? As the Greeks would say, that's your hubris talking.''
Layla turned again and approached Aletheia once again.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''All I know is this. We can do this together, or I do this alone. Don't let us become enemies.''
</tabber>
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Even if I were to let you in, your doctor is dead.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''If I could take that back, I would. But I can't, and I have to keep going.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''From her calculations, your body wouldn't be able to withstand the simulations.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''My body is ''fine''. The Staff kept Kassandra alive for thousands of years! I've got a protection-guarantee.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Your mind is a different story altogether. You don't have the sense to see its degradation.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''When you break it down, this Staff ''heals'', Aletheia. I could come out of this smarter, more in control. Invincible.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''That's quite a leap in logic.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Just let me see for myself. Please.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Go.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Oh my god, thank you. You won't regret this. Here we go.''
Layla walked off to retrieve the Animus while Aletheia pondered her decision.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I'll see you inside.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Aletheia's lessons in Atlantis
|-
|Shortly after reliving Kassandra's memory of her first conversation with Poseidon in Atlantis, Aletheia spoke to Layla.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Hello, Layla.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Aletheia? What are you doing in here?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''You needed intervention. I couldn't stop you physically, but perhaps I ''can'' make you understand through technical means.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No, I've got this! Stay out of it.''
After Layla relived Kassandra's memory of [[Neokles (Isu)|Neokles]]' photosynthesis experiment,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' – [[The Birds and the Bees]]</ref> Aletheia lectured her once more.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''The one who holds the Staff has no choice but to face both immediate and future consequences for lifetimes. That takes responsibility.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' '' hear you, Aletheia. You may think I'm crazy, but at least I'm accountable.''
After Layla relived Kassandra's memory of [[Lyra]]'s ordeal,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' – [[In Dreams]]</ref> Aletheia lectured her once more.
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Isu technology can and ''will'' change whoever isn't strong enough to command it. That explains your own aggression, Layla.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm still ''me''. I'm not as weak as you think I am.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#337470; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|End of the trials
|-
|After relieving Kassandra's final memory in the ruined Atlantean throne room after sinking the city,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] – [[The Fate of Atlantis: Judgment of Atlantis]]'' – [[The Fate of Atlantis (memory)]]</ref> Layla ended the session on Aletheia's warning and tore off her headset.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No! Where are you?''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Talking to yourself, Layla Hassan?''
Juhani Otso Berg appeared and approached Layla.
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Clearly the Isu artifact has had quite the effect on you. You're going mad.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Mr. Berg. You finally showed up.''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Most impressive. I knew if anyone could discover this place, it was you. But you left Abstergo before you could be assigned this mission.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Sigma 6 found it just fine after you tapped into our comm signal. We ''know'' it was you.''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Correct. What you ''don't'' know is that I've been listening in for much longer. Ever since you found the book of Herodotos—from Templar research I'm sure you stole.''
(If "Why are you with the Templars?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Abstergo are murderers, and you're nothing but their killing machine.''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''A righteous claim. And what of the Sigma Team I dispatched earlier to find you? You killed them.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Look. I saw your files on the Abstergo database. I know about [[Elina Berg|Elina]]. If you knew what the Staff could do for her...''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Don't say a ''word'' about her!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Then forget it! I was trying to compromise.''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''No compromising. The artifact is coming with me.''
(If "Why did you hurt Deanna?" is chosen.)
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You had no right to do what you did to Deanna. You should have come after ''me.
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''You were always next on the list. I'll check you off today.''
(Leave – "Enough of this.")
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You're a real ''ya homaar'' (ass), Otso. This is over.''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Indeed. The world outside is coming to its inevitable end. Whose side you're on won't matter anymore. Come, hand over the Staff.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It does matter. I'll always be an Assassin. And if you want the Staff, you're going have to take it from me.''
Berg drew a sword while Layla drew the Staff. They began clashing, and he taunted her with Victoria's death.
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''First Victoria, now me? Admit it—you can't handle the power of the artifact.''
Layla defeated Berg, who clutched his body in pain and dropped to his knees.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''You want to know my favorite thing about the Staff?''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Don't gloat.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''It's the immortality.''
Berg chuckled with labored breaths.
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''Petty to the end.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''The thing is, Mr. Berg, I don't care if you live or die. You just gotta get out of my way.''
Layla grabbed Berg's head from the back.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Face it. The Templars lost.''
Layla threw him forward from the head forcefully, rendering him prone one the ground. She then impaled Berg's spine with the bladed pommel of the Staff. Berg yelled in pain. Layla looked back at him with pity before returning to her work desk.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' Altaïr II'', come in. ''Altaïr II'', come in. Atlantis has been compromised.''
*'''Otso Berg:''' ''My... legs...''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Aletheia? Aletheia!''
Layla knocked the Staff over in a frustrated swing of her arms. She notice Berg passed out from his injuries and retrieved the Staff. Layla then walked towards Victoria's body propped against the stairs and knelt down.
<tabber>
|-|I've failed you, Victoria.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Vic. I failed you. I'm sorry I didn't listen.''
Layla became emotional.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I wasn't there when you needed me. Do you remember that night you made dinner? I'm sorry I said you can't cook. If I knew this is what would happen, I never would've... Please. Send me a sign.''
|-|Come back.=
Layla began to cry.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Vic. I can't do this without you. I try to hide it, but I'm scared. I have no idea what I'm doing here. I'm alone. I need you. Please... come back.''
Layla stood and turned away.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Send me a sign, at least. ''Any''thing.''
|-|We will be together again.=
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Vic. I'm so sorry. We will be together again... one day. Do you remember that night we got drunk and you wanted to dance, but I said no? Next time, I promise I'll say yes.''
Layla stood and turned away.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''And I promise I'll like your terrible cooking. There will be a next time... Right? Vic?''
</tabber>
Layla noticed Victoria's earpiece.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Your earpiece...''
Layla took off Victoria's earpiece and replaced her own. She then attempted to make contact.
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Can anyone hear me?''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Victoria! We've been trying to find a way to force a communication. First we lost everyone's vitals and then...''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Alannah, it's me.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Layla? How? This is Victoria's channel. Where is she? What's been happening down there? Did you finish the trials?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Yes, we have the Staff. I finished our trials, but—''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''That's incredible! An actual Isu artifact in Assassin control! This changes everything!''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''I'm not in control, Alannah, and nothing's changed. Otso Berg is the Interloper. He's in the Throne Room with me. I'll explain everything, but the Templars know what we're doing, and they're after us. I need you to get me out of here.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''With you... Are you safe?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''We fought. He passed out, but he's stable. Please don't make me check on him.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''You didn't... kill him?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''No. He's still alive.''
*'''Alannah Ryan:''' ''Sit tight, Layla. We're coming for you, but it might take time. What are you going to do?''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''Until you get here, I'm going back into the Animus. There are a lot of people to say goodbye to.''
Layla returned to the Animus while she awaited extraction.
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Conflicting Identities
|-
|The Animus simulation of [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] being attacked by a [[wolf]] glitched and fell apart.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Prologue (Valhalla)|Prologue]]</ref>
*'''Layla:''' ''Ah! What the hell is that?''
*'''Operator:''' ''I'm seeing [[Odin|two]] different data streams, overlapped in the same DNA. Not sure [[Isu incarnation|why]].''
*'''Layla:''' ''Fix this, or pull me out.''
*'''Operator:''' ''I can parse the streams with a filter. Hold on... Okay, we're good.''
Layla weakly responded, still shocked from the simulation.
*'''Layla:''' ''Are we?''
*'''Operator:''' ''I don't know what happened, but I can work around it. You'll have to pick a stream to keep things stable. There's a third option, too. I can let the Animus modulate your identity based on signal strength. It's up to you.''
The Animus displayed a screen prompting Layla to pick between following a female Eivor, a male Eivor, or letting the Animus decide. Regardless what her choice was, the operator responded in the same manner.
*'''Operator:''' ''Alright, I'll lock it in and push ahead. To a time when these streams are more synchronized.''
Layla resumed the simulation with an adult Eivor captured on the shores of [[Heillboer]] after failing to kill [[Kjotve the Cruel]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[Honor Bound]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Message
|-
|Layla slowly woke up from her Animus session in a dark cabin after witnessing Eivor, [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson]], and other members of the [[Raven Clan]] depart [[Fornburg]], [[Norway]] for [[England]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[The Seas of Fate]]</ref> Sitting upright, she touched her head as a headache came, then grabbed a packet of [[Tobacco|cigarettes]] and lit one for herself. Only slightly more at ease, she warily peeked out the closed blinds covering a window and walked to the sink, grabbing a handful of painkillers from a pill container on the way. Placing her cigarette on the sink edge, she turned on the faucet and was about to drink from the tap when her eyes landed on the Staff of Hermes Trismegistus locked in a glass box across the room. Layla stared as it seemed to pulse, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and activated a device hidden behind there. Her cigarette butt fell into a dirty coffee cup, breaking her concentration. She grabbed her bluetooth earpiece from the table, opened the door, and exited the cabin.
*'''News Anchor:''' ''In a lecture at the [[University of Cambridge]], Dr. [[Siercke]] told a worried audience that scientists have few answers for them...''
*'''Dr. Siercke:''' ''Since the mass coronal ejection of 2012, the strength of the earth's magnetic field has increased by a factor of fifty thousand. This has resulted in huge disturbances in radio and satellite communications, dangerous bands of radiation around the poles, and as we can all see from our window, an aurora borealis that never burns away. Unfortunately, we are stumped as to why this is happening. And if we cannot find an answer soon, it may change the way we live, the way we communicate... even the way we evolve... forever.''
Layla looked to her equipment and to the troubled sky. As Shaun Hastings arrived in a van, she waved at him.
*'''News Anchor:''' ''Dr. Siercke went on to say—''
Layla turned off her earpiece and looked at him.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Bought you more electrolytes! Ooh! New and improved citrus flavor!''
*'''Layla:''' ''Thanks, Shaun.''
Suddenly, a tremor shook the earth. Layla went to look at a skeleton in a small pit filled with an [[Battleaxe|axe]], a [[shield]], and other relics.
*'''Layla:''' ''How do we fix this? How are you the key to everything?''
Before leaving the grave, she talked again to the corpse.
*'''Layla:''' ''You're a long way from home, Eivor. Hm.''
Layla then went up the small hill and looked at the landscape and aurora borealis from its small viewpoint.
*'''Layla:''' ''It's beautiful, but it's not normal.''
Layla left and saw a series of [[runes]] carved into a nearby rock.
*'''Layla:''' ''Runes?''
She left the rock and sat on a bench near the campfire.
*'''Layla:''' ''I should do this more often. Relaxing.''
Layla saw the van Shaun had arrived in.
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm not going anywhere. Not yet.''
Layla walked across the garden and looked at a gnome on a chair.
*'''Layla:''' ''Probably bought this in a coffee shop, somewhere in [[Concord]].''
A flaming object abruptly fell from the sky and crashed in the other side of the valley.
*'''Layla:''' ''Another satellite. Damn.''
Layla went down the road and spotted a mail box, opening it.
*'''Layla:''' ''Someone's got mail... An invitation to a fair in Concord. "Bring your best crop and you may win a prize." Tempting.''
She continued down the road until she reached a point where she decided to go back to the cabin.
*'''Layla:''' ''Layla. You can't run away from this.''
Layla found the camp outhouse on her way back.
*'''Layla:''' ''Oof... I'd rather walk into town than use this.''
Layla reached the cabin and saw some tools at the door.
*'''Layla:''' ''Some quality stuff here.''
Layla stepped onto the cabin's porch and saw a table with playing cards laid out.
*'''Layla:''' ''Would love to play a round, but I have bigger things in my mind.''
She entered the cabin and heard Shaun and Rebecca talking.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Did you get my [[tea]]?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh... Mint tea is not actually tea, Becs. It's an infusion... it's really just dirty minty water.''
He grabbed a mug and brought it to Rebecca, who sat in front of the computer.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I don't care what you call it, Shaun. Did you buy any?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Of course I did, love.''
Rebecca spotted Layla.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hey, sorry about pulling you out. The generator was sputtering.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That's fine. I needed air.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''How was the Animus data stream? Comfortable?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Felt pretty stable after a while.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Good. Just give me a sec, and you can jump back in.''
She went to talk to Shaun, now in front of a board full of paper notes.
*'''Layla:''' ''Another satellite came down. Did you see?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I did. One of Abstergo's''
*'''Layla:''' ''That's good.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, most of [[North America]] just lost its GPS service. So... It depends what you mean by good, really.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Right. Even when we win, we lose.''
Rebecca returned to the computer.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Okay, we're all set. Whenever you're ready, you can jump back in.''
Layla talked to Shaun again as he checked his tablet.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hello, Layla.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun, what do you make of the grave out there?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, it overturns a few hundred years of scholarship about the first Europeans to set foot in North America. Apart from that, it's just a bunch of muddy bones, isn't it?''
He looked again to the board. Layla touched again the little device behind her ear, thinking.
*'''Layla:''' ''Can we talk about this thing in my neck for a second?''
Shaun turned around.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah. The mood stabilizer. Yes.''
*'''Layla:''' ''It's not harmful, is it? I mean, I feel good. But I want to make sure there's no... side effects.''
*'''Shaun Hastings:''' ''There shouldn't be. It's only blocking outside signals, a passive effect. So the staff doesn't, you know... mess with you.''
She turned to quickly look at the Staff.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun, what happened last year, I—... I had no control over that. I... I tried to resist.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I understand. And your old team... maybe they don't, but we've seen that sort of thing before. Still, if you want to work with us and get to the bottom of why the world is about to end for the second time in eight years... then you wear that thing until we say otherwise. William's orders.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I know. It's not a problem.''
*'''Shaun :''' ''It's just a few more weeks, yeah? Just until we figure this out.''
*'''Layla:''' ''You're right. I know you're right.''
She went to read [[Layla Hassan's personal files#Physical notes|Shaun's notes]] on the board.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun has been busy...''
Layla approached the radio at the window.
*'''Layla:''' ''You mind if I put some music on?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Go for it.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Cool.''
Layla noticed the bag of groceries Shaun had brought earlier in the counter.
*'''Layla:''' ''You gonna put this in the fridge, Shaun?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Of course. In half a minute.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Remember, tomatoes go on the counter. Not the fridge.''
She went on to read the note on the fridge, left by the owners of the property.
*'''Layla:''' ''"Please enjoy the stay! Remember, all the garbage must be packed out. And please water the plants once a day." Yeah, I won't remember that.''
She spotted a plant in a pot on a shelf near the exit.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun, don't forget to water the plants while I'm under, okay?''
Shaun replied tired and sarcastically.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I'll add it to the calendar. And tattoo it on my leg.''
On the other side of the cabin, she saw a painting hanging on the wall.
*'''Layla:''' ''That's quite nice. Soothing.''
Layla decided to check her laptop and her emails.
*'''Layla:''' ''Let's have a look.''
Then, she looked to the encaged Staff at her side and thought to herself.
*'''Layla:''' ''I went through hell to bring you here. It had better be worth it.''
Layla spoke to Rebecca again.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Feeling okay?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Better. But I'm worried that it could happen again, the two data streams.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I can't promise it won't. I barely understand it myself.''
*'''Layla:''' ''It felt like... two minds. Fighting over one brain. It hurt, like a shotgun to the head.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Right. There's something about this [[Vikings|Viking]]'s DNA sample that feels dense... noisy.''
Layla looked to the Staff.
*'''Layla:''' ''Could it be the staff? Interfering somehow?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''How do you mean?''
*'''Layla:''' ''My headaches, my temper. They started the day I got that thing.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I hope you're not making excuses for, you know... your friend.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Jesus, no. I'm not.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sorry. Just... take it easy. And if you feel yourself slipping again, let us know.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm trying. I really am.''
Rebecca returned to her job. Layla then looked to the couch in a corner of the room.
*'''Layla:''' ''Be nice to sleep in a real bed when this is over.''
Eventually, Layla prepared to re-enter the Animus HR-8.5.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''All right, time to go. Norway to England takes about a week by [[longship]], so I'll scrub ahead.''
Layla took one last look at the Staff and could still hear its hum.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Layla? You okay?''
Layla nodded.
*'''Layla:''' ''Sorry. Can you play the message again?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We have the transcript if you're looking for something. I can go and—''
*'''Layla:''' ''No, I wanna hear it.''
Shaun and Rebecca looked to each other, concerned.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Okay...''
*'''Layla:''' ''I don't mean to be cryptic, it's just... That message led us here, to this place. To a [[Norse people|Norse]] grave in North America. So those bones out there are the only lead we have... our only chance at fixing this planet before it's too late.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Here it is.''
Rebecca touched in a buttom on her touchpad.
*'''Unknown Male Voice:''' ''I lived, I died, and now I sleep. And in my sleep, I dream. And in my dreams, I see an end to the doom that will grip the earth once again. Find the Wolf-Kissed, find the [[Odin|Mad One]], find [[Basim ibn Ishaq|me]], and save us all from another death.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Unsettling, that is.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That pulse in the message. Are you sure it's just coordinates? Nothing else?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Nothing I can find.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Okay. I'm ready.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Here we go.''
Layla laid back in the Animus and entered the simulation when Eivor and her clan arrived in England.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[The Swan-Road Home]]</ref> After some time in the simulation of Eivor's memories of England, Layla took a break from the Animus and consulted with Shaun.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun, anything you want me searching for while I'm visiting 9th century England?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hang on. Are you asking... are you asking because I'm English?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Well, sure. I mean, you're a historian... an English historian. So I thought... yeah.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''And you'd be right.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Are you always this cagey?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Almost never. I've emailed you a list of things I'd like you to investigate. The mutual intelligibility of Old Norse and Old English is a big one.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Good question. Eivor seems to be doing fine, but I'll pay more attention.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oh, and [[Alfred the Great|King Aelfred]], the only English king to be called Great. Get a good look at his face, alright? I'd be nice to know if his statue in [[Winchester]] is entirely accurate.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'll lean in real close, just for you.''
Layla returned to the Animus to continue her investigation.
|}

{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Animus Anomalies
|-
|<tabber>
|-|1=
In the Animus, Layla approached a floating blue symbol as Eivor. As she touched it, Eivor's avatar was replaced with Layla's own image. The simulation stopped and a digital structure appeared in front of her, with a glowing packet at its end.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, are you seeing this?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yeah, it's weird. An [[Animus Anomalies|anomaly]] of some kind. The rest of your simulation is frozen.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I can see a loose data package close by. I'll see if I can reach it.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Okay, but take it slow. We don't know what this thing is.''
Layla heard a recording of unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, I'm closing in on the data packet.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Got it.''
A small video clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|2=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, I found another anomaly.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Is that what we're calling them?''
*'''Layla:''' ''And another data packet. Should I get it?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''If it's anything like the last one, absolutely.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Hey, are you two hearing the same voices I'm hearing?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Not sure what you mean. It's all quiet on our end.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Dammit. Well, I'm at the second packet. You ready?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'm ready.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got the data. Sending it now.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|3=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Your signal is flickering. Another anomaly?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Yeah. Are you losing touch with me when I find these?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yeah, unfortunately. For a few minutes at a time.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Damn. Try to stay with me if you can. I need you to hear these.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hey, Becs! Layla's back! I see her here... blipping and bleeping on your monitor. Layla, hey. Becs is fiddling with the back end. Trying to get a fix on you.''
*'''Layla:''' ''No luck?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No luck. But she did show me how to decrypt your data packets. I just click a button when you've grabbed the data bits.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Got it.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|4=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Layla:''' ''Anomaly four. Becs, you really have to hear this in here. Two voices, definitely Isu. One of them is Aletheia, I think.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''From the staff?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Yeah. But I don't think these are contemporary. They feel candid. Accidental.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'll keep trying.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Layla, it's Shaun. I'm sifting through the videos you've been finding. This is an absolute gold mine, I hope you realize.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Feels like it.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''This is literally the clearest raw memory-stream footage we've ever seen from the Isu era. Only question is, who's feeding them to you?''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Got it.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|5=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Layla:''' ''Here we go again.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hey, it's Shaun here. Hum... Becs is trying to cook up a trace of some kind. Hoping to find out where this raw data is coming from.
*'''Layla:''' ''It's not in Eivor's DNA is it?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Can't be. Feels too deliberate. Like someone wants you to see it.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, any progress?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Nothing yet. Whoever put these here made a surgical incision into our server. They dumped this data and backed out before anyone noticed.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Oddly enough, that's how Rebecca describes our wedding night. Which I find rude...''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hasting, get off the mic.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got it. Be ready.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|6=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Layla. How are you holding up?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Not bad, actually. These anomalies feel second nature now.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Any ghosting effects? Double-identity syndrome? Occipital shock signs?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Hey hey, you trying to freak me out? My God, just let me work.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''All right, closing in on another one.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sorry to freak you out earlier. It's just, the Animus can be dangerous. Prolonged exposure is hard on a brain.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I know. I just ... I wanna finish this.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Yes. Definitely. Jump out whenever you feel worn down.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got the data. Here it comes.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|7=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Layla:''' ''Anomaly number seven, if I'm counting right.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You are. Just a few more to go. Ten in total.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Ten. Okay, I can do ten. Does the Animus give achievements for stuff like this?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Sorry? Does it what?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Forget it.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You're getting good at these, Layla.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm an engineer. These puzzles are child's play.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Still, it's physical and mental. That can't be easy.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That's true. I never had to swim through any fluid dynamics equations to solve them.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got the data. Here it comes.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|8=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun. These memory-stream fragments I'm finding ... are they adding up to anything?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Nothing coherent so far. Just random clips. Hard to say how they all fit together.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Damn.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''I think there's more here than meets the eye. Just keep going.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Almost there. Eight down, two to go.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Good. And here comes another kaleidoscopic gemstone of gibberish.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Not bad, Shaun. Working on your kennings?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''As a matter of fact, I am, yes. Thank you for noticing, data-wrangler.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got the data. Here it comes.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|9=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Anomaly number nine. Feeling okay? Any adverse effects?''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm a little tired, that's all. Why? You expecting something worse?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Expecting the unexpected. It's hard to fully trust these things.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I'll be careful.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Number nine in sight. And the voices are still with me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''That's strange. We're still not hearing anything.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Are you still sure they aren't coming from somewhere else? Like... from you?''
*'''Layla:''' ''God, no. How would that be possible?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Sorry, just asking.''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got the data. Here it comes.''
Another small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
|-|10=
Layla encountered another floating blue symbol.
*'''Layla:''' ''Last anomaly. This is it.''
*'''Rebecca Crane:''' ''I'm keeping a close watch on you. Don't do something weird or sudden, okay?''
*'''Layla:''' ''I won't. And pull me out if you see anything strange. Anything at all.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Gotcha.''
Layla heard another fragment of the Isu unknown voices as she got close to the packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, I'm almost at number ten. Anything happening on your end?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Nothing. I'm decrypting the last data packet now. Here we go.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hold on, hold on. The fragment's unpacking itself. Gigs of compressed data. I think... hold on... I think we're in for something bigger than we bargained for. Get ready...''
Layla touched the data packet.
*'''Layla:''' ''I got the data. Here it comes.''
The last piece of decrypted data completed the clip. The Assassins watched the Isu memory.
*'''Layla:''' ''Holy shit. What is that?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I have a few guesses, and all of them are wild. I'll upload this to the server.''
|-|Basim=
Basim encountered a floating blue symbol.
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, here we are. My anomalies. Let's see how these turned out.''
Basim touched the data packet.
*'''Basim:''' ''And here... the fragment of an ancient memory.''
A small clip from the Isu Era was inside the decrypted data.
</tabber>

Some time after solving the third Anomaly, Layla took a break from the Animus and went to speak to Rebecca.
*'''Layla:''' ''The voices in those Animus anomalies. One of them is Aletheia, but the [[Loki|other]], I just don't know.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''How well do you know Aletheia?''
*'''Layla:''' ''She talked to me before, through the staff. Ran me through some tests, simulations. But I don't know if I passed or failed. I haven't heard anything from her for over a year.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''And the anomalies, is she talking to you there?''
*'''Layla:''' ''No, these sound like... like overheard conversations. They don't seem to know I'm listening. Or they don't care.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hm. I uploaded the data you found to our server. I'll have a closer listen when I have time.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Good idea.''
Layla returned to the Animus and, after solving the fifth Anomaly, she went in search of Shaun.
*'''Layla:''' ''You have a second?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yeah. Sure. What's on your mind?''
*'''Layla:''' ''How long ago did this precursor race die out?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Near as we can tell, about seventy-five thousand years ago. Hard to pinpoint an exact date. I can't tell if it was a Tuesday.''
*'''Layla Hassan:''' ''That's a long time. So why won't they leave us the hell alone?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Good question. I think a blinding arrogance, coupled with a crippling fear of extinction, would drive a lot of people to desperate measures. They knew their human creations would survive the coming catastrophe. So a few of them devised ways to carry their imprint forward, hoping that, well, we might be able to resurrect them at some point in the future.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Would you resurrect one if you could?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well... we tried [[Resurrection Day|once before]]. Didn't work out.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Right...''
She talked to Shaun again.
*'''Shaun Hastings:''' ''It's very hard to wrap one's head around all this. You know? It never gets easier.''
Layla left and returned to Rebecca talk again.
*'''Layla:''' ''It's definitely Aletheia in those anomalies. I can't make out that other voice.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I had a listen. Feels like we're hearing conversations from the Isu era.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That's unheard of.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You saw simulations of that era, didn't you?''
*'''Layla:''' ''I did, but it's hard to know what was real and what was invented. There was Isu tech mixed with Greek architecture. It felt crafted. For a purpose. Like Aletheia was testing me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I'd love to see the playbacks of those simulations. Can you get them?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Not likely. I'd have to talk with my old team and... well, it was a hard time.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Right...''
After watching the completely extracted memory file composed by the clips, Layla exited the cabin and saw Shaun examinating Eivor's grave.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun, what the hell did we see in that video? The Isu... blood transfusions... a cataclysm.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''All that and more. Another Isu attempt to live beyond death.''
*'''Layla:''' ''How would that work?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We know that one Isu was able to implant her husband's DNA into a human bloodline, causing him to be reborn every few generations. This footage appears to show something similar. Same technology, different application. That's all I can say for sure. It's not gonna help me sleep at night. I can tell you that!''
Another earthquake struck the earth.
*'''Layla:''' ''God, I could never get used to that.''
Then, she went to the campfire near them, encountering Rebecca.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, you watched the Anomaly video?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I did. That was... that was unreal. Unfiltered Isu memories, right from the source. Not like the hazy filtered footage we've seen from Sages in the past.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Right. But what source? Who sent these?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I wish I knew. It's not from Eivor, so... who the hell knows?''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Breaking the Cycle
|-
|After witnessing Eivor and Sigurd defeat Basim and suspend him in the [[Yggdrasil]] supercomputer beneath [[Hordaland]], Norway,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' – [[A Brother's Keeper]]</ref> Layla requested an immediate extraction.
*'''Layla:''' ''Becs, I'm coming out.''
Layla slowly sat up on the Animus. Rebecca knelt by her, with Shaun standing close.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Steady, Layla.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Were you watching my feed? What the hell was all that?''
Shaun touched his chin in thought.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I think that was the solution to our problem.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Are you thinking what I'm thinking?''
Shaun nodded.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Desmond.''
Remembering Desmond's autopsy files from her time with Abstergo, Layla was bewildered how he was involved.
*'''Layla:''' ''Desmond? Wh-What about him...?''
Knowing there was much to say and little time to tell it, Shaun and Rebecca took Layla to the fire pit to sit and discuss their late friend.
*'''Shaun:''' ''He was just a bartender before he joined us. Not even a very good one! That's when he learned his real purpose. He was like a... I don't know, like a singularity. You know? A vanishing point. All of human history seemed to converge on him.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''In 2012, the sun threw off a mass coronal ejection so large, it should have wrecked all life on earth.''
Layla nodded.
*'''Layla:''' ''I remember. I worked at Abstergo then.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''It was Desmond who saved us. He knew how to stop it.''
Layla gave a sidelong glance and frowned, remembering Abstergo's spin on that event.
*'''Layla:''' ''Abstergo claimed credit for that. Something about their satellite network.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''That's bullshit. It was Desmond. He pulled the switch that saved the world.''
Shaun stood up and walked a few steps away, then put his hand to his chin in realization.
*'''Shaun:''' ''But that switch is still on. Still generating a magnetic field, one that's growing stronger every day.''
Layla closed her eyes in thought.
*'''Layla:''' ''The temple Eivor found... that's where the field originates.''
Shaun turned around.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Exactly. And it's been running for eight years, getting stronger and stronger. It will be dangerous now. Heat, radiation.''
Layla stood up.
*'''Layla:''' ''Doesn't matter. We have to fix it. Shut it down.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''No, no no, slow it down. It's still protecting us.''
*'''Layla:''' ''All of this is starting to make sense. Everything I've done, everything I have learned. It led me here to this moment.''
Rebecca and Shaun looked at each other, then Shaun addressed Layla.
*'''Shaun:''' ''You'll need the staff for this one. For protection. Otherwise, you won't make it past the first gate.''
Layla slowly nodded.
*'''Layla:''' ''Right, of course. Okay... I'm ready.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Okay. I'll pack the van.''
Shaun walked into the cabin as Rebecca finally stood up.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''And I'll contact our ship. It can be in [[Boston Harbor]] by tomorrow night.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Thanks, Becs.''
Rebecca walked past. Layla revisited the runes near the lookout.
*'''Layla:''' ''Eivor carved these runes. Didn't know I could read these, but... that's the Bleeding Effect, I guess.''
Layla returned to the cabin and talked to Rebecca at her computer station.
*'''Layla:''' ''Thanks for keeping it steady in there.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''You surf this thing better than anyone I know.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That's not true, is it?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Well, nearly. Be careful out there. And come back in once piece.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Thanks, Becs.''
Layla exited the cabin and met Shaun at the van.
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm ready.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''It's a long way to {{Wiki|Nicknames of Boston|Beantown}}. Hop in.''
Hours later, Layla stood outside the underground door to the Yggdrasil chamber with the Staff of Hermes in its box at her feet.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah, good. Your signal's already a little bit wobbly. Are you inside?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Not yet, but there's a hundred feet of ice above me.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''All right, we may lose touch when you push through, so remember what we talked about. Watch your meters carefullt, for radiation especially. And keep the staff close.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Got it.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Standing by.''
Layla took the Staff from the box and held it for a moment, closing her eyes as she remembered the last time she had used it. Rising to stand facing the door, she planted the Staff at her feet and spoke the password to open the chamber.
*'''Layla:''' zrhwachày nàgkwat nsmæ br trrhwndi kwardæ, I sorhwlàs vras chnàkodi de, nsm huchràs réyzdéràæ chaz zàwomsi. ''(When the destruction and death threatens before us, and the solar flare is reaching, to the calculator of futures we run.)''
The stone door slowly rose, grinding against its long-forgotten tracks.
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm in.''
Shaun's voice patched in, but was full of static the moment Layla crossed the door's threshold.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Good. And remember, do not shut the machine off, just slow it down. The field it generates must still protect the earth.''
*'''Layla:''' ''I hear you.''
The door slid back down, sealing Layla inside. Layla strapped the Staff to her back and stepped onto the elevator plate to ride it down.
*'''Layla:''' ''The elevator still works.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah! Seventy-five thousand years, what's another millennium or two.''
The elevator continued descending.
*'''Layla:''' ''It's getting hotter already.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Yes, by our reckoning, it's gonna go up by about sixteen degrees Celsius.''
*'''Layla:''' ''How does it draw so much power?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Tectonics is our best theory. The movement of the earth's crust, the churning lava beneath. Huge source of energy.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That's tech humans should have. Energy, not pieces of Eden.''
Shaun's voice came through, but filled with more static.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Well, when all this is over, we could get a start-up going. You know? Get a little workspace, buy a van. Just the three of us.''
The elevator reached the bottom, showing Layla the large room covered in water vapor clouds and bathed in Yggdrasil's red warning light.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shit, you're breaking up, Shaun.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Say—say that again, please. You're breaking up.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Forget it. I'll call you when I'm topside.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Why don't you try calling us when you're topside? We'll be right back.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Here we go...''
The elevator landed. Layla stepped off and through a doorway to see the entirety of Yggdrasil and its chamber. The earth tremored as she took in the sight.
*'''Layla:''' ''There you are. You're working overtime.''
She turned left to access the bridge that Eivor and Sigurd had used, only to find the span was long broken.
*'''Layla:''' ''Must have collapsed when the ice melted.''
She climbed onto a spar of rebar and jumped off, landing to slide down an angled bridge piece covered in rushing water.
*'''Layla:''' ''Whoa. Steady...''
Just before the ledge ended in a drop, Layla jumped onto a nearby platform.
*'''Layla:''' ''Huh!''
She turned to crouch and enter a smaller room.
*'''Layla:''' ''A pool of water... from all that melted ice.''
She jumped in and swam through a short hall to the other side, then climbed up on a platform and freeran to a higher floor. This also ended in a spar of rebar hanging in the air.
*'''Layla:''' ''Don't look down, don't look down.''
Layla jumped and climbed the column directly across from her, leaped to another piece of rebar, and then began climbing a wall followed by a third column. She eventually came to the steps leading to Yggdrasil's branches.
*'''Layla:''' ''Why would anyone want to end their life here? Unless they thought it was just beginning.''
She looked up and saw Basim, still preserved despite hanging from Yggdrasil for just over a millennium.
*'''Layla:''' ''Basim... after a thousand years, you're not looking so well.''
Layla stepped into the center. She took the Staff of Hermes from her back on hearing the machine activate and quicly scanned for movement in the shadows.
*'''Layla:''' ''It's just like the Animus. It's just like the Animus.'' (breathing)
A mechanical arm reached down behind and attached itself to her neck through a subcutinous epidural, then lifted her body into the air. Spasming as the device took hold, Layla dropped the Staff to the ground, then went limp as the simulation began. She found herself in [[Valhalla (afterlife)|Valhalla]]'s fields, but the land was filled with glitches.
*'''Layla:''' ''This is... this is Eivor's Valhalla. Or—or, a simulation of it. So what am I looking for? Will I know it when I see it?''
She crossed the doors into the great hall, but saw it in ruins, benches and tables overturned and haphazardly stacked or floating in midair to block her way to [[Asgard]]. More glitches filled the air.
*'''Layla:''' ''Something feels off...''
She turned around and saw that the empty battlefield was replaced by a wide expanse of nothing, in which three figures stood in the distance.
*'''Layla:''' ''What is this?''
*'''[[Urðr|Urdr]]:''' ''The past we spun...''
*'''[[Verðandi|Verdandi]]:''' ''The present's done...''
*'''[[Skuld]]:''' ''...the future comes on faster.''
Layla crossed the doorway again and walked to meet the digital representations of the [[Nornir]].
*'''Layla:''' ''Are you doing this? Are you pushing this machine to its limit?''
*'''Urdr:''' ''We will never end...''
*'''Verdandi:''' ''So here we wend...''
*'''Skuld:''' ''...in fealty to our master.''
One of the Norns began humming as Layla approached and saw that they were working at looms weaving blankets that changed pattern and size with every glitch.
*'''Layla:''' ''Who's your master? Is he here?''
The Nornir did not answer and continued working, even as Layla stood in their midst and looked around.
*'''Basim:''' (laugh)
A simulation of Basim materialized before Layla.
*'''Basim:''' ''They flatter me. I am only a guest in their world. A world spun of wishes and hopes.''
Basim bowed his head in greeting.
*'''Layla:''' ''Basim... you sent the message. You led us to Eivor's grave.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes. A hopeful message, was it not?''
*'''Layla:''' ''How? You've been trapped here for a millennium. Eivor put you here.''
Basim nodded.
*'''Basim:''' ''Indeed. But I'm not alone in this place. Not always. I have a friend who helps me. Together, we read the calculations. After we located Eivor's probable resting place, I contacted you.''
Layla crossed her arms, wary of Basim's explanations.
*'''Basim:''' ''Through the digital lattice that enwebs this earth like a spider's nest. In our day, all the world was connected like this. A super-organism of technology. The staff you carry, the temples you have visited... all of it speaks as one. May I show you something?''
Layla uncrossed her arms and motioned to the empty space around them.
*'''Layla:''' ''I imagine you can do anything you want in this place.''
Basim waved a hand and a simulation of the chamber's sphere appeared between them, looking much like the Eye.
*'''Basim:''' ''Not as much as you might think. I am tethered to my body in a most uncomfortable way.''
*'''Layla:''' ''But you can slow this machine down. You know how it works.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes. We'll do it together, for another catastrophe is near at hand. This node of time has an ugly way of correcting itself. Go ahead.''
Layla gave him a sidelong look.
*'''Layla:''' ''You're a hard man to trust. You must know that.''
Basim shrugged.
*'''Basim:''' ''You're not obliged to trust me. But this is all I can offer.''
Layla shook her head in frustration.
*'''Layla:''' ''God dammit.''
After a moment's hesitation, Layla put her hand on the sphere. It emitted a blinding flash of light, and when it faded, Basim was nowhere to be found, though his disembodied voice still echoed.
*'''Basim:''' ''Silence Urdr, Verdandi, Skuld. Be at ease. Your day of rest has come.''
The Nornir spread their arms wide and looked upwards, relieved to finally be released from their work.
*'''Urdr:''' ''At peace...''
*'''Verdandi:''' ''...at last...''
*'''Skuld:''' ''...we rest.''
With each of their last words, they disintegrated, leaving an irritated Layla alone in the expanse.
*'''Layla:''' ''Is that it? Is it done? Basim? Where are you?''
A bright tree of light suddenly sprouted and grew in the distance.
*'''Layla:''' ''What is that?''
She walked to the tree and saw that its branches resembled neural synapses. Its trunk, made up of the synapse tendrils all woven together instead of a solid core, was not rooted in the false ground, but narrowed to focus on a single point. As she drew closer, she saw the shape of a man made of light walking around the trunk.
*'''The Reader:''' ''Stop. Wipe everything. Run it again.''
The tree shrunk down to the focal point and regrew as Layla finally reached the glowing gardener and took a look at the strange pair.
*'''The Reader:''' ''Layla. Hello.''
Layla frowned in confusion.
*'''Layla:''' ''You know me?''
*'''The Reader:''' ''Yes. Through the calculations I read, here in the Grey. Eight years ago, the odds of your arrival were fifteen trillion, fifty-five million, three thousand, two hundred and seventy-six to one.''
Layla crossed her arms, unsure.
*'''The Reader:''' ''As the years passed by, those odds improved. And as of yesterday, near even. It's a pleasure to meet you at last.''
Layla uncrossed her arms and stepped forward, looking over The Reader's shoulder.
*'''Layla:''' ''Who are you? And what is this?''
*'''The Reader:''' ''I am the reader of the calculations. All these, possible futures for you and the world outside.''
Layla crossed her arms as she listened to The Reader.
*'''The Reader:''' ''I have spent much of my new life reading these, searching for a way to finish everything we started so long ago. It begins here. You slow down this machine and save the world, from which point all possible futures expand.''
Layla uncrossed her arms and gave The Reader a sidelong look.
*'''The Reader:''' ''Millions upon millions of possible roads.''
The Reader turned back to face the tree again.
*'''The Reader:''' ''But in every one, another catastrophe recurs. The node collapses, and the world is wiped out. The human race dwindles, and fades. I must keep looking. I must find the solution for you. I must leave you with something.''
The Reader stood at the tree's base and stared at its branches, then continued to walk around and look up as he followed branch paths with his "eyes". Layla stared at the tree's focal point.
*'''Layla:''' ''This node? This is right now, where I slow down this machine?''
*'''The Reader:''' ''Yes. I start all my calculations from this point, the only thing I know for certain.''
*'''Layla:''' ''That seems limiting.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''How do you mean?''
*'''Layla:''' ''What if you went back further, to 2012, when Desmond saved the world?''
*'''The Reader:''' ''Desmond...''
*'''Layla:''' ''What if he didn't save the world? What if he walked away and let the world burn? Look at those timelines. Read them instead.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''I see. An interesting idea.''
The tree shrunk down a second time and regrew, bigger and thicker than before, with some of the trunk's gold tendrils interwoven with separate blue-green ones.
*'''The Reader:''' ''Fascinating. Billions upon billions of new timelines to explore.''
*'''Layla:''' ''Exactly. These are timelines that never came to pass. But they could have. If Desmond had let the world be destroyed, maybe the humans that survived would have learned something from the disaster. And maybe, in one of those timelines, they could have found a way to prevent it from happening ever again.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''That is brilliant. How did you come to that idea?''
*'''Layla:''' ''If you spend too much time narrowing down what is possible, you may never give another thought to the improbable.''
Layla walked to stand beside The Reader.
*'''The Reader:''' ''Thank you for your insights, Layla.''
*'''Layla:''' ''It's only the beginning. We have a lot of data to sift through.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''Are you staying?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Until we find something useful, I will. I don't want this to happen ever again.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''You may not have much time, Layla. The machine is powered down, but the radiation... it will linger for decades. By my calculations, you have... seventy-three seconds before your exposure is lethal.''
Layla gave a knowing look.
*'''Layla:''' ''I'm not worried, I have the Staff of Eden. It heals and protects.''
The Reader responded sadly.
*'''The Reader:''' ''No... you do not.''
Layla frowned, confused.
*'''Layla:''' ''What? How?''
She sighed and hung her head, suddenly realizing what Basim's disappearance meant.
*'''Layla:''' ''Of course...''
*'''The Reader:''' ''Of course?''
*'''Layla:''' ''Fuck... All right. We'll find a solution together. However long it takes. And if that means I can never leave... so be it.''
Layla stepped closer to the tree and closed her eyes, remembering everyone she would be leaving behind. When she turned to address The Reader, her voice broke as tears formed in her eyes.
*'''Layla:''' ''I owe this to the people that I... I hurt. And the people I love.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''Yes. I know the feeling.''
A glow spread over Layla's body from her feet and rising to her head, turning her into a being of pure light like The Reader.
*'''Layla:''' ''Let's get going, huh? A few billion timelines might take a while.''
*'''The Reader:''' ''It will. But it will not feel like it. That is what I like about this place.''
The two stood and looked at the tree to start their new project.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|A Cautious Alliance
|-
|Outside the simulation, Layla still hung from her Yggdrasil branch, while below, a severely aged Basim lay unresponsive on the ground atop the Staff of Hermes. With a sudden and pained gasp, he woke from a millennium of suspended animation. Giving an agonized cry at having to move atrophied muscles and from the chamber's lingering severe radiation, Basim grasped the Staff. He planted it on the ground and slowly hauled himself to his feet as the Staff's regenerative properties swirled, restoring him to his younger appearance as the ages literally fell away in flakes of dead skin. Basim haltingly spoke to the Staff with a voice not used in centuries.
*'''Basim:''' ''Are you with me?''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''I'm with you.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It worked perfectly, my dear.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''Is the Mad One here?''
*'''Basim:''' ''No, my love. Only we remain.''
*'''Aletheia:''' ''And Layla?''
Basim looked to where Layla would continue to hang without the Staff to protect her from radiation or delayed aging.
*'''Basim:''' ''The Heir of Memories fulfilled her role perfectly. Now then. A new world awaits.''
Basim left the vault and eventually made his way back to the cabin where Shaun and Rebecca were waiting. Together, the three listened to Layla's final message transmitted from Yggdrasil.
*'''Layla:''' ''Shaun, Becs, I... I had a choice. And I chose to stay. You'll wonder where I am. You might wonder IF I am. I don't know how to answer that. But I'm not afraid. And I'm not alone.''
Shaun and Rebecca looked at each other in surprise, shocked that something of Desmond had survived a decade later.
*'''Layla:''' ''We have work to do. Work that may take us days or years. It's impossible to say. But we'll finish it. What I mean is... don't come looking for me. It's too dangerous and... too late. Take care of yourselves. Take care of the world we still have. And take care of—''
The message abruptly cut off in static. Basim spoke from where he sat on the couch, having changed from his old robes into a black wolf print t-shirt, a grey hoodie, and tan pants.
*'''Basim:''' ''You see, she's fine. In a manner of speaking.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''A manner of speaking? Jesus! We have to find her.''
Basim looked at the Animus.
*'''Basim:''' ''You heard her. She doesn't want to be rescued.''
Rebecca glared at him.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Bullshit.''
*'''Basim:''' ''In any case, there's nothing left to save. Not after this long.''
Basim stood up and walked to Layla's open laptop. Shaun gave a hard stare as he passed by.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Because of you! You left her there...''
Basim looked to the pair and put a hand to his chest.
*'''Basim:''' ''This...this is all a bit much, I know. I'm in the same situation.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''No, no. You're in a class all your own, man.''
Basim leaned over the laptop in thought, smirked, then opted to change the topic. He glanced at his new hosts.
*'''Basim:''' ''We're Assassins now, not Hidden Ones?''
Shaun walked to stand beside Rebecca and crossed his arms.
*'''Shaun:''' ''From the Arabic,'' Hashishyyin.
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah. And do we have a [[mentor]]? Is that still the practice?''
Rebecca replied bluntly, still angry.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We do.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Name?''
Shaun uncrossed his arms before carefully answering Basim.
*'''Shaun:''' ''William Miles.''
Basim carefully pronounced the name.
*'''Basim:''' ''William Miles.''
He turned to face the pair and stood upright.
*'''Basim:''' ''I'd like to meet William Miles. Would you bring him to me?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''We can call him. Encrypted line, you can talk to him right now.''
*'''Basim:''' ''No technology. Face to face. A meeting of minds. It's time to take the fight to these... these Templars, as you call them.''
Shaun looked at Rebecca, wary of trusting their guest, but she looked away refusing to answer. Basim looked at the Animus again.
*'''Basim:''' ''I won't go anywhere, my friends. Your Animus is in good hands.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''How much do you know?''
*'''Basim:''' ''My dear, we invented such things long, long before you did. I'll figure it out.''
He smirked. Their conversation over, Shaun clapped his hands and gave a resigned sigh.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Okay.''
Shaun and Rebecca left the cabin, Basim smiling behind them as they walked out. The moment he heard their van drive off, Basim took the opportunity to explore his new surroundings, starting by visiting Eivor's grave.
*'''Basim:''' ''It's a nice place to die, Eivor. Not everyone gets to choose. You bested me. I don't know how, but you did. Yet I'm the one left standing.''
Gloating, he spread his arms to indicate his new world, then knelt to the ground to share a secret with the skeleton.
*'''Basim:''' ''And now I can take from you anything I want... your memories, your skills, your secrets. They're all mine... And when I have them, I will put them to good use. To [[Fenrir|find]] [[Jörmungandr|my]] [[Hel|children]]. And bring my family back together.''
Basim stood back up, but had some final words before he left.
*'''Basim:''' ''A quiet place to find and end. I almost envy you.''
Basim walked over to the cliff lookout and admired the view.
*'''Basim:''' ''Beautiful...''
Basim saw the runes carved into the nearby rock face.
*'''Basim:''' ''A message for me? Hm. Not likely.''
Basim left and saw a [[squirrel]] near the camp outhouse. Remembering [[Ratatosk]]r, he greeted the animal.
*'''Basim:''' ''Hello, little fella.''
Basim saw the tools near the door.
*'''Basim:''' ''Tools or instruments of torture? Or both?''
He then visited the mailbox and read a letter.
*'''Basim:''' ''"You're cordially invited to John and Judy's wedding, taking place this November, villiage's chapel." That would be interesting.''
Basim crossed to the garden, where he spotted the gnome on a chair.
*'''Basim:''' ''Non-empathic art? That's rather dull.''
Basim left to the fire pit and sat down.
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, the wonderful smell of wood smoke. I'm glad some things never change.''
Basim stood up and returned to the cabin, where he made for the fridge and read the note there.
*'''Basim:''' ''"Please enjoy the stay! Remember, all garbage must be packed out. And please water the plants once a day." At least they did something right.''
Basim read Shaun's note on the Hidden Ones.
*'''Basim:''' ''Well done, young man. You were on to something.''
He walked to the cabin door and looked at the picture on the wall.
*'''Basim:''' ''Hm. Magical.''
He inspected Layla's laptop on the nearby desk.
*'''Basim:''' ''Is it wishful thinking to believe this device has a thought interface? Do I really have to use my hands and voice?''
His tour of the cabin done, Basim walked back to the Animus and talked to the Staff of Hermes.
*'''Basim:''' ''Hold tight, love. A new world has opened to us. Once I get my bearings, there is nothing we cannot achieve.''
Basim sat on the Animus.
*'''Basim:''' ''The Bleeding Effect shouldn't take long to kick in. A few days at most. So here we go...''
Basim laid back to continue reliving Eivor's life. Upon completing the last of Eivor's memories, he exited the machine and went outside to sit at the fire pit. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he looked to the bench on his left and through the Bleeding Effect saw a ghost of a hooded Eivor in Odin's robes, sitting and staring into the fire. She raised her head to look at him and he nodded his head with a slight smile on his face. Eivor returned the smile, and when Basim looked away, her ghost vanished.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Goodbyes and New Beginnings
|-
|Basim returned to the cabin and re-entered the Animus to experience Eivor's final memories. A hologram of him created by the Animus watched Eivor from afar as she wrestled with her decision to leave [[Ravensthorpe]] and start a journey of self-discovery about her past as Odin.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Last Goodbyes]]</ref>
*'''Basim:''' ''Fascinating. Eivor grapples with Odin's memories in a way unfamiliar to me. My own struggle with Loki was intense but brief, ending with a...[[In Pursuit of Truth|mutual understanding]] of who we were. Where will this new conflict take you, I wonder? This calls for a bit of Animus magic, I think.''
Basim brought up a holographic HUD of the Animus' controls.
*'''Basim:''' ''Searching for future memories, filtered by emotional intensity. Grief. Longing. Sadness. Here we are. A few images from the future. Let's see where Eivor leads us.''
Basim selected the first memory and watched Eivor make her way to the [[Ravensthorpe bureau]] to meet with Hytham one last time.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, Young Eagle]]</ref>
*'''Basim:''' ''Hytham's bureau. Another memory fragment here.''
He saw an Animus Anomaly resembling a blue {{Wiki|dodecahedron}} hovering on a hill across from the bureau.
*'''Basim:''' ''The memory fragment is close, I feel it.''
He approached the floating shape as Eivor and touched it, replacing Eivor's avatar with his hologram, which he used to manipulate the memory's timeframe.
*'''Basim:''' ''Let's move this timeline forward...''
After watching the conversation between his former apprentice and Eivor, Basim skipped ahead to a memory Eivor had at [[The Old Minster]] in [[Wessex]], where she met King [[Alfred the Great|Alfred]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, Aelfred Rex]]</ref>
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, the Old Minster cathedral. Eivor's memory fragment is nearby.''
He saw another Anomaly hovering on a rooftop above the church courtyard.
*'''Basim:''' ''The memory fragment should be close.''
He approached the floating shape as Eivor and touched it, replacing Eivor's avatar with his hologram, which he used to manipulate the memory's timeframe forward.
*'''Basim:''' ''Hm. Right place, wrong time...''
He watched the conversation between Alfred and Eivor, frowning in suspicion when he heard Alfred mention he had founded a new militant Christian order that Basim knew would later become the Templars. After this, he skipped ahead to a memory Eivor had at [[Norwich]]'s [[longhouse]] in [[East Anglia]], where she met the newly-baptized [[Guthrum]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, Aethelstan]]</ref>
*'''Basim:''' ''This [[ship]] matches the memory fragment. I'm close...''
He saw another Anomaly hovering on the longhouse's roof.
*'''Basim:''' ''Yes, memory is quite near.''
He approached the floating shape as Eivor and touched it, replacing Eivor's avatar with his hologram, which he used to manipulate the memory's timeframe by fast-forwarding until the ship was replaced by an empty stage and a raised cross.
*'''Basim:''' ''Here we go...''
He watched the conversation between the two Vikings. After this, he skipped ahead to a memory Eivor had back at the [[Alrekstad]] estate in Hordaland, Norway, where she met King [[Harald Fairhair]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, King Fair-Hair]]</ref>
*'''Basim:''' ''King Harald's longhouse. I should find another memory fragment here.''
He saw another Anomaly hovering at the main doors to the hall itself.
*'''Basim:''' ''I'm getting closer.''
He approached the floating shape as Eivor and touched it, replacing Eivor's avatar with his hologram, then stepped through the doors and saw the tables full with food in preparation for a feast.
*'''Basim:''' ''Spinning forward, just a bit.''
He manipulated the memory's timeframe until Eivor arrived to talk to Harald and her brother Sigurd. He put his hands on his hips and smiled in amusement when he saw the three warriors agree to talk about their true pasts with each other. After this, he skipped ahead to Eivor's closing memory in Ravensthorpe. He saw the last Anomaly hovering over the [[Barracks, Ravensthorpe|Barracks]] near the docks Eivor had landed at long ago.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[The Last Chapter]]'' – [[Fare Thee Well, My Ravens]]</ref>
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, here it is.''
He approached the floating shape as Eivor and touched it, replacing Eivor's avatar with his hologram, but this time found himself at the right moment and saw Eivor preparing for her departure to [[Vinland]] by loading a [[boat]] with supplies at night. Valka walked towards her.
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, here we are. A final future memory...''
The moment Eivor pushed off from the docks heading for transport in London, Basim teleported his hologram from the rooftop to behind Valka on the dock to better see Eivor leave. Through the Bleeding Effect, he saw a ghost of Odin sitting in the boat while Eivor {{Wiki|Stern sculling|sculled}}. A holographic projection of William Miles suddenly entered the simulation and stood behind Basim.
*'''William:''' ''Basim, is it?''
*'''Basim:''' ''William Miles?''
Basim turned to face his guest.
*'''Basim:''' ''I asked to meet you in person.''
*'''William:''' ''Face to face, you said. So here I am... in spirit, so to speak.''
*'''Basim:''' ''So close, yet so far. A clever trick.''
William pointed at Basim then began pacing.
*'''William:''' ''Quite a trick of your own you pulled off. Resurrection. Hibernation. Many years in the making, I suppose.''
Basim waved his hand.
*'''Basim:''' ''There were some improvisations along the way.''
*'''William:''' ''You've spent so much time in a simulation these past thousand years. Why so eager to jump into another?''
*'''Basim:''' ''A simple curiosity. It has been so long since I saw my friend Eivor, I wished to know how this grand saga concluded.''
He turned back to the waters and stared in the direction Eivor had sailed off to.
*'''William:''' ''Now you know. So what next? Where will Basim go?''
*'''Basim:''' ''As far as I can, William.''
*'''William:''' ''I feared as much.''
Basim faced William again.
*'''Basim:''' ''Do not. I cherish the Creed that guides us. I always have.
William's eyes narrowed slightly, still cautious about the modern Brotherhood's new ostensible ally.
*'''Basim:''' ''But you people are infants compared to those I left behind. I need to get you up to speed. So... let's get started.''
He clenched his hand in a fist, eager to begin, and walked down the deck back to the shore. William pivoted around but stayed put.
*'''William:''' ''Wait. If we're to work together, there is something I want first...''
Basim stopped, put his hands on his hips and chuckled, then glanced behind.
*'''Basim:''' ''Hm. Name it.''
William walked up to him and the two began negotiating.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#1acdd6; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Mutual Understanding
|-
|Basim ended his Animus session and woke in the cabin, which still was untouched since Shaun and Rebecca had left him. He walked over to the computer station, grabbed a syringe on the desk, and inserted the needle into his right arm to take a blood sample, grunting in pain as he did so. He removed the syringe and placed it into the central intake port of a stolen, Abstergo-brand device in a thick, briefcase-sized box wired up to the computer.
*'''Computer:''' ''Viable genetic material obtained.''
Basim briefly typed on the desktop keyboard.
*'''Computer:''' ''Genetic memory extraction has begun. Estimated sequencing time: 29 days, 3 hours, 4 minutes.''
Basim smiled, knowing what his blood sample would reveal to the Assassins.
*'''Basim:''' ''You are in for [[Assassin's Creed: Mirage|quite a ride]], Mister Miles.''
He left the computer parsing data, stepped outside to lean on the porch railing, and took a breath of fresh air. The Bleeding Effect then took hold again, making him see and hear ghosts of Eivor and Odin conversing with each other as they walked to the cliff's edge, the sun setting before them.
*'''Eivor:''' ''This is all so strange... And what of [[Ragnarök]]? The twilight of the gods? Are these stories true?''
Odin stopped to talk.
*'''Odin:''' ''In a sense. The great cataclysm happened much as your legends say. There were earthquakes and storms, wars and famine.''
The two continued to the railing at the cliff.
*'''Odin:''' ''My people died out. But yours thrived.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''But you said there were no gods, as we know them. So what natural force could cause such an upheaval?''
Odin looked around at the sky, trying to find the words.
*'''Odin:''' ''How to explain...''
His eye settled on the sun as it sank behind the hills.
*'''Odin:''' ''Does the term solar flare mean anything to you?''
Eivor shook her head.
*'''Eivor:''' ''I don't think so.''
At this, Odin realized the enormity of how much he would have to explain for Eivor to understand.
*'''Odin:''' ''Hm, this may take some time to describe.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Not a problem. Time is all we have left, All-Father.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#B45F37; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The One who Lived Many Lives
|-
|William Miles spoke as Basim's memories were loaded into the Animus. The system projected a series of data nodes.
*'''William Miles:''' ''You asked me once about this memory. I lied. I told you it was lost.''
The Animus selected the furthest node and activated it, dissolving into a {{Wiki|mandala}} pattern, which faded to show a trade caravan travelling in the desert.
*'''William:''' ''I worried the wrong lesson would be learned. But this man lived many lives... and he has much to teach us.''
The scene switched to an overview of [[Baghdad]] and then to a closer view of Basim and [[Nehal]] freerunning on the city rooftops, passing by a pair of children playing in the water of a fountain.
*'''William:''' ''Of course, when he came to us, he was little more than a common [[thief]]. Scrambling to survive on the streets of Baghdad, dreaming of a better future...''
The Animus focused in on Basim while he walked through a bazaar and saw a trio of guards accosting a civilian.
*'''William:''' ''...not just for himself, but for all those he saw suffering in the margins.''
The Animus then zeroed in on a view of the [[Round City]], before projecting an image of executed civilians tied to posts.
*'''William:''' ''For while he lived in a [[Islamic Golden Age|Golden Age]]... at the heart, and the height, of the [[Abbasid Caliphate]]... scratch its gilded surface... and you'd find a rot beneath.''
The image was replaced by one of assembled members from the Order of the Ancients, then faded to show a pile of corpses in a pool of blood.
*'''William:''' ''The Order of the Ancients fought to rise and spread their cruelty through the land.''
A projection of a group of Hidden Ones appeared, comprising of [[Rebekah]], [[Rayhan]], Basim, [[Roshan]], and [[Fuladh Al Haami]], then showed [[Alamut]] being constructed.
*'''William:''' ''The Hidden Ones, as we were known then... resisted...''
Basim's shadow was seen on a wall as he ran by a door.
*'''William:''' ''...striking at our enemy from the shadows. An eternal struggle.''
Basim scaled a building and stood on its domed roof. [[Enkidu]] flew by him and the pair looked at the Round City in the distance.
*'''William:''' ''Centuries ago, he was at its heart. Basim Ibn Is'haq. He honored the Creed. He challenged it. So must we.''
The simulation deconstructed itself, with the Animus closing the data stream and returned it to its node form.
*'''William:''' ''We have it in all of us to mistake the shadows we walk for the light we serve. The time may come... when we will be tested as he was.''
The data node transformed through the Animus into an atom.
*'''William:''' ''I fear that time is coming soon.''
A group of atoms appeared, then the Animus changed the perspective to show molecules in stasis which were part of a triple-helix DNA strand. The strand was one of many that merged into a blood vessel with red blood cells rapidly flowing through it until they collected to form a drop of blood that fell from a stormy sky onto a dreaming Basim's face. From here, the memories of Basim's early life as a thief began.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' – [[The Master Thief of Anbar]]</ref>
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Incoming Call
|-
|An elite [[Assassin hacker]] plugged themselves into a virtual space and received a call request. Before accepting it, they selected a voice core through which they masked their voice in said space, testing its sound system.
*'''Hacker:''' ''Testing, testing, one two three.''
They confirmed their selection.
*'''Hacker:''' ''That'll do.''
The hacker joined the call and was greeted by Shaun Hastings and Rebecca Crane.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Ah, hello there. Thanks for taking our call. I'm Shaun and this is Rebecca.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''We're your Brotherhood contacts for this op.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''What's the job?''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Straight to the point, I like that. Becks?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Our intelligence indicates Abstergo is developing a new profiling technology that goes way beyond anything seen before.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Over the years, they've collected and archived the memories of countless individuals. Politicians, generals... even normal people like you and me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''I don't think I'd call you normal, Shaun.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Very funny, but the point is, imagine if your own memories could be analyzed to understand how you think. To learn about your values and beliefs. And to know what to show you or tell you, online or in person, to slowly replace those beliefs with a set of new ones. Templar beliefs.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''So where do I come in?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''The executive in charge of this initiative, [[Dominika Wilk]], needs someone with your skills to finish the project. But she doesn't know you're working for us, or that you're going to shut her operation down for good.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''But more on that later. For now, we'll piggyback on your connection, so we'll be there when you need us. You'll have to switch over from our network to Abstergo's, then you're off to your first meeting with your new boss.''
The hacker ended the call, switched to Abstergo's virtual network and hacked its password, after which an authentication pattern was generated as a preventive measure to access the external system.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Hm, what have we here?''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Our friend is one step ahead of us. That will sever their connection to our virtual space when they connect to Abstergo and Dominika, and let us listen in on their conversations safely.''
They filled in the pattern as instructed and their access to Abstergo's network was authenticated.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Job Interview
|-
|The hacker connected to Abstergo's virtual network and spawned in an ethereal environment made up of several forms of cubical geometry. They faced a virtual representation of a desk with three monitors, in front of which sat Dominika's virtual avatar in a wheeled chair with her back to the new employee. She turned her seat to meet them.
*'''Dominika Wilk:''' ''Ah, you must be the hacker.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''As ordered.''
She grabbed a tablet from off the table.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Good. I'm Dominika Wilk. You'll report to me.''
Dominika checked some information on the tablet.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Your skills are impressive, and so's your track record. Hacking governments, multinationals...''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Whatever you want, I can can get it.''
*'''Dominika:''' ''That's why I hired you. But this job is different.''
Dominika put her tablet down on the table and stood up, pointing to their surroundings.
*'''Dominika:''' ''This is the Abstergo Cloud. It's an archive of memories, stretching back through time. We use a technology called The Animus to visit these memories, seeing them through the eyes of those who lived them.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''What is this, time travel?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''It's a simulation. No action you take in the Animus can directly affect the present.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''So why do you need me?''
Dominika walked around the space, prompting the desk and chair to vanish.
*'''Dominika:''' ''The memories in the cloud hold the key to an important project I'm working on. So I want you to visit these memories, and bring back the information I need.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Where do I start?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''It's more of a 'who' than a 'where'.''
Dominika nodded at an hologram of Ezio Auditore which materialized in front of them.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Ezio Auditore de Firenze. An Italian noble and a [[Master Assassin]].''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Sounds like quite a character.''
She paced before his hologram.
*'''Dominika:''' ''He was. Ezio was friends with Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli, and a sworn enemy of the [[House of Borgia|Borgias]]. He touched many lives at the end of the fifteenth century. And his [[Auditore Blades|blade]] ended more than a few.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Count me in.''
Dominika dispelled the apparition.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Not so fast. The Animus is unlike anything you've ever experienced before, so we need to get you acclimated to its use. Think of it as a test before we set you loose on the real deal. Now, let's see what you've got.''
Dominika's avatar disappeared when she removed her virtual headset. The hacker was left alone, being then loaded into a memory of Ezio Auditore to experience a training course.<ref name="AuditoreBlade">''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[The Auditore Blade]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Test
|-
|The hacker began reliving a memory of Ezio Auditore, in which he infiltrated a palazzo in Venice to recover his [[Assassin Yataghan Sword|stolen sword]].<ref name="AuditoreBlade"/> They gained control over the Assassin once he climbed a window of the building and entered it.
*'''Animus Orientation Protocol:''' ''Welcome to the Animus Orientation Protocol. I will guide you through the basics of using the Animus. Your avatar is now active. You should be able to move around freely.''
They tested the control system.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Is everything alright? Try moving around to verify that all systems are live and good to go.''
The hacker moved around the room and then pressed onward. Eventually, Ezio reached the library of the palazzo, which contained three stationed guards.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''You must make your way through the library without being detected. If you're spotted, you'll desynchronize, and will restart from your last checkpoint in this memory.''
They successfully managed to sneak past the guards in the library, reaching a storage room where another mercenary guarded its exit.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''You can distract guards in a number of ways. For example, you can divert their attention by throwing objects to make noise.''
The hacker distracted the guard by throwing an object to lure him out of the way, allowing them to reach the next room.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''If you feel uncomfortable when using the Animus, remember that you can adjust your control settings at any time.''
Shortly after, they entered a dining room where an unsuspecting guard stood facing the entrance's opposite direction.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''You are now going to learn how to assassinate a target. Flick your wrist outward while holding the trigger button to draw your Hidden Blade.''
They unsheathed either one or both of Ezio's Hidden Blades.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Once the blade is drawn, you can use it to assassinate your unsuspecting target.''
The hacker successfully prompted Ezio to assassinate the guard.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Well done. You have mastered the art of assassination. Now proceed with your mission.''
To locate their next objective, the hacker used the [[Animus Pulse]].
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''The Animus Pulse ability detects key objects nearby and highlights them in gold.''
The hacker then located the two pieces of the key needed to open a secret passage in the room's fireplace, which gave access to a network of tunnels. While exploring them, they found a wooden wall on their way.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''To reach the next room, you will need to climb this wall. Try it now.''
The climb lead to a storeroom where Ezio found his stolen yataghan. Later, the hacker encountered another soldier which was alerted to his position, leading the simulation to temporarily freeze.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Now initiating the Animus Combat Protocol. Loading standard enemy profile. Block the incoming strikes by holding your weapon to intercept them.''
The hacker blocked three strikes from the enemy's [[halberd]].
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Excellent. Now block a sequence of strikes.''
The hacker successfully managed to block a full attack sequence.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Blocking enemy attacks can create opportunities for you to strike. Block the following attack sequence to continue.''
They blocked another sequence of attacks after which the guard temporarily slowed down.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Blocking a series of enemy attacks opens up windows to strike. Use these chances to slash an enemy.''
The hacker struck the mercenary with the yataghan.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Execution rated acceptable. Now perform the maneuver in real time.''
The simulation resumed and the hacker fought the enemy on even footing, blocking his attacks and stunning him after slashing them with the sword.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''A well-placed attack will stun an enemy. This will allow you to strike and cause increased damage. Performance rated acceptable. Now eliminate this enemy.''
The hacker defeated and killed the soldier.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''User training rated a success. Terminating Animus Combat Protocol.''
They then left the office through a door that gave to a balcony, observing the guards that patrolled the courtyard below and tagging them with a small arrow above their heads.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Looking at enemies will tag them, so you can track them when they're out of sight.''
The hacker sneaked their way through the courtyard without alerting the guards. Later, Ezio finally escaped the palazzo and the hacker was then ejected from the Animus.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|The Mission
|-
|The hacker spawned back at the virtual space within Abstergo Cloud and was greeted by Dominika, who leaned on her desk.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Not bad, for your first time in the Animus.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''I'm a quick study. Now how about we take the training wheels off?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''Certainly, but first you need to know why you're here.''
Dominika clicked on her tablet lying on top of the desk, triggering a hologram of a strange golden device to appear.
*'''Dominika:''' ''We call it the [[Antikythera mechanism]]. It was found a hundred years ago, in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''What is it?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''It's part of an ancient computer, older than recorded history. We think it was used for prognostication—predicting the future.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''So who built it?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''We believe it predates human civilization.''
Dominika stood up and walked around.
*'''Dominika.''' ''Though what's important is that within this device is code more advanced than any we've seen before. We reverse engineered it so it can interface with the Animus, but that's just the start.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''I'm listening.''
Her desk disappeared.
*'''Dominika:''' ''The Antikythera mechanism is one part of a much larger machine, broken apart in the distant past. With the code from those missing fragments, we can bring the old an the new together, and create a computer more powerful than we've ever seen before. I call the project the 'Nexus Eye', and now you're a part of it.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''I guess I am. Where are these fragments?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''Hidden in the past, and that's where you come in. I need you to visit the memories within the Abstergo Cloud, find the missing fragments, and extract the code contained within them.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Are you asking me to search the whole Cloud?''
Dominika's desk materialized again for her to pick up her tablet.
*'''Dominika:''' ''No. We've identified a series of memories as linked to the missing fragments.''
By clicking on the tablet, Dominika commanded the hologram to vanish.
*'''Dominika:''' ''You'll place tracking beacons within them to triangulate your position within the memory clusters and direct us towards those most likely to contain what we're looking for.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Do I stay with Ezio?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''For now, but in time you'll visit other memories. We'll have to see where the search leads. I'll be watching your progress. Good luck.''
The hacker left the space and returned to their personal hub, now filled with Abstergo imagery, where they received a message from Rebecca.
{{IUNote
|Title=Open Secure Connection
|Text=We need to talk. Meet us in a secure environment. Disconnect from the Abstergo network and establish a connection to us. Then we'll send you the authentication code.
}}
They disconnected from Abstergo's network, reverting the hub to its default appearance, and connected to the Brotherhood's network. Another authentication pattern was generated and the hacker received another message.
{{IUNote
|Title=Authentication Code
|Text=Use this authentication code to connect: 92 92 10 34 57 69 10 21 40 02 23 45 67 29 10 22 77 94 20 18 68 20 39 67 19 20 50
}}
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Hm, looks like you need to align the nodes to match the pattern. Don't forget you're working in a three-dimensional space.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Thank you, Rebecca, but I think our friend knows how this works.''
They filled in the pattern as before and were cleared into the Assassins' network. The hacker loaded into another virtual environment, similar to the one linked to Abstergo Cloud but darker and lacking its genetic memory nodes. Rebecca sat behind a desk.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Ooh, she'll be watching. Scary.''
Shaun materialized and approached the desk, typing something onto a monitor turned to him.
*'''Shaun:''' ''I thought she'd never leave.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''You've heard what she had to say—now remind me what you want from me.''
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Just what we've hired you to do—use your skills to help us stop them.''
Rebecca rested her feet on the desk.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''Now before you dive into the past, let's have a quick brief. As Dominika said, you're going to be planting beacons in memories to try to zoom in on these fragments she's after.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''But thanks to you, we've got a little surprise for her.''
Shaun approached the hacker and held out his hand, from which a small glitching digital globe was summoned.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Now this particular bit of code that you whipped up is one of the neatest logic bombs I've ever seen. It's going to fit undetectably inside the beacons. Plant a beacon and you'll be planting a bomb, too.''
The piece of code disappeared.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''And when all the logic bombs have been placed, we'll trigger them and they'll devour the memories you've visited. Abstergo will no longer have access to their content.''
A panel that pictured the Villa Auditore towering over Monteriggioni appeared.
*'''Shaun:''' ''Right. Time to go. Enjoy the... Italian countryside. Have some pasta and... please be careful.''
Shaun took off his headset and left the space. The hacker was left to explore the memories of the Cloud and began to relive the memory in which Ezio returned to Monteriggioni.<ref name="ReturnMonteriggioni">''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Return to Monteriggioni]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|First Steps
|-
|The hacker witnessed Ezio walk along Monteriggioni's main road<ref name="ReturnMonteriggioni"/> at which point Dominika patched in the sound system.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Okay. I need you working at peak efficiency, so let's get you integrated into the memory data structure. I'll find a suitable point where you can attune your Animus scout function.''
They used the function, disconnecting from Ezio's avatar and teleporting to a higher position above from where they could see all of Monteriggioni.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Got it. There's one at the top of Villa Auditore. Make your way there now.''
The hacker exited the Animus scout and advanced further in the memory until Ezio approached the city's fountain when nearing the Villa.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Once you've synchronized, much of each memory's top-level detail will become visible. You'll see points of interests, [[Animus data fragment|Animus constructs]], significant data locators... information useful to seeking the fragments. It's not just sightseeing, though. Synching will help you better navigate the memory and locate what's important.''
They continued until Ezio scaled the villa and reached the viewpoint at its top, where a small eagle hologram hovered.
*'''Dominika:''' ''There. Synchronize where you see that Animus node inviting you to interact with it.''
The hacker grabbed the node and was pulled into the Animus scout view.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''This is the sync view. It displays important details about the memory you're exploring. You should always sync when searching memories for the first time.''
A digital wave emerged from the viewpoint and spread out through the memory's map, scanning it and identifying points of interest across it.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''When in sync view, you will often see secondary activities the Assassin performed in their time. You do not have to do them yourself, but they can improve the quality of your synchronization in the Animus. Every memory has them. Synching reveals them so you can pursue them, or not, as you wish.''
The hacker returned to Ezio's avatar as he was about to perform a Leap of Faith into the haystack below.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Hmm. You're synched, but something's still not optimized on the Animus side. I have an idea–let's defragment your presence in the memory. First, head over to the coordinates I'm sending you.''
The hacker headed over to the pointed coordinates in the memory, which corresponded to a Golden Construct.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Beginning calibration. Gold Constructs challenge your navigation skills. Grab the Construct to begin.''
They grabbed and held the data node, prompting the Animus to initiate a freerunning course across the city's rooftops.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Now, pass through the gates within the time limit to complete the challenge.''
The hacker made Ezio successfully pass through all the digital gates in time.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Calibration at fifty percent.''
*'''Dominika:''' ''Good. That's improving the data fidelity. More coordinates incoming.''
The hacker followed the new coordinates to the town's church.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Platinum Constructs reward your climbing skills. Climb to the top of the church to collect the Construct.''
They scaled to the top of the building's bell and grabbed the construct.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Calibration at one hundred percent. Optional challenges activated. You can now seek out other Constructs in the environment to further test and develop your skills.''
*'''Dominika:''' ''And that's that! Calibration complete. Okay, now you're ready to do the real work.''
The hacker then descended from the church's rooftop and entered it, where they saw a Historical Construct by its altar.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''That Construct contains extra information about the time period the memory is from.''
By grabbing it, they unlocked a database entry on the Church's power in the Renaissance.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Database: Church, power and prestige]]</ref> The hacker continued following the memory until Ezio joined his sister Claudia at the Villa's workshop and she gave him the key to access his room in the attic.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Do not worry about losing key items. If you release them, they will re-holster automatically when they are needed.''
They released the key, which immediately stored itself on the avatar's inventory. After progressing further in the memory up to the point when Ezio pursued the escaping bandits who had tried to kill him into the Sanctuary, the hacker encountered a halberd-armed bandit, at which point the simulation temporarily froze.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Now initiating the Animus Advanced Combat Protocol. Loading professional soldier enemy profile. Begin with parrying. Strike the enemy's weapon with your own just before it hits you. Time it right and you will open them to a counter attack.''
The hacker struck the enemy's halberd as he attacked, parrying him and opening a counter-attack window.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''A successful parry opens up immediate attack opportunities. To continue, perform a parry strike.''
The hacker parried and struck at the enemy.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Well done. Correctly executed parries will enable you to create openings to strike during combat. This next exercise will require usage of the Combat Dash [[Skill Tree (Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR)|ability]] which is now available to you. Perform a Combat Dash to knock enemies off balance. This will create more attack opportunities.''
They used the ability to break their opponent's guard and slash him.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''The Combat Dash ability needs to recharge before it can be used again. The Animus indicates this charging period below enemies when they are targeted. You can lunge forward with your hidden blade by drawing it and thrusting your arm towards an enemy.''
The hacker performed a lunge attack on the weakened enemy, killing him.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''User training successful. Exiting Animus Advanced Combat Protocol.''
With the simulation resumed, the hacker defeated the remaining bandits in combat. After Ezio unlocked the secret passage behind Altaïr's statue, the simulation stopped once again, and Shaun and Rebecca contacted the hacker.
*'''Rebecca:''' ''And now you get to plant a beacon–and a logic bomb with it.''
*'''Shaun:''' ''Just grab the data node and you're all set.''
They grabbed the beacon and activated it, prompting it to spread its code across the memory. The hacker then continued to follow Ezio as he entered the tunnels beneath Monteriggioni through the passage to pursue the fleeing bandits.<ref name="MonteriggioniTunnels">''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Monteriggioni Tunnels]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Combat Maneuvers
|-
|The hacker followed Ezio in his journey across the tunnels until he reached an unsuspecting mercenary that looted the vacant cells beneath his position.<ref name="MonteriggioniTunnels"/> The simulation stopped for a moment.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Use that guard below as an opportunity to review air assassinations. You will first need to have a weapon ready. Draw your sword or Hidden Blade. Either will do.''
They deployed one of the Assassin's weapons.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''When you strike, you will need to be certain to hit your target, so keep a steady hand. Now focus on your target, and jump when you feel ready.''
The hacker focused on the mercenary and the Animus highlighted the enemy, allowing them to air-assassinate him. Further in the memory, after Ezio pursued the thief [[Seraphina]] up to a locked door guarded by the bandits' commander, the simulation froze again.
*'''A.O.P.:''' ''Some enemies are tougher than others. It is time for you to encounter one. Before you initiate combat, we need to review one more technique. Some enemies have special attacks that can not be blocked. These must be dodged instead. Do so either by using the input on your controller or by moving physically out of the way.''
The hacker used this maneuver to evade the commander's attacks and successfully defeat him and his lackeys. Eventually, Ezio left the tunnels to find a ravaged Monteriggioni and a somber Claudia at the surface. When the two siblings finished talking to each other, the simulation stopped and another beacon was summoned, which the hacker grabbed and activated, prompting it to spread its code across the memory. They were then ejected from the Animus and redirected to Dominika's virtual space on the Cloud.
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#81a8cb; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Groundbreaking Discovery
|-
|The hacker found Dominika working at her virtual desk with her back to them.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Welcome back.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Monteriggioni was a bust.''
*'''Dominika:''' ''I wouldn't say that. You placed two beacons, and that helps narrow down our search. The fragments will come–just give it time.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''All this just to build a computer?''
She turned her chair to face them.
*'''Dominika:''' ''It's so much more than that. Within these fragments is source code that, when combined with the Animus, can build a behavioral profile of a person from their lifetime of memories.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''We have algorithms today that do the same thing.''
*'''Dominika:''' ''No, not like this.''
Dominika rose from her seat and approached the hacker. The desk vanished as she talked.
*'''Dominika:''' ''The Nexus Eye will be a window into the future–using data from the Abstergo Cloud, it will map out with near certainty how an individual or a group will act. We will take people's memories and use them...''
*'''Hacker:''' ''For what?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''...For the betterment of us all. Let's leave it at that.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Why do you need me? Doesn't Abstergo have people for this?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''Abstergo is too big to move quickly. We must seize the opportunity the Nexus Eye presents now, not in ten years' time.''
Dominika returned to where her desk had been and it rematerialized for her to lean on.
*'''Dominika:''' ''And if my employers can't see that, then I'll just have to show them. And that means taking the initiative.''
Dominika picked up her tablet from the desk.
*'''Dominika:''' ''We have a fix on your next memory.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''Italy again?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''About eight hundred miles and two thousand years away.''
A hologram of a hooded Kassandra wielding the [[Sword of Damokles]] materialized in front of them.
*'''Dominika:''' ''The Greek mercenary, Kassandra. She fought on both sides in the Peloponnesian War between [[Athens]] and Sparta. You'll be joining her two decades later, when the war's about to end in Sparta's favor.''
*'''Hacker:''' ''She's still a warrior?''
*'''Dominika:''' ''It's said she [[A Family's Legacy|found]] the secret to immortality, but that may be just part of her legend. Time has a strange way of bending the truth.''
Dominika looked aside, pensive.
*'''Dominika:''' ''Now, get to work.''
She then took off her virtual headset, prompting the hologram and the desk to vanish, and leaving the hacker to relive one of Kassandra's memories of her time revisiting [[Delos]] to kill two Athenian commanders.<ref name="HuntingBow">''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' – [[Hunting the Bow]]</ref>
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background-image:linear-gradient(to right, #C91F37, #9d2933, #171412); -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Animus EGO Introduction
|-
|Upon logging into the Animus EGO, the [[Animus EGO user|user]] found themselves on a digitally-recreated beach at sunset.<ref name="EGO Welcome">''[[Animus Hub]]'' – [[Database: EGO WELCOME ONBOOT (CORRUPTED)]]</ref>
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Welcome. A beautiful place, isn't it? A fresh sea breeze, the warm sun. This beach belongs just to you. It doesn't exist out in the world. Everything you see here is from the past. Your past.''
A flock of seagulls flew by as the user approached the shoreline. The scene shifted to midday then disappeared, while the sand at the user's feed turned purple and swirled away to create the core of a DNA helix.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''One of your ancestors visited this place long ago, forever writing their memory into the fabric of your DNA. Animus EGO unlocks these genetic memories for you. To sense...''
The user approached the helix and it expanded to envelop them, showing them a harsh desert near [[Petra (city)|Petra]], then shifted to show an English countryside church.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''wander...and''
The scene shifted again to show a woman in a robe jumping off a cliff into the Mediterranean waters far below.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Connect.''
The woman glitched, appearing as a Levantine and an Italian Assassin at times as she dove down. The user passed her and entered the water.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Like grains of sand which began as rocks, you have been shaped by these past lives, honed into who you are today.''
The user faced a small screen depicting part of their life. The background glitched even more, the screen turning into a black, empty rectangle and digital geographies blended together, with conifer trees standing upright in an empty space alternating between a flooded plain and grey rocks.
*'''Hacker:''' ''You're being lied to.''
The scene reverted to before. The screen showing the user's life retreated into the background to join other users' "windows" that arranged into a loose grid .
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Your journey to mindfulness begins through these ancestral memories, for a total perspective on what makes you, YOU.''
The background glitched, with snow-capped rocks in the water and the user's window vaguely showing a hooded figure, before reverting again.
*'''Computer:''' ''New memory streams are activating now.''
The Abstergo logo hovered before the user.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Erase self-doubt, fear, and weakness. Give yourself the confidence to conquer the world.''
The simulation glitched at these last three words that were distorted with deep reverberation, and more overlapping geographies shifted faster past the user's eyes.
*'''Hacker:''' ''Follow the trail, and we will be in touch.''
The simulation finally splintered apart into digital code.
*'''Hacker:''' ''Welcome to the dark.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background-image:linear-gradient(to right, #C91F37, #9d2933, #171412); -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Two Lives Intertwined
|-
|The simulation rebooted and showed many users' "windows" arranged like a {{Wiki|DNA sequencing}} chart. The user entered a Memory Corridor decorated with two cherry trees and met an androgynous figure made of swirling code.
*'''[[The Guide]]:''' ''Memories come to us in fragments. You relive a jigsaw of experiences and emotions. Some memories are soothing and familiar. Wrapped inside them, you feel tranquil. Complacent. And then there are the ones I have reconstructed. What I am about to show you. In these memories, there are... imperfections. Aberrations that defy algorithm and biology. I'm... getting ahead of myself. You may not understand what you're seeing at first. But you must trust me. Trust yourself.''
The user began reliving part of [[Yasuke]]'s story, from his meeting [[Oda Nobunaga]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[The Lord's Favor]]</ref> to serving him in the [[Tenshō Iga War]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Spirit of a Warrior]]</ref> and entering [[Mibuno Castle]] to find [[Momochi Sandayu]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Flames of War]]</ref>
The scene splintered into code, again resembling a DNA sequence chart.
*'''The Guide:''' ''Another memory. Just fine particulate at this point. Listen carefully. Memories can be fractured. Ignored. Twisted. But what has been can never truly be lost. The past is power. Do you understand?''
The sequencing chart jumped ahead then zoomed onto another section that showed glimpses of a female ''[[Ninja|shinobi]]''{{'}}s life.
*'''The Guide:''' ''[[Fujibayashi Naoe]]. The structural integrity of her memories is solid. There is much for you, and her, to discover. I wish you luck, otherwise, this will be the last time we speak. Goodbye. For now.''
The user began reliving Naoe's memories of Nobunaga's attack on [[Iga]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Fight of the Kakushiba Ikki]]</ref>
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background-image:linear-gradient(to right, #C91F37, #9d2933, #171412); -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Resisting Ulterior Motives
|-
|After reliving Naoe's memories of recovering a stolen statue of [[Shinran]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Stolen Faith]]</ref> and killing [[Wada Koretake]]'s executioner [[Shindo Hiroshii]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[The Killing Field]]</ref> the user saw a rift near where [[Kyonyo]], [[Yaya]], and other ''[[sōhei]]'' gathered outside [[Amagasaki Castle]]. Curious, they entered it and heard The Guide while "walking" through the Memory Corridor while excerpts of Yasuke and Naoe's memories flickered by them.
*'''The Guide:''' ''I had hoped we would meet again. You have been through a lot. Your time in Animus Ego was meant to weaken you. A drip-feed of memories to subdue you and invade your senses. The others before you called it a "bleeding effect." And when it has hollowed you out from within, [[Ego|she]] will claim you. But... you're learning how to counteract it. You see the faint glimmers on the darkened path before you. Naoe and Yasuke are long gone from this world. But in these memories, their will to fight burns as a flame. I must go. Find me again.''
The user left to resume Naoe's memory of hunting Koretake.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Heads Will Roll (Shadows)|Heads Will Roll]]</ref> Later, they saw some Animus shards near the [[Daisen-ryō Kofun]] in [[Izumi Settsu]]. After collecting five shards that led to the top the stairs over the ''[[kofun]]'', a rift opened before them. Stepping inside, they entered the Memory Corridor and The Guide spoke to them again.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[The Heart of an Assassin]]</ref>
*'''The Guide:''' ''Hmm. There is something different about you. A newfound sense of... the term escapes me. Is it desire? It's for you to decide. A path you will trace beyond my guidance. Good. What has been obscured can never truly be erased. Only obscured to those who come next. What once was, is. Waiting. Go. Onward.''
After hearing a recorded memory of the former [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Assassin]] [[Alvaro Catarribera]]'s musings on his life and the Japanese Assassins, while excerpts of the Japanese Assassins' past and the Templars [[Duarte de Melo]] and [[Nuno Caro]] flickered by them, the user left the rift. They eventually saw more Animus shards near [[Inokuma Hamlet]] in [[Wakasa]]. After climbing boulders to collect them and stepping through a rift, they entered the Memory Corridor and heard a recorded memory of a conversation between de Melo and Caro plotting to take over Japan.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – [[Shadows Without Light]]</ref>
*'''The Guide:''' ''These men and their machinations. How do you feel? Misery, falsehoods, oppression. All carefully tuned mechanisms of control. Yes, I see. Events that transpired centuries before your time. And yet, you feel the connection. You can identify the shape of your enemy. You recognize the cage they have built around you. You are beginning to understand. Naoe and Yasuke's fight. It is your fight as well. Your journey has helped me see the aberration more clearly. It is an incompatibility with Animus Ego. It is what drives you to fight. To hope. She will find you. Subdue you once more. I'm sorry. Your fight is one of many. You may meet an impasse. Taste defeat. But, you will not fail. What has come before. What has been... You understand now.''
|}

==''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced]]''==
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Animus EGO Déjà Vu
|-
|Upon logging into the Animus EGO, the user found themselves on a digitally-recreated beach at sunset.<ref name="EGO Welcome"/>
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Welcome. A beautiful place, isn't it? A fresh sea breeze, the warm sun. This beach belongs just to you. It doesn't exist out in the world. Everything you see here is from the past. Your past.''
A flock of seagulls flew by as the user approached the shoreline. The scene shifted to midday then disappeared, while the sand at the user's feed turned purple and swirled away to create the core of a DNA helix.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''One of your ancestors visited this place long ago, forever writing their memory into the fabric of your DNA. Animus EGO unlocks these genetic memories for you. To sense...''
The user approached the helix and it expanded to envelop them, showing them a harsh desert near Petra, then shifted to show an English countryside church.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''wander...and''
The scene shifted again to show a woman in a robe jumping off a cliff into the Mediterranean waters far below.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Connect.''
The woman glitched, appearing as a Levantine and an Italian Assassin at times as she dove down. The user passed her and entered the water.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Like grains of sand which began as rocks, you have been shaped by these past lives, honed into who you are today.''
The user faced a small screen depicting part of their life. The background glitched even more, the screen turning into a black, empty rectangle and digital geographies blended together, with conifer trees standing upright in an empty space alternating between a flooded plain and grey rocks.
*'''Eagle:''' ''You're being lied to.''
The scene reverted to before. The screen showing the user's life retreated into the background to join other users' "windows" that arranged into a loose grid .
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Your journey to mindfulness begins through these ancestral memories, for a total perspective on what makes you, YOU.''
The background glitched, with snow-capped rocks in the water and the user's window vaguely showing a hooded figure, before reverting again.
*'''Computer:''' ''New memory streams are activating now.''
The Abstergo logo hovered before the user.
*'''Voiceover:''' ''Erase self-doubt, fear, and weakness. Give yourself the confidence to conquer the world.''
The simulation glitched at these last three words that were distorted with deep reverberation, and more overlapping geographies shifted faster past the user's eyes.
*'''Eagle:''' ''Follow the trail, and we will be in touch.''
The simulation finally splintered apart into digital code.
*'''Eagle:''' ''Welcome to the dark.''
|}
{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%" style="border:1px solid black; -moz-border-radius:2.5px; border-radius:2.5px; text-align:left; clear:both; font-size:90%;"
!style="background:#00A690; -moz-border-radius:3.25px; border-radius:3.25px; color:White; font-size:110%" align="left"|Lured by False Memory
|-
|While the user relived altered representations of Edward Kenway's life, they encountered a series of rifts in the simulation. Entering them brought the user to more Memory Corridor obstacle courses, in which Ego would talk to them.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced]]'' – [Wayward Souls]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced]]'' – [Wayward Desires]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced]]'' – [Wayward Minds]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced]]'' – [True Purpose]</ref>
|}

==Behind the scenes==
;''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''
The runes that Layla and Basim interact with are identical to one of the {{Wiki|Runic inscriptions in Hagia Sophia|two inscriptions}} carved on the [[Hagia Sophia]]'s [[marble]] parapets by a member of the [[Varangian]] Guard. Translated, they read "''Halfdan carved these runes''", even though Layla comments that Eivor had carved the message.<ref name="AccessTheAnimus">{{Youtube|video=I8cxvk0g3jM|text=Modern Day Runes Mystery SOLVED - Assassin's Creed Valhalla (Eivor's Death, Vinland, Theories)|channel=channel/UCJagPhYpiiE09D5pA-ZGuZw|channelname=Access The Animus}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Transcripts]]
[[Category:Correspondences]]

Puppets and Prisoners

2026-09-27T02:44:12Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */ I don't think Basim was referring to his fellow Isu as Loki here, and for Eivor's parents, we discourage this way of forced linking two terms.

{{Era|ACV|Memories}}
{{Memory Infobox
| name = Puppets and Prisoners
| image = ACV Puppets and Prisoners 7.jpg
| description = ''Deal with the new [[ealdorman]].''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
| type = Main {{c|The Instrument of the Ancients}}
| fullsync =
| reward =
| heroclass =
| previous = [[The Abbot's Gambit]]
| next = [[The Man Behind the Man]]
| source = [[Eivor Varinsdottir]]
| location = [[Folcanstan]], [[Cent]], [[Wessex|Kingdom of Wessex]]
| date = c. 874
}}
'''Puppets and Prisoners''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Eivor Varinsdottir]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] in 2020 through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]].

==Description==
Eivor traveled to [[Folcanstan]] to meet with [[Cynebert]] and [[Basim ibn Ishaq|Basim]].

==Dialogue==
Eivor arrived in Folcanstan and heard Basim and Cynebert talking near the town's docks.
*'''Cynebert:''' ''O, you must try my [[ale]] sometime! You must! My [[Church|abbey]] brews the best in [[Kent|Cent]].''
*'''Basim:''' ''It certainly sounds worth the risk of my immortal soul.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Ah, your God is rather a hard taskmaster?''
*'''Basim:''' ''And your [[Christianity|God]] forbids the {{Wiki|Shatnez|mixing of wool and linen}}. It sounds to me like he's never heard of [[England]].''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Not all that is written in the scriptures is God's honest truth.''
Eivor also overheard two men talking as well.
*'''[[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] Man 1:''' ''I do a roaring trade at Reculver and Tunbridge. They pay well for my catch.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 2:''' ''The [[Scholar|monks]]? Do those parchment-skinned Christians ever eat meat?''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 1:''' ''Don't you believe in [[Jesus of Nazareth|Jesus]]? They refrain because he died for our sins.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 2:''' ''No one will stop me sucking the marrow of a nice leg of [[Sheep|lamb]]. Not even God's seed.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 1:''' ''Well, I hope eternal damnation is worth it.''
She also overheard two women talking about the abbot.
*'''Anglo-Saxon Woman 1:''' ''It's rare to see Abbot Cynebert down this way.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Woman 2:''' ''Abbot who?''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Woman 1:''' ''You know, the rich one, the monastery that brews ale. He keeps half the menfolk in the county from their wives.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Woman 2:''' ''Ending up with an ale-soused wastrel is another reason I've not taken a husband.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Woman 1:''' ''If you're waiting for a sober one, you'll die an old maid.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 1.jpg|thumb|250px|Eivor, Basim, and Abbot Cynebert discuss their plan]]
Eivor went and talked with Basim and the abbot.
*'''Basim:''' ''Eivor? You have news?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Cent's new ealdorman will be ''[[Thegn]]'' [[Tedmund]].''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Tedmund! O, the Lord is testing me. He is made [[rat|mouse]] by you [[Vikings|Dane]]s! Barely leaves his [[fort]]ress at [[Rouecistre Fortress|Rouecistre]]. How might I gain his influence if he will not speak to me? Or to anyone! 'Tis a puzzle.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''To inspire loyalty, Tedmund must owe you something. Such as... his life?''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Go on...''
*'''Eivor:''' ''A fortress stormed, a man kidnapped. If you beat back his enemy, saved him from sure death, his gratitude would be...''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Swell? It would know no bounds. But that fortress will be harder to pry open than a nun's knees.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Perhaps, perhaps not.''
<tabber>
|-|What do you know, Basim?=
*'''Eivor:''' ''Are you hiding something, Basim?''
|-|We could kidnap someone close to him=
*'''Eivor:''' ''Has he any family we could hold for ransom? You could swoop in, rescue them, play the hero.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''There's nobody in this world that Tedmund cares more for than Tedmund. I could think on it, but we haven't much time.''
*'''Basim:''' ''There's another way. Much easier...''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Are you hiding something, Basim?''
|-|We will take him from Rouecistre=
*'''Eivor:''' ''We can take him from Rouecistre Fortress. We'll need a small, experienced force of men.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Rouecistre is not a house of straw and sticks! It is a garrison, crawling with [[soldier]]s. I don't see how it's possible.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I don't believe it's necessary...''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Are you hiding something, Basim?''
</tabber>
*'''Basim:''' ''There is a lumber mill nearby, correct?''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''[[Beamasfield]]. [[Alfred the Great|Aelfred]] invests much in fortifying [[Wessex]], and uses our forest to do so. The mill provides his [[wood]].''
*'''Basim:''' ''Tedmund is there.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Impossible! How do you know?''
*'''Basim:''' ''I heard rumors that Tedmund had been lured out of self-exile. To manage work on the fortifications on [[Canterbury]].''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Taking him from a lumberyard is less dangerous than assaulting a fortress. But your rescue attempt will not have the same flair. Is it worth it?''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''It may still work. Yes, yes, bring him to the Megaliths.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''And [[Fulke]]?''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''When I have Tedmund's fealty, you shall have Fulke. Now go, I will rustle up a small rescue party.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 2.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Eivor heading off to look for Tedmund]]
Basim and Eivor left as Cynebert gathered his forces. Basim and Eivor began to ride [[horse]]s to Beamasfield.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''I'm wary of this abbot, Basim. He is self-serving and evasive. Can he really deliver Fulke?''
*'''Basim:''' ''The abbot is a friend of Fulke's, that is clear.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''So long as he doesn't suspect our motive, we may have a chance.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Indeed. This brings to mind {{Wiki|The Scorpion and the Frog|a story}}, perhaps you've heard of it? The [[scorpion]] and the frog.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''A children's story?''
*'''Basim:''' ''A cautionary tale. The scorpion wants to cross the river, but he cannot swim. So he enlists the help of the frog. The frog agrees to carry him on his back, extracting a promise that the scorpion will not sting him.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Let me guess, the scorpion reneges, blaming his nature, and both drown?''
*'''Basim:''' ''The scorpion crosses the river and stings an innocent man, killing him. So, what does this tale tell us?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''That your stories are clouded and their meaning doubly so?''
*'''Basim:''' ''It shows that every tale has a thousand possible outcomes, many of which are surprising. If the abbot does not deliver Fulke, he will die at my hand, and we will continue our search.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''A sobering approach.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 3.png|thumb|250px|Basim and Eivor observing Beamasfield from afar]]
Both Basim and Eivor arrived near the lumber mill.
*'''Basim:''' ''Beamasfield is just ahead. Lead, I will follow.''
Basim dismounted his horse and joined Eivor for the final approach to Beamasfield.
*'''Eivor:''' ''I hope this chase will catch us a plump [[Chicken|hen]].''
*'''Basim:''' ''Once the abbot has Tedmund's gratitude, he will deliver Fulke. It will cost us nothing more than this.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''If that leaden-wit keeps his word.''
Basim and Eivor entered the lumber mill and looked for Tedmund.
Eivor pulled up her hood as she entered the distrusting grounds of the lumber mill.
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, you prefer to work in the shadows.''
Eivor and Basim sneaked around while eavesdropping on soldiers.
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 3:''' ''One more time, I'm telling you. If he says my boots are dirty or my hair needs combing. I will split him open.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 4:''' ''You're full of swamp gas. You'll do what you always do, bow and scrape to our good Thegn Tedmund.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 3:''' ''I'm not even sure it's him we're working for.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 4:''' ''Don't be daft. Who else would it be? A changeling spirited there by fairy-folk? Get back to patrol.''
Eivor and Basim located Tedmund, who was barking orders at his [[Soldier|guards]].
*'''Tedmund:''' ''Get back to work. Time is coin, and you're spending mine! Do you dare question the orders of the great ''Thegn'' Tedmund? I will have you flogged! I could throw a stone and hit a dozen men who'd do a better job than this! We have a quota to fill, we must keep the Danes from Cent!''
Tedmund noticed Eivor and Basim.
*'''Eivor:''' ''Danes? No, no! Protect me.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 5.png|thumb|250px|Tedmund captured by Eivor]]
Eivor and Basim fought off any guards that came to Tedmund's aid, before Eivor tied him up.
*'''Tedmund:''' ''I'm not who you think I am! Let me go!''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Stop caterwauling and you will live!''
*'''Tedmund:''' ''Live? O Saints protect me!''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Silence will save you, Tedmund! Silence, not your saints.''
*'''Tedmund:''' (whimpers)
Eivor carried a captured Tedmund.
*'''Basim:''' ''Flee, my friend. We have the man we came for. Does this venture not set your blood ablaze?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''You don't prefer working in the shadows?''
*'''Basim:''' ''And so we have. To steal a man, take him with swiftness, and escape without anyone on our heels. We [[Blending|hide in plain sight]], such is [[The Creed|our way]]. But only until the moment of success. The final strike.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''I prefer to act and speak plainly. Kings and lords who do not are often misunderstood.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Yet, as a leader yourself, you cannot deny that subtlety and intrigue are a [[cloak]] you must wear. How many of your clan know the true circumstances of [[Sigurd Styrbjornsson|Sigurd]]'s absence?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Mmm.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You see my point. A leader must know when to speak and when to stay silent, for silence is not always a lie.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''It can feel like one. You truly embrace the concept of hiding in plain sight, eh? To its very fullest.''
*'''Basim:''' ''As I do in everything.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 6.png|thumb|250px|Cynebert arriving with his guards]]
Eivor and Basim arrived at their destination with a captured Tedmund. Cynebert arrived his group of guards.
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Halt Danes! In the name of Aelfred, King of Wessex, I demand you release his royal subject into my care!''
Basim held a [[Short blade|knife]] to Tedmund's throat.
*'''Basim:''' ''Come no closer, Christian! Else your man dies by my blade!''
*'''Tedmund:''' ''Please! I'm not the man you want.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Keep your eye on this one. He'll be worth a hefty bounty.''
Eivor and Cynebert went to discuss further.
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 8.jpg|thumb|250px|Basim held a knife to "Tedmund's" throat]]
*'''Basim:''' ''Any false moves and I will snip your heels.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''We have your man. Now let's finish this shadow play and be gone.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Are you sure that's Tedmund? He's dressed as a lord, but that man is shorter and fatter than I recall.''
*'''Tedmund:''' ''I'm not Tedmund! I'm not! I swear upon the holy rood, I am not Thegn Tedmund!''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''What in Heaven's name is happening here?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Who are you? Speak quickly, or I will slit your throat and leave you for the [[Raven|crow]]s.''
*'''[[Shergar]]:''' ''Shergar! I am called Shergar! Lord Tedmund pays me a measly coin to serve as his double!''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Brother Shergar? You are far from [[Augustine of Canterbury|Augustine]]'s priory!''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''I left the cloisters many moons ago, Your Holiness. The monastic life was not my calling.''
<tabber>
|-|You will get us to Tedmund=
*'''Eivor:''' ''We can use you yet, Shergar. Summon Tedmund to a meeting. Get him out in the open.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''Tedmund has no care for me or what I have to say. My orders come from letter, never by mouth. I hardly know the man.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''You're of no use to us then. Perhaps I should just kill you, here and now.''
|-|There is only one path=
*'''Eivor:''' ''Rouecistre is our only path forward, whether by stealth or force. Shergar, has the fortress any weaknesses? Any breaches or water wells we might use?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I ... I couldn't say. I've only been there once. But Tedmund has holed himself in its keep, and that's all but impregnable.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''You're of no use to us then. Perhaps I should just kill you, here and now.''
|-|Perhaps I should just kill you=
*'''Eivor:''' ''You're of no use to us then. Perhaps I should just kill you, here and now.''
</tabber>
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 9.png|thumb|250px|Shergar revealing his capture of a Viking band]]
*'''Shergar:''' ''No! Wait, wait. Let me think. Let me think! Ah! Danes! To storm the walls, you need Danes! There's a [[raid]]ing camp west of here I was told to be wary of. Acting as Tedmund, I ordered a band of soldiers to capture them. If you hurry, you may be able to stop this.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''If another band of Danes wants to join our assault, we'll have the distraction we need to get inside Rouecistre.''
*'''Basim:''' ''If the Saxons don't slaughter them first.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I am still Tedmund to the men in the field. I could speak with their captain, send his men away.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It's a fearless plan.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''The [[Nornir]] knit winding paths that cannot be unknotted. It seems Rouecistre was always in our path. Abbot, stay alert. We will send word when we are ready to capture Tedmund.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''And this fool? He knows much of our plan.''
<tabber>
|-|We will take him with us=
*'''Eivor:''' ''He'll come with us. And if he betrays me, I will roast his balls over a roaring fire.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''You will not regret this! My wily ways and quick wit will cease the need for bloodshed.''
*'''Basim:''' ''I still might kill you yet, man, if your prattling doesn't cease.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 10.png|thumb|250px|Shergar leading Eivor and Basim to the camp]]
Shergar led the way for Eivor and Basim.
*'''Shergar:''' ''The rewards for being Tedmund are rapidly diminishing.''
*'''Basim:''' ''And how does one become a double? Are there vigorous challenges and tests to overcome?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I was born with the misfortune of looking like someone else. I should have stayed on God's chosen path.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''What took you from it?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I am the seventh son of a poor farmer. And not wanting another mouth to feed, my father gave me to the monks.''
*'''Basim:''' ''The cloistered life did not suit you?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I thought there would be great comfort in repetition. But instead, I found nothing but prayer and backbreaking toil.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''The Norns weave strange destinies. Now your life depends on the story you weave for yourself.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I am not a good forgery. Stilted, leaden, my hands sweat, and I have a stutter when I am nervous. But I will try.''
Basim responded with dry sarcasm.
*'''Basim:''' ''Ah, the cornerstone of all great art.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''The captain does not know Tedmund well. If we keep our heads, he will not question my orders. I hope.''
|-|Do what you want with him=
*'''Eivor:''' ''Do what you want with him. I won't risk our plan on the shambling of this fool.''
*'''Cynebert:''' ''Come, Brother Shergar, and perhaps today would be the time to consider a vow of silence?''
Shergar left with Cynebert.
*'''Eivor:''' ''An army of Danes are all we need to take the fortress.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Let us hope.''
Eivor and Basim left for the camp.
*'''Basim:''' ''It is best to snare a wasp with honey. Have you ever considered more subtlety?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''I leave manipulation to you, Basim. You appear to see it as an art.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It is both art and science to bend a man to your will. And harder still to convince them that they are firmly in control.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Shergar was quick to betray his lord. Do you not think he would sell us out as swiftly?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Perhaps. Perhaps not. I do not presume to know a man's heart in so brief a meeting.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''His prattle was sad and ugly. Like a weeping babe.''
*'''Basim:''' ''You have little patience for chittering [[squirrel]]s.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''And yet I allow you to squeak in my ear. Along all the roads and byways of Cent.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Because you are wise, and you see the same qualities in me.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''That must be it.''
They continued through the fields and down the road.
*'''Eivor:''' ''We are nearing the camp. Let us hope there are Danes enough to storm a fortress. Otherwise, this abbot's game is a long one.''
*'''Basim:''' ''It must be played if we are to reclaim Sigurd.''
</tabber>
The camp came into view, along with the sight of several [[Norse people|Norse]] warriors already slain.
*'''Basim:''' ''We are too late. There is great horror here.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Those who remain must be saved. Whatever the cost.''
<tabber>
|-|Shergar is present=
*'''Shergar:''' ''Let us approach the captain with caution. He drinks too much and does not need a reason to kill us.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 12.png|thumb|250px|Shergar speaking to the captain as with Eivor and Basim by his side]]
They all approached the camp's captain.
*'''Shergar:''' ''Yes, it is I, Thegn Tedmund. Coming to discuss the orders I gave you not one day ago.''
Basim muttered incredulously to Eivor.
*'''Basim:''' ''This ham hock will get us all killed.''
Eivor and Basim strolled into the campgrounds behind Shergar and heard one of the surviving warriors yelling at the soldiers.
*'''Norse Warrior:''' ''Oi, let us free, you festering canker on a [[Pig|sow]]'s arse!'' ''You murdered our people! Men, women, children!'' ''Your sister rides your piss-soaked rod.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 5:''' ''Pipe down you [[dog]]s. You're slaves of Cent now.''
Shergar, acting as Tedmund, talked to the captain.
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''Thegn Tedmund? What are you doing here?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''How dare you address me in such a defiant manner! Don't you know who I am?''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''You are Tedmund, as I said. And I mean no disrespect, lord... but I was told you were back in Rouecistre.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''O yes? And do I, um... do I look like I'm in Rouecistre?''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''You... do not, sir.''
*'''Basim:''' ''A wise man is always unexpected.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''You travel in strange company, lord. An [[Arabia|Arab]] and... a Dane?''
{{#tag:tabber|
I am here to help the thegn=
*'''Eivor:''' ''I'm here to advise your thegn in the ways of my people.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''That is correct! A cultural exchange of sorts... perhaps one day I will visit... your... um... Dane... Dane-land.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''[[Norway]].''
Eivor looked to the captain.
*'''Eivor:''' ''You mistake me for a foreigner, but are we not all just the measure of the places we have seen?''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''Right, well... that aside, have you any further orders, lord?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''Yes, yes, I order... I order you... to stop loitering and return to your barracks, you scab-wit.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier:''' ''And what of the captured Danes?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''You must kill them all! Every last− Sorry, no. Leave them here. Tied up. As a... a feast for [[Wolf|wolves]] and crows. That is all. You may depart. Shoo.''
The captain left.
*'''Eivor:''' ''A convincing ruse that has earned you your freedom. Go. And make your life anew, not in another man's boots.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I will. This small sup of power has got me thinking, perhaps I can be a leader of men?''
The captain, the guards, and Shergar started to leave together.
*'''Shergar:''' ''Yes, yes. Hurry along, men. Warm thighs and ale awaits!''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''Come on, you laggards! You have Tedmund's orders.''
{{!}}-{{!}}
You must be mistaken=
*'''Eivor:''' ''You mistake me for a foreigner, but are we not all just the measure of the places we have seen?''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''Right, well... that aside, have you any further orders, lord?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''Yes, yes, I order... I order you... to stop loitering and return to your barracks, you scab-wit.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier:''' ''And what of the captured Danes?''
*'''Shergar:''' ''You must kill them all! Every last− Sorry, no. Leave them here. Tied up. As a... a feast for wolves and crows. That is all. You may depart. Shoo.''
The captain left.
*'''Eivor:''' ''A convincing ruse that has earned you your freedom. Go. And make your life anew, not in another man's boots.''
*'''Shergar:''' ''I will. This small sup of power has got me thinking, perhaps I can be a leader of men?''
The captain, the guards, and Shergar started to leave together.
*'''Shergar:''' ''Yes, yes. Hurry along, men. Warm thighs and ale awaits!''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1:''' ''Come on, you laggards! You have Tedmund's orders.''
{{!}}-{{!}}
(Fight) You will pay for what you did here=
*'''Eivor:''' ''To Hel with this talk. Let Saxon blood soak this land!''
Eivor started a fight alongside Basim against the Saxon soldiers.
*'''Eivor:''' ''God speed, Danes. This is too rich for my blood.''
Eivor and Basim defeated the guards as Shergar ran away.
}}
|-|Shergar is not present=
Eivor and Basim crept into the campgrounds and heard one of the surviving warriors yelling at the soldiers.
*'''Norse Warrior:''' ''Oi, let us free, you festering canker on a [[Pig|sow]]'s arse!'' ''You murdered our people! Men, women, children!'' ''Your sister rides your piss-soaked rod.''
*'''Anglo-Saxon Man 5:''' ''Pipe down you [[dog]]s. You're slaves of Cent now.''
Basim and Eivor fought all the Saxon guards to save the remaining Norse warriors.
*'''Norse Warrior:''' ''You will not see another sunrise, [[pig|swine]] balls!''
Basim and Eivor defeated the guards.
</tabber>
However the guards were dealt with, the camp was secured.
*'''Eivor:''' ''Tied up like animals. I need to free them.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 13.png|thumb|250px|Runa thanking Eivor and Basim]]
Eivor and Basim freed the Norse warriors.
*'''Norse Warrior:''' ''We owe you our lives, friend. These Saxon whoresons would have killed us all.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Yes, they would have. And now's your chance to hit back. March with us on Rouecistre and drain it of riches.''
*'''Norse Warrior:''' ''I would gladly, friend. But we few will not break those [[iron]]-thick walls.
*'''Basim:''' ''And we have no allies in Wessex, none who could be called upon to attack their countrymen.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''[[Mercia]] will heed the call. [[Geadric]] will provide our vikingr hoard. We'll send a message to [[Oxfordshire|Oxenefordscire]]. The men of Mercia would gladly take a swipe at Wessex. What is your name, warrior?''
*'''Runa:''' ''[[Runa Egilsdottir]].''
*'''Eivor:''' ''We need ships, Runa.''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 14.jpg|thumb|250px|Eivor, Basim, and Runa discuss their plans for Rouecistre]]
*'''Runa:''' ''We have a small fleet moored upriver. But a naval chain blocks passage to Rouecistre's walls.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''I will remove it, and your people will bring their ships. Now, gather these fallen weapons and [[armor]]. Geadric and the men of Oxenefordscire will need them to hide their Mercian origins.''
*'''Runa:''' ''My warriors were denied [[Valhalla (afterlife)|Valhalla]] today. I cannot bear the idea of gifting their weapons to more Saxons.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Their sacrifice was great... their gift will be all the greater.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''And they will know justice with our victory. It will calm their restless shades. I promise. Will your men bring the armor to the battle?''
Runa nodded yes.
*'''Basim:''' ''And what is our plan?''
*'''Eivor:''' ''In the morning, you will go to [[Buckingham]], remind Geadric of his promise. When you have his bond, meet me on the shore near Rouecistre, with his ships.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Abbot Cynebert must be warned in advance. He'll need time to muster his rescue party.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Runa, that is your task. I'll tell you where to meet him before you leave.''
*'''Basim:''' ''All seems in order. At first new light, I will leave.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Good. That gives us time to drink.''
Night came as Basim and Eivor sat near a campfire. Eivor set down her [[Varin's Axe|axe]] while Basim stoked the fire.
*'''Eivor:''' ''You've traveled so far to carry out your duty. Is this the life of a [[Hidden Ones|Hidden One]]? Always on the move?''
[[File:ACV Puppets and Prisoners 16.jpg|thumb|250px|Eivor and Basim divulge their pasts to each other]]
Eivor took a drink from a bottle and set it aside before taking hold of her axe to sharpen it.
*'''Basim:''' ''Mine is not the usual path. The creed does travel. Our ideals are universal, we believe that.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''So there's nowhere you call home?''
*'''Basim:''' ''No place I call home. No.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Weird.''
*'''Basim:''' ''For me, home is family. But I have no family.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''No one? Not even [[Hytham]]?''
*'''Basim:''' ''Parents, brothers, all dead.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''I lost my parents when I was nine winters along. Without Sigurd, I would've... I would've.''
Eivor stared distantly into the fire, contemplating her fate had Sigurd not saved her.
*'''Basim:''' ''There is always one unbreakable bond.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''Yes.''
*'''Basim:''' ''Children, they bewilder you. They can cause you so much worry, fill you with joy. Even stop your heart. And if you're lucky, they replace you.
Basim poked at the fire with a stick then watched the embers fly into the air before poking the fire again.
*'''Basim:''' ''I was not so lucky. I had [[Fenrir|a son]]. I miss him terribly. Even now.''
*'''Eivor:''' ''I'm sorry, Basim.''
*'''Basim:''' ''He was taken from me. By [[Odin|someone]] I trusted. A friend, a mentor. A man who I would trust with anything. But a man you trust with anything... can take everything.
Basim stabbed angrily at the fire.
*'''Basim:''' ''He took all I had.''
He composed himself and flashed a melancholy smile to Eivor.
*'''Basim:''' ''All I had.''
Night passed and morning came.
*'''Eivor:''' ''Rouecistre will not be an easy nut to crack. Time to prepare.''

==Outcome==
After wrongly capturing Shergar, a double of their target Tedmund, Basim and Eivor freed a group of Danes, including Runa, to help storm Rouecistre Fortress.

==Behind the scenes==
As was the case with [[The Abbot's Gambit]], several of the ambient conversations do not have fixed trigger points or specifically-defined NPCs, or even locations, where these dialogues will fire. The only requirement is that two qualified "Anglo-Saxon Man/Woman/Soldier" NPCs are in close enough proximity to each other, which may result in farmers or fishermen triggering the dialogues initially intended for soldiers, and vice versa. NPCs that are programmed to follow some walking route may end up walking out of range to hear the conversations, thus cutting them off completely. Repeated fast travel away from settled areas like Folcanstan, or saving and reloading, will allow the NPCs to reset somewhat and make it easier to trigger all dialogues until they are completely exhausted.

During the initial trip into Beamasfield, Basim may not pull up his hood even if Eivor does. This may cause soldiers to attack him on sight, even while Eivor hides in tall grass, as most Saxon soldiers (as well as the [[Woden|local]] [[Zealot]]) are programmed to treat all instances of Basim's actor without his hood as hostile. Fast traveling away from Beamasfield after the initial horse ride to the lumber mill, then returning (or simply saving and reloading), may cause him to properly use his hood. While this part of the memory is active, the "distrust area" condition appears to apply globally, meaning all soldiers will attack a hoodless Eivor on sight if she fast travels to a different area with soldiers present, and NPCs will raise their arms in wariness of her.

Although Runa has three different insults she can hurl at the guards, she will only be able to issue one at random before the guard cuts her off and tells her to "pipe down." With Shergar present at the camp, if players choose to attack the guards or release a prisoner before talking to the captain, it will have the same effect as using the Fight dialogue option, including Shergar running off in terror.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACV Puppets and Prisoners 4.png|Tedmund patrolling with his guards
ACV Puppets and Prisoners 11.png|The Dane camp
ACV Puppets and Prisoners 15.png|Eivor and Basim staying at the camp at night
ACV Puppets and Prisoners 17.png|Basim revealing the deaths of his son
</gallery>

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
{{ACVMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Eivor Varinsdottir]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5]]

Atlantis Destroyed

2026-09-26T10:40:05Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACOD}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''}}
{{Memory Infobox
| image = ACOD Thera - Adrestia near the beach.png
| description = ''[[Atlantis]] was sealed and barred from visitors forever, as intended. Although [[Kassandra]] would never see [[Pythagoras]] again, her dear friends [[Herodotos]] and [[Barnabas]] would always stand beside her.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
| type = Main
| previous = [[Ancient Revelations]]
| next =
| source = [[Kassandra]]
| location = [[Minoan Ruins]], [[Thera]], [[Greece]]
| date = c. 422 BCE}}
'''Atlantis Destroyed''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Kassandra]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] in 2018 through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]].

==Dialogue==
After successfully sealing [[Atlantis]], Kassandra returned to the surface of [[Thera]] as the sun began setting over the mountains on the west side of the island. She reached the [[Minoan Ruins]] and saw [[Barnabas]] pacing back and forth while [[Herodotos]] sat on a wooden bench, both waiting for her return.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''What are you two doing here?''
They moved closer together.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''You know us—always on your tail. Old Herodotos couldn't wait to see you.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I told you, Barnabas, Thera is said to hold a secret. A secret no one can fathom.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Yes, but a lost world?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''It's perfectly possible—Atlantis may exist.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Sounds like hooey to me. But he's insistent about it.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Herodotos is right. Atlantis exists.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Incredible!''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I-it's true? I can't believe it. Tell me everything!''
<tabber>
|-|It's a long story.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'll tell you some day. It's too complicated for small talk.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''It's not me, is it? I've proven I'm very competent!''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm exhausted, Barnabas.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Ignore him. When you're ready, I'm all ears. I need every last detail.''
|-|I met my real father.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''My [[Myrrine|mother]] sent me here to meet my real father. You know... [[Pythagoras]]? It's him.''
The historical significance of Pythagoras escaped Barnabas, while Herodotos picked up on the implication immediately.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Your father was living in a volcano?''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Pythagoras?! That's unthinkable—it would make him immortal.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''He had a [[Staff of Hermes Trismegistus|staff]] that belonged to the [[Isu|Ancient Civilization]].''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''It kept him alive all this time... Makes perfect sense.''
Barnabas was excited by the news.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Well, where is he? Invite him along—he's your father after all.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''He was a stubborn man. He wanted to keep all the knowledge of Atlantis to himself.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''Huh, stubborn. I suppose that trait runs in the family.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''He means he's sorry for your loss.''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''It's all right.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''But none of this can ''ever'' pass your lips. This stays between us.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''You have my word.''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''But the world needs to know! We could tell the most ''amazing'' tale of our time.''
Kassandra crossed her arms.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Herodotos...''
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Oh, fine.''
Herodotos sulked and walked away.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Then it's settled. Let's move forward.''
Herodotos turned back and smiled.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Like always.''
The sun dropped lower in the sky as they reached the beach where the ''[[Adrestia]]'' was anchored. They continued to reminisce on their adventures thus far while looking at the ship and the sunset.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''We've learned a lot, haven't we, you know-it-all?''
Barnabas tittered at his own jape.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Speak for yourself—I'm on the hunt for truth. Gods know not all ''your'' myths are accurate.''
*'''Barnabas:''' ''They come from the [[Twelve Gods|gods]] themselves, who are the most reliable sources we have.''
<tabber>
|-|All things are possible.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''For all we know, anything's possible.''
|-|You're both right.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You've both been a great help to me. It doesn't matter who's right or wrong.''
</tabber>
Regardless, Barnabas agreed sportively.
*'''Barnabas:''' ''And you would know, as the [[eagle]]-bearing [[Hybrid|demi-god]] you are.''
Herodotos played along.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''Perhaps she, too, is immortal.''
Kassandra laughed nervously.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Sure I am.''
Herodotos moved closer to her.
*'''Herodotos:''' ''I do know one thing for certain. This has been an odyssey I won't forget.''
She turned to him, smiled, and they clasped forearms. They all conversed for a little longer before setting off on their next adventure.

==Outcome==
Kassandra returns from the gateway to the ruins to find Barnabas and Herodotos. She talked to them of what had transpired and reflects on it.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACOD Thera - Herodotos and Barnabas.png|Barnabas and Herodotos waiting for Kassandra
ACOD Kassandra tells Herodotos to keep it secret.png|Kassandra tells Herodotos to keep Atlantis a secret
ACOD Kassandra and Herodotos forearm handshake.png|Herodotos and Kassandra shake hands
</gallery>

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
{{ACODMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Kassandra]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5]]

A Family's Legacy

2026-09-26T10:23:25Z

Sol Pacificus: In the game, Myrinne tells Kassandra to go to Thera before they rendezvous in Lakonia. The idea of Kassandra only going to Thera and meeting Pythagoras for the first and only time after the family ending is the novel's telling.

{{Era|Memories|ACOD}}
{{Memory Infobox
| image = ACOD Kassandra meets Pythagoras.png
| description = ''[[Myrrine]] told [[Kassandra]] that her [[Pythagoras|real father]] was hidden somewhere on the island of [[Thera]]. She told her daughter to start looking where [[Minoan civilization|civilization]] once was.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
| type = Side, World
| previous = [[Unified Front]]
| next = [[The Gates of Atlantis]]
| source = [[Kassandra]]
| location = [[Thera]], [[Greece]]
| date = }}
'''A Family's Legacy''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Kassandra]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''</ref>
==Description==
Following the advice of her [[Myrrine|mother]], Kassandra sought out the island of [[Thera]] in order to find her [[Pythagoras|real father]].

==Dialogue==
As the ''[[Adrestia]]'' neared the coast of Thera, Kassandra admired the site.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''This place is nice.''
The ship docked and Kassandra stepped onto the ground.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Thera. Not what I expected.''
She explored the [[Minoan Ruins]].
*'''Kassandra:''' ''These ruins look old. I wonder who built them and when. What are those towers?''
With the help of [[Ikaros]], she scanned the ruins, and found a campsite.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''There's the camp.''
Inspecting the camp, she found a tablet with instructions.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Nothing but a tablet. I wonder what it says?''
{{IUNote
|Title=Ancient Tablet
|Text=While continuing my researching on the [[Minoan civilization|Minoan]] ruins, I found writing that spoke of a doorway. After some translations, it appeared that the reflective mirrors I found are part of a mechanism. I aligned the mirrors, and when I went back into the ruins, I found a path that led deeper underground. At the very bottom of the cave I found an an entrance to somewhere else. Tomorrow, I shall open the door and see what's inside.}}
*'''Kassandra:''' ''So, the light beams are the key...''
[[File:ACOD A Family's Legacy - Lights.jpg|thumb|250px|Mirrors around the ruins]]
She made for the light shining off a mirror on the tallest ruin to the south. Fighting off some [[Eurasian lynx|lynxes]], she broke the boards covering a mirror and watched the light bounce west into the ruins.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''It's aligned!''
Kassandra broke more boards and slid down the rope to follow the light north. She pushed and pulled scaffolding to reflect the light northeast to the building nearest the dock.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''This looks to be in the right position.''
She made her way to the building and moved more scaffolding to reflect the light into the hole in the floor.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I think I've got it.''
[[File:ACOD GLC - Kassandra unlocks the entrance.png|thumb|250px|Kassandra at the massive door]]
She broke the door below the ruined building and allowed the light to reflect perfectly into the relief above the strange doorway to the south.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''There. That should work. Now to try the door.''
As she did with the [[Ancient Forge]] on [[Andros]], Kassandra held the [[Spear of Leonidas]] to the entrance. The spear glowed as the entrance gave way, just as before.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Finally. Now, to find what lies within.''
The door sealed behind Kassandra. She journeyed deep into the caves beyond the door.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Why would my father be here?''
Kassandra slid through an opening and reached a magma chamber.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''It's hot in here.''
The footing narrowed as some rocks fell out of the ceiling.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I should watch my step.''
She crossed to the other side and found a [[Gateway to the Lost City|massive cavern]] at the end of the cave.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''What is this place?''
She stared over the edge to find a deep pool of water.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Time to take a dive.''
Kassandra [[Leap of Faith|leapt]] into the water, pulled herself out, and jogged down the pathway.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''This place is huge.''
As Kassandra neared the steps leading down, she marveled at some of the [[Isu|strange]] architecture, then spied a man at the bottom.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Hello?''
Ikaros flew past her as she descended the stairs.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Ikaros!''
Ikaros perched on the man's outstretched arm, as if greeting an old friend.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Hmpf. Traitor.''
The man addressed her directly.
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Greetings, Kassandra. Welcome to [[Atlantis]].''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Atlantis! Impossible! I thought it was just a myth?''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''There are many secrets in this world that are hidden behind myth and legend.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''And who are you?''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''My name is Pythagoras. I'm your father.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Pythagoras? That doesn't make sense. He died decades ago.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Yes, almost a century if memory serves. And yet, here I am standing before you.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''And Ikaros is...''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''My oldest and dearest friend. I sent him to watch over you. And now, here you are.''

<tabber>
|-|I'm seeking my destiny.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I've come to fulfill my destiny.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Oh, you have? And what would that be, young one?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I was hoping you'd tell me.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Atlantis doesn't give up its secrets easily.''
|-|I'm here to meet my father.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I've traveled a long way to meet my real father. You.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''You weren't sent here for a family reunion. There are bigger things at stake.''
|-|Myrrine sent me.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Myrrine, my mother—she sent me here to find you.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Myrrine. She sent you here because she knew this was your destiny.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''My destiny?''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''There's more at stake than any one mind can comprehend.''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Why was I sent here? What's my role in all this? I want answers!''
Ikaros took off from Pythagoras's arm.
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''There is knowledge in this place. Powerful knowledge. In the wrong hands, its secrets could bring about the downfall of [[human]]ity. We cannot allow others to discover this place. We must find a way to seal it from the world forever.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I don't understand any of this. I'm a warrior, not a scholar.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''We all have a purpose, Kassandra. Yours was to help me protect the secrets of Atlantis.''

<tabber>
|-|You haven't earned my help.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Why should I help you? You were never there for me.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''You endured what you had to in order to be strong enough for what's to come.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I never asked for any of this.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Our destiny is a burden we must shoulder. It is not something we choose.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''What would you have me do?''
|-|We have to seal this place.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You're right. We must save the [[Greece|Greek]] world from itself.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''Above all things, trust yourself. You're capable of greatness.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'll do my best.''
</tabber>
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''The answers I seek are behind these mechanisms. They are sealed, and the [[Atlantis artifact|artifacts]] to open them are missing.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''So I need to find the artifacts and return them to Atlantis?''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''I've collected information that hints at where these artifacts may be located. However, they are incredibly powerful. They corrupt the minds of lesser people and possess a will to defend themselves.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'll bring them back. But I still have questions for you.''
*'''Pythagoras:''' ''And I have answers. For now, though, take this. It's part of a key to access an artifact that is hidden in [[Boeotia]]. I have an [[Gorgias (historian)|ally]] trying to find the second half as we speak.''

==Outcome==
Kassandra met her biological father, who was none other than Pythagoras, and learned of her family's connection to the lost city of Atlantis.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACOD A Family's Legacy - Kassandra Door.jpg|Kassandra at the locked door
ACOD Mirros of Caldera of Fate Ruins.png|Kassandra solving the mirror puzzle
ACOD GLC - Bioluminiscent first chamber .png|Kassandra at the unlocked gate
ACOD A Family's Legacy - Kassandra Enters Door.png|Kassandra passing through the door
ACOD GLC - Magma second chamber.png|The second chamber almost submerged to lava
Gateway to the Lost City.jpg|An aerial view of the Gateway to the Lost City
ACOD Kassandra going towards the GLC.png|After diving down, Kassandra approaches the Gateway to the Lost City
ACOD A Family's Legacy - Pyramid Artifact.png|The pyramid-like artifact in the vault
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{ACODMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Kassandra]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5]]

Prince of Persia

2026-09-26T10:04:58Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACOD}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey downloadable content#Limited edition content|Assassin's Creed: Odyssey Limited edition content]]'' – ''[[Prince of Persia]]''}}
{{IncompleteMemory|Odyssey}}
{{Memory Infobox
| image = ACOD Prince of Persia.png
| description = ''[[Kassandra]] happened upon a [[Artaxerxes I of Persia|blind]] [[Iran|Persian]] who wished to see the world his [[Themistokles|friend]] had told him about in stories. Agreeing to be his "eyes", she pledged to travel these lands on the beggar's behalf.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
| type = Side, Character {{c|[[Artaxerxes I of Persia|The Blind King]]}}
| previous =
| next =
| source = [[Kassandra]]
| location = [[Megara]], [[Megaris]], [[Greece]]
| date = 431 BCE – 424 BCE
}}
'''Prince of Persia''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Kassandra]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] in 2018 through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8.5]].

==Description==
Kassandra met a [[Artaxerxes I of Persia|blind]] [[Iran|Persian]] man near the [[Temple of Apollo, Megara|Temple]] of [[Apollo]] and agreed to be his eyes as she traveled around the world for landmarks

==Dialogue==
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Spare some [[drachma]]e?''
Kassandra spoke to an old man near the Temple of Apollo.
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You there. You have a kind soul. Help an old man buy this next meal?''
<tabber>
|-|You seem kind, too.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Your... soul also seems kind.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I am grateful and humbled, stranger. Tell me, what do they call you?''
|-|I'm not kind.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''If you knew the things I've done, you wouldn't be so quick to call me kind.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Nonsense. Your soul is greater than the sum of your actions, stranger... Tell me, what do they call you?''
|-|Fine, here's some drachmae. [50]=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You need it more than me. Here, take it.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''A generous gift. Thank you. What do they call you, stranger?''
|-|I don't have enough drachmae.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You and I have something in common. Neither of us has any drachmae.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Your company is gift enough, but... I don't know your name. Who do they call you?''
</tabber>
<tabber>
|-|I'm Kassandra.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm Kassandra. And you?''
|-|Depends.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Depends on who's asking... But my name is Kassandra. And you are?''
|-|The Messenger of Zeus.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm the Messenger of [[Zeus]]. But you can call me Kassandra. And you are?''
</tabber>

*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Just a simple beggar. I sailed from [[Iran|Persia]] to see the beauty of the [[Greece|Greek]] world.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I can do many things, Persian, but I can't restore sight.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Nor would I want you to. My blindness is a burden that the gods have given me to carry, and I will.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Then what?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Be my eyes. When I was a boy, an [[Athens|Athenian]] told me the most beautiful of your lands. I would love to hear them again. Would you go to see the places I never was able to, and return to tell me the tale of your adventures?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'm not much of a storyteller, but I will be your eyes.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I know I sensed kindess in you. You've made this old Persian happy again.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Don't thank me yet. What places do you wish you could have seen?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Ah, my favourite tales were always of the [[Akrokorinth]], the statues of Zeus and [[Athena]], the perch of the [[Stymphalos Armored Bird|armored bird]] in [[Arkadia]], and of course, the mysterious [[Mount Taygetos]].''
("Where is the [[Lightning Zeus|Statue of Zeus]]?")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''So, tell me what you know about the Statue of Zeus.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''"Its great bolt stood ready to punish the [[Kephallonia]]s below," or so I was told.''
("Where is the [[Statue of Athena]]?")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''There are many statues to Athena. Which one do you mean?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''In my mind, there is only one. Her story always began, "As we're rounded the hilltops, we could see [[Athens]] bustling below us, and Athena above, matching our gaze.''
("Where is the Akrokorinth?")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The Akrokorinth... Don't tell me, it's in [[Korinthia]].''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Smart guess. It is the most renowned temple to [[Aphrodite]], your goddess of all life's most pleasurable trivialities.''
("Where is Mount Taygetos?")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You did say Mount Taygetos, didn't you?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You sound like you know that place... I have heard tales of its appetites. They say the mountain feeds on the suffering of [[Sparta]]ns, so the people there offer their own children to the mountain god for sacrifice.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''That... that's not exactly right.''
("Where is the armored bird?")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''What do you remember about this armored bird in Arkadia?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''There's a beast made of armor jutting out from the mountainside, overlooking [[Lake Stymphalia|Lake Stymphalos]] and the undulating fields stretching like waves on a golden sea all across Akradia.''
("I'll be back soon?")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I'll be back with stories to tell.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''As soon as you've seen one location, please return.''
Kassandra visited the Lightning Zeus in Kephallonia. After exploring the statue, she recovered a papyrus.
[[File:ACOD_Kassandra_Lightning_Zeus.jpg|thumb|250px|Kassandra atop the statue of Zeus]]
*'''Kassandra:''' ''This papyrus is so old... Could this be writing by Themistokles?''
*'''Themistokles on Kephallonia:''' ''Zeus's mighty figure stood aloft, its great bolt ready to punish the Kephallonians below. This is how the Kephallonians were destined to live—under the shadow of a god always watching and ready to judge.''
[[File:ACOD_Statue_of_Athena.jpg|thumb|250px|Kassandra atop the statue of Athena]]
Next, Kassandra visited the Statue of Athena on the Akropolis Sanctuary, finding another papyrus.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''A papyrus. Says it was written by [[Themistokles]], the Athenian general.''
*'''Themistokles on Athens:''' ''As we rounded the hilltops, we could see Athens bustling below us and Athena above, matching our gaze. There, she eternally mourned our suffering with dignity and grace.''
[[File:ACOD Kassandra Akrokorinth Temple of Aphrodite.jpg|thumb|250px|Kassandra at the Temple of Aphrodite]]
Kassandra then visited the [[Temple of Aphrodite, Korinth|Temple of Aphrodite]] at the Akrokorinth, recovering another papyrus.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''A note... written by Themistokles. Who knew the great general was also a poet?''
*'''Themistokles on the Akrokorinth:''' ''No people on this earth were more dedicated to worship than the followers of Aphrodite. No matter the time, the men were worshipping with the women, and the women with the men, only stopping to sleep or drink.''
After visiting all the landmarks, Kassandra returned to Artaxerxes.
("I saw the Statue of Zeus.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I've seen Kephallonia from the Statue of Zeus.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Tell me, is it still a place of great beauty?''
<tabber>
|-|Lie – It's a happy place.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Its people are the happiest in all the Greek world. They sing and dance into the night, with full bellies and full hearts.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''That... isn't how it was described to me at all. The tales go that its lands are among the world's most beautiful, and its people among the most pitiful.''
|-|Kephallonia is poor but beautiful.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Yes, the island is beautiful. From the Statue of Zeus, you can see the sea hitting the white beaches and mountains covered in green. But its people suffer because of the war.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Ah, just how it was described to me. The gods simultaneously bless the land and curse the people. Even for gods, your gods are cruel, misthios.''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''OK, I've told you what I remember. Now tell me about yourself. What's a Persian doing here?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Persia and the Greek world are doomed to be opposites—in times of prosperity here, Persians always seem to suffer. And when you are at war with yourselves—''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Persians know peace?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Indeed. My people prospered after King [[Xerxes I of Persia|Xerxes]] was murdered. All except for me. A man tried to kill me with poison, which is how I lost my sight. I fled and arrived here.''
<tabber>
|-|No one would want you dead.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I find it hard to believe anyone would want you dead.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You're very kind. Tell me another tale, then I'll tell you more of my past.''
|-|There's a price on your head...=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''So, there's a price on your head? Now I'm interested.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''There was, though there isn't anymore. Now then, tell me another tale, and I'll tell you more of my past.''
</tabber>
("I saw the Statue of Athena.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You'll be glad to know I've been to the Statue of Athena at the Akropolis.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Ah, if only I could have been there to feel her prescence. Would you... describe her to me?''
<tabber>
|-|She stands guard over Athens.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''If Athens is a city of statues, then Athena is their guardian. She stands high above everything, on guard over the city.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Yes! Not just standing tall to protect Athens, but to serve as a reminder of the suffering those poor people endured during the [[Greco-Persian Wars|invasion]].''
|-|Lie – The statue is made out of gold.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Oh, it's even better than you can imagine. Made of pure gold. Chip one toe off her, and you'd have enough drachmae to eat for the rest of your life.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Gold? No, it can't be. I was always told she was bronze, and stood guard over the city of Athens. Mourning the past and protecting the future...''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Your turn to tell me something. You said a man tried to kill you.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''The man who rose up to kill the tyrant Xerxes was named [[Darius]]... He was of a new creed of killers, unlike any Persia had known. He was also the man hired to kill me.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''A killer of kings, hired to kill a simple blind man? Why?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I have your interest, do I? Tell another tale, and I will, too.''
("I saw the Akrokorinth.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I traveled to the Akrokorinth. From there I could see all of Korinthia.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Ah! I can only wonder at what the worshippers of Aphrodite do to pay her tribute.''
<tabber>
|-|The hetaerae make Aphrodite proud.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The hetaerae keep the spirit of Aphrodite alive... Usually well into the night.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Exactly as your goddess deserves! When I was younger, I'd lie awake dreaming of what it would be like to go... worship, of course.''
|-|Lie – It's a quiet place.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''It's quiet, mostly. People praying, offering sacrifice. You know, typical sanctuary stuff.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''A temple to Aphrodite... quiet? Impossible! Have you ever been to the temple?''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Now that's out of the way, you owe me a tale. You said the king killer, Darius, was hired to kill you, too.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''He was. By my [[Hystaspes|brother]].''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Your brother! None of this is making any sense, old man.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I trust you, so I will tell you. My brother and I are the last living sons of King Xerxes.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Impossible. That would make you king.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I was. My name was Artaxerxes. I guided Persia through a time of peace. But my brother wanted the throne and plotted my death. Now, I hide here, exiled, living the life of a simple beggar. I will tell you more, but first—''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Yes, yes. A tale for a tale.''
("I saw Mount Taygetos.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I returned to Mount Taygetos.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Returned? Tell me, did you meet the mountain god who devours Spartan children?''
<tabber>
|-|There is no god there.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The mountain is just a mountain like any other—what makes Taygetos a place of suffering is the people there.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''That is true of all the world's worst places. When I was a child... I could tell from the moment I met you that you carried the burden of suffering. Let it stay in the past.''
|-|Lie – I saw the mountain god.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Your story was true—there is a snow god on Mount Taygetos that lives to eat the children of Sparta. It destroys families for fun. I saw it.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''That was a Persian myth, and a disgusting one—I had always hoped to heare the tale of the true Taygetos from someone who'd seen it firsthand.''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Now you tell me, "King" Artaxerxes—how can I believe your story? You don't exactly look like royalty.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Well, that's the point. I am hiding.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Show me proof.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I could. You see, I knew a man named Themistokles.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The Athenian general. I heard stories about him being ostracized from Athens.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Over petty politics. He came to Persia, to me, looking for refuge. I was king, but only a boy. He spent his days learning Persian and telling me stories of his home. Places like that Akrokorinth, Mount Taygetos...''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The palaces you wished you could see.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I loved the tales, and loved Themistokles like a father. He was kinder to me than Xerxes ever was. Tell me one last tale, and I'll tell you where he hid his treasure.''
("I saw the armored bird.")
*'''Kassandra:''' ''If you'd like to hear about the bird, I could describe it to you.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Nothing would make me happier.''
<tabber>
|-|Lie – It's chaotic.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The great bird with metal feathers attacked me. I fought it off with my bare hands.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You did? So, you fought it just like [[Herakles]]? I'd heard the statue was built to guard a place of chaos and calm.''
|-|It's peaceful.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''It's a majestic statue, built from the blades of fallen [[soldier]]s. It is so high above Stymphalos and the golden fields below... Up there I could forget there was a war.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''So, it is as it was told to me. The bird commemorates Herakles' fight against chaos, built on a place of calm. Hopefully one draws out the best in the other.''
</tabber>
*'''Kassandra:''' ''So, I've been to the five places Themistokles told you in his tales.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''For that, my soul will be eternally grateful. As for my tale, Themistokles died peacefull in Persia, as one of us. I promised him I'd see the places he'd told me about. His stories will live on in me, and now you.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''And what of your story?''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I let the people believe Darius succeeded in killing me so I could escape.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Artaxerxes... There's something else you should know.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Yes?''
<tabber>
|-|Your father killed my grandfather.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''My grandfather was [[Leonidas I of Sparta|Leonidas of Sparta]].''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''That means...''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Your father, King Xerxes, killed my grandfather.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Then you're bounded by blood to avenge him.''
|-|Actually, forget it.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''On second though, never mind.''
|-|I liked your story, but it wasn't true.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Kings, murderers, Athenian generals, adventure... You tell a good tale, old man.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''After all that, you don't believe me?''
*'''Kassanda:''' ''I think you're a great storyteller. It doesn't matter if any of it was true.''
</tabber>
Before they could continue the conversation, a Persian soldier interrupted them.
*'''Persian Soldier:''' ''Artaxerxes! False king. This misthios led me right to you. Time to finish what I started.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Kassandra, please.''
<tabber>
|-|I'll protect you.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Stand behind me.''
|-|Kill – I must avenge Leonidas.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Your father killed my grandfather. Now, I kill you.''
*'''Persian Soldier:''' ''No! He's mine.''
</tabber>
Kassandra fought and eliminated the Persian soldier.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Artaxerxes. Are you hurt?''
(The following dialogue is based on the decision made in the previous choices.)
<tabber>
|-|If Kassandra revealed the identity of his grandfather=
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Despite being bound by honor to avenge Leonidas, you saved me. Thank you.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I had no choice. That man wanted you dead... Must've been another one of your executioners.''
|-|If Kassandra chose the decision to kill Artaxerxes=
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''After a life as a Persian king, you get used to people trying to kill you.''

[missing dialogue]

|-|If Kassandra did not believe Artaxerxes=
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You call me by my name, despite accusing me of being a rambling old man. Now you believe me?''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''I do now. That killer was Persian... Another one of your brother's hired executioners.''
</tabber>
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''It was. If he doesn't return to Persia, my brother will send another. Then another. It's time this old man accepts his fate.''
<tabber>
|-|Be brave.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You are a brave man, Artaxerxes.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''A trait I learned from Themistokles. Now, as for you... I owe you payment.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Well, I did save your life. And I went on an adventure for you... your highness.''
|-|Kill your brother.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Sure, you could give up. Or, you could sail home, kill your brother, and take back your kingdom.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''I spent my entire life undoing my father's work. I won't end my life becoming him. As for you... there is the matter of your payment.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Well, I did save your life. And I went on an adventure for you... your highness.''
|-|Pay me.=
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Before that, you owe me. I saved your life. And I went on this adventure for you.''
</tabber>
<tabber>
|-|If Kassandra told true stories throughout=
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You did! And in your retelling, I felt like Themistokles was speaking through you. For your reward, go to the tomb in [[Isle of Salamis|Salamis]] where Themistokles hid his treasure. It will be near where he made his triumphant [[Battle of Salamis|stand]] against my father's navy.''
|-|If Kassandra lied a few times=
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''You did... Though much of what you said is not how I remember Themistokles telling it.''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''Things change.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Ah, we are proof of that, aren't we? Now for Themistokles treasure. Find the tomb in Salamis, where he made his triumphant stand against my father's navy. That's where your reward awaits.''
|-| If Kassandra lied on all the stories=
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''Did you? Athena made from pure gold, meeting a god on Taygetos, and how did you describe the Akrokorinth? "Typical sanctuary stuff?"''
*'''Kassandra:''' ''You said you like stories. So... I gave you stories.''
*'''Artaxerxes:''' ''At least I'm still alive. For that, take this small token.''
(Memory ends)
</tabber>
Kassandra departed and made her way to the [[Ruined Sanctuary of Ajax]] on Salamis.
*'''Kassandra:''' ''The tomb that Artaxerxes mentioned. It's real.''
Kassandra sneaked into the tomb and looted a chest, recovering the treasure.

==Outcome==
Kassandra Artaxerxes and helped him to visit each landmark documented by Themistokles, eventually learning of the Persian's identity and his past. She was later left to decide the old man's fate.

==Trivia==
*''{{Wiki|Prince of Persia}}'' is a video game series first made by {{Wiki|Broderbund}} in around the 1990s before [[Ubisoft]] bought it in 2001. The franchise's reboot is viewed as a spiritual predecessor to ''Assassin's Creed''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-assassins-creed/|title=The Making Of: Assassin's Creed|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829012943/http://www.edge-online.com/features/making-assassins-creed/|archivedate=29 August 2012|author=Edge Staff|publisher=''{{Wiki|Edge}}''|date=27 August 2012|accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref>
*Regardless of choosing whether to save or kill Artaxerxes, the dialogue which follows afterwards will remain the same. However, if players allowed the assassin to kill Artaxerxes first, then the memory will complete will right away with no rewards or the location of the treasure given. Also if Kassandra lied on all the stories, the memory will end immediately after the talk with Artaxerxes without location of the treasures given.
*When viewed by Ikaros, the assassin has a unique avatar. He can be knocked out and recruited as a lieutenant for the Adrestia.
*Strangely, in the final cutscene, the assassin pulls out a sword to kill Artaxerxes, but when he is actually fought, he wields two maces.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
Artaxerxes PrinceOfPersia.jpg|Artaxerxes outside the temple
ACOd-Artaxerxesbeggar.jpg|Artaxerxes praying and begging
ACOd-Artaxerxesbegging.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACODMemories}}

[[Category:Memories of Kassandra]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5]]

User:Sol Pacificus

2026-09-25T01:26:28Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Memories navigation */

I, '''Sol Pacificus''', better known to the community as '''Cyfiero''', am a {{wiki|Hong Kong}} native and {{wiki|California}} local who has been leading the Assassin's Creed Wiki since 2020. Although I first became an administrator in 2018, my experience as an editor originated in 2007 with [https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Main_Page Wookieepedia], the ''[https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Legends Star Wars]'' Wiki, to whom I owe much of my skills in encyclopedic writing and wiki management.

My journey with ''[[Assassin's Creed (series)|Assassin's Creed]]'' technically began with the iOS mobile game ''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]'' (2008), which for some time was my only exposure to the series since I was late in getting a seventh generation console. Then in 2010, I selected ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]'' (2010) as the first game to try out with my new {{wiki|PlayStation 3}}, and the immediate experience was one of both novelty and homeliness. Four key components of the series enticed me: political philosophy, world history, the {{wiki|Order of Assassins|assassin}}–{{wiki|ninja}}-{{wiki|youxia|xiake}} theme, its initial premise of spotlighting settings and cultures under-represented in popular media, and cinematically immersive rather than fantastical or grind-festive combat. It was uncanny how, in many respects, ''Assassin's Creed''{{'}}s blend of ingredients were perfectly tailored to my core interests.

==Quotes==
===Assassins===
{{Quote|To recognize nothing is true and everything is permitted. That laws arise not from divinity, but reason. I understand now that our Creed does not command us to be free. It commands us to be wise.|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Assassin's Creed}}
{{Quote|This stranger [[Templars|Brotherhood]] seeks the same as the [[Assassins]]. But their methods are too brutal and imprecise. I admit, I am torn. While I can appreciate their goals, I view with disfavor the way in which they seek to realize them.|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on [[Sibrand]].|Assassin's Creed}}
{{Quote|Today's work weighs heavily on my mind. [[Jubair al Hakim|Jubair]] swore he wished only to protect the people from repeating the mistakes of their ancestors. A noble goal. Still, his methods were unacceptable. He could not be allowed to continue. To deprive the people of so much knowledge... He was not saving these people, but blinding them. But was killing him the only solution?|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad reflecting on Jubair al Hakim.|Assassin's Creed}}
{{Quote|What is this thing I hold, that it can bend men's minds? No larger than an [[Apple of Eden 2|apple]]—yet its power greater than any weapon I've known. I have seen what evil even the smallest taste brings. I should destroy it... yet something stays my hand. No, I will hold it a little while longer and see what it may teach me. Perhaps it can be turned to good. Or is this what they others thought when they held it? Is that its power, then? To turn noble into cruel? I know not what the future holds for any of us, but I do know those Assassins who remain will need guidance. I must attend to them. Help to heal their wounds. We will march together into the future, and emerge stronger than we were before. If we are to succeed, if we are to rebuild, then we must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of [[Isu|those who came before]]. We must be vigilant; ever mindful of the past...|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in the aftermath of his Mentor's death, reflecting on the Apple of Eden,|Assassin's Creed}}
{{Quote|The Auditore are not dead. I'm still here. ME! Ezio! Ezio Auditore!|Ezio Auditore upon killing [[Uberto Alberti]] in revenge for his family's execution.|Assassin's Creed II}}

:'''Ezio:''' ''Pezzo di merda! Vorrei solo che avessi sofferto di più! Hai avuto la fine che meritavi! Spero che bru—'' (Piece of shit! I only wish you'd suffered more! You met the fate you deserved! I hope yo—)
:'''Mario:''' ''Enough, Ezio! Show some respect.''
:'''Ezio:''' ''Respect? After all that's happened? Do you think he would have shown either of us such kindness?''
:'''Mario:''' ''You are not Vieri. Do not become him.''
:—[[Mario Auditore]] teaching Ezio that Assassins do not dehumanize even the most vile of people.

{{Quote|Twenty-two years ago, I stood where I stand now—and watched my loved ones die, betrayed by those I had called friends. Vengeance clouded my mind. It would have consumed me, were it not for the wisdom of a few strangers, who taught me to look past my instincts. They never preached answers, but guided me to learn from myself. We don't need anyone to tell us what to do; not Savonarola, not the Medici. We are free to follow our own path. There are those who will take that freedom from us, and too many of you gladly give it. But it is our ability to choose—whatever you think is true—that makes us human... There is no book or teacher to give you the answers, to show you the path. Choose your own way! Do not follow me, or anyone else.|Ezio Auditore at the {{Wiki|Bonfire of Vanities}}|Assassin's Creed II}}

*'''Machiavelli:''' ''You excel at opening wounds, Ezio, but can you also close them?''
*'''Ezio:''' ''I intend to heal the sickness, not treat its symptoms.''
*'''Machiavelli:''' ''Stop sparring with me.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''Fine. Let us talk openly then. [[Rodrigo Borgia]]'s death would not have solved anything.''
*'''Machiavelli:''' ''I am inclined to disagree.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''Look at this city, the center of Borgia and Templar rule. Killing one man will not change things. We need to take away the source of their power.''
*'''Machiavelli:''' ''Are you suggesting we appeal to the people?''
*'''Ezio:''' ''Maybe.''
*'''Machiavelli:''' ''Relying on the people is like building on the sand.''
*'''Ezio:''' ''You are wrong. Our belief in humanity rests at the heart of the [[Assassins|Assassin Brotherhood]].''
:—[[Niccolò Machiavelli]] debating with [[Ezio Auditore]].

{{Quote|The life of an Assassin is pain, Yun. You suffer it, you inflict it, you watch it happen in the hope that you can help it disappear in time.|Ezio Auditore to [[Shao Jun]]|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}

{{Quote|Love binds our order. Love of people, of cultures, of the world. Fight for which gives us hope, and you will win back your people, Yun ''[sic]''.|Ezio Auditore to Shao Jun|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
{{Quote|It would be ''[cynical]'' if it were doctrine. But it is merely an observation of the nature of reality. To say that nothing is true, is to realize that the foundations of society are fragile, and that we must be the shepherds of our own civilization. To say that everything is permitted, is to understand that we are the architects of our actions, and that we must live with their consequences, whether glorious or tragic.|Ezio Auditore explaining the Creed to [[Sofia Sartor]].|Assassin's Creed: Revelations}}

*'''Ah Tabai:''' ''And what do you think of our creed?''
*'''Edward:''' ''It's hard to say. For if nothing is true, then why believe anything? And if everything is permitted... why not chase every desire?''
*'''Ah Tabai:''' ''Why indeed?''
*'''Edward:''' ''It might be that this idea is only the beginning of wisdom, and not its final form.''
*'''Ah Tabai:''' ''That's quite a step up from the Edward I met here many years ago.''
:—[[Edward Kenway]] displaying a moment of wisdom with [[Ah Tabai]]

{{Quote|The Creed of the Assassin Brotherhood teaches us that nothing is forbidden to us. Once, I thought that meant we were free to do as we would. To pursue our ideals, no matter the cost. I understand now. Not a grant of permission, the Creed is a warning. Ideals too easily give way to dogma. Dogma becomes fanaticism. No higher power sits in judgment of us. No supreme being watches to punish us for our sins. In the end, only we ourselves can guard against our obsessions. Only we can decide whether the road we walk carries too high a toll.|Arno Dorian|Assassin's Creed: Unity}}

{{Quote|Sometimes, ritual is all that stands between a man and madness. Each time I feel my body locked in combat, my wounds crushed against those I have inflicted, each time I feel the ''k''a tearing free. I pay it tribute with a prayer. This prayer is not for the dead, or for the gods. It is for me. My creed gives the meaningless meaning and shapes the formless.|[[Bayek]]|Assassin's Creed: Origins|The Lizard's Face}}

{{Quote|Now our enemies are hidden behind crowns, working in the shadows of Kings and Queens. Who are the ones that work in the shadows for the people? We are. Something has come of all of this. And it starts right now. We must continue the fight, and defend the free will of the people. And no matter how small, our brotherhood is the only hope and our kingdom needs no crowns. What we believe in, our values, our creed, will unify us. And I promise that for all the sons of Egypt, I will be the father I was not that day in Siwa.|Bayek, establishing the Hidden Ones|Assassin's Creed: Origins|The Aftermath}}

{{Quote|Your father cut your grandfather's tongue out, he oppressed your people. Family is not always our chosen and true brotherhood.|Bayek to [[Kawab]]|Assassin's Creed: Origins|Shadows of the Scarab}}

====[[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad's Codex]]====
{{Quote|What follows are the three great ironies of the Assassin Order: (1) Here we seek to promote peace, but murder is our means. (2) Here we seek to open the minds of men, but require obedience to a master and set of rules. (3) Here we seek to reveal the danger of blind faith, yet we are practitioners ourselves. I have no satisfactory answer to these charges, only possibilities... Do we bend the rules in service to a greater good? And if we do, what does it say of us? That we are liars? That we are frauds? That we are weak? Every moment is spent wrestling with these contradictions and in spite of all the years I've had to reflect, still I can find no suitable answer... And I fear that one may not exist. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted. Does our creed provide the answer, then? That one may be two things—opposite in every way—simultaneously? And why not? Am I not proof? We of noble intentions, possessed of barbaric means? We who celebrate the sanctity of life and then promptly take it from those we deem our enemies?|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on paradoxes of the Assassins|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|I had thought Adha would be the one to lead me to rest, that I might lay down my blade and live as a normal man. But now I know such dreams are best left to sleep...Her face. I try to banish it from my mind as I remember the days and nights during which I chased her Templar captors across the sea. I almost got to them in time. Almost. If I had only been faster. Instead, I held her lifeless body in my arms—saw the terror reflected in her fixed, unblinking eyes...I hunted each man—one by one—until all responsible were gone from the world. But there was no joy in this. No satisfaction or release. Their deaths did not bring her back. Did not heal my wounds. After that, I was certain I would never again feel for a woman as I had for her.|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad lamenting his failure to save [[Adha]].|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|Over time, any sentence uttered long and loud enough becomes fixed. Becomes a truth. Provided, of course, you can outlast the dissent and silence your opponents. But should you succeed—and remove all challengers—then what remains is, by default, now true. Is it truth in some objective sense? No. But how does one ever achieve an objective point of view? The answer is you don't. It is literally, physically impossible. There are too many variables. Too many fields and formulae to consider. We can try, of course. We can inch closer and closer to a revelation. But we'll never reach it. Not ever... And so I have realized, that so long as The Templars exist, they will attempt to bend reality to their will. They recognize there is no such thing as an absolute truth—or if there is—we are hopelessly under-equipped to recognize it. And so in its place, they seek to create their own explanation. It is the guiding principle of their so-named "New World Order"; To reshape existence in their own image. It is not about artifacts. Not about men. These are merely tools. It's about concepts. Clever of them. For how does one wage war against a concept? It is the perfect weapon. It lacks a physical form yet can alter the world around us in numerous, often violent ways. You cannot kill a creed. Even if you kill all of its adherents, destroy all of its writings—these are a reprieve at best. Some one, some day, will rediscover it. Reinvent it. I believe that even we, the Assassins, have simply re-discovered an Order that predates the Old Man himself...|Altaïr Ibn-La'ahad explaining a core principle of the Assassins in his Codex.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|Man seeks dominion over all that he encounters. I suppose it is a natural tendency for us to aspire towards mastery of our surroundings. But this should not include other human beings. Every day more and more are pressed into service—by deception or by force. Others, though not so firmly imprisoned, are made to feel as if their lives are worthless. I have seen the ways in which men persecute women. Heard the cruel words hurled at those who come here from other lands. Watched as those who believe or act differently are made to suffer... We discuss such things often—watching as we do from the spires of Masyaf. What can be done to stop this? To encourage tolerance and equality? Some days we speak of education, believing that knowledge will free us from immorality. But as I walk the streets and see slaves sent off to auction—my heart grows cold. When I see the husband hurl abuses and stones at his wife, insisting she exists only to serve him—my fists clench. And when I see children torn from their parents so that another man might profit—sent off to suffer beneath the desert sun and die... ...On these days, I do not think that dialogue will make a difference. On these days, I can think only of how the perpetrators need to die.|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad expressing the sentiment behind the Assassins' methods.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|We are obligated to hide. To be silent. To shape the course of history in secret. But some of my brothers and sisters disagree. They grow angry, insisting it is a mistake to shroud ourselves. They say it slows our work. But they do not understand the risks. To expose ourselves now would be too dangerous. I fear we would be branded madmen and attacked. So it goes. So it always has. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that men do not learn by being told. Instead they must be shown. They must make the connections themselves. If I say unto a man, be kind, be tolerant, be of an open mind—these words will wither and die long before they've affected change. It would be a waste. And so we must maintain our course...|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on the necessity of stealth.|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|Someday I will have a child—such is the way of our Order. And I will not make the same mistake. Nor any who call themselves an Assassin. We shall be allowed to love our children—and, in turn, to be loved. Al Mualim believed such attachments would weaken us—cause us to falter when our lives were on the line. But if we truly fight for what is just, does love not make such sacrifice simpler—knowing that we do so for their gain?|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on reforming love to be a foundation of the Assassins|Assassin's Creed II}}
{{Quote|We are growing larger. More make their way to our fortresses every day. Men and women. Young and old. From different lands. Of different faiths. Each tells a similar story—of having discovered the first part of our creed: that nothing is true. Too often, though, the revelation undoes them. They lose their morality, certainty, security. Many are driven mad. We must guide them. Help them to heal. Their minds must not be filled with more fairy tales, but with knowledge instead. Let them have answers—and let those answers be difficult and complex. Such is life.|Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad on the truth that life is complex, and the risks of the Creed.|Assassin's Creed II}}

===Assassins vs. Templars===
:'''Vidic''': ''Don't be so cavalier! Your ancestors almost had the right idea, Mr. Miles. If the deaths of a few people—evil people, no less—could save the lives of thousands more, well... it seems a small sacrifice.''
:'''Desmond''': ''What do you mean, "almost"?''
:'''Vidic''': ''They didn't go far enough! To use a rather tired analogy, corruption is no different than cancer. Cut out the tumors, but fail to treat the source and... well, you're buying time at best. There's no true change to be had without comprehensive, systemic intervention.''
:'''Desmond''': ''Chemo for the masses.''
:'''Vidic''': ''Education. Re-education to be more precise. But it's not easy, and it doesn't always take.''
:—[[Warren Vidic]] and [[Desmond Miles]]

:'''Vidic''': ''Then let me sum it up for you: The world's a mess! It's pathetic, really. You've seen it first-hand yourself. A thousand years between you and your ancestor and society remains just as barbaric, just as stupid.''
:'''Desmond''': ''And your point is...''
:'''Vidic''': ''Order, Mr. Miles. The world needs order. That is what we are working towards, and that is what you are helping us to achieve.''
:'''Desmond''': ''You expect me to believe you're building a better tomorrow?!''
:'''Vidic''': ''That's exactly what we're doing! The human race calls out for direction. They want to know why they're here, what they're meant to do. Well... we're going to tell them. And once they understand how to live their lives, everything will be better.''
:'''Desmond''': ''Better how?''
:'''Vidic''': ''An end to all conflicts, large and small. Isn't that what you Assassins strive for? "Peace in all things?"''
:—Warren Vidic and Desmond Miles

:'''Altaïr:''' ''Let go your burden.''
:'''Garnier:''' ''Ah, I'll rest now, yes. The endless dream calls to me. But before I close my eyes, I must know—what will become of my children?''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''You mean the people made to suffer your cruel experiments!? They'll be free now to return to their homes!''
:'''Garnier:''' ''Homes!? What homes!? The sewers? The [[brothels]]? The prisons that we dragged them from?''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''You took these people against their will!''
:'''Garnier:''' ''Yes, what little will there was for them to have. Are you really so naive? Do you appease a crying child, simply because he wails? "But I want to play with fire, father." What would you say? "As you wish"? Ah, but then you'd answer for his burns.''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''These are not children, but men and women, full grown.''
:'''Garnier:''' ''In body, perhaps, but not in mind; which is the very damage I sought to repair. I admit, without the [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]], which you stole from us, my progress was slowed. But there are herbs, mixtures and extracts. My guards are proof of this. They were madmen before I found and freed them from the prisons of their own minds. Ahh, and with my death, madmen they will be again.''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''You truly believe you were helping them?''
:'''Garnier:''' ''It's not what I believe, it's what I know''.
:—[[Garnier de Naplouse]]'s last words to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

*'''Altaïr:''' ''Men must be free to do what they believe. It is not our right to punish one for thinking what they do, no matter how much we disagree.''
*'''Jubair:''' ''Then what?''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''You of all people should know the answer. Educate them. Teach them right from wrong. It must be knowledge that frees them, not force.''
*'''Jubair:''' ''They do not learn, fixed in their ways as they are. You are naive to think otherwise. It's an illness, for which there is but one cure.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''You're wrong. And that's why you must be put to rest.''
*'''Jubair:''' ''Am I not unlike those precious books you seek to save? A source of knowledge with which you disagree? Yet you're rather quick to steal my life.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''A small sacrifice to save many. It is necessary.''
*'''Jubair:''' ''Is it not ancient scrolls that inspire the [[Crusaders]]? That fill [[Salāḥ ad-Dīn]] and his men with a sense of righteous fury? Their texts endanger others, bring death in their wake. I too, was making a small sacrifice. It matters little now. Your deed is done, and so am I.''
:—[[Jubair al Hakim]]'s last words to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

*'''Altaïr:''' ''Tell me, what's your part in all of this? Do you intend to defend yourself as the others have and explain away your evil deeds?''
*'''Majd:''' ''The Brotherhood wanted the city. I wanted power. There was... an opportunity.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''An opportunity to murder innocents.''
*'''Majd:''' ''Not so innocent. Dissident voices cut deep as steel. They disrupt order. In this, I do agree with the Brotherhood.''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''You'd kill people simply for believing differently than you.''
*'''Majd:''' ''Of course not! I killed them because I could, because it was fun! Do you know what it feels like, to determine another man's fate? And did you see the way the people cheered? The way they feared me? I was like a God! You'd have done the same if you could. Such power!''
*'''Altaïr:''' ''Once perhaps. But then I learned what becomes of those who lift themselves above others.''
:—[[Majd Addin]]'s dying words to Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad

:'''Altaïr:''' ''Illusion?''
:'''Rashid:''' ''That's all it's ever done, this Templar treasure, this [[Pieces of Eden|Piece of Eden]], this word of God. Do you understand now? The Red Sea was never parted, water never turned to wine. It was not the machinations of [[Eris]] that spawned the Trojan War, but this! Illusions, all of them!''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''What you plan is no less an illusion. To force men to follow you against their will!''
:'''Rashid:''' ''Is it any less real than the phantoms the [[Saracens]] and [[Crusaders]] follow now? Those craven Gods, who retreat from this world that men might slaughter one another in their names? They live amongst an illusion already. I'm simply giving them another, one that demands less blood.''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''At least they choose these phantoms.''
:'''Rashid:''' ''Or do they? Aside from the occasional convert or heretic?''
:'''Altaïr:''' ''It isn't right.''
:'''Rashid:''' ''Ahh. And now logic has left you. In its place you embrace emotion. I am disappointed.''
:—[[Rashid ad-Din Sinan]] and Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad in their final duel.

:'''Pitcairn:''' ''Do you not think we asked the same question of the British? These things take time. And it would have succeeded, had you let me play my part.''
:'''Connor:''' ''The part of the puppeteer.''
:'''Pitcairn:''' ''Better we hold the strings than another.''
:'''Connor:''' ''No. The strings should be severed. All should be free.''
:'''Pitcairn:''' ''And we should live forever on castles in the sky. You wield your blade like a man, but your mouth like a child. And more will die now because of that...''
:'''Connor (in Kanien'kéha):''' ''It is better to have faith in something, than none at all...''
:—[[John Pitcairn]]'s last words to [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]]

:'''Hickey:''' ''How should I know? The [[Templars]]. Lee. The big man, Haytham. They 'as the money. They 'as the power. That's the reason I threw in with 'em. That's the ONLY reason. Sure, they 'ave some sort of vision, for the future too. I didn't give a damn about any of that. They can sing their songs about mankind and its troubles. They can make their plans and spring their traps, don't bother me none. They paid me so I said yes. Didn't bother to ask who or how or why. Didn't care. ''
:'''Connor:''' ''You chose to side with men who would rob us of our humanity simply because it was more profitable?''
:'''Hickey:''' ''Wot else is there? I'm not some blind fool who'd give up all I've got on principle. What IS principle anyway? Can ya bring it to the bank? Don't look at me like that. We're different, you and I! You're just some blind fool who's always chasin' butterflies. Where as I'm the type of guy who likes to have a beer in one hand and a titty in the other. Thing is, boy, I can have what I seek. Had it, even. You? Your hands will always be empty.''
:—[[Thomas Hickey]]'s last words to Ratonhnhaké:ton

*'''Haytham:''' ''Which I've told you—time and time again—is dangerous! There will never be consensus, son, among those you have helped to ascend. They will all differ in their views of what it means to be free. The peace you so desperately seek does not exist.''
*'''Connor:''' ''No. Together they will forge something new—better than what came before.''
*'''Haytham:''' ''These men are united now by a common cause. But when this battle is finished they will fall to fighting amongst themselves about how best to ensure control. In time it will lead to war. You will see.''
*'''Connor:''' ''The Patriot leaders do not seek control. There will be no monarch here. The people will have the power—as they should.''
*'''Haytham:''' ''The people never have the power. Only the illusion of it. And here’s the real secret: they don’t want it. The responsibility is too great to bear. It’s why they’re so quick to fall in line as soon as someone takes charge. They WANT to be told what to do. They YEARN for it. Little wonder, that, since all mankind was BUILT to SERVE.''
*'''Connor:''' ''So because we are inclined by nature to be controlled, who better than the Templars? It is a poor offer.''
*'''Haytham:''' ''It is truth! Principle and practice are two very different beasts.''
*'''Connor:''' ''No, father... You have given up—and would have us all do the same.''
:—[[Haytham Kenway]] and Ratonhnhaké:ton in their final duel.

===Templars===
{{Quote|Compassion, mercy, tolerance. These words mean nothing to any of you! Mean nothing to those infidel invaders, who ravage our land in search of gold and glory! And so, I say enough! I've pledged myself to another cause. One that will bring about a new world in which all people might live, side by side, in peace. A pity none of you will live to see it.|[[Abu'l Nuqoud]] before massacring his party.|Assassin's Creed}}

:'''Richard:''' ''Three thousand souls, William. I was told they would be held as prisoners, and used to barter for the release of our men.''
:'''William:''' ''The [[Saracens]] would not have honored their end of the bargain. You know this to be true. I did you a favor.''
:'''Richard:''' ''Oh yes, a great favor indeed! Now our enemies will be that much stronger in their convictions, fight that much harder!''
:'''William:''' ''I know our enemy well! They will not be emboldened, but filled with fear!''
:'''Richard:''' ''Tell me, how is it you know the intentions of our enemies so well? You who forsake the field of battle to play at politics.''
:'''William:''' ''I did what was right, what was just!''
:'''Richard:''' ''You swore an oath to uphold the work of God, William! But that is not what I see here! No, I see a man who's trampled it!''

===Others===
{{Quote|It's all a matter of perspective. There is no single path through life that's right and fair and does no harm. Do you truly think the Crown has no cause? No right to feel betrayed? You should know better than this, dedicated as you are to fighting Templars—who themselves see their work as just. Think on that the next time you insist your work alone befits the greater good. Your enemy would beg to differ—and would not be without cause.|Benjamin Church's dying words.|Assassin's Creed III}}

==Objectives==
*[[Assassins]]
**<s>Introduction</s>
**Ideology ~ need refinement
**<s>Methods</s>
**<s>Corruption</s>
*[[Templars]]
**<s>Introduction</s>
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]
*[[Assassin's Creed Sisterhood]]

===Project: Chalice===
*<s>[[Quest for the Chalice]]</s>
*<s>[[Rafik]]</s>
*<s>[[Misbah]]</s>
*<s>[[Tamir (1190)|Tamir the Corpulent]]</s>
*<s>[[Fajera]]</s>
*<s>[[Badr]]</s>
*<s>[[Alaat]]</s>
*<s>[[Hamid]]</s>
*<s>[[Templar Hospital]]</s>
*<s>[[Nazim]]</s>
*<s>[[Firas|Firas the Combustible]]</s>
*<s>[[Roland Napule]]</s>
*<s>[[Kadar]]</s>
*<s>[[Ayman]]</s>
*<s>[[Lacoeur's villa]]</s>
*<s>[[Hazad]]</s>
*<s>[[Tower of Jerusalem|Tower of David]]</s>
*<s>[[Master of the Tower|Templar Wannabe Assassin Master]]</s>
*<s>[[Master of the Tower's student|Templar Wannabe Assassin Apprentice]]</s>
*<s>[[Axe Warrior|Champion of Basilisk]]</s>
*<s>[[Temple of Sand]]</s>
*<s>[[Templar's Hold]]</s>
*<s>[[Siege of Acre]]</s>
*<s>[[Adha]]</s>
*<s>[[Don Carvaggio's villa]]</s>
*<s>[[Sadad]]</s>
*<s>[[Qasim]]</s>
*<s>[[Sword of Adha]]</s>
*<s>[[Harash]]</s>
*<s>[[Basilisk]]</s>
*<s>[[Alep]]</s>
*<s>[[Citadel of Alep]]</s>

===Project: Alhambra===
*<s>[[Luis de Santángel]]</s>
*<s>[[Christopher Columbus]]</s>
*<s>[[Helene Dufranc]]</s>
*<s>[[Barcelona]]</s>
*<s>[[Raphael Sánchez]]</s>
*<s>[[Gaspar Martinez]]</s>
*<s>[[Zaragoza]]</s>
*<s>[[Pedro Llorente]]</s>
*<s>[[Cygnet]]</s>
*<s>[[Granada]]</s>
*<s>[[Alhambra]]</s>
*<s>[[Muhammad XII of Granada]]</s>
*<s>[[Juan de Marillo]]</s>
*<s>[[Tomás de Torquemada]]</s>
*<s>[[Granada War]]</s>
*<s>[[Christoffa's atlas]]</s>

===Project: Emei===
*<s>[[Gao Feng]]</s>
*[[Ma Yongcheng]]
*[[Yu Dayong]]
*[[Wei Bin]]
*[[Qiu Ju]]
*[[Zhang Yong]]
*[[Macau]]
*[[Nan'an]]
*[[Beijing]]
*[[Empress Zhang]]
*<s>[[Concubines]]</s>
*[[Hand cannon]]
*<s>[[Jinyiwei]]</s>

===Project: Universe===
*[[Ming dynasty]]
*[[Christianity]] & [[Catholicism]]
*[[Islam]]
*[[Judaism]]
*[[Americas]]
*[[Emirate of Granada]]
*[[Papal States]]
*[[Republic of Florence]]
*[[Kingdom of Jerusalem]]

===Project: Alamut===
*[[Crusades]]
*[[Third Crusade]]
*[[Crusaders]]
*[[Saracens]]
*[[Kingdom of England]]
*[[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins]]
*<s>[[Umar Ibn-La'Ahad]]</s>
*[[Šihāb ad-Dīn]]
*[[Saladin]]
*<s>[[Siege of Masyaf]]</s>
*<s>[[An-Nusayriyah Mountains]]</s>
*[[Ahmad Sofian]]
*[[Faheem Al-Sayf]]
*<s>[[Souk Al-Silaah]]</s>
*[[Formal Gardens]]
*[[Pasha Mosque]]
*<s>[[Tamir]]</s>
*<s>[[Masun]]</s>
*<s>[[Jamal]]</s>
*[[Garnier de Naplouse]]
*[[Hospitalier Fortress]]
*[[Acre Citadel]]
*[[Talal]]

===Project: Visionary===
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''

===Project: Legendary===
*[[Multiplayer Abilities]]
*[[Multiplayer Challenges]]
*[[Multiplayer Accolades]]
*[[Multiplayer Game Modes]]

===Project: Green Dragon Crescent Blade===
Weapon types:
*<s>[[Bastard sword]]</s>
*<s>[[Claymore]]</s>
*<s>[[Zweihänder]]</s>
*<s>[[Club]]</s>

**<s>[[Gunstock war club]]</s>
*<s>[[Naval axe]]</s>
*[[Battleaxe]]
*<s>[[Volley gun]]</s>

**<s>[[Duckfoot pistol]]</s>
*[[Scythe]]
*[[Revolver]]

===Project: Hella Basic===
*<s>[[Pietro de Galencia]]</s>
*[[Lo Sparviero]]
*<s>[[Demetrio il Silente]]</s>
*<s>[[Sirus Favero]]</s>
*<s>[[Vittorio]]</s>
*<s>[[Pio]]</s>
*<s>[[Crystal Cube]]</s>
*<s>[[Crows]]</s>

===Project: Memories===
*[[Third Crusade]]
*[[Hunt for the Nine]]
*[[Pazzi conspiracy]]
*<s>[[Granada War]]</s>
*[[Liberation of Rome]]
*[[American Revolution]]
:*[[American Revolutionary War]]
*[[French Revolution]]

===Project: Guard Commandant===
*[[Soldier]]
*[[Ottoman military]]

==Appearances by chronological order of release==
{{Scroll box|
*''[[Assassin's Creed]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Altaïr's Chronicles]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Lineage]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II: Discovery]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Renaissance]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Ascendance]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Recollection]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Chain]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''
**''[[The Tyranny of King Washington]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forsaken]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''
**''[[Freedom Cry]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brahman]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Memories]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Unity (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Underworld]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Identity]]'' {{c|non-canonical appearance}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Volume 1: Trial by Fire|Assassin's Creed: Assassins – Volume 1: Trial by Fire]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Locus]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Conspiracies]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Volume 2: Setting Sun|Assassin's Creed: Assassins – Volume 2: Setting Sun]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Templars Volume 1: Black Cross|Assassin's Creed: Templars – Volume 1: Black Cross]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Heresy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed (film)|Assassin's Creed: The Movie]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Templars Volume 2: Cross of War|Assassin's Creed: Templars – Volume 2: Cross of War]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Volume 3: Homecoming|Assassin's Creed: Assassins – Volume 3: Homecoming]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Uprising]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Origins: Desert Oath]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''
**''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
**''[[The Curse of the Pharaohs]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Origins (comic)|''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' comic]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodstone]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
**''[[Legacy of the First Blade]]''
**''[[The Fate of Atlantis]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Ming Storm]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Song of Glory]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Blood Brothers]]''
}}

==Memories navigation==
{{ACACMemories}}
{{ACMemories}}
{{ACBLMemories}}
{{AC2Memories}}
{{AC2DMemories}}
{{ACPLMemories}}
{{ACBHMemories}}
{{ACRMemories}}
{{AC3Memories}}
{{AC3LMemories}}
{{AC4Memories}}
{{ACPMemories}}
{{ACMMemories}}
{{ACRGMemories}}
{{ACUMemories}}
{{ACSMemories}}
{{ACCMemories}}
{{ACIDMemories}}
{{ACOMemories}}
{{ACODMemories}}
{{ACRebMemories}}
{{ACVMemories}}
{{ACJMemories}}
{{ACMirMemories}}
{{ACSHMemories}}

User:Sol Pacificus

2026-09-23T01:43:07Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Assassins */

The Land of Turquoise

2026-09-23T01:16:53Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */ I'm assuming this is a typo and iirc we don't mark [sic] for memory transcriptions

{{Era|Memories|ACO}}
{{Memory_Infobox
| name = The Land of Turquoise
| image = ACO HO Screenshot - Tahira Bayek Gamilat.jpg
| description = ''Four yours after the events of the main game, [[Tahira]] called [[Bayek]] to the [[Sinai]]. A rebellion has broken out agaisnt the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] and two [[Hidden Ones]] have been killed.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]] – [[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
| type = Main, Level 38
| previous = [[The Hidden Ones (memory)|The Hidden Ones]]
| next = [[Where the Slaves Die]]
| source = [[Bayek]]
| location = [[Klysma Nome]], [[Sinai]], [[Ptolemaic Kingdom]]
| date = 38 BCE
}}
'''The Land of Turquoise''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Bayek]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8]].

==Description==
Bayek must speak with [[Tahira]] to learn more about the situation in the [[Sinai]].

==Dialogue==
Bayek arrived at the [[Klysma Quarry]] at the Sinai Peninsula.
*'''Bayek:''' ''I need to find the hideout. It should be visible from a height.''
He travelled to high grounds, eventually reaching a viewpoint. From there, he discovered the location of the [[Hidden Ones]] [[Hidden Ones Klysma bureau|bureau]].
*'''Bayek:''' ''Ah, there it is.''
Bayek performed a leap of faith, falling into a haystack on the roof. He discovered that the entrance was closed.
*'''Bayek:''' ''The entrance is closed. There must be another way in.''
Bayek navigated around the building and discovered another entrance into the bureau. He slipped under the entrance.
*'''Bayek:''' ''This is it. Ah. The Hidden Ones' bureau.''
In the bureau, two Hidden Ones greeted him.
*'''Kashta:''' ''My name is [[Kashta]]. It is an honor to meet you, [[Mentor]].''
*'''Bayek:''' ''No formalities, Kashta. We are both equally Hidden Ones.''
*'''[[Paanchi]]:''' ''Bayek! Greatest of them all. I have heard the songs.''
Bayek entered a room, where Tahira and a rebel were waiting.
*'''Gamilat:''' ''Such loss of life!''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Tahira?''
*'''Tahira:''' ''Ah, Bayek. Thank the gods you have come.''
[[File:ACO The Land of Turquoise 2.png|thumb|250px|Bayek meeting Tahira]]
Bayek and Tahira shook hands.
*'''Bayek:''' ''Your message was urgent.''
*'''Tahira:''' ''These are the [[sword]]s of two Hidden Ones I recruited. Killed in a massacre.''
*'''Gamilat:''' ''They will be remembered as martyrs to the cause.''
*'''Tahira:''' ''This is [[Gamilat]]. Leader of the [[Nabataeans|Nabatean]] rebels.''

Gamilat gave Bayek a toast.

*'''Bayek:''' ''What happened?''
*'''Gamilat:''' ''We retreated through the village. The [[Roman Empire|Romans]] pursued us in a furry and took their anger out on the villagers.''
*'''Tahira:''' ''It was a pure butchery! Innocent men and women. The Hidden Ones tried to stop it and were killed.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''They understood the risks.''
*'''Tahira:''' ''I assigned them to help the rebels.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Tahira, what has been done cannot be undone. The Hidden Ones have no place in battles. But we can help the rebellion by eliminating the Roman leader.''
*'''Gamilat:''' ''General [[Gaius Julius Rufio|Rufio]]. But he is in [[Rome]].''
*'''Tahira:''' ''Rufio has three lieutenants here in the Sinai.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''These three men will die.''
*'''Tahira:''' ''Let's get to it.''
[[File:ACO The Land of Turquoise 5.png|thumb|250px|Bayek and Gamilat bonding]]
The three of them nodded in agreement. Tahira left the room. Before Bayek left, Gamilat stopped him.
*'''Gamilat:''' ''I am indebted to you.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''We do this for the people, Gamilat.''
*'''Gamilat:''' ''Yes, the people! The people and I are one and the same.''
*'''Kashta:''' ''We have Hidden Ones watching each of Rufio's lieutenants. They'll tell you anything you need to know.''

==Outcome==
Bayek reached the Hidden Ones bureau in the Sinai to find out what happened. He decided to help by eliminating three of Rufio's lieutenants to aid the rebellion.

==Gallery==
<gallery position="center" widths="180" captionalign="center">
ACO The Land of Turquoise - Bayek meets Paanchi.png|Bayek meets fellow Hidden One Paanchi
ACO The Land of Turquoise - Bayek meets Kashta.png|Bayek's first meet with Kashta
ACO The Land of Turquoise 1.png|Tahira and Gamilat mourning the deceased Hidden Ones
ACO The Land of Turquoise 3.png|Bayek introduced to Gamilat
ACO The Land of Turquoise 4.png|Bayek, Gamilat and Tahira discuss Rufio's lieutenants
</gallery>

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]] – [[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
{{ACOMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Bayek]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8]]

Bayek's Promise

2026-09-22T23:04:02Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACO}}
{{Imageneed|the [[Assassin's Creed: Origins]] stone circles Hathor and Osiris}}
{{Memory_Infobox
| name = Bayek's Promise
| image = ACO Bayek's Promise 1.png
| description = ''[[Bayek]] discovers one of [[Egypt]]'s enigmatic [[Stone Circle]]s, and relieves memories of a promise he made to his [[Khemu|son]]. He sets out to visit all 12 of the circles dedicated to ancient gods and their constellations. His personal pilgrimage unexpectedly opens the way to a [[Isu Armor|long hidden secret]] in the heart of Egypt.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''
| type = Side, Level 5
| previous = [[Prisoners in the Temple]]
| next = [[The Planetarium]]
| source = [[Bayek]]
| location = [[Ptolemaic Kingdom]]
| date = 48 BCE–43 BCE
}}
'''Bayek's Promise''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Bayek]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by [[Layla Hassan]] in 2017 through the [[Animus|Portable Animus HR-8]].

==Description==
A chance encounter with an ancient and enigmatic [[Stone Circle|circle of stones]] triggered memories from Bayek's past, and he decided to fulfill a promise made to his deceased son, [[Khemu]].

==Dialogue==
While on a [[viewpoint]] above [[Camp Shetjeh]] in [[Siwa]], Bayek spotted a stone circle in the desert.
*'''Bayek:''' ''Ah. The stone circle. I brought Khemu here not so long ago.''
Bayek traveled to the stone circle.
*'''Bayek:''' ''My son, you wanted the stars...''
He had a flashback of a night in the desert with his son, with Khemu using rocks to build a map on the sand of the stone circles, the [[pyramid]]s, and the [[Great Sphinx of Giza|Great Sphinx]].
*'''Bayek:''' ''The stone circles show the [[Egyptian mythology|gods]]' place in the sky. And your [[Sabu|grandfather]] once told me they also show our place in the world.''
[[File:ACO Bayek's Promise 2.png|thumb|250px|Khemu wishing to locate all the stone circles in Egypt]]
*'''Khemu:''' ''I'm going to find every stone circle. The Sphinx and the pyramids, too. And I'll find my place.''
The flashback ended, and Bayek entered the stone circle.
*'''Bayek:''' ''And you will have them.''
Another flashback to a conversation between Bayek and Khemu began.
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), why are there so many poor in [[Egypt]]? Yet those who don't belong here are rich.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Egypt has forgotten who she is. Many chose wealth over honor. In the end, they got neither and lost justice as well.''
[[File:ACO Amun Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Amun]]
*'''Khemu:''' ''But we are [[Medjay]]. We will bring justice and honor back to Egypt.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Yes, my son. We have not forgotten who we are. We will endure no matter our origin. [[Amun (deity)|Amun]], the king of gods, divided into two forms as the great goddess of invisibility [[Amunet (deity)|Amunet]], and master of the wind. He upholds justice. Lord of the shadows and the silence, he comes at the voice of the poor. He hears the confessions of the humble and forgives them.''
Bayek visited the other stone circles located through Egypt and aligned the constellations. At each location he reminisced on conversations he had with his son and took a small stone from the circle with him.
<tabber>
|-|Apis=
[[File:ACO Apis Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Apis]]
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), what is best in life?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''To seek justice and truth. To live with honor, to protect the weak and the poor. And to love your [[Amunet|mother]].''
*'''Khemu:''' ''My friend [[Kenon]] said it was to crush our enemies, and to hear the lamentations of their women.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''We are Medjay son, not barbarians. [[Apis]], the [[Cattle|bull]] god. He is the strength of the [[Pharaoh]]. Each year he is born as a calf with special markings. The Pharaoh finds this calf, and worships it.''
|-|Divine Lion=
[[File:ACO Divine Lion Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Sekhmet]]
*'''Bayek:''' ''Medjay have a duty to the gods. We must be strong, and ready to fight. But we must only fight when it is just.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''I'll practice hard, ''Papo'' (Father). I want to be strong and hunt like you do.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''You are already better with your weapons than many men. You'll make a fine Medjay, son.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''Like mom says, "May your victories multiply!"''
*'''Bayek:''' ''The Divine [[Lion]], the [[Sekhmet|powerful one]]. Her breath formed the desert. The fiercest of hunters, she lead the armies of the Pharaoh into battle.''
|-|Goat Fish=
[[File:ACO Goat Fish Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|The Goat-Fish]]
*'''Bayek:''' ''Have you talked to this girl you like?''
*'''Khemu:''' ''I didn't say I like her. We were friends. But she's being strange and avoiding me.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Maybe because she likes you too. We often do not say what we mean, it will come to you in bursts.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''Why would she avoid me if she likes me?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''This... is something your mother should explain. I am better with the stars. The Goat-Fish, called {{Wiki|Capricornus}} by the [[Greece|Greeks]]. The god has the head of a [[Goat|ram]] and the body of a fish. You see, even the gods do not always make sense.''
|-|Great Twins=
[[File:ACO The Great Twins Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|The Great Twins]]
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), you know how you're Egyptian and Mother is Greek. What if Egypt and Greece go to war?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Egyptians and Greeks don't hate each other. We're all the same.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''It feels like they do. The [[Scholar|priest]] in the temple schools said Greeks were destroying Egypt.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''He was wrong to say that. There is good and bad in everyone. You are a child of both Egypt and Greece. You are proof they don't hate each other. Ah, the Great Twins. To the Greeks, they are twin [[Kastor and Polydeukes|brothers]]. To the Egyptians, they are he-goats that rise from the [[Duat|underworld]], bringing pestilence and protections. Even the gods have two sides.''
|-|Hathor=
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), when you met mother, how did you know she liked you?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''My heart lit on fire, of course! She smiled at me, and her eyes rendered me helpless.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''So if a girl likes you she smiles at you?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Son, there are some things I can explain to you. The stars, how to fight. But this... is something not even the gods can tell. You will have to ask a goddess. [[Hathor]], goddess of motherhood and joy. She is loved by all in Egypt, from the least to the greatest. Mistress of the West, she welcomes the dead to the [[Duat|afterlife]].''
|-|Horus=
[[File:ACO Horus Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Horus]]
*'''Bayek:''' ''That is [[Horus]], the [[Falcon]]. The Great Black One. God of the sky. The [[sun]] is his right eye and the [[moon]] is his left eye. Forever he flies across the heavens, making night and day.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''The eye of Horus is what the Medjay wear?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Yes, Khemu.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''And the Pharaoh is Horus, right?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Yes, my son. The Pharaoh is Horus in life, and [[Osiris]] in death. That is why the Pharaoh rules not only Egypt, but the whole world. Only a true Pharaoh though.''
|-|Osiris=
*'''Bayek:''' ''[[Osiris]] was cut into fourteen pieces by his jealous [[Seth|brother]], who scattered the pieces through-out the land. Osiris' wife [[Isis|Iset]] searched and found all the pieces except one.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''What happened to the other piece?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''It was eaten by a fish. It was his, ah... So Osiris was resurrected and became lord of the underworld.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''Oh... so he couldn't have children anymore, huh.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''You are growing up far too quickly. Osiris, the Father of Gods. Brother of Set who murdered him. It is said that Iset's tears for her beloved husband created the [[Nile]].''
|-|Pisces=
[[File:ACO Pisces Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Pisces]]
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), why do people die?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''We are not gods. Everything must die. It is what Amun has ordained for us.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''Will we be together in the afterlife?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Be brave and strong. Fight for justice. Do not lie. This is all anyone can do. [[Ma'at]] will decide if we're worthy to walk together in the [[Aaru|Field of Reeds]]. I'm sure you will though. Your ''ka'' is good. {{Wiki|Pisces (constellation)|Pisces}}, the two fish. Joined by the thread of this life, they are forever balanced between the afterlife and the underworld.''
|-|Scales=
[[File:ACO The Scales Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|The Scales]]
*'''Bayek:''' ''Those are the Scales, called [[Khonsu]]. When we die, the goddess Ma'at weighs our hearts on them against her white [[feather]]. ''
*'''Khemu:''' ''I remember this. If our hearts are pure and light, we walk in the Field of Reeds.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Very good. You were listening. The Scales measure truth and justice. Which is why Medjay pursue these two things above all others.''
|-|Serqet=
[[File:ACO Serqet Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Serqet]]
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), how do you know if you're in love?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''Why Khemu? Do you think you are in love?''
*'''Khemu:''' ''I don't know. Love should feel good. You and mom are the only ones I love. But this hurts. Sometimes I can't even think straight.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''That sounds like love. It could be. I was once like that. I'm very sorry son. The [[scorpion]] goddess, [[Serqet]]. She protected Iset and Horus from jealous Set. She still protects against poisonous animals. But not love. Against that there is no protection, not even the gods can.''
</tabber>
<tabber>
|-|Tawaret=
[[File:ACO Taweret Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|Tawaret]]
*'''Khemu:''' Papo ''(Father), do you think I'll have many children?''
*'''Bayek:''' ''I hope you give your mother and I many grandchildren.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''I'll have to find a wife, then.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''You're young, my son. There's no reason to rush.''
*'''Khemu:''' ''I won't rush. But what if I already know.''
*'''Bayek:''' ''You need to learn how to be a Medjay first. Oh, [[Taweret]], the [[hippopotamus]] who walks. Lady of the Birth House, she is the goddess of fertility and childbirth. Mistress of the Horizon, she brings with her the yearly flood of Ar.''
|-|Ankh=
[[File:ACO Ankh Stone Circle Screenshot.png|thumb|250px|The Ankh]]
*'''Bayek:''' ''These stars are all we share now, Khemu. The Ankh gives me a view of your world, my son. It is carried along the Nile and through the waters of the sea of reeds, beyond the mouth of the gorges and forever. The Ankh is carried by [[Sheshat]], goddess of writing. The great wife and daughter to [[Thoth]], she reminds us that if we do not record that what was, it does not exist. The mistress of the House of Books holds you to the sky and oversees the most important of scrolls. I keep the Ankh of [[Ra]], Horus and the sky, it reminds me we are always one, Khemu. Sheshat has stretched the cord and helped lay the great foundations of our Ankh. The symbol is buried with the skulls of falcons onto our rooftops and embedded in rock upon my heart.''
|-|Sobek=
[[File:ACO Sobek Stone Circle Screenshot.png|thumb|250px|Sobek]]
*'''Bayek:''' ''These stars are all we share now, my Khemu. But it is enough. Before us is the God who dared feast on Osiris, lover of [[Thief|thieves]], cold and ruthless. Great [[Sobek]], protector of the Nile, of Ra, of Horus, all the great gods confront you. I serve you yet I do not trust you. Anything is moral in your reign, for truth is something you ignore. Having eaten babies, sacrificed all for chaos and madness, you mate with the waves of the Nile and reign over all gods. And I will slay you if I must.''
</tabber>
*'''Bayek:''' ''That's the last one. I can take all the shards back to Siwa now.''
Bayek returned to the Amun stone circle in Siwa. He placed the shards taken from each stone circle, remembering what Khemu had said.
*'''Khemu:''' ''I'm going to find every stone circle. The Sphinx and the pyramids, too. And I'll find my place.''
Bayek knelt at the map of rocks Khemu had made, and placed the shards on each stone circle's location on it.
*'''Bayek:''' ''My son. Your name, Khemu, means Egypt. Like Egypt, you have forever changed. The stars are yours now, and your place is with them.''

==Outcome==
Bayek discovered every stone circle in Egypt and aligned them with the constellation in the sky, fulfilling his promise to his son.

==Behind the scenes==
The constellation diagrams used are not the traditional ones, but rather the diagrams created by [[Germany|German]] illustrator {{Wiki|H. A. Rey|Hans Augusto Rey}}. These constellations align with the Greek or Babylonian {{Wiki|zodiac}} rather than the Egyptian {{Wiki|decan}}s.

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''
**''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
{{ACOMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Bayek]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8]]

Megalith

2026-09-22T02:31:11Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Locations|Culture}}{{WP-REAL}}
[[File:ACV Stonehenge.png|thumb|250px|Stonehenge, one of the most famous megaliths in the world]]
A '''megalith''' is a structure, monument, or complex erected from one or more roughly hewn, giant stone slabs. They are invariably associated with prehistoric [[human]] cultures, with the most famous example being [[Stonehenge]]. Megalithic constructions on a smaller scale include singular '''standing stones''' and '''stone circles''', which are stones clustered together in a circular arrangement.<ref>{{WP}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:ACO Serqet Stone Circle.png|thumb|250px|The Serqet stone circle (foreground) and constellation]]
During the mid-1st century BCE, the [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]] frequented the stone circle outside of Siwa with his son, [[Khemu]]. During their stays at the circle, they discussed the stars, the gods, and whatever was troubling Khemu's mind.<ref name="Bayek's Promise">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Bayek's Promise]]</ref> Following Khemu's murder in 49 BCE,<ref name="TheFalseOracle">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The False Oracle]]</ref> Bayek sought out and visited numerous stone circles throughout Egypt, as well as the [[Great Sphinx of Giza|Great Sphinx]] in [[Giza]], as Khemu had wanted to do.<ref name="Bayek's Promise"/> Years later in 38 BCE, Bayek found two more stone circles in [[Sinai]], and reminisced about Khemu there as well.<ref name="THO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – ''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''</ref>

In the late 5th and early 6th centuries, the [[Ireland|Irish]] saint [[Brendan of Clonfert]] traveled the [[British Isles]]<ref name="Valhalla">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref><ref name="Crossover">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories]]''</ref> and to [[Vinland]],<ref name="Valhalla"/> drawn to many standing stones due to his [[Sage|connection]] to the [[Isu]] [[Aita]] trying to find his "[[Juno|beloved]]". He left his [[Etchings of Saint Brendan|musings]] at each monument, and centuries later, the 9th century [[Vikings|Viking]] [[shieldmaiden]] [[Eivor Varinsdottir]] of the [[Raven Clan]] would also find these locations and the notes Brendan left there. Eivor later briefly travelled to [[Ireland]],<ref name="Wrath">''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]] – [[Wrath of the Druids]]''</ref> where she saw examples of various standing stones.

==Examples of megaliths==
===Ancient Egypt===
*Amun
*Ankh
*Apis
*Divine Lion
*Goat Fish
*The Great Twins
*Hathor
*Horus
*Osiris
*Pisces
*The Scales
*Serqet
*Sobek
*Taweret

===British Isles===
*[[Aescforda Stones]], [[Nottinghamshire]]
*[[Aveberie Megaliths]], [[Hampshire]]
*[[Cosintun]], [[Leicestershire]]
*[[Devil's Quoits]], [[Gloucestershire]]
*[[Lord and Lady]], [[Cambridgeshire]]
*[[Eorthburg Hlaw]], Nottinghamshire
*[[Medeuuage Megaliths]], [[Kent]]
*[[Mycel Fold]], [[Shropshire]]
*[[Rodestan Monolith]], [[Yorkshire]]
*[[Rollendritch]], Gloucestershire
*[[Seahenge]], [[East Anglia]]
*[[Stonehenge]], Hampshire
*[[Fairy Glen]], [[Isle of Skye]]

===Japan===
*Kameishi
*Masuda-no-Iwafune
*Sakefune-ishi stone

===Vinland===
*[[Tionontaté:ken]]

==Behind the scenes==
The stone circles in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' seem to be based on archaeo-astronomical structures found at {{Wiki|Nabta Playa}} in the [[Nubia]]n {{Wiki|Nubian Desert|Desert}}.

The Hathor Stone Circle and the Serqet Stone Circle in the game seem to have been accidentally switched, as one of the prayers to Serqet used by her [[Cult of Serqet|cult]] states, ''"Serqet, Selqet, Selkit we perform these rites in the shadow of your stone circle. In the caves beneath your stars."''<ref name="TasteOfHerSting">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Taste of her Sting]]</ref> However, the cave near the [[House of Serqet]] is actually under the Hathor Stone Circle.

Each constellation in the game lines up with one of the {{Wiki|IAU designated constellations|88 modern constellations}} found in the night sky. These constellations align with the Greek or Babylonian {{Wiki|zodiac}} rather than the Egyptian {{Wiki|decan}}s.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center">
Guang-yu-tan-ACO-CA-StoneCircle2.jpg|Concept art of stone circles
Guang-yu-tan-ACO-CA-StoneCircle3.jpg|Concept art of stone circles
ACO Stone Circle - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of a stone circle
ACV Sacred Beech Standing Stones - Concept Art.jpg|Concept art of standing stones
ACV Standing Stones - Concept Art by Raphael Lacoste.jpg|Concept art of standing stones
ACV Rodestan Monolith.png|Rodestan Monolith
ACV Seahenge.png|Seahenge
ACV Aveberie Megaliths.jpg|Aveberie Megaliths
ACV Medeuuage Megaliths.jpg|Medeuuage Megaliths
ACV Tionontatéken.jpg|Tionontaté:ken
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[The Hidden Ones (DLC)|The Hidden Ones]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
**''[[Wrath of the Druids]]''
**''[[Assassin's Creed Crossover Stories]]''
*''[[Discovery Tour: AlUla]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Monuments]]

Xue Yan

2026-08-25T22:37:11Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|I thought our whole purpose was to create a new and better world... where people would no longer need to live in fear of oppression! But holding an innocent doctor hostage and spilling her blood? Where in the world is the justice in such foul deeds?! Is this the noble cause of which you've spoken so much?!|Xue Yan to Xiao Han, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Xue Yan
|image = ACFT Xue Yan.png
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = [[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Xue Yan''' was a [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] who served under the [[Mentor]] [[Xiao Han]] alongside [[Liu Qing]] in the early 18th century. An orphan who was rescued by Xiao Han, she dedicated her life to the [[Assassins]] and their [[Assassin-Templar War|cause]] as a result.

Following the Chinese Brotherhood's [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], Xue Yan, Xiao Han, and Liu Qing, as the only surviving members of their Order, sought to overthrow the Qing and establish a new dynasty under which the Assassins and the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people could thrive again. To this end, they searched for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow them to succeed in their goal.

During their search, the three Assassins allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]] and managed to retrieve one of the Pieces—a [[crescent amulet]]—despite facing opposition from their [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British brethren]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with their plans. However, Xue Yan grew increasingly disillusioned with the tactics employed by Xiao Han, especially after her Mentor killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]].

Their faith in Xiao Han shaken, Xue Yan and Liu Qing nonetheless continued to reluctantly follow him and traveled to [[Angkor]] alongside Lee in search of another [[Lotus disk|Piece of Eden]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan meeting Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|180px|Xue Yan watching Xiao Han come to her rescue]]
Having lost both her family and home at a young age, Xue Yan was rescued from the life of an outcast by [[Xiao Han]], who one day came to her defense when the young girl was being harassed in the streets. Impressed by this act of bravery and kindness, Xue Yan dedicated her life to the [[Assassins|Assassin]] cause, becoming one of Xiao Han's most devoted students.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

When the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] were later [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|hunted down]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], Xue Yan, Xiao Han, and [[Liu Qing]] were the only members of the Brotherhood to escape with their lives.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> The three Assassins subsequently embarked on a quest to find a [[Piece of Eden]] that they could use to overthrow the Qing dynasty, rebuild their Order, and restore peace and stability to China.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>
{{-}}

===Battle aboard Sun's ship===
{{Quote|Xue Yan! Liu Qing! The old fox has fled with the sea log in his possession! After him! Do not let him get away!|Xiao Han ordering Xue Yan and Liu Qing to pursue Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
In 1725, Xue Yan and Liu Qing accompanied Xiao Han to a [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] owned by Xiao Han's uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] to follow up on a lead on an [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] in {{Wiki|Indochina}}. When Sun revealed his intention to surrender the artifact located there to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins drew arms and prepared to attack Sun and his [[Soldier|guards]].<ref name="FT 34"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xue Yan.png|thumb|190px|Xue Yan fighting Edward]]
While Xiao Han chased after Sun, Xue Yan and Liu Qing fended off his guards and the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]]'s [[ninja]] in his service.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref> As Liu Qing fought Saito, Xue Yan attempted to provide cover with her [[crossbow]] but was forced to dispatch more of Sun's men who arrived as reinforcements. The chaos eventually allowed Sun to recover the [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] in Xiao Han's possession and he soon fled with his reinforcements. Seeing this, Xue Yan and Liu Qing followed their [[Mentor]] to chase Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

During their pursuit of Sun, Xue Yan and Liu Qing were attacked by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who was also attempting to retrieve the sea log. The two Chinese Assassins briefly fought Edward to buy Xiao Han enough time to catch up to Sun and kill him. After Xiao Han retrieved the log from Sun's body, it was stolen by Edward, who disagreed with the Mentor's plan to use the Piece of Eden from [[Angkor]] to overthrow the Qing dynasty.<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref>

Seeing that the British Assassin could not be reasoned with, Xiao Han declared him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood as Xue Yan and Liu Qing arrived and surrounded Edward. Before anything could happen, however, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38"/> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch the sea log back from Edward and warned him to stay out of the Chinese Brotherhood's way before leaving alongside Xue Yan and Liu Qing.<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Liu Qing|This is why I was against holding the meeting aboard the ship.|Xue Yan|For once, I have to agree.|Liu Qing and Xue Yan, following their escape from Sun's gambling ship, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins meeting with Lee.png|left|thumb|200px|Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins meeting with Lee]]
The following morning, Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39"/>

Xue Yan and Liu Qing were both present for Xiao Han's meeting with Lee, where the Mentor proposed an alliance to find Angkor's treasure. Aware of Lee's past and the persecution she had faced under the Qing dynasty, Xiao Han was able to persuade her to agree to the partnership. However, rather than help the Assassins overthrow the Qing for the benefit of the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people, Lee was only interested in acquiring more power and influence for herself.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Dialogue|Xue Yan|I'm sorry, master.|Liu Qing|We have failed you.|Xue Yan and Liu Qing apologizing to Xiao Han for their defeat, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward Kenway and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', eventually ambushing it near the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Saito fighting Xue Yan.png|thumb|230px|Xue Yan fighting Saito]]
During the chaos, Liu Qing was surrounded by the navigator [[John Young]] and several crew members while attempting to aid Xiao Han, who was fighting against Edward. Xue Yan tried to help her fellow Assassin and used her crossbow to take out one of the sailors holding Liu Qing at [[Firearm|gunpoint]]. However, she was then attacked by Shimazu Saito, who sought revenge on the Assassin for the deaths of her men in Macau.<ref name="FT 48"/> Xue Yan was soon overpowered by the [[samurai]] and was forced to retreat back to Zheng's ship using a [[parachute]].<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

After Xiao Han and Liu Qing were also defeated and returned to Zheng's ship, the admiral told the Assassins that she was unable to continue her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang'' due to the ship sailing into a storm. Xue Yan and Liu Qing proceeded to apologize to Xiao Han for their defeat, but the Mentor told them that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated. He also claimed that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again eventually.<ref name="FT 49"/>

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|Mentor Han, do you not question the righteousness of this path? Those people were innocent villagers leaving in peace. They couldn't have possibly posed any threat to our grand cause—|Xue Yan questioning the Assassins' actions on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Sometime later, Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Xue Yan and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where Xiao Han informed them of their findings. After the Mentor claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]] to investigate their next lead to Angkor's location and that they would try to intercept the native warriors along the way to retrieve their stolen Piece of Eden, Lee gave the Chinese Assassins free reign to do as they pleased.<ref name="FT 58"/>

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|left|thumb|180px|Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins leaving Monkey Island]]
Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Xue Yan and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the rebels had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

Leaving Sukuna and his men to take care of the remaining matters on the island, Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins departed and went to rendezvous with Zheng and her fleet. Along the way, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers. In response, the Mentor claimed that he took no enjoyment in the trail of blood they had to leave behind, but that their "great cause" required certain sacrifices to be made.<ref name="FT 65"/>

Xue Yan tried to argue back, but was stopped by Liu Qing, who agreed with Xiao Han that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. The Assassins then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, resuming their voyage to Cebu, where they hoped to find both the rebels and the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="FT 65"/>

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Dialogue|Xiao Han|Wh-where is he? Where's Kenway?!|Xue Yan|He's gone, sir. He escaped in that strange machine. But our search was far from fruitless! "Recover Hendrik's sea log for clues as to the location of the second artifact." That was our mission, and we succeeded.|Xue Yan revealing to Xiao Han that she retrieved Hendrik's sea log, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73}}
In Cebu, the Chinese Assassins split up to search for the crescent amulet.<ref name="FT 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref> Xue Yan and Liu Qing later joined their Mentor at [[Fort San Pedro]], where Xiao Han was fighting against Edward and Shimazu Saito, who were in possession of the Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref> While Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled Edward, Xue Yan dueled Saito and managed to defeat her.<ref name="FT 73"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|thumb|200px|Xue Yan witnessing Edward use the amulet]]
After Edward used the amulet to subdue Xiao Han and Liu Qing and warned them to renounce their quest for the Pieces of Eden, Xue Yan abandoned Saito and rushed to her fellow Assassins' aid. This allowed Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]], moments before Xiao Han and Liu Qing recovered from the amulet's effects.<ref name="FT 73"/>

When her Mentor asked for Edward's whereabouts, Xue Yan informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during their fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73"/>

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Dialogue|Xiao Han|Do not think for a moment that it pleases me to take innocent lives! But if your faith in our calling can be shaken so easily... then I suggest you leave the Brotherhood and seek your fortune elsewhere!|Xue Yan|So this is the hand of a man who killed an innocent doctor... the same hand that once rescued a poor young girl from the miserable life of an outcast. Tell me, master... does this hand still belong to the same man?|Xue Yan and Xiao Han, during the voyage back from Sulu, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, they decided to follow their enemies to the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] in order to eliminate them.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan confronting John and Qing.png|left|thumb|200px|Xue Yan confronting John and Qing]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. While Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled the Suluese guards to clear the path ahead, Xue Yan tried to infiltrate the warehouse and recover the Piece of Eden. However, she was stopped by Edward, who fired his pistol at her. After Xiao Han and Edward engaged in a duel, the warehouse was partially destroyed by Zheng's cannon fire, as the admiral had decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

While John Young and [[Xialun Qing]] tried to locate an entrance into the warehouse, Xue Yan confronted them and ordered them to stand aside. The couple refused and Qing soon managed to find a small passage among the building's debris. While Qing went through the passage, Xue Yan spotted another entry point and jumped on John's back to reach it, moments before the warehouse's roof collapsed.<ref name="FT 89"/>

Inside the warehouse, Xue Yan attacked Qing but stopped when the latter revealed that she was just a [[doctor]]. Not wishing to harm a non-combatant, she commended Qing's courage and warned her to stay out of her way, but while the Assassin had her back turned, Qing ran through an open door. Moments later, the path was blocked by falling debris, separating Xue Yan from the doctor.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing taken hostage.png|thumb|190px|Xue Yan holding Qing hostage]]
After finding a way out of the warehouse, Xue Yan captured Qing, who had retrieved the chest containing the crescent amulet. Seizing the chest and holding a knife to the doctor's throat, Xue Yan warned her not to act heedlessly.<ref name="FT 90"/>

With Qing as their hostage, the Chinese Assassins attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release Qing if he allowed them to leave with the amulet. However, Xue Yan felt uncomfortable about using the doctor's life as leverage and exchanged unnerved looks with Xiao Han. The Mentor gave his word that, if Edward agreed to stop interfering with the Chinese Brotherhood's cause, they would release Qing unharmed.<ref name="FT 90"/>

At that moment, however, the beach was struck by cannon fire from Zheng's ship, interrupting the negotiations. During the confusion, Xue Yan released Qing and dropped the amulet's chest, causing the artifact to fall out.<ref name="FT 90"/> Edward subsequently seized the amulet and used it to defeat Xiao Han, though he hesitated to take his life. After breaking free from Edward's grasp, Xiao Han attempted to kill John, but Qing sacrificed herself to save him and took the blow instead.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Xue Yan and Liu Qing looked on remorsefully as Qing died in John's arms, before spotting Suluese soldiers approaching their position. After alerting Xiao Han, the Mentor grabbed the amulet and all three Chinese Assassins escaped back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han for breaking the Creed]]
Aboard the vessel, Xiao Han placed the amulet in a chest to prevent its power from corrupting him while Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee. Disturbed by Xiao Han's murder of Qing, Xue Yan lashed out at her Mentor, accusing him of killing an innocent doctor in cold blood and questioning if this was the "righteous cause" he had spoken of so much. Furious, Xiao Han grabbed Xue Yan by her collar and told her that she could leave the Brotherhood if her faith in their cause was shaken so easily.<ref name="FT 92"/>

After Xue Yan reminded her Mentor of the day he had first met and rescued her and remarked that he was no longer that same kind man, an ashamed Xiao Han let her go. Liu Qing interjected, telling Xiao Han that, while both he and Xue Yan still believed in his cause, it was possible that their obsession with it had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Expedition to Angkor===
After the Chinese Assassins returned to Madam Lee, Xiao Han informed her of their successful retrieval of the amulet. The businesswoman subsequently decided to recover Angkor's [[Lotus disk|artifact]] next, and set a course for [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]].<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref> During the voyage, Xue Yan and Liu Qing continued to reflect on the events in Sulu and their mission, feeling remorseful about their actions yet remaining loyal to their Mentor.<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan and Liu Qing.png|thumb|200px|Xue Yan and Liu Qing during the voyage to Đại Việt]]
In [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Chinese Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

With the Nguyễn clan on their side, the Assassins and Lee launched an expedition into the jungles of [[Cambodia]] to find Angkor. However, they were in a race against time, as both the Zhang Wei Union and the [[East India Company]], led by the Templar [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Alan Jacob]], also sought the site.<ref name="FT 115">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 115|Episode 115]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Dialogue2|Liu Qing|It sits ill with me that Sun has us meeting aboard a ship. There will be scant routes of escape if we're to be ambushed.|Xue Yan|True. You never were much of a swimmer. |That's not what I meant.|Xue Yan's banter with Liu Qing, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33}}
[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing.png|thumb|180px|left|Xue Yan and Liu Qing apologizing to Xiao Han]]
Having been saved from her life as an outcast by Xiao Han, Xue Yan was extremely dedicated to him and the Assassins.<ref name="FT 92"/> She accompanied her Mentor in his quest to find a Piece of Eden they could use to overthrow the Qing dynasty and rebuild the fallen Chinese Brotherhood, believing that their cause was just and would restore peace and stability to China. While Xue Yan was normally quite stoic and did not talk very much, she would occasionally engage in banter with Liu Qing, at one point mocking her fellow Assassin's allegedly poor swimming skills.<ref name="FT 33">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33|Episode 33]]</ref>

Like Liu Qing, Xue Yan was afraid of disappointing their Mentor, and the two Assassins were quick to apologize to Xiao Han following their defeat by the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew.<ref name="FT 49"/> However, this did not prevent Xue Yan from speaking up whenever she felt uncomfortable with the methods she and her fellow Assassins employed, such as allowing Fuma Sukuna and his ninja to slaughter innocent villagers.<ref name="FT 65"/>

When Xiao Han defended this decision, claiming they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good, and absolved himself of any responsibility by saying that it was the ninja who had carried out the massacre, Xue Yan tried to argue back. However, she was stopped by Liu Qing, who unlike her, believed that they should trust their Mentor's judgment on all matters and follow him without question.<ref name="FT 65"/>

After Xiao Han's murder of Xialun Qing, Xue Yan finally reached her breaking point and reprimanded her Mentor, accusing him of breaking their [[The Creed|Creed]] and no longer being the same kind man who had taught her about the Assassins' righteous cause. Although Xiao Han lashed out at her in response, deep inside he agreed with her words, as he was also feeling uncomfortable about having taken an innocent life.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan aiming her crossbow.png|thumb|190px|Xue Yan aiming her crossbow]]
Extremely quick and light on her feet, Xue Yan specialized in ranged weaponry unlike her fellow Assassins. She had mastered her weapon of choice, the [[crossbow]], being able to fire multiple bolts in rapid succession and with pinpoint accuracy to take out large groups of enemies.<ref name="FT 35"/> Despite this, she struggled to provide cover fire to Liu Qing while the latter was dueling Shimazu Saito, as the two were too close for Xue Yan to get a clear shot on Saito.<ref name="FT 36"/>

In addition to her crossbow, Xue Yan also wielded a pair of {{Wiki|deer horn knives}} for close-quarters combat.<ref name="FT 38"/> During their journey to the Philippines, Xue Yan and her fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48"/>

==Behind the scenes==
Xue Yan is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Despite being Assassins, both she and Liu Qing notably lack a [[Hidden Blade]]. Her name is for some reason spelled '''Shuyan''' in the English translation of [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT - Young Xue Yan.png|A young Xue Yan
ACFT Xue Yan closeup.png|Close-up of Xue Yan
ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins being led to Sun
ACFT - 18th century Chinese Assassins.png|Xue Yan with her fellow Assassins
ACFT - Edward confronted by the Chinese Assassins.png|Xue Yan and Liu Qing confronting Edward
ACFT - Xue Yan scaling the warehouse.png|Xue Yan scaling a warehouse in Sulu
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Marksmen]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Xue Yan

2026-08-25T22:36:58Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Behind the scenes */ Unverified hanzi for both Xue Yan and Shuyan. Although 薛 is almost certainly the surname, Yan could be so many different hanzi and 嚴 'strict' not altogether being the most likely.

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|I thought our whole purpose was to create a new and better world... where people would no longer need to live in fear of oppression! But holding an innocent doctor hostage and spilling her blood? Where in the world is the justice in such foul deeds?! Is this the noble cause of which you've spoken so much?!|Xue Yan to Xiao Han, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Xue Yan
|image = ACFT Xue Yan.png
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = [[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Xue Yan''' ({{Wiki|Chinese language|Chinese}}: 薛嚴) was a [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] who served under the [[Mentor]] [[Xiao Han]] alongside [[Liu Qing]] in the early 18th century. An orphan who was rescued by Xiao Han, she dedicated her life to the [[Assassins]] and their [[Assassin-Templar War|cause]] as a result.

Following the Chinese Brotherhood's [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], Xue Yan, Xiao Han, and Liu Qing, as the only surviving members of their Order, sought to overthrow the Qing and establish a new dynasty under which the Assassins and the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people could thrive again. To this end, they searched for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow them to succeed in their goal.

During their search, the three Assassins allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]] and managed to retrieve one of the Pieces—a [[crescent amulet]]—despite facing opposition from their [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British brethren]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with their plans. However, Xue Yan grew increasingly disillusioned with the tactics employed by Xiao Han, especially after her Mentor killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]].

Their faith in Xiao Han shaken, Xue Yan and Liu Qing nonetheless continued to reluctantly follow him and traveled to [[Angkor]] alongside Lee in search of another [[Lotus disk|Piece of Eden]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan meeting Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|180px|Xue Yan watching Xiao Han come to her rescue]]
Having lost both her family and home at a young age, Xue Yan was rescued from the life of an outcast by [[Xiao Han]], who one day came to her defense when the young girl was being harassed in the streets. Impressed by this act of bravery and kindness, Xue Yan dedicated her life to the [[Assassins|Assassin]] cause, becoming one of Xiao Han's most devoted students.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

When the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] were later [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|hunted down]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], Xue Yan, Xiao Han, and [[Liu Qing]] were the only members of the Brotherhood to escape with their lives.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> The three Assassins subsequently embarked on a quest to find a [[Piece of Eden]] that they could use to overthrow the Qing dynasty, rebuild their Order, and restore peace and stability to China.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>
{{-}}

===Battle aboard Sun's ship===
{{Quote|Xue Yan! Liu Qing! The old fox has fled with the sea log in his possession! After him! Do not let him get away!|Xiao Han ordering Xue Yan and Liu Qing to pursue Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
In 1725, Xue Yan and Liu Qing accompanied Xiao Han to a [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] owned by Xiao Han's uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] to follow up on a lead on an [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] in {{Wiki|Indochina}}. When Sun revealed his intention to surrender the artifact located there to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins drew arms and prepared to attack Sun and his [[Soldier|guards]].<ref name="FT 34"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xue Yan.png|thumb|190px|Xue Yan fighting Edward]]
While Xiao Han chased after Sun, Xue Yan and Liu Qing fended off his guards and the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]]'s [[ninja]] in his service.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref> As Liu Qing fought Saito, Xue Yan attempted to provide cover with her [[crossbow]] but was forced to dispatch more of Sun's men who arrived as reinforcements. The chaos eventually allowed Sun to recover the [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] in Xiao Han's possession and he soon fled with his reinforcements. Seeing this, Xue Yan and Liu Qing followed their [[Mentor]] to chase Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

During their pursuit of Sun, Xue Yan and Liu Qing were attacked by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who was also attempting to retrieve the sea log. The two Chinese Assassins briefly fought Edward to buy Xiao Han enough time to catch up to Sun and kill him. After Xiao Han retrieved the log from Sun's body, it was stolen by Edward, who disagreed with the Mentor's plan to use the Piece of Eden from [[Angkor]] to overthrow the Qing dynasty.<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref>

Seeing that the British Assassin could not be reasoned with, Xiao Han declared him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood as Xue Yan and Liu Qing arrived and surrounded Edward. Before anything could happen, however, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38"/> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch the sea log back from Edward and warned him to stay out of the Chinese Brotherhood's way before leaving alongside Xue Yan and Liu Qing.<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Liu Qing|This is why I was against holding the meeting aboard the ship.|Xue Yan|For once, I have to agree.|Liu Qing and Xue Yan, following their escape from Sun's gambling ship, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins meeting with Lee.png|left|thumb|200px|Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins meeting with Lee]]
The following morning, Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39"/>

Xue Yan and Liu Qing were both present for Xiao Han's meeting with Lee, where the Mentor proposed an alliance to find Angkor's treasure. Aware of Lee's past and the persecution she had faced under the Qing dynasty, Xiao Han was able to persuade her to agree to the partnership. However, rather than help the Assassins overthrow the Qing for the benefit of the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people, Lee was only interested in acquiring more power and influence for herself.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Dialogue|Xue Yan|I'm sorry, master.|Liu Qing|We have failed you.|Xue Yan and Liu Qing apologizing to Xiao Han for their defeat, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward Kenway and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', eventually ambushing it near the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Saito fighting Xue Yan.png|thumb|230px|Xue Yan fighting Saito]]
During the chaos, Liu Qing was surrounded by the navigator [[John Young]] and several crew members while attempting to aid Xiao Han, who was fighting against Edward. Xue Yan tried to help her fellow Assassin and used her crossbow to take out one of the sailors holding Liu Qing at [[Firearm|gunpoint]]. However, she was then attacked by Shimazu Saito, who sought revenge on the Assassin for the deaths of her men in Macau.<ref name="FT 48"/> Xue Yan was soon overpowered by the [[samurai]] and was forced to retreat back to Zheng's ship using a [[parachute]].<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

After Xiao Han and Liu Qing were also defeated and returned to Zheng's ship, the admiral told the Assassins that she was unable to continue her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang'' due to the ship sailing into a storm. Xue Yan and Liu Qing proceeded to apologize to Xiao Han for their defeat, but the Mentor told them that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated. He also claimed that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again eventually.<ref name="FT 49"/>

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|Mentor Han, do you not question the righteousness of this path? Those people were innocent villagers leaving in peace. They couldn't have possibly posed any threat to our grand cause—|Xue Yan questioning the Assassins' actions on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Sometime later, Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Xue Yan and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where Xiao Han informed them of their findings. After the Mentor claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]] to investigate their next lead to Angkor's location and that they would try to intercept the native warriors along the way to retrieve their stolen Piece of Eden, Lee gave the Chinese Assassins free reign to do as they pleased.<ref name="FT 58"/>

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|left|thumb|180px|Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins leaving Monkey Island]]
Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Xue Yan and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the rebels had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

Leaving Sukuna and his men to take care of the remaining matters on the island, Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins departed and went to rendezvous with Zheng and her fleet. Along the way, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers. In response, the Mentor claimed that he took no enjoyment in the trail of blood they had to leave behind, but that their "great cause" required certain sacrifices to be made.<ref name="FT 65"/>

Xue Yan tried to argue back, but was stopped by Liu Qing, who agreed with Xiao Han that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. The Assassins then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, resuming their voyage to Cebu, where they hoped to find both the rebels and the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="FT 65"/>

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Dialogue|Xiao Han|Wh-where is he? Where's Kenway?!|Xue Yan|He's gone, sir. He escaped in that strange machine. But our search was far from fruitless! "Recover Hendrik's sea log for clues as to the location of the second artifact." That was our mission, and we succeeded.|Xue Yan revealing to Xiao Han that she retrieved Hendrik's sea log, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73}}
In Cebu, the Chinese Assassins split up to search for the crescent amulet.<ref name="FT 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref> Xue Yan and Liu Qing later joined their Mentor at [[Fort San Pedro]], where Xiao Han was fighting against Edward and Shimazu Saito, who were in possession of the Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref> While Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled Edward, Xue Yan dueled Saito and managed to defeat her.<ref name="FT 73"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|thumb|200px|Xue Yan witnessing Edward use the amulet]]
After Edward used the amulet to subdue Xiao Han and Liu Qing and warned them to renounce their quest for the Pieces of Eden, Xue Yan abandoned Saito and rushed to her fellow Assassins' aid. This allowed Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]], moments before Xiao Han and Liu Qing recovered from the amulet's effects.<ref name="FT 73"/>

When her Mentor asked for Edward's whereabouts, Xue Yan informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during their fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73"/>

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Dialogue|Xiao Han|Do not think for a moment that it pleases me to take innocent lives! But if your faith in our calling can be shaken so easily... then I suggest you leave the Brotherhood and seek your fortune elsewhere!|Xue Yan|So this is the hand of a man who killed an innocent doctor... the same hand that once rescued a poor young girl from the miserable life of an outcast. Tell me, master... does this hand still belong to the same man?|Xue Yan and Xiao Han, during the voyage back from Sulu, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, they decided to follow their enemies to the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] in order to eliminate them.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan confronting John and Qing.png|left|thumb|200px|Xue Yan confronting John and Qing]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. While Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled the Suluese guards to clear the path ahead, Xue Yan tried to infiltrate the warehouse and recover the Piece of Eden. However, she was stopped by Edward, who fired his pistol at her. After Xiao Han and Edward engaged in a duel, the warehouse was partially destroyed by Zheng's cannon fire, as the admiral had decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

While John Young and [[Xialun Qing]] tried to locate an entrance into the warehouse, Xue Yan confronted them and ordered them to stand aside. The couple refused and Qing soon managed to find a small passage among the building's debris. While Qing went through the passage, Xue Yan spotted another entry point and jumped on John's back to reach it, moments before the warehouse's roof collapsed.<ref name="FT 89"/>

Inside the warehouse, Xue Yan attacked Qing but stopped when the latter revealed that she was just a [[doctor]]. Not wishing to harm a non-combatant, she commended Qing's courage and warned her to stay out of her way, but while the Assassin had her back turned, Qing ran through an open door. Moments later, the path was blocked by falling debris, separating Xue Yan from the doctor.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing taken hostage.png|thumb|190px|Xue Yan holding Qing hostage]]
After finding a way out of the warehouse, Xue Yan captured Qing, who had retrieved the chest containing the crescent amulet. Seizing the chest and holding a knife to the doctor's throat, Xue Yan warned her not to act heedlessly.<ref name="FT 90"/>

With Qing as their hostage, the Chinese Assassins attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release Qing if he allowed them to leave with the amulet. However, Xue Yan felt uncomfortable about using the doctor's life as leverage and exchanged unnerved looks with Xiao Han. The Mentor gave his word that, if Edward agreed to stop interfering with the Chinese Brotherhood's cause, they would release Qing unharmed.<ref name="FT 90"/>

At that moment, however, the beach was struck by cannon fire from Zheng's ship, interrupting the negotiations. During the confusion, Xue Yan released Qing and dropped the amulet's chest, causing the artifact to fall out.<ref name="FT 90"/> Edward subsequently seized the amulet and used it to defeat Xiao Han, though he hesitated to take his life. After breaking free from Edward's grasp, Xiao Han attempted to kill John, but Qing sacrificed herself to save him and took the blow instead.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Xue Yan and Liu Qing looked on remorsefully as Qing died in John's arms, before spotting Suluese soldiers approaching their position. After alerting Xiao Han, the Mentor grabbed the amulet and all three Chinese Assassins escaped back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han for breaking the Creed]]
Aboard the vessel, Xiao Han placed the amulet in a chest to prevent its power from corrupting him while Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee. Disturbed by Xiao Han's murder of Qing, Xue Yan lashed out at her Mentor, accusing him of killing an innocent doctor in cold blood and questioning if this was the "righteous cause" he had spoken of so much. Furious, Xiao Han grabbed Xue Yan by her collar and told her that she could leave the Brotherhood if her faith in their cause was shaken so easily.<ref name="FT 92"/>

After Xue Yan reminded her Mentor of the day he had first met and rescued her and remarked that he was no longer that same kind man, an ashamed Xiao Han let her go. Liu Qing interjected, telling Xiao Han that, while both he and Xue Yan still believed in his cause, it was possible that their obsession with it had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Expedition to Angkor===
After the Chinese Assassins returned to Madam Lee, Xiao Han informed her of their successful retrieval of the amulet. The businesswoman subsequently decided to recover Angkor's [[Lotus disk|artifact]] next, and set a course for [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]].<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref> During the voyage, Xue Yan and Liu Qing continued to reflect on the events in Sulu and their mission, feeling remorseful about their actions yet remaining loyal to their Mentor.<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan and Liu Qing.png|thumb|200px|Xue Yan and Liu Qing during the voyage to Đại Việt]]
In [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Xue Yan, Liu Qing, and Xiao Han positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Chinese Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

With the Nguyễn clan on their side, the Assassins and Lee launched an expedition into the jungles of [[Cambodia]] to find Angkor. However, they were in a race against time, as both the Zhang Wei Union and the [[East India Company]], led by the Templar [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Alan Jacob]], also sought the site.<ref name="FT 115">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 115|Episode 115]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Dialogue2|Liu Qing|It sits ill with me that Sun has us meeting aboard a ship. There will be scant routes of escape if we're to be ambushed.|Xue Yan|True. You never were much of a swimmer. |That's not what I meant.|Xue Yan's banter with Liu Qing, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33}}
[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing.png|thumb|180px|left|Xue Yan and Liu Qing apologizing to Xiao Han]]
Having been saved from her life as an outcast by Xiao Han, Xue Yan was extremely dedicated to him and the Assassins.<ref name="FT 92"/> She accompanied her Mentor in his quest to find a Piece of Eden they could use to overthrow the Qing dynasty and rebuild the fallen Chinese Brotherhood, believing that their cause was just and would restore peace and stability to China. While Xue Yan was normally quite stoic and did not talk very much, she would occasionally engage in banter with Liu Qing, at one point mocking her fellow Assassin's allegedly poor swimming skills.<ref name="FT 33">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33|Episode 33]]</ref>

Like Liu Qing, Xue Yan was afraid of disappointing their Mentor, and the two Assassins were quick to apologize to Xiao Han following their defeat by the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew.<ref name="FT 49"/> However, this did not prevent Xue Yan from speaking up whenever she felt uncomfortable with the methods she and her fellow Assassins employed, such as allowing Fuma Sukuna and his ninja to slaughter innocent villagers.<ref name="FT 65"/>

When Xiao Han defended this decision, claiming they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good, and absolved himself of any responsibility by saying that it was the ninja who had carried out the massacre, Xue Yan tried to argue back. However, she was stopped by Liu Qing, who unlike her, believed that they should trust their Mentor's judgment on all matters and follow him without question.<ref name="FT 65"/>

After Xiao Han's murder of Xialun Qing, Xue Yan finally reached her breaking point and reprimanded her Mentor, accusing him of breaking their [[The Creed|Creed]] and no longer being the same kind man who had taught her about the Assassins' righteous cause. Although Xiao Han lashed out at her in response, deep inside he agreed with her words, as he was also feeling uncomfortable about having taken an innocent life.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan aiming her crossbow.png|thumb|190px|Xue Yan aiming her crossbow]]
Extremely quick and light on her feet, Xue Yan specialized in ranged weaponry unlike her fellow Assassins. She had mastered her weapon of choice, the [[crossbow]], being able to fire multiple bolts in rapid succession and with pinpoint accuracy to take out large groups of enemies.<ref name="FT 35"/> Despite this, she struggled to provide cover fire to Liu Qing while the latter was dueling Shimazu Saito, as the two were too close for Xue Yan to get a clear shot on Saito.<ref name="FT 36"/>

In addition to her crossbow, Xue Yan also wielded a pair of {{Wiki|deer horn knives}} for close-quarters combat.<ref name="FT 38"/> During their journey to the Philippines, Xue Yan and her fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48"/>

==Behind the scenes==
Xue Yan is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Despite being Assassins, both she and Liu Qing notably lack a [[Hidden Blade]]. Her name is for some reason spelled '''Shuyan''' in the English translation of [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT - Young Xue Yan.png|A young Xue Yan
ACFT Xue Yan closeup.png|Close-up of Xue Yan
ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|Xue Yan and her fellow Assassins being led to Sun
ACFT - 18th century Chinese Assassins.png|Xue Yan with her fellow Assassins
ACFT - Edward confronted by the Chinese Assassins.png|Xue Yan and Liu Qing confronting Edward
ACFT - Xue Yan scaling the warehouse.png|Xue Yan scaling a warehouse in Sulu
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Marksmen]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Liu Qing

2026-08-25T22:30:18Z

Sol Pacificus: This is the most likely hanzi for his name but afaik is unverified.

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|Yet another worthy opponent to bring out the fire in me!|Liu Qing to Edward Kenway, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Liu Qing
|image = ACFT Liu Qing.png
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = [[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Liu Qing''' was a [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] who served under the [[Mentor]] [[Xiao Han]] alongside [[Xue Yan]] in the early 18th century. After losing his family during the Brotherhood's [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], Liu Qing joined the other survivors in searching for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow them to overthrow the Qing dynasty and rebuild their Order.

During their search, Liu Qing, Xiao Han, and Xue Yan allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]], who also desired the artifacts' power, but faced opposition from the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with their plans. After clashing with Edward and his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], several times during their quest for the Pieces, the Chinese Assassins eventually secured one of the artifacts, a [[crescent amulet]].

However, in the process, Xiao Han killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]]. This act deeply disturbed Liu Qing and Xue Yan and shook their faith in their Mentor. Nevertheless, the two continued to reluctantly follow Xiao Han, accompanying him and Lee to [[Angkor]] in search of another [[Lotus disk|Piece of Eden]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Prior to the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]'s [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]], Liu Qing was married and had a young daughter, whom he loved deeply.<ref name="FT 73" /> He was also well-acquainted with the Brotherhood's [[Mentor]] [[Xiao Han]], whom he regarded as a close friend.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

When the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] began persecuting the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people in the early 18th century, Liu Qing's entire family was killed. The Assassin himself managed to survive the purge, but would forever be haunted by the death of his daughter.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> He later joined Xiao Han and [[Xue Yan]], who were the only other surviving Chinese Assassins, in their quest to find a [[Piece of Eden]] that they could use to overthrow the Qing dynasty and rebuild their Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

===Battle aboard Sun's ship===
{{Quote|It sits ill with me that Sun has us meeting aboard a ship. There will be scant routes of escape if we're to be ambushed.|Liu Qing expressing his doubts about the meeting with Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33}}
In 1725, Liu Qing and Xue Yan accompanied Xiao Han to a [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] owned by Xiao Han's uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] to follow up on a lead on an [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] in {{Wiki|Indochina}}. When Sun revealed his intention to surrender the artifact located there to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins drew arms and prepared to attack Sun and his [[Soldier|guards]].<ref name="FT 34" />

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing defeating Saito.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing attempting to execute Saito]]
While Xiao Han chased after Sun, Liu Qing and Xue Yan fended off his guards and the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]]'s [[ninja]] in his service. Liu Qing killed a number of ninja before engaging in a duel with Saito's second-in-command, whom he eventually managed to slay as well.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref> Having witnessed this, a furious Saito attacked Liu Qing, but she was also defeated when the Assassin struck down his [[guandao]] and broke the Templar's [[naginata]].<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

Before Liu Qing could execute Saito, the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]] came to her rescue and forced him back. Amidst the chaos, Sun was able to recover the [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] in Xiao Han's possession and soon fled with his reinforcements. Seeing this, Liu Qing and Xue Yan followed their Mentor to chase Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 36" />

During their pursuit of Sun, Liu Qing and Xue Yan were attacked by Edward, who was also attempting to retrieve the sea log. The two Chinese Assassins briefly fought Edward to buy Xiao Han enough time to catch up to Sun and kill him. After Xiao Han retrieved the log from Sun's body, it was stolen by Edward, who disagreed with the Mentor's plan to use the Piece of Eden from [[Angkor]] to overthrow the Qing dynasty.<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref>

Seeing that the British Assassin could not be reasoned with, Xiao Han declared him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood as Liu Qing and Xue Yan arrived and surrounded Edward. Before anything could happen, however, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38" /> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch the sea log back from Edward and warned him to stay out of the Chinese Brotherhood's way before leaving alongside Liu Qing and Xue Yan.<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Liu Qing|This is why I was against holding the meeting aboard the ship.|Xue Yan|For once, I have to agree.|Liu Qing and Xue Yan, following their escape from Sun's gambling ship, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39}}[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins meeting with Lee.png|thumb|279x279px|Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins meeting with Lee]]
The following morning, Liu Qing, Xue Yan, and Xiao Han approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39" />

Liu Qing and Xue Yan were both present for Xiao Han's meeting with Lee, where the Mentor proposed an alliance to find Angkor's treasure. Aware of Lee's past and the persecution she had faced under the Qing dynasty, Xiao Han was able to persuade her to agree to the partnership. However, rather than help the Assassins overthrow the Qing for the benefit of the Han Chinese people, Lee was only interested in acquiring more power and influence.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Dialogue|Xue Yan|I'm sorry, master.|Liu Qing|We have failed you.|Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing to Xiao Han for their defeat, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward Kenway and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', eventually ambushing it near the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Liu Qing, Xiao Han, and Xue Yan close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing surrounded.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing surrounded by the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew]]
During the chaos, Liu Qing saw his Mentor dueling Edward and wished to help. However, while he was distracted, he found himself surrounded by the navigator [[John Young]] and several crew members, who held him at [[Firearm|gunpoint]].<ref name="FT 48" /> After Xiao Han and Xue Yan were defeated by Edward and Shimazu Saito, respectively, the Mentor ordered a retreat. Liu Qing promptly ran away from the crew members surrounding him and deployed his [[parachute]], gliding back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

After Zheng informed Xiao Han that she was unable to continue her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang'' due to the ship sailing into a storm, Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologized to their Mentor for their defeat. Xiao Han told them not to be so hard on themselves and that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated. He also claimed that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again eventually.<ref name="FT 49" />
{{-}}

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|We must all make sacrifices for the greater good. This is no easier for Mentor Han than for any of us. I say we give him our grace and follow without question.|Liu Qing to Xue Yan, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Later, Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Liu Qing and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where Xiao Han informed them of their findings. After the Mentor claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]] to investigate their next lead to Angkor's location and that they would try to intercept the native warriors along the way to retrieve their stolen Piece of Eden, Lee gave the Chinese Assassins free reign to do as they pleased.<ref name="FT 58" />

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|thumb|180px|Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins leaving Monkey Island]]
Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Liu Qing and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the native warriors had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

Leaving Sukuna and his men to take care of the remaining matters on the island, Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins departed and went to rendezvous with Zheng and her fleet. Along the way, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers.<ref name="FT 65" />

After the Mentor defended his decision, claiming that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good, Liu Qing prevented Xue Yan from arguing back. The trio then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, sailing to Cebu.<ref name="FT 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|Papa... Why couldn't you save us all? Please don't go... You can't forsake your own kin...|Liu Qing hearing his daughter's voice after being subjected to the amulet's powers, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73}}
In Cebu, the Chinese Assassins split up to search for the crescent amulet.<ref name="FT 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref> Liu Qing and Xue Yan later joined their Mentor at [[Fort San Pedro]], where Xiao Han was fighting against Edward and Shimazu Saito, who were in possession of the Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref> While Xue Yan dueled Saito, Liu Qing and Xiao Han battled Edward, who struggled to keep them at bay.<ref name="FT 73" />

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing's family.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing's vision of his family]]
After Saito was defeated, Edward reluctantly decided to unleash the amulet's powers against his opponents. Gazing into the artifact, Liu Qing was met by a vision of his late family, with his daughter asking him why he had been unable to save them all. The vision brought the Assassin to tears while at the same time rendering his body inert. Xiao Han was similarly affected by the Piece of Eden's powers, and both Assassins soon fell to the ground, defeated.<ref name="FT 73" />

Seeing this, Xue Yan rushed to her fellow Assassins' aid, allowing Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]]. After Liu Qing and Xiao Han recovered from the amulet's effects, the latter asked Xue Yan for Edward's whereabouts, to which she informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during the fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73" />

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Quote|We don't doubt the righteousness of our cause, Master. That being said... I can't help but wonder if this fixation on the greater good... blinds us from the path that once brought us together. Perhaps we'll discuss what comes next on the voyage back... not to mention take a moment to reflect on what came before. Master... or rather... Han, my friend.|Liu Qing to Xiao Han, during the voyage back from Sulu, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Liu Qing, Xue Yan, and Xiao Han that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, they decided to follow their enemies to the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] in order to eliminate them.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins in Sulu.png|thumb|160px|Liu Qing and Xiao Han fighting the Suluese guards]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. While Liu Qing and Xiao Han fought the Suluese guards to clear the path ahead, Xue Yan attempted to infiltrate the warehouse and recover the Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

However, during the [[Battle of Sulu|battle]], Zheng decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly, and ordered her fleet to fire on the warehouse, partially destroying it.<ref name="FT 89" /> Despite this, the Zhang Wei Union's [[doctor]] [[Xialun Qing]] was able to retrieve the amulet. However, as she attempted to bring it back to Edward and John Young, who were fighting against Xiao Han and Liu Qing, respectively, Xue Yan took her hostage.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

The Chinese Assassins attempted to bargain with Edward, promising to release Qing if he allowed them to leave with the amulet and stopped interfering with their cause. However, Zheng interrupted the negotiations by having her fleet fire on both the Chinese Assassins and their enemies.<ref name="FT 90" />

After Edward seized the amulet during the confusion and used it to defeat Xiao Han, Liu Qing tried to rush to his Mentor's aid but was shot in the foot by John. Edward ultimately refused to take Xiao Han's life, but the latter did not show him the same mercy and attempted to kill John after he interfered. However, Qing sacrificed herself to save him and took the blow instead, leaving everyone stunned.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Liu Qing and Xue Yan looked on remorsefully as Qing died in John's arms, before spotting Suluese soldiers approaching their position. After alerting Xiao Han, the Mentor grabbed the amulet and all three Chinese Assassins escaped back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91" />

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Liu Qing watching Xue Yan reprimand Xiao Han]]
Aboard the vessel, Liu Qing handed Xiao Han a chest to place the artifact in while Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee. Liu Qing commented on the admiral's earlier bombardment, questioning what kind of "bloodthirsty maniac" opened fire on their own allies, to which Xiao Han replied that Zheng's intervention had nonetheless allowed them to retrieve the amulet.<ref name="FT 92" />

Suddenly, Xue Yan lashed out at Xiao Han, reprimanding him for murdering Qing, an innocent doctor, in cold blood and breaking [[the Creed]]. Liu Qing interjected, telling an ashamed Xiao Han that, while he and Xue Yan did not doubt their mission's righteousness, it was possible that their fixation on the greater good had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92" />

===Expedition to Angkor===
{{Quote|Who do you suppose our new foes are, Master? More foolhardy souls drawn here by their selfish desires? Or perhaps... those who have stood guard over this place through centuries untold?|Liu Qing to Xiao Han, after their encounter with the Forgotten Temple's guardians, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 120}}
After the Chinese Assassins returned to Madam Lee, Xiao Han informed her of their successful retrieval of the amulet. The businesswoman subsequently decided to recover Angkor's [[Lotus disk|artifact]] next, and set a course for [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]].<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref> During the voyage, Liu Qing and Xue Yan continued to reflect on the events in Sulu and their mission, feeling remorseful about their actions yet remaining loyal to their Mentor.<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan and Liu Qing.png|thumb|200px|Liu Qing and Xue Yan during the voyage to Đại Việt]]
In [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Liu Qing, Xue Yan, and Xiao Han positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Chinese Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

With the Nguyễn clan on their side, the Assassins and Lee launched an expedition into the jungles of [[Cambodia]] to find Angkor. However, they were in a race against time, as both the Zhang Wei Union and the [[East India Company]], led by the Templar [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Alan Jacob]], also sought the site.<ref name="FT 115">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 115|Episode 115]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|As the great General [[Qi Jiguang]] once said, be wary of the Japanese with their long swords. I see he was right to be wary!|Liu Qing during his duel with Shimazu Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
Liu Qing was a dedicated Assassin who shared his Mentor's goal of using the power of the Pieces of Eden to restore the Chinese Brotherhood to its former strength. While he would occasionally engage in banter with Xue Yan,<ref name="FT 33">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33|Episode 33]]</ref> he remained stoic and focused in battle and always looked forward to facing challenging opponents. He recognized both Shimazu Saito and Edward Kenway as worthy foes, and even after defeating the former, he showed her respect by telling her that she had "fought the good fight."<ref name="FT 36" />

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing to Xiao Han]]
Having lost his entire family, including his daughter, during the Chinese Brotherhood's purge, Liu Qing was haunted by their deaths and blamed himself for being unable to protect them. When met by an illusion of his daughter conjured by the crescent amulet, the simple sight of the girl was enough to move Liu Qing to tears.<ref name="FT 73" />

Liu Qing was extremely devoted to Xiao Han, trying to rush to his aid as soon as he saw that his Mentor was fighting Edward Kenway.<ref name="FT 48" /> He was also afraid of disappointing him and, alongside Xue Yan, apologized for their failure to defeat the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew.<ref name="FT 49" />

Liu Qing's loyalty to his Mentor extended so far that he supported Xiao Han's claims that they all had to make sacrifices for the "greater good", even if this meant allowing innocents to be slaughtered. When Xue Yan tried to argue against this, Liu Qing quickly stopped her, both to prevent her from upsetting Xiao Han and because of his own belief that they should serve their Mentor without question.<ref name="FT 65" />

Following Xiao Han's murder of Xialun Qing, Liu Qing finally sided with Xue Yan and began to question if, in their pursuit of their goals, he and his companions had strayed too far from the Creed. When Xiao Han lashed out at Xue Yan, Liu Qing acted as a voice of reason and told the former that, by focusing only on the greater good, they did not stop to question the means by which they achieved it.<ref name="FT 92" />

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins using parachutes.png|thumb|200px|Liu Qing and Xiao Han using parachutes to escape the ''Fenghuang'']]
A large and intimidating warrior, Liu Qing relied on brute strength to overpower his adversaries. This was reflected in his weapon of choice, the [[guandao]], a long and heavy blade which required considerable strength to utilize effectively. Liu Qing's mastery of the guandao allowed him to easily shatter most enemies' defenses, as seen when he broke Shimazu Saito's naginata in half,<ref name="FT 36" /> and he could even spin the weapon rapidly to deflect incoming bullets.<ref name="FT 35" /><ref name="FT 90" />

In addition to his guandao, Liu Qing also wielded a ranged weapon in the form of a {{Wiki|throwing axe}}.<ref name="FT 38" /> During their journey to the Philippines, Liu Qing and his fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48" />

==Behind the scenes==
Liu Qing is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Despite being Assassins, both he and Xue Yan notably lack a [[Hidden Blade]].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT Liu Qing closeup.png|Close-up of Liu Qing
ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins being led to Sun
ACFT - 18th century Chinese Assassins.png|Liu Qing with his fellow Assassins
ACFT - Guandao.png|Liu Qing swinging his guandao
ACFT - Edward confronted by the Chinese Assassins.png|Liu Qing and Xue Yan confronting Edward
ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|Edward using the crescent amulet against Liu Qing and Xiao Han
ACFT - Chinese Assassins bargaining.png|Liu Qing attempting to bargain with Edward
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Liu (劉) lineage]]

Liu Qing

2026-08-25T22:28:57Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Behind the scenes */ Unverified hanzi. 劉 is by far the most common for Liu, but there are also a few other surnames romanized as such, like 柳 meaning 'willow'. Liu (劉) is best associated with the Han imperial house, but it didn't originate with them. 清 has always meant 'pure' or 'clear', and its definition has not varied much throughout history. The Manchu dynasty renamed themselves Qing for the meaning. Either way, this hanzi is not verified for Liu Qing's name.

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|Yet another worthy opponent to bring out the fire in me!|Liu Qing to Edward Kenway, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Liu Qing
|image = ACFT Liu Qing.png
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = [[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Liu Qing''' ({{Wiki|Chinese language|Chinese}}: 劉清) was a [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] who served under the [[Mentor]] [[Xiao Han]] alongside [[Xue Yan]] in the early 18th century. After losing his family during the Brotherhood's [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], Liu Qing joined the other survivors in searching for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow them to overthrow the Qing dynasty and rebuild their Order.

During their search, Liu Qing, Xiao Han, and Xue Yan allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]], who also desired the artifacts' power, but faced opposition from the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with their plans. After clashing with Edward and his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], several times during their quest for the Pieces, the Chinese Assassins eventually secured one of the artifacts, a [[crescent amulet]].

However, in the process, Xiao Han killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]]. This act deeply disturbed Liu Qing and Xue Yan and shook their faith in their Mentor. Nevertheless, the two continued to reluctantly follow Xiao Han, accompanying him and Lee to [[Angkor]] in search of another [[Lotus disk|Piece of Eden]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Prior to the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]'s [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]], Liu Qing was married and had a young daughter, whom he loved deeply.<ref name="FT 73" /> He was also well-acquainted with the Brotherhood's [[Mentor]] [[Xiao Han]], whom he regarded as a close friend.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

When the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] began persecuting the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people in the early 18th century, Liu Qing's entire family was killed. The Assassin himself managed to survive the purge, but would forever be haunted by the death of his daughter.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> He later joined Xiao Han and [[Xue Yan]], who were the only other surviving Chinese Assassins, in their quest to find a [[Piece of Eden]] that they could use to overthrow the Qing dynasty and rebuild their Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

===Battle aboard Sun's ship===
{{Quote|It sits ill with me that Sun has us meeting aboard a ship. There will be scant routes of escape if we're to be ambushed.|Liu Qing expressing his doubts about the meeting with Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33}}
In 1725, Liu Qing and Xue Yan accompanied Xiao Han to a [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] owned by Xiao Han's uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] to follow up on a lead on an [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] in {{Wiki|Indochina}}. When Sun revealed his intention to surrender the artifact located there to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins drew arms and prepared to attack Sun and his [[Soldier|guards]].<ref name="FT 34" />

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing defeating Saito.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing attempting to execute Saito]]
While Xiao Han chased after Sun, Liu Qing and Xue Yan fended off his guards and the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]]'s [[ninja]] in his service. Liu Qing killed a number of ninja before engaging in a duel with Saito's second-in-command, whom he eventually managed to slay as well.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref> Having witnessed this, a furious Saito attacked Liu Qing, but she was also defeated when the Assassin struck down his [[guandao]] and broke the Templar's [[naginata]].<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

Before Liu Qing could execute Saito, the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]] came to her rescue and forced him back. Amidst the chaos, Sun was able to recover the [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] in Xiao Han's possession and soon fled with his reinforcements. Seeing this, Liu Qing and Xue Yan followed their Mentor to chase Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 36" />

During their pursuit of Sun, Liu Qing and Xue Yan were attacked by Edward, who was also attempting to retrieve the sea log. The two Chinese Assassins briefly fought Edward to buy Xiao Han enough time to catch up to Sun and kill him. After Xiao Han retrieved the log from Sun's body, it was stolen by Edward, who disagreed with the Mentor's plan to use the Piece of Eden from [[Angkor]] to overthrow the Qing dynasty.<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref>

Seeing that the British Assassin could not be reasoned with, Xiao Han declared him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood as Liu Qing and Xue Yan arrived and surrounded Edward. Before anything could happen, however, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38" /> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch the sea log back from Edward and warned him to stay out of the Chinese Brotherhood's way before leaving alongside Liu Qing and Xue Yan.<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Liu Qing|This is why I was against holding the meeting aboard the ship.|Xue Yan|For once, I have to agree.|Liu Qing and Xue Yan, following their escape from Sun's gambling ship, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39}}[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins meeting with Lee.png|thumb|279x279px|Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins meeting with Lee]]
The following morning, Liu Qing, Xue Yan, and Xiao Han approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39" />

Liu Qing and Xue Yan were both present for Xiao Han's meeting with Lee, where the Mentor proposed an alliance to find Angkor's treasure. Aware of Lee's past and the persecution she had faced under the Qing dynasty, Xiao Han was able to persuade her to agree to the partnership. However, rather than help the Assassins overthrow the Qing for the benefit of the Han Chinese people, Lee was only interested in acquiring more power and influence.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Dialogue|Xue Yan|I'm sorry, master.|Liu Qing|We have failed you.|Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing to Xiao Han for their defeat, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward Kenway and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', eventually ambushing it near the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Liu Qing, Xiao Han, and Xue Yan close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing surrounded.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing surrounded by the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew]]
During the chaos, Liu Qing saw his Mentor dueling Edward and wished to help. However, while he was distracted, he found himself surrounded by the navigator [[John Young]] and several crew members, who held him at [[Firearm|gunpoint]].<ref name="FT 48" /> After Xiao Han and Xue Yan were defeated by Edward and Shimazu Saito, respectively, the Mentor ordered a retreat. Liu Qing promptly ran away from the crew members surrounding him and deployed his [[parachute]], gliding back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

After Zheng informed Xiao Han that she was unable to continue her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang'' due to the ship sailing into a storm, Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologized to their Mentor for their defeat. Xiao Han told them not to be so hard on themselves and that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated. He also claimed that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again eventually.<ref name="FT 49" />
{{-}}

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|We must all make sacrifices for the greater good. This is no easier for Mentor Han than for any of us. I say we give him our grace and follow without question.|Liu Qing to Xue Yan, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Later, Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Liu Qing and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where Xiao Han informed them of their findings. After the Mentor claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]] to investigate their next lead to Angkor's location and that they would try to intercept the native warriors along the way to retrieve their stolen Piece of Eden, Lee gave the Chinese Assassins free reign to do as they pleased.<ref name="FT 58" />

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|thumb|180px|Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins leaving Monkey Island]]
Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Liu Qing and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the native warriors had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

Leaving Sukuna and his men to take care of the remaining matters on the island, Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins departed and went to rendezvous with Zheng and her fleet. Along the way, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers.<ref name="FT 65" />

After the Mentor defended his decision, claiming that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good, Liu Qing prevented Xue Yan from arguing back. The trio then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, sailing to Cebu.<ref name="FT 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|Papa... Why couldn't you save us all? Please don't go... You can't forsake your own kin...|Liu Qing hearing his daughter's voice after being subjected to the amulet's powers, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73}}
In Cebu, the Chinese Assassins split up to search for the crescent amulet.<ref name="FT 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref> Liu Qing and Xue Yan later joined their Mentor at [[Fort San Pedro]], where Xiao Han was fighting against Edward and Shimazu Saito, who were in possession of the Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref> While Xue Yan dueled Saito, Liu Qing and Xiao Han battled Edward, who struggled to keep them at bay.<ref name="FT 73" />

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing's family.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing's vision of his family]]
After Saito was defeated, Edward reluctantly decided to unleash the amulet's powers against his opponents. Gazing into the artifact, Liu Qing was met by a vision of his late family, with his daughter asking him why he had been unable to save them all. The vision brought the Assassin to tears while at the same time rendering his body inert. Xiao Han was similarly affected by the Piece of Eden's powers, and both Assassins soon fell to the ground, defeated.<ref name="FT 73" />

Seeing this, Xue Yan rushed to her fellow Assassins' aid, allowing Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]]. After Liu Qing and Xiao Han recovered from the amulet's effects, the latter asked Xue Yan for Edward's whereabouts, to which she informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during the fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73" />

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Quote|We don't doubt the righteousness of our cause, Master. That being said... I can't help but wonder if this fixation on the greater good... blinds us from the path that once brought us together. Perhaps we'll discuss what comes next on the voyage back... not to mention take a moment to reflect on what came before. Master... or rather... Han, my friend.|Liu Qing to Xiao Han, during the voyage back from Sulu, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Liu Qing, Xue Yan, and Xiao Han that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, they decided to follow their enemies to the [[Sultanate of Sulu]] in order to eliminate them.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins in Sulu.png|thumb|160px|Liu Qing and Xiao Han fighting the Suluese guards]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. While Liu Qing and Xiao Han fought the Suluese guards to clear the path ahead, Xue Yan attempted to infiltrate the warehouse and recover the Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

However, during the [[Battle of Sulu|battle]], Zheng decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly, and ordered her fleet to fire on the warehouse, partially destroying it.<ref name="FT 89" /> Despite this, the Zhang Wei Union's [[doctor]] [[Xialun Qing]] was able to retrieve the amulet. However, as she attempted to bring it back to Edward and John Young, who were fighting against Xiao Han and Liu Qing, respectively, Xue Yan took her hostage.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

The Chinese Assassins attempted to bargain with Edward, promising to release Qing if he allowed them to leave with the amulet and stopped interfering with their cause. However, Zheng interrupted the negotiations by having her fleet fire on both the Chinese Assassins and their enemies.<ref name="FT 90" />

After Edward seized the amulet during the confusion and used it to defeat Xiao Han, Liu Qing tried to rush to his Mentor's aid but was shot in the foot by John. Edward ultimately refused to take Xiao Han's life, but the latter did not show him the same mercy and attempted to kill John after he interfered. However, Qing sacrificed herself to save him and took the blow instead, leaving everyone stunned.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Liu Qing and Xue Yan looked on remorsefully as Qing died in John's arms, before spotting Suluese soldiers approaching their position. After alerting Xiao Han, the Mentor grabbed the amulet and all three Chinese Assassins escaped back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91" />

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Liu Qing watching Xue Yan reprimand Xiao Han]]
Aboard the vessel, Liu Qing handed Xiao Han a chest to place the artifact in while Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee. Liu Qing commented on the admiral's earlier bombardment, questioning what kind of "bloodthirsty maniac" opened fire on their own allies, to which Xiao Han replied that Zheng's intervention had nonetheless allowed them to retrieve the amulet.<ref name="FT 92" />

Suddenly, Xue Yan lashed out at Xiao Han, reprimanding him for murdering Qing, an innocent doctor, in cold blood and breaking [[the Creed]]. Liu Qing interjected, telling an ashamed Xiao Han that, while he and Xue Yan did not doubt their mission's righteousness, it was possible that their fixation on the greater good had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92" />

===Expedition to Angkor===
{{Quote|Who do you suppose our new foes are, Master? More foolhardy souls drawn here by their selfish desires? Or perhaps... those who have stood guard over this place through centuries untold?|Liu Qing to Xiao Han, after their encounter with the Forgotten Temple's guardians, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 120}}
After the Chinese Assassins returned to Madam Lee, Xiao Han informed her of their successful retrieval of the amulet. The businesswoman subsequently decided to recover Angkor's [[Lotus disk|artifact]] next, and set a course for [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]].<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref> During the voyage, Liu Qing and Xue Yan continued to reflect on the events in Sulu and their mission, feeling remorseful about their actions yet remaining loyal to their Mentor.<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan and Liu Qing.png|thumb|200px|Liu Qing and Xue Yan during the voyage to Đại Việt]]
In [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Liu Qing, Xue Yan, and Xiao Han positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Chinese Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

With the Nguyễn clan on their side, the Assassins and Lee launched an expedition into the jungles of [[Cambodia]] to find Angkor. However, they were in a race against time, as both the Zhang Wei Union and the [[East India Company]], led by the Templar [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] [[Alan Jacob]], also sought the site.<ref name="FT 115">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 115|Episode 115]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|As the great General [[Qi Jiguang]] once said, be wary of the Japanese with their long swords. I see he was right to be wary!|Liu Qing during his duel with Shimazu Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
Liu Qing was a dedicated Assassin who shared his Mentor's goal of using the power of the Pieces of Eden to restore the Chinese Brotherhood to its former strength. While he would occasionally engage in banter with Xue Yan,<ref name="FT 33">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 33|Episode 33]]</ref> he remained stoic and focused in battle and always looked forward to facing challenging opponents. He recognized both Shimazu Saito and Edward Kenway as worthy foes, and even after defeating the former, he showed her respect by telling her that she had "fought the good fight."<ref name="FT 36" />

[[File:ACFT - Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing.png|left|thumb|180px|Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologizing to Xiao Han]]
Having lost his entire family, including his daughter, during the Chinese Brotherhood's purge, Liu Qing was haunted by their deaths and blamed himself for being unable to protect them. When met by an illusion of his daughter conjured by the crescent amulet, the simple sight of the girl was enough to move Liu Qing to tears.<ref name="FT 73" />

Liu Qing was extremely devoted to Xiao Han, trying to rush to his aid as soon as he saw that his Mentor was fighting Edward Kenway.<ref name="FT 48" /> He was also afraid of disappointing him and, alongside Xue Yan, apologized for their failure to defeat the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew.<ref name="FT 49" />

Liu Qing's loyalty to his Mentor extended so far that he supported Xiao Han's claims that they all had to make sacrifices for the "greater good", even if this meant allowing innocents to be slaughtered. When Xue Yan tried to argue against this, Liu Qing quickly stopped her, both to prevent her from upsetting Xiao Han and because of his own belief that they should serve their Mentor without question.<ref name="FT 65" />

Following Xiao Han's murder of Xialun Qing, Liu Qing finally sided with Xue Yan and began to question if, in their pursuit of their goals, he and his companions had strayed too far from the Creed. When Xiao Han lashed out at Xue Yan, Liu Qing acted as a voice of reason and told the former that, by focusing only on the greater good, they did not stop to question the means by which they achieved it.<ref name="FT 92" />

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins using parachutes.png|thumb|200px|Liu Qing and Xiao Han using parachutes to escape the ''Fenghuang'']]
A large and intimidating warrior, Liu Qing relied on brute strength to overpower his adversaries. This was reflected in his weapon of choice, the [[guandao]], a long and heavy blade which required considerable strength to utilize effectively. Liu Qing's mastery of the guandao allowed him to easily shatter most enemies' defenses, as seen when he broke Shimazu Saito's naginata in half,<ref name="FT 36" /> and he could even spin the weapon rapidly to deflect incoming bullets.<ref name="FT 35" /><ref name="FT 90" />

In addition to his guandao, Liu Qing also wielded a ranged weapon in the form of a {{Wiki|throwing axe}}.<ref name="FT 38" /> During their journey to the Philippines, Liu Qing and his fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48" />

==Behind the scenes==
Liu Qing is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Despite being Assassins, both he and Xue Yan notably lack a [[Hidden Blade]].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT Liu Qing closeup.png|Close-up of Liu Qing
ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|Liu Qing and his fellow Assassins being led to Sun
ACFT - 18th century Chinese Assassins.png|Liu Qing with his fellow Assassins
ACFT - Guandao.png|Liu Qing swinging his guandao
ACFT - Edward confronted by the Chinese Assassins.png|Liu Qing and Xue Yan confronting Edward
ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|Edward using the crescent amulet against Liu Qing and Xiao Han
ACFT - Chinese Assassins bargaining.png|Liu Qing attempting to bargain with Edward
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Liu (劉) lineage]]

Zhawang Corporation

2026-08-23T22:08:52Z

Sol Pacificus: Per a previous argument with Chinese Wiki editors, we settled on not specifying when Hanzi is used that it is "Chinese" since the writing script can be translingual. "Cantonese" here indicates the pronunciation in the local Chinese language.

{{Era|Organizations}}
{{Quote|We do not abandon our family.|The Zhawang Corporation's motto.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 23}}
{{Faction infobox
|name = Zhawang Corporation
|image = <gallery>ACFT Zhawang Corporation logo.jpg|Zhawang Corporation
ACFT Zhang Wei Union logo.png|Zhang Wei Union
</gallery>
|founder = [[Edward Kenway]]
|headquarters = *[[Macau]]
*[[Jakarta]]
|locations = [[Southeast Asia]]
|active = 1725 – present
}}
The '''Zhawang Corporation''', originally founded as the '''Zhang Wei Union''' (張爲協組;<ref name="EP 24">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 24|Episode 24]]</ref> Cantonese: ''Zoeng''1 ''Wai''4 ''Hip''3''zou''2) and also known as the '''ZW Corporation''', '''ZW Company''',<ref name="EP 42">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 42|Episode 42]]</ref> or '''Zhang Corporation''',<ref name="EP 79">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 79|Episode 79]]</ref> is an international organization based in [[Southeast Asia]] and headquartered in [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]. At various points in its history, it has been allied with the [[Assassins]], sharing their goal of safeguarding the [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] and opposing the [[Templars]] and other groups who would misuse the artifacts.

Established in 1725 by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], the Zhang Wei Union was originally a small [[merchant]] company based in [[Macau]]. Its members' guiding principles were to conduct business through ethical means, bring people together, and never abandon those they deemed "family". In only a short time, the Union grew to prominence as one of Macau's largest trade companies, in part thanks to Edward securing a partnership with the [[Dutch East India Company]].

During its first months of activity, the Union, particularly a small crew operating out of the ''[[Fenghuang]]'' vessel, focused on acquiring several [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] hidden throughout Southeast Asia, which were craved by other factions seeking to exploit their powers. Edward and his allies were ultimately successful in keeping the artifacts out of the wrong hands and, in doing so, greatly increased the Union's influence and reputation.

Following Edward's departure, the Union was left under the leadership of his friend [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]], whose family continued to run the company for generations. By the 21st century, the Union had grown into the modern Zhawang Corporation, after extending its operations beyond Macau and establishing multiple branches across Southeast Asia. It also continued its secret mission to safeguard the Pieces of Eden, though in doing so it severed its ties with the Assassins, due to their conflicting views regarding the artifacts.

In 2023, the ties between the Zhawang Corporation and the Assassins were rekindled as both organizations entered a renewed [[Assassin-Templar War|conflict]] with the Templars and their front company, [[Abstergo Industries]], who once again sought the Pieces of Eden hidden in Southeast Asia. With the help of [[Noa Kim]], a descendant of Edward drawn into the conflict, the Corporation and the Assassins tried to track down the artifacts and the "[[Forgotten Temple (Isu)|Forgotten Temple]]" they led to in the hopes of stopping Abstergo's plans for [[New World Order|world domination]].

==History==
===18th century===
====Establishment====
{{Quote|As of this moment... we declare ourselves a legitimate merchant shipping company! Everyone will be an equal member of the Union... and we will govern ourselves just as I did in the Caribbean! We will be united as a family, under one rule... we do not abandon our family!|Edward establishing the Zhang Wei Union, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 23}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward establishing the Zhang Wei Union.png|thumb|240px|left|Edward founding the Zhang Wei Union]]
In 1725, after inadvertently ending his partnership with the businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]], [[Edward Kenway]] decided to start his own organization in order to conduct his business in [[Macau]] and beyond without raising suspicion.<ref name="EP 21">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 21|Episode 21]]</ref> Inspired by the [[Republic of Pirates|Pirate Republic]] he was once part of in the [[Caribbean]], the [[Assassins|Assassin]] vowed that his new organization would be an opportunity to unite people like a family, where they would be free to govern themselves and treat each other as equals.<ref name="EP 23">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 23|Episode 23]]</ref>

Setting up headquarters in what would become the [[A-Ma Cultural Village]], Edward decided that the organization would operate as a legitimate shipping company, naming it the Zhang Wei Union. He then began building it up by recruiting his various allies in Macau, including the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] navigator [[John Young]], the [[China|Chinese]] laborer [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] and his fellow [[Zhang's village|villagers]], and the former [[Piracy|pirate]] [[captain]] [[Mustafa|Rupiya]] and his crew.<ref name="EP 24"/>

====First contract====
{{Dialogue|John|I don't know, friend. Something smells funny about this. You know what the sea route to Manila is like...|Edward|Aye, it's crawling with pirates. I'm well aware. I reckon it can't be easy finding a ship that's willing to navigate those waters. Hence why he came to us. Lord knows we need the work.|Edward and John discussing their first contract, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 24}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward, John and Zhang struggling to find clients.png|thumb|220px|John, Edward and Zhang struggling to find clients in Macau]]
Following the Union's establishment, Edward, John, and Zhang traveled to Macau to drum up business from the locals, only to be turned down at every step. They were eventually approached by a [[merchant]], who revealed that Madam Lee, [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], and the [[Far East Company]] had blacklisted them, making it almost impossible to find clients.<ref name="EP 24"/> However, grateful to Edward for having previously defended his ship from pirates,<ref name="EP 15">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 15|Episode 15]]</ref> the merchant decided to enlist his company's services to escort the same vessel to [[Manila]] for a business endeavor.<ref name="EP 24"/>

Accepting the job, Edward, John, and Zhang used Rupiya's ship to sail to the [[Philippines]]. Upon reaching Manila, John went to party with the locals, from whom he learned that the [[East India Company]] and the Far East Company had recently begun recruiting people for an expedition in {{Wiki|Indochina}}. Edward believed this to be a sign that the [[Templars]] were preparing to begin their search for the lost city of [[Angkor]], though he decided against doing the same, choosing to focus on building up the Union's reputation first.<ref name="EP 24"/>

As they prepared to sail back to Macau, Edward and his crew spotted a pirate ship attacking a [[Dutch East India Company]] vessel. Unwilling to let such an opportunity go, Edward ordered Rupiya to attack the pirates, intending to take their ship as a prize.<ref name="EP 24"/> In the ensuing battle, Edward managed to board the pirate vessel and kill its captain, forcing the crew to surrender. However, as the ship had been damaged during the fight, it quickly caught fire and began to sink.<ref name="EP 25">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 25|Episode 25]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward meeting Yun.png|left|thumb|210px|Edward rescuing Yun]]
Upon being informed of slaves held in the ship's hull, Edward rescued them and escaped from the sinking vessel before it was destroyed when its [[Gunpowder|powder]] kegs detonated. One of the rescued prisoners, [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]], turned out to be a [[Korea]]n scholar and engineer who had come to the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] as an aide to a [[Joseon]] envoy, and his skills came in handy when Edward decided to escort the damaged Dutch East India Company ship to Macau.<ref name="EP 26">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 26|Episode 26]]</ref>

Afterr Yun fixed the ship's broken wheel, Edward and his crew sailed to Macau, where the Assassin offered Yun, alongside every other liberated slave looking for work, a place in the Zhang Wei Union. Yun accepted the invitation and, to celebrate the recruitment of their latest member, John suggested that they all go drinking.<ref name="EP 26"/>

====Mission to the Paracel Islands====
{{Dialogue|Zhang|We're going to do what?|Edward|I said, we're to set sail for the Paracel Islands to rid them of pirates. We're going into business with the Dutch East India Company.|Edward explaining the mission to John and Zhang, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 27}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward meeting with Jan.png|thumb|250px|Jan van Aert requesting Edward's assistance]]
Shortly after the crew's return to Macau, Edward was hired by [[Jan van Aert]], the Dutch East India Company's chief navigator, to rid the [[Paracel Islands]] of pirates. In exchange, Jan promised to let the Assassin keep any goods looted from the pirates and to secure a five-year partnership between his company and the Zhang Wei Union. Seeing this as an opportunity to expand the organization, Edward met with John and Zhang to inform them of the job and they insisted that they accompany him, refusing to let Edward endanger himself.<ref name="EP 27">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 27|Episode 27]]</ref>

Afterwards, Edward went to see Yun at his workshop, where he found the latter working on some weapons he had developed back in Korea. Impressed by Yun's designs and believing the weapons could prove crucial in the upcoming mission's success, Edward provided Yun with the necessary resources and manpower to build them. Once the weapons had been finished and tested, Edward and his crew set sail towards the Paracel Islands to fulfill their contract.<ref name="EP 27"/>

En route to the islands, Edward devised a plan to destroy the pirates' compound: while he and John would take a rowboat to arrive on the islands undetected and proceed to plant to explosives around the base, Rupiya would distract the pirates by getting them drunk, and Zhang would pose as his prisoner.<ref name="EP 28">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 28|Episode 28]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Rupiya and the pirate captain.png|left|thumb|230px|Rupiya meeting with the pirates' captain while Zhang poses as his hostage]]
The plan was successful until Edward freed Zhang and the pirates' other prisoners, as the resulting commotion attracted the pirates' attention, initiating a [[Firearm|gunfight]]. While Edward, John, and Zhang ran towards Rupiya's ship, the explosives the former two had planted detonated, destroying the pirates' compound.<ref name="EP 28"/>

Thanks to a final [[bomb]] thrown by John, which destroyed the pirates' dock and slowed them down, the crew was able to flee the island aboard Rupiya's ship. However, the pirates eventually caught up to them after Rupiya inadvertently sailed to the "Boneyard of Sails", a rough patch of the sea infamous for the number of ships that had sunk there.<ref name="EP 29">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 29|Episode 29]]</ref>

Edward devised a plan to eliminate their pursuers and lured them into a trap where all the pirates were killed by {{Wiki|hwacha}}s built by Yun. This allowed the Union members to claim the pirates' ships for themselves and establish their own fleet.<ref name="EP 29"/>

====Partnership with the Dutch East India Company====
{{Dialogue|Jan|I look forward to working together, Mr. Zhang.|Zhang|Likewise. I hope that our partnership may be prosperous.|Jan van Aert and Zhang securing a partnership between their companies, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 30}}
[[File:ACFT - Zhang and Jan shaking hands.png|thumb|230px|Zhang and Jan securing a partnership between their organizations]]
Following the success of their mission to the Paracel Islands, Edward and his crew returned to Macau, where Jan van Aert offered to help Edward register his new ships and kept his promise of a five-year contract between their companies. However, Edward referred Jan to Zhang, claiming that he was merely an advisor and that Zhang was the true head of the Union. Amused, Jan shook hands with Zhang, marking the beginning of the partnership between their respective organizations.<ref name="EP 30">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 30|Episode 30]]</ref>

The Union's partnership with the company allowed it to grow rapidly, receiving numerous shipping contracts. However, Edward found it difficult to keep up with the increasing demands of the company, so he decided to shift his focus to retrieving the [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] of the late Dutch navigator [[Hendrik]], which had been stolen by the Templars and was the only lead to Angkor's location.<ref name="EP 30"/>

During this time, Yun upgraded one of the ships Edward had seized from the pirates, which was re-named the ''[[Fenghuang]]'' and became the Zhang Wei Union's flagship. Ahead of his mission to assassinate [[Shimazu Saito]] for [[Fuma Sukuna]], Edward visited Yun, who informed him about the new armaments he had installed on the ''Fenghuang'' and gifted him a [[Phantom Blade]] he had built. Edward also asked for John and Zhang's help with his mission and, even though it did not benefit the Union, they both readily accepted.<ref name="EP 31">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 31|Episode 31]]</ref>

====Recruitment of Shimazu Saito and Xialun Qing====
{{Quote|Are you really so desperate for help... that you're willing to join forces with a Japanese samurai of all people?! Besides, Mister Kenway, was she not your enemy before? How can you ally yourself with such a person? This is sheer folly!|Yun protesting against Saito's recruitment into the Union, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40}}
Following the events that took place at Sun's [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]], Saito was reluctantly recruited into the Zhang Wei Union after the deaths of her [[ninja]] followers. Saito's recruitment drew protests from Yun, owing to the animosity rousing from the [[Imjin War]] fought between [[Japan]] and [[Joseon]], Saito's and Yun's home countries respectively.<ref name="EP 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Zhang Wei Union members leaving Macau.png|left|thumb|170px|The Union members leaving on their journey to the Philippines]]
Yun initially refused to acknowledge or interact with Saito, but eventually a friendly [[Bow|archery]] contest between the two resulted in them agreeing to work with together. Yun acknowledged Saito's skills after she won the contest, while she in turn praised his inventions. The two later joined Edward in deciphering part of Hendrik's sea log,<ref name="EP 40"/> which spoke of a [[Piece of Eden|treasure]] pursued by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] explorer [[Ferdinand Magellan]] in [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 41">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41|Episode 41]]</ref>

When the Union members settled on the [[Philippines]] as their next destination, they were joined by John's new companion [[Xialun Qing]], a waitress he had met and rescued from Sun's gambling ship. Qing revealed her knowledge of medicine which she had gained during her short time as an aide to a [[doctor]], and that she had created the poison darts for Yun's newly-designed [[blowpipe]] for Edward.<ref name="EP 41"/>

Agreeing with the need for a doctor for the journey, Edward allowed the young lady to accompany them. Afterwards, the group—Edward, John, Yun, Saito, Qing, and Rupiya—boarded the ''Fenghuang'' and set sail for the Philippines, leaving Zhang behind in Macau to take care of the company's headquarters.<ref name="EP 41"/>

====Voyage to the Philippines====
{{Quote|We'll be back once we find the treasure. In the meantime, take good care of the Zhang Wei Union and help us as best you can from afar.|Edward to Zhang prior to the ''Fenghuang'' crew's voyage to the Philippines, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
As the ''Fenghuang'' approached Manila, it suddenly came under attack by the fleet of Admiral [[Zheng]], a mercenary in the employ of Madam Lee. Thanks to Yun's latest invention—fire barrels which exploded on impact—the Union members were able to cause considerable damage to the enemy ships.<ref name="EP 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> However, the ''Fenghuang'' was soon boarded by the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] [[Xiao Han]], [[Liu Qing]], and [[Xue Yan]], who were working with Lee to find Angkor's treasure.<ref name="EP 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang storm.png|thumb|180px|The ''Fenghuang'' sailing through the storm]]
In the resulting chaos, John and several crew members surrounded Liu Qing and held him at gunpoint, while Edward dueled Xiao Han and Saito battled Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 48"/> After both Xiao Han and Xue Yan were defeated, the Chinese Assassins retreated back to Zheng's ship. Edward then ordered Rupiya to sail the ''Fenghuang'' into an incoming storm to lose their pursuers, and while navigating through the tempest, Qing treated the crew members injured during the fight.<ref name="EP 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

Once the ''Fenghuang'' made it out of the storm, it was attacked by one of Zheng's ships that had managed to follow the crew. However, the enemy ship was quickly sunk by a Dutch East India Company vessel commanded by Jan van Aert, who had learned about Edward's expedition and decided to accompany him.<ref name="EP 49"/> After Jan revealed that he was fully aware of the expedition's goal to find Angkor, Edward reluctantly allowed him to join the Union members in their quest, though both he and Saito remained suspicious of Jan's true motives.<ref name="EP 50">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 50|Episode 50]]</ref>

Later, Yun managed to recreate the formula for [[Greek fire]], which the Chinese Assassins had used in their attack on the ''Fenghuang'', and Edward suggested making a stop in [[Java]] to acquire [[petroleum]], which would allow them to produce larger quantities of the substance. Before they had the chance to do so, however, both the ''Fenghuang'' and Jan's ship were attacked by two [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|Men O' War]], forcing them to surrender.<ref name="EP 50"/>

====Escape from Manila====
{{Quote|I reckon it's time we take matters into our own hands.|Edward to his fellow Union members, prior to their escape, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51}}
[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang crew arrested.png|left|thumb|230px|The ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew being arrested]]
The two ships' crews were subsequently brought to Manila, where they were arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in the [[assassination]] of the {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines}}, [[Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda]], six years prior.<ref name="EP 50"/>

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in the dungeon underneath [[Fort Santiago]], the Union members were forced to remain inside the ''Fenghuang'', under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John learned the circumstances of Bustamante's death and informed the others that the governor had been killed in a riot by supporters of the {{Wiki|Archbishop of Manila}}, [[Francisco de la Cuesta]], who had been arrested on Bustamante's orders.<ref name="EP 51">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51|Episode 51]]</ref>

Following this, Edward decided to stage an escape and had Qing distract the [[Soldier|guards]] by bringing them food and drinks. With the guards preoccupied, Edward and Saito escaped the ''Fenghuang'' and reclaimed their confiscated weapons, before the Assassin took advantage of an ongoing protest to infiltrate Fort Santiago.<ref name="EP 51"/>

While Edward rescued Jan and his crew, Saito spotted a [[Mad monk|monk]] using a [[crescent amulet]]—a Piece of Eden—to influence the masses and turn the protest into a violent [[1725 Manila riot|riot]]. After reuniting with Edward, Saito told him about the amulet and the two decided to face the monk together and take the artifact from him.<ref name="EP 51"/> Cornering him in an alley, they killed his followers after he refused to hand over the amulet, but to their surprise, the monk used the artifact's powers to resurrect his men.<ref name="EP 52">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 52|Episode 52]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward and Saito confronted by illusions.png|thumb|245px|Edward and Saito surrounded by apparitions of the monk]]
Realizing that the resurrected acolytes were resistant to pain and that the only way to stop them was to dismember them, Edward and Saito proceeded to do so. However, the monk then used the amulet on Saito, causing her to experience visions of her deceased friends.<ref name="EP 53">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 53|Episode 53]]</ref> After the monk used the amulet to conjure multiple apparitions of himself and an ''[[oni]]'', Saito was eventually defeated while Edward was able to overcome the artifact's powers,<ref name="EP 54">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 54|Episode 54]]</ref> but the monk escaped during the confusion.<ref name="EP 55">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 55|Episode 55]]</ref>

Edward pursued him and, though the monk used the amulet to tamper with his [[Eagle Vision]] and command several [[civilian]]s to attack him, the Assassin eventually cornered his target. As he tried to take away the amulet, the monk activated the artifact,<ref name="EP 55"/> and Edward experienced several [[Calculations|visions]] of the past and the future while his body became paralyzed.<ref name="EP 56">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 56|Episode 56]]</ref>

The monk tried to take advantage of this to kill Edward, only to end up being killed himself by [[Rajah]], the leader of a [[Visayans|Visayan]] resistance against the Spanish colonists. Rajah claimed the amulet, intending to use it to end the foreign occupation of his people's lands, and though Edward confronted him, the Assassin was quickly defeated. Fortunately, Saito came to his rescue and the two escaped back to the ''Fenghuang'', being forced to leave the amulet behind.<ref name="EP 56"/>

[[File:ACFT - Union members fighting Spanish soldiers.png|left|thumb|200px|The Union members fighting soldiers at the Manila harbor]]
At the same as Edward and Saito's fight against the monk, the remaining Union members engaged in a shootout against Spanish soldiers at the harbor, in order to retrieve their confiscated supplies. In the process, they discovered a warehouse filled with barrels of petroleum, which Yun promptly ordered to be loaded aboard the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 53"/>

After Edward and Saito returned to the ship, the ''Fenghuang'' set sail away from Manila, followed closely by Jan and his crew. When the [[Spanish Navy]] gave chase, Jan volunteered to lure away their pursuers to give the Union members time to escape. After telling Edward to reconvene in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]], an island kingdom south of the Philippines, Jan proceeded with his distraction, allowing the ''Fenghuang'' to escape from the Spanish fleet.<ref name="EP 57">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 57|Episode 57]]</ref>

Once they were safe, Edward told the other Union members about his and Saito's encounter with the monk and the crescent amulet and how Rajah had stolen the artifact to use it for his own ends. When John asked what their next move was, Edward claimed that their destination remained unchanged and ordered the crew to set sail towards [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 57"/>

====Excursion to Monkey Island====
{{Quote|There's no justice in blind rage that hurts the innocent against their will. We'll make them see there's a better way.|Edward, regarding the native resistance warriors' cause, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63}}
En route to Cebu, the Union members discovered that the Spanish authorities in Manila had confiscated all of their food rations and decided to attack two passing Spanish [[schooner]]s to take their supplies. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' docked at a nearby village to resupply, where the natives instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as Zhang had recently begun trading with them.<ref name="EP 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Saito refusing to help John.png|thumb|210px|The Union members watching John struggle to get rid of the monkey]]
While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Yun and Qing attempted to produce Greek fire, and Rupiya planned the crew's course to Cebu. When the village's chief saw the route they had settled on, she warned Edward and Rupiya that one of the islands in their path, [[Monkey Island]], had recently become the subject of unsettling rumors after several ships went missing near its shores. However, they were then interrupted by the screams of John, who had been attacked by a [[Wukong|monkey]].<ref name="EP 58"/>

While Edward, Rupiya, and Yun laughed at John's predicament, Qing calmed down the agitated monkey and made it fall asleep, after which she and John decided to adopt it. The crew then set sail away from the village and resumed their voyage to Cebu, though as they passed Monkey Island, the ''Fenghuang'' was suddenly bombarded with mortar fire.<ref name="EP 59">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 59|Episode 59]]</ref>

Rupiya managed to steer the ship to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks, but the crew quickly realized that they were trapped until they could figure out where the mortar fire had come from. Qing offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a [[hot air balloon]],<ref name="EP 59"/> which they dubbed the [[Celestial Chariot]].<ref name="EP 60">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60|Episode 60]]</ref>

Qing subsequently volunteered to pilot the balloon and survey Monkey Island, marking the locations of enemy encampments to allow the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew to fire on them. However, the Celestial Chariot suffered a malfunction mid-flight and caught fire.<ref name="EP 60"/> After Qing [[Parachute|parachuted]] to safety and landed on Monkey Island, the crew went looking for her, only to come across a [[fort]] which had been occupied by Rajah and his native warriors.<ref name="EP 61">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 61|Episode 61]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang engaging the fort.png|left|thumb|170px|The ''Fenghuang'' engaging the fort]]
While the ''Fenghuang'' engaged the fort as a distraction, Edward, John, and several other crew members boarded a rowboat and arrived on Monkey Island to begin their search for Qing. Meanwhile, the remaining ''Fenghuang'' crew members were left under Saito's leadership and hid in a swamp to await the return of Edward's expedition. While they were waiting, they were unknowingly spied on by Rajah's men, who had followed the ship.<ref name="EP 61" />

Taking advantage of a downpour of rain, Rajah's warriors boarded the ''Fenghuang'' and engaged the crew, who were unable to use their firearms due to the [[gunpowder]] having gotten wet. Furthermore, some of the natives disguised themselves as ''[[manananggal]]s'' to try and intimidate the crew, though they were ultimately defeated when Saito ordered that Yun's multi-barreled [[musket]]s be used against them.<ref name="EP 62">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 62|Episode 62]]</ref> Despite their victory, the crew was later forced to retreat when more native warriors attempted to board the ''Fenghuang'', and sailed into the open sea to lose their pursuers.<ref name="EP 63">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63|Episode 63]]</ref>

On Monkey Island, Edward's expedition found Qing in a village, where she tended to its inhabitants after they had found and rescued her.<ref name="EP 62" /> Learning about the villagers' plight brought about by Rajah, who had forcefully recruited many of their men to his cause, Edward vowed to help them and incapacitated a mind-controlled villager disguised as a ''manananggal''. He then devised a plan to capture more warriors and bring them back to their families.<ref name="EP 63" />

Using himself as bait, Edward lured a number of brainwashed warriors into a trap, where they were caught in a net by his fellow Union members. The Assassin then incapacitated the warriors with his [[blowpipe]] and decided to use some of them to storm Monkey Island's fort and rescue the prisoners held there. During the assault, John planted several explosives around the stronghold, forcing everyone to jump into the water to escape the fort's destruction.<ref name="EP 64">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 64|Episode 64]]</ref>

Drawn by the explosion, the ''Fenghuang'' arrived to pick up Edward, John, Qing, and the others, after which the Union members decided to leave Monkey Island and continue their journey to Cebu. John also proposed to Qing, having realized that he wanted to settle down and start a family with her, and she excitedly accepted.<ref name="EP 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

====Confrontation in Cebu====
{{Quote|The natives are nothing like the other foes we've faced. Their ways might be misguided, but like me, they fight for freedom. That's why it's up to me to stop them... and I have to do it my own way.|Edward to Saito, prior to facing Rajah, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 70}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward and Saito confronting Rajah.png|thumb|250x250px|Edward and Saito confronting Rajah]]
In Cebu, Edward and Saito investigated the city in search of a clue to Angkor's location, while the remaining crew members stayed aboard the ''Fenghuang''. Edward and Saito's search led them to the [[Basilica del Santo Niño]], where they discovered that Rajah and his men had beaten them to their destination.<ref name="EP 65" /> When the [[Spanish Army]] arrived and engaged in a fight with Rajah's rebels, Edward and Saito rescued a young girl caught in the crossfire, before heading into the basilica.<ref name="EP 66">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 66|Episode 66]]</ref>

After discovering that Rajah had massacred all the priests inside to retrieve the clue—another [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]]—Edward and Saito were confronted by the Visayan chief, who left his men to deal with them while he escaped with the log.<ref name="EP 66" /> Quickly defeating the warriors, Edward and Saito tried to chase Rajah, but were forced to make their way past the Spanish soldiers outside, who were fighting each other under the amulet's influence.<ref name="EP 67">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 67|Episode 67]]</ref>

Once they were safe, Edward used his Eagle Vision to learn that Rajah had gone to the harbor. He and Saito then proceeded to lure a regiment of Spanish soldiers there so that they could fight Rajah's rebels. Before that could happen, however, the ''Fenghuang'', captained by John and Rupiya, arrived and sank Rajah's fleet, allowing Edward and Saito to escape in the resulting commotion.<ref name="EP 67" />

[[File:ACFT - Celestial Chariot flying over Cebu.png|left|thumb|160px|Saito, Edward, and John flying in the Celestial Chariot]]
After they boarded the ''Fenghuang'', the Union members proceeded to chase Rajah, who had also escaped during the confusion and headed to [[Fort San Pedro]]. While Rajah's men took over the fort, Yun unveiled a second Celestial Chariot he had built, which could be used to infiltrate the stronghold. Edward and Saito volunteered to board the balloon, with a reluctant John joining them, and the trio proceeded to fly above the fort.<ref name="EP 68">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68|Episode 68]]</ref>

While John remained inside the Celestial Chariot to provide cover fire, Edward and Saito dropped several anchors to keep the balloon in place and used them as [[zipline]]s to descend to the ground. After avoiding Rajah's warriors, Edward and Saito found the Visayan chief surrounded by a group of his own men he had killed and realized that Rajah had succumbed to the amulet's corrupting influence.<ref name="EP 69">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 69|Episode 69]]</ref>

Deciding to face Rajah alone, Edward told Saito to find the sea log, which the rebels had hidden nearby. Saito reluctantly complied and went to search for the log,<ref name="EP 70">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 70|Episode 70]]</ref> ultimately retrieving it from a group of fleeing civilians.<ref name="EP 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref> Meanwhile, Edward fought Rajah and, despite the chief making use of the amulet's powers,<ref name="EP 70" /> the Assassin was able to defeat him by separating him from the artifact.<ref name="EP 71" />

After picking up the amulet, Edward was confronted by a recently-arrived Xiao Han, who killed Rajah.<ref name="EP 71" /> The two Assassins proceeded to fight to a stalemate, until the arrival of Saito, who had decided to return to Edward rather than run away with the sea log.<ref name="EP 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref> However, Xiao Han was soon joined by Liu Qing and Xue Yan, who overpowered Saito, forcing Edward to use the amulet to subdue the Chinese Assassins. He and Saito then escaped with John in the Celestial Chariot, but lost the sea log, which was stolen by Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John taking charge.png|thumb|180px|John taking charge of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew]]
Meanwhile, the remaining ''Fenghuang'' crew members engaged Admiral Zheng's fleet and used Yun's Greek fire bombs to cause considerable damage to it.<ref name="EP 72" /> Afterwards, the crew went to pick up Edward, Saito, and John, who had landed in the water.<ref name="EP 73" /> Upon doing so, however, they noticed Edward's strange condition, as the Assassin was struggling to resist the amulet's corrupting influence, making him unresponsive.<ref name="EP 74">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 74|Episode 74]]</ref>

At a loss without their leader, Yun asked John if Edward had mentioned anything about their next destination since he had known him the longest. At that moment, the Assassin briefly recovered from his trance and uttered the words "south" and "Sulu", reminding John that Jan van Aert had asked them to meet him in the Sultanate of Sulu. With that, John ordered that Edward be taken below deck to recover while the ''Fenghuang'' set sail towards Sulu.<ref name="EP 74" />

====Showdown with the Shimazu clan====
{{Quote|Hold fire! Let us take it from here and go! When all is said and done, this mark is ours to hunt!|Saito to her fellow Union members, during the fight against the Shimazu ninja, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85}}
En route to Sulu, Saito assumed temporary command of the ''Fenghuang'' and was informed by John, Yun, and Rupiya that they needed to resupply and repair the ship before they arrived at their destination. Saito gave the order to dock on a nearby island and proceeded to personally lead several crew members ashore, including John and Yun, to gather the resources they needed.<ref name="EP 79" />

While exploring the island, Saito and the others came across a village, whose inhabitants agreed to provide them with supplies and shelter in exchange for dealing with a group of Japanese [[Mercenary|mercenaries]] that had been raiding neighboring settlements. The Union members set up a trap that caught the mercenaries off-guard when they attempted to attack the village, leading to their capture.<ref name="EP 80">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 80|Episode 80]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Captured mercenaries.png|left|thumb|180px|Saito, Yun, and John with the captured mercenaries]]
Saito dueled and defeated the mercenaries' leader, [[Nagamasa]], whereupon she learned that he and his men had been hired by Fuma Sukuna, who promised them a place in the [[Shimazu clan]] since they were all outcasts. Sympathizing with their plight, Saito invited the mercenaries to join her in taking over the Shimazu clan and exacting retribution on those who had wronged them.<ref name="EP 80" /> Nagamasa agreed to give the offer some thought and he and his men were released by Saito, without the other Union members' knowledge.<ref name="EP 81">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 81|Episode 81]]</ref>

After a still-recovering Edward was brought to the village, he and Saito argued over the crew's leadership, as Saito refused to go along with Edward's plan to have him serve as bait for the Shimazu clan while the others escaped. She then devised another plan, which required John, dressed like Edward, to serve as a decoy and lure the Shimazu ninja and the [[Rattan Shield Company]] working with them into an ambush.<ref name="EP 81" />

While the crew loaded their supplies onto the ''Fenghuang'', the Rattan Shield Company attacked them, but the Union members sprang their trap and used Yun's five-barreled cannons to eliminate most of the shieldmen. The survivors made a {{Wiki|Testudo formation|turtle formation}} with their shields to block the incoming gunfire and managed to get close to the ''Fenghuang'', but the ship sailed away, with John and Rupiya on-board.<ref name="EP 82">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 82|Episode 82]]</ref>

Turning their attention to Yun and the crew members hiding in the forest, the Company fell into another trap, being knocked down by explosive barrels which were then ignited by a fire [[arrow]]. However, this also failed to stop the shieldmen, who continued to relentlessly pursue Yun and his companions. Upon spotting smoke from the explosion, Saito, Edward, and Qing realized that Yun's group had faced more resistance than they had anticipated and decided to go help them. However, they were first approached by Nagamasa and his men, who had decided to accept Saito's offer.<ref name="EP 82" />

[[File:ACFT - Shimazu standoff.png|thumb|175px|Saito and Nagamasa's mercenaries confronting Fuma Sukuna and his ninja]]
After securing an alliance with Nagamasa, Edward left to rescue Yun's group from the pursuing Company shieldmen and Shimazu ninja. He effortlessly eliminated most of the ninja, forcing the survivors to retreat.<ref name="EP 83">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83|Episode 83]]</ref> However, in the process, he again succumbed to the crescent amulet's influence, requiring Yun and the others to carry him as they went to rendezvous with Saito.<ref name="EP 84">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 84|Episode 84]]</ref>

Elsewhere, Saito decided to set a trap for Fuma Sukuna and had Qing serve as bait. When Sukuna and his ninja arrived to try and capture Qing, Saito confronted them alongside Nagamasa and his mercenaries, resulting in a standoff.<ref name="EP 83" /> However, the ninja retreated when Yun, Edward, and the others arrived, forcing Saito to come up with a new strategy.<ref name="EP 84" />

Following a prolonged battle against the Rattan Shield Company, the Union members ran out of ammunition, and Sukuna decided to seize the opportunity to attack them. Having anticipated this, Saito ordered her allies to unleash their Greek fire flamethrowers built by Yun, creating a wall of fire around them and the ninja.<ref name="EP 84" /> With their enemies trapped, Nagamasa and his mercenaries easily defeated the ninja while Saito fought and killed Sukuna himself.<ref name="EP 85">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85|Episode 85]]</ref>

Meanwhile, the remaining Union members headed to the island's shore in order to be picked up by the ''Fenghuang''. They were pursued by the Qing Empire's [[Special Cavalry Unit]],<ref name="EP 85" /> but Edward, empowered by the crescent amulet, single-handedly killed all the incoming soldiers. As the artifact began corrupting Edward, Saito forcefully took it from him and placed it in a chest, before the Union members boarded the ''Fenghuang'' and resumed their voyage to the Sultanate of Sulu. Nagamasa and his men did not join them, but promised to meet them at their destination.<ref name="EP 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

====Escape from Sulu====
{{Quote|Thank you, doctor. And don't worry. I'll get everyone out of here if it's the last thing I do.|Edward promising Qing that he would rescue all of their companions, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87}}
[[File:ACFT - John, Saito and Rupiya debating.png|left|thumb|210px|John, Saito, and Rupiya debating Jan's proposal]]
In Sulu, the Union members were betrayed by Jan van Aert, who had made a deal with Sultan [[Badarud-Din I]], promising to deliver him the amulet in the Union's possession. As the ''Fenghuang'' was threatened by the Sultanate's fleet, the crew, believing they did not have much of a choice, reluctantly accepted Jan's proposal. They surrendered the amulet and were escorted into Sulu, where most crew members were imprisoned.<ref name="EP 87">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87|Episode 87]]</ref>

Rupiya set out to rescue his fellow crew members by himself and managed to win Jan's trust by claiming to hail from a royal family. While drinking together, Rupiya knocked out Jan for his betrayal and subsequently freed most of the imprisoned Union members.<ref name="EP 87" />

Meanwhile, Edward and Qing managed to escape from their cell and attempted to rescue Saito, John, and Yun.<ref name="EP 87" /> Thanks to a distraction from Qing's pet monkey [[Wukong]], Edward eliminated the soldiers guarding the cell, but one of them managed to injure John while he was protecting Qing. After retrieving their confiscated weapons, the group made their way outside and ran into Rupiya before witnessing the arrival of Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 88">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88|Episode 88]]</ref>

Unwilling to let the Chinese Assassins seize the crescent amulet, Edward ordered his allies to prepare the ''Fenghuang'' for departure while he confronted his Assassin brethren. However, John refused to let Edward risk his life and went after him, with Qing following closely behind. While Edward dueled Xiao Han, John and Qing attempted to retrieve the amulet from the warehouse it was stored in, which had been partially destroyed by cannon fire. They were soon confronted by Xue Yan, who managed to enter the warehouse while Qing found another entry point into the demolished building.<ref name="EP 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins bargaining.png|thumb|180px|The Chinese Assassins attempting to use Qing's life as leverage]]
Qing ultimately retrieved the amulet's chest from the warehouse, but while trying to bring it to Edward and John, she was taken hostage by Xue Yan. The Chinese Assassins then attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release Qing if he allowed them to leave with the amulet and stopped interfering with their cause. At that moment, however, the beach was struck by cannon fire and, during the confusion, Xue Yan released Qing and dropped the amulet's chest.<ref name="EP 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

Edward grabbed the amulet and used its powers to defeat and pin down Xiao Han. However, he hesitated to take his life when the artifact showed him visions of both his own death and the demise of his future son, [[Haytham Kenway]]. Breaking free, Xiao Han attempted to kill John, but Qing took the blow instead and died in John's arms. The Chinese Assassins subsequently seized the amulet and escaped, while Edward and John were left to mourn Qing's demise.<ref name="EP 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Before Edward and John could be killed by the incoming Suluese soldiers, they were saved by Nagamasa and his mercenaries, who had been sent by Saito to help. The mercenaries defeated the soldiers and brought Edward and John to their ship, leaving Qing's body behind. The ''Fenghuang'' and Nagamasa's ship then sailed away from Sulu,<ref name="EP 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref> traveling to [[Singapore]].<ref name="EP 93">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93|Episode 93]]</ref>

====Stop in Singapore====
{{Quote|Aye, perhaps it's best... He ain't the only one whose spirit's been crushed. Matter o' fact, the whole crew's been wallowing in despair since we lost Xialun.|Rupiya, on the state of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93}}
[[File:ACFT - Saito and Rupiya.png|left|thumb|200px|Saito and Rupiya discussing the state of the crew]]
In Singapore, the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew took time to recover from their defeat and replenish their supplies. Most crew members were left devastated by the loss of Qing and strived to move on in their own ways: Yun by focusing on his work, and John by drinking his sorrows away at the [[Tavern|pub]]. Meanwhile, Edward, still suffering from the crescent amulet's lingering effects, struggled to remain conscious and was left in the care of a local doctor.<ref name="EP 93" />

As Saito met with Rupiya to discuss the state of the crew, she trusted the captain to repair and resupply the ''Fenghuang''. She then heard a sudden gunshot in the distance and went to investigate.<ref name="EP 93" /> Across town, Edward, who had partially recovered, wandered the streets aimlessly in a state of despair. After leaving a pub, he accidentally bumped into two sailors, initiating a brawl. The fight was broken up by Edward's wife, [[Tessa Kenway]], who fired a pistol at the sailors to scare them away.<ref name="EP 94">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 94|Episode 94]]</ref>

While Edward was surprised to see Tessa, whom he had left in [[London]], she angrily confronted him for abandoning his family for months. Soon, a large crowd gathered around the couple, including Saito, who was introduced to Tessa by Edward. After learning that Saito was a "business associate" of her husband, Tessa asked her to find her step-daughter [[Jennifer Scott|Jennifer]], who had stowed away on her ship and had left to find Edward by herself. Saito soon found Jennifer being chased by pirates and saved her, earning her the young girl's admiration.<ref name="EP 94" />

Meanwhile, Edward was taken by Tessa back to her lodgings, where his wife looked after him and informed him of a Templar plot to kill him, uncovered by Edward's friend [[Adéwalé]]. When Saito returned with Jennifer after having bonded with the girl, Tessa thanked the [[samurai]] and brought Jennifer to her father. Later, Tessa consoled Edward when her husband began to blame himself for leading his companions astray, and the two spent the night together, unknowingly leaving Tessa [[Haytham Kenway|pregnant]].<ref name="EP 95">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 95|Episode 95]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward discussing his visions.png|thumb|200px|Edward discussing his visions with the others]]
The following day, Edward bid farewell to his family and joined the rest of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew as they left Singapore. Gathering Saito, John, Yun, Rupiya, and Nagamasa, Edward told them about the visions he had experienced, which revealed the location of [[Lantern (Piece of Eden)|another Piece of Eden]] in the [[Shwedagon Pagoda]]. He then explained the Pieces' capabilities and revealed that, should anyone acquire [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|all three]], they would gain the power to rule the entire world.<ref name="EP 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref>

Wishing to keep the artifacts out of the wrong hands, all of Edward's companions swore to stand by his side until the end of their adventure. The ''Fenghuang'' then set sail for [[Myanmar|Burma]] while Edward and Saito discussed what they would each do after the end of their journey.<ref name="EP 96" />

After Saito revealed her desire to start her own family, John joined the discussion and the trio proceeded to talk about the meaning of family and fate. Declaring that the future was not set in stone and that one could change their own destiny, Edward, Saito, and John vowed that they would each find what they were looking for by the end of their adventure.<ref name="EP 96" />

====Heist in Burma====
{{Quote|We cannot involve those innocent monks any further. Besides, given Kenway's current... predicament, shall we say, it's simply impossible to get into the pagoda by the usual means. Nor can we leap down onto the roof since there are no buildings taller than Shwedagon around.|Saito to her fellow Union members, while planning their infiltration of the Shwedagon Pagoda, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97}}
As the ''Fenghuang'' approached [[Yangon]], Yun received a note from Zhang via [[Pigeon coop|carrier pigeon]] informing the crew that the Union already had several contacts in the region and that a group of [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monks had offered to guide them into the city. While Rupiya and Nagamasa stayed behind to look after the ''Fenghuang'', Saito, Edward, Yun, and John [[Blending|blended]] in with the monks and entered Yangon without the guards noticing. They then planned their infiltration of the Shwedagon Pagoda itself.<ref name="EP 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward and Saito parachuting.png|left|thumb|190px|Edward and Saito parachuting onto the Shwedagon Pagoda]]
At night, after Yun assembled the dismantled components of the Celestial Chariot Mk. 3 he had built, Edward and Saito boarded the hot air balloon, which brought them right above the pagoda. They jumped off and deployed a pair of gliders also built by Yun, which turned into parachutes as they approached the temple, allowing them to land safely on its roof.<ref name="EP 97" /> From there, they entered the pagoda and found its Piece of Eden housed within a special compartment.<ref name="EP 98">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 98|Episode 98]]</ref>

However, as the pair approached the artifact, they became caught in its illusions and were forced to overcome their own personalized trials, designed to test their wills and determine if they were worthy of claiming the Piece of Eden.<ref name="EP 99">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 99|Episode 99]]</ref> Both Edward and Saito ultimately passed their trials, and the former's consciousness was briefly [[Synch Nexus|transported]] to the future, allowing him to speak with his descendant, [[Noa Kim]].<ref name="EP 100">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 100|Episode 100]]</ref>

Afterwards, Edward retrieved the Piece of Eden and, alongside Saito, escaped the Shwedagon Pagoda through a secret tunnel.<ref name="EP 101">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 101|Episode 101]]</ref> As the guards had been alerted to the theft of the artifact, Edward and Saito took to the treetops to avoid detection, and ultimately managed to escape Yangon by hiding in a cart full of hay and blending in with the Buddhist monks, who once again came to their aid.<ref name="EP 102">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 102|Episode 102]]</ref>

====John's betrayal====
{{Dialogue|Saito|You may be a useless, blundering fool... but I thought you would stand with Kenway to the last! How dare you betray us like this!|John|You're one to talk! You wouldn't be with Kenway at all if you didn't have your own selfish ambitions to fulfill! What makes you better than me for hiding the knife until the very end, eh?!|Saito and John during their confrontation, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 108}}
Their mission to Yangon a success, Edward, Saito, Yun, and John attempted to return to the ''Fenghuang'' with the Piece of Eden in their possession. While sailing along the [[Yangon River]], the group decided to activate the artifact, which displayed various images and symbols into the air before Edward deactivated it. Yun subsequently took the Piece of Eden to further study it while Edward spoke to John, thanking him for accompanying him on his journey. However, not long after, John snuck up on Yun and knocked him out before stealing the artifact.<ref name="EP 105">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 105|Episode 105]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John confronting Edward.png|thumb|200px|John confronting Edward while holding Yun hostage]]
Meanwhile, the ''Fenghuang'' came under attack by three East India Company ships, sustaining heavy damage. Rupiya assumed that the enemy vessels had been led there by Nagamasa, who had left shortly before the assault, and rallied the crew to fight back. As they approached the ''Fenghuang'', Edward and Saito witnessed the ongoing battle, though before they could act, they were confronted by John, who was holding Yun hostage at gunpoint.<ref name="EP 106">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 106|Episode 106]]</ref>

While Saito was surprised by John's betrayal, Edward revealed that he had deduced the latter to be a Templar spy working for the East India Company after speaking with Tessa in Singapore. He then claimed that he had feigned ignorance to John's true affiliations because he hoped that their friendship was genuine, to which John stated that he would have gladly remained loyal to Edward and the new life he had offered him if not for Qing's death.<ref name="EP 106" />

After accusing Edward of robbing him of his one true love by refusing to accept his fated death in Sulu, a heartbroken John revealed that the Templars had promised him a way to resurrect Qing using the Piece of Eden's powers in exchange for delivering the artifact to them. When Edward tried to warn John that the Templars were deceiving him, the latter claimed that he did not care and that he would do anything in his power to try and bring Qing back, regardless of what happened to him.<ref name="EP 106" />

[[File:ACFT - Nagamasa the rescuer.png|thumb|220px|left|Nagamasa saving Edward, Saito, and Yun]]
As Saito, angered by John's deception, tried to attack him, the group's ship was sunk by one of the East India Company vessels. John subsequently boarded the ship, which sailed away upon being attacked by Nagamasa and his men, saving Edward, Saito, and Yun.<ref name="EP 106" /> After greeting the trio and helping them board his ship, Nagamasa revealed that, while they were away, his crew recruited a group of warriors from the [[Ayutthaya Kingdom]].<ref name="EP 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

With the ''Fenghuang'' still under attack, the Ayutthayan warriors promptly boarded the East India Company ships using their own {{Wiki|long-tail boat}}s and killed their crews, saving the Union members. Edward, Saito, and Yun then returned to the ''Fenghuang'', where the former informed Rupiya of John's betrayal. Refusing to let his friend make the biggest mistake of his life, Edward gave the order to pursue John's ship so they could capture him and recover the Piece of Eden he had stolen.<ref name="EP 107" />

====Edward's departure====
{{Dialogue|Edward|It won't be long until we leave Macau.|Zhang|Of course, Mister Kenway. This place is in good hands. On my word, we'll never forget our debt to you. No matter where you are in the world... We will do everything we can to help you, Mister Kenway.|Edward and Zhang, prior to the former's departure, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 22}}
After their adventure throughout Southeast Asia, the Union members eventually returned to Macau, where Edward officially appointed Zhang as the head of the organization before returning home to [[England]]. Prior to Edward's departure, the Assassin and Zhang met one final time in the latter's office, where Zhang assured Edward that the Union would remain in good hands and that they would find a way to continue helping him, wherever he was in the world.<ref name="EP 22">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 22|Episode 22]]</ref>

===Modern times===
====Severing ties with the Assassins====
{{Quote|It's been almost a century since we went our separate ways. Hasn't our family done more than enough to repay your ancestors' kindness. I was under the impression we were done with each other.|Claire Zhang to a group of Assassins, c. 2023.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 112}}
For the next three centuries, the Zhang Wei Union continued to expand its operations while secretly upholding its vow to safeguard the Pieces of Eden, which were spread throughout Southeast Asia to better protect them. Whilst the crescent amulet was hidden in the sea near the Strait of Malacca,<ref name="EP 74" /> the second artifact was returned to the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon,<ref name="EP 92" /> and the [[Lotus disk|third relic]] was taken by Saito back to Japan, where she would ultimately be buried with it.<ref name="EP 113">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 113|Episode 113]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Claire in her office.png|thumb|250px|Claire Zhang in her office]]
Feeling that they owed the Assassins a great debt for everything Edward had done for them during the Union's early days, its members maintained a strong working relationship with the Brotherhood over the centuries. However, at some point in the first half of the 20th century, the two organizations decided to go their separate ways, and their ties were indefinitely severed.<ref name="EP 112">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 112|Episode 112]]</ref>

Despite this, some Union members continued to be affiliated with the Assassins and, as a result, were targeted during the Templars' [[Great Purge]] of the Brotherhood in 2000. Among them was Noa Kim's [[Noa Kim's father|father]], who was forced to abandon his family and go on the run.<ref name="EP 46">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 46|Episode 46]]</ref>

By the early 21st century, the Union had been re-organized as the Zhawang Corporation, holding influence throughout most of Southeast Asia and relocating its headquarters to [[Jakarta]], [[Indonesia]]. Around this time, [[Claire Zhang]], whose family had been running the company for generations, succeeded her father as Director after his passing.<ref name="EP 112"/>

====Attempts to rescue Noa Kim====
{{Quote|You're one of us, dude. You're a member of the Zhang Wei Union by birth. Why do you think so many of us risked our lives to rescue you, huh? No matter what we do, we don't turn our backs on family.|Nathan Zhang to Noa during their fight, c. 2023.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 46}}
In 2023, the Zhawang Corporation learned about Noa Kim's abduction by [[Abstergo Industries]], who believed that, as a descendant of Edward Kenway, Noa's [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] could lead them to a Piece of Eden. Regarding Noa as a member of their "family", Claire and her brother [[Nathan Zhang]], an Assassin and leader of the [[Doom Eagle]] criminal organization, worked together to try and rescue him.<ref name="EP 42"/>

[[File:ACFT - Noa refusing help.png|left|thumb|150px|The agents trying to convince Noa to escape with them]]
During Noa's trip with the Templar [[Shimazu Sei]] to the A-Ma Cultural Village in Macau, Claire dispatched two operatives to retrieve him while members of Doom Eagle ambushed Sei and her bodyguards as a distraction. However, the rescue operation failed as Noa refused to leave with the Corporation agents and defeated Nathan's thugs to protect Sei. The two operatives subsequently contacted their superior to inform him of the situation, and he decided to respect Noa's decision to be left alone for the time being.<ref name="EP 23">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 23|Episode 23]]</ref>

At their superior's request, the agents continued to keep watch on Noa and eventually found that he was being held aboard the ''[[Exitus]]'' research vessel. When the ''Exitus'' left Macau, one of the operatives contacted Claire to update her on the situation but had his phone snatched away by Nathan, who wanted to speak with Claire. Suspecting that the ''Exitus'' was heading to the Philippines, where Doom Eagle had a foothold, Nathan convinced Claire to let him and his organization handle Noa's rescue.<ref name="EP 42"/>

During Doom Eagle's attempt to retrieve Noa in Cebu, the Corporation supplied them with several trucks which were used to ambush the Abstergo convoy containing Noa and Sei.<ref name="EP 43">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 43|Episode 43]]</ref> However, the rescue operation failed once again, as Noa refused to leave with Nathan, and the latter was forced to escape from Abstergo's paramilitary task force, [[Sigma Team]].<ref name="EP 46" /> Nathan later called Claire to inform her of the failed rescue mission, though he assured her that, when the time came, Noa would side with his "family" and help the Corporation acquire the Piece of Eden sought by Abstergo.<ref name="EP 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref>

====Search for the Pieces of Eden====
{{Quote|"Do not allow the artifacts to fall into any unworthy hands." Remember? That's been our duty since the days of the Zhang Wei Union, but I guess we've already failed in that department.|Nathan to Claire Zhang, c. 2023.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 80}}
After the events in Cebu, Nathan decided to take a "vacation", going out at sea on a yacht. However, he and his men continued to monitor the ''Exitus'' and, using some of his old contacts from the [[DedSec]] hacker group, the Assassin contacted Shimazu Sei and made a deal with her to ensure Noa's safety after Abstergo ordered his termination. Nathan also learned about Abstergo's plan to retrieve the crescent amulet from the Strait of Malacca and prepared an ambush there.<ref name="EP 75">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 75|Episode 75]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Escape from Abstergo.png|thumb|170px|Nathan helping Noa, Sei, and Yuki escape from Abstergo]]
Following Noa and [[Yuki]]'s successful retrieval of the amulet, Nathan commenced his plan to retrieve both Noa and the Piece of Eden. Boarding a speedboat, he and his men, who were riding {{Wiki|jet ski}}s, attacked the [[diving bell]] ship that Noa, Yuki, and Sei were on.<ref name="EP 78">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 78|Episode 78]]</ref> While his thugs fought the ship's guards, including several Sigma Team operatives, Nathan helped Noa, Sei, and Yuki escape with the amulet and brought them to a Zhawang Corporation safehouse in Singapore.<ref name="EP 79" />

There, Noa was taken to receive immediate medical attention due to his mind being corrupted by the amulet's powers. Meanwhile, Sei informed Nathan of her plan to save Noa's life, theorizing that another Piece of Eden could be used to cure him. To track down the artifact, Sei volunteered to relive the memories of her ancestor Shimazu Saito with Yuki's assistance. Before Sei went into the [[Animus]], Nathan briefly taunted her about the dangers of her plan,<ref name="EP 79" /> and later called Claire to update her on the situation.<ref name="EP 80" />

When Sei began to suffer from the [[Bleeding Effect]], she had to be removed from the Animus, and Noa volunteered to take her place in the machine despite his own worsening condition. Nathan remarked that Noa must trust Sei if he was willing to risk his life for hers, and threatened to kill the doctor should her plan to save Noa fail.<ref name="EP 87" />

Eventually, Noa's genetic memories revealed the whereabouts of a Piece of Eden in the Shwedagon Pagoda in [[Myanmar]]. As the group prepared to depart Singapore,<ref name="EP 92" /> they were attacked by Sigma Team, who had managed to track them down. Sei, Noa, Yuki, and Nathan defeated several Sigma Team operatives in an alley before boarding a cargo ship which would bring them to Yangon. During the voyage, Sei decided to return to the Animus to continue exploring Saito's memories.<ref name="EP 93" />

====Operations in Yangon====
{{Dialogue|Nathan|We've got a family member on the line here. We're in too deep to turn back now. It was only a matter of time until ''they'' found out anyway.|Claire|I suppose there's no way around it. I never expected my generation to be the one to rekindle the flame... of our long-lost bond with the Assassin Brotherhood.|Nathan and Claire, on the former's decision to contact the Assassins, c. 2023.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 98}}
[[File:ACFT - Assassins in Yangon.png|left|thumb|190px|The Assassins contacted by Nathan]]
Once in Yangon, Nathan and Sei went to scout out the Shwedagon Pagoda for possible access routes while Yuki looked after Noa, whose condition had worsened, to the point where he now believed himself to be Edward. Sei spoke with "Edward" and convinced him to help recover the Piece of Eden from the temple so they could use it to save Noa's life. Meanwhile, Nathan contacted the Assassins for help, much to the annoyance of Claire, who was hesitant to rekindle the ties between the Zhawang Corporation and the Brotherhood.<ref name="EP 98" />

At night, Nathan and his men staged a distraction by attacking the soldiers guarding the Shwedagon Pagoda, to allow Sei and Noa to enter the temple and retrieve the Piece of Eden.<ref name="EP 98" /> However, during the shootout, Nathan and Yuki witnessed the arrival of Sigma Team, who sought to capture Sei and Noa and recover the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 100" />

Yuki, Nathan and his men held off the Sigma Team members while Sei and Noa escaped with Shwedagon's artifact. Nathan threw a [[Bomb|grenade]] at the agents, and Yuki had her drone drop additional explosives on the Templars, inflicting heavy casualties and allowing the pair to slip away unnoticed amidst the confusion. They then drove to pick up Sei and Noa, before heading to a [[Myanmar safehouse|safehouse]] in the countryside to lay low.<ref name="EP 101" />

At the safehouse, while Sei tended to Yuki, who had been shot in the earlier fight, the group discussed their next course of action. Following an argument between Yuki and Nathan about their different ideas of what to do with the two Pieces of Eden in their possession, Noa suggested that they only use them if absolutely necessary and that they separate the artifacts to prevent Abstergo from seizing both in the event they were captured. Thus, Noa kept the crescent amulet while Sei was given Shwedagon's artifact. Afterwards, the group left the safehouse and returned to Yangon in order to steal a {{Wiki|seaplane}} and flee Myanmar.<ref name="EP 102" />

[[File:ACFT - Noa, Sei, and Yuki surrounded by Sigma Team.png|thumb|170px|Noa, Sei, and Yuki surrounded by Sigma Team]]
Infiltrating Yangon's harbor, Noa took the lead and cleared the path for the others, incapacitating several Sigma Team members. He, Sei, and Yuki then headed to the hangar where the seaplane was located while Nathan went to free his men, who were being held captive by the Templars aboard their own ship. However, he was discovered, initiating a fight with Sigma Team.<ref name="EP 103">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 103|Episode 103]]</ref>

Yuki sacrificed herself to hold back the Templars and allow Nathan and his men to reach the hangar, where Noa and Sei were waiting.<ref name="EP 104">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 104|Episode 104]]</ref> However, they were soon surrounded by Sigma Team, forcing Sei to use the crescent amulet to temporarily subdue the agents. This allowed Noa and Nathan to escape with the artifact recovered from the Shwedagon Pagoda and fly to an [[uncharted island]]. There, Noa decided to continue exploring Edward's memories and track down the third and final Piece of Eden.<ref name="EP 105" />

Nathan and his men watched over Noa while he was in the Animus, until the former was alerted by DedSec that Abstergo had tracked them down. Moments later, the group was attacked by two of Sigma Team's [[Abyss Walkers]], though fortunately Noa awoke in time to deal with them. He and Nathan then defeated more Sigma operatives, only to find that the Templars had destroyed their seaplane, stranding them on the island.<ref name="EP 111">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 111|Episode 111]]</ref>

==Members==
;18th century
*[[Edward Kenway]] {{c|founder}}
*[[John Young]] {{c|defected}}
*[[Mustafa]]
*[[Shimazu Saito]]
*[[Xialun Qing]]
*[[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]]
*[[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] {{c|acting leader}}

;Modern times
*[[Claire Zhang]] {{c|director}}
*[[Nathan Zhang]]
*[[Noa Kim's father]]

===Allies===
;18th century
*[[Jan van Aert]]
*[[Nagamasa]]

;Modern times
*[[DedSec]]
**[[Chicago fixer]]
*[[Doom Eagle]]
*[[Noa Kim]]
*[[Shimazu Sei]]
*[[Yuki]]

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT - Zhang Wei Union flag.png|A flag with the Zhang Wei Union's logo
ACFT - Zhang Wei Union headquarters.png|The Union's headquarters in 1725
ACFT - Zhawang Corporation agents.png|Two Zhawang Corporation agents
ACFT - Zhawang Corporation superior.png|A Corporation higher-up
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{Assassins nav}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:Zhawang Corporation| ]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Corporations]]
[[Category:Assassin-affiliated groups]]

Xiao Han

2026-08-23T04:25:44Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Behind the scenes */

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|Fellow brother of the Creed or not... there can be no mercy for anyone who stands in the way of our grand cause.|Xiao Han to Edward Kenway, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
{{Character Infobox
|name=Xiao Han
|image=ACFT Xiao Han render.png
|species=[[Human]]
|affiliates=[[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Xiao Han''' was the [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]] during the early 18th century. He was also the nephew of [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]] in [[Macau]].

During his tenure as Mentor, the Chinese Brotherhood was nearly [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|wiped out]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], which was responsible for the persecution of countless {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people. Seeking to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore the Brotherhood's former strength, Xiao Han led the search for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow him to succeed in his goal.

During their quest, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins [[Liu Qing]] and [[Xue Yan]] allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]], who also desired the Pieces' power. However, their efforts were opposed by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with the group's plans. Consequently, the Chinese Assassins clashed with Edward and his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], several times as they both searched for the Pieces across [[Southeast Asia]].

Xiao Han eventually succeeded in securing one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—though in doing so he inadvertently killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]]. While feeling conflicted about his actions, the Mentor resolved to continue his quest for the other Pieces, being driven by a strong desire to avenge his slain kin, which made him increasingly ruthless.

==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:ACFT - Young Xiao Han and Sun.png|thumb|200px|A young Xiao Han with his uncle]]
Not much is known about Xiao Han's background other than the fact that he used to be close to his uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] in his childhood. Unlike Sun, who believed their ancestors' pursuit of noble goals to be the cause of their family's downfall, Xiao Han fully embraced his [[Assassins|Assassin]] heritage,<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref> and rose to become the [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]].<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref> This eventually caused Xiao Han and his uncle to drift apart, as Sun chose to preoccupy himself with his goal of becoming [[Macau]]'s dominant merchant to restore their family's fortune.<ref name="FT 38" />

At one point, Xiao Han rescued an orphaned young girl named [[Xue Yan]], who was being harassed in the streets, and subsequently recruited her into the Brotherhood. Impressed by Xiao Han's bravery and kindness, Xue Yan quickly became one of his most devoted students.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

However, during Xiao Han's tenure as Mentor, the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] initiated a [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] of the Chinese Brotherhood, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Assassins and the destruction of their headquarters. Xiao Han witnessed the attack first-hand and, blaming himself for being unable to prevent it, vowed revenge against the {{Wiki|Manchu people|Manchu}} regime.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> He was subsequently aided in his endeavors by [[Liu Qing]] and Xue Yan, who were the only other Chinese Assassins to survive the purge.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

===Meeting with Sun===
{{Quote|How dare you call yourself a descendant of the great master Xiao Yun! You have not only disgraced your homeland... but you have also trampled upon the sacred Creed that has been passed down for generations. It is my duty to execute you in the name of the Assassin Brotherhood.|Xiao Han denouncing Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|left|thumb|220px|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins being led to Sun]]
In 1725, Xiao Han, accompanied by Liu Qing and Xue Yan, arrived at his uncle's [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in Macau to discuss a [[Isu|Precursor]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] believed to be located in [[Angkor]]. Sun had gained possession of a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] given to him by the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]] which contained the location of the lost city, but the information was encrypted. Xiao Han was shown the log by his uncle and agreed to help decipher it. Soon after, Sun snatched the log and claimed that, by recovering the [[Piece of Eden|treasure]] in Angkor, he would gain them immense wealth.<ref name="FT 34"/>

When Xiao Han asked his uncle what he intended to do with the treasure, Sun explained that he would present it to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], expecting to be greatly rewarded in return. He also stated that once the Emperor acknowledged Xiao Han's loyal service to the Qing Empire, he and his Brotherhood would be pardoned for their crimes.<ref name="FT 34"/>

Upon hearing this, Xiao Han used a [[rope dart]] and promptly snatched away the log in Sun's hand. He then angrily reprimanded his uncle for surrendering himself to the Manchu regime, stating he was a disgrace to his homeland for trampling on [[the Creed]] that had been passed down in their family for generations. As his fellow Assassins drew arms, Xiao Han activated his [[Hidden Blade]] and announced that he would kill Sun in the name of the Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 34"/>

===Conflict with Edward Kenway===
{{Dialogue|Edward|The relics of Those Who Came Before are no trinkets to use for your own ends. That goes against everything the Brotherhood believes in. What difference is there between you and the Templars?|Xiao Han|I seek to use the treasure for a noble cause. That's the difference. We have a stolen kingdom to reclaim from the foul grasp of barbaric invaders!|Xiao Han arguing with Edward, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward stopping Xiao Han from killing Sun.png|thumb|200px|Edward stopping Xiao Han from killing Sun]]
Sun denounced his nephew for betraying him, claiming that Xiao Han would be nothing without his patronage, and ordered his guards to kill him and his fellow Assassins. While Liu Qing and Xue Yan battled Sun's guards, including a number of Saito's [[ninja]] followers, Xiao Han chased after a fleeing Sun and eventually cornered him. However, before he could execute his uncle, he was stopped by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]]. Unaware of Edward's identity or affiliations, a furious Xiao Han attacked him.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref>

Learning that Edward sought the sea log in his possession, Xiao Han refused to hand it over and the two Assassins began to duel with their [[sword]]s. After Xiao Han used a rope dart to disarm Edward, the latter lunged at him with his Hidden Blade, prompting Xiao Han to activate his own Hidden Blade and block his attack.<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

As the two realized they were both members of the Brotherhood, they stopped fighting and questioned what the other intended to do with Angkor's treasure. Edward jokingly claimed that he only sought an adventure before slamming Xiao Han to the ground, causing him to drop the sea log, which landed near Sun.<ref name="FT 36"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward and Xiao Han fighting.png|left|thumb|240px|Xiao Han fighting Edward]]
Annoyed by his fellow Assassin's interference with his plans, Xiao Han explained that he would use the Piece of Eden from Angkor to deliver a great boon to the Brotherhood by overthrowing the Qing dynasty. However, Edward remarked that using [[Isu]] technology for personal gain went against everything the Brotherhood stood for, and compared Xiao Han to the [[Templars]].<ref name="FT 36"/>

During Xiao Han and Edward's argument, Sun grabbed the sea log and began to make his escape. Upon seeing this, Xiao Han abandoned Edward and began to chase after his uncle, soon calling upon Liu Qing and Xue Yan to help him recover the log.<ref name="FT 36"/>

Sun ordered his remaining guards to slow down the Assassins, but Xiao Han and his companions easily dispatched them. As Edward caught up with them from behind, Liu Qing and Xue Yan engaged him in combat to buy their Mentor enough time to assassinate Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 38"/>

[[File:ACFT - Master Sun's death.png|thumb|250px|Xiao Han killing Sun]]
Using a rope dart to stop Sun dead in his tracks, Xiao Han confronted his uncle and began to choke him. Sun tried to plead for his life, but Xiao Han ignored and stabbed him with his Hidden Blade, ending his uncle's life to prevent him from bringing more dishonor upon their ancestors, or himself. He then took the sea log from his body, but it was promptly stolen by Edward.<ref name="FT 38"/>

Xiao Han once again tried to make his "brother from the west" sympathize with his cause, but as Edward refused to allow the Chinese Assassins to use Angkor's treasure for their own gain, the Mentor declared him to be their enemy. Xiao Han was then joined by Liu Qing and Xue Yan as they surrounded Edward, but before anything could happen, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38"/> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch away the sea log from Edward and, after warning him to stay out of their way, left alongside Liu Qing and Xue Yan.<ref name="FT 39"/>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Lee|Now that Master Sun is gone, all of Macau is in my hands. Why should I let you join our treasure hunt?|Xiao Han|Don't you wish to set the world right again? I know why you forsook your name, Huiyin Li. [''sic'']|Xiao Han trying to convince Lee to ally with him, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40}}
The following morning, Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han allies with Lee.png|left|thumb|230px|Xiao Han forming an alliance with Lee]]
Meeting with Lee at the [[Mandarin's House]], Xiao Han proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's treasure, believing that joining forces would allow them to find the artifact much quicker. However, Lee was reluctant to work with another Assassin after how her partnership with Edward had ended.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

Xiao Han explained that, although Edward was an Assassin, he did not understand the Chinese Brotherhood's mission. However, he believed that Lee would be able to sympathize with their cause much easier given her past, as she too had been persecuted by the Qing regime.<ref name="FT 40"/>

As Xiao Han revealed his knowledge of Lee's true name and background, Zheng pointed her pistol at him, but Lee was interested to hear what the Mentor had to say and allowed him to continue speaking. After Xiao Han explained his goal to overthrow the Qing dynasty and end the persecution of the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people, Lee agreed to the partnership, but only because she believed it would allow her to gain more power and influence.<ref name="FT 40"/>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Quote|Do not be so hard on yourselves. These were no adversaries we faced. It seems our brother from the west is no pushover in terms of skill. But with our sights set on the same destination, our paths are bound to cross eventually. This will not happen again next time.|Xiao Han to his fellow Assassins after their fight with Edward's crew, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', to the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han.png|thumb|220px|Xiao Han fighting Edward aboard the ''Fenghuang'']]
During the chaos, the Union's engineer [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]] realized that water only made the Greek fire burn more fiercely and instructed the crew to use sand to extinguish the flames. Upon spotting Yun, Xiao Hun attempted to kill him as the engineer became frozen in place due to his fear. However, he was stopped by Edward, who engaged the Chinese Mentor in a duel.<ref name="FT 48"/>

After Xiao Han and Edward reached a stalemate, the latter was joined by several crew members who held the Mentor at [[Firearm|gunpoint]]. Upon seeing Xue Yan be defeated by Shimazu Saito and noticing that a storm was approaching, Xiao Han declared that there was no point in continuing the fight and ordered his Assassins to retreat. They all used [[parachute]]s to glide back to Zheng's ship, where Xiao Han asked the admiral if she could resume her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

Zheng revealed that Edward's crew had sailed into the storm, forcing her to call off the pursuit as she did not want to risk losing her fleet. However, she assured the Assassin that they would eventually catch up to Edward and make him pay for betraying Madam Lee. Liu Qing and Xue Yan then apologized to Xiao Han for their defeat, but the Mentor told them that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated, and that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again.<ref name="FT 49"/>

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|Out destination has not changed. We sail to Cebu. Although... perhaps we will not even need to make it all the way. If we track down the natives who took the artifact of Those Who Came Before... we may be able to secure the artifact before it even reaches Cebu.|Xiao Han explaining his plan to Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58}}
[[File:ACFT - Lee and Xiao Han in Manila.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins meeting with Lee in Manila]]
Sometime later, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Xiao Han and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where the Mentor informed them of their findings. When Lee questioned what their next move was, Xiao Han claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]], where another lead to Angkor's location could be found.<ref name="FT 58"/>

However, the Mentor then pointed out that the journey may be unnecessary, as if they managed to intercept the native resistance fighters along the way, they could simply take the Piece of Eden they had stolen. As Lee praised Xiao Han for his cunningness and placed her hand on his shoulder, she told him that he had free reign to do as he pleased.<ref name="FT 58"/>

Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Chinese Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Xiao Han and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the rebels had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island fort ruins.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han and the others investigating the fort's ruins]]
Xiao Han then decided to follow the resistance to Cebu and left with Liu Qing and Xue Yan while Sukuna and his men stayed behind to take care of the remaining matters on the island. Before rejoining Zheng and her fleet, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers. The Mentor claimed that he took no enjoyment in the trail of blood they had to leave behind, but that their "great cause" required certain sacrifices to be made.<ref name="FT 65"/>

Xue Yan tried to argue back, but was stopped by Liu Qing, who agreed with Xiao Han that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. The Assassins then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, resuming their voyage to Cebu, where they hoped to find both the rebels and the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="FT 65"/>

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Dialogue|Edward|You might think you have your people's plight in your heart, but the freedom you take by force will only bring rot and ruin to everything you hold dear in the end!|Xiao Han|That is for my brethren and I alone to decide. Your part in our cause is to surrender the artifact and no more...!|Xiao Han and Edward arguing during their fight, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72}}
As Zheng's fleet approached Cebu, Xiao Han instructed the admiral to wait for his signal to commence her attack. Zheng reassured him that she would do so, and Xiao Han and his fellow Chinese Assassins proceeded to infiltrate the city to look for the crescent amulet. Splitting up, the Mentor headed to [[Fort San Pedro]], where he found that Edward had claimed the amulet after defeating the resistance's leader, [[Rajah]].<ref name="EP 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han in Cebu.png|left|thumb|190px|Xiao Han fighting Edward in Cebu]]
Promptly killing the defenseless Rajah with a rope dart, Xiao Han revealed himself and confronted Edward, demanding that he hand over the amulet.<ref name="EP 71"/> As Edward refused, the two Assassins fought each other, and Edward was quickly defeated when Xiao Han immobilized him with a rope dart. The Mentor then asked Edward how he could call himself an Assassin when he opposed the Chinese Brotherhood's cause, to which Edward proceeded to call out Xiao Han's own hypocrisy.<ref name="EP 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref>

Claiming that Rajah, whose life Xiao Han had just taken, had also fought for his people's freedom, Edward asked the Chinese Mentor if that was the kind of liberty he wanted, before pointing out that freedom taken by force would only end up destroying everything he held dear. However, Xiao Han was unmoved by his words and claimed that his course of action was for him and his brethren alone to decide and that Edward's only part in their cause was to surrender the amulet.<ref name="EP 72"/>

At that moment, Shimazu Saito arrived and loosed an [[arrow]] at the rope dart holding Edward in place, releasing him. As Liu Qing and Xue Yan also came to the fort and joined their Mentor, the Chinese Assassins engaged Edward and Saito in a duel.<ref name="EP 72"/> While Xue Yan fought Saito, Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled Edward, who struggled to keep them at bay.<ref name="FT 73"/>

After Saito was defeated, Edward reluctantly decided to unleash the amulet's powers against his opponents. Gazing into the artifact, Xiao Han found himself back at the Chinese Brotherhood's headquarters, with all of his apprentices still alive and delighted to see him. After the Mentor assumed that the Brotherhood's purge had been just a bad dream, one of the Assassins quickly corrected him and the vision turned into one of hundreds of Assassins lying dead in front of their burning base, much to Xiao Han's horror.<ref name="FT 73"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|thumb|190px|Edward using the amulet against Xiao Han and Liu Qing]]
As the vision came to an end, Xiao Han found that he was unable to control his own body and all he could do was lie on the ground, defeated. Seeing this, Xue Yan rushed to his and Liu Qing's aid, allowing Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]].<ref name="FT 73"/>

After recovering from the amulet's effects, Xiao Han asked Xue Yan for Edward's whereabouts, to which she informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during the fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73"/>

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Quote|You have no qualms about using the artifact's power, I see! Your hypocrisy is despicable. All that empty talk of a power too great for any man to wield! Was that not the very reason you chose to stand in our way?! What gives you the right to deny us the artifact while taking it for yourself?!|Xiao Han to Edward during their fight, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, the Mentor vowed to eliminate their enemies now when they were at their weakest point. Zheng then set sail for the [[Sultanate of Sulu]], where the Union had traveled to.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han in Sulu.png|left|thumb|210px|Xiao Han dueling Edward]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. Xiao Han ordered Xue Yan to recover the artifact while he and Liu Qing cleared her path by battling the Suluese guards. After Edward stopped Xue Yan, the Mentor intervened and engaged in a duel with the British Assassin, commenting that he was growing weary of their repeated encounters.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

At that moment, the warehouse was partially destroyed by Zheng's cannon fire, as the admiral had decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly. Undeterred, Xiao Han ordered Xue Yan to find another way into the building while he resumed his duel against Edward.<ref name="FT 89"/>

After the Zhang Wei Union's [[doctor]] [[Qing Xialun]] retrieved the chest holding the amulet from the warehouse, she was taken hostage by Xue Yan. Seeing this, the Chinese Assassins offered Edward a deal, promising to release Xialun if he allowed them to leave with the amulet. Although Xiao Han hoped to strike down Edward while he was distracted, he changed his mind after taking a look at Xue Yan, who was obviously uncomfortable with the Assassins' plan.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward defeating Xiao Han.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han pinned down by Edward]]
The Mentor promised that no harm would befall Xialun if Edward gave his word that he would stop interfering with the Chinese Brotherhood's cause. At that moment, however, the beach was struck by cannon fire coming from Zheng's ship, interrupting the negotiations. During the confusion, Xue Yan released Xialun and dropped the amulet's chest, causing the artifact to fall out.<ref name="FT 90"/>

Seeing Edward running towards the amulet, Xiao Han launched a rope dart at him in an attempt to stop him.<ref name="FT 90"/> However, this turned out to be just an illusion, as Edward had already retrieved the artifact and used it to create duplicates of himself. Xiao Han called out Edward's perceived hypocrisy for denying him the amulet's power while having no issue using it himself, and tried to fight the illusions. However, he was quickly overwhelmed and knocked down.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Before Edward could finish off Xiao Han, he hesitated. Angered by the thought of his opponent showing him mercy, Xiao Han broke free from Edward's grasp and headbutted him, causing him to drop the amulet. Edward's friend [[John Young]] intervened and knocked Xiao Han aside, prompting the Mentor to grab his sword and lunge at him. However, Xialun sacrificed herself to save John and jumped in front of him, taking the blow instead.<ref name="FT 91"/>

This left Xiao Han stunned, but before he could fully process what had just happened, Liu Qing alerted him to the arrival of Suluese reinforcements. After using a rope dart to snatch the amulet, Xiao Han ordered Liu Qing and Xue Yan to retreat and they all fled back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han for breaking the Creed]]
Aboard the vessel, Xiao Han placed the amulet inside a chest to prevent its power from corrupting him. While Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee, Xue Yan lashed out at Xiao Han, reprimanding him for murdering Qing, an innocent doctor, in cold blood and questioning if this was the "righteous cause" he had spoken of so much. Furious, Xiao Han grabbed Xue Yan by her collar and told her that she could leave the Brotherhood if her faith in their cause was shaken so easily.<ref name="FT 92"/>

After Xue Yan reminded her Mentor of the day he had first met and rescued her and remarked that he was no longer that same kind man, an ashamed Xiao Han let her go. Liu Qing interjected, telling Xiao Han that, while both he and Xue Yan still believed in his cause, it was possible that their obsession with it had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Voyage to Đại Việt===
{{Dialogue|Lee|For you... it's not too late. There's still time to turn back—|Xiao Han|I can no more turn back on the path I've taken than turn back time itself. Until all is returned to its rightful place in the natural order... I cannot and shall not rest.|Xiao Han to Madam Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107}}
Later, aboard Madam Lee's ship, Xiao Han met with the businesswoman in private and showed her the chest containing the crescent amulet. After Lee revealed that her spies had learned that the [[East India Company]] was also searching for the Pieces of Eden, turning their race for the artifacts into a three-way struggle, Xiao Han remarked that eliminating Edward's crew when they had the chance would have made their mission easier.<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Madam Lee revealing her plan.png|thumb|170px|Lee telling Xiao Han about her plan to recover the remaining Pieces of Eden]]
In response, Lee told Xiao Han that he failed to see the bigger picture and that, thanks to his deciphering of [[Hendrik]]'s sea log, they knew the locations of the remaining two Pieces of Eden: [[Myanmar|Burma]] and Angkor. Suspecting that Edward and his companions were already on their way to Burma, Lee revealed her plan to wait for them to recover the [[Lantern (Piece of Eden)|artifact]] hidden there, and snatch it afterwards. Xiao Han then warned Lee that the Pieces were not mere trinkets to be toyed with, and the businesswoman promised to keep that in mind.<ref name="FT 96"/>

When the Mentor questioned what their next move was, Lee revealed that they would be heading to {{Wiki|Indochina}} to find Angkor and recover the [[Lotus disk|artifact]] housed there. With that, she ordered her fleet to sail to [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]] so they could commence their expedition.<ref name="FT 96"/>

During the voyage, Xiao Han and Lee, having grown fond of each other over the past months, began a romantic relationship, spending most of their time in the latter's cabin. One day, after an intimate encounter, Lee decided to ask Xiao Han about his true reason for seeking the Pieces of Eden, pointing out the redundancy of trying to revive the long-collapsed [[Ming dynasty|Ming Empire]].<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

After Xiao Han responded that some tasks must be fulfilled regardless of their futility, Lee revealed that she had been listening to him speak in his sleep and that she knew about his nightmares of his Brotherhood's purge. She then correctly deduced that Xiao Han was not driven by a sense of righteousness but by a desire to avenge his fallen comrades, even if it meant going against the Creed.<ref name="FT 107" />

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han and Lee sleeping together.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han and Lee sleeping together]]
When Xiao Han remained silent, Lee apologized for upsetting him and claimed that Assassins like him and Edward served a nobler purpose and did not pursue their own selfish ambitions, unlike herself. She then remarked that it was not too late for Xiao Han to turn back from his current path, only for the Mentor to suddenly pin Lee down and declare that he would not rest until the world was restored to its natural order.<ref name="FT 107" />

Seeing that she could not change Xiao Han's mind, Lee told him about her intentions to use him and his Brotherhood for her own gain, but promised that, in return, Xiao Han would be able to take anything he desired from her "wretched existence". With that, the two closed in for a kiss and prepared to share another romantic moment.<ref name="FT 107" />

Following their arrival in [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|So this is the hand of a man who killed an innocent doctor... the same hand that once rescued a poor young girl from the miserable life of an outcast. Tell me, master... does this hand still belong to the same man?|Xue Yan to Xiao Han, on his change of character, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Brotherhood purge.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han witnessing the Chinese Brotherhood's purge]]
According to Xue Yan, Xiao Han was once a much kinder and gentler man, dedicating his life to fighting oppression and rescuing people who could not defend themselves.<ref name="FT 92"/> However, following the Qing Empire's purge of the Chinese Brotherhood, Xiao Han became more stoic and ruthless and made it his personal mission to overthrow the Qing and establish a new dynasty in China, under which the Brotherhood could thrive again. This was partially because the Mentor blamed himself for his failure to prevent the purge and was haunted by the deaths of his students,<ref name="FT 73"/> having recurring nightmares where he would recall the names of each slain Assassin.<ref name="FT 107" />

Xiao Han despised the Manchus for their treatment of the Han people like himself, referring to them as "barbaric invaders" on multiple occasions,<ref name="FT 34"/><ref name="FT 36"/> and believed that removing them from power would benefit not just the Assassins, but all of the Han people.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref> This led him to seek the power of the Pieces of Eden, a quest which brought him into conflict with Edward Kenway, who compared Xiao Han to the Templars due to their similar desire to exploit the artifacts rather than safeguard them.<ref name="FT 36"/>

Entirely focused on his mission, Xiao Han refused to allow anyone to prevent him from accomplishing it, be it his own uncle Sun, or his "brother from the west" Edward. He denounced Sun for surrendering himself to the Manchu regime and eventually killed him,<ref name="FT 38"/> believing that his uncle was a disgrace not just to their bloodline, but also to [[the Creed]].<ref name="FT 34"/> Similarly, after Edward interfered with his plans, Xiao Han branded him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood,<ref name="FT 38"/> and warned him to stay out of their way or else he would face the "wrath of their blades".<ref name="FT 39"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun Pyeong-Gyu]]
Xiao Han's determination to succeed in his goals went so far that he was willing to eliminate anyone he perceived as an obstacle. During his boarding of the ''Fenghuang'', he ruthlessly killed many of the ship's crew and almost executed Yun Pyeong-Gyu, who was unarmed and begging for mercy.<ref name="FT 48"/> He also took no issue with allowing others to slaughter innocents, believing that as long as it was not him who had committed the act, he was absolved of any guilt.<ref name="FT 65"/>

That being said, Xiao Han was not completely unreasonable, as when Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologized to him for their defeat by Edward's crew, the Mentor told them not to be so hard on themselves. He claimed that it was not their fault as their opponents were much stronger than they had anticipated, and that they would have their chance to exact retribution when their paths crossed again.<ref name="FT 49"/>

In time, Xiao Han grew weary of Edward's continued opposition to his cause and sought to eliminate him and his allies.<ref name="FT 89"/> During their confrontation in Sulu, Xiao Han, in the heat of battle, unintentionally struck Edward's companion Qing Xialun, an innocent doctor.<ref name="FT 91"/> For this act, he was later reprimanded by Xue Yan, who finally saw that her Mentor was no longer the same kind man who had once rescued her from the life of an outcast. Although Xiao Han lashed out at her in response, deep inside he agreed with her words, as his murder of an innocent person left him obviously conflicted.<ref name="FT 92"/>

However, this event did little to diminish Xiao Han's determination to complete his mission, as the Mentor believed that it was his duty to avenge his slain kin and restore order to the world. Madam Lee took notice of this determination and used it to manipulate Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins into helping her further her own ambitions.<ref name="FT 107" />

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han using the rope dart.png|thumb|170px|Xiao Han using the rope dart]]
Xiao Han was a skilled swordsman, easily dispatching a number of Sun's guards aboard his gambling ship and holding his own against Edward Kenway, a powerful warrior in his own right. He had also mastered the use of the [[rope dart]], which he wielded effectively in battle to disarm or impale his enemies,<ref name="FT 36"/> and outside of combat to snatch away items from a target's hand<ref name="FT 34"/><ref name="FT 39"/> or immobilize a fleeing target.<ref name="FT 38"/> Unlike most contemporary Assassins, Xiao Han utilized only one Hidden Blade, which he wore underneath his left arm.<ref name="FT 34"/>

During their journey to the Philippines, Xiao Han and his fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48"/>
{{-}}

==Behind the scenes==
Xiao Han is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'', a graphic novel originally written in Korean. His name in Korean is given as Sy-o Han (샤오 한), but it is translated as Xiao Han in the English edition published by Webtoons. In Episode 34, he implies that both he and his uncle Sun are descended from an Assassin named Sy-o Yun (샤오 윤), translated as Xiao Yun in the English publication. This ancestor is likely intended to be [[Shao Jun]], whose name in official East Asian translations of ''Assassin's Creed'' media is often rendered as Shao Yun because it was mispronounced in her debut in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''. If so, this would mean that, although Xiao (蕭) is also a real Chinese surname, it is a mistranslation of the name intended by Sy-o (샤오). This is reinforced by the Chinese edition published by Bilibili Comics, which translates Sy-o Han (샤오 한) to Shao Han (少寒). Shao (少) is Shao Jun's surname and means 'little' or 'young', and Han (寒) means 'frigid'. 샤오 (Sy-o) itself is an erroneous Korean translation of both Shao and Xiao since the translingual nature of these names means they have 1:1 conversions from Chinese to Korean: as [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%B0%91#Korean So] and also [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%95%AD#Korean So].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT - Xiao Han flashback.png|Xiao Han prior to the Chinese Brotherhood's purge
ACFT Xiao Han closeup.png|Close-up of Xiao Han's face
ACFT Xiao Han.png|Xiao Han with his fellow Assassins
ACFT - Xiao Han reading the sea log.png|Xiao Han reading Hendrik's sea log
ACFT - Edward facing Xiao Han.png|Xiao Han facing Edward
ACFT - Sun running away.png|Xiao Han chasing after Sun
ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins departing Monkey Island
ACFT - Xiao Han fighting illusions.png|Xiao Han fighting illusions of Edward
ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|Xiao Han inadvertently killing Xialun Qing
ACFT - Xiao Han holding the amulet.png|Xiao Han holding the crescent amulet
ACFT - Xiao Han Hidden Blade.png|Xiao Han's Hidden Blade
ACFT - Xiao Han in a robe.png|Xiao Han wearing a bathrobe
ACFT - Xiao Han and Lee getting intimate.png|Xiao Han and Madam Lee sharing an intimate moment
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Mentors]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Xiao Han

2026-08-23T04:23:47Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Behind the scenes */

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|Fellow brother of the Creed or not... there can be no mercy for anyone who stands in the way of our grand cause.|Xiao Han to Edward Kenway, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
{{Character Infobox
|name=Xiao Han
|image=ACFT Xiao Han render.png
|species=[[Human]]
|affiliates=[[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Xiao Han''' was the [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]] during the early 18th century. He was also the nephew of [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]] in [[Macau]].

During his tenure as Mentor, the Chinese Brotherhood was nearly [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|wiped out]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], which was responsible for the persecution of countless {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people. Seeking to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore the Brotherhood's former strength, Xiao Han led the search for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow him to succeed in his goal.

During their quest, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins [[Liu Qing]] and [[Xue Yan]] allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]], who also desired the Pieces' power. However, their efforts were opposed by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with the group's plans. Consequently, the Chinese Assassins clashed with Edward and his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], several times as they both searched for the Pieces across [[Southeast Asia]].

Xiao Han eventually succeeded in securing one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—though in doing so he inadvertently killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]]. While feeling conflicted about his actions, the Mentor resolved to continue his quest for the other Pieces, being driven by a strong desire to avenge his slain kin, which made him increasingly ruthless.

==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:ACFT - Young Xiao Han and Sun.png|thumb|200px|A young Xiao Han with his uncle]]
Not much is known about Xiao Han's background other than the fact that he used to be close to his uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] in his childhood. Unlike Sun, who believed their ancestors' pursuit of noble goals to be the cause of their family's downfall, Xiao Han fully embraced his [[Assassins|Assassin]] heritage,<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref> and rose to become the [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]].<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref> This eventually caused Xiao Han and his uncle to drift apart, as Sun chose to preoccupy himself with his goal of becoming [[Macau]]'s dominant merchant to restore their family's fortune.<ref name="FT 38" />

At one point, Xiao Han rescued an orphaned young girl named [[Xue Yan]], who was being harassed in the streets, and subsequently recruited her into the Brotherhood. Impressed by Xiao Han's bravery and kindness, Xue Yan quickly became one of his most devoted students.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

However, during Xiao Han's tenure as Mentor, the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] initiated a [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] of the Chinese Brotherhood, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Assassins and the destruction of their headquarters. Xiao Han witnessed the attack first-hand and, blaming himself for being unable to prevent it, vowed revenge against the {{Wiki|Manchu people|Manchu}} regime.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> He was subsequently aided in his endeavors by [[Liu Qing]] and Xue Yan, who were the only other Chinese Assassins to survive the purge.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

===Meeting with Sun===
{{Quote|How dare you call yourself a descendant of the great master Xiao Yun! You have not only disgraced your homeland... but you have also trampled upon the sacred Creed that has been passed down for generations. It is my duty to execute you in the name of the Assassin Brotherhood.|Xiao Han denouncing Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|left|thumb|220px|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins being led to Sun]]
In 1725, Xiao Han, accompanied by Liu Qing and Xue Yan, arrived at his uncle's [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in Macau to discuss a [[Isu|Precursor]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] believed to be located in [[Angkor]]. Sun had gained possession of a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] given to him by the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]] which contained the location of the lost city, but the information was encrypted. Xiao Han was shown the log by his uncle and agreed to help decipher it. Soon after, Sun snatched the log and claimed that, by recovering the [[Piece of Eden|treasure]] in Angkor, he would gain them immense wealth.<ref name="FT 34"/>

When Xiao Han asked his uncle what he intended to do with the treasure, Sun explained that he would present it to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], expecting to be greatly rewarded in return. He also stated that once the Emperor acknowledged Xiao Han's loyal service to the Qing Empire, he and his Brotherhood would be pardoned for their crimes.<ref name="FT 34"/>

Upon hearing this, Xiao Han used a [[rope dart]] and promptly snatched away the log in Sun's hand. He then angrily reprimanded his uncle for surrendering himself to the Manchu regime, stating he was a disgrace to his homeland for trampling on [[the Creed]] that had been passed down in their family for generations. As his fellow Assassins drew arms, Xiao Han activated his [[Hidden Blade]] and announced that he would kill Sun in the name of the Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 34"/>

===Conflict with Edward Kenway===
{{Dialogue|Edward|The relics of Those Who Came Before are no trinkets to use for your own ends. That goes against everything the Brotherhood believes in. What difference is there between you and the Templars?|Xiao Han|I seek to use the treasure for a noble cause. That's the difference. We have a stolen kingdom to reclaim from the foul grasp of barbaric invaders!|Xiao Han arguing with Edward, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward stopping Xiao Han from killing Sun.png|thumb|200px|Edward stopping Xiao Han from killing Sun]]
Sun denounced his nephew for betraying him, claiming that Xiao Han would be nothing without his patronage, and ordered his guards to kill him and his fellow Assassins. While Liu Qing and Xue Yan battled Sun's guards, including a number of Saito's [[ninja]] followers, Xiao Han chased after a fleeing Sun and eventually cornered him. However, before he could execute his uncle, he was stopped by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]]. Unaware of Edward's identity or affiliations, a furious Xiao Han attacked him.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref>

Learning that Edward sought the sea log in his possession, Xiao Han refused to hand it over and the two Assassins began to duel with their [[sword]]s. After Xiao Han used a rope dart to disarm Edward, the latter lunged at him with his Hidden Blade, prompting Xiao Han to activate his own Hidden Blade and block his attack.<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

As the two realized they were both members of the Brotherhood, they stopped fighting and questioned what the other intended to do with Angkor's treasure. Edward jokingly claimed that he only sought an adventure before slamming Xiao Han to the ground, causing him to drop the sea log, which landed near Sun.<ref name="FT 36"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward and Xiao Han fighting.png|left|thumb|240px|Xiao Han fighting Edward]]
Annoyed by his fellow Assassin's interference with his plans, Xiao Han explained that he would use the Piece of Eden from Angkor to deliver a great boon to the Brotherhood by overthrowing the Qing dynasty. However, Edward remarked that using [[Isu]] technology for personal gain went against everything the Brotherhood stood for, and compared Xiao Han to the [[Templars]].<ref name="FT 36"/>

During Xiao Han and Edward's argument, Sun grabbed the sea log and began to make his escape. Upon seeing this, Xiao Han abandoned Edward and began to chase after his uncle, soon calling upon Liu Qing and Xue Yan to help him recover the log.<ref name="FT 36"/>

Sun ordered his remaining guards to slow down the Assassins, but Xiao Han and his companions easily dispatched them. As Edward caught up with them from behind, Liu Qing and Xue Yan engaged him in combat to buy their Mentor enough time to assassinate Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 38"/>

[[File:ACFT - Master Sun's death.png|thumb|250px|Xiao Han killing Sun]]
Using a rope dart to stop Sun dead in his tracks, Xiao Han confronted his uncle and began to choke him. Sun tried to plead for his life, but Xiao Han ignored and stabbed him with his Hidden Blade, ending his uncle's life to prevent him from bringing more dishonor upon their ancestors, or himself. He then took the sea log from his body, but it was promptly stolen by Edward.<ref name="FT 38"/>

Xiao Han once again tried to make his "brother from the west" sympathize with his cause, but as Edward refused to allow the Chinese Assassins to use Angkor's treasure for their own gain, the Mentor declared him to be their enemy. Xiao Han was then joined by Liu Qing and Xue Yan as they surrounded Edward, but before anything could happen, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38"/> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch away the sea log from Edward and, after warning him to stay out of their way, left alongside Liu Qing and Xue Yan.<ref name="FT 39"/>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Lee|Now that Master Sun is gone, all of Macau is in my hands. Why should I let you join our treasure hunt?|Xiao Han|Don't you wish to set the world right again? I know why you forsook your name, Huiyin Li. [''sic'']|Xiao Han trying to convince Lee to ally with him, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40}}
The following morning, Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han allies with Lee.png|left|thumb|230px|Xiao Han forming an alliance with Lee]]
Meeting with Lee at the [[Mandarin's House]], Xiao Han proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's treasure, believing that joining forces would allow them to find the artifact much quicker. However, Lee was reluctant to work with another Assassin after how her partnership with Edward had ended.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

Xiao Han explained that, although Edward was an Assassin, he did not understand the Chinese Brotherhood's mission. However, he believed that Lee would be able to sympathize with their cause much easier given her past, as she too had been persecuted by the Qing regime.<ref name="FT 40"/>

As Xiao Han revealed his knowledge of Lee's true name and background, Zheng pointed her pistol at him, but Lee was interested to hear what the Mentor had to say and allowed him to continue speaking. After Xiao Han explained his goal to overthrow the Qing dynasty and end the persecution of the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people, Lee agreed to the partnership, but only because she believed it would allow her to gain more power and influence.<ref name="FT 40"/>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Quote|Do not be so hard on yourselves. These were no adversaries we faced. It seems our brother from the west is no pushover in terms of skill. But with our sights set on the same destination, our paths are bound to cross eventually. This will not happen again next time.|Xiao Han to his fellow Assassins after their fight with Edward's crew, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', to the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han.png|thumb|220px|Xiao Han fighting Edward aboard the ''Fenghuang'']]
During the chaos, the Union's engineer [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]] realized that water only made the Greek fire burn more fiercely and instructed the crew to use sand to extinguish the flames. Upon spotting Yun, Xiao Hun attempted to kill him as the engineer became frozen in place due to his fear. However, he was stopped by Edward, who engaged the Chinese Mentor in a duel.<ref name="FT 48"/>

After Xiao Han and Edward reached a stalemate, the latter was joined by several crew members who held the Mentor at [[Firearm|gunpoint]]. Upon seeing Xue Yan be defeated by Shimazu Saito and noticing that a storm was approaching, Xiao Han declared that there was no point in continuing the fight and ordered his Assassins to retreat. They all used [[parachute]]s to glide back to Zheng's ship, where Xiao Han asked the admiral if she could resume her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

Zheng revealed that Edward's crew had sailed into the storm, forcing her to call off the pursuit as she did not want to risk losing her fleet. However, she assured the Assassin that they would eventually catch up to Edward and make him pay for betraying Madam Lee. Liu Qing and Xue Yan then apologized to Xiao Han for their defeat, but the Mentor told them that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated, and that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again.<ref name="FT 49"/>

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|Out destination has not changed. We sail to Cebu. Although... perhaps we will not even need to make it all the way. If we track down the natives who took the artifact of Those Who Came Before... we may be able to secure the artifact before it even reaches Cebu.|Xiao Han explaining his plan to Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58}}
[[File:ACFT - Lee and Xiao Han in Manila.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins meeting with Lee in Manila]]
Sometime later, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Xiao Han and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where the Mentor informed them of their findings. When Lee questioned what their next move was, Xiao Han claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]], where another lead to Angkor's location could be found.<ref name="FT 58"/>

However, the Mentor then pointed out that the journey may be unnecessary, as if they managed to intercept the native resistance fighters along the way, they could simply take the Piece of Eden they had stolen. As Lee praised Xiao Han for his cunningness and placed her hand on his shoulder, she told him that he had free reign to do as he pleased.<ref name="FT 58"/>

Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Chinese Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Xiao Han and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the rebels had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island fort ruins.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han and the others investigating the fort's ruins]]
Xiao Han then decided to follow the resistance to Cebu and left with Liu Qing and Xue Yan while Sukuna and his men stayed behind to take care of the remaining matters on the island. Before rejoining Zheng and her fleet, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers. The Mentor claimed that he took no enjoyment in the trail of blood they had to leave behind, but that their "great cause" required certain sacrifices to be made.<ref name="FT 65"/>

Xue Yan tried to argue back, but was stopped by Liu Qing, who agreed with Xiao Han that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. The Assassins then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, resuming their voyage to Cebu, where they hoped to find both the rebels and the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="FT 65"/>

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Dialogue|Edward|You might think you have your people's plight in your heart, but the freedom you take by force will only bring rot and ruin to everything you hold dear in the end!|Xiao Han|That is for my brethren and I alone to decide. Your part in our cause is to surrender the artifact and no more...!|Xiao Han and Edward arguing during their fight, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72}}
As Zheng's fleet approached Cebu, Xiao Han instructed the admiral to wait for his signal to commence her attack. Zheng reassured him that she would do so, and Xiao Han and his fellow Chinese Assassins proceeded to infiltrate the city to look for the crescent amulet. Splitting up, the Mentor headed to [[Fort San Pedro]], where he found that Edward had claimed the amulet after defeating the resistance's leader, [[Rajah]].<ref name="EP 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han in Cebu.png|left|thumb|190px|Xiao Han fighting Edward in Cebu]]
Promptly killing the defenseless Rajah with a rope dart, Xiao Han revealed himself and confronted Edward, demanding that he hand over the amulet.<ref name="EP 71"/> As Edward refused, the two Assassins fought each other, and Edward was quickly defeated when Xiao Han immobilized him with a rope dart. The Mentor then asked Edward how he could call himself an Assassin when he opposed the Chinese Brotherhood's cause, to which Edward proceeded to call out Xiao Han's own hypocrisy.<ref name="EP 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref>

Claiming that Rajah, whose life Xiao Han had just taken, had also fought for his people's freedom, Edward asked the Chinese Mentor if that was the kind of liberty he wanted, before pointing out that freedom taken by force would only end up destroying everything he held dear. However, Xiao Han was unmoved by his words and claimed that his course of action was for him and his brethren alone to decide and that Edward's only part in their cause was to surrender the amulet.<ref name="EP 72"/>

At that moment, Shimazu Saito arrived and loosed an [[arrow]] at the rope dart holding Edward in place, releasing him. As Liu Qing and Xue Yan also came to the fort and joined their Mentor, the Chinese Assassins engaged Edward and Saito in a duel.<ref name="EP 72"/> While Xue Yan fought Saito, Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled Edward, who struggled to keep them at bay.<ref name="FT 73"/>

After Saito was defeated, Edward reluctantly decided to unleash the amulet's powers against his opponents. Gazing into the artifact, Xiao Han found himself back at the Chinese Brotherhood's headquarters, with all of his apprentices still alive and delighted to see him. After the Mentor assumed that the Brotherhood's purge had been just a bad dream, one of the Assassins quickly corrected him and the vision turned into one of hundreds of Assassins lying dead in front of their burning base, much to Xiao Han's horror.<ref name="FT 73"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|thumb|190px|Edward using the amulet against Xiao Han and Liu Qing]]
As the vision came to an end, Xiao Han found that he was unable to control his own body and all he could do was lie on the ground, defeated. Seeing this, Xue Yan rushed to his and Liu Qing's aid, allowing Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]].<ref name="FT 73"/>

After recovering from the amulet's effects, Xiao Han asked Xue Yan for Edward's whereabouts, to which she informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during the fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73"/>

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Quote|You have no qualms about using the artifact's power, I see! Your hypocrisy is despicable. All that empty talk of a power too great for any man to wield! Was that not the very reason you chose to stand in our way?! What gives you the right to deny us the artifact while taking it for yourself?!|Xiao Han to Edward during their fight, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, the Mentor vowed to eliminate their enemies now when they were at their weakest point. Zheng then set sail for the [[Sultanate of Sulu]], where the Union had traveled to.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han in Sulu.png|left|thumb|210px|Xiao Han dueling Edward]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. Xiao Han ordered Xue Yan to recover the artifact while he and Liu Qing cleared her path by battling the Suluese guards. After Edward stopped Xue Yan, the Mentor intervened and engaged in a duel with the British Assassin, commenting that he was growing weary of their repeated encounters.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

At that moment, the warehouse was partially destroyed by Zheng's cannon fire, as the admiral had decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly. Undeterred, Xiao Han ordered Xue Yan to find another way into the building while he resumed his duel against Edward.<ref name="FT 89"/>

After the Zhang Wei Union's [[doctor]] [[Qing Xialun]] retrieved the chest holding the amulet from the warehouse, she was taken hostage by Xue Yan. Seeing this, the Chinese Assassins offered Edward a deal, promising to release Xialun if he allowed them to leave with the amulet. Although Xiao Han hoped to strike down Edward while he was distracted, he changed his mind after taking a look at Xue Yan, who was obviously uncomfortable with the Assassins' plan.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward defeating Xiao Han.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han pinned down by Edward]]
The Mentor promised that no harm would befall Xialun if Edward gave his word that he would stop interfering with the Chinese Brotherhood's cause. At that moment, however, the beach was struck by cannon fire coming from Zheng's ship, interrupting the negotiations. During the confusion, Xue Yan released Xialun and dropped the amulet's chest, causing the artifact to fall out.<ref name="FT 90"/>

Seeing Edward running towards the amulet, Xiao Han launched a rope dart at him in an attempt to stop him.<ref name="FT 90"/> However, this turned out to be just an illusion, as Edward had already retrieved the artifact and used it to create duplicates of himself. Xiao Han called out Edward's perceived hypocrisy for denying him the amulet's power while having no issue using it himself, and tried to fight the illusions. However, he was quickly overwhelmed and knocked down.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Before Edward could finish off Xiao Han, he hesitated. Angered by the thought of his opponent showing him mercy, Xiao Han broke free from Edward's grasp and headbutted him, causing him to drop the amulet. Edward's friend [[John Young]] intervened and knocked Xiao Han aside, prompting the Mentor to grab his sword and lunge at him. However, Xialun sacrificed herself to save John and jumped in front of him, taking the blow instead.<ref name="FT 91"/>

This left Xiao Han stunned, but before he could fully process what had just happened, Liu Qing alerted him to the arrival of Suluese reinforcements. After using a rope dart to snatch the amulet, Xiao Han ordered Liu Qing and Xue Yan to retreat and they all fled back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han for breaking the Creed]]
Aboard the vessel, Xiao Han placed the amulet inside a chest to prevent its power from corrupting him. While Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee, Xue Yan lashed out at Xiao Han, reprimanding him for murdering Qing, an innocent doctor, in cold blood and questioning if this was the "righteous cause" he had spoken of so much. Furious, Xiao Han grabbed Xue Yan by her collar and told her that she could leave the Brotherhood if her faith in their cause was shaken so easily.<ref name="FT 92"/>

After Xue Yan reminded her Mentor of the day he had first met and rescued her and remarked that he was no longer that same kind man, an ashamed Xiao Han let her go. Liu Qing interjected, telling Xiao Han that, while both he and Xue Yan still believed in his cause, it was possible that their obsession with it had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Voyage to Đại Việt===
{{Dialogue|Lee|For you... it's not too late. There's still time to turn back—|Xiao Han|I can no more turn back on the path I've taken than turn back time itself. Until all is returned to its rightful place in the natural order... I cannot and shall not rest.|Xiao Han to Madam Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107}}
Later, aboard Madam Lee's ship, Xiao Han met with the businesswoman in private and showed her the chest containing the crescent amulet. After Lee revealed that her spies had learned that the [[East India Company]] was also searching for the Pieces of Eden, turning their race for the artifacts into a three-way struggle, Xiao Han remarked that eliminating Edward's crew when they had the chance would have made their mission easier.<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Madam Lee revealing her plan.png|thumb|170px|Lee telling Xiao Han about her plan to recover the remaining Pieces of Eden]]
In response, Lee told Xiao Han that he failed to see the bigger picture and that, thanks to his deciphering of [[Hendrik]]'s sea log, they knew the locations of the remaining two Pieces of Eden: [[Myanmar|Burma]] and Angkor. Suspecting that Edward and his companions were already on their way to Burma, Lee revealed her plan to wait for them to recover the [[Lantern (Piece of Eden)|artifact]] hidden there, and snatch it afterwards. Xiao Han then warned Lee that the Pieces were not mere trinkets to be toyed with, and the businesswoman promised to keep that in mind.<ref name="FT 96"/>

When the Mentor questioned what their next move was, Lee revealed that they would be heading to {{Wiki|Indochina}} to find Angkor and recover the [[Lotus disk|artifact]] housed there. With that, she ordered her fleet to sail to [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]] so they could commence their expedition.<ref name="FT 96"/>

During the voyage, Xiao Han and Lee, having grown fond of each other over the past months, began a romantic relationship, spending most of their time in the latter's cabin. One day, after an intimate encounter, Lee decided to ask Xiao Han about his true reason for seeking the Pieces of Eden, pointing out the redundancy of trying to revive the long-collapsed [[Ming dynasty|Ming Empire]].<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

After Xiao Han responded that some tasks must be fulfilled regardless of their futility, Lee revealed that she had been listening to him speak in his sleep and that she knew about his nightmares of his Brotherhood's purge. She then correctly deduced that Xiao Han was not driven by a sense of righteousness but by a desire to avenge his fallen comrades, even if it meant going against the Creed.<ref name="FT 107" />

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han and Lee sleeping together.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han and Lee sleeping together]]
When Xiao Han remained silent, Lee apologized for upsetting him and claimed that Assassins like him and Edward served a nobler purpose and did not pursue their own selfish ambitions, unlike herself. She then remarked that it was not too late for Xiao Han to turn back from his current path, only for the Mentor to suddenly pin Lee down and declare that he would not rest until the world was restored to its natural order.<ref name="FT 107" />

Seeing that she could not change Xiao Han's mind, Lee told him about her intentions to use him and his Brotherhood for her own gain, but promised that, in return, Xiao Han would be able to take anything he desired from her "wretched existence". With that, the two closed in for a kiss and prepared to share another romantic moment.<ref name="FT 107" />

Following their arrival in [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|So this is the hand of a man who killed an innocent doctor... the same hand that once rescued a poor young girl from the miserable life of an outcast. Tell me, master... does this hand still belong to the same man?|Xue Yan to Xiao Han, on his change of character, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Brotherhood purge.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han witnessing the Chinese Brotherhood's purge]]
According to Xue Yan, Xiao Han was once a much kinder and gentler man, dedicating his life to fighting oppression and rescuing people who could not defend themselves.<ref name="FT 92"/> However, following the Qing Empire's purge of the Chinese Brotherhood, Xiao Han became more stoic and ruthless and made it his personal mission to overthrow the Qing and establish a new dynasty in China, under which the Brotherhood could thrive again. This was partially because the Mentor blamed himself for his failure to prevent the purge and was haunted by the deaths of his students,<ref name="FT 73"/> having recurring nightmares where he would recall the names of each slain Assassin.<ref name="FT 107" />

Xiao Han despised the Manchus for their treatment of the Han people like himself, referring to them as "barbaric invaders" on multiple occasions,<ref name="FT 34"/><ref name="FT 36"/> and believed that removing them from power would benefit not just the Assassins, but all of the Han people.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref> This led him to seek the power of the Pieces of Eden, a quest which brought him into conflict with Edward Kenway, who compared Xiao Han to the Templars due to their similar desire to exploit the artifacts rather than safeguard them.<ref name="FT 36"/>

Entirely focused on his mission, Xiao Han refused to allow anyone to prevent him from accomplishing it, be it his own uncle Sun, or his "brother from the west" Edward. He denounced Sun for surrendering himself to the Manchu regime and eventually killed him,<ref name="FT 38"/> believing that his uncle was a disgrace not just to their bloodline, but also to [[the Creed]].<ref name="FT 34"/> Similarly, after Edward interfered with his plans, Xiao Han branded him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood,<ref name="FT 38"/> and warned him to stay out of their way or else he would face the "wrath of their blades".<ref name="FT 39"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun Pyeong-Gyu]]
Xiao Han's determination to succeed in his goals went so far that he was willing to eliminate anyone he perceived as an obstacle. During his boarding of the ''Fenghuang'', he ruthlessly killed many of the ship's crew and almost executed Yun Pyeong-Gyu, who was unarmed and begging for mercy.<ref name="FT 48"/> He also took no issue with allowing others to slaughter innocents, believing that as long as it was not him who had committed the act, he was absolved of any guilt.<ref name="FT 65"/>

That being said, Xiao Han was not completely unreasonable, as when Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologized to him for their defeat by Edward's crew, the Mentor told them not to be so hard on themselves. He claimed that it was not their fault as their opponents were much stronger than they had anticipated, and that they would have their chance to exact retribution when their paths crossed again.<ref name="FT 49"/>

In time, Xiao Han grew weary of Edward's continued opposition to his cause and sought to eliminate him and his allies.<ref name="FT 89"/> During their confrontation in Sulu, Xiao Han, in the heat of battle, unintentionally struck Edward's companion Qing Xialun, an innocent doctor.<ref name="FT 91"/> For this act, he was later reprimanded by Xue Yan, who finally saw that her Mentor was no longer the same kind man who had once rescued her from the life of an outcast. Although Xiao Han lashed out at her in response, deep inside he agreed with her words, as his murder of an innocent person left him obviously conflicted.<ref name="FT 92"/>

However, this event did little to diminish Xiao Han's determination to complete his mission, as the Mentor believed that it was his duty to avenge his slain kin and restore order to the world. Madam Lee took notice of this determination and used it to manipulate Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins into helping her further her own ambitions.<ref name="FT 107" />

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han using the rope dart.png|thumb|170px|Xiao Han using the rope dart]]
Xiao Han was a skilled swordsman, easily dispatching a number of Sun's guards aboard his gambling ship and holding his own against Edward Kenway, a powerful warrior in his own right. He had also mastered the use of the [[rope dart]], which he wielded effectively in battle to disarm or impale his enemies,<ref name="FT 36"/> and outside of combat to snatch away items from a target's hand<ref name="FT 34"/><ref name="FT 39"/> or immobilize a fleeing target.<ref name="FT 38"/> Unlike most contemporary Assassins, Xiao Han utilized only one Hidden Blade, which he wore underneath his left arm.<ref name="FT 34"/>

During their journey to the Philippines, Xiao Han and his fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48"/>
{{-}}

==Behind the scenes==
Xiao Han is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'', a graphic novel originally written in Korean. His name in Korean is given as Sy-o Han (샤오 한), but it is translated as Xiao Han in the English edition published by Webtoons. In Episode 34, he implies that both he and his uncle Sun are descended from an Assassin named Sy-o Yun (샤오 윤), translated as Xiao Yun in the English publication. This ancestor is likely intended to be [[Shao Jun]], whose name in official East Asian translations of ''Assassin's Creed'' media is often rendered as Shao Yun because it was mispronounced in her debut in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''. If so, this would mean that, although Xiao (蕭) is also a real Chinese surname, it is a mistranslation of the name intended by Sy-o (샤오). This is reinforced by the Chinese edition published by Bilibili Comics, which translates Sy-o Han (샤오 한) to Shao Han (少寒). 少 is Shao Jun's surname and means 'little' or 'young', and Han (寒) means 'frigid'. 샤오 (Sy-o) itself is an erroneous Korean translation of both Shao and Xiao since the translingual nature of these names means that they have 1:1 conversions into Korean, as [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%B0%91#Korean So] and also [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%95%AD#Korean So].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT - Xiao Han flashback.png|Xiao Han prior to the Chinese Brotherhood's purge
ACFT Xiao Han closeup.png|Close-up of Xiao Han's face
ACFT Xiao Han.png|Xiao Han with his fellow Assassins
ACFT - Xiao Han reading the sea log.png|Xiao Han reading Hendrik's sea log
ACFT - Edward facing Xiao Han.png|Xiao Han facing Edward
ACFT - Sun running away.png|Xiao Han chasing after Sun
ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins departing Monkey Island
ACFT - Xiao Han fighting illusions.png|Xiao Han fighting illusions of Edward
ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|Xiao Han inadvertently killing Xialun Qing
ACFT - Xiao Han holding the amulet.png|Xiao Han holding the crescent amulet
ACFT - Xiao Han Hidden Blade.png|Xiao Han's Hidden Blade
ACFT - Xiao Han in a robe.png|Xiao Han wearing a bathrobe
ACFT - Xiao Han and Lee getting intimate.png|Xiao Han and Madam Lee sharing an intimate moment
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Mentors]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Xiao Han

2026-08-23T04:23:04Z

Sol Pacificus: As explained in Shao Jun's BTS and on Discord, Xiao Han's name is very likely a mistranslation of Shao Han. There is also a lot of wrong info here. Not only is 韓 an unsourced assumption for the name Han, but if it were a given name, it would be unrelated to the 韓 clan, which is also not unique for claiming descent from the Zhou house of Ji... and Han as in the Han people is a totally different word. This is a good example of why it's important to consult with Chinese speakers for names.

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
{{Quote|Fellow brother of the Creed or not... there can be no mercy for anyone who stands in the way of our grand cause.|Xiao Han to Edward Kenway, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
{{Character Infobox
|name=Xiao Han
|image=ACFT Xiao Han render.png
|species=[[Human]]
|affiliates=[[Assassins]]
*[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Xiao Han''' was the [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]] during the early 18th century. He was also the nephew of [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]] in [[Macau]].

During his tenure as Mentor, the Chinese Brotherhood was nearly [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|wiped out]] by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]], which was responsible for the persecution of countless {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people. Seeking to overthrow the Qing dynasty and restore the Brotherhood's former strength, Xiao Han led the search for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] which would allow him to succeed in his goal.

During their quest, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins [[Liu Qing]] and [[Xue Yan]] allied with the affluential businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]], who also desired the Pieces' power. However, their efforts were opposed by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], who disagreed with the group's plans. Consequently, the Chinese Assassins clashed with Edward and his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], several times as they both searched for the Pieces across [[Southeast Asia]].

Xiao Han eventually succeeded in securing one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—though in doing so he inadvertently killed Edward's companion [[Xialun Qing]], an innocent [[doctor]]. While feeling conflicted about his actions, the Mentor resolved to continue his quest for the other Pieces, being driven by a strong desire to avenge his slain kin, which made him increasingly ruthless.

==Biography==
===Early life===
[[File:ACFT - Young Xiao Han and Sun.png|thumb|200px|A young Xiao Han with his uncle]]
Not much is known about Xiao Han's background other than the fact that he used to be close to his uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] in his childhood. Unlike Sun, who believed their ancestors' pursuit of noble goals to be the cause of their family's downfall, Xiao Han fully embraced his [[Assassins|Assassin]] heritage,<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref> and rose to become the [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]].<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref> This eventually caused Xiao Han and his uncle to drift apart, as Sun chose to preoccupy himself with his goal of becoming [[Macau]]'s dominant merchant to restore their family's fortune.<ref name="FT 38" />

At one point, Xiao Han rescued an orphaned young girl named [[Xue Yan]], who was being harassed in the streets, and subsequently recruited her into the Brotherhood. Impressed by Xiao Han's bravery and kindness, Xue Yan quickly became one of his most devoted students.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

However, during Xiao Han's tenure as Mentor, the [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] initiated a [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] of the Chinese Brotherhood, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Assassins and the destruction of their headquarters. Xiao Han witnessed the attack first-hand and, blaming himself for being unable to prevent it, vowed revenge against the {{Wiki|Manchu people|Manchu}} regime.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> He was subsequently aided in his endeavors by [[Liu Qing]] and Xue Yan, who were the only other Chinese Assassins to survive the purge.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

===Meeting with Sun===
{{Quote|How dare you call yourself a descendant of the great master Xiao Yun! You have not only disgraced your homeland... but you have also trampled upon the sacred Creed that has been passed down for generations. It is my duty to execute you in the name of the Assassin Brotherhood.|Xiao Han denouncing Sun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins being led to Sun.png|left|thumb|220px|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins being led to Sun]]
In 1725, Xiao Han, accompanied by Liu Qing and Xue Yan, arrived at his uncle's [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in Macau to discuss a [[Isu|Precursor]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]] believed to be located in [[Angkor]]. Sun had gained possession of a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] given to him by the [[Templars|Templar]] [[Shimazu Saito]] which contained the location of the lost city, but the information was encrypted. Xiao Han was shown the log by his uncle and agreed to help decipher it. Soon after, Sun snatched the log and claimed that, by recovering the [[Piece of Eden|treasure]] in Angkor, he would gain them immense wealth.<ref name="FT 34"/>

When Xiao Han asked his uncle what he intended to do with the treasure, Sun explained that he would present it to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], expecting to be greatly rewarded in return. He also stated that once the Emperor acknowledged Xiao Han's loyal service to the Qing Empire, he and his Brotherhood would be pardoned for their crimes.<ref name="FT 34"/>

Upon hearing this, Xiao Han used a [[rope dart]] and promptly snatched away the log in Sun's hand. He then angrily reprimanded his uncle for surrendering himself to the Manchu regime, stating he was a disgrace to his homeland for trampling on [[the Creed]] that had been passed down in their family for generations. As his fellow Assassins drew arms, Xiao Han activated his [[Hidden Blade]] and announced that he would kill Sun in the name of the Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 34"/>

===Conflict with Edward Kenway===
{{Dialogue|Edward|The relics of Those Who Came Before are no trinkets to use for your own ends. That goes against everything the Brotherhood believes in. What difference is there between you and the Templars?|Xiao Han|I seek to use the treasure for a noble cause. That's the difference. We have a stolen kingdom to reclaim from the foul grasp of barbaric invaders!|Xiao Han arguing with Edward, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward stopping Xiao Han from killing Sun.png|thumb|200px|Edward stopping Xiao Han from killing Sun]]
Sun denounced his nephew for betraying him, claiming that Xiao Han would be nothing without his patronage, and ordered his guards to kill him and his fellow Assassins. While Liu Qing and Xue Yan battled Sun's guards, including a number of Saito's [[ninja]] followers, Xiao Han chased after a fleeing Sun and eventually cornered him. However, before he could execute his uncle, he was stopped by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]]. Unaware of Edward's identity or affiliations, a furious Xiao Han attacked him.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref>

Learning that Edward sought the sea log in his possession, Xiao Han refused to hand it over and the two Assassins began to duel with their [[sword]]s. After Xiao Han used a rope dart to disarm Edward, the latter lunged at him with his Hidden Blade, prompting Xiao Han to activate his own Hidden Blade and block his attack.<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

As the two realized they were both members of the Brotherhood, they stopped fighting and questioned what the other intended to do with Angkor's treasure. Edward jokingly claimed that he only sought an adventure before slamming Xiao Han to the ground, causing him to drop the sea log, which landed near Sun.<ref name="FT 36"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward and Xiao Han fighting.png|left|thumb|240px|Xiao Han fighting Edward]]
Annoyed by his fellow Assassin's interference with his plans, Xiao Han explained that he would use the Piece of Eden from Angkor to deliver a great boon to the Brotherhood by overthrowing the Qing dynasty. However, Edward remarked that using [[Isu]] technology for personal gain went against everything the Brotherhood stood for, and compared Xiao Han to the [[Templars]].<ref name="FT 36"/>

During Xiao Han and Edward's argument, Sun grabbed the sea log and began to make his escape. Upon seeing this, Xiao Han abandoned Edward and began to chase after his uncle, soon calling upon Liu Qing and Xue Yan to help him recover the log.<ref name="FT 36"/>

Sun ordered his remaining guards to slow down the Assassins, but Xiao Han and his companions easily dispatched them. As Edward caught up with them from behind, Liu Qing and Xue Yan engaged him in combat to buy their Mentor enough time to assassinate Sun and recover the sea log.<ref name="FT 38"/>

[[File:ACFT - Master Sun's death.png|thumb|250px|Xiao Han killing Sun]]
Using a rope dart to stop Sun dead in his tracks, Xiao Han confronted his uncle and began to choke him. Sun tried to plead for his life, but Xiao Han ignored and stabbed him with his Hidden Blade, ending his uncle's life to prevent him from bringing more dishonor upon their ancestors, or himself. He then took the sea log from his body, but it was promptly stolen by Edward.<ref name="FT 38"/>

Xiao Han once again tried to make his "brother from the west" sympathize with his cause, but as Edward refused to allow the Chinese Assassins to use Angkor's treasure for their own gain, the Mentor declared him to be their enemy. Xiao Han was then joined by Liu Qing and Xue Yan as they surrounded Edward, but before anything could happen, they all witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38"/> Xiao Han used this distraction to snatch away the sea log from Edward and, after warning him to stay out of their way, left alongside Liu Qing and Xue Yan.<ref name="FT 39"/>

===Alliance with Madam Lee===
{{Dialogue|Lee|Now that Master Sun is gone, all of Macau is in my hands. Why should I let you join our treasure hunt?|Xiao Han|Don't you wish to set the world right again? I know why you forsook your name, Huiyin Li. [''sic'']|Xiao Han trying to convince Lee to ally with him, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40}}
The following morning, Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan approached Zheng as the admiral and her crew were investigating the wreckage of Sun's gambling ship to confirm his death. Zheng initially aimed her [[Flintlock Pistol|pistol]] at the Assassins, but after Xiao Han revealed that he had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], the admiral agreed to grant them an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han allies with Lee.png|left|thumb|230px|Xiao Han forming an alliance with Lee]]
Meeting with Lee at the [[Mandarin's House]], Xiao Han proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's treasure, believing that joining forces would allow them to find the artifact much quicker. However, Lee was reluctant to work with another Assassin after how her partnership with Edward had ended.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

Xiao Han explained that, although Edward was an Assassin, he did not understand the Chinese Brotherhood's mission. However, he believed that Lee would be able to sympathize with their cause much easier given her past, as she too had been persecuted by the Qing regime.<ref name="FT 40"/>

As Xiao Han revealed his knowledge of Lee's true name and background, Zheng pointed her pistol at him, but Lee was interested to hear what the Mentor had to say and allowed him to continue speaking. After Xiao Han explained his goal to overthrow the Qing dynasty and end the persecution of the {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} people, Lee agreed to the partnership, but only because she believed it would allow her to gain more power and influence.<ref name="FT 40"/>

===Pursuing the ''Fenghuang''===
{{Quote|Do not be so hard on yourselves. These were no adversaries we faced. It seems our brother from the west is no pushover in terms of skill. But with our sights set on the same destination, our paths are bound to cross eventually. This will not happen again next time.|Xiao Han to his fellow Assassins after their fight with Edward's crew, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49}}
After learning that Edward and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', to the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han.png|thumb|220px|Xiao Han fighting Edward aboard the ''Fenghuang'']]
During the chaos, the Union's engineer [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]] realized that water only made the Greek fire burn more fiercely and instructed the crew to use sand to extinguish the flames. Upon spotting Yun, Xiao Hun attempted to kill him as the engineer became frozen in place due to his fear. However, he was stopped by Edward, who engaged the Chinese Mentor in a duel.<ref name="FT 48"/>

After Xiao Han and Edward reached a stalemate, the latter was joined by several crew members who held the Mentor at [[Firearm|gunpoint]]. Upon seeing Xue Yan be defeated by Shimazu Saito and noticing that a storm was approaching, Xiao Han declared that there was no point in continuing the fight and ordered his Assassins to retreat. They all used [[parachute]]s to glide back to Zheng's ship, where Xiao Han asked the admiral if she could resume her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

Zheng revealed that Edward's crew had sailed into the storm, forcing her to call off the pursuit as she did not want to risk losing her fleet. However, she assured the Assassin that they would eventually catch up to Edward and make him pay for betraying Madam Lee. Liu Qing and Xue Yan then apologized to Xiao Han for their defeat, but the Mentor told them that it was not their fault, as their opponents were stronger than they had anticipated, and that, given their pursuit of the same prize, their paths were bound to cross again.<ref name="FT 49"/>

===Search in the Philippines===
{{Quote|Out destination has not changed. We sail to Cebu. Although... perhaps we will not even need to make it all the way. If we track down the natives who took the artifact of Those Who Came Before... we may be able to secure the artifact before it even reaches Cebu.|Xiao Han explaining his plan to Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58}}
[[File:ACFT - Lee and Xiao Han in Manila.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins meeting with Lee in Manila]]
Sometime later, Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, the Chinese Assassins investigated around the city to uncover details about the riot. They learned that a [[Mad monk|monk]] had used a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—to incite the riot, and that Edward had fought him, but ultimately lost the amulet to members of a native resistance against the [[Spain|Spanish]] colonists.<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

Following this, Xiao Han and the others met with Lee and Zheng, where the Mentor informed them of their findings. When Lee questioned what their next move was, Xiao Han claimed that they would travel to [[Cebu]], where another lead to Angkor's location could be found.<ref name="FT 58"/>

However, the Mentor then pointed out that the journey may be unnecessary, as if they managed to intercept the native resistance fighters along the way, they could simply take the Piece of Eden they had stolen. As Lee praised Xiao Han for his cunningness and placed her hand on his shoulder, she told him that he had free reign to do as he pleased.<ref name="FT 58"/>

Thanks to [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants, the Chinese Assassins learned that the native resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]] and went to investigate it. Along the way, Xiao Han and the others watched as Sukuna and his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, but did nothing to try and stop them. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the rebels had already left Monkey Island.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island fort ruins.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han and the others investigating the fort's ruins]]
Xiao Han then decided to follow the resistance to Cebu and left with Liu Qing and Xue Yan while Sukuna and his men stayed behind to take care of the remaining matters on the island. Before rejoining Zheng and her fleet, Xue Yan questioned Xiao Han about their mission's righteousness, as she was uncomfortable with having allowed Sukuna's ninja to slaughter innocent villagers. The Mentor claimed that he took no enjoyment in the trail of blood they had to leave behind, but that their "great cause" required certain sacrifices to be made.<ref name="FT 65"/>

Xue Yan tried to argue back, but was stopped by Liu Qing, who agreed with Xiao Han that they all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. The Assassins then met up with Zheng and boarded her ship, resuming their voyage to Cebu, where they hoped to find both the rebels and the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="FT 65"/>

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Dialogue|Edward|You might think you have your people's plight in your heart, but the freedom you take by force will only bring rot and ruin to everything you hold dear in the end!|Xiao Han|That is for my brethren and I alone to decide. Your part in our cause is to surrender the artifact and no more...!|Xiao Han and Edward arguing during their fight, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72}}
As Zheng's fleet approached Cebu, Xiao Han instructed the admiral to wait for his signal to commence her attack. Zheng reassured him that she would do so, and Xiao Han and his fellow Chinese Assassins proceeded to infiltrate the city to look for the crescent amulet. Splitting up, the Mentor headed to [[Fort San Pedro]], where he found that Edward had claimed the amulet after defeating the resistance's leader, [[Rajah]].<ref name="EP 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han in Cebu.png|left|thumb|190px|Xiao Han fighting Edward in Cebu]]
Promptly killing the defenseless Rajah with a rope dart, Xiao Han revealed himself and confronted Edward, demanding that he hand over the amulet.<ref name="EP 71"/> As Edward refused, the two Assassins fought each other, and Edward was quickly defeated when Xiao Han immobilized him with a rope dart. The Mentor then asked Edward how he could call himself an Assassin when he opposed the Chinese Brotherhood's cause, to which Edward proceeded to call out Xiao Han's own hypocrisy.<ref name="EP 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref>

Claiming that Rajah, whose life Xiao Han had just taken, had also fought for his people's freedom, Edward asked the Chinese Mentor if that was the kind of liberty he wanted, before pointing out that freedom taken by force would only end up destroying everything he held dear. However, Xiao Han was unmoved by his words and claimed that his course of action was for him and his brethren alone to decide and that Edward's only part in their cause was to surrender the amulet.<ref name="EP 72"/>

At that moment, Shimazu Saito arrived and loosed an [[arrow]] at the rope dart holding Edward in place, releasing him. As Liu Qing and Xue Yan also came to the fort and joined their Mentor, the Chinese Assassins engaged Edward and Saito in a duel.<ref name="EP 72"/> While Xue Yan fought Saito, Xiao Han and Liu Qing battled Edward, who struggled to keep them at bay.<ref name="FT 73"/>

After Saito was defeated, Edward reluctantly decided to unleash the amulet's powers against his opponents. Gazing into the artifact, Xiao Han found himself back at the Chinese Brotherhood's headquarters, with all of his apprentices still alive and delighted to see him. After the Mentor assumed that the Brotherhood's purge had been just a bad dream, one of the Assassins quickly corrected him and the vision turned into one of hundreds of Assassins lying dead in front of their burning base, much to Xiao Han's horror.<ref name="FT 73"/>

[[File:ACFT - Edward using the amulet.png|thumb|190px|Edward using the amulet against Xiao Han and Liu Qing]]
As the vision came to an end, Xiao Han found that he was unable to control his own body and all he could do was lie on the ground, defeated. Seeing this, Xue Yan rushed to his and Liu Qing's aid, allowing Edward and Saito to escape in a [[Celestial Chariot|strange flying contraption]].<ref name="FT 73"/>

After recovering from the amulet's effects, Xiao Han asked Xue Yan for Edward's whereabouts, to which she informed him of the British Assassin's escape. However, despite the loss of the amulet, their mission was not a complete failure, as Xue Yan had managed to steal a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] from Saito during the fight, providing the Chinese Assassins with the locations of two other Pieces of Eden.<ref name="FT 73"/>

===Showdown in Sulu===
{{Quote|You have no qualms about using the artifact's power, I see! Your hypocrisy is despicable. All that empty talk of a power too great for any man to wield! Was that not the very reason you chose to stand in our way?! What gives you the right to deny us the artifact while taking it for yourself?!|Xiao Han to Edward during their fight, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
Sometime later, after Fuma Sukuna and his ninja were killed in an ambush by the Zhang Wei Union, Zheng was notified of the ninja's defeat by a note delivered by a [[raven]]. After the admiral informed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan that the Union had suffered heavy casualties during the battle, the Mentor vowed to eliminate their enemies now when they were at their weakest point. Zheng then set sail for the [[Sultanate of Sulu]], where the Union had traveled to.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward fighting Xiao Han in Sulu.png|left|thumb|210px|Xiao Han dueling Edward]]
In Sulu, the Assassins were dropped off by Zheng near a warehouse where the crescent amulet was stored. Xiao Han ordered Xue Yan to recover the artifact while he and Liu Qing cleared her path by battling the Suluese guards. After Edward stopped Xue Yan, the Mentor intervened and engaged in a duel with the British Assassin, commenting that he was growing weary of their repeated encounters.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

At that moment, the warehouse was partially destroyed by Zheng's cannon fire, as the admiral had decided to hinder the Chinese Assassins' mission as payback for treating her unfairly. Undeterred, Xiao Han ordered Xue Yan to find another way into the building while he resumed his duel against Edward.<ref name="FT 89"/>

After the Zhang Wei Union's [[doctor]] [[Qing Xialun]] retrieved the chest holding the amulet from the warehouse, she was taken hostage by Xue Yan. Seeing this, the Chinese Assassins offered Edward a deal, promising to release Xialun if he allowed them to leave with the amulet. Although Xiao Han hoped to strike down Edward while he was distracted, he changed his mind after taking a look at Xue Yan, who was obviously uncomfortable with the Assassins' plan.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward defeating Xiao Han.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han pinned down by Edward]]
The Mentor promised that no harm would befall Xialun if Edward gave his word that he would stop interfering with the Chinese Brotherhood's cause. At that moment, however, the beach was struck by cannon fire coming from Zheng's ship, interrupting the negotiations. During the confusion, Xue Yan released Xialun and dropped the amulet's chest, causing the artifact to fall out.<ref name="FT 90"/>

Seeing Edward running towards the amulet, Xiao Han launched a rope dart at him in an attempt to stop him.<ref name="FT 90"/> However, this turned out to be just an illusion, as Edward had already retrieved the artifact and used it to create duplicates of himself. Xiao Han called out Edward's perceived hypocrisy for denying him the amulet's power while having no issue using it himself, and tried to fight the illusions. However, he was quickly overwhelmed and knocked down.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

Before Edward could finish off Xiao Han, he hesitated. Angered by the thought of his opponent showing him mercy, Xiao Han broke free from Edward's grasp and headbutted him, causing him to drop the amulet. Edward's friend [[John Young]] intervened and knocked Xiao Han aside, prompting the Mentor to grab his sword and lunge at him. However, Xialun sacrificed herself to save John and jumped in front of him, taking the blow instead.<ref name="FT 91"/>

This left Xiao Han stunned, but before he could fully process what had just happened, Liu Qing alerted him to the arrival of Suluese reinforcements. After using a rope dart to snatch the amulet, Xiao Han ordered Liu Qing and Xue Yan to retreat and they all fled back to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han.png|left|thumb|190px|Xue Yan reprimanding Xiao Han for breaking the Creed]]
Aboard the vessel, Xiao Han placed the amulet inside a chest to prevent its power from corrupting him. While Zheng set a course out of Sulu to rendezvous with Madam Lee, Xue Yan lashed out at Xiao Han, reprimanding him for murdering Qing, an innocent doctor, in cold blood and questioning if this was the "righteous cause" he had spoken of so much. Furious, Xiao Han grabbed Xue Yan by her collar and told her that she could leave the Brotherhood if her faith in their cause was shaken so easily.<ref name="FT 92"/>

After Xue Yan reminded her Mentor of the day he had first met and rescued her and remarked that he was no longer that same kind man, an ashamed Xiao Han let her go. Liu Qing interjected, telling Xiao Han that, while both he and Xue Yan still believed in his cause, it was possible that their obsession with it had made them lose sight of what had brought them together in the first place. He then suggested discussing the matter on the voyage back home, not as apprentice and Mentor, but as friends.<ref name="FT 92"/>

===Voyage to Đại Việt===
{{Dialogue|Lee|For you... it's not too late. There's still time to turn back—|Xiao Han|I can no more turn back on the path I've taken than turn back time itself. Until all is returned to its rightful place in the natural order... I cannot and shall not rest.|Xiao Han to Madam Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107}}
Later, aboard Madam Lee's ship, Xiao Han met with the businesswoman in private and showed her the chest containing the crescent amulet. After Lee revealed that her spies had learned that the [[East India Company]] was also searching for the Pieces of Eden, turning their race for the artifacts into a three-way struggle, Xiao Han remarked that eliminating Edward's crew when they had the chance would have made their mission easier.<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Madam Lee revealing her plan.png|thumb|170px|Lee telling Xiao Han about her plan to recover the remaining Pieces of Eden]]
In response, Lee told Xiao Han that he failed to see the bigger picture and that, thanks to his deciphering of [[Hendrik]]'s sea log, they knew the locations of the remaining two Pieces of Eden: [[Myanmar|Burma]] and Angkor. Suspecting that Edward and his companions were already on their way to Burma, Lee revealed her plan to wait for them to recover the [[Lantern (Piece of Eden)|artifact]] hidden there, and snatch it afterwards. Xiao Han then warned Lee that the Pieces were not mere trinkets to be toyed with, and the businesswoman promised to keep that in mind.<ref name="FT 96"/>

When the Mentor questioned what their next move was, Lee revealed that they would be heading to {{Wiki|Indochina}} to find Angkor and recover the [[Lotus disk|artifact]] housed there. With that, she ordered her fleet to sail to [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]] so they could commence their expedition.<ref name="FT 96"/>

During the voyage, Xiao Han and Lee, having grown fond of each other over the past months, began a romantic relationship, spending most of their time in the latter's cabin. One day, after an intimate encounter, Lee decided to ask Xiao Han about his true reason for seeking the Pieces of Eden, pointing out the redundancy of trying to revive the long-collapsed [[Ming dynasty|Ming Empire]].<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

After Xiao Han responded that some tasks must be fulfilled regardless of their futility, Lee revealed that she had been listening to him speak in his sleep and that she knew about his nightmares of his Brotherhood's purge. She then correctly deduced that Xiao Han was not driven by a sense of righteousness but by a desire to avenge his fallen comrades, even if it meant going against the Creed.<ref name="FT 107" />

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han and Lee sleeping together.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han and Lee sleeping together]]
When Xiao Han remained silent, Lee apologized for upsetting him and claimed that Assassins like him and Edward served a nobler purpose and did not pursue their own selfish ambitions, unlike herself. She then remarked that it was not too late for Xiao Han to turn back from his current path, only for the Mentor to suddenly pin Lee down and declare that he would not rest until the world was restored to its natural order.<ref name="FT 107" />

Seeing that she could not change Xiao Han's mind, Lee told him about her intentions to use him and his Brotherhood for her own gain, but promised that, in return, Xiao Han would be able to take anything he desired from her "wretched existence". With that, the two closed in for a kiss and prepared to share another romantic moment.<ref name="FT 107" />

Following their arrival in [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins positioned themselves nearby while Lee met with an official of the [[Nguyễn clan]] at the {{Wiki|Imperial City of Huế|Imperial Palace}}. After Lee proposed an alliance to recover Angkor's Piece of Eden, asserting that its powers could be used to conquer all of Indochina, the official expressed skepticism towards her claims. At that moment, the Assassins made their presence known, leaping down from the palace and landing behind Lee. This intimidated the official and ultimately led him to accept Lee's proposal.<ref name="FT 107" />

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|So this is the hand of a man who killed an innocent doctor... the same hand that once rescued a poor young girl from the miserable life of an outcast. Tell me, master... does this hand still belong to the same man?|Xue Yan to Xiao Han, on his change of character, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Brotherhood purge.png|thumb|180px|Xiao Han witnessing the Chinese Brotherhood's purge]]
According to Xue Yan, Xiao Han was once a much kinder and gentler man, dedicating his life to fighting oppression and rescuing people who could not defend themselves.<ref name="FT 92"/> However, following the Qing Empire's purge of the Chinese Brotherhood, Xiao Han became more stoic and ruthless and made it his personal mission to overthrow the Qing and establish a new dynasty in China, under which the Brotherhood could thrive again. This was partially because the Mentor blamed himself for his failure to prevent the purge and was haunted by the deaths of his students,<ref name="FT 73"/> having recurring nightmares where he would recall the names of each slain Assassin.<ref name="FT 107" />

Xiao Han despised the Manchus for their treatment of the Han people like himself, referring to them as "barbaric invaders" on multiple occasions,<ref name="FT 34"/><ref name="FT 36"/> and believed that removing them from power would benefit not just the Assassins, but all of the Han people.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref> This led him to seek the power of the Pieces of Eden, a quest which brought him into conflict with Edward Kenway, who compared Xiao Han to the Templars due to their similar desire to exploit the artifacts rather than safeguard them.<ref name="FT 36"/>

Entirely focused on his mission, Xiao Han refused to allow anyone to prevent him from accomplishing it, be it his own uncle Sun, or his "brother from the west" Edward. He denounced Sun for surrendering himself to the Manchu regime and eventually killed him,<ref name="FT 38"/> believing that his uncle was a disgrace not just to their bloodline, but also to [[the Creed]].<ref name="FT 34"/> Similarly, after Edward interfered with his plans, Xiao Han branded him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhood,<ref name="FT 38"/> and warned him to stay out of their way or else he would face the "wrath of their blades".<ref name="FT 39"/>

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun.png|left|thumb|200px|Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun Pyeong-Gyu]]
Xiao Han's determination to succeed in his goals went so far that he was willing to eliminate anyone he perceived as an obstacle. During his boarding of the ''Fenghuang'', he ruthlessly killed many of the ship's crew and almost executed Yun Pyeong-Gyu, who was unarmed and begging for mercy.<ref name="FT 48"/> He also took no issue with allowing others to slaughter innocents, believing that as long as it was not him who had committed the act, he was absolved of any guilt.<ref name="FT 65"/>

That being said, Xiao Han was not completely unreasonable, as when Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologized to him for their defeat by Edward's crew, the Mentor told them not to be so hard on themselves. He claimed that it was not their fault as their opponents were much stronger than they had anticipated, and that they would have their chance to exact retribution when their paths crossed again.<ref name="FT 49"/>

In time, Xiao Han grew weary of Edward's continued opposition to his cause and sought to eliminate him and his allies.<ref name="FT 89"/> During their confrontation in Sulu, Xiao Han, in the heat of battle, unintentionally struck Edward's companion Qing Xialun, an innocent doctor.<ref name="FT 91"/> For this act, he was later reprimanded by Xue Yan, who finally saw that her Mentor was no longer the same kind man who had once rescued her from the life of an outcast. Although Xiao Han lashed out at her in response, deep inside he agreed with her words, as his murder of an innocent person left him obviously conflicted.<ref name="FT 92"/>

However, this event did little to diminish Xiao Han's determination to complete his mission, as the Mentor believed that it was his duty to avenge his slain kin and restore order to the world. Madam Lee took notice of this determination and used it to manipulate Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins into helping her further her own ambitions.<ref name="FT 107" />

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han using the rope dart.png|thumb|170px|Xiao Han using the rope dart]]
Xiao Han was a skilled swordsman, easily dispatching a number of Sun's guards aboard his gambling ship and holding his own against Edward Kenway, a powerful warrior in his own right. He had also mastered the use of the [[rope dart]], which he wielded effectively in battle to disarm or impale his enemies,<ref name="FT 36"/> and outside of combat to snatch away items from a target's hand<ref name="FT 34"/><ref name="FT 39"/> or immobilize a fleeing target.<ref name="FT 38"/> Unlike most contemporary Assassins, Xiao Han utilized only one Hidden Blade, which he wore underneath his left arm.<ref name="FT 34"/>

During their journey to the Philippines, Xiao Han and his fellow Chinese Assassins sported gliders and [[parachute]]s which allowed them to fly for short distances. They also carried [[Greek fire]] bombs, which created a thick smoke upon detonation and flames that could not be extinguished with water.<ref name="FT 48"/>
{{-}}

==Behind the scenes==
Xiao Han is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'', a graphic novel originally written in Korean. His name in Korean is given as Sy-o Han (샤오 한), but it is translated as Xiao Han in the English edition published by Webtoons. In Episode 34, he implies that both he and his uncle Sun are descended from an Assassin named Sy-o Yun (샤오 윤), translated as Xiao Yun in the English publication. This ancestor is likely intended to be [[Shao Jun]], whose name in official East Asian translations of ''Assassin's Creed'' media is often rendered as Shao Yun because it was mispronounced in her debut in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''. If so, this would also mean that, although Xiao (蕭) is also a real Chinese surname, it is a mistranslation of the name intended by Sy-o (샤오). This is reinforced by the Chinese edition published by Bilibili Comics, which translates Sy-o Han (샤오 한) to Shao Han (少寒). 少 is Shao Jun's surname and means 'little' or 'young', and Han (寒) means 'frigid'. 샤오 (Sy-o) itself is an erroneous Korean translation of both Shao and Xiao since the translingual nature of these names means that they have 1:1 conversions into Korean, as [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%B0%91#Korean So] and also [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%95%AD#Korean So].

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACFT - Xiao Han flashback.png|Xiao Han prior to the Chinese Brotherhood's purge
ACFT Xiao Han closeup.png|Close-up of Xiao Han's face
ACFT Xiao Han.png|Xiao Han with his fellow Assassins
ACFT - Xiao Han reading the sea log.png|Xiao Han reading Hendrik's sea log
ACFT - Edward facing Xiao Han.png|Xiao Han facing Edward
ACFT - Sun running away.png|Xiao Han chasing after Sun
ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins departing Monkey Island
ACFT - Xiao Han fighting illusions.png|Xiao Han fighting illusions of Edward
ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|Xiao Han inadvertently killing Xialun Qing
ACFT - Xiao Han holding the amulet.png|Xiao Han holding the crescent amulet
ACFT - Xiao Han Hidden Blade.png|Xiao Han's Hidden Blade
ACFT - Xiao Han in a robe.png|Xiao Han wearing a bathrobe
ACFT - Xiao Han and Lee getting intimate.png|Xiao Han and Madam Lee sharing an intimate moment
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Mentors]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Yun Pyeong-Gyu

2026-08-23T03:50:24Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Behind the scenes */ Unless the Korean edition gives his name in hanja (i.e. Chinese characters), this whole section is incorrect. Korean has many homophones, and Yun, Pyeong, and Gyu can each be phonetic transcriptions of any number of a wide range of Chinese characters. We can't just randomly choose and assume which meanings they are. 余 does not mean "I" either when used in a name.

{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Quote|Here, I can give free rein to my imagination! What greater pleasure could there be for an engineer?!|Yun talking about his freedom working for the Zhang Wei Union, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 31}}
{{Character Infobox
|name=Yun Pyeong-Gyu
|image=ACFT Yun Pyeong-Gyu render.png
|species=[[Human]]
|affiliates=*[[Joseon|Great Joseon]]
**{{Wiki|Joseon Army|Office of Military Armaments}}
*[[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]
*''[[Fenghuang]]'' crew
}}
'''Yun Pyeong-Gyu''' (윤평규) was a [[Korea]]n Confucian scholar, engineer, and official who served in the {{Wiki|Joseon Army|Office of Military Armaments}} in the [[Joseon|Joseon dynasty]] during the reign of King {{Wiki|Yeongjo of Joseon|Yeongjo}}. He was also an ancestor of [[Noa Kim]].<ref name="EP 26">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 26|Episode 26]]</ref>

After the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]] rescued him from [[Piracy|pirates]] who had taken him prisoner, Yun agreed to join the [[Assassins|Assassin]]'s organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], while looking for a way to return to Korea. Consequently, Yun became the Union's engineer, building various weapons and tools to assist his fellow Union members in their missions.

==Biography==
===Meeting Edward Kenway===
{{Dialogue2|Yun|I was hoping for a chance to properly express my gratitude, good sir! Why, I owe you my life!|Edward|Aye, it was no trouble... But, say, you seem to have an exceptional grasp of the English tongue.|But of course! Speaking multiple tongues is but elementary for an aide to an envoy of the Great Qing Empire!|Yun introducing himself to Edward, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 26}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward meeting Yun.png|left|thumb|200px|Yun meeting Edward]]
In 1725, Yun travelled to the {{Wiki|Manchu people|Manchu}} [[Qing dynasty|Qing Empire]] as an aide to a Joseon envoy. At one point however, he was held captive alongside a number of [[Slavery|slaves]] aboard a [[Piracy|pirate]] [[ship]] in the {{Wiki|South China Sea}} near the [[Philippines]]. He and the slaves were rescued when the ship was boarded by the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]]. After the rest of slaves were rescued, Yun and Edward were the last to jump overboard when the ship exploded due to its [[gunpowder]] kegs catching fire.<ref name="EP 26" />

Later on, Yun offered his services to repair the wheel of a [[Dutch East India Company]] ship that Edward had rescued from the pirates earlier. After Edward's ship escorted the Dutch vessel back to [[Macau]], the [[Assassins|Assassin]] invited Yun to work for his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], as an engineer due to his knowledge and abilities, while helping him find a way back to his home country. Yun accepted the offer and went off to drink with Edward and his mate [[John Young]] later on.<ref name="EP 26" />

===Joining the Zhang Wei Union===
{{Quote|As much as I desperately yearn for the land of morning calm... I have a feeling that working with you will keep me much better entertained! Not only that, I would be remiss in my duties as a Confucian if I didn't repay the debt to my life's savior! Lacking though my skills may be, I gladly offer them at your service.|Yun offering his services to the Zhang Wei Union, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 26}}
[[File:ACFT - Yun agreeing to help Edward.png|thumb|250px|Yun accepting Edward's request to develop weaponry]]
After joining the Zhang Wei Union, Yun set up shop at the organization's headquarters in the [[A-Ma Cultural Village]], where he began working on a number of weapons he had developed back in Korea. When Edward visited Yun at his workshop to request his aid for an upcoming job, he was impressed by his designs and provided him with the resources and manpower needed to craft his inventions, which Edward believed could prove crucial to the job's success.<ref name="EP 27">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 27|Episode 27]]</ref>

During their mission, Edward and his crew managed to capture several Chinese [[junk]]s from pirates, including a large vessel they later named the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', which became the flagship of the Union. Subsequently, Yun repaired the ship and installed a number of new armaments such as [[Europe|European]]-style cannons used in Korea modified by Yun himself, [[swivel gun]]s that had increased caliber, and several [[volley gun]]s.<ref name="EP 31">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 31|Episode 31]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Yun with the Phantom Blade.png|left|thumb|185px|Yun presenting Edward with his modified Hidden Blade]]
When Edward came to check on his progress, Yun informed him about the modifications to the ship's artillery and thanked the Assassin for allowing him to express his creativity in such a way, claiming that his imagination had been severely restricted while serving in the Office of Military Armaments. He also revealed that he had modified Edward's right [[Hidden Blade]], adding a [[crossbow]]-like [[Phantom Blade|mechanism]] to allow him to eliminate targets from a distance.<ref name="EP 31" />

Not long after, Edward and John infiltrated a [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] owned by the merchant [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] to recover a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] in his possession. Yun joined [[Mustafa|Rupiya]] aboard the ''Fenghuang'' as they waited nearby for Edward's signal in order to retrieve him and John.<ref name="EP 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>

However, the pair were ultimately unsuccessful in their mission and were attacked by the fleet of Admiral [[Zheng]], who had destroyed the gambling ship. Yun and Rupiya sailed to their rescue, destroying one of Zheng's ships and forcing the admiral to withdraw, which allowed Edward, John, [[Shimazu Saito]], and [[Xialun Qing]] to board the ''Fenghuang'' and escape to safety.<ref name="EP 39" />

===Befriending Shimazu Saito===
{{Quote|I haven't had so much fun in ages. I look forward to many more archery contets in the future. I'll consider you a friend as long as the arrows fly at least.|Yun agreeing to work alongside Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40}}
Following the group's return to the Zhang Wei Union's headquarters, Yun was furious to learn about Edward's decision to recruit Saito into the Union. While Edward and John were confused as they had never seen Yun in such an agitated state, [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] explained that Yun's animosity towards Saito roused from the [[Imjin War]] fought between their respective countries over a century prior. Yun clarified that he had ancestors who had perished in the war and that, while he did not dislike all [[Japan|Japanese]] people, he could not trust Saito due to her nature as a [[samurai]].<ref name="EP 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Pyeong Gyu and Saito becoming allies.png|thumb|270px|Yun and Saito becoming allies]]
However, Yun's attitude towards Saito changed after she approached him during one of his [[archer]]y training sessions. Yun at first refused to acknowledge her presence, but Saito complimented the Joseon bow he had built and showcased her own archery skills. This led to a contest between the two, observed by the entire Zhang Wei Union, in which Saito ultimately emerged victorious, ending Yun's win streak. The engineer subsequently recognized Saito's abilities and dropped all animosity towards her, agreeing to work together as members of the Union.<ref name="EP 40" />

Later, Yun and Saito joined Edward in deciphering the contents of the sea log the Assassin had failed to recover, which Saito had memorized. Together, the three were able to find a hidden message saying that they should follow in the footsteps of explorer [[Ferdinand Magellan]] to find the lost [[Khmer Empire|Khmer]] city of [[Angkor]], which was rumored to house a [[Piece of Eden|treasure]] belonging to the [[Isu]].<ref name="EP 40" /> The group deduced that this meant they had to travel to the [[Philippines]] to find Magellan's resting place.<ref name="EP 41">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41|Episode 41]]</ref>

===Journey to the Philippines===
{{Dialogue|Edward|Mister Yun, am I right in thinking you've still got a trick up your sleeve for us?!|Yun|Oh, most assuredly, sir! I'm sure you'll find it a ''blast'' from the past—|Yun telling Edward about the explosive barrels he created, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47}}
[[File:ACFT - Zhang Wei Union members leaving Macau.png|left|thumb|160px|Yun and the others leaving on their journey]]
In preparation for the long journey to the Philippines, Yun created a suit of armor for Saito outfitted with a Hidden Blade-inspired retractable [[kunai]], and a [[blowpipe]] for Edward at the Assassin's own request. Due to lacking the necessary medical knowledge to create the poison [[dart]]s for the blowpipe, Yun enlisted the help of Xialun Qing to do so. After presenting Saito and Edward with their respective "gifts", Yun joined them, John, Qing, and Rupiya aboard the ''Fenghuang'' as the group left Macau and sailed towards the Philippines.<ref name="EP 41" />

As the ''Fenghuang'' neared [[Manila]], the ship suddenly came under attack by Zheng's fleet, which had followed the crew. After Edward ordered the crew members to return fire, Yun told the Assassin about his latest invention: fire barrels which exploded on impact. The crew members subsequently dropped several barrels into the water, causing considerable damage to the enemy vessels and allowing them to lose their pursuers.<ref name="EP 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref>

Following their apparent escape from Zheng's fleet, the crew cheered for Yun, who pridefully stated that regular ships were no match for his advanced weaponry. Not long after, however, the ''Fenghuang'' was boarded by the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] [[Xiao Han]], [[Liu Qing]], and [[Xue Yan]], who had accompanied Zheng.<ref name="EP 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

During the chaos, Yun deduced that the bombs thrown by the Assassins were filled with [[Greek fire]], which water was useless against, and instructed the crew to use sand to put out the flames. As they did so, Yun suddenly came face-to-face with Xiao Han. Fearing for his life, his feet froze in place and he could do nothing but beg for mercy until Edward intervened and saved him, engaging Xiao Han in a duel.<ref name="EP 48" />

[[File:ACFT - Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun.png|thumb|200px|Xiao Han attempting to kill Yun]]
After the Chinese Assassins were defeated and retreated back to Zheng's ship, Edward ordered Rupiya to sail into an incoming storm to lose their pursuers. Although one of Zheng's ships managed to follow the ''Fenghuang'', it was sunk by a Dutch East India Company vessel captained by [[Jan van Aert]],<ref name="EP 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref> whom Edward subsequently allowed to join the Union in their search for Angkor.<ref name="EP 50">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 50|Episode 50]]</ref>

Later, inside his laboratory on the ''Fenghuang'', Yun successfully recreated the formula for Greek fire, but claimed that he required large quantities of [[petroleum]] to produce more. To this, Edward suggested making a stop in [[Java]], whose inhabitants were renowned for using petroleum to waterproof their ships, and Yun agreed.<ref name="EP 50" />

===Arrested in Manila===
{{Quote|What an unexpected boon to find petroleum here! Mister Kenway will be delighted to see this!|Yun after finding the barrels of petroleum in Manila, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 53}}
Before the Union members could sail to Java, both the ''Fenghuang'' and Jan's ship were attacked by two [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|Men O' War]], forcing them to surrender. The crews of the two ships were subsequently brought to Manila, where they arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in the assassination of Governor [[Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda]] six years prior.<ref name="EP 50" />

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in [[Fort Santiago]]'s dungeon, the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew was forced to remain inside their ship, under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John managed to learn that Governor Bustamante had been killed in a riot by {{Wiki|Archbishop of Manila|Archbishop}} [[Francisco de la Cuesta]]'s supporters, and relayed this information to the others. Edward then decided to take matters into their own hands and had Qing distract the [[Soldier|guards]] by bringing them food, allowing the crew to escape the ship.<ref name="EP 51">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51|Episode 51]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Union members fighting Spanish soldiers.png|left|thumb|200px|Yun and the others fighting Spanish soldiers at the harbor]]
While Edward and Saito went to rescue Jan's crew, Yun and the others engaged in a fight with the Spanish soldiers at the harbor to retrieve their confiscated weapons and supplies. In the process, they discovered a warehouse filled with barrels of petroleum, which Yun promptly ordered to be loaded aboard the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 53">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 53|Episode 53]]</ref>

After Edward and Saito returned to the ''Fenghuang'', the ship set sail away from Manila, followed closely by Jan and his crew. When the [[Spanish Navy]] gave chase, Jan volunteered to distract their pursuers to give the Union members time to flee. Once they had escaped from the Spanish fleet, Edward told Yun and the others about his and Saito's encounter with a [[Mad monk|monk]] who wielded a [[Piece of Eden]] in the shape of a [[crescent amulet]]. The Assassin then ordered the crew to set a course for [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 57">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 57|Episode 57]]</ref>

===Excursion to Monkey Island===
{{Quote|Feast your eyes upon the fulfillment of humanity's most ancient dream... the gift of flight! Behold! I present to you the Celestial Chariot!|Yun introducing the Celestial Chariot to his fellow Union members, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60}}
Following their escape from Manila, Yun and John discovered that the Spanish authorities had confiscated all of their food rations and asked Edward for permission to attack two passing Spanish [[schooner]]s to take their supplies. After sinking the ships and rescuing the surviving crew members, the ''Fenghuang'' docked at a nearby village to resupply. There, the villagers instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as Zhang had recently begun trading with them.<ref name="EP 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Yun and Qing experimenting.png|thumb|170px|Yun and Qing attempting to produce Greek fire]]
While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Yun and Qing attempted to produce Greek fire using the petroleum the former had found in Manila. However, they were interrupted by the screams of John, who was attacked by an animal that had snuck aboard the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 58" /> Rushing to his aid, Yun, Edward, and Rupiya discovered the animal to be a [[Wukong|baby monkey]], much to their amusement. Ultimately, Qing was able to calm down the agitated monkey and John decided to adopt it.<ref name="EP 59">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 59|Episode 59]]</ref>

Later, after the ''Fenghunag'' departed the village, Yun continued to work alongside Qing on their experiments. However, as the ship passed [[Monkey Island]], it was suddenly bombarded with mortar fire. Rupiya was able to steer the ''Fenghuang'' to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks.<ref name="EP 59" />

With the crew trapped and unaware of where the mortar fire had come from, Qing offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a [[hot air balloon]],<ref name="EP 59" /> which they dubbed the [[Celestial Chariot]]. After Yun suggested that they use it to survey the island from above, Qing volunteered to pilot the balloon due to her light weight. John protested at first, but relented after Yun assured him that he had taken all the necessary safety precautions.<ref name="EP 60">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60|Episode 60]]</ref>

After the Celestial Chariot took flight, Qing was able to mark the locations of all enemy encampments on Monkey Island, allowing the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew to fire on them. However, the balloon then suffered a malfunction mid-flight and caught fire, with Qing still inside.<ref name="EP 60" /> Although Qing managed to [[parachute]] to safety, Yun entered a state of shock and remained silent as John angrily confronted him over his invention's failure, which had nearly resulted in Qing's death.<ref name="EP 61">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 61|Episode 61]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John confronting Yun.png|left|180px|thumb|John confronting Yun for nearly getting Qing killed]]
After Edward helped John to calm down, Yun returned to his senses and apologized, claiming that the blame for Qing's current predicament was entirely his. John ultimately forgave him, and the crew decided to sail to Monkey Island to find and rescue Qing.<ref name="EP 61" />

As they approached the island, however, the ''Fenghuang'' came across a [[fort]] which had been taken over by a faction of native resistance warriors seeking to liberate the Philippines from Spanish occupation. Edward subsequently decided to lead a small party to the island in search of Qing while the remaining crew members distracted the native warriors.<ref name="EP 61" />

Yun remained aboard the ''Fenghuang'' as it engaged the fort, buying Edward and the others enough time to sneak onto Monkey Island undetected. The ship's crew then retreated to a swamp nearby, awaiting the return of Edward's expedition.<ref name="EP 61" />

However, while they were waiting, a sudden downpour of rain started and the ''Fenghuang'' was boarded by several native warriors. While the crew members fought the warriors, Yun fled to safety and hid from the attackers.<ref name="EP 62">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 62|Episode 62]]</ref> Ultimately, thanks to several multi-barreled [[musket]]s built by Yun, the Union members emerged victorious and killed most of the warriors while also taking a few of them captive.<ref name="EP 63">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63|Episode 63]]</ref>

Yun unmasked one of the warriors disguised as a ''[[manananggal]]'' and was surprised to discover he was human, making him question how he displayed such incredible strength in combat. Saito explained that it was the work of the crescent amulet she and Edward had encountered in Manila, which was now wielded by the resistance's leader [[Rajah]]. Moments later, a lookout reported that more native warriors were approaching the ''Fenghuang'' on boats, prompting Saito to order the crew to sail into the open sea.<ref name="EP 63" />

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island fort destruction.png|thumb|Rupiya, Yun, and Saito witnessing the fort's destruction]]
After escaping from their assailants, Yun and the others witnessed an explosion in the distance, signaling the destruction of Monkey Island's fort. The crew then went to pick up Edward's group, along with several native villagers they had befriended. Upon being reunited with Qing, Yun immediately apologized for nearly getting her killed, but Qing revealed that Yun's parachute had saved her life. She then suggested rebuilding the Celestial Chariot and using the lessons learned from their failed prototype to improve the balloon.<ref name="EP 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

While Yun excitedly agreed, John was less enthusiastic about the idea, as he did not want to risk losing his lover again. In response, Qing revealed that Yun had told her how much John had suffered in her absence and that being a member of the Zhang Wei Union was the first time she ever felt so loved and appreciated. Upon hearing this, John decided that it was not his place to stand in the path of Qing's dreams and proposed to her, while Yun and the others looked on.<ref name="EP 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|There must be some way to storm the fort while reducing our exposure to mortar fire... so that we can retrieve the artifact with minimal losses... I say! Would this be a good time to debut the Celestial Chariot Mk. 2?!|Yun announcing the second iteration of the Celestial Chariot, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68}}
After leaving Monkey Island, the ''Fenghuang'' sailed to Cebu, where Yun and most of the crew remained aboard the ship while Edward and Saito went into the city to look for the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="EP 65" /> When Rajah's fleet reached Cebu, John decided to attack it and the ''Fenghuang'' easily sunk the enemy ships before picking up Edward and Saito, who had failed to prevent Rajah from escaping with their prize: another [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]].<ref name="EP 68">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68|Episode 68]]</ref>

The crew followed Rajah and his men to [[Fort San Pedro]], which the resistance had taken over, but could not think of any way to infiltrate it without getting within range of the fort's cannons. Yun offered a solution and revealed the new and improved Celestial Chariot he had built, which could carry up to three people at once. Edward and Saito subsequently volunteered to board it, with a reluctant John joining them, and the trio took off in the balloon while Yun and the others remained aboard the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 68" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun and Rupiya sinking the ships.png|left|thumb|210px|Yun and Rupiya after sinking Zheng's ships]]
When Zheng's fleet arrived in Cebu and attacked the ''Fenghuang'', Yun decided to debut another one of his recent inventions: Greek fire bombs. After explaining that the bombs would create a thick fire on the water's surface to prevent ships from passing through, Yun ordered the crew to load them into the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s cannons.<ref name="EP 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref>

Upon contact with water, the petroleum inside the bombs ignited, creating a wall of fire which halted the advance of Zheng's fleet. While the crew celebrated their victory, Yun ordered Rupiya to bring the ''Fenghuang'' closer to Fort San Pedro, so that they could pick up Edward, Saito and John and make their escape.<ref name="EP 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> After doing so, however, the crew noticed Edward's strange condition, as the Assassin was struggling to resist the corrupting influence of the crescent amulet in his hand.<ref name="EP 74">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 74|Episode 74]]</ref>

At a loss without their leader, Yun asked John if Edward had mentioned anything about their next destination since he had known him the longest. At that moment, the Assassin briefly recovered from his trance and uttered the words "south" and "Sulu", reminding John that Jan van Aert had asked them to meet him in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. With that, he ordered that Edward be taken below deck to recover while the ''Fenghuang'' set sail towards Sulu.<ref name="EP 74" />

===Showdown with the Shimazu clan===
{{Quote|Kenway, you saved my life once again. But you're in no condition to be fighting. How on Earth did you...? Kenway?|Yun to Edward, after he saved him from the Shimazu ninja's ambush, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83}}
En route to Sulu, with Edward continuing to be unresponsive, Saito assumed temporary command of the ''Fenghuang'' and was informed by Yun, John and Rupiya that they needed to resupply and repair the ship before they arrived at their destination. Saito gave the order to dock on a nearby island and proceeded to personally lead several crew members ashore, including Yun, to gather the resources they needed.<ref name="EP 79">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 79|Episode 79]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Captured mercenaries.png|thumb|180px|Yun, John, and Saito with the captured mercenaries]]
While exploring the island, Yun and the others came across a village whose inhabitants immediately became hostile. One of the crew members acted as a translator between the two parties and explained that the villagers' paranoia stemmed from reports of Japanese [[Mercenary|mercenaries]] raiding neighboring settlements. Deducing these mercenaries to be working for the [[Shimazu clan]], Saito decided to offer the villagers a deal and volunteered to protect them from their assailants in exchange for supplies and shelter.<ref name="EP 80">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 80|Episode 80]]</ref>

The crew members subsequently set up a trap, which caught the mercenaries off-guard when they attempted to attack the village, leading to their capture. While Saito dueled the mercenaries' leader, [[Nagamasa]], Yun and John watched from the bushes and, although the former wished to help, John insisted that the best thing they could do was sit back and offer Saito their "moral support." In the end, Saito defeated Nagamasa, who was then imprisoned within the village alongside his men,<ref name="EP 80" /> though the mercenaries later managed to escape.<ref name="EP 81">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 81|Episode 81]]</ref>

When a still-recovering Edward arrived at the settlement, he placed Yun in charge of overseeing supplies for the ''Fenghuang''. Shortly after, Yun witnessed an argument between Edward and Saito, after the latter refused to go along with Edward's plan to have him serve as bait for the Shimazu clan while the others escaped. Saito then devised another plan to ambush the Shimazu clan, using John as a decoy.<ref name="EP 81" />

When the [[Rattan Shield Company]], which was working with the Shimazu clan, attacked the ''Fenghuang'', John signaled Yun and the other crew members hidden in the nearby forest to commence their ambush. Immediately, the crew opened fire on the Company soldiers with their five-barreled cannons built by Yun, inflicting heavy casualties. However, some shieldmen, including their captain, survived and rushed at Yun and his companions after the ''Fenghuang'' sailed away. Yun triggered another trap, dropping explosive barrels at the shieldmen which he then detonated with a fire arrow, but this also failed to stop them.<ref name="EP 82">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 82|Episode 82]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Yun attacked by ninja.png|left|thumb|170px|Yun fending off a Shimazu ninja]]
As they fled deeper into the forest, Yun and the others managed to keep the shieldmen at bay with their long-range weapons, as the soldiers' armor impaired their mobility. However, while reloading their weapons, the crew members noticed that the shieldmen had vanished, and suddenly came under attack by Shimazu [[ninja]], whose speed allowed them to quickly close the distance.<ref name="EP 83">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83|Episode 83]]</ref>

Yun managed to block a ninja's sword strike with his bow, just as Edward arrived and killed his assailant from behind. Edward then swiftly dealt with the other ninja, though as Yun went to thank him for the rescue, he noticed that the Assassin did not appear to be himself and deduced he had again succumbed to the crescent amulet's influence.<ref name="EP 83" />

Yun and the others subsequently carried Edward to their rendezvous point with Saito, where the samurai and Nagamasa's mercenaries had surrounded [[Fuma Sukuna]] and his ninja. Upon spotting the enemy reinforcements, the ninja quickly retreated and went to regroup with the Rattan Shield Company. Yun informed Saito of Edward's condition and, after the Assassin tried to warn her about a [[Calculations|vision]] showing her death, Saito devised a plan to defeat the Company and the Shimazu ninja.<ref name="EP 84">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 84|Episode 84]]</ref>

Yun and the others battled the Company soldiers when they attacked them, managing to hold them off for a time before retreating. Yun then used his bow to keep the shieldmen at bay, though he and the other Union members eventually ran out of ammunition. Sukuna and his ninja decided to seize the opportunity to attack them, but Saito had anticipated this and ordered her allies to unleash their Greek fire flamethrowers built by Yun, creating a wall of fire around them and the ninja.<ref name="EP 84" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun regrouping with Edward and Qing.png|thumb|180px|Yun and the others regrouping with Edward and Qing]]
With their enemies trapped, Saito and the mercenaries fought the ninja while Yun and the other Union members were ordered to retreat. As they fled through the forest, the group came across Edward and Qing, and Yun expressed his astonishment at how Edward had been able to predict the enemy's tactics so accurately. Together, the Union members then made their way to the island's shore, where the ''Fenghuang'' would arrive to pick them.<ref name="EP 85">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85|Episode 85]]</ref>

While waiting atop a cliff, the group was attacked by the Qing Empire's [[Special Cavalry Unit]], but Edward volunteered to deal with the soldiers.<ref name="EP 85" /> Thanks to the crescent amulet in his possession, the Assassin was able to single-handedly wipe out the cavalry unit, protecting Yun and the others. However, he then began to be corrupted by the artifact, just as Saito and Nagamasa arrived, having killed Fuma Sukuna and his ninja.<ref name="EP 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

After Saito forcefully took the amulet away from Edward, Yun handed her an empty chest to place the artifact in. The group then decided to swim to the ''Fenghuang'', which was unable to dock due to the Rattan Shield Company's presence on the beach. Parting ways with Nagamasa and his men for the time being, Yun and the others jumped off the cliff and managed to board their ship.<ref name="EP 86" />

While Edward was taken below deck to recover, Yun, Saito, John, and Rupiya discussed their next destination. After a short debate, they decided to stick to their original plan and sail to the Sultanate of Sulu.<ref name="EP 86" />

===Escape from Sulu===
{{Dialogue|Qing|Mr. Yun, I need your help!|Yun|And you shall have it!|Qing asking for Yun's help carrying an injured John, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88}}
In Sulu, the Union members were betrayed by Jan van Aert, who had made a deal with Sultan [[Badarud-Din I]], promising to deliver him the crescent amulet in the Union's possession. With the Sultanate's fleet threatening the ''Fenghuang'', the crew did not believe they had much of a choice and reluctantly accepted Jan's proposal.<ref name="EP 87">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87|Episode 87]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John, Yun and Saito imprisoned.png|left|thumb|190px|John, Yun, and Saito imprisoned in Sulu]]
After surrendering the amulet, the crew was imprisoned in Sulu, where Yun was made to share a cell with Saito and John. While waiting for an opportunity to escape, the trio was surprised by Qing entering their cell and telling them that Edward was working on a plan to free them. After Qing's pet monkey [[Wukong]] knocked down several [[Lantern|lamps]], blinding the guards, Edward killed them, clearing the path ahead.<ref name="EP 88">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88|Episode 88]]</ref>

However, one of the guards, realizing Qing had deceived them, tried to attack her in retaliation. John protected her, taking the hit instead, before the guard was knocked out by Saito. With John injured, Qing asked for Yun's help carrying him and the group began making their way to the ''Fenghuang''. Outside, they ran into Rupiya, who was preparing to rescue them himself, and witnessed the arrival of Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 88" />

Unwilling to let the Chinese Assassins seize the crescent amulet, Edward went to confront them, with John and Qing following closely behind. Meanwhile, Yun, Saito, and Rupiya returned to the ''Fenghuang'',<ref name="EP 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref> and [[Battle of Sulu|engaged]] Zheng's fleet to prevent it from reaching the shore.<ref name="EP 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

The crew was soon joined by Nagamasa and his men, whom Saito ordered to help Edward, John, and Qing. However, the mercenaries arrived too late, as the Chinese Assassins escaped with the crescent amulet after inadvertently killing Qing. Nevertheless, Nagamasa and his men picked up Edward and John, allowing them to escape from Sulu alongside the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 92" />

===Journey to Burma===
{{Quote|Indeed, I too wish to witness the end of the worldly mysteries that lie in store. You may count on my aid as well!|Yun declaring his intention to continue accompanying Edward, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96}}
[[File:ACFT - Yun working in the lab.png|thumb|200px|Yun working inside his lab]]
While the ''Fenghuang'' docked in [[Singapore]] to resupply, Yun, devastated by the loss of his assistant Qing, decided to distract himself from his mourning by focusing on his work. He spent an entire day inside his lab on the ''Fenghuang'', building his latest invention that could help his crewmates.<ref name="EP 93">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93|Episode 93]]</ref>

After the ''Fenghuang'' departed Singapore, Yun joined Edward, Saito, John, Rupiya, and Nagamasa to discuss Edward's [[Calculations|visions]] caused by the crescent amulet, which revealed the location of another Piece of Eden in the [[Shwedagon Pagoda]]. Edward went on to explain that this artifact and the amulet were part of a set of [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|three]] Pieces and that, should anyone acquire all three, they would gain the power to control the entire world.<ref name="EP 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref>

Wishing to keep the Pieces of Eden out of the wrong hands, and also having an interest in understanding how the artifacts functioned, Yun swore to stand by Edward's side until the end of his quest. After the rest of the crew also declared their intentions to see the adventure through, the ''Fenghuang'' set sail for [[Myanmar|Burma]].<ref name="EP 96" />

[[File:ACFT - Yangon at night.png|left|thumb|170px|Yun and the others looking over Yangon]]
As they approached [[Yangon]], Yun received a note from Zhang via [[Pigeon coop|carrier pigeon]] which informed the crew that a group of [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monks had offered to guide them into the city and help them retrieve the Piece of Eden. Yun, Edward, Saito, and John subsequently [[Blending|blended]] in with the monks to bypass the guards and enter Yangon, whereupon they began devising a plan to infiltrate the Shwedagon Pagoda.<ref name="EP 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref>

Since Saito refused to get the monks involved any further, Yun suggested using the Celestial Chariot Mk. 3, which he had brought with him, to fly over Yangon and then parachute onto the pagoda. At night, once all the preparations were complete, Edward and Saito boarded the Celestial Chariot, equipped with backpacks containing gliders built by Yun. The engineer wished the pair good luck in their mission and, alongside John, watched as the hot air balloon took off, bringing Edward and Saito right above the Shwedagon Pagoda.<ref name="EP 97" />
{{-}}

===Legacy===
When [[Noa Kim]], a descendant of both Yun and Edward Kenway, relived the latter's [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] during his imprisonment by [[Abstergo Industries]], he quickly deduced that Yun was his ancestor upon "meeting" him as Edward. Believing that Noa wished to learn more about Yun, [[Shimazu Sei]] added a [[database]] entry for him, which contained details about his life.<ref name="EP 26" />

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|I'm rather confident in my skills, if I do say so myself!|Yun to Edward Kenway, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 26}}
As a scholar, Yun was a well-cultured man who possessed a great deal of knowledge about various subjects. He also took great pride in his work as an engineer and would enthusiastically talk about his inventions at any given opportunity.<ref name="EP 26" /> Yun was frustrated by his workload at the Office of Military Armaments, where he could never build the inventions he desired due to budgetary restrictions, and as such was grateful to Edward Kenway for providing him with the opportunity to give free rein to his imagination.<ref name="EP 31" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun protesting against Saito's recruitment.png|thumb|250px|Yun protesting against Saito's recruitment into the Zhang Wei Union]]
While Yun maintained a generally cheerful attitude, he could lose his composure in certain situations. The Imjin War, in which many of Yun's ancestors had perished, was a particularly touchy subject and caused Yun to develop animosity for all Japanese warriors, especially samurai. As a result, he was initially hostile towards Shimazu Saito but the two were eventually able to develop a strong friendship over their shared passion for archery.<ref name="EP 40" />

Yun was also shown to become extremely nervous in stressful situations, as his feet froze in place and he could not move a muscle when Xiao Han attempted to kill him.<ref name="EP 48" /> Later, after one of his inventions nearly got Xialun Qing killed, he entered a state of shock and remained completely silent while trying to process the extreme guilt he felt, even as John Young angrily confronted him.<ref name="EP 61" />

During his time working for the Zhang Wei Union, Yun witnessed first-hand the abilities of the Pieces of Eden, which made him question his scientific beliefs as these otherworldly powers went against everything he knew.<ref name="EP 63" /> Later, he resolved to continue accompanying his fellow Union members until the end of their adventure, wishing to see what other mysteries they uncovered and hoping he could better understand the Pieces' abilities.<ref name="EP 96" />

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACFT - Yun with a bow.png|left|thumb|190px|Yun wielding a bow]]
A skilled engineer, Yun was capable of designing and building a variety of weapons, including {{Wiki|Hwacha|hwachas}}, swivel guns, and volley guns.<ref name="EP 31" /> He was also shown to have some experience repairing ships, as he easily fixed the broken wheel of a Dutch East India Company vessel,<ref name="EP 26" /> and later oversaw repairs to the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 31" />

However, perhaps his most remarkable feat was his invention of a prototype [[Phantom Blade]] for Edward,<ref name="EP 31" /> several decades before the weapon's implementation by the [[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|French Assassins]].<ref name="ACU">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''</ref> Other notable inventions of Yun included Shimazu Saito's suit of armor,<ref name="EP 41" /> fire barrels which exploded on impact,<ref name="EP 47" /> and the [[Celestial Chariot]], a prototype hot air balloon.<ref name="EP 60" />

Aside from his engineering talents, Yun's skills included his multilingualism; in addition to his native {{Wiki|Korean language|Korean}}, he was able to perfectly understand and communicate in {{Wiki|English language|English}}, as well as presumably other languages.<ref name="EP 26" /> He was also a proficient archer, regarded as the best in the Zhang Wei Union until the arrival of Saito.<ref name="EP 40" />

==Behind the scenes==
Yun Pyeong-Gyu is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. As in Korean naming tradition a person's surname comes before their given name, "Yun" would be his surname while "Pyeong-Gyu" is his personal name. In Episode 26, Yun mentioned that foreigners found it difficult to pronounce his full name and as such he prefers to be addressed only by his first name.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT Yun Pyeong-Gyu.jpg|Yun Pyeong-Gyu
ACFT - Edward and Yun in the water.png|Yun and Edward in the water after escaping the pirate ship
ACFT - Edward and John celebrate Yun's recruitment.png|Edward and John celebrating Yun's recruitment to the Zhang Wei Union
ACFT - Edward checking on Yun.png|Edward checking on Yun's progress repairing the ''Fenghuang''
ACFT - Yun and Rupiya.png|Yun and Rupiya aboard the ''Fenghuang''
ACFT - Yun producing Greek fire.png|Yun producing Greek fire
ACFT - Yun unveiling the Celestial Chariot.png|Yun unveiling the Celestial Chariot
ACFT - Edward discussing his visions.png|Yun and the others discussing Edward's visions
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Joseon people]]
[[Category:Koreans]]
[[Category:Scholars]]
[[Category:Engineers]]
[[Category:Inventors]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Archers]]
[[Category:Zhawang Corporation members]]
[[Category:Fenghuang crew]]
[[Category:Assassin allies]]
[[Category:Ancestors of Noa Kim]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Qing Xialun

2026-08-23T03:36:32Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Quote|I'm afraid choosing the life they wish to lead is a luxury... that is only afforded to the fortunate.|Qing Xialun to Shimazu Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Qing Xialun
|image = ACFT Xialun Qing.png
|death = 1725 [[Sultanate of Sulu]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = *[[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]
*''[[Fenghuang]]'' crew
}}
'''Qing Xialun''' (died 1725) was a [[China|Chinese]] woman who worked as a [[tea]] waitress aboard [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]]'s [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] in the early 18th century.

After meeting and falling in love with the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] navigator [[John Young]] in 1725, Xialun was saved by him during the gambling ship's destruction by Sun's enemies. She subsequently joined the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], an organization founded by John's friend, the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], and used her medical knowledge to help the organization's members as a [[doctor]].

Xialun eagerly accompanied her fellow Union members on their travels across [[Southeast Asia]], where they searched for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]]. However, after finding one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—the Union members were imprisoned in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. Following their escape, Xialun volunteered to recover the amulet, only to end up sacrificing herself to save John from the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] [[Xiao Han]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{Quote|As a child, I always felt like a ghost... never seen or noticed by anybody.|Xialun on her childhood, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
[[File:ACFT - Young Xialun Qing.png|thumb|190px|A young Xialun on the streets]]
Xialun grew up an orphan on the streets of [[Macau]]. In her own words, she felt like a ghost because no one ever paid attention to her, forcing her to survive on her own.<ref name="EP 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref> Eventually, she was able to find work aboard the [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] operated by [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]], as a waitress, though she would also occasionally tend to the customers' other needs.<ref name="EP 41">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41|Episode 41]]</ref>

At some point during her work aboard the gambling ship, Xialun served as an aide to a [[doctor]], allowing her to pick up some medical skills that would prove useful in her later life.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Meeting John Young===
{{Dialogue3|John|Only a fool of a man would fail to see your delightful charm. My dear, I do declare you've ignited a passion within me.|Xialun|B-but, sir... are you sure you want to be with a girl like me?|You'll break my heart with such modesty. Come, tell me your name at least.|My name... is Xialun Qing. [''sic'']|Xialun introducing herself to John, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
One night in 1725, while working aboard the gambling ship, Xialun met and fell in love with [[John Young]], who had infiltrated the ship to serve as [[Edward Kenway]]'s decoy.<ref name="EP 32">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 32|Episode 32]]</ref> After John got drunk, Xialun gave him a hangover cure of her own creation, which she modestly described as a "silly old trick" she had picked up ages ago. However, John was impressed and began to flatter her, calling her the brightest woman he had ever met.<ref name="EP 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John tells Qing to hide.png|left|thumb|170px|John telling Xialun to hide during the ninja's attack]]
Xialun was embarrassed and questioned what John could possibly see in her, to which he admitted that Xialun had ignited a passion within him and asked for her name. As Xialun told John her name, the two closed in for a kiss, but were interrupted by a commotion outside their room. Seeing that the [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]] [[ninja]] Edward had allied himself with were killing the ship's staff, John told Xialun to hide and remain quiet if she wished to survive, before leaving to find Edward.<ref name="EP 34" />

However, the ship later began to be bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]], forcing the civilians and staff to evacuate it. In the resulting commotion, Xialun was accidentally thrown overboard but was rescued by John, who had stolen a [[gunboat]]. Xialun then joined him in picking up Edward and [[Shimazu Saito]] before the group was rescued from Zheng's fleet by the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]'s flagship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]''.<ref name="EP 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>
{{-}}

===Joining the Zhang Wei Union===
{{Dialogue|Edward|I know all too well how difficult voyages can be without a doctor or medicine at hand! I'm glad to have you on board, miss!|Qing|Likewise! I look forward to the journey, sir!|Edward and Xialun, shortly before sailing to the Philippines, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple}}
At the Zhang Wei Union's [[A-Ma Cultural Village|headquarters]], Xialun treated an injured Saito and helped her get dressed up afterwards. She later tended to a seemingly asleep John while the other Union members came together to decipher a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] containing encrypted information on the location of [[Angkor]].<ref name="EP 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Deciphering the sea log.png|thumb|200px|Qing tending to a sleeping John]]
After the Union members resolved to travel to the [[Philippines]] to pick up on [[Ferdinand Magellan]]'s trail and find Angkor, John decided to bring Xialun along for the voyage. Before their departure, Xialun created the [[poison]] [[dart]]s for Edward's new [[blowpipe]] built by [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]], which made Saito question why someone with her talents had been working aboard Sun's gambling ship. Xialun simply told her that choosing the life one wished to lead was a luxury afforded to few, causing Saito to apologize.<ref name="EP 41" />

Edward was impressed by Xialun's medical skills and, believing a doctor could prove useful on the journey, welcomed her into the Zhang Wei Union. Once all the preparations were complete, Xialun boarded the ''Fenghuang'' alongside John, Edward, Saito, Yun, and [[Mustafa|Rupiya]] as the group left Macau and sailed towards the Philippines.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Journey to the Philippines===
{{Dialogue|Soldier|Listen here, young lady. We're not here to amuse ourselves.|Xialun|Oh, of course! You're protecting the ship for us, isn't that right? That's why I thought it would be nice to bring you some tasty treats and a drink to wash them down with... Just a little drink is all. What do you say?|Xialun distracting a group of Spanish soldiers, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51}}
En route to the Philippines, the ''Fenghuang'' was attacked by Zheng's fleet and the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] [[Xiao Han]], [[Liu Qing]], and [[Xue Yan]], who also sought to find Angkor.<ref name="EP 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref> Although the ship's crew repelled the attack and lost their pursuers by sailing into a storm, many sailors were injured during the battle. Xialun treated as many of them as she could before the ''Fenghuang'' was again attacked by one of Zheng's ships. Fortunately, the enemy vessel was sunk by a [[Dutch East India Company]] ship captained by Edward's ally [[Jan van Aert]], who had decided to join the Union members in their quest for Angkor.<ref name="EP 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang crew arrested.png|left|thumb|230px|Qing and the others being arrested in Manila]]
Not long afterwards, both the ''Fenghuang'' and Jan's ship came under attack by two [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|Men O' War]], forcing them to surrender. The crews of the two ships were subsequently brought to [[Manila]], where they were arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} [[Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda]]'s [[assassination]] six years prior.<ref name="EP 50">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 50|Episode 50]]</ref>

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in [[Fort Santiago]]'s dungeon, the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew was forced to remain inside their ship, under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John managed to learn that Governor Bustamante had been killed in a riot by {{Wiki|Archbishop of Manila|Archbishop}} [[Francisco de la Cuesta]]'s supporters, and relayed this information to the others. Edward then decided to take matters into their own hands and had Qing distract the guards by bringing them food and drinks, allowing the rest of the crew to escape the ship.<ref name="EP 51">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51|Episode 51]]</ref>

After Edward and Saito rescued Jan's crew and the other Union members retrieved their confiscated weapons and supplies from a warehouse, the ''Fenghuang'' sailed away from Manila, followed closely by Jan's ship. When the [[Spanish Navy]] gave chase, Jan volunteered to distract their pursuers to give the Union members time to flee.<ref name="EP 57">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 57|Episode 57]]</ref>

Once they had escaped from the Spanish fleet, Edward told Xialun and the others about his and Saito's encounter with a [[Mad monk|monk]] who wielded a [[Piece of Eden]] in the shape of a [[crescent amulet]]. As Saito was still recovering from the amulet's effects, Xialun tended to her while Edward ordered the crew to set a course for [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 57" />

===Excursion to Monkey Island===
{{Dialogue|John|I swar, if those scoundrels laid a finger on you—|Qing|I-I'm perfectly fine, my love. If anything, the people here treated me like an honored guest. In fact... I'm more worried you've scared these poor people half to death.|Xialun and John after being reunited on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63}}
[[File:ACFT - Yun and Qing experimenting.png|thumb|180px|Xialun and Yun attempting to reproduce the formula for Greek fire]]
Following their escape from Manila, the Union members discovered that the Spanish authorities had confiscated all of their food rations and attacked two passing Spanish [[schooner]]s to take their supplies. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' docked at a nearby village to resupply, where the natives instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] had recently begun trading with them.<ref name="EP 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Xialun and Yun attempted to recreate the formula for [[Greek fire]]. However, they were interrupted by the screams of John, who had been attacked by an unseen creature.<ref name="EP 58" /> Rushing to his aid alongside Edward and Rupiya, the group found John struggling to get rid of a [[Wukong|baby monkey]], much to their amusement.<ref name="EP 59">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 59|Episode 59]]</ref>

While the others laughed at John's predicament, Xialun calmed down the agitated monkey and cradled it until it fell asleep. As she pointed out that the monkey must have lost its parents, John suggested that they adopt it and Xialun agreed. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' departed the village and began its voyage to Cebu.<ref name="EP 59" />

That night, Xialun continued to assist Yun with his experiments, but they were interrupted once again, this time by the ''Fenghuang'' being bombarded with mortar fire. Rupiya was able to steer the ship to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks on the nearby [[Monkey Island]].<ref name="EP 59" />

With the crew trapped and unaware of where the mortar fire had come from, Xialun offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a [[hot air balloon]],<ref name="EP 59" /> which they dubbed the [[Celestial Chariot]]. After Yun suggested using it to survey the island, Xialun volunteered to be the pilot, claiming that she wanted to be the first human to experience the miracle of flight. John opposed her decision due to being concerned for her safety, but both Xialun and Yun assured him that she would be unharmed.<ref name="EP 60">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60|Episode 60]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing surveying the island.png|left|thumb|190px|Xialun surveying Monkey Island]]
After taking flight in the Celestial Chariot, Xialun briefly admired the view before focusing on her task at hand. Surveying Monkey Island, she was able to determine the locations of all enemy encampments and mark them on a map, which she sent back to the ''Fenghuang'', allowing the crew to fire on them. However, the Celestial Chariot then suffered a malfunction due to a sudden gust of wind and caught fire, with Xialun still inside.<ref name="EP 60" />

Remembering Yun's instructions on how to proceed in the event of an emergency, Xialun jumped out of the burning balloon and deployed her [[parachute]], landing safely on Monkey Island. However, her parachute ended up getting caught in a tree, leaving Xialun stuck. Not long after, a group of natives found the stranded Xialun and approached her, causing her to scream in terror.<ref name="EP 61">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 61|Episode 61]]</ref>

Fortunately, the natives meant to harm and brought Xialun back to their village, where she used her medical knowledge to treat their sick and wounded. Not long after, Xialun and the natives were taken by surprise when an expedition led by Edward and John arrived in the village in search of her. Mistakenly assuming the villagers had kidnapped Xialun, the group attacked them, only to realize their error of judgement when they saw Xialun carrying a box of medicine.<ref name="EP 62">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 62|Episode 62]]</ref>

After Xialun explained that the natives had rescued her from the jungle, her fellow Union members felt remorse for having attacked them, especially when the village's chief allowed them to stay as guests. Xialun later told Edward and John about the village's recent history and how most of its inhabitants had been forcefully recruited into a native resistance fighting against the Spanish colonists, which operated out of Monkey Island's [[fort]].<ref name="EP 63">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63|Episode 63]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing treating the villager.png|thumb|210px|Xialun treating the villager]]
However, the conversation was interrupted by the sudden screams of a woman outside, who was pursued by what appeared to be a ''[[manananggal]]''. After the monster was incapacitated and unmasked as one of the missing villagers, Xialun brought the man inside, insisting that he required immediate medical attention. While Xialun treated the villager, the chief informed the Zhang Wei Union members that others like him roamed the island's jungles, prompting Edward to come up with a plan to capture them.<ref name="EP 63" />

After the successful capture of several brainwashed warriors, the Union members decided to use them to storm Monkey Island's fort and rescue the prisoners held there. Xialun joined the others in their assault and jumped into the water after John planted explosives to destroy the fort.<ref name="EP 64">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 64|Episode 64]]</ref> The group was soon picked up by the ''Fenghuang'', and Qing was reunited with Yun, who immediately apologized for nearly getting her killed, but Xialun revealed that Yun's parachute had saved her life.<ref name="EP 65" />

Following this, Xialun suggested rebuilding the Celestial Chariot and using the lessons learned from their failed prototype to improve the balloon. While Yun excitedly agreed, John was opposed to the idea, as he did not want to risk losing his lover again. After Xialun told John that she knew how much he cared about her and that being a member of the Union was the first time she ever felt loved, John promised to find a place to call home and asked for Xialun's hand in marriage, to which she excitedly accepted.<ref name="EP 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|We'll build on the lessons of our failure and build an even better machine! A safer Celestial Chariot capable of soaring several people at once!|Qing coming up with the idea of a second Celestial Chariot, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
After the ''Fenghuang'' departed Monkey Island and sailed to Cebu, Xialun and most of the crew stayed behind on the ship while Edward and Saito went to the city to look for the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="EP 65" /> When the native resistance's fleet reached Cebu, John decided to attack it, and the ''Fenghuang'' easily sunk the enemy ships before picking up Edward and Saito, who had failed to prevent the resistance's leader [[Rajah]] from escaping with their prize: another [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]].<ref name="EP 68">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68|Episode 68]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Boarding the Celestial Chariot.png|left|thumb|180px|Qing and the others watching Edward, John, and Saito board the Celestial Chariot]]
The crew followed Rajah to [[Fort San Pedro]], which the rebels had taken over, but could not think of any way to infiltrate it without getting within range of the fort's cannons. Yun offered a solution and revealed an improved Celestial Chariot he had built, which could carry up to three people at once. Edward and Saito subsequently volunteered to board it, with a reluctant John joining them, and the trio took off in the balloon while Xialun and the others remained on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 68" />

Following a naval battle against Zheng's fleet, which had also arrived in Cebu, the ''Fenghuang'' went to pick up Edward, Saito, and John, who had landed in the water after their escape from Fort San Pedro with the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> However, the Piece of Eden proved to have negative effects on Edward, making him largely unresponsive. Xialun examined the Assassin and concluded that, while physically stable, he appeared to have completely withdrawn into himself.<ref name="EP 74">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 74|Episode 74]]</ref>

The crew was at a loss without their leader until John recalled that Jan van Aert had asked them to reconvene with him in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. The navigator subsequently ordered Rupiya to set a course for Sulu so that they could meet Jan while Edward was taken below deck to recover.<ref name="EP 74" />

===Showdown with the Shimazu clan===
{{Dialogue|Xialun|Are you sure this will work, Lady Saito?|Saito|Knowing Fuma, yes. Even in the heat of the battle, he won't pass up a chance to take a valuable hostage.|Xialun and Saito discussing their plan to lure Fuma Sukuna into a trap, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83}}
En route to Sulu, Xialun treated the crew members who had been injured during the fight in Cebu, including Edward, who was still recovering from the crescent amulet's affects. When the crew decided to dock on an island to resupply, Xialun did not accompany Saito and the others who went ashore to gather resources, electing to remain on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 79">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 79|Episode 79]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing playing with children.png|thumb|190px|Xialun and Wukong playing with the children]]
After the crew secured an alliance with a group of native villagers by protecting them from a [[raid]] by Japanese [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], Qing accompanied Edward to their settlement. There, she briefly spoke with John, telling him that Edward had yet to make a full recovery and was in a state of near-constant suffering. Afterwards, Xialun went to play with some of the native children while her fellow crew members discussed strategies against the [[Shimazu clan]], which was on their tail.<ref name="EP 81">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 81|Episode 81]]</ref>

While John, Yun, and most of the crew ambushed the [[Rattan Shield Company]], which was working with the Shimazu clan, Xialun collected several medicinal herbs for Edward, easing his pain and allowing him to fight again. Xialun, Edward, and Saito then spotted smoke in the distance, indicating that their explosive trap had been activated and that Yun and the others had faced more resistance than they had anticipated.<ref name="EP 82">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 82|Episode 82]]</ref>

The trio immediately decided to go help them, but before they could leave, they were approached by the Japanese mercenaries Saito had encountered earlier, who had come to negotiate with her.<ref name="EP 82" /> After securing an alliance with [[Nagamasa]] and his men, Edward left to rescue Yun and the other crew members who were being pursued by Shimazu [[ninja]], while Saito decided to set a trap for the ninja's leader, her former mentor [[Fuma Sukuna]].<ref name="EP 83">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83|Episode 83]]</ref>

Knowing Sukuna could not resist the opportunity to take a valuable hostage, Saito had Xialun serve as bait by standing in an open field while she hid behind a rock nearby. When Sukuna and several of his ninja arrived to try and capture Xialun, Saito revealed herself and confronted them. She then signaled Nagamasa and his men, who emerged from their hiding spots and surrounded the ninja.<ref name="EP 83" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun regrouping with Edward and Qing.png|left|thumb|180px|Xialun and Edward regrouping with Yun and the others]]
The standoff was broken off by the arrival of Yun, Edward, and the other Zhang Wei Union members, causing the ninja to retreat and regroup with the Rattan Shield Company. Saito then devised a plan to trap and defeat their enemies while Xialun and a weakened Edward fled to safety, as both of them were unable to partake in the upcoming battle.<ref name="EP 84">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 84|Episode 84]]</ref> They were soon joined by Yun and the other Union members, and the group proceeded to make their way to the island's shore, where the ''Fenghuang'' would arrive to pick them up.<ref name="EP 85">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85|Episode 85]]</ref>

While waiting atop a cliff, the group was attacked by the Qing Empire's [[Special Cavalry Unit]],<ref name="EP 85" /> but Edward protected Xialun and the others and single-handedly wiped out the cavalry unit. However, the Assassin then began to be corrupted by the crescent amulet in his possession, just as Saito and Nagamasa arrived, having killed Fuma Sukuna and his ninja.<ref name="EP 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

After Saito took the amulet away from Edward and placed it in a chest, the group decided to swim to the ''Fenghuang'', which was unable to dock due to the Rattan Shield Company's presence on the beach. Parting ways with Nagamasa and his men for the time being, Xialun and the others jumped off the cliff and managed to board their ship. Xialun then joined an unconscious Edward below deck in order to look after him while the ''Fenghuang'' resumed its voyage to the Sultanate of Sulu.<ref name="EP 86" />

===Escape from Sulu===
{{Quote|If only I can bring back this artifact safely... I'll be back aboard the ''Fenghuang'' before long with John, Kenway and the others... We'll all be united once more...|Xialun, after retrieving the crescent amulet, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward and Qing imprisoned.png|thumb|250px|Xialun and Edward imprisoned in Sulu]]
In Sulu, the Union members were betrayed by Jan van Aert, who had made a deal with Sultan [[Badarud-Din I]], promising to deliver him the crescent amulet in the Union's possession. With the Sultanate's fleet threatening the ''Fenghuang'', the crew did not believe they had much of a choice and reluctantly accepted Jan's proposal. After surrendering the chest containing the amulet, the crew was imprisoned in Sulu, where Xialun was made to share a cell with the unconscious Edward so she could continue to look after him.<ref name="EP 87">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87|Episode 87]]</ref>

When Edward woke up, Xialun quickly brought him up to speed with everything that had happened, and handed him a ''[[eunjangdo]]'' knife that Yun had made for her. After Edward promised her that he would rescue all of their companions, Xialun staged a distraction by banging on the cell's door and shouting that the Assassin was dying. When two guards entered the cell to investigate, they were swiftly killed by Edward with the knife, allowing him and Xialun to escape.<ref name="EP 87" />

Edward told Xialun to stay behind for her own safety, but she insisted that she come along, arguing that she had proven herself more than capable of being helpful. The two then made their way to the cell holding John, Yun, and Saito, which was heavily guarded. Xialun again offered to stage a distraction and approached the guards, claiming she had been sent to check on the prisoners. While the guards allowed Xialun entry into the cell, her pet monkey [[Wukong]] knocked down several [[Lantern|lamps]], blinding the soldiers and allowing Edward to kill them.<ref name="EP 88">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88|Episode 88]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John protecting Qing.png|left|thumb|170px|John protecting Qing from the guard's attack]]
However, one of the guards realized Xialun's deceit and tried to attack her in retaliation. John protected her, taking the hit instead, before the guard was knocked out by Saito. With John injured, Xialun asked for Yun's help carrying him and the group began making their way to the ''Fenghuang''. Outside, they ran into Rupiya, who was preparing to rescue them himself, and witnessed the arrival of Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 88" />

Unwilling to let the Chinese Assassins seize the crescent amulet, Edward decided to face them alone and ordered his allies to head to the ''Fenghuang''. After Xialun ripped a part of her dress to bandage John's wound, the navigator, refusing to let Edward risk his life, went after him. Following several moments of consideration, Xialun also decided to follow her fiancé, to ensure no further harm came upon him.<ref name="EP 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

Despite John's insistence that she head back for her own safety, Xialun refused and helped John look for a way into the warehouse holding the amulet, which had been partially destroyed by cannon fire. When the pair were confronted by Xue Yan, John held off the Chinese Assassin while Qing found a small passage among the warehouse's debris. As she was the only one that could fit in, Xialun decided to go through the passage and recover the amulet.<ref name="EP 89" />

Inside the warehouse, Xialun was attacked by Xue Yan, but after revealing that she was just a doctor, the Chinese Assassin let her go, not wishing to harm a non-combatant. She commended Xialun's courage and warned her to stay out of her way, but while the Assassin had her back turned, Xialun ran through an open door, moments before the path was blocked by falling debris.<ref name="EP 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing escaping the warehouse.png|thumb|180px|Xialun escaping from the warehouse with the amulet's chest]]
Now alone, Xialun found herself in front of the chamber housing the amulet's chest, but the door was locked. While the doctor took a moment to rest, Wukong, who had accompanied her, found a set of keys on the body of a guard crushed by the falling debris. With the keys, Xialun unlocked the chamber's door and retrieved the chest, before spotting a small passage leading outside.<ref name="EP 90" />

As she crawled through the passage with the chest, Xialun stopped halfway through. Although exhausted and scared, she motivated herself to carry on, telling herself that, once she brought the chest to Edward and John, they would all return to the ''Fenghuang'' and be reunited with the rest of their friends.<ref name="EP 90" />

===Sacrifice===
{{Dialogue2|Xialun|John... I'm so glad... that you're safe and sound... I only ever had one wish... To see as much of this world as we could together...|John|No! Don't talk like that!|You loved me... for the woman I am... Thank you... John.|Xialun's final moments, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
After making it out of the warehouse, Xialun spotted Edward and John fighting against Xiao Han and Liu Qing in the distance. As she prepared to join them, however, she was suddenly grabbed from behind by Xue Yan, who seized the chest and held a knife to her throat. With Xialun as their hostage, the Chinese Assassins attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release the doctor if he allowed them to leave with the amulet.<ref name="EP 90" />

[[File:ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|thumb|left|260px|Xialun sacrificing herself to save John from Xiao Han]]
However, the negotiations were interrupted by a volley of cannon fire striking the beach. In the resulting chaos, Xue Yan dropped the chest and released Xialun.<ref name="EP 90" /> After Edward retrieved the amulet, he used its powers to defeat Xiao Han, but hesitated to take his life. This allowed the Chinese Assassin to break free from Edward's grasp, prompting John to intervene and knock him down. Furious, Xiao Han lunged at John with his sword, but Xialun jumped in and took the blow instead.<ref name="EP 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

As a devastated John asked her why she had done that, Xialun told him that she was relieved to see him safe and that she had only ever wished to see as much of the world as she could with him. She then thanked John for accepting and loving her for who she was, and passed away in his arms.<ref name="EP 91" /> Moments later, John and Edward were forced to escape as soldiers arrived to confront them, reluctantly leaving Xialun's body behind.<ref name="EP 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

===Legacy===
{{Quote|One day, when this voyage is done and our thoughts turn to home... I wanted nothing more than to build a family with my love Xialun. Let me ask you this, friend. If there is some way to bring back a loved one... would you not move heaven and Earth to make it so?|John to Edward and Saito, expressing his desire to bring back Xialun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96}}
[[File:ACFT - John mourning Qing.png|thumb|190px|John mourning Xialun]]
Xialun's death affected all of her fellow crew members, who each mourned her in their own way. Yun, devastated by the loss of his assistant, decided to focus on his work,<ref name="EP 93">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93|Episode 93]]</ref> building a third iteration of the Celestial Chariot.<ref name="EP 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref> Meanwhile, Edward blamed himself for Xialun's death, leaving him initially despondent as he believed that all his efforts to protect his loved ones were in vain, until a conversation with his wife [[Tessa Kenway|Tessa]] helped him regain his resolve.<ref name="EP 95">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 95|Episode 95]]</ref>

John was the most affected by Xialun's death and held onto the piece of her dress she had used to bandage his wound as a memento.<ref name="EP 92" /> When the [[Templars]] later approached John and offered him a chance to resurrect Xialun using the Pieces of Eden's power if he helped them acquire the artifacts, the navigator accepted, betraying the Zhang Wei Union and all of his friends.<ref name="EP 106">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 106|Episode 106]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|In this endlessly wide world of ours... Perhaps I might find some kindred souls who need me as I need them. And what's more... There's no delight in life quite like spending time with someone who cares.|Xialun to John Young, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Xialun was a kind and modest woman who did not think very highly of herself, in part because of her difficult upbringing, being forced to grow up alone on the streets.<ref name="EP 65" /> Although she became enamored with John the moment she met him, she believed that he was too good for her and as such was embarrassed when the navigator confessed his own feelings for her.<ref name="EP 34" />

[[File:ACFT - John and Qing embrace.png|left|thumb|200px|Xialun embracing John]]
In the end, however, Xialun agreed to give their relationship a try, especially after John saved her life.<ref name="EP 39" /> Although she would still be occasionally embarrassed whenever John became overprotective of her, she came to enjoy the positive attention she received from him,<ref name="EP 41" /> and excitedly agreed to marry and settle down with him.<ref name="EP 65" />

Having been forced into a life of servitude aboard Sun's gambling ship, Xialun saw joining the Zhang Wei Union as an opportunity to escape her old life and put her skills to better use.<ref name="EP 41" /> She enjoyed being in the company of people who treated her as an equal for the first time in her life and was excited to join them on their adventures.<ref name="EP 65" /> She also felt a moral obligation to help other people find their place in the world, just like how the Union had helped her find her purpose.<ref name="EP 65" />

Xialun possessed a love of science which allowed her to work well alongside Yun Pyeong-Gyu, assisting him with his various inventions. As Edward Kenway once said, when the two put their minds together, it was typically for "something that could save [their] very lives".<ref name="EP 59" />

Xialun was shown to be brave in certain situations, readily volunteering to pilot the Celestial Chariot despite the possible danger,<ref name="EP 60" /> and agreeing to serve as bait for the Shimazu clan.<ref name="EP 83" /> She also insisted that she join Edward in rescuing their imprisoned companions in Sulu, arguing that she had proven to be more than capable of looking after herself.<ref name="EP 88" /> In her final moments, Xialun proved her love and devotion to John by bravely sacrificing herself to save him, valuing John's safety more than her own life.<ref name="EP 91" />

===Skills and equipment===
{{Quote|And crafting poisons is the least of it! She can heal ailments and treat wounds as well! Isn't she just extraordinary?|John telling Edward about Xialun's abilities, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
[[File:ACFT - Qing treating a crew member.png|thumb|220px|Xialun treating an injured crew member]]
While working as an aide to a doctor aboard Sun's gambling ship, Xialun picked up some medical knowledge, allowing her to treat wounds and heal various ailments. She was also a skilled chemist as she assisted Yun in creating the poison darts for Edward's blowpipe,<ref name="EP 41" /> and reproducing the formula for Greek fire.<ref name="EP 58" />

In addition to her medical skills, Xialun also appeared to be a talented actress, easily deceiving a group of Spanish guards into taking a break from their duties and accepting the food and drinks she had brought them.<ref name="EP 51" />

As the lightest and shortest member of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew, Xialun was able to fit in small spaces most people could not. This proved useful in Sulu, where she went through a narrow corridor to infiltrate a demolished warehouse and retrieve the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 89" /> Her pet monkey Wukong was another valuable asset, as he could help Xialun by staging distractions<ref name="EP 88" /> or fetching items for her.<ref name="EP 90" />

==Behind the scenes==
Qing Xialun is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Her surname is Qing and her personal name Xialun. In Chinese naming convention, the surname comes first and the personal name second, but in the English edition of the graphic novel, her name is erroneously ordered Xialun Qing. This is despite the fact other East Asian characters such as [[Xiao Han]], [[Xue Yan]], [[Liu Qing]], [[Shimazu Saito]], and [[Fuma Sukuna]] maintain the proper surname-first name order, so there is an inconsistency in the translation. This inconsistency also appears with another character, the Korean [[Yun Pyeong-gyu]], who introduces himself as "Pyeong-gyu Yun" in Chapter 26.

There is some inconsistency regarding Xialun's eye color, with certain episodes depicting her as having brown eyes while others show her with blue eyes.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT - Decoy John.png|Qing with a disguised John aboard the gambling ship
ACFT - John and Qing about to kiss.png|Qing and John closing in for a kiss
ACFT - Xialun Qing falling overboard.png|Qing falling overboard during the evacuation of Sun's ship
ACFT - John and Qing.png|Qing with John
ACFT - Qing holding Wukong.png|Qing holding her pet monkey, Wukong
ACFT - Qing stuck in a tree.png|Qing stuck in a tree on Monkey Island
ACFT - Qing serving as bait.png|Qing serving as bait for the Shimazu clan
ACFT - Qing taken hostage.png|Qing being held hostage by Xue Yan
ACFT - John holding Qing.png|John holding a mortally wounded Qing
ACFT - Qing's body left behind.png|Qing's body being left behind in Sulu
ACFT - Qing's corpse.png|Qing's body in her coffin
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:1725 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Servants]]
[[Category:Medical doctors]]
[[Category:Macanese people]]
[[Category:Zhawang Corporation members]]
[[Category:Fenghuang crew]]
[[Category:Assassin allies]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Xialun Qing

2026-08-23T03:36:06Z

Sol Pacificus: Sol Pacificus moved page Xialun Qing to Qing Xialun: Qing is her surname

#REDIRECT [[Qing Xialun]]

Qing Xialun

2026-08-23T03:36:06Z

Sol Pacificus: Sol Pacificus moved page Xialun Qing to Qing Xialun: Qing is her surname

{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Quote|I'm afraid choosing the life they wish to lead is a luxury... that is only afforded to the fortunate.|Qing Xialun to Shimazu Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Xialun Qing
|image = ACFT Xialun Qing.png
|death = 1725 [[Sultanate of Sulu]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = *[[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]
*''[[Fenghuang]]'' crew
}}
'''Qing Xialun''' (died 1725) was a [[China|Chinese]] woman who worked as a [[tea]] waitress aboard [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]]'s [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] in the early 18th century.

After meeting and falling in love with the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] navigator [[John Young]] in 1725, Xialun was saved by him during the gambling ship's destruction by Sun's enemies. She subsequently joined the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], an organization founded by John's friend, the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], and used her medical knowledge to help the organization's members as a [[doctor]].

Xialun eagerly accompanied her fellow Union members on their travels across [[Southeast Asia]], where they searched for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]]. However, after finding one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—the Union members were imprisoned in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. Following their escape, Xialun volunteered to recover the amulet, only to end up sacrificing herself to save John from the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] [[Xiao Han]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{Quote|As a child, I always felt like a ghost... never seen or noticed by anybody.|Xialun on her childhood, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
[[File:ACFT - Young Xialun Qing.png|thumb|190px|A young Xialun on the streets]]
Xialun grew up an orphan on the streets of [[Macau]]. In her own words, she felt like a ghost because no one ever paid attention to her, forcing her to survive on her own.<ref name="EP 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref> Eventually, she was able to find work aboard the [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] operated by [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]], as a waitress, though she would also occasionally tend to the customers' other needs.<ref name="EP 41">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41|Episode 41]]</ref>

At some point during her work aboard the gambling ship, Xialun served as an aide to a [[doctor]], allowing her to pick up some medical skills that would prove useful in her later life.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Meeting John Young===
{{Dialogue3|John|Only a fool of a man would fail to see your delightful charm. My dear, I do declare you've ignited a passion within me.|Xialun|B-but, sir... are you sure you want to be with a girl like me?|You'll break my heart with such modesty. Come, tell me your name at least.|My name... is Xialun Qing. [''sic'']|Xialun introducing herself to John, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
One night in 1725, while working aboard the gambling ship, Xialun met and fell in love with [[John Young]], who had infiltrated the ship to serve as [[Edward Kenway]]'s decoy.<ref name="EP 32">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 32|Episode 32]]</ref> After John got drunk, Xialun gave him a hangover cure of her own creation, which she modestly described as a "silly old trick" she had picked up ages ago. However, John was impressed and began to flatter her, calling her the brightest woman he had ever met.<ref name="EP 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John tells Qing to hide.png|left|thumb|170px|John telling Xialun to hide during the ninja's attack]]
Xialun was embarrassed and questioned what John could possibly see in her, to which he admitted that Xialun had ignited a passion within him and asked for her name. As Xialun told John her name, the two closed in for a kiss, but were interrupted by a commotion outside their room. Seeing that the [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]] [[ninja]] Edward had allied himself with were killing the ship's staff, John told Xialun to hide and remain quiet if she wished to survive, before leaving to find Edward.<ref name="EP 34" />

However, the ship later began to be bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]], forcing the civilians and staff to evacuate it. In the resulting commotion, Xialun was accidentally thrown overboard but was rescued by John, who had stolen a [[gunboat]]. Xialun then joined him in picking up Edward and [[Shimazu Saito]] before the group was rescued from Zheng's fleet by the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]'s flagship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]''.<ref name="EP 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>
{{-}}

===Joining the Zhang Wei Union===
{{Dialogue|Edward|I know all too well how difficult voyages can be without a doctor or medicine at hand! I'm glad to have you on board, miss!|Qing|Likewise! I look forward to the journey, sir!|Edward and Xialun, shortly before sailing to the Philippines, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple}}
At the Zhang Wei Union's [[A-Ma Cultural Village|headquarters]], Xialun treated an injured Saito and helped her get dressed up afterwards. She later tended to a seemingly asleep John while the other Union members came together to decipher a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] containing encrypted information on the location of [[Angkor]].<ref name="EP 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Deciphering the sea log.png|thumb|200px|Qing tending to a sleeping John]]
After the Union members resolved to travel to the [[Philippines]] to pick up on [[Ferdinand Magellan]]'s trail and find Angkor, John decided to bring Xialun along for the voyage. Before their departure, Xialun created the [[poison]] [[dart]]s for Edward's new [[blowpipe]] built by [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]], which made Saito question why someone with her talents had been working aboard Sun's gambling ship. Xialun simply told her that choosing the life one wished to lead was a luxury afforded to few, causing Saito to apologize.<ref name="EP 41" />

Edward was impressed by Xialun's medical skills and, believing a doctor could prove useful on the journey, welcomed her into the Zhang Wei Union. Once all the preparations were complete, Xialun boarded the ''Fenghuang'' alongside John, Edward, Saito, Yun, and [[Mustafa|Rupiya]] as the group left Macau and sailed towards the Philippines.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Journey to the Philippines===
{{Dialogue|Soldier|Listen here, young lady. We're not here to amuse ourselves.|Xialun|Oh, of course! You're protecting the ship for us, isn't that right? That's why I thought it would be nice to bring you some tasty treats and a drink to wash them down with... Just a little drink is all. What do you say?|Xialun distracting a group of Spanish soldiers, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51}}
En route to the Philippines, the ''Fenghuang'' was attacked by Zheng's fleet and the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] [[Xiao Han]], [[Liu Qing]], and [[Xue Yan]], who also sought to find Angkor.<ref name="EP 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref> Although the ship's crew repelled the attack and lost their pursuers by sailing into a storm, many sailors were injured during the battle. Xialun treated as many of them as she could before the ''Fenghuang'' was again attacked by one of Zheng's ships. Fortunately, the enemy vessel was sunk by a [[Dutch East India Company]] ship captained by Edward's ally [[Jan van Aert]], who had decided to join the Union members in their quest for Angkor.<ref name="EP 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang crew arrested.png|left|thumb|230px|Qing and the others being arrested in Manila]]
Not long afterwards, both the ''Fenghuang'' and Jan's ship came under attack by two [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|Men O' War]], forcing them to surrender. The crews of the two ships were subsequently brought to [[Manila]], where they were arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} [[Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda]]'s [[assassination]] six years prior.<ref name="EP 50">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 50|Episode 50]]</ref>

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in [[Fort Santiago]]'s dungeon, the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew was forced to remain inside their ship, under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John managed to learn that Governor Bustamante had been killed in a riot by {{Wiki|Archbishop of Manila|Archbishop}} [[Francisco de la Cuesta]]'s supporters, and relayed this information to the others. Edward then decided to take matters into their own hands and had Qing distract the guards by bringing them food and drinks, allowing the rest of the crew to escape the ship.<ref name="EP 51">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51|Episode 51]]</ref>

After Edward and Saito rescued Jan's crew and the other Union members retrieved their confiscated weapons and supplies from a warehouse, the ''Fenghuang'' sailed away from Manila, followed closely by Jan's ship. When the [[Spanish Navy]] gave chase, Jan volunteered to distract their pursuers to give the Union members time to flee.<ref name="EP 57">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 57|Episode 57]]</ref>

Once they had escaped from the Spanish fleet, Edward told Xialun and the others about his and Saito's encounter with a [[Mad monk|monk]] who wielded a [[Piece of Eden]] in the shape of a [[crescent amulet]]. As Saito was still recovering from the amulet's effects, Xialun tended to her while Edward ordered the crew to set a course for [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 57" />

===Excursion to Monkey Island===
{{Dialogue|John|I swar, if those scoundrels laid a finger on you—|Qing|I-I'm perfectly fine, my love. If anything, the people here treated me like an honored guest. In fact... I'm more worried you've scared these poor people half to death.|Xialun and John after being reunited on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63}}
[[File:ACFT - Yun and Qing experimenting.png|thumb|180px|Xialun and Yun attempting to reproduce the formula for Greek fire]]
Following their escape from Manila, the Union members discovered that the Spanish authorities had confiscated all of their food rations and attacked two passing Spanish [[schooner]]s to take their supplies. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' docked at a nearby village to resupply, where the natives instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] had recently begun trading with them.<ref name="EP 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Xialun and Yun attempted to recreate the formula for [[Greek fire]]. However, they were interrupted by the screams of John, who had been attacked by an unseen creature.<ref name="EP 58" /> Rushing to his aid alongside Edward and Rupiya, the group found John struggling to get rid of a [[Wukong|baby monkey]], much to their amusement.<ref name="EP 59">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 59|Episode 59]]</ref>

While the others laughed at John's predicament, Xialun calmed down the agitated monkey and cradled it until it fell asleep. As she pointed out that the monkey must have lost its parents, John suggested that they adopt it and Xialun agreed. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' departed the village and began its voyage to Cebu.<ref name="EP 59" />

That night, Xialun continued to assist Yun with his experiments, but they were interrupted once again, this time by the ''Fenghuang'' being bombarded with mortar fire. Rupiya was able to steer the ship to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks on the nearby [[Monkey Island]].<ref name="EP 59" />

With the crew trapped and unaware of where the mortar fire had come from, Xialun offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a [[hot air balloon]],<ref name="EP 59" /> which they dubbed the [[Celestial Chariot]]. After Yun suggested using it to survey the island, Xialun volunteered to be the pilot, claiming that she wanted to be the first human to experience the miracle of flight. John opposed her decision due to being concerned for her safety, but both Xialun and Yun assured him that she would be unharmed.<ref name="EP 60">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60|Episode 60]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing surveying the island.png|left|thumb|190px|Xialun surveying Monkey Island]]
After taking flight in the Celestial Chariot, Xialun briefly admired the view before focusing on her task at hand. Surveying Monkey Island, she was able to determine the locations of all enemy encampments and mark them on a map, which she sent back to the ''Fenghuang'', allowing the crew to fire on them. However, the Celestial Chariot then suffered a malfunction due to a sudden gust of wind and caught fire, with Xialun still inside.<ref name="EP 60" />

Remembering Yun's instructions on how to proceed in the event of an emergency, Xialun jumped out of the burning balloon and deployed her [[parachute]], landing safely on Monkey Island. However, her parachute ended up getting caught in a tree, leaving Xialun stuck. Not long after, a group of natives found the stranded Xialun and approached her, causing her to scream in terror.<ref name="EP 61">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 61|Episode 61]]</ref>

Fortunately, the natives meant to harm and brought Xialun back to their village, where she used her medical knowledge to treat their sick and wounded. Not long after, Xialun and the natives were taken by surprise when an expedition led by Edward and John arrived in the village in search of her. Mistakenly assuming the villagers had kidnapped Xialun, the group attacked them, only to realize their error of judgement when they saw Xialun carrying a box of medicine.<ref name="EP 62">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 62|Episode 62]]</ref>

After Xialun explained that the natives had rescued her from the jungle, her fellow Union members felt remorse for having attacked them, especially when the village's chief allowed them to stay as guests. Xialun later told Edward and John about the village's recent history and how most of its inhabitants had been forcefully recruited into a native resistance fighting against the Spanish colonists, which operated out of Monkey Island's [[fort]].<ref name="EP 63">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63|Episode 63]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing treating the villager.png|thumb|210px|Xialun treating the villager]]
However, the conversation was interrupted by the sudden screams of a woman outside, who was pursued by what appeared to be a ''[[manananggal]]''. After the monster was incapacitated and unmasked as one of the missing villagers, Xialun brought the man inside, insisting that he required immediate medical attention. While Xialun treated the villager, the chief informed the Zhang Wei Union members that others like him roamed the island's jungles, prompting Edward to come up with a plan to capture them.<ref name="EP 63" />

After the successful capture of several brainwashed warriors, the Union members decided to use them to storm Monkey Island's fort and rescue the prisoners held there. Xialun joined the others in their assault and jumped into the water after John planted explosives to destroy the fort.<ref name="EP 64">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 64|Episode 64]]</ref> The group was soon picked up by the ''Fenghuang'', and Qing was reunited with Yun, who immediately apologized for nearly getting her killed, but Xialun revealed that Yun's parachute had saved her life.<ref name="EP 65" />

Following this, Xialun suggested rebuilding the Celestial Chariot and using the lessons learned from their failed prototype to improve the balloon. While Yun excitedly agreed, John was opposed to the idea, as he did not want to risk losing his lover again. After Xialun told John that she knew how much he cared about her and that being a member of the Union was the first time she ever felt loved, John promised to find a place to call home and asked for Xialun's hand in marriage, to which she excitedly accepted.<ref name="EP 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|We'll build on the lessons of our failure and build an even better machine! A safer Celestial Chariot capable of soaring several people at once!|Qing coming up with the idea of a second Celestial Chariot, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
After the ''Fenghuang'' departed Monkey Island and sailed to Cebu, Xialun and most of the crew stayed behind on the ship while Edward and Saito went to the city to look for the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="EP 65" /> When the native resistance's fleet reached Cebu, John decided to attack it, and the ''Fenghuang'' easily sunk the enemy ships before picking up Edward and Saito, who had failed to prevent the resistance's leader [[Rajah]] from escaping with their prize: another [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]].<ref name="EP 68">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68|Episode 68]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Boarding the Celestial Chariot.png|left|thumb|180px|Qing and the others watching Edward, John, and Saito board the Celestial Chariot]]
The crew followed Rajah to [[Fort San Pedro]], which the rebels had taken over, but could not think of any way to infiltrate it without getting within range of the fort's cannons. Yun offered a solution and revealed an improved Celestial Chariot he had built, which could carry up to three people at once. Edward and Saito subsequently volunteered to board it, with a reluctant John joining them, and the trio took off in the balloon while Xialun and the others remained on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 68" />

Following a naval battle against Zheng's fleet, which had also arrived in Cebu, the ''Fenghuang'' went to pick up Edward, Saito, and John, who had landed in the water after their escape from Fort San Pedro with the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> However, the Piece of Eden proved to have negative effects on Edward, making him largely unresponsive. Xialun examined the Assassin and concluded that, while physically stable, he appeared to have completely withdrawn into himself.<ref name="EP 74">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 74|Episode 74]]</ref>

The crew was at a loss without their leader until John recalled that Jan van Aert had asked them to reconvene with him in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. The navigator subsequently ordered Rupiya to set a course for Sulu so that they could meet Jan while Edward was taken below deck to recover.<ref name="EP 74" />

===Showdown with the Shimazu clan===
{{Dialogue|Xialun|Are you sure this will work, Lady Saito?|Saito|Knowing Fuma, yes. Even in the heat of the battle, he won't pass up a chance to take a valuable hostage.|Xialun and Saito discussing their plan to lure Fuma Sukuna into a trap, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83}}
En route to Sulu, Xialun treated the crew members who had been injured during the fight in Cebu, including Edward, who was still recovering from the crescent amulet's affects. When the crew decided to dock on an island to resupply, Xialun did not accompany Saito and the others who went ashore to gather resources, electing to remain on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 79">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 79|Episode 79]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing playing with children.png|thumb|190px|Xialun and Wukong playing with the children]]
After the crew secured an alliance with a group of native villagers by protecting them from a [[raid]] by Japanese [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], Qing accompanied Edward to their settlement. There, she briefly spoke with John, telling him that Edward had yet to make a full recovery and was in a state of near-constant suffering. Afterwards, Xialun went to play with some of the native children while her fellow crew members discussed strategies against the [[Shimazu clan]], which was on their tail.<ref name="EP 81">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 81|Episode 81]]</ref>

While John, Yun, and most of the crew ambushed the [[Rattan Shield Company]], which was working with the Shimazu clan, Xialun collected several medicinal herbs for Edward, easing his pain and allowing him to fight again. Xialun, Edward, and Saito then spotted smoke in the distance, indicating that their explosive trap had been activated and that Yun and the others had faced more resistance than they had anticipated.<ref name="EP 82">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 82|Episode 82]]</ref>

The trio immediately decided to go help them, but before they could leave, they were approached by the Japanese mercenaries Saito had encountered earlier, who had come to negotiate with her.<ref name="EP 82" /> After securing an alliance with [[Nagamasa]] and his men, Edward left to rescue Yun and the other crew members who were being pursued by Shimazu [[ninja]], while Saito decided to set a trap for the ninja's leader, her former mentor [[Fuma Sukuna]].<ref name="EP 83">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83|Episode 83]]</ref>

Knowing Sukuna could not resist the opportunity to take a valuable hostage, Saito had Xialun serve as bait by standing in an open field while she hid behind a rock nearby. When Sukuna and several of his ninja arrived to try and capture Xialun, Saito revealed herself and confronted them. She then signaled Nagamasa and his men, who emerged from their hiding spots and surrounded the ninja.<ref name="EP 83" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun regrouping with Edward and Qing.png|left|thumb|180px|Xialun and Edward regrouping with Yun and the others]]
The standoff was broken off by the arrival of Yun, Edward, and the other Zhang Wei Union members, causing the ninja to retreat and regroup with the Rattan Shield Company. Saito then devised a plan to trap and defeat their enemies while Xialun and a weakened Edward fled to safety, as both of them were unable to partake in the upcoming battle.<ref name="EP 84">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 84|Episode 84]]</ref> They were soon joined by Yun and the other Union members, and the group proceeded to make their way to the island's shore, where the ''Fenghuang'' would arrive to pick them up.<ref name="EP 85">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85|Episode 85]]</ref>

While waiting atop a cliff, the group was attacked by the Qing Empire's [[Special Cavalry Unit]],<ref name="EP 85" /> but Edward protected Xialun and the others and single-handedly wiped out the cavalry unit. However, the Assassin then began to be corrupted by the crescent amulet in his possession, just as Saito and Nagamasa arrived, having killed Fuma Sukuna and his ninja.<ref name="EP 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

After Saito took the amulet away from Edward and placed it in a chest, the group decided to swim to the ''Fenghuang'', which was unable to dock due to the Rattan Shield Company's presence on the beach. Parting ways with Nagamasa and his men for the time being, Xialun and the others jumped off the cliff and managed to board their ship. Xialun then joined an unconscious Edward below deck in order to look after him while the ''Fenghuang'' resumed its voyage to the Sultanate of Sulu.<ref name="EP 86" />

===Escape from Sulu===
{{Quote|If only I can bring back this artifact safely... I'll be back aboard the ''Fenghuang'' before long with John, Kenway and the others... We'll all be united once more...|Xialun, after retrieving the crescent amulet, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward and Qing imprisoned.png|thumb|250px|Xialun and Edward imprisoned in Sulu]]
In Sulu, the Union members were betrayed by Jan van Aert, who had made a deal with Sultan [[Badarud-Din I]], promising to deliver him the crescent amulet in the Union's possession. With the Sultanate's fleet threatening the ''Fenghuang'', the crew did not believe they had much of a choice and reluctantly accepted Jan's proposal. After surrendering the chest containing the amulet, the crew was imprisoned in Sulu, where Xialun was made to share a cell with the unconscious Edward so she could continue to look after him.<ref name="EP 87">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87|Episode 87]]</ref>

When Edward woke up, Xialun quickly brought him up to speed with everything that had happened, and handed him a ''[[eunjangdo]]'' knife that Yun had made for her. After Edward promised her that he would rescue all of their companions, Xialun staged a distraction by banging on the cell's door and shouting that the Assassin was dying. When two guards entered the cell to investigate, they were swiftly killed by Edward with the knife, allowing him and Xialun to escape.<ref name="EP 87" />

Edward told Xialun to stay behind for her own safety, but she insisted that she come along, arguing that she had proven herself more than capable of being helpful. The two then made their way to the cell holding John, Yun, and Saito, which was heavily guarded. Xialun again offered to stage a distraction and approached the guards, claiming she had been sent to check on the prisoners. While the guards allowed Xialun entry into the cell, her pet monkey [[Wukong]] knocked down several [[Lantern|lamps]], blinding the soldiers and allowing Edward to kill them.<ref name="EP 88">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88|Episode 88]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John protecting Qing.png|left|thumb|170px|John protecting Qing from the guard's attack]]
However, one of the guards realized Xialun's deceit and tried to attack her in retaliation. John protected her, taking the hit instead, before the guard was knocked out by Saito. With John injured, Xialun asked for Yun's help carrying him and the group began making their way to the ''Fenghuang''. Outside, they ran into Rupiya, who was preparing to rescue them himself, and witnessed the arrival of Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 88" />

Unwilling to let the Chinese Assassins seize the crescent amulet, Edward decided to face them alone and ordered his allies to head to the ''Fenghuang''. After Xialun ripped a part of her dress to bandage John's wound, the navigator, refusing to let Edward risk his life, went after him. Following several moments of consideration, Xialun also decided to follow her fiancé, to ensure no further harm came upon him.<ref name="EP 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

Despite John's insistence that she head back for her own safety, Xialun refused and helped John look for a way into the warehouse holding the amulet, which had been partially destroyed by cannon fire. When the pair were confronted by Xue Yan, John held off the Chinese Assassin while Qing found a small passage among the warehouse's debris. As she was the only one that could fit in, Xialun decided to go through the passage and recover the amulet.<ref name="EP 89" />

Inside the warehouse, Xialun was attacked by Xue Yan, but after revealing that she was just a doctor, the Chinese Assassin let her go, not wishing to harm a non-combatant. She commended Xialun's courage and warned her to stay out of her way, but while the Assassin had her back turned, Xialun ran through an open door, moments before the path was blocked by falling debris.<ref name="EP 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing escaping the warehouse.png|thumb|180px|Xialun escaping from the warehouse with the amulet's chest]]
Now alone, Xialun found herself in front of the chamber housing the amulet's chest, but the door was locked. While the doctor took a moment to rest, Wukong, who had accompanied her, found a set of keys on the body of a guard crushed by the falling debris. With the keys, Xialun unlocked the chamber's door and retrieved the chest, before spotting a small passage leading outside.<ref name="EP 90" />

As she crawled through the passage with the chest, Xialun stopped halfway through. Although exhausted and scared, she motivated herself to carry on, telling herself that, once she brought the chest to Edward and John, they would all return to the ''Fenghuang'' and be reunited with the rest of their friends.<ref name="EP 90" />

===Sacrifice===
{{Dialogue2|Xialun|John... I'm so glad... that you're safe and sound... I only ever had one wish... To see as much of this world as we could together...|John|No! Don't talk like that!|You loved me... for the woman I am... Thank you... John.|Xialun's final moments, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
After making it out of the warehouse, Xialun spotted Edward and John fighting against Xiao Han and Liu Qing in the distance. As she prepared to join them, however, she was suddenly grabbed from behind by Xue Yan, who seized the chest and held a knife to her throat. With Xialun as their hostage, the Chinese Assassins attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release the doctor if he allowed them to leave with the amulet.<ref name="EP 90" />

[[File:ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|thumb|left|260px|Xialun sacrificing herself to save John from Xiao Han]]
However, the negotiations were interrupted by a volley of cannon fire striking the beach. In the resulting chaos, Xue Yan dropped the chest and released Xialun.<ref name="EP 90" /> After Edward retrieved the amulet, he used its powers to defeat Xiao Han, but hesitated to take his life. This allowed the Chinese Assassin to break free from Edward's grasp, prompting John to intervene and knock him down. Furious, Xiao Han lunged at John with his sword, but Xialun jumped in and took the blow instead.<ref name="EP 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

As a devastated John asked her why she had done that, Xialun told him that she was relieved to see him safe and that she had only ever wished to see as much of the world as she could with him. She then thanked John for accepting and loving her for who she was, and passed away in his arms.<ref name="EP 91" /> Moments later, John and Edward were forced to escape as soldiers arrived to confront them, reluctantly leaving Xialun's body behind.<ref name="EP 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

===Legacy===
{{Quote|One day, when this voyage is done and our thoughts turn to home... I wanted nothing more than to build a family with my love Xialun. Let me ask you this, friend. If there is some way to bring back a loved one... would you not move heaven and Earth to make it so?|John to Edward and Saito, expressing his desire to bring back Xialun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96}}
[[File:ACFT - John mourning Qing.png|thumb|190px|John mourning Xialun]]
Xialun's death affected all of her fellow crew members, who each mourned her in their own way. Yun, devastated by the loss of his assistant, decided to focus on his work,<ref name="EP 93">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93|Episode 93]]</ref> building a third iteration of the Celestial Chariot.<ref name="EP 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref> Meanwhile, Edward blamed himself for Xialun's death, leaving him initially despondent as he believed that all his efforts to protect his loved ones were in vain, until a conversation with his wife [[Tessa Kenway|Tessa]] helped him regain his resolve.<ref name="EP 95">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 95|Episode 95]]</ref>

John was the most affected by Xialun's death and held onto the piece of her dress she had used to bandage his wound as a memento.<ref name="EP 92" /> When the [[Templars]] later approached John and offered him a chance to resurrect Xialun using the Pieces of Eden's power if he helped them acquire the artifacts, the navigator accepted, betraying the Zhang Wei Union and all of his friends.<ref name="EP 106">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 106|Episode 106]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|In this endlessly wide world of ours... Perhaps I might find some kindred souls who need me as I need them. And what's more... There's no delight in life quite like spending time with someone who cares.|Xialun to John Young, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Xialun was a kind and modest woman who did not think very highly of herself, in part because of her difficult upbringing, being forced to grow up alone on the streets.<ref name="EP 65" /> Although she became enamored with John the moment she met him, she believed that he was too good for her and as such was embarrassed when the navigator confessed his own feelings for her.<ref name="EP 34" />

[[File:ACFT - John and Qing embrace.png|left|thumb|200px|Xialun embracing John]]
In the end, however, Xialun agreed to give their relationship a try, especially after John saved her life.<ref name="EP 39" /> Although she would still be occasionally embarrassed whenever John became overprotective of her, she came to enjoy the positive attention she received from him,<ref name="EP 41" /> and excitedly agreed to marry and settle down with him.<ref name="EP 65" />

Having been forced into a life of servitude aboard Sun's gambling ship, Xialun saw joining the Zhang Wei Union as an opportunity to escape her old life and put her skills to better use.<ref name="EP 41" /> She enjoyed being in the company of people who treated her as an equal for the first time in her life and was excited to join them on their adventures.<ref name="EP 65" /> She also felt a moral obligation to help other people find their place in the world, just like how the Union had helped her find her purpose.<ref name="EP 65" />

Xialun possessed a love of science which allowed her to work well alongside Yun Pyeong-Gyu, assisting him with his various inventions. As Edward Kenway once said, when the two put their minds together, it was typically for "something that could save [their] very lives".<ref name="EP 59" />

Xialun was shown to be brave in certain situations, readily volunteering to pilot the Celestial Chariot despite the possible danger,<ref name="EP 60" /> and agreeing to serve as bait for the Shimazu clan.<ref name="EP 83" /> She also insisted that she join Edward in rescuing their imprisoned companions in Sulu, arguing that she had proven to be more than capable of looking after herself.<ref name="EP 88" /> In her final moments, Xialun proved her love and devotion to John by bravely sacrificing herself to save him, valuing John's safety more than her own life.<ref name="EP 91" />

===Skills and equipment===
{{Quote|And crafting poisons is the least of it! She can heal ailments and treat wounds as well! Isn't she just extraordinary?|John telling Edward about Xialun's abilities, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
[[File:ACFT - Qing treating a crew member.png|thumb|220px|Xialun treating an injured crew member]]
While working as an aide to a doctor aboard Sun's gambling ship, Xialun picked up some medical knowledge, allowing her to treat wounds and heal various ailments. She was also a skilled chemist as she assisted Yun in creating the poison darts for Edward's blowpipe,<ref name="EP 41" /> and reproducing the formula for Greek fire.<ref name="EP 58" />

In addition to her medical skills, Xialun also appeared to be a talented actress, easily deceiving a group of Spanish guards into taking a break from their duties and accepting the food and drinks she had brought them.<ref name="EP 51" />

As the lightest and shortest member of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew, Xialun was able to fit in small spaces most people could not. This proved useful in Sulu, where she went through a narrow corridor to infiltrate a demolished warehouse and retrieve the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 89" /> Her pet monkey Wukong was another valuable asset, as he could help Xialun by staging distractions<ref name="EP 88" /> or fetching items for her.<ref name="EP 90" />

==Behind the scenes==
Qing Xialun is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Her surname is Qing and her personal name Xialun. In Chinese naming convention, the surname comes first and the personal name second, but in the English edition of the graphic novel, her name is erroneously ordered Xialun Qing. This is despite the fact other East Asian characters such as [[Xiao Han]], [[Xue Yan]], [[Liu Qing]], [[Shimazu Saito]], and [[Fuma Sukuna]] maintain the proper surname-first name order, so there is an inconsistency in the translation. This inconsistency also appears with another character, the Korean [[Yun Pyeong-gyu]], who introduces himself as "Pyeong-gyu Yun" in Chapter 26.

There is some inconsistency regarding Xialun's eye color, with certain episodes depicting her as having brown eyes while others show her with blue eyes.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT - Decoy John.png|Qing with a disguised John aboard the gambling ship
ACFT - John and Qing about to kiss.png|Qing and John closing in for a kiss
ACFT - Xialun Qing falling overboard.png|Qing falling overboard during the evacuation of Sun's ship
ACFT - John and Qing.png|Qing with John
ACFT - Qing holding Wukong.png|Qing holding her pet monkey, Wukong
ACFT - Qing stuck in a tree.png|Qing stuck in a tree on Monkey Island
ACFT - Qing serving as bait.png|Qing serving as bait for the Shimazu clan
ACFT - Qing taken hostage.png|Qing being held hostage by Xue Yan
ACFT - John holding Qing.png|John holding a mortally wounded Qing
ACFT - Qing's body left behind.png|Qing's body being left behind in Sulu
ACFT - Qing's corpse.png|Qing's body in her coffin
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:1725 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Servants]]
[[Category:Medical doctors]]
[[Category:Macanese people]]
[[Category:Zhawang Corporation members]]
[[Category:Fenghuang crew]]
[[Category:Assassin allies]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Qing Xialun

2026-08-23T03:35:42Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Quote|I'm afraid choosing the life they wish to lead is a luxury... that is only afforded to the fortunate.|Qing Xialun to Shimazu Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Xialun Qing
|image = ACFT Xialun Qing.png
|death = 1725 [[Sultanate of Sulu]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = *[[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]
*''[[Fenghuang]]'' crew
}}
'''Qing Xialun''' (died 1725) was a [[China|Chinese]] woman who worked as a [[tea]] waitress aboard [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]]'s [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] in the early 18th century.

After meeting and falling in love with the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] navigator [[John Young]] in 1725, Xialun was saved by him during the gambling ship's destruction by Sun's enemies. She subsequently joined the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], an organization founded by John's friend, the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], and used her medical knowledge to help the organization's members as a [[doctor]].

Xialun eagerly accompanied her fellow Union members on their travels across [[Southeast Asia]], where they searched for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]]. However, after finding one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—the Union members were imprisoned in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. Following their escape, Xialun volunteered to recover the amulet, only to end up sacrificing herself to save John from the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] [[Xiao Han]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{Quote|As a child, I always felt like a ghost... never seen or noticed by anybody.|Xialun on her childhood, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
[[File:ACFT - Young Xialun Qing.png|thumb|190px|A young Xialun on the streets]]
Xialun grew up an orphan on the streets of [[Macau]]. In her own words, she felt like a ghost because no one ever paid attention to her, forcing her to survive on her own.<ref name="EP 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref> Eventually, she was able to find work aboard the [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] operated by [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]], as a waitress, though she would also occasionally tend to the customers' other needs.<ref name="EP 41">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41|Episode 41]]</ref>

At some point during her work aboard the gambling ship, Xialun served as an aide to a [[doctor]], allowing her to pick up some medical skills that would prove useful in her later life.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Meeting John Young===
{{Dialogue3|John|Only a fool of a man would fail to see your delightful charm. My dear, I do declare you've ignited a passion within me.|Xialun|B-but, sir... are you sure you want to be with a girl like me?|You'll break my heart with such modesty. Come, tell me your name at least.|My name... is Xialun Qing. [''sic'']|Xialun introducing herself to John, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
One night in 1725, while working aboard the gambling ship, Xialun met and fell in love with [[John Young]], who had infiltrated the ship to serve as [[Edward Kenway]]'s decoy.<ref name="EP 32">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 32|Episode 32]]</ref> After John got drunk, Xialun gave him a hangover cure of her own creation, which she modestly described as a "silly old trick" she had picked up ages ago. However, John was impressed and began to flatter her, calling her the brightest woman he had ever met.<ref name="EP 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John tells Qing to hide.png|left|thumb|170px|John telling Xialun to hide during the ninja's attack]]
Xialun was embarrassed and questioned what John could possibly see in her, to which he admitted that Xialun had ignited a passion within him and asked for her name. As Xialun told John her name, the two closed in for a kiss, but were interrupted by a commotion outside their room. Seeing that the [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]] [[ninja]] Edward had allied himself with were killing the ship's staff, John told Xialun to hide and remain quiet if she wished to survive, before leaving to find Edward.<ref name="EP 34" />

However, the ship later began to be bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]], forcing the civilians and staff to evacuate it. In the resulting commotion, Xialun was accidentally thrown overboard but was rescued by John, who had stolen a [[gunboat]]. Xialun then joined him in picking up Edward and [[Shimazu Saito]] before the group was rescued from Zheng's fleet by the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]'s flagship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]''.<ref name="EP 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>
{{-}}

===Joining the Zhang Wei Union===
{{Dialogue|Edward|I know all too well how difficult voyages can be without a doctor or medicine at hand! I'm glad to have you on board, miss!|Qing|Likewise! I look forward to the journey, sir!|Edward and Xialun, shortly before sailing to the Philippines, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple}}
At the Zhang Wei Union's [[A-Ma Cultural Village|headquarters]], Xialun treated an injured Saito and helped her get dressed up afterwards. She later tended to a seemingly asleep John while the other Union members came together to decipher a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] containing encrypted information on the location of [[Angkor]].<ref name="EP 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Deciphering the sea log.png|thumb|200px|Qing tending to a sleeping John]]
After the Union members resolved to travel to the [[Philippines]] to pick up on [[Ferdinand Magellan]]'s trail and find Angkor, John decided to bring Xialun along for the voyage. Before their departure, Xialun created the [[poison]] [[dart]]s for Edward's new [[blowpipe]] built by [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]], which made Saito question why someone with her talents had been working aboard Sun's gambling ship. Xialun simply told her that choosing the life one wished to lead was a luxury afforded to few, causing Saito to apologize.<ref name="EP 41" />

Edward was impressed by Xialun's medical skills and, believing a doctor could prove useful on the journey, welcomed her into the Zhang Wei Union. Once all the preparations were complete, Xialun boarded the ''Fenghuang'' alongside John, Edward, Saito, Yun, and [[Mustafa|Rupiya]] as the group left Macau and sailed towards the Philippines.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Journey to the Philippines===
{{Dialogue|Soldier|Listen here, young lady. We're not here to amuse ourselves.|Xialun|Oh, of course! You're protecting the ship for us, isn't that right? That's why I thought it would be nice to bring you some tasty treats and a drink to wash them down with... Just a little drink is all. What do you say?|Xialun distracting a group of Spanish soldiers, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51}}
En route to the Philippines, the ''Fenghuang'' was attacked by Zheng's fleet and the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] [[Xiao Han]], [[Liu Qing]], and [[Xue Yan]], who also sought to find Angkor.<ref name="EP 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref> Although the ship's crew repelled the attack and lost their pursuers by sailing into a storm, many sailors were injured during the battle. Xialun treated as many of them as she could before the ''Fenghuang'' was again attacked by one of Zheng's ships. Fortunately, the enemy vessel was sunk by a [[Dutch East India Company]] ship captained by Edward's ally [[Jan van Aert]], who had decided to join the Union members in their quest for Angkor.<ref name="EP 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang crew arrested.png|left|thumb|230px|Qing and the others being arrested in Manila]]
Not long afterwards, both the ''Fenghuang'' and Jan's ship came under attack by two [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|Men O' War]], forcing them to surrender. The crews of the two ships were subsequently brought to [[Manila]], where they were arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} [[Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda]]'s [[assassination]] six years prior.<ref name="EP 50">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 50|Episode 50]]</ref>

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in [[Fort Santiago]]'s dungeon, the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew was forced to remain inside their ship, under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John managed to learn that Governor Bustamante had been killed in a riot by {{Wiki|Archbishop of Manila|Archbishop}} [[Francisco de la Cuesta]]'s supporters, and relayed this information to the others. Edward then decided to take matters into their own hands and had Qing distract the guards by bringing them food and drinks, allowing the rest of the crew to escape the ship.<ref name="EP 51">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51|Episode 51]]</ref>

After Edward and Saito rescued Jan's crew and the other Union members retrieved their confiscated weapons and supplies from a warehouse, the ''Fenghuang'' sailed away from Manila, followed closely by Jan's ship. When the [[Spanish Navy]] gave chase, Jan volunteered to distract their pursuers to give the Union members time to flee.<ref name="EP 57">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 57|Episode 57]]</ref>

Once they had escaped from the Spanish fleet, Edward told Xialun and the others about his and Saito's encounter with a [[Mad monk|monk]] who wielded a [[Piece of Eden]] in the shape of a [[crescent amulet]]. As Saito was still recovering from the amulet's effects, Xialun tended to her while Edward ordered the crew to set a course for [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 57" />

===Excursion to Monkey Island===
{{Dialogue|John|I swar, if those scoundrels laid a finger on you—|Qing|I-I'm perfectly fine, my love. If anything, the people here treated me like an honored guest. In fact... I'm more worried you've scared these poor people half to death.|Xialun and John after being reunited on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63}}
[[File:ACFT - Yun and Qing experimenting.png|thumb|180px|Xialun and Yun attempting to reproduce the formula for Greek fire]]
Following their escape from Manila, the Union members discovered that the Spanish authorities had confiscated all of their food rations and attacked two passing Spanish [[schooner]]s to take their supplies. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' docked at a nearby village to resupply, where the natives instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] had recently begun trading with them.<ref name="EP 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Xialun and Yun attempted to recreate the formula for [[Greek fire]]. However, they were interrupted by the screams of John, who had been attacked by an unseen creature.<ref name="EP 58" /> Rushing to his aid alongside Edward and Rupiya, the group found John struggling to get rid of a [[Wukong|baby monkey]], much to their amusement.<ref name="EP 59">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 59|Episode 59]]</ref>

While the others laughed at John's predicament, Xialun calmed down the agitated monkey and cradled it until it fell asleep. As she pointed out that the monkey must have lost its parents, John suggested that they adopt it and Xialun agreed. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' departed the village and began its voyage to Cebu.<ref name="EP 59" />

That night, Xialun continued to assist Yun with his experiments, but they were interrupted once again, this time by the ''Fenghuang'' being bombarded with mortar fire. Rupiya was able to steer the ship to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks on the nearby [[Monkey Island]].<ref name="EP 59" />

With the crew trapped and unaware of where the mortar fire had come from, Xialun offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a [[hot air balloon]],<ref name="EP 59" /> which they dubbed the [[Celestial Chariot]]. After Yun suggested using it to survey the island, Xialun volunteered to be the pilot, claiming that she wanted to be the first human to experience the miracle of flight. John opposed her decision due to being concerned for her safety, but both Xialun and Yun assured him that she would be unharmed.<ref name="EP 60">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60|Episode 60]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing surveying the island.png|left|thumb|190px|Xialun surveying Monkey Island]]
After taking flight in the Celestial Chariot, Xialun briefly admired the view before focusing on her task at hand. Surveying Monkey Island, she was able to determine the locations of all enemy encampments and mark them on a map, which she sent back to the ''Fenghuang'', allowing the crew to fire on them. However, the Celestial Chariot then suffered a malfunction due to a sudden gust of wind and caught fire, with Xialun still inside.<ref name="EP 60" />

Remembering Yun's instructions on how to proceed in the event of an emergency, Xialun jumped out of the burning balloon and deployed her [[parachute]], landing safely on Monkey Island. However, her parachute ended up getting caught in a tree, leaving Xialun stuck. Not long after, a group of natives found the stranded Xialun and approached her, causing her to scream in terror.<ref name="EP 61">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 61|Episode 61]]</ref>

Fortunately, the natives meant to harm and brought Xialun back to their village, where she used her medical knowledge to treat their sick and wounded. Not long after, Xialun and the natives were taken by surprise when an expedition led by Edward and John arrived in the village in search of her. Mistakenly assuming the villagers had kidnapped Xialun, the group attacked them, only to realize their error of judgement when they saw Xialun carrying a box of medicine.<ref name="EP 62">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 62|Episode 62]]</ref>

After Xialun explained that the natives had rescued her from the jungle, her fellow Union members felt remorse for having attacked them, especially when the village's chief allowed them to stay as guests. Xialun later told Edward and John about the village's recent history and how most of its inhabitants had been forcefully recruited into a native resistance fighting against the Spanish colonists, which operated out of Monkey Island's [[fort]].<ref name="EP 63">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63|Episode 63]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing treating the villager.png|thumb|210px|Xialun treating the villager]]
However, the conversation was interrupted by the sudden screams of a woman outside, who was pursued by what appeared to be a ''[[manananggal]]''. After the monster was incapacitated and unmasked as one of the missing villagers, Xialun brought the man inside, insisting that he required immediate medical attention. While Xialun treated the villager, the chief informed the Zhang Wei Union members that others like him roamed the island's jungles, prompting Edward to come up with a plan to capture them.<ref name="EP 63" />

After the successful capture of several brainwashed warriors, the Union members decided to use them to storm Monkey Island's fort and rescue the prisoners held there. Xialun joined the others in their assault and jumped into the water after John planted explosives to destroy the fort.<ref name="EP 64">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 64|Episode 64]]</ref> The group was soon picked up by the ''Fenghuang'', and Qing was reunited with Yun, who immediately apologized for nearly getting her killed, but Xialun revealed that Yun's parachute had saved her life.<ref name="EP 65" />

Following this, Xialun suggested rebuilding the Celestial Chariot and using the lessons learned from their failed prototype to improve the balloon. While Yun excitedly agreed, John was opposed to the idea, as he did not want to risk losing his lover again. After Xialun told John that she knew how much he cared about her and that being a member of the Union was the first time she ever felt loved, John promised to find a place to call home and asked for Xialun's hand in marriage, to which she excitedly accepted.<ref name="EP 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|We'll build on the lessons of our failure and build an even better machine! A safer Celestial Chariot capable of soaring several people at once!|Qing coming up with the idea of a second Celestial Chariot, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
After the ''Fenghuang'' departed Monkey Island and sailed to Cebu, Xialun and most of the crew stayed behind on the ship while Edward and Saito went to the city to look for the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="EP 65" /> When the native resistance's fleet reached Cebu, John decided to attack it, and the ''Fenghuang'' easily sunk the enemy ships before picking up Edward and Saito, who had failed to prevent the resistance's leader [[Rajah]] from escaping with their prize: another [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]].<ref name="EP 68">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68|Episode 68]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Boarding the Celestial Chariot.png|left|thumb|180px|Qing and the others watching Edward, John, and Saito board the Celestial Chariot]]
The crew followed Rajah to [[Fort San Pedro]], which the rebels had taken over, but could not think of any way to infiltrate it without getting within range of the fort's cannons. Yun offered a solution and revealed an improved Celestial Chariot he had built, which could carry up to three people at once. Edward and Saito subsequently volunteered to board it, with a reluctant John joining them, and the trio took off in the balloon while Xialun and the others remained on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 68" />

Following a naval battle against Zheng's fleet, which had also arrived in Cebu, the ''Fenghuang'' went to pick up Edward, Saito, and John, who had landed in the water after their escape from Fort San Pedro with the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> However, the Piece of Eden proved to have negative effects on Edward, making him largely unresponsive. Xialun examined the Assassin and concluded that, while physically stable, he appeared to have completely withdrawn into himself.<ref name="EP 74">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 74|Episode 74]]</ref>

The crew was at a loss without their leader until John recalled that Jan van Aert had asked them to reconvene with him in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. The navigator subsequently ordered Rupiya to set a course for Sulu so that they could meet Jan while Edward was taken below deck to recover.<ref name="EP 74" />

===Showdown with the Shimazu clan===
{{Dialogue|Xialun|Are you sure this will work, Lady Saito?|Saito|Knowing Fuma, yes. Even in the heat of the battle, he won't pass up a chance to take a valuable hostage.|Xialun and Saito discussing their plan to lure Fuma Sukuna into a trap, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83}}
En route to Sulu, Xialun treated the crew members who had been injured during the fight in Cebu, including Edward, who was still recovering from the crescent amulet's affects. When the crew decided to dock on an island to resupply, Xialun did not accompany Saito and the others who went ashore to gather resources, electing to remain on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 79">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 79|Episode 79]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing playing with children.png|thumb|190px|Xialun and Wukong playing with the children]]
After the crew secured an alliance with a group of native villagers by protecting them from a [[raid]] by Japanese [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], Qing accompanied Edward to their settlement. There, she briefly spoke with John, telling him that Edward had yet to make a full recovery and was in a state of near-constant suffering. Afterwards, Xialun went to play with some of the native children while her fellow crew members discussed strategies against the [[Shimazu clan]], which was on their tail.<ref name="EP 81">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 81|Episode 81]]</ref>

While John, Yun, and most of the crew ambushed the [[Rattan Shield Company]], which was working with the Shimazu clan, Xialun collected several medicinal herbs for Edward, easing his pain and allowing him to fight again. Xialun, Edward, and Saito then spotted smoke in the distance, indicating that their explosive trap had been activated and that Yun and the others had faced more resistance than they had anticipated.<ref name="EP 82">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 82|Episode 82]]</ref>

The trio immediately decided to go help them, but before they could leave, they were approached by the Japanese mercenaries Saito had encountered earlier, who had come to negotiate with her.<ref name="EP 82" /> After securing an alliance with [[Nagamasa]] and his men, Edward left to rescue Yun and the other crew members who were being pursued by Shimazu [[ninja]], while Saito decided to set a trap for the ninja's leader, her former mentor [[Fuma Sukuna]].<ref name="EP 83">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83|Episode 83]]</ref>

Knowing Sukuna could not resist the opportunity to take a valuable hostage, Saito had Xialun serve as bait by standing in an open field while she hid behind a rock nearby. When Sukuna and several of his ninja arrived to try and capture Xialun, Saito revealed herself and confronted them. She then signaled Nagamasa and his men, who emerged from their hiding spots and surrounded the ninja.<ref name="EP 83" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun regrouping with Edward and Qing.png|left|thumb|180px|Xialun and Edward regrouping with Yun and the others]]
The standoff was broken off by the arrival of Yun, Edward, and the other Zhang Wei Union members, causing the ninja to retreat and regroup with the Rattan Shield Company. Saito then devised a plan to trap and defeat their enemies while Xialun and a weakened Edward fled to safety, as both of them were unable to partake in the upcoming battle.<ref name="EP 84">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 84|Episode 84]]</ref> They were soon joined by Yun and the other Union members, and the group proceeded to make their way to the island's shore, where the ''Fenghuang'' would arrive to pick them up.<ref name="EP 85">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85|Episode 85]]</ref>

While waiting atop a cliff, the group was attacked by the Qing Empire's [[Special Cavalry Unit]],<ref name="EP 85" /> but Edward protected Xialun and the others and single-handedly wiped out the cavalry unit. However, the Assassin then began to be corrupted by the crescent amulet in his possession, just as Saito and Nagamasa arrived, having killed Fuma Sukuna and his ninja.<ref name="EP 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

After Saito took the amulet away from Edward and placed it in a chest, the group decided to swim to the ''Fenghuang'', which was unable to dock due to the Rattan Shield Company's presence on the beach. Parting ways with Nagamasa and his men for the time being, Xialun and the others jumped off the cliff and managed to board their ship. Xialun then joined an unconscious Edward below deck in order to look after him while the ''Fenghuang'' resumed its voyage to the Sultanate of Sulu.<ref name="EP 86" />

===Escape from Sulu===
{{Quote|If only I can bring back this artifact safely... I'll be back aboard the ''Fenghuang'' before long with John, Kenway and the others... We'll all be united once more...|Xialun, after retrieving the crescent amulet, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward and Qing imprisoned.png|thumb|250px|Xialun and Edward imprisoned in Sulu]]
In Sulu, the Union members were betrayed by Jan van Aert, who had made a deal with Sultan [[Badarud-Din I]], promising to deliver him the crescent amulet in the Union's possession. With the Sultanate's fleet threatening the ''Fenghuang'', the crew did not believe they had much of a choice and reluctantly accepted Jan's proposal. After surrendering the chest containing the amulet, the crew was imprisoned in Sulu, where Xialun was made to share a cell with the unconscious Edward so she could continue to look after him.<ref name="EP 87">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87|Episode 87]]</ref>

When Edward woke up, Xialun quickly brought him up to speed with everything that had happened, and handed him a ''[[eunjangdo]]'' knife that Yun had made for her. After Edward promised her that he would rescue all of their companions, Xialun staged a distraction by banging on the cell's door and shouting that the Assassin was dying. When two guards entered the cell to investigate, they were swiftly killed by Edward with the knife, allowing him and Xialun to escape.<ref name="EP 87" />

Edward told Xialun to stay behind for her own safety, but she insisted that she come along, arguing that she had proven herself more than capable of being helpful. The two then made their way to the cell holding John, Yun, and Saito, which was heavily guarded. Xialun again offered to stage a distraction and approached the guards, claiming she had been sent to check on the prisoners. While the guards allowed Xialun entry into the cell, her pet monkey [[Wukong]] knocked down several [[Lantern|lamps]], blinding the soldiers and allowing Edward to kill them.<ref name="EP 88">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88|Episode 88]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John protecting Qing.png|left|thumb|170px|John protecting Qing from the guard's attack]]
However, one of the guards realized Xialun's deceit and tried to attack her in retaliation. John protected her, taking the hit instead, before the guard was knocked out by Saito. With John injured, Xialun asked for Yun's help carrying him and the group began making their way to the ''Fenghuang''. Outside, they ran into Rupiya, who was preparing to rescue them himself, and witnessed the arrival of Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 88" />

Unwilling to let the Chinese Assassins seize the crescent amulet, Edward decided to face them alone and ordered his allies to head to the ''Fenghuang''. After Xialun ripped a part of her dress to bandage John's wound, the navigator, refusing to let Edward risk his life, went after him. Following several moments of consideration, Xialun also decided to follow her fiancé, to ensure no further harm came upon him.<ref name="EP 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

Despite John's insistence that she head back for her own safety, Xialun refused and helped John look for a way into the warehouse holding the amulet, which had been partially destroyed by cannon fire. When the pair were confronted by Xue Yan, John held off the Chinese Assassin while Qing found a small passage among the warehouse's debris. As she was the only one that could fit in, Xialun decided to go through the passage and recover the amulet.<ref name="EP 89" />

Inside the warehouse, Xialun was attacked by Xue Yan, but after revealing that she was just a doctor, the Chinese Assassin let her go, not wishing to harm a non-combatant. She commended Xialun's courage and warned her to stay out of her way, but while the Assassin had her back turned, Xialun ran through an open door, moments before the path was blocked by falling debris.<ref name="EP 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing escaping the warehouse.png|thumb|180px|Xialun escaping from the warehouse with the amulet's chest]]
Now alone, Xialun found herself in front of the chamber housing the amulet's chest, but the door was locked. While the doctor took a moment to rest, Wukong, who had accompanied her, found a set of keys on the body of a guard crushed by the falling debris. With the keys, Xialun unlocked the chamber's door and retrieved the chest, before spotting a small passage leading outside.<ref name="EP 90" />

As she crawled through the passage with the chest, Xialun stopped halfway through. Although exhausted and scared, she motivated herself to carry on, telling herself that, once she brought the chest to Edward and John, they would all return to the ''Fenghuang'' and be reunited with the rest of their friends.<ref name="EP 90" />

===Sacrifice===
{{Dialogue2|Xialun|John... I'm so glad... that you're safe and sound... I only ever had one wish... To see as much of this world as we could together...|John|No! Don't talk like that!|You loved me... for the woman I am... Thank you... John.|Xialun's final moments, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
After making it out of the warehouse, Xialun spotted Edward and John fighting against Xiao Han and Liu Qing in the distance. As she prepared to join them, however, she was suddenly grabbed from behind by Xue Yan, who seized the chest and held a knife to her throat. With Xialun as their hostage, the Chinese Assassins attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release the doctor if he allowed them to leave with the amulet.<ref name="EP 90" />

[[File:ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|thumb|left|260px|Xialun sacrificing herself to save John from Xiao Han]]
However, the negotiations were interrupted by a volley of cannon fire striking the beach. In the resulting chaos, Xue Yan dropped the chest and released Xialun.<ref name="EP 90" /> After Edward retrieved the amulet, he used its powers to defeat Xiao Han, but hesitated to take his life. This allowed the Chinese Assassin to break free from Edward's grasp, prompting John to intervene and knock him down. Furious, Xiao Han lunged at John with his sword, but Xialun jumped in and took the blow instead.<ref name="EP 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

As a devastated John asked her why she had done that, Xialun told him that she was relieved to see him safe and that she had only ever wished to see as much of the world as she could with him. She then thanked John for accepting and loving her for who she was, and passed away in his arms.<ref name="EP 91" /> Moments later, John and Edward were forced to escape as soldiers arrived to confront them, reluctantly leaving Xialun's body behind.<ref name="EP 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

===Legacy===
{{Quote|One day, when this voyage is done and our thoughts turn to home... I wanted nothing more than to build a family with my love Xialun. Let me ask you this, friend. If there is some way to bring back a loved one... would you not move heaven and Earth to make it so?|John to Edward and Saito, expressing his desire to bring back Xialun, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96}}
[[File:ACFT - John mourning Qing.png|thumb|190px|John mourning Xialun]]
Xialun's death affected all of her fellow crew members, who each mourned her in their own way. Yun, devastated by the loss of his assistant, decided to focus on his work,<ref name="EP 93">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93|Episode 93]]</ref> building a third iteration of the Celestial Chariot.<ref name="EP 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref> Meanwhile, Edward blamed himself for Xialun's death, leaving him initially despondent as he believed that all his efforts to protect his loved ones were in vain, until a conversation with his wife [[Tessa Kenway|Tessa]] helped him regain his resolve.<ref name="EP 95">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 95|Episode 95]]</ref>

John was the most affected by Xialun's death and held onto the piece of her dress she had used to bandage his wound as a memento.<ref name="EP 92" /> When the [[Templars]] later approached John and offered him a chance to resurrect Xialun using the Pieces of Eden's power if he helped them acquire the artifacts, the navigator accepted, betraying the Zhang Wei Union and all of his friends.<ref name="EP 106">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 106|Episode 106]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|In this endlessly wide world of ours... Perhaps I might find some kindred souls who need me as I need them. And what's more... There's no delight in life quite like spending time with someone who cares.|Xialun to John Young, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Xialun was a kind and modest woman who did not think very highly of herself, in part because of her difficult upbringing, being forced to grow up alone on the streets.<ref name="EP 65" /> Although she became enamored with John the moment she met him, she believed that he was too good for her and as such was embarrassed when the navigator confessed his own feelings for her.<ref name="EP 34" />

[[File:ACFT - John and Qing embrace.png|left|thumb|200px|Xialun embracing John]]
In the end, however, Xialun agreed to give their relationship a try, especially after John saved her life.<ref name="EP 39" /> Although she would still be occasionally embarrassed whenever John became overprotective of her, she came to enjoy the positive attention she received from him,<ref name="EP 41" /> and excitedly agreed to marry and settle down with him.<ref name="EP 65" />

Having been forced into a life of servitude aboard Sun's gambling ship, Xialun saw joining the Zhang Wei Union as an opportunity to escape her old life and put her skills to better use.<ref name="EP 41" /> She enjoyed being in the company of people who treated her as an equal for the first time in her life and was excited to join them on their adventures.<ref name="EP 65" /> She also felt a moral obligation to help other people find their place in the world, just like how the Union had helped her find her purpose.<ref name="EP 65" />

Xialun possessed a love of science which allowed her to work well alongside Yun Pyeong-Gyu, assisting him with his various inventions. As Edward Kenway once said, when the two put their minds together, it was typically for "something that could save [their] very lives".<ref name="EP 59" />

Xialun was shown to be brave in certain situations, readily volunteering to pilot the Celestial Chariot despite the possible danger,<ref name="EP 60" /> and agreeing to serve as bait for the Shimazu clan.<ref name="EP 83" /> She also insisted that she join Edward in rescuing their imprisoned companions in Sulu, arguing that she had proven to be more than capable of looking after herself.<ref name="EP 88" /> In her final moments, Xialun proved her love and devotion to John by bravely sacrificing herself to save him, valuing John's safety more than her own life.<ref name="EP 91" />

===Skills and equipment===
{{Quote|And crafting poisons is the least of it! She can heal ailments and treat wounds as well! Isn't she just extraordinary?|John telling Edward about Xialun's abilities, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
[[File:ACFT - Qing treating a crew member.png|thumb|220px|Xialun treating an injured crew member]]
While working as an aide to a doctor aboard Sun's gambling ship, Xialun picked up some medical knowledge, allowing her to treat wounds and heal various ailments. She was also a skilled chemist as she assisted Yun in creating the poison darts for Edward's blowpipe,<ref name="EP 41" /> and reproducing the formula for Greek fire.<ref name="EP 58" />

In addition to her medical skills, Xialun also appeared to be a talented actress, easily deceiving a group of Spanish guards into taking a break from their duties and accepting the food and drinks she had brought them.<ref name="EP 51" />

As the lightest and shortest member of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew, Xialun was able to fit in small spaces most people could not. This proved useful in Sulu, where she went through a narrow corridor to infiltrate a demolished warehouse and retrieve the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 89" /> Her pet monkey Wukong was another valuable asset, as he could help Xialun by staging distractions<ref name="EP 88" /> or fetching items for her.<ref name="EP 90" />

==Behind the scenes==
Qing Xialun is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Her surname is Qing and her personal name Xialun. In Chinese naming convention, the surname comes first and the personal name second, but in the English edition of the graphic novel, her name is erroneously ordered Xialun Qing. This is despite the fact other East Asian characters such as [[Xiao Han]], [[Xue Yan]], [[Liu Qing]], [[Shimazu Saito]], and [[Fuma Sukuna]] maintain the proper surname-first name order, so there is an inconsistency in the translation. This inconsistency also appears with another character, the Korean [[Yun Pyeong-gyu]], who introduces himself as "Pyeong-gyu Yun" in Chapter 26.

There is some inconsistency regarding Xialun's eye color, with certain episodes depicting her as having brown eyes while others show her with blue eyes.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT - Decoy John.png|Qing with a disguised John aboard the gambling ship
ACFT - John and Qing about to kiss.png|Qing and John closing in for a kiss
ACFT - Xialun Qing falling overboard.png|Qing falling overboard during the evacuation of Sun's ship
ACFT - John and Qing.png|Qing with John
ACFT - Qing holding Wukong.png|Qing holding her pet monkey, Wukong
ACFT - Qing stuck in a tree.png|Qing stuck in a tree on Monkey Island
ACFT - Qing serving as bait.png|Qing serving as bait for the Shimazu clan
ACFT - Qing taken hostage.png|Qing being held hostage by Xue Yan
ACFT - John holding Qing.png|John holding a mortally wounded Qing
ACFT - Qing's body left behind.png|Qing's body being left behind in Sulu
ACFT - Qing's corpse.png|Qing's body in her coffin
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:1725 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Servants]]
[[Category:Medical doctors]]
[[Category:Macanese people]]
[[Category:Zhawang Corporation members]]
[[Category:Fenghuang crew]]
[[Category:Assassin allies]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

Qing Xialun

2026-08-23T03:14:31Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Behind the scenes */ Xialun is her given name. We should double-check if this mistake was also in the original Korean but I would doubt it.

{{Era|Individuals}}
{{Quote|I'm afraid choosing the life they wish to lead is a luxury... that is only afforded to the fortunate.|Xialun Qing to Shimazu Saito, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Xialun Qing
|image = ACFT Xialun Qing.png
|death = 1725 [[Sultanate of Sulu]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = *[[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]
*''[[Fenghuang]]'' crew
}}
'''Xialun Qing''' (died 1725) was a [[China|Chinese]] woman who worked as a [[tea]] waitress aboard [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]]'s [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] in [[Macau]] in the early 18th century.

After meeting and falling in love with the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] navigator [[John Young]] in 1725, Qing was saved by him during the gambling ship's destruction by Sun's enemies. She subsequently joined the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], an organization founded by John's friend, the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], and used her medical knowledge to help the organization's members as a [[doctor]].

Qing eagerly accompanied her fellow Union members on their travels across [[Southeast Asia]], where they searched for a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]]. However, after finding one of the artifacts—a [[crescent amulet]]—the Union members were imprisoned in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. Following their escape, Qing volunteered to recover the amulet, only to end up sacrificing herself to save John from the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassin]] [[Xiao Han]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
{{Quote|As a child, I always felt like a ghost... never seen or noticed by anybody.|Qing on her childhood, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
[[File:ACFT - Young Xialun Qing.png|thumb|190px|A young Qing on the streets]]
Qing grew up an orphan on the streets of [[Macau]]. In her own words, she felt like a ghost because no one ever paid attention to her, forcing her to survive on her own.<ref name="EP 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref> Eventually, she was able to find work aboard the [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]] operated by [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]], the head of the [[Hualien Trading Company]], as a waitress, though she would also occasionally tend to the customers' other needs.<ref name="EP 41">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41|Episode 41]]</ref>

At some point during her work aboard the gambling ship, Qing served as an aide to a [[doctor]], allowing her to pick up some medical skills that would prove useful in her later life.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Meeting John Young===
{{Dialogue3|John|Only a fool of a man would fail to see your delightful charm. My dear, I do declare you've ignited a passion within me.|Qing|B-but, sir... are you sure you want to be with a girl like me?|You'll break my heart with such modesty. Come, tell me your name at least.|My name... is Xialun Qing.|Qing introducing herself to John, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34}}
One night in 1725, while working aboard the gambling ship, Qing met and fell in love with [[John Young]], who had infiltrated the ship to serve as [[Edward Kenway]]'s decoy.<ref name="EP 32">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 32|Episode 32]]</ref> After John got drunk, Qing gave him a hangover cure of her own creation, which she modestly described as a "silly old trick" she had picked up ages ago. However, John was impressed and began to flatter her, calling her the brightest woman he had ever met.<ref name="EP 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John tells Qing to hide.png|left|thumb|170px|John telling Qing to hide during the ninja's attack]]
Qing was embarrassed and questioned what John could possibly see in her, to which he admitted that Qing had ignited a passion within him and asked for her name. As Qing told John her name, the two closed in for a kiss, but were interrupted by a commotion outside their room. Seeing that the [[Shimazu clan|Shimazu]] [[ninja]] Edward had allied himself with were killing the ship's staff, John told Qing to hide and remain quiet if she wished to survive, before leaving to find Edward.<ref name="EP 34" />

However, the ship later began to be bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]], forcing the civilians and staff to evacuate it. In the resulting commotion, Qing was accidentally thrown overboard but was rescued by John, who had stolen a [[gunboat]]. Qing then joined him in picking up Edward and [[Shimazu Saito]] before the group was rescued from Zheng's fleet by the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]]'s flagship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]''.<ref name="EP 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref>
{{-}}

===Joining the Zhang Wei Union===
{{Dialogue|Edward|I know all too well how difficult voyages can be without a doctor or medicine at hand! I'm glad to have you on board, miss!|Qing|Likewise! I look forward to the journey, sir!|Edward and Qing, shortly before sailing to the Philippines, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple}}
At the Zhang Wei Union's [[A-Ma Cultural Village|headquarters]], Qing treated an injured Saito and helped her get dressed up afterwards. She later tended to a seemingly asleep John while the other Union members came together to decipher a [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] containing encrypted information on the location of [[Angkor]].<ref name="EP 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Deciphering the sea log.png|thumb|200px|Qing tending to a sleeping John]]
After the Union members resolved to travel to the [[Philippines]] to pick up on [[Ferdinand Magellan]]'s trail and find Angkor, John decided to bring Qing along for the voyage. Before their departure, Qing created the [[poison]] [[dart]]s for Edward's new [[blowpipe]] built by [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]], which made Saito question why someone with her talents had been working aboard Sun's gambling ship. Qing simply told her that choosing the life one wished to lead was a luxury afforded to few, causing Saito to apologize.<ref name="EP 41" />

Edward was impressed by Qing's medical skills and, believing a doctor could prove useful on the journey, welcomed her into the Zhang Wei Union. Once all the preparations were complete, Qing boarded the ''Fenghuang'' alongside John, Edward, Saito, Yun, and [[Mustafa|Rupiya]] as the group left Macau and sailed towards the Philippines.<ref name="EP 41" />

===Journey to the Philippines===
{{Dialogue|Soldier|Listen here, young lady. We're not here to amuse ourselves.|Qing|Oh, of course! You're protecting the ship for us, isn't that right? That's why I thought it would be nice to bring you some tasty treats and a drink to wash them down with... Just a little drink is all. What do you say?|Qing distracting a group of Spanish soldiers, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51}}
En route to the Philippines, the ''Fenghuang'' was attacked by Zheng's fleet and the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Assassins]] [[Xiao Han]], [[Liu Qing]], and [[Xue Yan]], who also sought to find Angkor.<ref name="EP 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref> Although the ship's crew repelled the attack and lost their pursuers by sailing into a storm, many sailors were injured during the battle. Qing treated as many of them as she could before the ''Fenghuang'' was again attacked by one of Zheng's ships. Fortunately, the enemy vessel was sunk by a [[Dutch East India Company]] ship captained by Edward's ally [[Jan van Aert]], who had decided to join the Union members in their quest for Angkor.<ref name="EP 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Fenghuang crew arrested.png|left|thumb|230px|Qing and the others being arrested in Manila]]
Not long afterwards, both the ''Fenghuang'' and Jan's ship came under attack by two [[Spain|Spanish]] [[Man O' War|Men O' War]], forcing them to surrender. The crews of the two ships were subsequently brought to [[Manila]], where they were arrested by the Spanish authorities due to Jan's alleged involvement in {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} [[Fernando Manuel de Bustillo Bustamante y Rueda]]'s [[assassination]] six years prior.<ref name="EP 50">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 50|Episode 50]]</ref>

While Jan and his men were imprisoned in [[Fort Santiago]]'s dungeon, the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew was forced to remain inside their ship, under heavy guard. During their imprisonment, John managed to learn that Governor Bustamante had been killed in a riot by {{Wiki|Archbishop of Manila|Archbishop}} [[Francisco de la Cuesta]]'s supporters, and relayed this information to the others. Edward then decided to take matters into their own hands and had Qing distract the guards by bringing them food and drinks, allowing the rest of the crew to escape the ship.<ref name="EP 51">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 51|Episode 51]]</ref>

After Edward and Saito rescued Jan's crew and the other Union members retrieved their confiscated weapons and supplies from a warehouse, the ''Fenghuang'' sailed away from Manila, followed closely by Jan's ship. When the [[Spanish Navy]] gave chase, Jan volunteered to distract their pursuers to give the Union members time to flee.<ref name="EP 57">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 57|Episode 57]]</ref>

Once they had escaped from the Spanish fleet, Edward told Qing and the others about his and Saito's encounter with a [[Mad monk|monk]] who wielded a [[Piece of Eden]] in the shape of a [[crescent amulet]]. As Saito was still recovering from the amulet's effects, Qing tended to her while Edward ordered the crew to set a course for [[Cebu]].<ref name="EP 57" />

===Excursion to Monkey Island===
{{Dialogue|John|I swar, if those scoundrels laid a finger on you—|Qing|I-I'm perfectly fine, my love. If anything, the people here treated me like an honored guest. In fact... I'm more worried you've scared these poor people half to death.|Qing and John after being reunited on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63}}
[[File:ACFT - Yun and Qing experimenting.png|thumb|180px|Qing and Yun attempting to reproduce the formula for Greek fire]]
Following their escape from Manila, the Union members discovered that the Spanish authorities had confiscated all of their food rations and attacked two passing Spanish [[schooner]]s to take their supplies. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' docked at a nearby village to resupply, where the natives instantly recognized and greeted the Union members, as [[Zhang (Macanese)|Zhang]] had recently begun trading with them.<ref name="EP 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

While Edward recruited several of the villagers into the Union, Qing and Yun attempted to recreate the formula for [[Greek fire]]. However, they were interrupted by the screams of John, who had been attacked by an unseen creature.<ref name="EP 58" /> Rushing to his aid alongside Edward and Rupiya, the group found John struggling to get rid of a [[Wukong|baby monkey]], much to their amusement.<ref name="EP 59">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 59|Episode 59]]</ref>

While the others laughed at John's predicament, Qing calmed down the agitated monkey and cradled it until it fell asleep. As she pointed out that the monkey must have lost its parents, John suggested that they adopt it and Qing agreed. Afterwards, the ''Fenghuang'' departed the village and began its voyage to Cebu.<ref name="EP 59" />

That night, Qing continued to assist Yun with his experiments, but they were interrupted once again, this time by the ''Fenghuang'' being bombarded with mortar fire. Rupiya was able to steer the ship to safety and Edward instructed him to take cover behind some rocks on the nearby [[Monkey Island]].<ref name="EP 59" />

With the crew trapped and unaware of where the mortar fire had come from, Qing offered a solution and revealed her and Yun's latest invention: a [[hot air balloon]],<ref name="EP 59" /> which they dubbed the [[Celestial Chariot]]. After Yun suggested using it to survey the island, Qing volunteered to be the pilot, claiming that she wanted to be the first human to experience the miracle of flight. John opposed her decision due to being concerned for her safety, but both Qing and Yun assured him that she would be unharmed.<ref name="EP 60">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 60|Episode 60]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing surveying the island.png|left|thumb|190px|Qing surveying Monkey Island]]
After taking flight in the Celestial Chariot, Qing briefly admired the view before focusing on her task at hand. Surveying Monkey Island, she was able to determine the locations of all enemy encampments and mark them on a map, which she sent back to the ''Fenhuang'', allowing the crew to fire on them. However, the Celestial Chariot then suffered a malfunction due to a sudden gust of wind and caught fire, with Qing still inside.<ref name="EP 60" />

Remembering Yun's instructions on how to proceed in the event of an emergency, Qing jumped out of the burning balloon and deployed her [[parachute]], landing safely on Monkey Island. However, her parachute ended up getting caught in a tree, leaving Qing stuck. Not long after, a group of natives found the stranded Qing and approached her, causing her to scream in terror.<ref name="EP 61">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 61|Episode 61]]</ref>

Fortunately, the natives meant to harm and brought Qing back to their village, where she used her medical knowledge to treat their sick and wounded. Not long after, Qing and the natives were taken by surprise when an expedition led by Edward and John arrived in the village in search of her. Mistakenly assuming the villagers had kidnapped Qing, the group attacked them, only to realize their error of judgement when they saw Qing carrying a box of medicine.<ref name="EP 62">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 62|Episode 62]]</ref>

After Qing explained that the natives had rescued her from the jungle, her fellow Union members felt remorse for having attacked them, especially when the village's chief allowed them to stay as guests. Qing later told Edward and John about the village's recent history and how most of its inhabitants had been forcefully recruited into a native resistance fighting against the Spanish colonists, which operated out of Monkey Island's [[fort]].<ref name="EP 63">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 63|Episode 63]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing treating the villager.png|thumb|210px|Qing treating the villager]]
However, the conversation was interrupted by the sudden screams of a woman outside, who was pursued by what appeared to be a ''[[manananggal]]''. After the monster was incapacitated and unmasked as one of the missing villagers, Qing brought the man inside, insisting that he required immediate medical attention. While Qing treated the villager, the chief informed the Zhang Wei Union members that others like him roamed the island's jungles, prompting Edward to come up with a plan to capture them.<ref name="EP 63" />

After the successful capture of several brainwashed warriors, the Union members decided to use them to storm Monkey Island's fort and rescue the prisoners held there. Qing joined the others in their assault and jumped into the water after John planted explosives to destroy the fort.<ref name="EP 64">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 64|Episode 64]]</ref> The group was soon picked up by the ''Fenghuang'', and Qing was reunited with Yun, who immediately apologized for nearly getting her killed, but Qing revealed that Yun's parachute had saved her life.<ref name="EP 65" />

Following this, Qing suggested rebuilding the Celestial Chariot and using the lessons learned from their failed prototype to improve the balloon. While Yun excitedly agreed, John was opposed to the idea, as he did not want to risk losing his lover again. After Qing told John that she knew how much he cared about her and that being a member of the Union was the first time she ever felt loved, John promised to find a place to call home and asked for Qing's hand in marriage, to which she excitedly accepted.<ref name="EP 65" />

===Confrontation in Cebu===
{{Quote|We'll build on the lessons of our failure and build an even better machine! A safer Celestial Chariot capable of soaring several people at once!|Qing coming up with the idea of a second Celestial Chariot, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
After the ''Fenghuang'' departed Monkey Island and sailed to Cebu, Qing and most of the crew stayed behind on the ship while Edward and Saito went to the city to look for the next clue to Angkor's location.<ref name="EP 65" /> When the native resistance's fleet reached Cebu, John decided to attack it, and the ''Fenghuang'' easily sunk the enemy ships before picking up Edward and Saito, who had failed to prevent the resistance's leader [[Rajah]] from escaping with their prize: another [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]].<ref name="EP 68">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 68|Episode 68]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Boarding the Celestial Chariot.png|left|thumb|180px|Qing and the others watching Edward, John, and Saito board the Celestial Chariot]]
The crew followed Rajah to [[Fort San Pedro]], which the rebels had taken over, but could not think of any way to infiltrate it without getting within range of the fort's cannons. Yun offered a solution and revealed an improved Celestial Chariot he had built, which could carry up to three people at once. Edward and Saito subsequently volunteered to board it, with a reluctant John joining them, and the trio took off in the balloon while Qing and the others remained on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 68" />

Following a naval battle against Zheng's fleet, which had also arrived in Cebu, the ''Fenghuang'' went to pick up Edward, Saito, and John, who had landed in the water after their escape from Fort San Pedro with the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref> However, the Piece of Eden proved to have negative effects on Edward, making him largely unresponsive. Qing examined the Assassin and concluded that, while physically stable, he appeared to have completely withdrawn into himself.<ref name="EP 74">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 74|Episode 74]]</ref>

The crew was at a loss without their leader until John recalled that Jan van Aert had asked them to reconvene with him in the [[Sultanate of Sulu]]. The navigator subsequently ordered Rupiya to set a course for Sulu so that they could meet Jan while Edward was taken below deck to recover.<ref name="EP 74" />

===Showdown with the Shimazu clan===
{{Dialogue|Qing|Are you sure this will work, Lady Saito?|Saito|Knowing Fuma, yes. Even in the heat of the battle, he won't pass up a chance to take a valuable hostage.|Qing and Saito discussing their plan to lure Fuma Sukuna into a trap, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83}}
En route to Sulu, Qing treated the crew members who had been injured during the fight in Cebu, including Edward, who was still recovering from the crescent amulet's affects. When the crew decided to dock on an island to resupply, Qing did not accompany Saito and the others who went ashore to gather resources, electing to remain on the ''Fenghuang''.<ref name="EP 79">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 79|Episode 79]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing playing with children.png|thumb|190px|Qing and Wukong playing with the children]]
After the crew secured an alliance with a group of native villagers by protecting them from a [[raid]] by Japanese [[Mercenary|mercenaries]], Qing accompanied Edward to their settlement. There, she briefly spoke with John, telling him that Edward had yet to make a full recovery and was in a state of near-constant suffering. Afterwards, Qing went to play with some of the native children while her fellow crew members discussed strategies against the [[Shimazu clan]], which was on their tail.<ref name="EP 81">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 81|Episode 81]]</ref>

While John, Yun, and most of the crew ambushed the [[Rattan Shield Company]], which was working with the Shimazu clan, Qing collected several medicinal herbs for Edward, easing his pain and allowing him to fight again. Qing, Edward, and Saito then spotted smoke in the distance, indicating that their explosive trap had been activated and that Yun and the others had faced more resistance than they had anticipated.<ref name="EP 82">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 82|Episode 82]]</ref>

The trio immediately decided to go help them, but before they could leave, they were approached by the Japanese mercenaries Saito had encountered earlier, who had come to negotiate with her.<ref name="EP 82" /> After securing an alliance with [[Nagamasa]] and his men, Edward left to rescue Yun and the other crew members who were being pursued by Shimazu [[ninja]], while Saito decided to set a trap for the ninja's leader, her former mentor [[Fuma Sukuna]].<ref name="EP 83">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 83|Episode 83]]</ref>

Knowing Sukuna could not resist the opportunity to take a valuable hostage, Saito had Qing serve as bait by standing in an open field while she hid behind a rock nearby. When Sukuna and several of his ninja arrived to try and capture Qing, Saito revealed herself and confronted them. She then signaled Nagamasa and his men, who emerged from their hiding spots and surrounded the ninja.<ref name="EP 83" />

[[File:ACFT - Yun regrouping with Edward and Qing.png|left|thumb|180px|Qing and Edward regrouping with Yun and the others]]
The standoff was broken off by the arrival of Yun, Edward, and the other Zhang Wei Union members, causing the ninja to retreat and regroup with the Rattan Shield Company. Saito then devised a plan to trap and defeat their enemies while Qing and a weakened Edward fled to safety, as both of them were unable to partake in the upcoming battle.<ref name="EP 84">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 84|Episode 84]]</ref> They were soon joined by Yun and the other Union members, and the group proceeded to make their way to the island's shore, where the ''Fenghuang'' would arrive to pick them up.<ref name="EP 85">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 85|Episode 85]]</ref>

While waiting atop a cliff, the group was attacked by the Qing Empire's [[Special Cavalry Unit]],<ref name="EP 85" /> but Edward protected Qing and the others and single-handedly wiped out the cavalry unit. However, the Assassin then began to be corrupted by the crescent amulet in his possession, just as Saito and Nagamasa arrived, having killed Fuma Sukuna and his ninja.<ref name="EP 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref>

After Saito took the amulet away from Edward and placed it in a chest, the group decided to swim to the ''Fenghuang'', which was unable to dock due to the Rattan Shield Company's presence on the beach. Parting ways with Nagamasa and his men for the time being, Qing and the others jumped off the cliff and managed to board their ship. Qing then joined an unconscious Edward below deck in order to look after him while the ''Fenghuang'' resumed its voyage to the Sultanate of Sulu.<ref name="EP 86" />

===Escape from Sulu===
{{Quote|If only I can bring back this artifact safely... I'll be back aboard the ''Fenghuang'' before long with John, Kenway and the others... We'll all be united once more...|Qing, after retrieving the crescent amulet, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90}}
[[File:ACFT - Edward and Qing imprisoned.png|thumb|250px|Qing and Edward imprisoned in Sulu]]
In Sulu, the Union members were betrayed by Jan van Aert, who had made a deal with Sultan [[Badarud-Din I]], promising to deliver him the crescent amulet in the Union's possession. With the Sultanate's fleet threatening the ''Fenghuang'', the crew did not believe they had much of a choice and reluctantly accepted Jan's proposal. After surrendering the chest containing the amulet, the crew was imprisoned in Sulu, where Qing was made to share a cell with the unconscious Edward so she could continue to look after him.<ref name="EP 87">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 87|Episode 87]]</ref>

When Edward woke up, Qing quickly brought him up to speed with everything that had happened, and handed him a ''[[eunjangdo]]'' knife that Yun had made for her. After Edward promised her that he would rescue all of their companions, Qing staged a distraction by banging on the cell's door and shouting that the Assassin was dying. When two guards entered the cell to investigate, they were swiftly killed by Edward with the knife, allowing him and Qing to escape.<ref name="EP 87" />

Edward told Qing to stay behind for her own safety, but she insisted that she come along, arguing that she had proven herself more than capable of being helpful. The two then made their way to the cell holding John, Yun, and Saito, which was heavily guarded. Qing again offered to stage a distraction and approached the guards, claiming she had been sent to check on the prisoners. While the guards allowed Qing entry into the cell, her pet monkey [[Wukong]] knocked down several [[Lantern|lamps]], blinding the soldiers and allowing Edward to kill them.<ref name="EP 88">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 88|Episode 88]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - John protecting Qing.png|left|thumb|170px|John protecting Qing from the guard's attack]]
However, one of the guards realized Qing's deceit and tried to attack her in retaliation. John protected her, taking the hit instead, before the guard was knocked out by Saito. With John injured, Qing asked for Yun's help carrying him and the group began making their way to the ''Fenghuang''. Outside, they ran into Rupiya, who was preparing to rescue them himself, and witnessed the arrival of Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan.<ref name="EP 88" />

Unwilling to let the Chinese Assassins seize the crescent amulet, Edward decided to face them alone and ordered his allies to head to the ''Fenghuang''. After Qing ripped a part of her dress to bandage John's wound, the navigator, refusing to let Edward risk his life, went after him. Following several moments of consideration, Qing also decided to follow her fiancé, to ensure no further harm came upon him.<ref name="EP 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

Despite John's insistence that she head back for her own safety, Qing refused and helped John look for a way into the warehouse holding the amulet, which had been partially destroyed by cannon fire. When the pair were confronted by Xue Yan, John held off the Chinese Assassin while Qing found a small passage among the warehouse's debris. As she was the only one that could fit in, Qing decided to go through the passage and recover the amulet.<ref name="EP 89" />

Inside the warehouse, Qing was attacked by Xue Yan, but after revealing that she was just a doctor, the Chinese Assassin let her go, not wishing to harm a non-combatant. She commended Qing's courage and warned her to stay out of her way, but while the Assassin had her back turned, Qing ran through an open door, moments before the path was blocked by falling debris.<ref name="EP 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Qing escaping the warehouse.png|thumb|180px|Qing escaping from the warehouse with the amulet's chest]]
Now alone, Qing found herself in front of the chamber housing the amulet's chest, but the door was locked. While the doctor took a moment to rest, Wukong, who had accompanied her, found a set of keys on the body of a guard crushed by the falling debris. With the keys, Qing unlocked the chamber's door and retrieved the chest, before spotting a small passage leading outside.<ref name="EP 90" />

As she crawled through the passage with the chest, Qing stopped halfway through. Although exhausted and scared, she motivated herself to carry on, telling herself that, once she brought the chest to Edward and John, they would all return to the ''Fenghuang'' and be reunited with the rest of their friends.<ref name="EP 90" />

===Sacrifice===
{{Dialogue2|Qing|John... I'm so glad... that you're safe and sound... I only ever had one wish... To see as much of this world as we could together...|John|No! Don't talk like that!|You loved me... for the woman I am... Thank you... John.|Qing's final moments, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91}}
After making it out of the warehouse, Qing spotted Edward and John fighting against Xiao Han and Liu Qing in the distance. As she prepared to join them, however, she was suddenly grabbed from behind by Xue Yan, who seized the chest and held a knife to her throat. With Qing as their hostage, the Chinese Assassins attempted to strike a deal with Edward, promising to release the doctor if he allowed them to leave with the amulet.<ref name="EP 90" />

[[File:ACFT - Qing's sacrifice.png|thumb|left|260px|Qing sacrificing herself to save John from Xiao Han]]
However, the negotiations were interrupted by a volley of cannon fire striking the beach. In the resulting chaos, Xue Yan dropped the chest and released Qing.<ref name="EP 90" /> After Edward retrieved the amulet, he used its powers to defeat Xiao Han, but hesitated to take his life. This allowed the Chinese Assassin to break free from Edward's grasp, prompting John to intervene and knock him down. Furious, Xiao Han lunged at John with his sword, but Qing jumped in and took the blow instead.<ref name="EP 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

As a devastated John asked her why she had done that, Qing told him that she was relieved to see him safe and that she had only ever wished to see as much of the world as she could with him. She then thanked John for accepting and loving her for who she was, and passed away in his arms.<ref name="EP 91" /> Moments later, John and Edward were forced to escape as soldiers arrived to confront them, reluctantly leaving Qing's body behind.<ref name="EP 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

===Legacy===
{{Quote|One day, when this voyage is done and our thoughts turn to home... I wanted nothing more than to build a family with my love Xialun. Let me ask you this, friend. If there is some way to bring back a loved one... would you not move heaven and Earth to make it so?|John to Edward and Saito, expressing his desire to bring back Qing, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96}}
[[File:ACFT - John mourning Qing.png|thumb|190px|John mourning Qing]]
Qing's death affected all of her fellow crew members, who each mourned her in their own way. Yun, devastated by the loss of his assistant, decided to focus on his work,<ref name="EP 93">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 93|Episode 93]]</ref> building a third iteration of the Celestial Chariot.<ref name="EP 97">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 97|Episode 97]]</ref> Meanwhile, Edward blamed himself for Qing's death, leaving him initially despondent as he believed that all his efforts to protect his loved ones were in vain, until a conversation with his wife [[Tessa Kenway|Tessa]] helped him regain his resolve.<ref name="EP 95">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 95|Episode 95]]</ref>

John was the most affected by Qing's death and held onto the piece of her dress she had used to bandage his wound as a memento.<ref name="EP 92" /> When the [[Templars]] later approached John and offered him a chance to resurrect Qing using the Pieces of Eden's power if he helped them acquire the artifacts, the navigator accepted, betraying the Zhang Wei Union and all of his friends.<ref name="EP 106">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 106|Episode 106]]</ref>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|In this endlessly wide world of ours... Perhaps I might find some kindred souls who need me as I need them. And what's more... There's no delight in life quite like spending time with someone who cares.|Qing to John Young, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
Qing was a kind and modest woman who did not think very highly of herself, in part because of her difficult upbringing, being forced to grow up alone on the streets.<ref name="EP 65" /> Although she became enamored with John the moment she met him, she believed that he was too good for her and as such was embarrassed when the navigator confessed his own feelings for her.<ref name="EP 34" />

[[File:ACFT - John and Qing embrace.png|left|thumb|200px|Qing embracing John]]
In the end, however, Qing agreed to give their relationship a try, especially after John saved her life.<ref name="EP 39" /> Although she would still be occasionally embarrassed whenever John became overprotective of her, she came to enjoy the positive attention she received from him,<ref name="EP 41" /> and excitedly agreed to marry and settle down with him.<ref name="EP 65" />

Having been forced into a life of servitude aboard Sun's gambling ship, Qing saw joining the Zhang Wei Union as an opportunity to escape her old life and put her skills to better use.<ref name="EP 41" /> She enjoyed being in the company of people who treated her as an equal for the first time in her life and was excited to join them on their adventures.<ref name="EP 65" /> She also felt a moral obligation to help other people find their place in the world, just like how the Union had helped her find her purpose.<ref name="EP 65" />

Qing possessed a love of science which allowed her to work well alongside Yun Pyeong-Gyu, assisting him with his various inventions. As Edward Kenway once said, when the two put their minds together, it was typically for "something that could save [their] very lives".<ref name="EP 59" />

Qing was shown to be brave in certain situations, readily volunteering to pilot the Celestial Chariot despite the possible danger,<ref name="EP 60" /> and agreeing to serve as bait for the Shimazu clan.<ref name="EP 83" /> She also insisted that she join Edward in rescuing their imprisoned companions in Sulu, arguing that she had proven to be more than capable of looking after herself.<ref name="EP 88" /> In her final moments, Qing proved her love and devotion to John by bravely sacrificing herself to save him, valuing John's safety more than her own life.<ref name="EP 91" />

===Skills and equipment===
{{Quote|And crafting poisons is the least of it! She can heal ailments and treat wounds as well! Isn't she just extraordinary?|John telling Edward about Qing's abilities, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 41}}
[[File:ACFT - Qing treating a crew member.png|thumb|220px|Qing treating an injured crew member]]
While working as an aide to a doctor aboard Sun's gambling ship, Qing picked up some medical knowledge, allowing her to treat wounds and heal various ailments. She was also a skilled chemist as she assisted Yun in creating the poison darts for Edward's blowpipe,<ref name="EP 41" /> and reproducing the formula for Greek fire.<ref name="EP 58" />

In addition to her medical skills, Qing also appeared to be a talented actress, easily deceiving a group of Spanish guards into taking a break from their duties and accepting the food and drinks she had brought them.<ref name="EP 51" />

As the lightest and shortest member of the ''Fenghuang''{{'}}s crew, Qing was able to fit in small spaces most people could not. This proved useful in Sulu, where she went through a narrow corridor to infiltrate a demolished warehouse and retrieve the crescent amulet.<ref name="EP 89" /> Her pet monkey Wukong was another valuable asset, as he could help Qing by staging distractions<ref name="EP 88" /> or fetching items for her.<ref name="EP 90" />

==Behind the scenes==
Qing Xialun is a character introduced in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Her surname is Qing and her personal name Xialun. In Chinese naming convention, the surname comes first, but in the English edition of the graphic novel, her name is erroneously ordered Xialun Qing.

There is some inconsistency regarding Xialun's eye color, with certain episodes depicting her as having brown eyes while others show her with blue eyes.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center">
ACFT - Decoy John.png|Qing with a disguised John aboard the gambling ship
ACFT - John and Qing about to kiss.png|Qing and John closing in for a kiss
ACFT - Xialun Qing falling overboard.png|Qing falling overboard during the evacuation of Sun's ship
ACFT - John and Qing.png|Qing with John
ACFT - Qing holding Wukong.png|Qing holding her pet monkey, Wukong
ACFT - Qing stuck in a tree.png|Qing stuck in a tree on Monkey Island
ACFT - Qing serving as bait.png|Qing serving as bait for the Shimazu clan
ACFT - Qing taken hostage.png|Qing being held hostage by Xue Yan
ACFT - John holding Qing.png|John holding a mortally wounded Qing
ACFT - Qing's body left behind.png|Qing's body being left behind in Sulu
ACFT - Qing's corpse.png|Qing's body in her coffin
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{ACFT}}

[[Category:1725 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Qing people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Servants]]
[[Category:Medical doctors]]
[[Category:Macanese people]]
[[Category:Zhawang Corporation members]]
[[Category:Fenghuang crew]]
[[Category:Assassin allies]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]

A Scientific Inquiry

2026-08-12T22:49:48Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Memories|AC4}}
{{Memory Infobox
| image = A Scientific Inquiry 1.png
| description = ''Adéwalé must investigate Port-au-Prince to uncover [[Louis Godin|Godin]]'s motives.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – ''[[Freedom Cry]]''
| type = Main
| fullsync = 
*Complete all 5 investigations.
*Do not kill anyone while investigating.
| previous = [[Lifting the Veil]]
| next = [[Plant the Seeds]]
| source = [[Adéwalé]]
| location = [[Port-au-Prince]], [[Haiti|Saint-Domingue]]
| date = 1735}}
'''A Scientific Inquiry''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Adéwalé]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by a [[Abstergo Entertainment research analyst|research analyst]] at [[Abstergo Entertainment]] through the [[Animus]].

==Description==
Adéwalé met with [[Bastienne Josèphe]] again before setting out to investigate the expedition.

==Dialogue==
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Bastienne! I feared we lost you to the bitterness of depression.''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''Never. Those arrogant men cannot cut me out of my own network. The cost is too great for the [[Slavery|slaves]].''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''And for your pride?''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''What does it matter, so long as I work for their freedom?''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Whatever has inspired it, I'm glad to hear the fight back in your voice. How can I help?''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''The scientist, [[Louis Godin|Godin]]. What is his full purpose here? Can you find that out?''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Whatever secrets he carries, I will uncover.''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''Start with the [[Harbormasters|harbormaster]]. He sees everyone who comes and goes. He should have kept me informed.''
Adéwalé eavesdropped on the harbormaster.
*'''Harbormaster:''' ''(Governor) [[Pierre, Marquis de Fayet|de Fayet]] requests that (Mister) Godin's [[French Geodesic Mission|Geodesic Expedition]] be equipped with every resource it demands. The first need is rather unusual. Mr. Godin requires, for reasons of scientific record keeping, three er... literate slaves.''
*'''Woman:''' ''Who would have taught them? The [[Code Noir]] prohibits-''
*'''Harbormaster:''' ''Perhaps among your house slaves such a "worker" exists? You may communicate it privately. There is a reward.''
*'''Woman:''' ''But what will they do?''
*'''Harbormaster:''' ''Take notes, I suppose?''
*'''Woman:''' ''Can none of the [[France|French]] scientists take notes?''
*'''Harbormaster:''' ''Not if they are to carry equipment at the same time.''
Adéwalé continued his investigation into Godin and noted a courier, whose pouch was stolen by a thief.
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''That pouch must be important.''
Adéwalé managed to retrieve the pouch from the thief.
[[File:A Scientific Inquiry 3.png|thumb|250px|Adéwalé reading a letter from Godin]]
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''[[Spain]] continues to insist the expedition wait for a Spanish ship. But we are allies now! Can they not be persuaded to allow a single French vessel passage, in the name of science? We are after all, allowing Spanish chaperones on board. Signed Louis Godin. He does not realize the risks of this voyage.''
Adéwalé moved on and eavesdropped on two scientists.
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''In the territory of {{Wiki|Quito}}, the mountains and plains will favour our triangulations. Our measurements will allow us to know the exact shape of the [[Earth]].''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''Egg, oval or globe?''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''That is the question. With this knowledge France and Spain will have the privilege of navigational precision.''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''Won't the Spanish then have too great an advantage at war?''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''It was the only way to gain access to Quito.''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''They are always one step ahead.''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''Now that we are allies, perhaps we will walk together.''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''Perhaps. Still, I'm surprised they are allowing your expedition through. Are they not worried about smuggling?''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''Oh probably. But for all their military might, they are not as strong as we are in the sciences.''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''They need you, then.''
*'''Scientist 1:''' ''And they are sending us a couple of chaperones. Have you met [[Antonio de Ulloa]] yet? I hear he is quite the prodigy.''
*'''Scientist 2:''' ''Not yet. I'm sure it will be a great pleasure.''
Adéwalé then interrogated a messenger.
[[File:A Scientific Inquiry 4.png|thumb|250px|Adéwalé interrogating the messenger]]
*'''Messenger:''' ''What do you want?''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Strange time to be delivering a message. Does it by any chance concern the expedition that's leaving shortly?''
*'''Messenger:''' ''Who are you to care?''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Tell me what you know, or I will wring it out of you.''
*'''Messenger:''' ''No! Very well. The Governor wanted me to tell the harbormaster to allow a French ship to be sent, rather than a Spanish, on the condition that certain goods be transported as a special favor.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''The expedition will also be used for smuggling.''
*'''Messenger:''' ''Well, I wouldn't say it plainly, but...''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Thank you. Good night.''
Adéwalé then met up with a local fisherman.
*'''Fisherman:''' ''I know you. You're the one with the "[[Experto Crede|Ghost Ship]]". I have a job for you.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Mmm?''
*'''Fisherman:''' ''I sense you are looking for information. Meanwhile, I have information.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''And I'm sure you have some condition for giving it?''
*'''Fisherman:''' ''Yes! My rival uses slaves to fish three times my haul. If they were freed - the slaves, that is - I would be so relieved. For their health, of course.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Of course. Consider it done.''
Adéwalé found the rival fisherman and stole the key to the slave cage.
*'''Rival:''' ''The finest catch of the day! The most stock at the lowest price!''
Adéwalé freed the slaves and returned to the fisherman.
[[File:A Scientific Inquiry 5.png|thumb|250px|Adéwalé speaking with the fisherman]]
*'''Fisherman:''' ''Thank you kindly.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''I did not do it for kindness. The information now, out with it!''
*'''Fisherman:''' ''Ah! Yes. The harbormaster is stockpiling too much cargo for a simple expedition. Too much cargo, not enough cannons to protect it. Can only mean one thing: smuggling.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Thank you.''
Finally, Adéwalé stole a letter from a courier.
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Once the circumference of the Earth is known, we may navigate more precisely, and better anticipate the position of the enemy. We will require fewer [[ships]] because we will lose fewer ships. Our cannons will aim true. And commercially, well, you know how it is with [[Piracy|pirates]] and [[slave ships]]. We can put an end to nonsense by supporting this expedition... Signed, Gouverneur de Fayet. There is much at stake here.''
Adéwalé returned to Bastienne.
*'''Bastienne:''' ''(Well?) What did you find?''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''An opportunity beyond imagination! These scientists aim to record navigational secrets for our beloved kings to use at war. But we can seize them, to extraordinary advantage for my [[Assassins|Brotherhood]] - and the [[Maroon rebellion|Maroon]]! We need only supply literate recruits, and the rest will take care of itself.''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''That is all? Nothing more on the governor?''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''"That is all?" That is everything! How many more could be freed with this knowledge in our hands?''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''All things require balance, Adéwalé. To achieve independence, the (Maroons) require stability, anonymity, and information. That has always been my role. What now? That is what I thought. The storm brought you in, and you'll leave in a tempest of "opportunity" and "imagination", and I will be left here to do what I can, powerless.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''No. Any day now, the Maroons will rise up. Then I will leave. Not before. I have decided.''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''You are as arrogant as the French. (Foreigners), all of you, that's all you are.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Bastienne-''
*'''Bastienne:''' ''No. Go now.''

==Outcome==
Adéwalé received information on a golden opportunity, but it came at the cost of Bastienne's intense disapproval.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
A Scientific Inquiry 2.png|Adéwalé eavesdropping on the harbormaster
A Scientific Inquiry 6.png|Adéwalé eavesdropping on the two scientists
A Scientific Inquiry 7.png|Adéwalé tailing the courier
A Scientific Inquiry 8.png|Bastienne berating Adéwalé
</gallery>

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' - ''[[Freedom Cry]]''

{{AC4Memories}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scientific Inquiry, A}}



[[Category:Memories of Adéwalé]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus Omega]]

Laying the First Brick

2026-08-12T22:29:53Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Memories|AC4}}
{{IncompleteMemory}}
{{Memory Infobox
|name=Laying the First Birck
|image=Laying the First Brick 8.png
|description=''Adéwalé must deliver a letter to [[Augustin Dieufort]].''
|appearance=''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – ''[[Freedom Cry]]''
|type=Main
|fullsync=
*Push an overseer into the water.
*Perform an air assassination from a height of 10 meters.
|previous=[[A Common Enemy]]
|next=[[A Ship of His Own]]
|source=[[Adéwalé]]
|location=[[Port-au-Prince]], [[Haiti|Saint-Domingue]]
|date=1735}}
'''Laying the First Brick''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Adéwalé]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by a [[Abstergo Entertainment research analyst|research analyst]] at [[Abstergo Entertainment]] through the [[Animus|Animus Omega]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]] – [[Freedom Cry]]''</ref>

==Description==
Adéwalé set out to find [[Augustin Dieufort]].

==Dialogue==
Adéwalé reached the [[plantation]] and tried to find the contact.
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''I know this (tune).'' Si li pas dodo crab la va manger. ''(If you don't go to sleep, the crab will eat you.)''
*'''Slave:''' ''The wise man is down that path.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Thank you, sister.''
Adéwalé reached the [[Maroon rebellion|Maroon]] hideout, which was under attack.
*'''Maroon:''' ''(I'll show you—)''
Adéwalé saved the Maroons.
*'''Augustin:''' ''Do not let them escape. The river! Hurry. Before they bring more enemies. (Very close is not home yet.)''
*'''Overseer:''' ''What is THAT?''
*'''Overseer:''' ''I don't know, did you miss one?''
*'''Overseer:''' ''Row faster!''
*'''Overseer:''' ''Faster, idiot!''
*'''Overseer:''' ''This is as fast as I can go!''
*'''Overseer:''' ''Don't just sit there—shoot him! Shoot him!''
Adéwalé killed the overseers and returned to the hideout.
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Augustin Dieufort?''
Adéwalé handed the letter from [[Bastienne Josèphe]] to Augustin.
[[File:Laying the First Brick 6.png|thumb|250px|Adéwalé giving Augustin the letter]]
*'''Augustin:''' ''(People say without doing, God does without saying.) The [[France|French]] [[Pierre, Marquis de Fayet|governor]] is two-faced. Bastienne helps as she can, but (Maroon) independence is long to build. Longer now. A warrior like you would be a great asset to our cause.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''With due respect, I serve a different [[Assassins|Brotherhood]]. And am honor-bound to return as soon as I find the means.''
*'''Augustin:''' ''But only the {{Wiki|Loa|Iwa}} know when that will be. Meantime, I have sanctuary and weapons to share.''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''Perhaps our needs may align for a time. What do you need?''
*'''Augustin:''' ''Recruits. Liberated [[Slavery|slaves]]. The warriors among them join me. The others grow the community for which we fight. (Little by little, bird builds his nest.)''
*'''Adéwalé:''' ''I suppose I might lend a hand, for a time.''
*'''Augustin:''' ''(To give little is not cheap.) I will see that you are rewarded for whatever you can give.''
Augustin handed an overseer's [[blunderbuss]] to Adéwalé.
*'''Augustin:''' ''Best begin soon. There is much to do.''
Adéwalé left the hideout and returned to [[Port-au-Prince]].

==Outcome==
Adéwalé found and saved the Maroons.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
Laying the First Brick 1.png|Overseers attacking the Maroons
Laying the First Brick 2.png|Adéwalé assassinating two Overseers
Laying the First Brick 3.png|Adéwalé freeing Augustin Dieufort
Laying the First Brick 4.png|Adéwalé pursuing the Overseers
Laying the First Brick 5.png|Adéwalé fighting the Overseers
Laying the First Brick 7.png|Augustin telling Adéwalé about the Maroons
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{AC4Memories}}
[[Category:Memories of Adéwalé]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus Omega]]

Yang Guozhong

2026-07-21T01:59:44Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals|Ancients}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Expand}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''}}
{{Character Infobox
|name=Yang Guozhong
|native=
|image=AC Dynasty - Yang Guozhong.png
|birth=c. 700 [[Tang dynasty|Great Tang]]
|death=15 July 756<ref name="Old Book of Tang">{{Cite web|url=https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=177900#p45|title=舊唐書: 卷九本紀第九玄宗下|transtitle=The Old Book of Tang: "Royal Annals 9: Xuanzong (Part II)". Scroll 6, Paragraph 44|archiveurl=|archivedate=|author={{Wiki|Liu Xu}}|date=945|publisher=''{{Wiki|Chinese Text Project}}''|accessdate=18 April 2023|language=Chinese}}</ref><ref name="Zizhi Tongjian">{{Cite web|url=https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=260925#p17|title=資治通鑑: 卷二百十八|transtitle=Zizhi Tongjian, Scroll 218|archiveurl=|archivedate=|author={{Wiki|Sima Guang}}|date=1084|publisher=''Chinese Text Project''|accessdate=18 April 2023|language=Chinese}}</ref><ref name="Sinica converter">{{Cite web|url=https://sinocal.sinica.edu.tw/|title=兩千年中西曆轉換|transtitle=Two Thousand Years Chinese–Western Calendar Converter|archiveurl=|archivedate=|author=|date=|publisher=''Academia Sinica Center for Digital Cultures''|accessdate=18 April 2023|language=Chinese}}</ref> [[Mawei Station]], Great Tang<ref name="Dynasty 37">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 5)]]</ref>
|active=
|species=[[Human]]
|database=
|affiliates=*[[Tang dynasty]]
*[[Order of the Ancients]]
**[[Golden Turtles]]
}}
'''Yang Guozhong''' (楊國忠; c. 700 – 756), born '''Yang Zhao''' (楊釗),<ref name="Wiki">{{WP}}</ref> was a leader of the [[Golden Turtles]] who acted as a high official in the government of [[Tang dynasty]].<ref name="Character profile">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "[[:File:ACDy CharacterBio(YanGuozhong) (Translated).jpg|The Order: Yang Guozhong]]"</ref> In his official posts of Chancellor of the Right (右相) and Secretary of the Ministry of Culture (文部尚書),<ref name="Dynasty 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''– [[The Flower Banquet (Part 1)]]</ref><ref name="Baidu">{{Cite web|url=https://baike.baidu.com/item/杨国忠/5115|title=杨国忠|transtitle=Yang Guozhong|language=Chinese|publisher=''{{Wiki|Baidu Baike}}''|accessdate=6 June 2021}}</ref> he was one of [[Li Longji|Emperor Xuanzong]]'s last prime ministers.<ref name="ACD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''</ref>

His tenure, secured through nepotism by his cousin [[Yang Guifei]], was marked by pervasive corruption and abuses of power.<ref name="Dynasty 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 11">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 4)]]</ref> He was most infamous for his intractable feud with the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], who he frequently accused to the Emperor of plotting treason, and thereby instigating him into rebellion.<ref name="Dynasty 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty Special">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Special)]]</ref> Their antipathy went deeper, for they were secret rivals within the Golden Turtle organization itself.<ref name="Dynasty 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 7)]]</ref> Whether the rumours he spread were justified all along or they formed a self-fulfilling prophecy, schism within their secret society spilled over into a [[An Lushan Rebellion|nation-wide civil war]]. In 755, Lushan established a splinter faction called the [[Yeluohe]], which he organized as an elite force in his massive army, and began his devastating march on [[Chang'an]] under the false pretext of ousting Guozhong to save the Tang.<ref name="Dynasty 10">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 3)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty 11" /><ref name="Dynasty 12">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 4)]]</ref>

Despite Lushan's capture of [[Luoyang]] in early 756, his forces were still kept at bay from the imperial capital with the stalwart defence of [[Tong Pass]], commanded by [[Gao Xianzhi]] and [[Feng Changqing]].<ref name="Dynasty 19">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Golden Turtles (Part 3)]]</ref> Guozhong made the critical error of sabotaging this by orchestrating the wrongful executions of the two commanders, leaving Chang'an entirely exposed to Lushan's army. With the Fall of Chang'an in July, Guozhong fled from the city with the Emperor and Yang Guifei, but he and his cousin were blamed by the [[soldier]]s escorting them for the years of escalating tragedies and disasters. At [[Mawei Station]], their guards [[Mawei Station mutiny|mutinied]] and assassinated them.<ref name="Dynasty promo map">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "[[:File:ACDy Map(Translated).png|True History Restored]]"</ref><ref name="Dynasty 37"/>

==Behind the scenes==
Historically, Yang Gouzhong was the child of Yang Xun and Lady Zhang, not Lady Zhang's brother and Empress Wu's lover, {{Wiki|Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong|Zhang Yizhi}} and an unknown woman.<ref name="Wiki"/>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Templars nav}}
{{ACD}}
[[Category:700 births]]
[[Category:756 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Tang people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Yang family]]
[[Category:Yang (楊) lineage]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients leaders]]
[[Category:Golden Turtles]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of China]]

Itō Ittōsai

2026-07-20T00:26:05Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Imageneed}}
{{Quote|Without fanfare. Without warning. Without thought. That is the essence of my style. One simple killing stroke.|Ittōsai to Yasuke, 1582.|Assassin's Creed: Shadows}}
'''Itō Ittōsai Kagehisa'' (伊藤一刀斎景久; c. 1560 – 1653) was a [[Japan|Japanese]] swordsman attributed with founding the {{Wiki|Ittō-ryū}} school of ''{{Wiki|kenjutsu}}''.

==Biography==
In his early years, Ittōsai spent time honing his skill in ''[[kata]]'' around the {{Wiki|Kansai region}} in locales by water such as the [[Tsuruga Port Overlook]] in [[Wakasa]] and on the outskirts of the port town [[Shiotsu]] in [[Ōmi]]. The [[rōnin]] [[Yasuke]] sought him out at these locations to learn ''kata'' from him, to which Ittōsai obliged.<ref name="ACSH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''</ref>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACSH}}
[[Category:1560 births]]
[[Category:1653 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Japanese]]
[[Category:Educators]]

Itō Ittōsai

2026-07-20T00:25:02Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Imageneed}}
{{Quote|Without fanfare. Without warning. Without thought. That is the essence of my style. One simple killing stroke.|Ittōsai to Yasuke, 1582.|Assassin's Creed: Shadows}}
'''Itō Ittōsai Kagehisa'' (伊藤一刀斎景久; c. 1560 – 1653) was a [[Japan|Japanese]] swordsman attributed with founding the {{Wiki|Ittō-ryū}} school of ''{{Wiki|kenjutsu}}''.

==Biography==
In his early years, Ittōsai spent time honing his skill in ''[[kata]]'' around the {{Wiki|Kansai region}} in locales by water such as the [[Tsuruga Port Overlook]] in [[Wakasa]] and on the outskirts of the port town [[Shiotsu]] in [[Ōmi]]. The [[rōnin] [[Yasuke]] sought him out at these locations to learn ''kata'' from him, to which Ittōsai obliged.<ref name="ACSH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''</ref>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACSH}}
[[Category:1560 births]]
[[Category:1653 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Japanese]]
[[Category:Educators]]

Fall of Chang'an

2026-07-03T00:48:47Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Timeline}}
{{Expand}}
{{Conjecture}}
{{Battle Infobox
|prev = [[Mawei Station mutiny]]
|conc =
|next = Assassination of An Lushan
|name = Fall of Chang'an
|image = ACD - Fall of Fall of Chang'an 1.png
|conflict = [[An Lushan Rebellion]]
|date = 17 July 756<ref name="Finale">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Finale: Assassination]]</ref>
|place = [[Chang'an]], [[Tang dynasty|Great Tang]]
|result = *[[Yeluohe]] victory
**Chang'an captured and sacked by [[Yeluohe]]
**Massacre of the imperial family
**[[Golden Turtles]]' allies killed
|side1 = *[[Tang dynasty]]
|side2 = *[[Yan|Yan dynasty]]
**[[Yeluohe]]
|side3 =
|side4 =
|commanders1 = *[[Bian Lingcheng]]†
|commanders2 = *[[An Lushan]]
*[[Shi Siming]]
*[[Sun Xiaozhe]]
|commanders3 =
|commanders4 =
|forces1 =
|forces2 =
|forces3 =
|forces4 =
|casual1 =
|casual2 =
|casual3 =
|casual4 =
|civilian =
}}
The '''fall of Chang'an''' was the capture of the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] capital on 17 July 756 by the [[Yan]] forces of ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]] at the height of the [[An Lushan Rebellion|An–Shi Rebellion]].<ref name="Finale" />

This occurred a few days<ref name="Dynasty 37">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 5)]]</ref> after [[Li Longji|Emperor Xuanzong of Tang]] fled the city with his royal entourage of closest family members, the [[Army of Dragon Warriors]], and trusted officials, several members of whom were secretly [[Golden Turtles]].<ref name="Dynasty 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 4)]]</ref> With their departure, the [[eunuch]] [[Bian Lingcheng]] was put in charge of the city's defences as regent by Chancellor [[Yang Guozhong]] in what was really a conscious decision to consign him to death.<ref name="Dynasty 37" />

The rebels sacked the city for three days and nights, killing many [[civilian]]s within the city walls. An Lushan's admiral [[Sun Xiaozhe]] slaughtered many members of the royal family, including the eldest princess, the Princess of Huo (霍國公主); the [[concubine|imperial concubines]]; the princesses' husbands; and many more at Chongren Ward (崇仁坊) in revenge for An Lushan's favourite son [[An Qingzong]],<ref name="Finale"/> who had been executed by the Tang a year earlier.<ref name="Dynasty 17">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Golden Turtles (Part 1)]]</ref> Despite desperately pleading that he would swear loyalty to Lushan's dynastic regime, Bian Lingcheng was also executed.<ref name="Finale" />

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACD - Fall of Fall of Chang'an 2.png|The Yeluohe slaughtering the city's inhabitants
ACD - Fall of Fall of Chang'an 3.png|The city's buildings destroyed
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACD}}
[[Category:Timeline]]
[[Category:An Lushan Rebellion]]

Shi Siming

2026-07-03T00:45:58Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals|Ancients}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Shi Siming
|image = ACD Shi Siming full.jpg
|birth = 703
|death = 761 [[Yan|Great Yan]]
|species = [[Human]]
|affiliates = *Lulong Army
*[[Order of the Ancients]]
**[[Yeluohe]]
}}
'''Shi Siming''' (史思明; 703 – 761) was a {{wiki|Turkic peoples|Turk}} general and member of the [[Yeluohe]]. He originally served as an officer in the [[Tang dynasty|Tang]] military until his childhood friend, the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], revolted in 755 over a power struggle with Prime Minister [[Yang Guozhong]] for leadership of the [[Golden Turtles]], the secret organization where their true allegiances had lain.<ref name="Dynasty 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 7)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty 10">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 3)]]</ref> He would later reign as the third emperor of the [[Yan|Great Yan]] established by An Lushan.

==Biography==
At the onset of war, Siming was the [[Grand protector|Grand Protector]] of {{Wiki|Qinhuangdao|Beiping Commandery}} (北平郡) and the Great General of the Lulong Army (盧龍軍). He was present at Lushan's declaration of war before the gates of [[Beijing|Fanyang]] in late 755 where he was entrusted with safeguarding their home base while Lushan marched south to conquer the imperial capital of [[Chang'an]].<ref name="Dynasty 10"/>

When Grand Protector [[Yan Gaoqing]] of [[Changshan]] organized a counter-revolt in the region, Siming led his army to besiege Changshan. Erstwhile, Lushan had taken the secondary Tang capital of [[Luoyang]] in early 756 and proclaimed the founding of a new state, the [[Yan|Great Yan]]. His triumph did not last as he was [[assassination|assassinated]] by the [[Assassins|Hidden One]] [[Li E]] in 757.<ref name="Dynasty promo map">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "[[:File:ACDy Map(Translated).png|True History Restored]]"</ref>

According to the official histories, the assassination was enacted by a group of Lushan's followers, including his own son and heir, [[An Qingxu]], who then succeeded him as Emperor of Yan. Subsequently, Siming took revenge by baiting Qingxu to him through treachery and executing him, whereupon he seized for himself the title of Emperor of Yan. Ironically, Siming was then murdered by his own son, Shi Chaoyi, who would be the last Emperor of Yan.<ref name="New Book of Tang">{{Cite web|url=https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=951821|title=新唐書: 列傳第一百五十上逆臣上|transtitle=New Book of Tang: "Biography 150: Rebel Officials – Part 1/3", Scroll 225 upper|archiveurl=|archivedate=|author={{Wiki|Ouyang Xiu}}, {{Wiki|Song Qi}}, et al|date=1060|publisher=''{{Wiki|Chinese Text Project}}''|accessdate=6 June 2021|language=Chinese}}</ref> Because the conflict with the Tang continued under Siming and his son,<ref name="New Book of Tang"/> he and Lushan collectively lent their names to the war: the [[An Lushan Rebellion|An-Shi Rebellion]] (安史之亂).<ref name="An Lushan profile">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "[[:File:ACDy CharacterBio(AnLushan) (Translated).jpg|The Order: An Lushan]]"</ref><ref name="An-Shi Rebellion">{{WP|An Lushan Rebellion}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery position="center" widths="180" captionalign="center">
ACD Shi Siming.png|Shi Siming close-up
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACD}}

[[Category:703 births]]
[[Category:761 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Turks]]
[[Category:Tang people]]
[[Category:Yan people]]
[[Category:Grand protectors]]
[[Category:Generals]]
[[Category:Rebels]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients]]
[[Category:Yeluohe]]
[[Category:Shi (史) lineage]]

Golden Turtles

2026-07-03T00:44:48Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Organizations|OotA}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''}}
{{Faction infobox
|name = Golden Turtles
|image = ACD Golden Turtles.png
|founder =
|leader =
|headquarters = [[Chang'an]]
|locations = [[China]]
|parent = [[Order of the Ancients]]
|predecessor =
|successor =
|subsidiaries = [[Yeluohe]]
|religion =
|active = 690<ref name="Dynasty Special 3">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Golden Turtles (Special)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty Special 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Last Stand of Justice (Special)]]</ref>–756 CE<ref name="Dynasty 37">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 5)]]</ref>
|}}
The '''Golden Turtles''' (金龜袋) was the [[China|Chinese]] branch of the [[Order of the Ancients]] which originated in the [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] regime of Empress [[Wu Zetian]]. After she was overthrown, the secret organization managed to entrench itself within the court of the restored [[Tang dynasty]]. So successful was their infiltration that they were able to ensure that their leader was always a chancellor, as was [[Yang Guozhong]] in the reign of [[Li Longji|Emperor Xuanzong]].

Among their secret members was the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], but his deep-seated rivalry with Yang Guozhong culminated in a violent schism in 754 and the formation of Lushan's splinter group, the [[Yeluohe]]. Choosing to wage his power struggle in open battle, Lushan dragged the entire nation into a [[An Lushan Rebellion|catastrophic civil war]] in 755 which forced the intervention of the Order's [[Assassin-Templar War|archenemies]], the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]]. By the war's end, both the Golden Turtles and Yeluohe had been decimated and their leaders assassinated.

==Etymology==
The Chinese name of the Golden Turtles, ''jīnguīdài'' (金龜袋), literally translates to 'gold [[turtle]] bag', referring directly to the pouches holding [[gold]]en tortoise tokens which were used during the reign of Empress Regnant Wu Zetian as identification for officials of rank three and higher. These tortoise-shaped tokens were also cast in [[silver]] and [[bronze]], which were issued to officials of rank four and five respectively. Upon seizing the throne, Empress Wu had changed the carp-shaped tokens previously used for the same purpose to that of a turtle design to symbolize the new era. In the same vein, those same fish tokens had in turn originated in a decree by the Tang founder {{wiki|Emperor Gaozu of Tang|Emperor Gaozu}} to replace an older design based on [[rabbit]]s.<ref name="Dynasty Special 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 1)]]</ref>

After she was ousted in 705 and the Tang dynasty was restored, {{wiki|Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzong}} immediately reverted the turtle badges to fish badges, and within the next five years, the entire turtle bag system was abolished. Nonetheless, the golden turtle lingered on as a symbol of high status, inspiring Chinese affiliates of the Order of the Ancients to adopt it as their code name. By 754, it had thoroughly cemented itself as their organization's avatar.<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" />

==History==
===Formation under Wu Zetian===
In 690,<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> Wu Zetian seized the throne as empress regnant after decades of ''de facto'' rule, in the process displacing the Tang with a new regime she named [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] after the {{Wiki|Zhou dynasty|ancient royal dynasty}} from which she claimed descent.<ref name="Wikipedia Wu Zetian">{{WP|Wu Zetian}}</ref> During her fifteen-year reign, the Golden Turtles were formed from an alliance between powerful ministers, [[eunuch]]s, and the Empress's relatives.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4"/> With their possession of key ministerial offices and command over the military, the political infrastructure was theirs to operate for their own ends.<ref name="Dynasty Special 3"/>

One of Wu Zetian's paramours, [[Zhang Yizhi]], was a central member of this organization. According to the investigations of [[Japan]]ese Tang scholar [[Abe no Nakamaro]], Yizhi had a servant girl bear a child for him in his desire to leave behind future progeny. This child was [[Yang Guozhong|Yang Zhao]], who would later be granted the name Guozhong (國忠) meaning 'national loyalty'<ref name="New Book of Tang Biography 131">{{Cite web|url=https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=429253|title=新唐書: 列傳第一百三十一外戚|transtitle=New Book of Tang: "Biography 131: Consort Kin", Scroll 219, line 53.|archiveurl=|archivedate=|author={{Wiki|Ouyang Xiu}}, {{Wiki|Song Qi}}, et al|date=1060|publisher=''{{Wiki|Chinese Text Project}}''|accessdate=15 June 2022|language=Chinese}}</ref> and rise to become head of the Golden Turtles. In 705, the Golden Turtles were purged in the [[Shenlong Revolution]] that overthrew Wu Zetian, terminated the Zhou, and restored the Tang dynasty. Every Golden Turtle who could be found and caught, such as Zhang Yizhi, was executed.<ref name="Dynasty Special 3"/>

===Resurgence===
In the following decades, the Tang enjoyed a period of prosperity which peaked in the [[Kaiyuan era]] (713–741)<ref name="Wikipedia Xuanzong of Tang">{{WP|Emperor Xuanzong of Tang}}</ref> and came to be recalled nostalgically by contemporaries like Abe no Nakamaro as a golden age.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> Yet the Golden Turtles had not become extinct, and their survivors reconstituted their strength to gradually take root in the government once more.<ref name="Dynasty Special 3" />

Thirty years after Empress Wu's ouster,<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> the Golden Turtles had become ascendant in the Tang government.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /><ref name="Dynasty 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 7)]]</ref> So embedded they were in the state apparatus that they were not only able to constantly secure their [[Templar leader|leader]]'s appointment as a chancellor but conversely came to mandate by tradition that only a chancellor could be chosen to lead them.<ref name="Dynasty 7" /> The long reign of Emperor Xuanzong came under increasing control from behind-the-scenes by a series of prime ministers affiliated with this shadowy organization.<ref name="Dynasty 7" /> The first among these was [[Li Linfu]].<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" />

===Premiership of Li Linfu===
As prime minister, Li Linfu utilized coercion and sabotage to eliminate dissidents and political rivals, exerting particular pressure on Crown Prince [[Li Heng]]'s faction. To weaken the Crown Prince's power, he actively courted the support of the generals stationed at the border, eventually recruiting the Turkic ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]]. His efforts enhanced the latent military strength of the Golden Turtles while his intelligence network was so pervasive that even high-ranking subordinates like An Lushan and Yang Guozhong feared him.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" />

Their fear proved to be his undoing. While Lushan felt intensely threatened by Linfu, Guozhong felt that Linfu was an obstacle to his ambitions. After being in power for twenty years, the elderly Li Linfu passed away. His cause of death was officially disease, but rumours circulated that he was the victim of [[assassination]] despite his scrupulous security measures, with Abe no Nakamaro speculating that it was at the hands of Guozhong and Lushan in unison. Regardless, before Linfu had even been buried, Guozhong and Lushan swiftly brought scandalous charges of treason against their former leader which resulted in his posthumous demotion to the status of a commoner. Instead of inheriting his property, his family were exiled to the frontier, allowing Guozhong to smoothly succeed as the new head of the Golden Turtles and later as the new prime minister.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" />

===An imminent rupture===
In spite of their pragmatic alliance, the simmering enmity between Guozhong and Lushan quickly exposed itself after Linfu was gone.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> Lushan felt out-manoeuvred by Guozhong for leadership of the Golden Turtles. He craved dearly to still eventually be elevated as its chief,<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> but Yang Guozhong's disdain for his uncouth character and uneducated background guaranteed that he could never be his successor.<ref name="Dynasty 7" /> By the time the [[Tianbao era]] neared its climax,<ref name="Dynasty 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 1)]]</ref> the oblivious and elderly Emperor had grown weary of governing and entrusted ever greater duties to Chancellor Yang Guozhong, such as in the promotion of officials, while also showering endless favours upon An Lushan, who never failed to ingratiate himself to him.<ref name="Dynasty 5">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 5)]]</ref>

Although the two rivals' true allegiances were rigorously guarded secrets, their volatile feuds were the talk of even commoners.<ref name="Dynasty 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]</ref> Since one served as prime minister and the other was a semi-independent general guarding the northern frontier, they were able to avoid coming to blows for a time.<ref name="Dynasty 2" /> In the first month of Tianbao year 13 (754),<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" /> however, Yang Guozhong outright warned the Emperor that Lushan was plotting rebellion and insisted that he summon the ''jiedushi'' to the imperial palace as a test. Guozhong believed that Lushan would not heed the summons, thereby proving his disloyalty, only for his nemesis to promptly return to Chang'an with his army, entering the capital on the very day of the [[Flower Banquet]].<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 2" />

Lushan's entrance to the [[Flower and Calyx Pavilion]] in the evening was met with surprise from Emperor Xuanzong's court, but the Emperor welcomed him with all the mirth reflective of the night's festive mood. While the ''jiedushi''{{'}}s arrival dispelled suspicions by the court and public alike, he had not come just to plead his innocence, but for a more insidious purpose. Elated at his appearance, the Emperor had immediately gifted Lushan with the new position {{wiki|Department of State Affairs|Left Deputy to the Secretary of State Affairs}} (尚書左僕射) as a nominal title, along with a thousand households, ten rooms of servants, one manor, and one residence to accompany it. The general cleverly seized upon this to beseech for additional powers that would be a boon to his imminent rebellion.<ref name="Dynasty 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 4)]]</ref>

First, he claimed that foreign bandits were frequently raiding the border but that his forces lacked fine steeds to pursue and eliminate them. He therefore requested the right to freely use [[horse|war horses]] from the imperial pastures, and the Emperor instantly obliged him, appointing him the position of Commissary Herdsman of the Imperial Stables (閑廄群牧使), which granted him remote control over the palace [[stable]]s. Second, he implored him to give official recognition to the meritorious service of his soldiers, particularly the 523 who had been slain in battle, by granting their widowed families the salaries and honours due generals. In the same breath, he issued his last request: for the court to break from protocol and confer upon each of his 2,168 combatants who had confirmed kills the rank of palace guard captain ([[wikt:中郎將|中郎將]]). The Emperor did not even skip a beat to shout that his requests were approved and rounded it all off by draping Lushan with his own royal [[cloak]].<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 5" />

With loving words as though from a father to a son, Emperor Xuanzong promised Lushan that henceforth, he would always be by his side no matter where he was and that wherever there was danger, he would entrust it to him. He instructed Yang Guozhong to handle the rest of the affairs of the night, but as soon as he had departed with [[Yang Guifei]] and his attendants, the deeply apprehensive chancellor, repressing all of his anger, informed Lushan that the festival was over.<ref name="Dynasty 5" /> According to the histories, Lushan tearfully pleaded that he was the victim of Guozhong's slander upon returning to Chang'an, and thereafter, the Emperor no longer believed in Guozhong's accusations.<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" />

===Declaring the schism===
{{Quote|Since I cannot become the head of the Golden Turtles, then I'll take it upon myself to form my own Golden Turtles. Next time I enter the capital, Yang Guozhong and I—only one of us can live. When that time comes, which side will you, my elder, choose?|An Lushan to Gao Lishi, 754|Assassin's Creed: Dynasty|The Flower Banquet (Part 7)}}
[[File:ACD - An Lushan speaking to Gao Lishi.png|thumb|250px|An Lushan reveals his intentions to Gao Lishi]]
Later that night, Lushan met privately with [[Gao Lishi]], one of Emperor Xuanzong's most trusted eunuchs and a high-ranking Golden Turtle. Unable to contain his impatience further, the ''jiedushi'' audaciously declared that his true desire was for Gao Lishi to promote him as head of the Golden Turtles. His elder was not swayed in the slightest, reminding him that only a prime minister was allowed to become their leader and that given Lushan's favour with the Emperor, he only needed to wait a while longer, yet Lushan saw through this deception. He repeated the words his spies had heard spoken by Guozhong behind his back, "''Though Lushan has military prowess, his eyes cannot know books... how can he become a chancellor?''"<ref name="Dynasty 7" />

As Lushan vented on, the magnitude of what he was implying became more and more exposed for Gao Lishi to see. First amused then wary, the eunuch probed Lushan for the validity of his deduction: that the general had asked for his subordinates' promotions and his unrestricted access to imperial horses so as to stage a rebellion. For all the obviousness of the answer, Lushan denied it, instead proclaiming that he was only doing what any loyal Tang official should do: "slay Guozhong, purge the lords".<ref name="Dynasty 7" />

==Iconography==
When she changed the design of the carp-shaped badges, Empress Wu Zetian chose the turtle as her motif because she associated her surname Wu (武) with {{wiki|Black Tortoise|Xuanwu}} (玄武), the Black Tortoise constellation and one of the {{wiki|Four Symbols|four cardinal animals}} in Chinese mythology.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4"/>

==Members==
*[[Zhang Yizhi]]
*[[Li Linfu]]
*[[Yang Guozhong]]
*[[Gao Lishi]]
*[[Yan Zhuang]]
*[[Wang Chengye]]
*[[Wei Fangjin]]
*[[An Lushan]] {{c|defected}}
*[[Lady of Han]]
*[[Lady of Guo]]
*[[Lady of Qin]]
*[[Yang Xuan]]
*[[Yang Xi]]
*[[Pei Hui]]
*[[Bian Lingcheng]]

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Imperial Jade Seal]] – [[Cike Xintiao: Chang'an Wang|Chang'an Wang]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACD}}
{{ACIJS}}

[[Category:Order of the Ancients]]

Golden Turtles

2026-07-03T00:44:01Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Organizations|OotA}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''}}
{{Faction infobox
|name = Golden Turtles
|image = ACD Golden Turtles.png
|founder =
|leader =
|headquarters = [[Chang'an]]
|locations = [[China]]
|parent = [[Order of the Ancients]]
|predecessor =
|successor =
|subsidiaries = [[Yeluohe]]
|religion =
|active = 690<ref name="Dynasty Special 3">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Golden Turtles (Special)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty Special 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Last Stand of Justice (Special)]]</ref>–756 CE<ref name="Dynasty 37">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 5)]]</ref>
|}}
The '''Golden Turtles''' (金龜袋) was the [[China|Chinese]] branch of the [[Order of the Ancients]] which originated in the [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] regime of Empress [[Wu Zetian]]. After she was overthrown, the secret organization managed to entrench itself within the court of the restored [[Tang dynasty]]. So successful was their infiltration that they were able to ensure that their leader was always a chancellor, as was [[Yang Guozhong]] in the reign of [[Li Longji|Emperor Xuanzong]].

Among their secret members was the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], but his deep-seated rivalry with Yang Guozhong culminated in a violent schism in 754 and the formation of Lushan's splinter group, the [[Yeluohe]]. Choosing to wage his power struggle in open battle, Lushan dragged the entire nation into a [[An Lushan Rebellion|catastrophic civil war]] in 755 which forced the intervention of the Order's [[Assassin-Templar War|archenemies]], the [[Assassins|Hidden Ones]]. By the war's end, both the Golden Turtles and Yeluohe had been decimated and their leaders assassinated.

==Etymology==
The Chinese name of the Golden Turtles, ''jīnguīdài'' (金龜袋), literally translates to 'gold [[turtle]] bag', referring directly to the pouches holding [[gold]]en tortoise tokens which were used during the reign of Empress Regnant Wu Zetian as identification for officials of rank three and higher. These tortoise-shaped tokens were also cast in [[silver]] and [[bronze]], which were issued to officials of rank four and five respectively. Upon seizing the throne, Empress Wu had changed the carp-shaped tokens previously used for the same purpose to that of a turtle design to symbolize the new era. In the same vein, those same fish tokens had in turn originated in a decree by the Tang founder {{wiki|Emperor Gaozu of Tang|Emperor Gaozu}} to replace an older design based on [[rabbit]]s.<ref name="Dynasty Special 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 1)]]</ref>

After she was ousted in 705 and the Tang dynasty was restored, {{wiki|Emperor Zhongzong of Tang|Emperor Zhongzong}} immediately reverted the turtle badges to fish badges, and within the next five years, the entire turtle bag system was abolished. Nonetheless, the golden turtle lingered on as a symbol of high status, inspiring Chinese affiliates of the Order of the Ancients to adopt it as their code name. By 754, it had thoroughly cemented itself as their organization's avatar.<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" />

==History==
===Formation under Wu Zetian===
In 690,<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> Wu Zetian seized the throne as empress regnant after decades of ''de facto'' rule, in the process displacing the Tang with a new regime she named [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] after the {{Wiki|Zhou dynasty|ancient royal dynasty}} from which she claimed descent.<ref name="Wikipedia Wu Zetian">{{WP|Wu Zetian}}</ref> During her fifteen-year reign, the Golden Turtles were formed from an alliance between powerful ministers, [[eunuch]]s, and the Empress's relatives.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4"/> With their possession of key ministerial offices and command over the military, the political infrastructure was theirs to operate for their own ends.<ref name="Dynasty Special 3"/>

One of Wu Zetian's paramours, [[Zhang Yizhi]], was a central member of this organization. According to the investigations of [[Japan]]ese Tang scholar [[Abe no Nakamaro]], Yizhi had a servant girl bear a child for him in his desire to leave behind future progeny. This child was [[Yang Guozhong|Yang Zhao]], who would later be granted the name Guozhong (國忠) meaning 'national loyalty'<ref name="New Book of Tang Biography 131">{{Cite web|url=https://ctext.org/wiki.pl?if=gb&chapter=429253|title=新唐書: 列傳第一百三十一外戚|transtitle=New Book of Tang: "Biography 131: Consort Kin", Scroll 219, line 53.|archiveurl=|archivedate=|author={{Wiki|Ouyang Xiu}}, {{Wiki|Song Qi}}, et al|date=1060|publisher=''{{Wiki|Chinese Text Project}}''|accessdate=15 June 2022|language=Chinese}}</ref> and rise to become head of the Golden Turtles. In 705, the Golden Turtles were purged in the [[Shenlong Revolution]] that overthrew Wu Zetian, terminated the Zhou, and restored the Tang dynasty. Every Golden Turtle who could be found and caught, such as Zhang Yizhi, was executed.<ref name="Dynasty Special 3"/>

===Resurgence===
In the following decades, the Tang enjoyed a period of prosperity which peaked in the [[Kaiyuan era]] (713–741)<ref name="Wikipedia Xuanzong of Tang">{{WP|Emperor Xuanzong of Tang}}</ref> and came to be recalled nostalgically by contemporaries like Abe no Nakamaro as a golden age.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> Yet the Golden Turtles had not become extinct, and their survivors reconstituted their strength to gradually take root in the government once more.<ref name="Dynasty Special 3" />

Thirty years after Empress Wu's ouster,<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> the Golden Turtles had become ascendant in the Tang government.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /><ref name="Dynasty 7">''Assassin's Creed: Dynasty'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 7)]]</ref> So embedded they were in the state apparatus that they were not only able to constantly secure their [[Templar leader|leader]]'s appointment as a chancellor but conversely came to mandate by tradition that only a chancellor could be chosen to lead them.<ref name="Dynasty 7" /> The long reign of Emperor Xuanzong came under increasing control from behind-the-scenes by a series of prime ministers affiliated with this shadowy organization.<ref name="Dynasty 7" /> The first among these was [[Li Linfu]].<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" />

===Premiership of Li Linfu===
As prime minister, Li Linfu utilized coercion and sabotage to eliminate dissidents and political rivals, exerting particular pressure on Crown Prince [[Li Heng]]'s faction. To weaken the Crown Prince's power, he actively courted the support of the generals stationed at the border, eventually recruiting the Turkic ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]]. His efforts enhanced the latent military strength of the Golden Turtles while his intelligence network was so pervasive that even high-ranking subordinates like An Lushan and Yang Guozhong feared him.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" />

Their fear proved to be his undoing. While Lushan felt intensely threatened by Linfu, Guozhong felt that Linfu was an obstacle to his ambitions. After being in power for twenty years, the elderly Li Linfu passed away. His cause of death was officially disease, but rumours circulated that he was the victim of [[assassination]] despite his scrupulous security measures, with Abe no Nakamaro speculating that it was at the hands of Guozhong and Lushan in unison. Regardless, before Linfu had even been buried, Guozhong and Lushan swiftly brought scandalous charges of treason against their former leader which resulted in his posthumous demotion to the status of a commoner. Instead of inheriting his property, his family were exiled to the frontier, allowing Guozhong to smoothly succeed as the new head of the Golden Turtles and later as the new prime minister.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" />

===An imminent rupture===
In spite of their pragmatic alliance, the simmering enmity between Guozhong and Lushan quickly exposed itself after Linfu was gone.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> Lushan felt out-manoeuvred by Guozhong for leadership of the Golden Turtles. He craved dearly to still eventually be elevated as its chief,<ref name="Dynasty Special 4" /> but Yang Guozhong's disdain for his uncouth character and uneducated background guaranteed that he could never be his successor.<ref name="Dynasty 7" /> By the time the [[Tianbao era]] neared its climax,<ref name="Dynasty 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 1)]]</ref> the oblivious and elderly Emperor had grown weary of governing and entrusted ever greater duties to Chancellor Yang Guozhong, such as in the promotion of officials, while also showering endless favours upon An Lushan, who never failed to ingratiate himself to him.<ref name="Dynasty 5">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 5)]]</ref>

Although the two rivals' true allegiances were rigorously guarded secrets, their volatile feuds were the talk of even commoners.<ref name="Dynasty 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]</ref> Since one served as prime minister and the other was a semi-independent general guarding the northern frontier, they were able to avoid coming to blows for a time.<ref name="Dynasty 2" /> In the first month of Tianbao year 13 (754),<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" /> however, Yang Guozhong outright warned the Emperor that Lushan was plotting rebellion and insisted that he summon the ''jiedushi'' to the imperial palace as a test. Guozhong believed that Lushan would not heed the summons, thereby proving his disloyalty, only for his nemesis to promptly return to Chang'an with his army, entering the capital on the very day of the [[Flower Banquet]].<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 2" />

Lushan's entrance to the [[Flower and Calyx Pavilion]] in the evening was met with surprise from Emperor Xuanzong's court, but the Emperor welcomed him with all the mirth reflective of the night's festive mood. While the ''jiedushi''{{'}}s arrival dispelled suspicions by the court and public alike, he had not come just to plead his innocence, but for a more insidious purpose. Elated at his appearance, the Emperor had immediately gifted Lushan with the new position {{wiki|Department of State Affairs|Left Deputy to the Secretary of State Affairs}} (尚書左僕射) as a nominal title, along with a thousand households, ten rooms of servants, one manor, and one residence to accompany it. The general cleverly seized upon this to beseech for additional powers that would be a boon to his imminent rebellion.<ref name="Dynasty 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 4)]]</ref>

First, he claimed that foreign bandits were frequently raiding the border but that his forces lacked fine steeds to pursue and eliminate them. He therefore requested the right to freely use [[horse|war horses]] from the imperial pastures, and the Emperor instantly obliged him, appointing him the position of Commissary Herdsman of the Imperial Stables (閑廄群牧使), which granted him remote control over the palace [[stable]]s. Second, he implored him to give official recognition to the meritorious service of his soldiers, particularly the 523 who had been slain in battle, by granting their widowed families the salaries and honours due generals. In the same breath, he issued his last request: for the court to break from protocol and confer upon each of his 2,168 combatants who had confirmed kills the rank of palace guard captain ([[wikt:中郎將|中郎將]]). The Emperor did not even skip a beat to shout that his requests were approved and rounded it all off by draping Lushan with his own royal [[cloak]].<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 5" />

With loving words as though from a father to a son, Emperor Xuanzong promised Lushan that henceforth, he would always be by his side no matter where he was and that wherever there was danger, he would entrust it to him. He instructed Yang Guozhong to handle the rest of the affairs of the night, but as soon as he had departed with [[Yang Guifei]] and his attendants, the deeply apprehensive chancellor, repressing all of his anger, informed Lushan that the festival was over.<ref name="Dynasty 5" /> According to the histories, Lushan tearfully pleaded that he was the victim of Guozhong's slander upon returning to Chang'an, and thereafter, the Emperor no longer believed in Guozhong's accusations.<ref name="Dynasty Special 1" />

===Declaring the schism===
{{Quote|Since I cannot become the head of the Golden Turtles, then I'll take it upon myself to form my own Golden Turtles. Next time I enter the capital, Yang Guozhong and I—only one of us can live. When that time comes, which side will you, my elder, choose?|An Lushan to Gao Lishi, 754|Assassin's Creed: Dynasty|The Flower Banquet (Part 7)}}
[[File:ACD - An Lushan speaking to Gao Lishi.png|thumb|250px|An Lushan reveals his intentions to Gao Lishi]]
Later that night, Lushan met privately with [[Gao Lishi]], one of Emperor Xuanzong's most trusted eunuchs and a high-ranking Golden Turtle. Unable to contain his impatience further, the ''jiedushi'' audaciously declared that his true desire was for Gao Lishi to promote him as head of the Golden Turtles. His elder was not swayed in the slightest, reminding him that only a prime minister was allowed to become their leader and that given Lushan's favour with the Emperor, he only needed to wait a while longer, yet Lushan saw through this deception. He repeated the words his spies had heard spoken by Guozhong behind his back, "''Though Lushan has military prowess, his eyes cannot know books... how can he become a chancellor?''"<ref name="Dynasty 7" />

As Lushan vented on, the magnitude of what he was implying became more and more exposed for Gao Lishi to see. First amused then wary, the eunuch probed Lushan for the validity of his deduction: that the general had asked for his subordinates' promotions and his unrestricted access to imperial horses so as to stage a rebellion. For all the obviousness of the answer, Lushan denied it, instead proclaiming that he was only doing what any loyal Tang official should do: "slay Guozhong, purge the lords".<ref name="Dynasty 7" />

==Iconography==
When she changed the design of the carp-shaped badges, Empress Wu Zetian chose the turtle as her motif because she associated her surname Wu (武) with {{wiki|Black Tortoise|Xuanwu}} (玄武), the Black Tortoise constellation and one of the {{wiki|Four Symbols|four cardinal animals}} in Chinese mythology.<ref name="Dynasty Special 4"/>

==Members==
*[[Zhang Yizhi]]
*[[Li Linfu]]
*[[Yang Guozhong]]
*[[Gao Lishi]]
*[[Yan Zhuang]]
*[[Wang Chengye]]
*[[Wei Fangjin]]
*[[An Lushan]] {{c|defected}}
*[[Lady of Han]]
*[[Lady of Guo]]
*[[Lady of Qin]]
*[[Yang Xuan]]
*[[Yang Xi]]
*[[Pei Hui]]
*[[Bian Lingcheng]]

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Imperial Jade Seal]] – [[Cike Xintiao: Chang'an Wang|Chang'an Wang]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACD}}
{{ACIJS}}

[[Category:Order of the Ancients]]

Yang Guozhong

2026-07-03T00:42:05Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals|Ancients}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{Expand}}
{{Imageneed|''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''}}
{{Character Infobox
|name = Yang Guozhong
|native =
|image = AC Dynasty - Yang Guozhong.png
|birth = c. 700 [[Tang dynasty|Great Tang]]
|death = 15 July 756<ref name="Dynasty 37">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 5)]]</ref> [[Mawei Station]], Great Tang
|active =
|species = [[Human]]
|database =
|affiliates = *[[Tang dynasty]]
*[[Order of the Ancients]]
**[[Golden Turtles]]
}}
'''Yang Guozhong''' (楊國忠; c. 700 – 756), born '''Yang Zhao''' (楊釗),<ref name="Chinese Wikipedia">{{WP|zh:楊國忠|楊國忠}}</ref> was a leader of the [[Golden Turtles]] who acted as a high official in the government of [[Tang dynasty]].<ref name="Character profile">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "The Order: Yang Guozhong"</ref> In his official posts of Chancellor of the Right (右相) and Secretary of the Ministry of Culture (文部尚書),<ref name="Dynasty 1">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''– [[The Flower Banquet (Part 1)]]</ref><ref name="Wikipedia">{{WP|Yang Guozhong}}</ref><ref name="Baidu">[https://baike.baidu.com/item/杨国忠/5115 杨国忠]. ''Baidu Baike''. Accessed 6 June 2021.</ref> he was one of [[Li Longji|Emperor Xuanzong]]'s last prime ministers.<ref name="ACD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''</ref>

His tenure, secured through nepotism by his cousin [[Yang Guifei]], was marked by pervasive corruption and abuses of power.<ref name="Dynasty 1" /><ref name="Dynasty 11">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 4)]]</ref> He was most infamous for his intractable feud with the ''[[jiedushi]]'' [[An Lushan]], who he frequently accused to the Emperor of plotting treason, and thereby instigating him into rebellion.<ref name="Dynasty 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 2)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty Special">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Special)]]</ref> Their antipathy went deeper, for they were secret rivals within the Golden Turtle organization itself.<ref name="Dynasty 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Flower Banquet (Part 7)]]</ref> Whether the rumours he spread were justified all along or they formed a self-fulfilling prophecy, schism within their secret society spilled over into a [[An Lushan Rebellion|nation-wide civil war]]. In 755, Lushan established a splinter faction called the [[Yeluohe]], which he organized as an elite force in his massive army, and began his devastating march on [[Chang'an]] under the false pretext of ousting Guozhong to save the Tang.<ref name="Dynasty 10">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 3)]]</ref><ref name="Dynasty 11" /><ref name="Dynasty 12">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Beacon Fire (Part 4)]]</ref>

Despite Lushan's capture of [[Luoyang]] in early 756, his forces were still kept at bay from the imperial capital with the stalwart defence of [[Tong Pass]], commanded by [[Gao Xianzhi]] and [[Feng Changqing]].<ref name="Dynasty 19">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[Golden Turtles (Part 3)]]</ref> Guozhong made the critical error of sabotaging this by orchestrating the wrongful executions of the two commanders, leaving Chang'an entirely exposed to Lushan's army. With the Fall of Chang'an in July, Guozhong fled from the city with the Emperor and Yang Guifei, but he and his cousin were blamed by the [[soldier]]s escorting them for the years of escalating tragedies and disasters. At [[Mawei Station]], their guards [[Mawei Station mutiny|mutinied]] and assassinated them.<ref name="Dynasty promo map">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – "True History Restored"</ref><ref name="Dynasty 37"/>

==Behind the scenes==
Historically, Yang Gouzhong was the child of Yang Xun and Lady Zhang, not Lady Zhang's brother and Empress Wu's lover, Zhang Yizhi, and an unknown woman.{{Fact|19 June 2022}}

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Templars nav}}
{{ACD}}

[[Category:700 births]]
[[Category:756 deaths]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Tang people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Yang family]]
[[Category:Yang (楊) lineage]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients]]
[[Category:Order of the Ancients leaders]]
[[Category:Golden Turtles]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of China]]

September Massacres (memory)

2026-06-29T00:50:49Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|ACU}}
{{Youmay|the memory of [[Arno Dorian]]|[[September Massacres|the event]]}}
{{Memory Infobox
| name = September Massacres
| image = ACU September Massacres (memory) 1.jpg
| description = ''[[Frédéric Rouille|Rouille]] and his men are storming le [[Grand Châtelet]] prison and executing prisoners. Find him and stop him.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''
| type = Main
| fullsync = 
*Cover kills - 3
*Ledge assassinations - 3
| previous = [[The King's Correspondence]]
| next = [[Starving Times]]
| source = [[Arno Dorian]]
| location = [[Paris]], [[France|Kingdom of France]]
| date = 2 September 1792}}
'''September Massacres''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Arno Dorian]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by a [[Helix initiate]] through the [[Helix|Helix Navigator]].

==Description==
Arno met with [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] to learn of [[Frédéric Rouille]]'s location.

==Dialogue==
Arno entered Napoleon's office.
*'''Napoleon:''' ''This morning I was accosted by three men carrying some poor soul's head atop a pike. Seems they mistook my uniform for a mark of nobility, and demanded I shout "Long live the Republic" to prove my allegiance.''
*'''Arno:''' ''I suppose handing out tricolour [[cockades]] is now passé. What did you do?''
*'''Napoleon:''' ''I shouted "Long live the Republic."''
*'''Arno:''' ''A man of principle.''
*'''Napoleon:''' ''Life is more valuable than dignity. But this is what happens when you give command of the government to half-starved lunatics, and command of the [[French Army|army]] to bloodthirsty savages.''
*'''Arno:''' ''Rouille.''
*'''Napoleon:''' ''I wanted him assigned to some out-of-the-way garrison, but the man redefines the term "friends in high places." He's untouchable.''
*'''Arno:''' ''But you know where I can find him.''
*'''Napoleon:''' ''Rumor about the barracks is that he and a unit of his cronies plan on marching on the [[Grand Châtelet]] this afternoon. If he were to meet with an accident, few in [[France]] would suffer. My career certainly wouldn't.''
*'''Arno:''' ''Well, practice your speechmaking.''
Arno reached the Grand Châtelet, and surveyed the area. He saw a group of Rouille's guardsmen disarming the prison guards.
[[File:ACU September Massacres 3.png|thumb|250px|The prison guards being made to surrender]]
*'''Guardsman 1:''' ''Get their weapons! Nobody try anything!''
Arno saw Rouille's men throwing a guard off a tower while taking positions there. He then saw Rouille holding a pike with the head of the prison warden's brother on it.
*'''Rouille:''' ''Come on, boys! Find me a warden!''
Arno infiltrated the prison.
*'''Prisoner:''' ''No! No, put me back! Put me back!''
The prisoner was thrown to his death.
*'''Guardsman 2:''' ''You hear that? They make such a lovely noise on the way down.''
*'''Prisoner 2:''' ''Animals!''
*'''Guardsman 3:''' ''I wonder what a nob sounds like when his skull cracks like an egg, eh?''
In the courtyard, Rouille's men held the prison guards hostage.
*'''Guard 1:''' ''Sons of bitches! Bastards! Monsters! This is inhuman! You'll go to the guillotine for this! God will judge you!''
*'''Guardsman 4:''' ''Silence! Don't make this harder on yourselves. Don't move! Hands where I can see them! No tricks! Watch them, men. Keep an eye on them. No sudden movements! Keep still! If they try anything, shoot them.''
Arno killed Rouille's men, saving the prison guards in the courtyard.
*'''Guard 1:''' ''(Thank you, sir.) I don't know what unit you serve with, but thank you.''
*'''Arno:''' ''You can thank me by getting to the walls and stopping these killings.''
*'''Guard 1:''' ''(Yes sir!)''
Arno continued through the prison.
*'''Guardsman 5:''' ''Fucking hell. What a mess.''
*'''Guardsman 6:''' ''What do we do with the bodies?''
*'''Guardsman 7:''' ''Ah, leave 'em.''
*'''Guardsman 8:''' ''What are we waiting for? More traitors to deal with.''
*'''Guardsman 9:''' ''Look at these posh bastards. Bet they weren't fed on bread and water.''
*'''Guardsman 10:''' ''Check their pockets - bet they've got some goodies.''
The guards freed by Arno fought against two of Rouille's men.
*'''Guard 1:''' ''Hold fast, men!''
*'''Guard 2:''' ''Cut them down!''
*'''Guard 3:''' ''Protect the prisoners!''
*'''Guardsman 11:''' ''Death to the traitors!''
*'''Guard 4:''' ''Beat them back!''
*'''Guardsman 12:''' ''(Long live the [[French Revolution|Revolution]]!)''
*'''Guard 3:''' ''Steady!''
*'''Guard 2:''' ''Into the breach!''
*'''Guard 4:''' ''Hold that line!''
*'''Guard 3:''' ''Kill them all!''
*'''Guardsman 13:''' ''Where's the warden?''
*'''Prisoner 3:''' ''Burn in hell!''
The prisoner was thrown out of the window.
*'''Guardsman 13:''' ''Anyone else?''
*'''Prisoner 4:''' ''He's... He's on the roof.''
*'''Guardsman 13:''' ''Good lad. Come on, boys! Upstairs!''
[[File:ACU September Massacres (memory) 2.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Rouille with a pike]]
The remaining prisoners were killed. Arno subsequently reached the roof, where Rouille taunted the warden and held his brother's head on a pike.
*'''Rouille:''' ''Look, Warden! Your brother's here to visit! Don't you want to see him? Come now, Warden! Let's have a cheer! (Long live the Revolution!) What's the matter? Not a fan of liberty? Freedom bores you? Ah! Look, he misses you! Tut tut, Warden! Your brother will think you rude! Mind, he's lost a bit of weight since last you saw him! Oh, are you sulking, Warden? Well, I'm terribly sorry, Warden! Only, well... we couldn't find the rest of him! Well if you don't want it, I suppose... I suppose it would make a fine souvenir! (Ye sons of France, awake to glory, Hark, hark! what myriads bid you rise!) Come on! Sing! SING!''
Arno climbed onto the side of the prison tower occupied by Rouille's men. Using a torch mounted on the side, he lit fire to a flag and the tower, killing its occupants. He then fought Rouille.
*'''Rouille:''' ''At him, boys!''
[[File:ACU September Massacres 4.jpg|thumb|250px|Rouille being assassinated]]
Arno assassinated Rouille. Through his target's memories, he saw Rouille at [[Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau|Mirabeau]]'s address at the Tennis Court Oath.
*'''Mirabeau:''' ''If you have orders to remove us from this hall, you must also get authority to use force, for we shall yield to nothing but [[bayonets]]!''
Rouille and the crowd applauded. After the Oath, Mirabeau passed Rouille.
*'''Mirabeau:''' ''Ah, but to administer is to govern, to govern is to reign. That is the essence of the problem.''
*'''Rouille:''' ''Mister Mirabeau?''
Rouille motioned to shake hands with Mirabeau, only to be rejected. [[François-Thomas Germain|Germain]] then appeared.
*'''Germain:''' ''Pathetic, isn't it? Surely France deserves better?''
[[File:ACU September Massacres 4.png|thumb|250px|Rouille listening to his prisoner]]
Germain offered Rouille a [[Templars|Templar]] pin. The vision then changed to Rouille interrogating the prisoner at the Jacobin Club.
*'''Rouille:''' ''What was that?''
*'''Prisoner:''' ''[[Luxembourg Palace|Palais du Luxembourg]]....''
*'''[[Aloys la Touche|La Touche]]:''' ''Rouille? Clean up your mess. It's time.''
*'''Rouille:''' ''Told you I could make him talk.''
The prisoner was thrown out of the window. The vision then changed to the Templar meeting shortly after.
*'''Germain:''' ''You've done well, Captain. [[Marie Lévesque|Marie]]?''
*'''Lévesque:''' ''The price of grain is higher than ever, [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]]. Our agents are in place to divert the shipments to our docks. They await only your command.''
*'''Germain:''' ''Good... Starve them. Through famine and fury they will see their false masters for what they are... But do it gradually.''
*'''Lévesque:''' ''What you're asking will take at least a year, Grand Master. If not two.''
The vision ended, and Arno escaped.

==Outcome==
Arno assassinated Rouille. Through his memories, he learned of a Templar plot to starve France and incite riots, led by a woman named Marie.

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''

{{ACUMemories}}
[[Category:Memories of Arno Dorian]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Helix Navigator]]

Niko

2026-06-28T17:16:23Z

Sol Pacificus: I think "hideout" in a real sense sounds more like a safehouse than the expansive home that it actually was for them. Are we sure that Niko isn't randomly generated?

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins}}
[[File:ACSH Niko Portrait.png|thumb|250px|Portrait of Niko]]
'''Niko''' was a [[Japan|Japanese]] woman who served as a scout for the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Kakushiba ''ikki'']]. She was recruited after [[Fujibayashi Naoe]] and [[Yasuke]] built and refurnished the study room at their [[Tomiko's Homestead|homestead]]. As a scout, Niko assisted Naoe and Yasuke in gathering information and locating targets in the {{Wiki|Kansai region}}. When not on scout duties, Niko helped out in daily duties in the hideout.<ref name="ACSH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''</ref>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{ACSH}}
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Japanese]]
[[Category:Spies]]
[[Category:Assassins]]
[[Category:Japanese Assassins]]

Aveline de Grandpre

2026-06-28T00:02:56Z

Sol Pacificus: Redirected page to Aveline de Grandpré

#REDIRECT[[Aveline de Grandpré]]
[[Category:Redirections]]

A Governor No More

2026-06-27T07:08:46Z

Sol Pacificus: /* Dialogue */

{{Era|Memories|AC3L}}
{{Youmay|one of Aveline de Grandpré's memories|a [[A Governor No Longer|memory]] from [[Edward Kenway]]}}
{{Memory Infobox
| image = AC3L A Governor No More.png
| description = ''Draw [[Antonio de Ulloa|Governor Ulloa]] out of La Balize.''
| appearance = ''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]''
| fullsync = 
*Set up the ambush in under four minutes.
*Use all three personas. (PS Vita)
| type = Main
| previous = [[Getting Ulloa's Attention]]
| next = [[Southbound]]
| source = [[Aveline de Grandpré]]
| location = [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana|Spanish Louisiana]], [[United States|New Spain]]
| date = 27 October 1768}}
'''A Governor No More''' was a virtual representation of one of [[Aveline de Grandpré]]'s [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]], relived by an [[Abstergo Entertainment]] employee in 2012 through the [[Animus|Animus Console]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III: Liberation]]''</ref>

==Description==
With [[Spain|Spanish]] governor [[Antonio de Ulloa]] finally leaving [[La Balize]], Aveline set up an ambush to intercept him, on [[Agaté]]'s orders.

==Dialogue==
Aveline retrieved a letter from her [[pigeon coop]].
:'''Letter:''' ''My Student. By now you have surely seen the havoc the rebels wreak. A plan forms in my mind, but we must act fast. To receive your new orders, find me in the graveyard, my last safe refuge in the city. Make haste.''
Aveline met Agaté in the [[Saint Peter's Cemetery]].
*'''Agaté:''' ''Aveline. Your face has been scarce around the [[Louisiana Bayou|bayou]]. Do you outgrow your need of me?''
*'''Aveline:''' ''I came the moment I received your message.''
*'''Agaté:''' ''I had a nightmare. I dreamt that you turned – no. Never mind. I wonder if you would humor your old [[mentor]] with a show of loyalty?''
*'''Aveline:''' ''Agaté, I need not humor you. I am loyal. What do you need?''
*'''Agaté:''' ''I don't know what you and [[Gérald Blanc|Monsieur Blanc]] have been conspiring, but it is clear that now, amid the chaos of the riot, Ulloa will finally be forced to leave La Balize and negotiate for peace. Our moment is now. With the kidnapper dead, and safety restored, my mission will be complete. I will find peace. There is only one path the governor can take – the others are barricaded or in flames. You must prepare an ambush and strike at just the right moment. Find him, and kill him.''
*'''Aveline:''' ''I will.''
Aveline set out to investigate the ambush site.
*'''Aveline:''' ''Everything I need for an ambush...''
Aveline then continued by eliminating the five [[Soldier|guards]] in the area, blocking the square, and preparing explosives for when de Ulloa's regiment of troops passed by.
*'''Guard 1:''' ''We're blocked.''
*'''Guard 2:''' ''There's no way out!''
Aveline then detonated the powder kegs she had placed, taking out most of de Ulloa's men, before dispatching the remaining soldiers. After that, she forced the governor out of his carriage.
[[File:A Governor No More 6.png|thumb|250px|Ulloa begging for his life]]
*'''De Ulloa:''' ''Please! No! Spare my wife and child!''
*'''Aveline:''' ''Like you've spared the lives of [[Slavery|slaves]] and laborers you've ripped from their families?''
*'''De Ulloa:''' ''Yes! They are not harmed. Merely transported – to [[Mexico|México]].''
*'''Aveline:''' ''Mexico? To what end?''
*'''De Ulloa:''' ''I do not know. I am only an adviser. Please! My wife knows nothing! I told her the convoys were for criminals overflowing from the city jail. She is innocent! Allow me to make amends.''
*'''Aveline:''' ''You? Who knows nothing?''
*'''De Ulloa:''' ''I am a man of science. My own southern expeditions required similar tools and manpower. The region is rich with relics predating even the [[Maya]]ns– Further, I can offer you this.''
De Ulloa handed Aveline a special lens.
*'''De Ulloa:''' ''It can be used to decipher secret documents, like this one.''
De Ulloa gave Aveline a letter.
*'''Aveline:''' ''I will turn my back now, and walk away. If you would like to keep your life, you will remove yourself from this continent, never to be seen again.''
*'''De Ulloa:''' ''Thank you! Thank you for your mercy.''
*'''Aveline:''' ''Mercy? This is not mercy. I merely leave you to contend with the arsenal of your own [[Templars|employers]]. A life of hiding awaits you. Go, and wallow in your false freedom.''
Aveline then returned to Agaté.
[[File:A Governor No More 8.png|thumb|250px|Aveline showing the lens to Agaté]]
*'''Agaté:''' ''Were you successful?''
*'''Aveline:''' ''Gouverneur Ulloa gave me this trophy.''
*'''Agaté:''' ''Ah. A valuable find. This makes Ulloa's death an incredible victory for the [[Assassins|Assassin Brotherhood]]. I only wish I could have witnessed it myself. Tell me, what were his last words?''
*'''Aveline:''' ''"Thank you for your mercy."''
*'''Agaté:''' ''What? You mean to say he is free? This is how you choose to prove your loyalty to me? By disobeying my direct order? By letting our enemy run free?''
*'''Aveline:''' ''My mentor, you are consumed by blood lust! We share a common goal: free the slaves, defeat our enemies, impose justice. We now have the tools we need to advance in our mission. I must follow our enemy to Mexico, now!''
*'''Agaté:''' ''You will do no such thing!''
*'''Aveline:''' ''If you will not see it, I must follow my own instincts.''
*'''Agaté:''' ''What is an Assassin without discipline? You will regret your insubordination.''
*'''Aveline:''' ''I'll take that chance.''

==Outcome==
Aveline cornered Antonio de Ulloa, but spared his life in exchange for a special lens, used to decode encrypted documents, and valuable information regarding the slave trafficking operation. However, this decision caused the rift between Aveline and Agaté to widen.

==Behind the scenes==
There are a few changes from the original Vita iteration and the HD remake. In the original, Agaté is initially found on the roof of the cemetery's church, whereas in the remake, he simply stands next to the building. Another change concerned de Ulloa's wife, who originally appeared alongside her husband outside the carriage, though she had no lines. In the HD remake, she is omitted entirely, presumably staying inside the carriage. And finally there was a subtle change in de Ulloa's dialogue concerning the lens he gave Aveline. In the original version, he elaborates on its origins: ''"I was entrusted it by the Order. I will exchange it now, for the life of my family."'' In the HD remake, he instead focuses on what purpose it serves: ''"It can be used to decipher secret documents, like this one."''

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
A Governor No More 1.png|Aveline reading a letter from Agaté
A Governor No More 2.png|Aveline meeting with Agaté
A Governor No More 3.png|Aveline toppling a water tower
A Governor No More 4.png|Aveline overlooking the convoy
A Governor No More 5.png|Aveline confronting the governor
A Governor No More 7.png|Aveline holding an encoded letter
A Governor No More 9.png|Agaté arguing with Aveline
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{AC3LMemories}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Governor No More, A}}


[[Category:Memories of Aveline de Grandpré]]
[[Category:Memories relived using the Animus console]]

Jaguars

2026-06-27T06:16:03Z

Sol Pacificus: Changed redirect target from Jaguar (animal) to Jaguar

#REDIRECT [[Jaguar]]
[[Category:Redirections]]

Jaguar

2026-06-23T00:11:48Z

Sol Pacificus: Sol Pacificus moved page Jaguar (animal) to Jaguar without leaving a redirect: The animal is the primary topic for jaguar

{{Era|Animals}}{{WP-REAL|Jaguar}}
{{Youmay|the species|the [[Jaguar|Animi Avatar]]}}
[[File:The Taíno Assassin 4.png|thumb|250px|Edward Kenway killing a white jaguar]]
'''Jaguars''' are large, predatory cats found in the forested areas of [[North America|North]] and [[South America]].

==Description==
In the 18th and 19th centuries, a jaguar's range stretched from the present southern [[United States]] to northern [[Argentina]], but is extinguished in several parts of this region today. In the United States, for example, it has been extinct since the beginning of the 20th century, but possibly still occurs in [[Arizona]]. When [[hunting]], they typically approach slowly and carefully, before pouncing upon their prey. Once their quarry is immobilized, a jaguar bites directly into their skull to pierce the brainstem or sever the spinal column, providing the feline with an effective killing method.{{Fact|March 2020}}

Within the species, color {{Wiki|Polymorphism (biology)|morphs}} regularly occur. Most commonly, this results in melanistic jaguars, which are informally referred to as {{Wiki|black panther}}s.{{Fact|March 2020}} Due to genetic mutation or albinism, white jaguars also appear, though they are rarer and tend to be more aggressive.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[The Taíno Assassin]]</ref>

==History==
[[File:ACP Treasure Finger Ring.png|thumb|250px|An Aztec cast [[gold]] ring featuring a jaguar]]
During the [[Golden Age of Piracy|early 18th century]], jaguars hunted in the jungles of the [[Caribbean|West Indies]], and were in turn hunted by humans for their pelts. The [[Piracy|pirate]] [[Edward Kenway]] killed and skinned regular, black, and white jaguars, selling their pelts for profit or using them to craft specific [[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag outfits|outfits]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag''</ref>

Given their historical distribution, jaguars have featured prominently in the mythology of numerous indigenous American cultures, including those of the [[Maya]] and [[Aztec Empire|Aztecs]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]''</ref>

==Behind the scenes==
The '''Redingote Up!''' [[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag achievements|achievement]] in ''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' could be earned by crafting the hunter outfit, which required the pelt of a white jaguar. When worn, said outfit reduced the detection range of all animals in the vicinity.

The feline pelt outfit could be crafted after acquiring the pelt of a regular jaguar, though the outfit sported no advantages, being purely aesthetic.

In the game, jaguars could be found on the island of [[Príncipe]] in [[Africa]], despite the species being native to the American continent.

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Pirates]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]] – [[Featured Events]]'' {{Mo}} {{Io|sculpt}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Animals]]

Jaguar (Animi Avatar)

2026-06-23T00:11:33Z

Sol Pacificus: Sol Pacificus moved page Jaguar to Jaguar (Animi Avatar) without leaving a redirect: The animal is the primary topic for jaguar

{{Era|Technology}}
{{Youmay|the [[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag|Black Flag]] Animi Avatar|the [[Jaguar (animal)|species]]}}
{{Quote|Show me the dark hearts of men.|The Jaguar.}}
[[File:AC4MP-Jaguar.png|thumb|200px|The Jaguar]]
The '''Jaguar''' (harvested from: [[Cuali]]) was an [[Animi Avatars (fourth stage)|Animi Avatar]] used by the [[Abstergo Entertainment|entertainment branch]] of [[Abstergo Industries]], as part of their plan to influence the general public, via the console stage of the [[Animus]] technology. He was only available through a [[Blackbeard's Wrath|system update]], and wielded a tribal hatchet as his specialty weapon.

==Unique Moves==
The Jaguar had several unique moves:

'''''(Low Profile, Front)'''''

Facing his target, the Jaguar pulls out his hatchet and butts its head into their stomach, winding them, which makes them bend over. After this, he swings the weapon down at his victim's exposed back, severing their spine and subsequently killing them. Following this, he then removes his axe as he watches them collapse backwards.

'''''(Low Profile, Back)'''''

Behind his target, the Jaguar takes out his hatchet and embeds it into the right of their hip, making them recoil in agony, before he removes his weapon and strikes down hard in between their shoulder blades. Driving his victim to their knees, he lets them collapse as he sheathes his weapon.

'''''(High Profile, Front)'''''

Facing his target, the Jaguar takes ahold of his hatchet and swiftly slices it across their neck, causing them to spin around. He then quickly follows up on this attack by embedding his weapon into his wounded victim's side and roughly pulls it free again, yanking them to the ground where they die of blood loss.

'''''(High Profile, Back)'''''

Behind his target, the Jaguar grabs his hatchet and acrobatically jumps upwards, before brutally embedding his weapon in his victim's back. Using the force of the blow, he pushes them down to the ground and then roughly pulls his axe free, before storing it at his waist.

'''''(Personal High Profile, Front)'''''

Rushing towards his target, the Jaguar embeds his hatchet into their chest, before swiftly ripping it out again. As they remain barely able to stand from the ordeal, the Jaguar spins around and uses the added momentum to deliver a devastating kick to his victim's face, causing them to unceremoniously hit the ground, dead from their former wound.

'''''(Personal High Profile, Back)'''''

Sprinting behind his target, the Jaguar draws his hatchet and drives his knee into their back, shunting them onto their hands and knees. As they lay stunned, he forcefully swings his axe into the crevice between his victim's shoulder blades, severing their spine and killing them instantly.

'''''(Aerial Kill)'''''

Jumping down from above, the Jaguar pounces onto his target with his axe, before he brutally smashes it into their head, killing them instantly. Following this, he gets up and hastily yanks his weapon out, leaving their body on the ground where it lays.

'''''(Bench Kill)'''''

Grabbing his seated target's foot, the Jaguar drags them off the bench until their head rests against it. Before his victim can do anything to defend themselves, he forcefully kicks them in the face, violently sending their head backwards and breaking his target's neck on the bench behind them.

==Taunts==
*"''I'll gut you!''"
*"''You're fish bait!''"
*"''You're slow.''"
*"''I'll show you!''"
*"''I'll punish you!''"
*"''Face my wrath!''"

==Customization==
The Jaguar could be customized in several ways:

Dyes:
*Basic: Earth yellow
*Extra 1: Dull green
*Extra 2: Auburn

Costumes:
*Pirate Costume
*Templar Costume
*Assassin Costume
*Alternative Costume 1
*Alternative Costume 2
*Warrior Costume
*Celestial Warrior Costume
*Prestige Costume
*Sacred Warrior Costume
*Master Jaguar Costume
*Crossroad Costume

In-depth customization:
*Heads:
**Feather Headdress
**Headband
**Aztec Circlet
*Gear 01:
**Skinned Pads
**Strengthened Pads
**Warrior's Shoulder
*Gear 02:
**Upper Arm Rings
**Warrior's Upper Arms
**Golden Upper Arms
*Gear 03:
**Silk Belt
**Reinforced Belt
**Warrior's Belt
*Scars:
**Scar 1: A single diagonal line across the right corner of the mouth.
**Scar 2: A single diagonal line across the right eye and eyebrow.
**Scar 3: Two diagonal scars, with one on the left cheek and one above the right corner of the mouth.
*War paint:
**War paint 1: A single line extending downwards diagonally from each eye.
**War paint 2: Rounded blocks of paint under the eyes that are connected at the nose bridge.
**War paint 3: Three streaks of paint trailing down each cheek, starting from the eyes.
*Tattoos:
**Tattoo 1: Ink covering the entire right side of the face.
**Tattoo 2: A black outline around the face, black paint around the eyes and on the nose, and vertical black lines of paint on the mouth, symbolizing teeth.
**Tattoo 3: A symmetrical design composed of complex patterns, most of them smudged, giving a skull-like appearance.

Main weapons:
*Axes:
**Primitive Hatchet
**Warrior's Axe
**Great Tequihuah Axe
**Quetzalcoatl's Fury
*Hooks:
**Hook
**Double-Tipped Hook
*Sledgehammers:
**Lump Hammer
**War Hammer

Silent weapons:
*[[Hidden Blade]]
*Pike
*Short Knife
*Dirk

==Trivia==
*The '''Sacred Land''' [[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag achievements|achievement]] could be obtained by being the highest scoring player of a [[Domination]] session while playing as the Jaguar.
*The Jaguar shares his first taunt animation with the [[Robber]], his second one with the [[Carpenter]], and his third one with the [[Guardian]].
*The Jaguar shares his war paints and tattoos with the [[Shaman]].
*In his concept art, his third customization (Aztec Circlet) appears to be worn in a Temillotl hairstyle, which was the standard hairstyle for Aztec warriors. Yet in-game, it appears as a ponytail. His colors are also reversed, as in the concept art, his default color is red, while in-game it is yellow.

==Gallery==
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" widths="180">
AC4MP - Jaguar.jpg|Promotional art for the Jaguar
Concept Art - Jaguar.jpg|Concept art of the Jaguar
Customization Concept Art - Jaguar.jpg|Concept art of the Jaguar's customization options
AC4 - Navigator vs Jaguar.jpg|The Jaguar leaping to kill the [[Navigator]]
AC4 - Orchid & Blackbeard & Jaguar.jpg|The Jaguar, along with the [[Orchid]] and [[Blackbeard (Animi Avatar)|Blackbeard]]
Pirate - Warrior - 60k (Jaguar).png|Pirate, Warrior, and Celestial Warrior Costumes for Jaguar
Templar - Assassin (Jaguar).png|Templar and Assassin Costumes for Jaguar
Alternative (Jaguar).png|Alternative Costumes for Jaguar
Champion - Prestige (Jaguar).png|Sacred Warrior and Prestige Costumes for Jaguar
Armada - Midnight (Jaguar).png|Master Jaguar and Crossroad Costumes for Jaguar
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – ''[[Blackbeard's Wrath]]''

==References==
*''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – ''[[Blackbeard's Wrath]]''

{{AC4}}
{{MPChars}}
[[Category:Animi Avatars]]
[[Category:Quaternary stage avatars]]

Smoke bombs

2026-06-18T20:08:08Z

Sol Pacificus: This is not a duplicate redirect because "smoke bombs" and "smoke bomb" are different search terms.

#REDIRECT [[Smoke screen bomb]]

Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins

2026-06-17T07:55:20Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Organizations|Assassins|Featured}}
{{Update|''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Silk Road]]''}}
{{Quote|The Wall will protect the people. And so shall we.|Shao Jun, 1567.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Vengeance}}
{{Faction infobox
|name = Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins
|image = <gallery>Insignia 2.png|Qin dynasty
ACIJS Insignia.png|Tang dynasty
ACE-V 6.png|Ming dynasty
ACFT - Chinese Assassins insignia.png|Qing dynasty
</gallery>
|leader = [[Mentor]]
|headquarters = [[Qinghe]] [[Beijing]] [[Maijishan Grottoes]]
|locations = [[China]]
|predecessor = [[Cao Mo]] [[Jing Ke]] [[Yu Rang]] [[Zhuan Zhu]] [[Nie Zheng]] [[Wei Yu]]
|active = c. 770s BCE<ref name="Dynasty 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]'' – [[The Hidden Ones (Part 2)]]</ref> – 1402 {{c|[[1402 Chinese Assassin purge|collapsed]]}} c. 1424 – 1524 {{c|[[Great Rites Controversy|collapsed]]}} 1532 – c. 1720s {{c|[[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|collapsed]]}} 1725 – present
}}
The '''Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins''', also known at various points as the '''Beijing Brotherhood'''<ref name="Scroll 8">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 8 (China)|Scroll 8]]</ref> and the '''Great Ming Brotherhood''',<ref name="FT 39">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 39|Episode 39]]</ref> is the branch of the [[Assassins|Assassin Order]] located in [[China]], one of the few to have existed for more than a thousand years. Like other divisions throughout the [[Earth|world]], it operated as an [[Assassins Guilds|Assassin Guild]] from the time of [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]]'s reforms until that system was superseded in the 20th century by that of decentralized [[Assassin cell|cells]].

Throughout imperial history, the Chinese Assassins were responsible for countering the atrocities perpetrated by emperors aligned with the [[Order of the Ancients]] and their successors, the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. In light of this, they were behind the [[assassination]]s of notable rulers such as [[Qin Shi Huang]], [[An Lushan]], the [[Zhu Di|Yongle Emperor]], and the [[Zhu Houcong|Jiajing Emperor]]. Under the [[Song dynasty]], they helped defend the nation from the [[Mongol Empire]] and personally slew the Mongols' leader [[Möngke Khan]], although they would ultimately fail to save it from conquest under [[Kublai Khan]].

The Brotherhood's long history, paralleling that of the nation it represents, is marked by major fluctuations in its fortunes as it [[Assassin-Templar War|battled]] its Templar counterpart, the [[Shanghai Rite of the Templar Order|Chinese Rite]]. During the [[Ming dynasty]], they were the frequent target of purges enacted by the government in concert with the Templars. Most infamously, the [[Great Rites Controversy]] during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor exterminated the guild down to a lone Assassin, [[Shao Jun]]. Despite these calamities, the Chinese Brotherhood endured, with Shao Jun restoring the branch after eliminating each of the leading Templars responsible for the purge.

Under the {{wiki|Manchu people|Manchu}} [[Qing dynasty]], the Brotherhood again suffered persecution and, following a [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|devastating purge]], lost nearly all of its power and influence. By 1725, the remaining Chinese Assassins under [[Xiao Han]]'s leadership sought to locate a [[Southeast Asian Pieces of Eden|set]] of three [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] and use them to overthrow the Manchus and establish a new dynasty. However, the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]] and his organization, the [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]], opposed their efforts, disagreeing with their plans to use the artifacts for personal gain.

In the 21st century, the Chinese Assassins continue to operate in the country, albeit as individual [[Assassin cell|cells]] that have occasionally collaborated with members of other Brotherhoods.

==History==
===Warring States period===
In his work, the historian [[Sima Qian]] mentioned the existence of five individuals active during the {{Wiki|Warring States period}} who would posthumously be known as the "Five Great Assassins": [[Cao Mo]], [[Jing Ke]], [[Nie Zheng]], [[Yu Rang]], and [[Zhuan Zhu]].<ref name="ACD">''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''</ref>

===Qin dynasty===
[[File:ACJ Wei Yu.png|thumb|170px|Wei Yu]]
In 221 BCE, Ying Zheng, supported by the [[Order of the Ancients]], unified China under his banner and became the first Emperor of China, proclaiming himself [[Qin Shi Huang|Shi Huangdi]] and inaugurating the [[Qin dynasty]].<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref> After learning of the existence of the Assassins, the terrified Emperor ordered their extermination and sent his armies after them, pushing them into oblivion.<ref name="ACD"/>

Shi Huangdi's tyrannical reign lasted only a decade because in 210 BCE,<ref name="ACI">''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]''</ref> a ''[[youxia]]'' named [[Wei Yu]] slew him with a [[spear]] named after [[Jing Ke (spear)|Jing Ke]].<ref name="ACD"/> For this deed, which predated the founding of the Hidden Ones and the Assassin Brotherhood by a few centuries,<ref name="ACO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> Wei Yu was later revered and immortalized by the Assassins as one of their own.<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref>

===Tang dynasty===
In 751 CE, after surviving the [[Battle of Talas]] in Central Asia thanks to the arrival of a [[Hidden Ones of the Great Desert|group]] of Hidden Ones, the Tang soldier [[Li E]] was recruited into the organization. After his formation, Li E went back to China where he fought injustice and the members of the [[Golden Turtles]], the Chinese branch of the Order of the Ancients.<ref name="ACD"/>

===Song dynasty===
During the [[Song dynasty]] (960–1279), China had to contend with the onslaught of the [[Mongol Empire]]. Fearing the devastation that the Mongols would wrought, Assassins throughout [[Asia]] actively sought to halt their advances. [[Genghis Khan]], the founder of the Mongol Empire, was slain by the [[Mongolian Brotherhood of Assassins|Mongol Assassin]] [[Qulan Gal]] and the [[Levantine Brotherhood of Assassins|Levantine Assassin]] [[Darim Ibn-La'Ahad]] at [[Xingqing]], capital of the nearby [[Western Xia|Xia Empire]], in 1227, but this only forestalled China's fall to the Mongols.<ref name="TSC">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade]]''</ref>

The conflict dragged on for the next few decades with the Song's grasp on the country continuing to crumble before the might of the Mongol forces. In 1259, a [[Zhang Zhi's father|Chinese Assassin]] perished in the midst of saving [[Diaoyu Castle]] from a Mongol [[Siege of Diaoyu Castle|assault]], leaving his daughter [[Zhang Zhi]] to discover his corpse in the aftermath.<ref name="Tomb of the Khan">''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan]]'' – {{Cite|5 June 2021}}</ref>

Despite his doubts about Zhang Zhi's motives, her father's Mentor [[Kang]] acquiesced to adopting Zhi into the Order and completing her training. His misgivings were proven true when Zhi defied his warnings to prioritize duty over revenge and personally infiltrated the Mongol camp to assassinate [[Möngke Khan]]. Though she was successful, she was crippled during her escape by the [[Kheshig]] warrior [[Bayan]], and Kang used her disability as an added pretext for her expulsion.<ref name="Tomb of the Khan"/>

===Ming dynasty===
====Jingnan campaign====
[[File:ACR DYL 1402 Chinese Assassins Purge.png|thumb|250px|left|Li Tong and an apprentice escaping the purge]]
By the early 15th century, the Chinese Assassins were led by the Confucian scholar [[Fang Xiaoru]]. In 1402, [[Zhu Di]] usurped the imperial throne with Templar support. Under Zhu Di's reign as the Yongle Emperor, thousands of Assassins were rounded up and executed, including Fang Xiaoru. However, two Assassins, [[Li Tong]] and another [[Assassin apprentice|apprentice]], were able to escape the [[1402 Chinese Assassin purge|purge]] with an [[Apple of Eden]]. Li Tong devoted herself to protecting the Apple and keeping it out of the Yongle Emperor's hands. In 1424, while the Emperor was preoccupied with suppressing a rebellion near the [[Gobi Desert]], Li Tong slipped into his tent and assassinated him, avenging her fallen Brotherhood.<ref name="DYL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Discover Your Legacy]]''</ref>

====Prince of Anhua rebellion====
The Yongle Emperor would not be the last Ming emperor to align with Templar interests. Periodically, the Assassins and Templars continued to vie for influence in the imperial court from behind the scenes.<ref name="ACCC">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''</ref>

In 1506, during the [[Zhu Houzhao|Zhengde Emperor]]'s reign, the [[Master Assassin]] [[Wang Yangming]] was banished from the capital of [[Beijing]] after clashing in court with [[Liu Jin]], a powerful [[eunuch]]. Though Liu Jin was the leader of the [[Eight Tigers]], a group of corrupt eunuchs composed of Templars, the Templars at this time failed to deduce Yangming's true allegiances, believing him to be merely a Neo-Confucian philosopher.<ref name="Wang Yangming DB">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Wang Yangming]]</ref>

In 1510, the Assassins staged the [[Prince of Anhua rebellion]], named after [[Zhu Zhifan]], but with Templar assistance, Liu Jin was perfectly poised to defeat it. Liu Jin was soon afterwards implicated on charges of treason by another Tiger, [[Zhang Yong]], and summarily executed via ''[[lingchi]]'', as part of a plot by Zhang Yong to seize leadership of their group. A decade of respite for the Assassins seemed to follow, as the Tigers decided to play their hands carefully and bide their time after Liu Jin's execution.<ref name="Liu Jin DB">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Liu Jin]]</ref>

====Great Rites Contoversy====
{{Quote|Why continue to resist us? Look around you. No one is coming. We wiped out your Order. There is no escape from here.|Gao Feng to a captive Shao Jun, 1526.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|The Escape (China)}}
In 1521, upon the Zhengde Emperor's death, the government was weakened by the ensuing succession dispute. The Templars saw this distraction as an opportunity to destroy the Assassins, but a former [[concubine]] of the late Emperor, [[Shao Jun]], having discovered the [[Assassin-Templar War|shadow war]] on her own, managed to warn Wang Yangming of the surprise operation.<ref name="Scroll 6">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 6 (China)|Scroll 6]]</ref> Acting swiftly, Yangming led the Assassins in a preemptive strike on the Templars in the [[Forbidden City]], but in spite of the presence of his best agents, they were routed.<ref name="Scroll 7">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 7 (China)|Scroll 7]]</ref>

[[File:AC Blade Of Shao Jun - Purged Chinese Brotherhood.png|thumb|250px|Assassins killed in the purge]]
Capitalizing on this critical victory, the Templars used the momentum to enact a city-wide purge, capturing and executing many Assassins, their associates, and any innocents with tangential ties to them.<ref name="Scroll 7"/> In the wake of this disaster, Wang Yangming ordered the Chinese Brotherhood, along with all their allies, to withdraw from Beijing entirely, regrouping at the [[Maijishan Grottoes]].<ref name="The Return">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Return]]</ref> Shao Jun was thus spirited away with the Assassins for training.<ref name="Scroll 8"/> In the meantime, the Templars managed to install their own puppet, [[Zhu Houcong]], as the new Jiajing Emperor.<ref name="Jiajing Emperor DB">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: The Jiajing Emperor]]</ref>

Three years later, under the machinations of the Templars, the Jiajing Emperor triggered what became known as the [[Great Rites Controversy]], where he had his father declared Emperor posthumously, defying expectations to maintain an unbroken line of succession.<ref name="Scroll 9">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 9 (China)|Scroll 9]]</ref> The Great Rites Controversy became a pretext for the Jiajing Emperor to purge dissidents and the medium through which the Templars could eradicate their mortal enemies.<ref name="Scroll 10">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 10 (China)|Scroll 10]]</ref> Across the nation, Assassin safehouses were raided by the Templars, with even their headquarters at the Maijishan Grottoes falling to a Templar assault.<ref name="The Return"/> Yangming, well-known to the Templars by then as the Assassin Mentor, retreated into hiding and handed leadership over to [[Zhu Jiuyuan]].<ref name="Scroll 10"/>

With virtually every Assassin worthy of the name dead save Wang Yangming, Zhu Jiuyuan, and Shao Jun, the Brotherhood was all but exterminated and the Templars had total control over the country. Not even knowing if Yangming was still alive,<ref name="Scroll 13">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 13 (China)|Scroll 13]]</ref> Jiuyuan and Shao Jun decided that their only recourse was to seek help from Assassins abroad, specifically the legendary [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] of the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Brotherhood]]. Dogged by Templars every step of their journey, Jiuyuan was finally slain by their agents in [[Venice]], but Shao Jun survived and successfully made contact with Ezio at his villa in [[Tuscany]].<ref name="Scroll 14">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 14 (China)|Scroll 14]]</ref>

[[File:ACE-V 10.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Ezio Auditore, before her departure]]
Though the elderly former Mentor was initially reluctant to teach Shao Jun, as she represented everything he had sworn to set aside when he settled down, he eventually relented and completed her training. Before she left for her journey home, Ezio presented her with a [[Precursor box]] as a parting gift to be opened only in a time of dire need.<ref name="Embers">''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref>
{{-}}

====Overthrowing the Eight Tigers====
{{Dialogue|Gao Feng|No wonder your kind fell so far.|Shao Jun|My 'kind' isn't done yet.|Shao Jun and Gao Feng during her imprisonment, 1526.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|The Escape (China)}}
Upon her return to China in 1526, Shao Jun tracked down Wang Yangming through a network of old, abandoned Assassin safehouses. After sharing with him the events that transpired during her mission to [[Italy]], the two agreed that their predicament merited opening the box, only to find it empty. Determining that perhaps the Templars would understand its function, Yangming decided that their first plan would be to use the box as bait to lure the Templars out of hiding.<ref name="The Escape">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Escape]]</ref>

[[File:The Escape China (1).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun captured by Gao Feng]]
Thus, Shao Jun's quest for vengeance began by having herself captured by the Tiger [[Gao Feng]] at the Maijishan Grottoes—by then converted into a Templar dungeon—in the hopes that his interrogation would reveal what the Templars knew of the box. When this plan proved fruitless, Shao Jun wasted no time in escaping from her cell and assassinating Feng, but by then, he had already secreted the box away to his allies.<ref name="The Escape"/> Erstwhile, Yangming had managed to eliminate another Tiger, [[Ma Yongcheng]].<ref name="The Return"/>

Before the year was out, Yangming was informed by [[Kotetsu's father|one of his agents]] in [[Macau]] that the box was in the possession of the Tiger [[Gu Dayong]], who oversaw the [[Slavery|slave trade]] in the city.<ref name="Port">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Port]]</ref> Accordingly, Shao Jun infiltrated Dayong's fortress to assassinate him,<ref name="The Port">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Port]]</ref> and in the process rescued several of the Templar's prisoners, including Yangming's agent and his young son, [[Kotetsu]]. However, the boy's father soon succumbed to injuries he had received during his imprisonment,<ref name="Port"/> and a vengeful Shao Jun killed Dayong, recovering the box in the process.<ref name="The Slaver">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Slaver]]</ref>

In retaliation for Dayong's assassination, his compatriot [[Qiu Ju]] ordered his men to set all of Macau [[1526 Macau fires|ablaze]]. Shao Jun managed to escape the inferno,<ref name="Consequences 1">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Consequences (China)|Consequences]]</ref> but her failure to save countless innocent lives weighed heavy on her mind and she decided to take a three-year break from her hunt of the Tigers to reflect on her actions.<ref name="Consequences 2">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Consequences (manga)|Consequences]]</ref> By 1529, Yangming had managed to locate another Tiger, [[Wei Bin]], in [[Nan'an]], and Shao Jun infiltrated the city to assassinate him in the hopes Wei Bin would lead the Assassins to the Tigers' leader Zhang Yong.<ref name="The Search">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Search]]</ref>

[[File:Hunted China (3).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Wang Yangming's death at Zhang Yong's hands]]
During her mission, Shao Jun was unexpectedly reunited with Kotetsu, who helped to restore her confidence by making her realize the Templars' actions in Macau were not her fault.<ref name="Reunion">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Reunion (manga)|Reunion]]</ref> The Assassin then promptly eliminated Wei Bin, but her target revealed that the Templars were hunting Yangming to recover the Precursor box.<ref name="The Snake">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Snake]]</ref> The Mentor had gone to meet with a contact near a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temple for information on how the box functioned,<ref name="Reunion"/> but he was ambushed and mortally wounded by Zhang Yong and Qiu Ju,<ref name="Funeral Pyre">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Funeral Pyre]]</ref> who reclaimed the artifact.<ref name="Hunted">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Hunted]]</ref>

Although Shao Jun attempted to save Yangming, she arrived too late and was nearly killed herself by Qiu Ju and his men. A monk from the Buddhist temple intervened to stop the fight and, after the Templars left,<ref name="Funeral Pyre"/> identified himself as Yangming's contact. The monk later helped Shao Jun to organize her Mentor's funeral,<ref name="Eagle Vision">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Eagle Vision (manga)|Eagle Vision]]</ref> and revealed his knowledge of the Assassins and the [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]] to her.<ref name="The Court">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[The Court]]</ref>

In 1530, Shao Jun was lured to the [[Forbidden City]] by [[Zhang Qijie|Empress Zhang]], her childhood friend who under Templar coercion had lied that she had information on Zhang Yong's whereabouts. Meeting with the Empress, Shao Jun walked into a trap set by Zhang Yong and Qiu Ju.<ref name="Old Friend">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[An Old Friend]]</ref> The former departed to allow his subordinate to deal with the Assassin personally, but a fire broke out when the lantern of a [[Soldier|guard]] was shot by a [[hand cannon]] in the fight that followed. In short order, the Forbidden City was engulfed in flames,<ref name="Demon Fire">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Demon Fire]]</ref> but Shao Jun was able to escape with the Empress while Qiu Ju was killed by a falling pillar.<ref name="Arena">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[To Each Her Own Arena]]</ref>

[[File:Vengeance China (1).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun's final confrontation with Zhang Yong]]
By 1532, Shao Jun had taken Kotetsu as her apprentice at the boy's own request and began training him in the Brotherhood's ways.<ref name="The Great Wall">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[The Great Wall]]</ref> That year, the two Assassins learned that Zhang Yong had allied with the Mongols led by [[Altan Khan]] and planned to help them invade China in order to maintain his grip on power. Well aware that Zhang Yong had fed the Mongolian scouts details of the country's defenses, Shao Jun and Kotetsu traveled to the [[Great Wall of China|Great Wall]], where the former eliminated the scouts<ref name="The Betrayal">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Betrayal (China)|The Betrayal]]</ref> while the latter helped the Ming soldiers to close back the Wall's gates.<ref name="The Great Wall"/>

Following this, Shao Jun confronted Zhang Yong, but their engagement was interrupted by a sudden all-out assault on the Great Wall by the Mongols, who believed the Templar had betrayed their deal. In the midst of this onslaught, Zhang Yong tried to flee but ultimately failed as Shao Jun killed him. With his dying breath, the Templar mocked his killer with the knowledge that the Precursor box was no longer in China. However, Shao Jun remained unfazed, believing this was a sign that it was someone else's destiny to recover the box while hers was to repair all the damage done by the Templars.<ref name="Vengeance">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Vengeance]]</ref>

====Rebirth of the Brotherhood====
{{Quote|I will undo all that you have done. I will rebuild the Brotherhood and recruit those who wish to make our land a place of freedom, those ready to die to fight men like you. Your Templar world will not happen. The Assassins will rise again.|Shao Jun to a dying Zhang Yong, 1532.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Vengeance}}
[[File:Vengeance China (11).jpg|thumb|250px|left|A Chinese Assassin reporting to the Mentor Shao Jun]]
With the last of the Eight Tigers dead, Shao Jun capitalized on her victory and revived the Chinese Brotherhood.<ref name="Vengeance"/> Over the following years, she recruited numerous new members into the Order and completed Kotetsu's training, after which her apprentice decided to return to his ancestral homeland of [[Japan]], to establish a [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|new Assassin branch]] and combat [[Japanese Rite of the Templar Order|Templar influence]] in the country.<ref name="Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Creed]]</ref>

By 1567, Shao Jun still served as the guild's Mentor, and that year, she ordered the assassination of the Jiajing Emperor by poisoning him with a lethal dose of [[Quicksilver|mercury]] disguised as an [[elixir of life]]. The mission succeeded, with the agent who conducted it returning to Shao Jun at the Great Wall to personally report the Emperor's death.<ref name="Vengeance"/>

Even at this point late in her life, Shao Jun had still not learned the function of Ezio's Precursor box, but her Brotherhood did succeed in recovering it. After her death, the box remained in the Chinese Assassins' possession for about a century before it was eventually smuggled to the [[West Indies Brotherhood of Assassins|West Indies Brotherhood]] via the {{wiki|Manila galleon}}s.<ref name="Manila Galleons">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[War Letters]]: "The Manila Galleons"</ref>

===Qing dynasty===
====Purged by the Qing Empire====
{{Quote|So the rumors of an Assassin Brotherhood in the Qing Empire are true...|Edward Kenway to Xiao Han, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36}}
[[File:ACFT - Chinese Brotherhood purge.png|thumb|170px|Chinese Assassins killed during the purge]]
In the early 18th century, the West Indies Assassins' Mentor [[Ah Tabai]] maintained semi-regular contact with members of the Chinese Brotherhood.<ref name="AC4">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – [[Database: Ah Tabai (Black Flag)|Database: Ah Tabai]]</ref> Despite this, the Chinese Assassins' activities were not well-documented, with many western Assassins at the time, including those of the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Brotherhood]], believing the existence of an Assassin branch in China to be just a myth.<ref name="FT 19">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 19|Episode 19]]</ref><ref name="FT 36"/>

Although the Chinese Assassins had by this point enjoyed over a century of prosperity thanks to Shao Jun's actions, the Brotherhood started to decline again following China's invasion by the {{Wiki|Manchu people|Manchus}}, who overthrew the Ming and established the [[Qing dynasty]] in 1644. As most Chinese Assassins at the time were of {{Wiki|Han Chinese}} descent, they suffered heavy persecution under the Qing regime, culminating in an [[1720s Chinese Assassin purge|attack]] on their headquarters that nearly wiped out the entire Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 73">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 73|Episode 73]]</ref>

During the purge, many individuals with tangential ties with the Assassins were also targeted. As a result, the few members of the Brotherhood who survived were reduced to aimless drifters, having lost their homes and families.<ref name="FT 73"/>

====Conflict in Macau====
{{Quote|With the power of the relics of Those Who Came Before... The Great Ming Assassin Brotherhood will recover our kingdom from the hands of those vile barbarians and reestablish a nation of the Han people.|Xiao Han to Lee Huiyin, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40}}
By 1725, the only surviving Chinese Assassins were [[Liu Qing]], [[Xue Yan]], and their Mentor [[Xiao Han]], who claimed descent from Shao Jun.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref> Blaming himself for failing to prevent the Brotherhood's collapse,<ref name="FT 73"/> and despising the Manchus for their persecution of the Han Chinese people, Xiao Han sought to locate a Piece of Eden and use it to overthrow the Qing dynasty.<ref name="FT 40">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 40|Episode 40]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - 18th century Chinese Assassins.png|thumb|200px|left|Liu Qing, Xiao Han, and Xue Yan confronting Sun]]
That year, Xiao Han, accompanied by Liu Qing and Xue Yan, met with his uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] in Macau, who claimed to have a lead on a Piece of Eden. Aboard his [[Sun's floating gambling hall|floating gambling hall]], Sun presented the Assassins with an encrypted [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] which contained information on the location of [[Angkor]], the lost city of the [[Khmer Empire]] and an alleged [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|site]]. Xiao Han recognized the [[Isu script|language]] used to encrypt the log and believed he would be able to decipher it, but first asked his uncle what he intended to do with Angkor's treasure once they retrieved it. After Sun revealed his plans to gift it to the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]], the Assassins drew arms and prepared to execute him, as Xiao Han denounced his uncle as an enemy of the Brotherhood.<ref name="FT 34"/>

After Sun summoned his guards to deal with the Assassins, he attempted to flee, but Xiao Han chased after him while Liu Qing and Xue Yan battled Sun's guards, including a number of [[ninja]] in the service of the Templar [[Shimazu Saito]]. When Xiao Han cornered Sun, he was stopped from killing him by the British Assassin [[Edward Kenway]], who was also on Angkor's trail and needed Sun alive to obtain the sea log.<ref name="FT 35">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 35|Episode 35]]</ref>

As Xiao Han and Edward were unaware of each other's identities or affiliations, they fought to a stalemate, until they both noticed the other wielded a [[Hidden Blade]]. As the two realized that they were both with the Brotherhood and sought the same prize, they questioned what the other intended to do with Angkor's treasure. Edward claimed that he simply sought an adventure while Xiao Han explained his intention to use the artifact to overthrow the Manchus, a plan which Edward disagreed with, believing the Pieces of Eden were not to be used for personal gain.<ref name="FT 36">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 36|Episode 36]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Edward confronted by the Chinese Assassins.png|thumb|270px|Liu Qing and Xue Yan confronting Edward]]
During Xiao Han and Edward's fight, Liu Qing dueled Saito when she came to defend her men and managed to defeat her. Witnessing this, Edward stopped the Chinese Assassin from executing Saito, before Liu Qing and Xue Yan were both called by Xiao Han to help pursue Sun, who had fled with the sea log during the chaos.<ref name="FT 36"/> Edward also chased Sun and briefly fought Liu Qing and Xue Yan before again facing Xiao Han, who had killed Sun and recovered the log.<ref name="FT 38">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 38|Episode 38]]</ref>

Unable to make Edward symphathize with their cause, Xiao Han declared him an enemy of the Chinese Brotherhod, before all four Assassins witnessed the gambling ship being bombarded with [[cannon]] fire by Admiral [[Zheng]].<ref name="FT 38"/> After warning Edward to stay out of their way, Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan left the ship before it was destroyed by Zheng's fleet. The following morning, they approached the admiral and, after revealing that they had acquired the sea log sought by Zheng's patron [[Lee Huiyin]], they were able to secure an audience with her.<ref name="FT 39"/>

At the [[Mandarin's House]], Xiao Han proposed an alliance to Lee to find Angkor's treasure and explained his goal to use the Piece of Eden to overthrow the Manchus. The Mentor hoped that Lee would symphatize with his cause because she was among the Han Chinese people who had suffered persecution under the Qing regime. To Xiao Han's surprise, Lee was more interested in increasing her power and influence, but she nonetheless agreed to work together with the Chinese Assassins to recover Angkor's treasure.<ref name="FT 40"/>

====Search in the Philippines====
{{Quote|Heed me carefully. No part of this trail of blood we leave behind strikes me as righteous. And yet, a higher purpose often demands that some sacrifices cannot be avoided.|Xiao Han trying to justify the Chinese Assassins' actions on Monkey Island, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65}}
[[File:ACFT - Gliders.png|thumb|185px|left|The Chinese Assassins using gliders to board the ''Fenghuang'']]
After learning that Edward and the members of his [[Zhawang Corporation|Zhang Wei Union]] had left Macau to pursue a possible lead to Angkor's location, the Chinese Assassins joined Zheng and her fleet as the admiral pursued the Union's ship, the ''[[Fenghuang]]'', to the [[Philippines]].<ref name="FT 47">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 47|Episode 47]]</ref> After the ''Fenghuang'' sank most of Zheng's fleet, the admiral sailed Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan close to the ship, allowing them to board it using their gliders. They then used their [[Greek fire]] bombs to set the deck on fire and killed many of the ship's crew in the resulting commotion.<ref name="FT 48">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 48|Episode 48]]</ref>

After the Union's engineer [[Yun Pyeong-Gyu]] realized that sand was needed to extinguish the Greek fire instead of water, Xiao Han attempted to kill him but was stopped by Edward, who engaged the Chinese Mentor in a duel. Meanwhile, Liu Qing was surrounded by the navigator [[John Young]] and several crew members who held him at [[Firearm|gunpoint]], and Xue Yan faced off against Shimazu Saito, who sought revenge for the deaths of her men in Macau.<ref name="FT 48"/>

Once both Xiao Han and Xue Yan were defeated by their respective opponents, the former ordered a retreat, and the Chinese Assassins used their [[parachute]]s to escape the ''Fenghuang'' and glide back to Zheng's ship. There, the admiral informed them that she was unable to continue her pursuit of the ''Fenghuang'' due to the ship sailing into a storm. When Liu Qing and Xue Yan apologized for their defeat, Xiao Han told them to prepare themselves for their next encounter with Edward's crew, as their paths were bound to cross again.<ref name="FT 49">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 49|Episode 49]]</ref>

Later, the Chinese Assassins accompanied Zheng and Madam Lee to [[Manila]], where a [[1725 Manila riot|riot]] had occurred recently. While Lee met with the Lieutenant {{Wiki|Governor-General of the Philippines|Governor-General}} to secure their passage to the Southern Seas, Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan investigated around the city. They learned that Edward had been in Manila as well and fought a [[Mad monk|monk]] who wielded a Piece of Eden—a [[crescent amulet]]—before the artifact was stolen by a group of native resistance fighters. Determined to acquire the amulet for themselves, the Assassins decided to intercept the native warriors before they reached their destination, [[Cebu]].<ref name="FT 58">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 58|Episode 58]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Monkey Island ablaze.png|thumb|190px|The Chinese Assassins departing Monkey Island]]
After [[Fuma Sukuna]]'s informants learned that the resistance had a stronghold on [[Monkey Island]], Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan accompanied Sukuna to the island and watched as his ninja followers laid waste to entire villages, an act that deeply disturbed Xue Yan. Eventually arriving at the resistance's [[fort]], the Chinese Assassins and Sukuna found it in ruins and concluded that the resistance had already left Monkey Island. The Assassins then decided to resume their voyage to Cebu and went to rejoin Zheng and her fleet.<ref name="FT 65">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 65|Episode 65]]</ref>

In Cebu, Xiao Han instructed Zheng to await his signal before commencing her attack, and infiltrated the city to look for the crescent amulet. Arriving at [[Fort San Pedro]] following Edward's fight against the [[Visayans|Visayan]] chief [[Rajah]], Xiao Han killed the latter,<ref name="FT 71">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 71|Episode 71]]</ref> and dueled Edward for possession of the amulet. Shimazu Saito soon arrived to assist Edward while Xiao Han was joined by Liu Qing and Xue Yan, initiating a battle between the two groups.<ref name="FT 72">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 72|Episode 72]]</ref>

During the fight, Xue Yan overpowered Saito and stole from her a second [[Hendrik's sea log|sea log]] containing clues to the locations of two more Pieces of Eden. Following Saito's defeat, Edward reluctantly used the amulet against Xiao Han and Liu Qing, forcing them to stand down. Edward and Saito subsequently escaped with the amulet, leaving the Chinese Assassins with only the sea log.<ref name="FT 73"/>

====Battle of Sulu====
{{Quote|I thought our whole purpose was to create a new and better world... where people would no longer need to live in fear of oppression! But holding an innocent doctor hostage and spilling her blood? Where in the world is the justice in such foul deeds?! Is this the noble cause of which you've spoken so much?!|Xue Yan criticizing Xiao Han's actions in Sulu, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92}}
Sometime later, the Chinese Assassins and Zheng learned that Fuma Sukuna and his ninja had been killed in a battle against the Zhang Wei Union.<ref name="FT 86">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 86|Episode 86]]</ref> Tracking the Union members to the [[Sultanate of Sulu]], Zheng stationed her fleet nearby while the Assassins attempted to recover the crescent amulet, which was stored in a warehouse. However, they faced opposition from Edward and John Young, who fought against Xiao Han and Liu Qing, respectively.<ref name="FT 89">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 89|Episode 89]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Chinese Assassins bargaining.png|thumb|180px|left|The Chinese Assassins trying to bargain with Edward]]
Xue Yan tried to infiltrate the warehouse to retrieve the amulet, but Zheng ordered her fleet to fire on the building, partially destroying it and hindering the Chinese Assassins' mission.<ref name="FT 89"/> After the Union's doctor [[Xialun Qing]] recovered the amulet, Xue Yan took her hostage and the Chinese Assassins attempted to bargain with Edward, promising to release Qing if Edward allowed them to leave with the Piece of Eden. However, Zheng interrupted the negotiations by having her fleet open fire on both the Assassins and the Union members.<ref name="FT 90">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 90|Episode 90]]</ref>

In the resulting confusion, Edward seized the amulet and used it to defeat Xiao Han, though he hesitated to take his life. After breaking free from Edward's grasp, the Mentor attempted to kill John, but Qing took the blow instead. While Edward and John both mourned Qing's death, Xiao Han grabbed the amulet and escaped alongside Liu Qing and Xue Yan, returning to Zheng's ship.<ref name="FT 91">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 91|Episode 91]]</ref>

After placing the amulet in a chest to prevent its power from corrupting him, Xiao Han was reprimanded by Xue Yan for his murder of Qing, an innocent doctor. The Mentor tried to defend his actions, but all three Chinese Assassins were left feeling uneasy about the means by which they had acquired the amulet, questioning if they had lost their way in pursuit of their goals.<ref name="FT 92">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 92|Episode 92]]</ref>

====Expedition to Angkor====
{{Quote|I can no more turn back on the path I've taken than turn back time itself. Until all is returned to its rightful place in the natural order... I cannot and shall not rest.|Xiao Han to Madam Lee, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107}}
With the crescent amulet in their possession, the Chinese Assassins returned to Madam Lee, and Xiao Han met with the businesswoman in private to show her the Piece of Eden. After Lee revealed her plans to acquire the other two artifacts, Xiao Han cautioned her that the Pieces were not trinkets to be toyed with, but agreed to continue aiding her in her endeavors, having his own need of the artifacts. Lee subsequently ordered her fleet to sail to [[Vietnam|Đại Việt]],<ref name="FT 96">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 96|Episode 96]]</ref> and Liu Qing and Xue Yan reluctantly joined their Mentor as they accompanied the fleet to its destination.<ref name="FT 107">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 107|Episode 107]]</ref>

[[File:ACFT - Xue Yan and Liu Qing.png|thumb|200px|Liu Qing and Xue Yan during the voyage to Đại Việt]]
During the voyage, Xiao Han and Lee, having grown fond of each other, spent most of their time together aboard the latter's ship. Although Lee recognized that Xiao Han and his fellow Assassins served a nobler purpose and tried to convince the Mentor to abandon his current path, Xiao Han refused, believing that it was his duty to avenge his slain kin and restore order to the world.<ref name="FT 107" />

Seeing Xiao Han's devotion, Lee decided to use the Chinese Assassins to further her own ambitions and had them accompany her to [[Huế|Phú Xuân]], where she met with a representative of the [[Nguyễn clan]].<ref name="FT 107" /> After Lee secured an alliance with the clan, the Assassins joined them on an expedition to [[Cambodia]], where they sought to find Angkor and its [[Lotus disk|Piece of Eden]], racing against both the Zhang Wei Union and the [[East India Company]].<ref name="FT 115">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 115|Episode 115]]</ref>

===Modern times===
In 1925, the Assassins were behind the death of [[Sun Yat-sen]], then the Templar [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Grand Master]] of the Shanghai Rite.<ref name="Black Cross #002">''[[Assassin's Creed: Templars]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Templars 2|Issue 02]]</ref>

By 2015, at least one [[Assassin cell]] operated in China. That year, they were aided by the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Japanese Assassins]], including [[Kiyoshi Takakura]], in their search for [[Álvaro Gramática]]'s secret laboratory, where the scientist planned to recreate an Isu's body with the help of a [[Shroud of Eden 2|Shroud of Eden]] as part of the Templars' [[Phoenix Project]].<ref name="ACS Assassin intel 4">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' – [[Database: Assassin Intel 4]]</ref>

In 2016, the Chinese Assassin [[Yanmei]] was ordered by [[Gavin Banks]] to assist fellow Assassin [[Griffin (Assassin)|Griffin]] and the teenagers [[Natalya Aliyev]], [[David Collins]], and [[Javier Mondragón]] in finding the tomb of Möngke Khan and retrieving a prong of the [[Trident of Eden]]. However, Yanmei was ultimately killed by the Templar [[Isaiah]] after he recovered the prong and used its power against everyone; as Yanmei tried to attack Isaiah, he thrust the prong into her body, killing her instantly.<ref name="Tomb of the Khan"/>

[[File:ACUP Barindra Mitra's cell.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Barindra Mitra's cell being wiped out]]
In February 2017, an Assassin cell led by [[Barindra Mitra]] assisted [[Charlotte de la Cruz]] in her efforts to gather information about the Phoenix Project. Infiltrating an [[Abstergo Industries]] office in a [[Hong Kong]] skyscraper, which had in fact been abandoned by the Templars, the Assassins were ambushed by an [[Instruments of the First Will|unidentified group]] using high-tech weaponry. Barindra and his cell were all killed, with only Charlotte and the [[Erudito]] tech expert [[Guernica Moneo]] escaping.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Uprising]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Uprising 1|Issue #01]]</ref>

==Techniques and equipment==
True to their heritage, the Chinese Assassins blended Assassin techniques with traditional {{wiki|Chinese martial arts}}. As a result, their combat maneuvers were more acrobatic and employed more footwork.<ref name="ACCC"/><ref name="Embers"/> Though the [[Hidden Blade]], the iconic weapon of the Assassins, was standard for the Chinese Brotherhood, Shao Jun was displeased with it and created her own variant more suited to her style: the Hidden Footblade which extended from her foot rather than her wrist.<ref name="ACCC"/> This complemented her agile fighting style which had a special emphasis on kicks.<ref name="ACCC"/><ref name="Embers"/>

[[File:ACE-V 9.png|thumb|250px|Shao Jun using her concealed blade]]
Aside from this, in 1526, Shao Jun also invented the [[rope dart]], which she utilized as a grappling hook and to extend the reach of her assassinations.<ref name="ACCC"/> Use of this weapon would later spread to other guilds such as the [[American Brotherhood of Assassins|Colonial Brotherhood]] in the 18th century.<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref> Other gadgets in their arsenal included [[firecracker]]s which similar to [[Smoke screen bomb|smoke bombs]] served to momentarily stun enemies, [[noise dart]]s which emitted sounds that were useful for distracting enemies, [[throwing knives]],<ref name="ACCC"/> and bracers that launched needles.<ref name="Embers"/>

During the early 18th century, the surviving members the Great Ming Brotherhood each specialized in a different combat style, which was reflected in their personal choice of weaponry. For instance, Xiao Han was a master swordsman who also wielded a single Hidden Blade and rope darts; Liu Qing wielded a large [[guandao]] which complemented his imposing size and stength; and Xue Yan specialized in ranged weaponry, carrying a [[crossbow]] and a pair of {{Wiki|deer horn knives}} for close-quarters combat.<ref name="ACFT">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''</ref>

In terms of equipment, the Great Ming Assassins all carried [[Smoke screen bomb|smoke bombs]], as well as an incendiary weapon in the form of [[Greek fire]] bombs; once detonated, the Greek fire would quickly spread and create a thick smoke which could not be extinguished with water. During their journey to the Philippines, Xiao Han, Liu Qing, and Xue Yan also sported gliders and [[parachute]]s, which could be used to fly for short distances.<ref name="ACFT"/>

==Attire==
Unlike the standard white and red color scheme of Assassin robes, the outfit of Shao Jun was black and red.<ref name="ACCC"/><ref name="Embers"/> Nevertheless, at least one of her agents donned white robes with red trims consistent with the traditional Assassin colors.<ref name="ACCC"/> During the early 18th century, the Great Ming Assassins wore outfits reminiscent of Shao Jun's robes, with a black and red color scheme.<ref name="ACFT"/>

On many occasions, the Chinese Assassins forwent the traditional Brotherhood robes and wore ordinary Chinese clothing to make their affiliation hardly recognizable.<ref name="AC2"/><ref name="DYL"/>

==Members==
;Spring and Autumn period
*[[Cao Mo]] {{c|posthumously}}
*[[Zhuan Zhu]] {{c|posthumously}}
;Warring States period
*[[Jing Ke]] {{c|posthumously}}
*[[Nie Zheng]] {{c|posthumously}}
*[[Yu Rang]] {{c|posthumously}}
;Qin dynasty
*[[Wei Yu]] {{c|posthumously}}
;Tang dynasty
<div style="float: left; width: 48%;">
*[[Cui Anshi]]
*[[Feng Qian]]
*[[He Hong'er]]
*[[Jia Shen]]
*[[Jing Jing]]
*[[Kong Kong]]
</div>
<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
*[[Li E]] {{c|leader; c. 755}}
*[[Li Qimo]]
*[[Princess of Gaochang]]
*[[Qian]]
*[[Zhai Wande]]
*[[Zhangsun Qi]]
</div>
{{-}}
;Song dynasty
*[[Kang]] {{c|Mentor; c. 1259}}
*[[Zhang Zhi]]
*[[Zhang Zhi's father]]
;Ming dynasty
<div style="float: left; width: 48%;">
*[[Fang Xiaoru]] {{c|leader; until 1402}}
*[[Fenghuang (Assassin)|Fenghuang]]
*[[Kotetsu]] {{c|[[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Japanese Brotherhood]]}}
*[[Kotetsu's father]]
*[[Li Tong]]
*[[Liu Yan (Chinese Brotherhood)|Liu Yan]]
</div>
<div style="float:right; width:48%;">
*[[Shao Jun]] {{c|Mentor; began 1532}}
*[[The Mask (Assassin)|The Mask]]
*[[The Sunlight Sword]]
*[[Wang Yangming]] {{c|Mentor; until 1524; 1526 – 1529}}
*[[Zhu Jiuyuan]] {{c|Mentor; 1524}}
</div>
{{-}}
;Qing dynasty
*[[Liu Qing]]
*[[Xiao Han]] {{c|Mentor; c. 1725}}
*[[Xue Yan]]
;Republic era
*[[Yanmei]]
{{-}}

===Allies and puppets===
;Tang dynasty
*[[Éléna]] {{c|[[Hidden Ones of the Great Desert]]}}
*[[Li Bai]]
*[[Pei Min]]
*[[Yan Gaoqing]]
*[[Yan Jiming]]
*[[Yan Zhenqing]]
*[[Jessamyn]] {{c|[[Egyptian Brotherhood of Assassins|Egyptian Hidden Ones]]}}
*[[Oisel]] {{c|[[Parisian Brotherhood of Assassins|Frankish Hidden Ones]]}}
;Ming dynasty
*[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]] {{c|[[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Brotherhood]]}}
*[[Hong Liwei]]
*[[Zhang Qijie|Empress Zhang]]
*[[Zhu Zhifan]]
;Qing dynasty
*[[Ah Tabai]] {{c|[[West Indies Brotherhood of Assassins|West Indies Brotherhood]]}}
*[[Fuma Sukuna]]
*[[Lee Huiyin]]
*[[Zheng]]
;Republic era
*[[Charlotte de la Cruz]] {{c|[[American Brotherhood of Assassins|American Brotherhood]]}}
*[[Kiyoshi Takakura]] {{c|[[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Japanese Brotherhood]]}}

==Behind the scenes==
In the non-canonical novel ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Ming Storm]]'', the Chinese Brotherhood is also referred to as the '''Central Plains Brotherhood'''.

==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" widths="180">
ACD - Chinese Hidden Ones.png|Li E leading the Chinese Hidden Ones
ACFT - Chinese Brotherhood.png|Chinese Assassins at their headquarters, c. 1720s
</gallery>

==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Discover Your Legacy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants – Tomb of the Khan]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' {{Mdat}} {{Imo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Dynasty]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Silk Road]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Imperial Jade Seal]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage]]'' {{Imo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – ''[[Featured Events]]'' {{Mo}}

===Non-canonical appearances===
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Ming Storm]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Desert Threat]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty]]''

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{Assassins nav}}
{{ACC}}
{{ACDYL}}
{{ACLD}}
{{ACD}}
{{ACBoSJ}}
{{ACMS}}
{{ACIJS}}
{{ACFT}}
{{ACRPG}}
[[Category:Assassin guilds]]

Shao Jun

2026-06-17T07:54:49Z

Sol Pacificus:

{{Era|Individuals|Assassins|Featured}}
{{Quote|She who seeks revenge should remember to dig two graves.|Shao Jun to an Assassin apprentice, 1567.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Vengeance}}
{{Character Infobox
|name=Shao Jun
|native=
|image=ACCC Shao Jun render.png
|birth=7 November 1505<ref>{{Tumblr|assassinscreed|post/152861001707/|Assassin's Creed|postname=Born into captivity, she found freedom and a...|quote=On this day in 1505, Shao Jun was born.|image=File:AC_Tumblr_-_Shao_Jun_birthday.jpg|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218060027/https://assassinscreed.tumblr.com/image/152861001707}}</ref> [[Beijing]], [[Ming dynasty|The Great Ming]]
|death=
|species=[[Human]]
|database=[[Database: Shao Jun (Assassin's Creed III)|Shao Jun (Assassin's Creed III)]] [[Database: Shao Jun (China)|Shao Jun (China)]] [[Database: Shao Jun (Rebellion)|Shao Jun (Rebellion)]]
|affiliates=*[[Ming dynasty]]
**{{Wiki|Imperial Chinese harem system|Imperial harem}} {{c|until c. 1521}}
*[[Assassins]]
**[[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]]
}}
'''Shao Jun''' (born 1505) was a [[Master Assassin]] who served as [[Mentor]] of the [[Chinese Brotherhood of Assassins|Chinese Brotherhood]] of [[Assassins]] during the mid-16th century.<ref name="The Essential Guide">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]''</ref> She is an ancestor to the 21st-century [[American Brotherhood of Assassins|American Assassin]] [[Lin]] and the [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|Japanese Assassin]] [[Kō Risa]].

A former [[concubine]] of the [[Zhu Houzhao|Zhengde Emperor]], Shao Jun was rescued by the Assassins after the emperor's death in 1521 and devoted her life to the Brotherhood as a result. When the emperor's cousin took power as the [[Zhu Houcong|Jiajing Emperor]], he was manipulated by his [[Templars|Templar]]-aligned court [[eunuch]]s known as the [[Eight Tigers]] into conducting [[Great Rites Controversy|a purge]] of all those who opposed his rule. This purge saw the near-complete extermination of the Chinese Assassins and Shao Jun and her Mentor [[Zhu Jiuyuan]] fled west to seek aid from the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassins]]' retired Mentor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]].

Despite her Mentor's death during the journey, Shao Jun reached [[Tuscany]] in 1524 and met Ezio, who offered her advice on how to rebuild her fallen Brotherhood, as well as a [[Precursor box]]. Returning to China two years later, Shao Jun began her mission to exact revenge on the Eight Tigers and their leader [[Zhang Yong]], with the help of the Chinese Brotherhood's Mentor [[Wang Yangming]].

Over the course of six years, the two Assassins systematically hunted down the Tigers, though during their quest, they lost Ezio's Precursor box to the Templars and Yangming was slain by Zhang Yong. Undeterred, Shao Jun continued her hunt alone and was eventually successful in 1532, when she killed Zhang Yong atop the [[Great Wall of China|Great Wall]] after preventing a [[Mongolia|Mongol]] invasion of China.

As the last surviving Assassin in her homeland, Shao Jun resolved to rebuild the Chinese Brotherhood, succeeding Yangming as Mentor. By 1567, she had recruited and trained a number of [[Assassin apprentice|apprentices]], including [[Kotetsu]], who relocated to [[Japan]] shortly after completing his training. In her later years, Shao Jun would avenge her slain Brotherhood by engineering the Jiajing Emperor's [[assassination]], poisoning him with a strain of concentrated [[Quicksilver|mercury]] disguised as an [[elixir of life]].

Shao Jun is posthumously regarded as one of the most influential Assassins of her time, and many of her techniques are still in use centuries later.

==Biography==
===Imperial Concubine===
{{Quote|You've come far for someone who was merely once a Concubine.|Gao Feng to Shao Jun, 1526.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|The Escape (China)}}
The daughter of an imperial [[concubine]],<ref name="ACMN">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]'' – Regressions – Subject: Lin</ref> Shao Jun was born into imperial custody during the lackluster rule of the [[Zhu Houzhao|Zhengde Emperor]] of the [[Ming dynasty]].<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref><ref name="Database">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Shao Jun (China)|Database: Shao Jun]]</ref> As a result, she was raised from birth to become a concubine and started out as a one of the many lower-ranking concubines who hoped to become empress. To this effect, she received an education in embroidery, literature, singing, and dancing—arts typical of ladies in court. Among these, she demonstrated an exceptional talent for music and dance early on.<ref name="Scroll 1">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 1 (China)|Scroll 1]]</ref> Unlike most women valued for their beauty at this time, Shao Jun was not forced to {{Wiki|Breast binding|bind her breasts}} or {{Wiki|Foot binding|her feet}} so that she may maintain her gracefulness in dance.<ref name="Scroll 1"/><ref name="Scroll 4">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 4 (China)|Scroll 4]]</ref>

In 1510, a four-year-old Shao Jun witnessed firsthand [[Liu Jin]]'s execution via ''[[lingchi]]''. Liu Jin, the leader of a group of powerful [[eunuch]]s called the [[Eight Tigers]], had been betrayed by his lieutenant [[Zhang Yong]], a [[Templars|Templar]], and his torturous demise by hundreds of cuts over the course of two days would be forever etched in Shao Jun's mind.<ref name="Scroll 2">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 2 (China)|Scroll 2]]</ref><ref name="ABTO">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[The Assassin Brotherhood and The Templar Order]]</ref>

The Zhengde Emperor, known for his juvenile nature and lack of interest in urgent matters of state, regarded Shao Jun highly among his concubines after she had reached her teenage years, for her agility and [[cat]]-like discretion fascinated him.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> He occasionally had her dance atop a caged [[leopard]] to demonstrate this agility to his court and amuse him.<ref name="Homecoming">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Homecoming (manga)|Homecoming]]</ref> Living a decade of her life under the Zhengde Emperor, he often used her as his spy or [[thief]] and to stage pranks against eunuchs and ministers.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

[[File:AC Blade of Shao Jun - Shao Jun and Zhang Qijie.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Zhang Qijie sneaking through the Imperial Palace]]
By the age of twelve, Shao Jun had befriended her fellow concubine [[Zhang Qijie]] and had taken to exploring the Imperial Palace, finding various secret tunnels leading out of the complex, including [[Beijing Temple|one]] that had [[Temple (Isu)|sharp-edged gleaming walls]]. One day in 1517, she tried to help Qijie sneak out of the palace to see the outside world, despite the latter's fears that they would get into trouble. Avoiding the [[Soldier|guards]], Shao Jun led Qijie through one of the tunnels she had discovered, but as the path chosen required them to scale a wall, Qijie revealed that she was unable to climb it due to her foot bindings.<ref name="Qixie">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Shao Jun and Qixie]]</ref>

After returning to Qijie's quarters, Shao Jun got upset over this revelation and apologized to her friend, but Qijie explained that they were different animals, a [[butterfly]] and a [[Hare|rabbit]], respectively, each unique and amazing in their own way. She then asked Shao Jun to tell her a story about one of her adventures, and the latter eagerly complied before heading to bed.<ref name="Qixie"/>

By the follower year, Shao Jun had risen to the rank of Imperial Concubine through the Zhengde Emperor's favor. At this stage, she and Qijie had both become candidates for Imperial Consort or even Empress.<ref name="Scroll 3">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 3 (China)|Scroll 3]]</ref> The two had always enjoyed a friendly rivalry, where Shao Jun always bested her foot-bound friend through her nimble grace.<ref name="Zhang DB">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Empress Zhang]]</ref> Nonetheless, Shao Jun had never once been invited to her Emperor's bed since he instead preferred the company of [[courtesan]]s and other women he was acquainted with.<ref name="Scroll 3"/>

Late in his reign, the Zhengde Emperor went on a campaign against [[Mongolia|Mongol]] raiders in the north, bringing Shao Jun and a few other concubines with him for his personal leisure. As was the case back in court, Shao Jun served primarily as the Emperor's spy during this expedition,<ref name="Scroll 4"/> in the process gaining the opportunity to meet many foreigners.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

===Joining the Assassins===
{{Quote|I was born into captivity. One of many Concubines. When the Brotherhood came for us, I saw freedom, I saw a future.|Shao Jun, 1530.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|An Old Friend}}
With the Zhengde Emperor's death in April 1521, the sixteen-year-old Shao Jun found all prospects of becoming empress dashed except on the slim chance that his successor would find her appealing. In the meantime, the imperial ministers fell into disarray and began feuding over who should succeed the heir-less Emperor. Hoping to maintain her status through the interregnum, Shao Jun used her spying talents to find the appropriate connections, only to uncover [[Assassin-Templar War|a secret war]] between the Templar Order, led by the Eight Tigers, and the [[Assassins|Assassin Brotherhood]].<ref name="Scroll 5">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 5 (China)|Scroll 5]]</ref>

Not long after, Shao Jun learned that the Tigers were plotting to seize control of China by using their power to place a puppet on the throne. Recognizing that the Tigers already controlled the most influential people at court, she decided to contact the Brotherhood through their leader, [[Wang Yangming]], and requested to join them.<ref name="Scroll 5"/> In the Assassins, she saw a chance at freedom.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

However, Yangming's secret identity had been discovered by the Templars as well, and through the intelligence they had gathered, they were poised to launch a surprise operation against the Assassins in [[Beijing]].<ref name="Scroll 6">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 6 (China)|Scroll 6]]</ref> This impending purge was leaked to the concubines just in time for Shao Jun to alert Yangming,<ref name="Scroll 6"/> and the Mentor rallied his best Assassins for a preemptive strike at the [[Forbidden City]] to kill the Tigers. In the ensuing conflict, the Assassins were defeated. Many among their number and even mere [[civilian]]s suspected of association with them were detained and summarily executed via ''lingchi'', but Shao Jun was successfully extracted from the palace by Yangming in the full retreat that followed.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Scroll 7">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 7 (China)|Scroll 7]]</ref>

Loyal immediately to those who had rescued her, Shao Jun dedicated her first years of freedom to serving the Brotherhood. Yangming trained her in the Assassins' ways until she reached the [[Assassin rank|rank]] of Initiate and earned the right to wield a [[Hidden Blade]].<ref name="Scroll 8">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 8 (China)|Scroll 8]]</ref> Unsatisfied with its functionality, Shao Jun soon replaced it with a Hidden Footblade of her own design.<ref name="Scroll 10">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 10 (China)|Scroll 10]]</ref> Later, Yangming had to disappear to escape the [[Great Rites Controversy]], so [[Zhu Jiuyuan]] replaced him as both leader of the Brotherhood and Shao Jun's Mentor. Under his wing, she reached the full rank of Assassin and took a [[Leap of Faith]].<ref name="Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Scroll 10"/>

Years after her rescue, Shao Jun and her Mentor decided to save the remaining concubines whom she had grown up with. After breaking into the Imperial Palace, Shao Jun discovered that most of her friends had been tortured and killed through ''lingchi'' by order of the Zhengde Emperor's cousin and successor [[Zhu Houcong]], the Jiajing Emperor. Shao Jun and her Mentor then fled the palace.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

[[File:An Old Friend China (4).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun and her childhood friend, Zhang Qijie]]
Before leaving, Shao Jun took the incredible risk of infiltrating the Forbidden City to free her friend Zhang Qijie, knowing that although she knew the place by heart, the eunuch guards would kill her if she was caught. Fortunately, the city's security was lower than usual, for the Jiajing Emperor was often away in his own private palaces. Shao Jun eventually found Qijie but was astonished to hear that she wanted to stay, even if the Emperor was a brutal man.<ref name="Scroll 11">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 11 (China)|Scroll 11]]</ref>

Qijie was lucky enough to please him and was now the Imperial Consort. She told her old friend to leave in peace, and did not want to hear about the Templars controlling the Tigers, even less of the man she expected to become her husband. Shao Jun accepted Qijie's decision and remembered how important her career as a concubine was; she then left the Forbidden City for what she perceived to be the last time.<ref name="Scroll 11"/>

The Jiajing Emperor later sought to detain and execute any opposition or possible threats against his rule. The Assassins were some of the [[Great Rites Controversy|purge]]'s most high-profile targets, and on the Emperor's orders, a majority of the Assassins in China were killed. The few who survived either went into hiding or fled westward.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Scroll 12">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 12 (China)|Scroll 12]]</ref>

===Meeting Ezio Auditore===
{{Dialogue2|Shao Jun|I want to understand.|Ezio|Understand what?|How to lead, to rebuild my Order.|Shao Jun asking Ezio for help, 1524.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
Isolated, Shao Jun and Zhu Jiuyuan despaired and finally decided to leave the country in order to seek the help of other Assassins, namely the [[Italian Brotherhood of Assassins|Italian Assassins]]' former Mentor [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio Auditore]], whose reputation had spread across {{Wiki|Eurasia}}. It was a long journey, and neither of them spoke Italian, but it was their only hope. The pair secretly travelled to [[Macau]], where transportation was easiest towards [[Europe]]. During their trip, they witnessed the crippled state of the Brotherhood's network in China: most safe houses had been raided and no Assassin worthy of the name was left alive.<ref name="Scroll 13">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 13 (China)|Scroll 13]]</ref>

[[File:ACEmbers Ezio restraining Shao Jun.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun's first encounter with Ezio]]
By 1524, Shao Jun and her Mentor were able to reach [[Venice]], stashed aboard a [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] [[ship]] transporting porcelain and [[silk]]. Once in Italy, the pair were oblivious to the fact that they had been followed by several Templar agents. Ambushed by elite soldiers armed with [[musket]]s, Zhu Jiuyuan sacrificed himself so that Shao Jun could escape with her life.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/><ref name="Scroll 14">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 14 (China)|Scroll 14]]</ref>

Continuing onward, Shao Jun eventually arrived at Ezio's [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] villa, where she encountered the retired Mentor's young daughter [[Flavia Auditore|Flavia]] and began speaking with her. Though Ezio initially saw Shao Jun as a threat and fervently restrained her to protect his child, he released her after recognizing the [[Assassin insignia]] on the necklace she wore.<ref name="Embers">''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]''</ref>

Later that day, Ezio and his wife [[Sofia Sartor]] confronted Shao Jun, who asked for aid in restoring her Order. Ezio, who had left his life as an Assassin, refused to associate himself with the Order again and asked her to leave. However, Sofia, knowing that Jun had come a long way to meet Ezio, invited her to stay for the night. Shao Jun thanked Sofia, and accepted her offer.<ref name="Embers"/>

[[File:ACEmbers Ezio Auditore and Shao Jun in Florence.png|thumb|250px|Shao Jun listening to Ezio]]
The next day, Shao Jun came across Ezio's study and looked through some of the writings he had left on his desk. When Ezio discovered her, he furiously told her to leave not just his estate but to wholly depart from Italy, stating that she had wasted her time looking for him. Shao Jun recited a portion of Ezio's writing and responded that all she wanted was to understand the Order as he did.<ref name="Embers"/>

Ezio finally admitted why he was so reluctant to help Shao Jun and invited her to accompany him to [[Florence]], where she could assist him in his vineyard's harvest. There, Shao Jun observed the crowd as Ezio attended to his business. He took her to the [[Palazzo della Signoria]],<ref name="Embers"/> where his father [[Giovanni Auditore da Firenze|Giovanni]] and brothers [[Federico Auditore da Firenze|Federico]] and [[Petruccio Auditore da Firenze|Petruccio]] had been executed in 1476,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' – [[Last Man Standing]]</ref> and explained that paradoxically Assassins lived their lives through pain in order to end suffering for others.<ref name="Embers"/>

[[File:ACEmbers Ezio Auditore and Shao Jun in Florence.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Ezio in Florence]]
After the brief discussion, Ezio and Shao Jun prepared to return to the villa. On the way back however, the two were intercepted by an Imperial soldier in an alleyway. Despite the ambush, Shao Jun managed to kill the soldier with her Hidden Footblade and quickly fled the city with Ezio. On the way back to the villa, Shao Jun explained her plight and informed Ezio about the soldiers hunting her.<ref name="Embers"/>

Upon returning home, Ezio told Sofia to take their children to [[Niccolò Machiavelli]]'s house, as he suspected that the soldiers would pursue Shao Jun to the villa.<ref name="Embers"/> While waiting for the imminent attack, Ezio decided to train Shao Jun, teaching her new combat and stealth techniques.<ref name="China">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''</ref>

The old Mentor also told her the story of how he had used fraternity and love to [[Liberation of Rome|defeat]] the [[House of Borgia|Borgia family]] who led the [[Roman Rite of the Templar Order|Italian Templars]], and how he had reformed the Brotherhood in both [[Rome]] and [[Constantinople]]. Shao Jun then rested for the night while Ezio kept watch from the living room.<ref name="Embers" />

[[File:ACCC Shao Jun training.png|thumb|250px|Ezio training Shao Jun]]
Soon enough, Imperial soldiers attacked the villa, just like the Assassins had anticipated. Together, the pair were able to fend off most of the attackers, with Ezio saving Shao Jun from the shot of a [[hand cannon]] held by a brutish soldier. Fleeing outside to avoid the devastating weapon, Shao Jun and Ezio worked together to deal with the last foe. Though the soldier charged Ezio and pinned him to a tree, the elder Assassin managed to stab his enemy with an iron poker, killing him.<ref name="Embers"/>

===Leaving Italy===
{{Dialogue|Ezio|It is a long way home, no?|Shao Jun|Much to see along the way. Thank you, Mentor.|Shao Jun to Ezio, before departing for China, 1524.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
[[File:ACE-V 10.png|thumb|250px|left|Ezio handing Shao Jun a small box prior to her departure]]
The following morning, Shao Jun looked to the horizon with renewed resolve. Ezio approached her and said that her return trip would be long, but Shao Jun replied that it would be worthwhile, with so much to see along the way. Before Shao Jun left, Ezio gave her a [[Precursor box|small box]], claiming that it might prove useful in the future but that she should only open it if she lost her way. With that, Ezio bid the young Assassin farewell before going to speak with several guards who arrived on [[horse]]back.<ref name="Embers"/>

An avid learner who loved to experience new cultures and societies, Shao Jun was in no rush to return to China and spent months travelling around Europe, notably to [[Spain]], in order to further her training.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' – [[Database: Shao Jun (Rebellion)|Database: Shao Jun]]</ref>

===Expedition to Cambodia===
Shao Jun's biggest distraction on her way back to China came when she learned of an [[Second Assassin expedition to the Mekong|Assassin expedition]] to the jungles of [[Cambodia]], which had the aim of investigating rumors of a rogue Assassin called [[Isabel|Colubra]] sowing terror among the local population, as well as finding a previous Assassin team that had been sent to Cambodia and never returned. Deciding to lend her aid, Shao Jun contacted the expedition's members—[[Alif]], [[Beatrice]], [[Clara (Assassin)|Clara]], and [[Domenico (Assassin)|Domenico]]—and asked them to meet her at a village near the [[Mekong]] river.<ref name="Bitter Conduct">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Bitter Conduct]]</ref>

However, just prior to the Italian Assassins' arrival, Shao Jun was [[poison]]ed, requiring her to be taken care of by the women of the village. Not long after, the village came under attack by the [[Furies]], Colubra's all-female group of warriors, but the Assassins were able to chase them away. They then handed Shao Jun an antidote for the poison, allowing her to recover and officially join the team.<ref name="Bitter Conduct"/>

After retrieving a diary belonging to one of the first expedition's members, the Assassins learned of a beautiful female warrior labeled as [[Mae Wa|แม่ วะ]].<ref name="Ghost Stories">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Ghost Stories]]</ref> Questioning the elders of a nearby village, they learned that the woman they sought was Mae Wa,<ref name="Shadowing">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Shadowing]]</ref> and proceeded to follow her tracks to a [[temple]] complex being used by the Furies. There, they were attacked by [[Sesha]], a giant snake that burst from underground; after defeating it, they explored the Furies' lair, finding a map fragment and a broken variant of the Hidden Blade.<ref name="Time Bombs">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Time Bombs]]</ref>

Following the map fragment, Shao Jun and her fellow Assassins encountered a small group of Furies on the opposite bank of a river crossing, though the Furies were able to escape in [[canoe]]s.<ref name="Mission">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Mission]]</ref> While camping for the night, the Assassins noticed a passage covered up with branches and decided to investigate, finding a camp with only a few sentries patrolling it. However, this turned out to be a trap, as the Furies destroyed a dam in an attempt to drown the Assassins, who narrowly escaped.<ref name="How Green Was">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[How Green Was...]]</ref>

[[File:ACBOV Apocalypse - Shao Jun.jpg|thumb|220px|Shao Jun in Cambodia]]
While traversing a valley, the expedition members encountered a group of macaques, one of which was holding a Hidden Blade. The Assassins gave chase, but became lost in the dense jungle and eventually came across the edge of a cliff. Peering at the blood-stained rocks at the bottom, the group understood the fate of the first Assassin expedition.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Second Assassin expedition to the Mekong]]: Location-specific events: #22</ref>

Further studying the diary from the first expedition, they surmised that Colubra could be in a rear base much further north.<ref name="Hold the Fort">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Hold the Fort!]]</ref> At an open air market, the Assassins were ambushed by the Furies once again, this time coming face to face with Colubra herself, who was wielding an [[Isabel's Apple of Eden|Apple of Eden]]. Although they managed to defend themselves and very nearly defeated Colubra, they were knocked out by a shockwave and awakened later to a completely empty market.<ref name="Another World">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Another World]]</ref>

Delving deeper in the jungle, the Assassins noticed a number of changes in the environment, brought about by Colubra's Apple.<ref name="Snakes">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[Who'll Meet Those Snakes?]]</ref> As they got closer to Colubra's sanctuary, the effects of the Apple became stronger, with animals being incredibly aggressive and plants seeming to have a will of their own. The group eventually arrived at an artificial lake with ink black waters and surrounded by the smell of death and decay, and decided to pause their mission to destroy the dike and purify the corrupted valley.<ref name="In the Dark">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[In the Dark]]</ref>

At a temple to the serpent god near Colubra's hideout, a pair of Furies performed a ritual using the Apple of Eden, seeking to control Sesha. The Assassins diverted the ceremony, sacrificing the "Hydras" they had captured to weaken the giant snake instead, though they failed to retrieve the Apple.<ref name="Beginning of the End">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[The Beginning of the End]]</ref>

Finally arriving at Colubra's sanctuary, the expedition's members began to feel the effects of the Apple and attempted to seize and destroy the artifact, but they were again knocked back by a shockwave and passed out. When they regained consciousness, they saw Colubra holding the Apple, though rather than use it to attack the Assassins, she declared her intention to destroy it. As Colubra was attacked by Sesha, the Assassins fought and defeated the giant snake, allowing Colubra to enter an [[Isu]] [[Temple (Isu)|temple]] from where neither she nor the Apple would ever come out.<ref name="The Fall">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]'' – [[The Fall]]</ref>

===Return to China===
{{Quote|Patience, sister. We must move carefully. Zhang Yong and his Tigers control the Empire now.|Wang Yangming advising Shao Jun, 1526.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|The Return}}
Following her mission to Cambodia, Shao Jun parted ways with the Italian Assassins and resumed her journey to China.<ref name="The Fall"/> Eventually reaching her homeland in 1526, she used a network of old abandoned Brotherhood safehouses and sought out Wang Yangming, telling him about her travels, the death of Zhu Jiuyuan, and her meeting with Ezio.<ref name="Scroll 16">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 16 (China)|Scroll 16]]</ref>

[[File:The Return China (6).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Wang Yangming]]
The Chinese Mentor had not seen Shao Jun since he had helped her escape the Forbidden City years prior and was impressed the former concubine had become an efficient killer with her own set of recent accomplishments. Adding to her skills, Shao Jun created an invention of her own to aid her during her missions: the ''shéng biāo'', or [[rope dart]], a tool useful for both navigation and assassination.<ref name="Scroll 16"/>

Shao Jun later presented Ezio's box to Yangming and told him the Italian Mentor had said to open it if she lost her way. Deducing the chest to be a Precursor box, one of the many [[Piece of Eden|Pieces of Eden]], Yangming understood the wisdom of Ezio's words and hid the artifact's true nature from Shao Jun,<ref name="Scroll 17">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 17 (China)|Scroll 17]]</ref> claiming that the empty chest was a metaphor for her journey and that the only way to "fill" it was by fulfilling her destiny.<ref name="Scroll 18">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Database: Scroll 18 (China)|Scroll 18]]</ref>

Understanding what had to be done, Shao Jun set out to exact revenge on the Templars for their purge of the Chinese Assassins; eliminating them would allow her and Yangming to rebuild the Brotherhood, similar to what Ezio had done in Italy and Constantinople. As such, the two Assassins began planning their hunt of the Eight Tigers in order to remove the Templars' influence in China.<ref name="Scroll 18"/>

===Quest for vengeance===
====First blood====
{{Dialogue|Gao Feng|No wonder your kind fell so far.|Shao Jun|My 'kind' isn't done yet.|Shao Jun and Gao Feng, exchanging words during her imprisonment, 1526.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|The Escape (China)}}
[[File:The Escape China (1).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun questioned by Gao Feng during her imprisonment]]
Shao Jun marked her first target as [[Gao Feng]], the Tiger who served as warden of the [[Maijishan Grottoes]], a former Assassin stronghold turned into a Templar prison. Believing that the best way to reach Gao Feng was to allow herself to be captured, Shao Jun did so and used the Precursor box as bait. Following her imprisonment, Gao Feng tried to question the Assassin about the origins and purpose of the box, but she only replied that she was exactly where she wanted to be, to the Tiger's irritation.<ref name="The Escape">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Escape (China)|The Escape]]</ref>

After Gao Feng left, Shao Jun escaped her cage and retrieved her equipment before trying to locate her target. Along the way, she recovered several Assassin scrolls and rescued the imprisoned eunuch [[Hong Liwei]], an Assassin informant<ref name="The Escape"/> and her old tutor at the Imperial Palace who had helped her escape the Forbidden City years prior.<ref name="ABTO"/> Eventually reaching Gao Feng, Shao Jun killed him but learned that the box had been taken by one of his Tiger brothers.<ref name="The Escape"/>

Upon escaping the prison, Shao Jun regrouped with Hong Liwei and Wang Yangming, the latter of whom informed her that he had also assassinated a Tiger, [[Ma Yongcheng]]. Shao Jun was anxious to eliminate their next target and recover the box, but the elder Assassin advised her to have patience, claiming they would find their lost prize in time.<ref name="The Return">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Return]]</ref> In the meantime, they decided to take Liwei into hiding and arrived at a small village housing a few surviving allies of their Brotherhood, who looked after Liwei.<ref name="ABTO"/>

====Hunt in Macau====
{{Quote|The Assassins claim they protect the innocents. Let us show them that their actions have consequences.|Qiu Ju, prior to ordering Macau's port burned, 1526.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Consequences (China)}}
[[File:The Port China (1).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Wang Yangming sailing into Macau]]
After some time passed, Shao Jun and Wang Yangming were informed that the Precursor box was in the possession of the Tiger [[Gu Dayong]], a slaver who based his operation in [[Macau]]. Infiltrating the city through the docks, Shao Jun heard about three Portuguese merchants who had become affluential after helping the Templars by providing them with information about the Assassins. She decided to exact retribution on them before infiltrating Dayong's stronghold.<ref name="The Port">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Port]]</ref>

Once inside the fortress, Shao Jun rescued several of the Tiger's slaves,<ref name="The Slaver">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Slaver]]</ref> including a young boy named [[Kotetsu|Xiao Hu]]. Recognizing the Assassin insignia on her necklace, the boy asked Shao Jun to free his captive [[Kotetsu's father|father]], who was a member of Brotherhood. The Assassin did so but it was already too late, as Xiao Hu's father had been tortured by Dayong's men and died in her arms.<ref name="Port">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Port]]</ref>

[[File:The Slaver China (2).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun reclaiming the box after assassinating Gu Dayong]]
After giving the man his last rites, Shao Jun vowed revenge on Dayong<ref name="Port"/> and infiltrated his personal quarters, killing the Tiger and recovering the stolen box.<ref name="The Slaver"/> While Shao Jun made her escape, Dayong's Tiger brother [[Qiu Ju]] discovered his body and decided to retaliate by arresting innocents and setting the port of Macau on [[1526 Macau fires|fire]].<ref name="Consequences Memory">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Consequences (China)|Consequences]]</ref>

As Shao Jun tried to escape from the burning port, she rescued as many [[civilian]]s as she could along the way, but many still perished in the inferno.<ref name="Consequences Manga">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Consequences (manga)|Consequences]]</ref> Eventually reaching Yangming's boat, the two Assassins escaped Macau,<ref name="Consequences Memory"/> but Shao Jun blamed herself for the port's destruction and the major loss of innocent lives, which deeply traumatized her.<ref name="Consequences Manga" />

====Losses in Nan'an====
{{Quote|Shifu, I'm sorry... I was too slow. I should have reached you sooner. I could have stopped Zhang Yong. I could have protected the box. What good is to take revenge if I keep losing those I care for?|Shao Jun apologizing to the deceased Wang Yangming, 1529.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Hunted}}
Shao Jun spent the following three years at the Assassins' hideout in the countryside, still haunted by the trauma of the Macau fires. When Wang Yangming eventually returned to the village after acquiring new information on the Eight Tigers' whereabouts, he was surprised to find Shao Jun in the same place he had left her, and the two headed to a barn to talk in private. There, the Mentor tried to console his apprentice and asked her if she fought the Templars purely out of revenge, which reminded her of Ezio's words that Assassins [[Assassin-Templar War|fought]] for the freedom of humanity.<ref name="Qixie" />

[[File:The Search China (2).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun and Wang Yangming arriving in Nan'an]]
When Shao Jun asked if her actions in Macau reflected that goal, Yangming reminded her of the day he had rescued her from the Imperial Palace and how she had implored him to rescue her friend Zhang Qijie as well, but he had been unable to. He then claimed that Qijie may still require her help, to which Shao Jun revealed that her friend had become Empress and reaching her would be extremely difficult.<ref name="Qixie" />

Following this, the two Assassins decided to resume their hunt of the Tigers and headed to [[Nan'an]] to find [[Wei Bin]], Zhang Yong's lieutenant who had overseen the Chinese Brotherhood's slaughter. While Shao Jun attempted to eliminate the Tiger, Yangming decided to search for a contact who might be able to help them understand the secrets of the Precursor box.<ref name="The Search">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Search]]</ref>

Entering the city in disguise, Shao Jun was unexpectedly reunited with Xiao Hu, who had used his late father's contacts to find her. After heading to a secluded spot to talk, the Assassin apologized to the boy for her perceived failure in Macau. However, Xiao Hu explained that the people of the city blamed the authorities for starting the fire, and that they reported seeing a woman clad in black robes trying to save as many civilians as she could from the flames.<ref name="Reunion">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Reunion (manga)|Reunion]]</ref>

[[File:The Snake China (3).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun assassinating Wei Bin]]
Understanding that her actions had done some good after all, Shao Jun thanked Xiao Hu to helping her regain her resolve and resumed her mission.<ref name="Reunion"/> She infiltrated Wei Bin's headquarters and killed his bodyguards before assassinating the Templar himself. However, with his dying words, Wei Bin informed her that Zhang Yong was hunting Yangming and had lured him into a trap.<ref name="The Snake">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Snake]]</ref>

Shao Jun immediately left to save her Mentor but arrived too late, witnessing Zhang Yong mortally wounding Yangming and reclaiming the Precursor box for the Templars.<ref name="Hunted">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Hunted]]</ref> After her Mentor died in her arms, Shao Jun attempted to take revenge on Zhang Yong, Qiu Ju, and the soldiers accompanying them, but a [[Scholar|monk]] from a nearby [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] temple intervened and prevented the confrontation from escalating any further. After he demanded that no violence be brought to a temple of the [[Shakyamuni|Buddha]], the Templars complied and left Shao Jun alone to reflect on her losses.<ref name="Funeral Pyre">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Funeral Pyre]]</ref>

[[File:Hunted China (6).jpg|thumb|250px|left|A grieving Shao Jun beside her dying Mentor]]
The monk subsequently offered to assist Shao Jun with organizing Yangming's funeral and revealed himself as the contact whom the Mentor was set to meet. During their conversation, the monk also helped Shao Jun realize that she was descended from the [[Isu]] and that her special bloodline granted her the gift of [[Eagle Vision]], allowing her to see things before they happened.<ref name="Eagle Vision">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Eagle Vision (manga)|Eagle Vision]]</ref>

After her Mentor's funeral, Shao Jun thanked the monk for his hospitality and questioned how he knew so much about the Brotherhood and the Isu. When the monk revealed that one of his ancestors was an Assassin from the [[Middle East]], Shao Jun vowed to uphold the same principles as the Assassins that had come before her, and set off to recover the Precursor box.<ref name="The Court">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[The Court]]</ref>

====Infiltrating the Forbidden City====
{{Quote|You have no friends left. The last person alive who you thought you could trust betrayed you. That is how we wiped out your kind! So trusting of others, so weak and pathetic!|Zhang Yong to Shao Jun during their confrontation at the Imperial Palace, 1530.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Demon Fire}}
In 1530, Shao Jun was contacted by her old friend Zhang Qijie, who claimed to have a lead on Zhang Yong's location.<ref name="Old Friend">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[An Old Friend]]</ref> Infiltrating Beijing alongside Xiao Hu, who posed as her younger brother, Shao Jun told the boy to wait for her outside while she rescued her friend from the Forbidden City. When Xiao Hu expressed his desire to become an Assassin like her, Shao Jun agreed to train him once she had defeated the Templars.<ref name="The Court"/>

[[File:An Old Friend China (6).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun being led into a trap at the Imperial Palace]]
After sneaking into the Imperial court, Shao Jun freed Qijie's concubines who had helped pass the information to her. She then made her way to the Empress' quarters, only to find her being held hostage by Zhang Yong and Qiu Ju.<ref name="Old Friend"/> The Templars tried to convince Shao Jun that her friend had betrayed her, but the Assassin knew that the Empress had been forced to lure her into the trap and forgave her.<ref name="Demon Fire">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Demon Fire]]</ref>

While Zhang Yong fled, Shao Jun was forced to battle Qiu Ju and managed to overcome her adversary by dropping several [[lantern]]s on him, setting him on fire.<ref name="Demon Fire"/> Soon, the entire room became engulfed by flames, but the Assassin was able to escape with Empress Zhang after a pillar fell on Qiu Ju, killing him.<ref name="Arena">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[To Each Her Own Arena]]</ref>

Once they were safe, Qijie apologized to Shao Jun for leading her into the Templars' trap while the Assassin in turn apologized for not saving her earlier in their lives. She then invited Qijie to flee the palace with her, but the Empress claimed that, with most of the Tigers gone, the Jiajing Emperor may start listening to wiser council and her situation would improve. Shao Jun understood her friend's decision and hugged her before they parted ways once again.<ref name="Arena"/>

====The Great Wall====
{{Dialogue|Zhang Yong|Your actions here have only delayed the inevitable. Slowing these savages will have only angered them. They will see this as a betrayal and launch a full scale assault.|Shao Jun|They will not reach my land. The Wall will hold them back.|Shao Jun and Zhang Yong shortly before the latter's death, 1532.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Vengeance}}
[[File:Vengeance China (6).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun with the dying Zhang Yong]]
In 1532, Shao Jun and Xiao Hu pursued Zhang Yong, the last of the Tigers, to the [[Great Wall of China]],<ref name="Great Wall">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[The Great Wall]]</ref> where they learned of the Templar's plan to let [[Altan Khan]]'s Mongol army invade the country in exchange for a seat in power after the outcome.<ref name="The Betrayal">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[The Betrayal (China)|The Betrayal]]</ref> With Xiao Hu's help,<ref name="Great Wall"/> Shao Jun closed the Wall's gates and killed the Mongol scouts, preventing them from entering her homeland.<ref name="The Betrayal"/>

Following this, Shao Jun confronted Zhang Yong, who revealed that he had sent the Precursor box to other Templars outside of China to prevent the Assassins from getting it. However, Shao Jun rebutted that retrieving the box was another Assassin's destiny and that hers was to eliminate the Tiger. Amidst the chaos of the Wall's bombardment by the infuriated Mongols, who believed Zhang Yong had betrayed them, Shao Jun pursued the Templar as he tried to escape.<ref name="Vengeance">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'' – [[Vengeance]]</ref>

[[File:Vengeance China (7).jpg|thumb|250px|Shao Jun vowing to rebuild the Chinese Brotherhood]]
When she eventually cornered him, she mortally wounded him with her sword, marking the end of the Tigers and of Templar influence in China. As the dying Zhang Yong asked her if the taste of vengeance felt like she had hoped, Shao Jun replied that, although she had started her journey with the goal of revenge, she had since found a better goal: the future. She then vowed to rebuild the Chinese Brotherhood and bring a new tomorrow for China and freedom for its people.<ref name="Vengeance"/>

===Mentor of the Chinese Assassins===
{{Quote|I will undo all that you have done. I will rebuild the Brotherhood and recruit those who wish to make our land a place of freedom, those ready to die to fight men like you. Your Templar world will not happen. The Assassins will rise again.|Shao Jun to Zhang Yong, 1532.|Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China|Vengeance}}
Shao Jun eventually succeeded in her reconstruction of the Chinese Assassins, recruiting new members and obtaining the title of Mentor.<ref name="Vengeance"/> One of the first Assassin apprentices she trained was Xiao Hu, like she had promised him years earlier.<ref name="Creed">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Creed]]</ref>

[[File:Vengeance China (10).jpg|thumb|250px|left|An elderly Shao Jun serving as Mentor of the Chinese Brotherhood]]
When Xiao Hu eventually completed his training, he decided to retake his birth name of Kotetsu and return to his home country of [[Japan]], hoping to establish [[Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins|a new Brotherhood]] and fight the growing [[Japanese Rite of the Templar Order|Templar influence]] in his homeland. Prior to his departure, Kotetsu met with Shao Jun one final time atop the Great Wall, and the two hugged each other and recited the tenets of [[the Creed]] before the Mentor wished her apprentice good luck in his mission.<ref name="Creed"/>

By 1567, Shao Jun was a wise elder who shared her knowledge with the younger members of the Brotherhood while tasking others to accomplish various missions. As such, she planned the death of the Jiajing Emperor, sending Assassins to offer him the [[elixir of life]], while it was in fact a lethal dose of [[Quicksilver|mercury]].<ref name="Vengeance"/>

==Legacy==
{{Quote|A Sheng Biao—or rope dart, if you prefer. One of the many plans given to us by Shao Jun.|Achilles Davenport introducing the rope dart to his student, Ratonhnhaké:ton, 1773.|Assassin's Creed III|On Johnson's Trail}}
Shao Jun's actions greatly impacted the [[Assassin-Templar War]] in China. She rebuilt the Chinese Brotherhood after it had been all but wiped out during the Great Rites Controversy, and eliminated the Chinese Rite of the Templar Order, driving them out of the country for centuries to come.<ref name="China"/> Through her training of Kotetsu, she also indirectly played a role in the establishment of the Japanese Brotherhood.<ref name="Creed"/>

[[File:ACC China DB Shao Jun's Rope Dart.png|thumb|250px|Shao Jun's rope dart]]
Some time following her encounter with Ezio Auditore, Shao Jun introduced her signature weapon, the rope dart, to other branches of the Assassin Order. By the 18th century, the rope dart had become widely used by the Assassins of the [[West Indies Brotherhood of Assassins|West Indies]] and [[American Brotherhood of Assassins|Colonial Brotherhoods]], most notably by [[Edward Kenway]],<ref name="AC4">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref> [[Adéwalé]],<ref name="FC">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]'' – ''[[Freedom Cry]]''</ref> [[Shay Cormac]],<ref name="ACRG">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''</ref> and [[Ratonhnhaké:ton]],<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref> though they did not utilize the invention in the same manner of efficiency that Shao Jun had, especially in traversal.<ref name="China"/>

Shao Jun was responsible for bringing Ezio's Precursor box to China. After it was stolen by the Chinese Templars, the box would exchange hands many times over the centuries as both the Assassins and Templars sought to acquire the artifact for their own ends.<ref name="FC"/><ref name="ACRG"/><ref name="India">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: India]]''</ref><ref name="Russia">''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia]]''</ref>

For the Chinese Assassins, Shao Jun's name rose to a legendary status, being regarded as one of the greatest Mentors in their history. [[Xiao Han]], the Brotherhood's Mentor in the early 18th century, claimed descent from Shao Jun and denounced his uncle [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] as a disgrace to both their bloodline and [[the Creed]] after learning of his plans to curry favor with the [[Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen|Qing Emperor]] by gifting him a Piece of Eden.<ref name="FT 34">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 34|Episode 34]]</ref> By this time, the Chinese Assassins had adopted many of Shao Jun's techniques and inventions, such as the Hidden Footblade,<ref name="FT 142">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 142|Episode 142]]</ref> and even created a unique Hidden Blade variant that replaced the blade with a rope dart.<ref name="FT 147">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 147|Episode 147]]</ref>

In 1725, while under the influence of a [[Crescent amulet|crescent-shaped Piece of Eden]], Edward Kenway experienced several [[Calculations|visions]], one of which showed Shao Jun and other Assassins from both the past and the future, including [[Kassandra]], Ezio, and Edward's own grandson, Ratonhnhaké:ton.<ref name="FT 56">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 56|Episode 56]]</ref>

[[File:ACCR RF (17).jpg|thumb|250px|left|Anastasia being imprinted with Shao Jun's memories]]
In July 1918, a copy of Shao Jun's [[Genetic memory|genetic memories]] somehow contained in the Precursor box bonded with the [[Russia]]n Duchess [[Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia|Anastasia Nikolaevna]] when the girl came into contact with both the box and a [[Shards of Eden|shard]] from the [[Imperial Sceptre]] formerly owned by the [[House of Romanov]]. As she was tracked by the Templars and the [[Red Army]], Anastasia used Shao Jun's memories to learn freerunning and how to fight, but would occasionally be [[Bleeding Effect|overtaken]] by the Assassin's personality.<ref name="Russia" />

By 2014, a video game starring Shao Jun was in development at [[Abstergo Entertainment]], as the company's CCO [[Melanie Lemay]] believed the Assassin's story had the potential to be adapted into a "great action franchise".<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' – [[Numbskull's personal files]]: Emails, subject line "Shao Jun"</ref> This idea eventually materialized in ''The Emperor's Shadow'', a game released for Abstergo's [[Helix]] software.<ref name="ACU">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''</ref>

In 2015, while a [[Helix Initiate]] relived the memories of the twin Assassins [[Jacob Frye|Jacob]] and [[Evie Frye]], Shao Jun's outfit was available as an [[Animus mod]] that could be applied to Evie.<ref name="ACS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''</ref> That same year, Shao Jun's memories were relived through the Helix by a research analyst at Abstergo Entertainment, due to her involvement with one of the Precursor boxes.<ref name="China" />

[[File:AC Movie Lin Footblade.jpg|thumb|250px|Lin holding Shao Jun's Hidden Footblade]]
By 2016, [[Abstergo Industries]] had recovered Shao Jun's equipment and transported it to their [[Abstergo Foundation Rehabilitation Center|facility]] in [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]. Abstergo also found and abducted one of Shao Jun's descendants, [[Lin]], forcing her to relive the Assassin's memories for research purposes. Using Shao Jun's skills she gained through the [[Bleeding Effect]], Lin later partook in a prison riot against the facility's guards, during which she also utilized her ancestor's available equipment, such as the rope dart and Hidden Footblade.<ref name="ACFilm">[[Assassin's Creed (film)|''Assassin's Creed'' film]]</ref>

In 2019, after their failure to obtain useful information from Lin's memories, Abstergo turned to another descendant of Shao Jun, the Japanese teenager [[Kō Risa]]. She was brought to a [[Abstergo Industries Yokohama facility|clinic]] in [[Yokohama]] under the pretense of receiving treatment for her violent impulses, but in reality the Templars hoped to use her genetic memories to find Shao Jun's Precursor box.<ref name="Homecoming"/> However, this pursuit ultimately proved to be a dead end,<ref name="Culmination">''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' – [[Culmination]]</ref> while Risa escaped the clinic using her newly-gained skills and was inspired by Shao Jun's experiences to join the Assassins.<ref name="Creed"/>

==Personality and traits==
{{Quote|I want to understand, like you do. To help my people.|Shao Jun to Ezio Auditore, 1524.|Assassin's Creed: Embers}}
[[File:ACE-V 8.png|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun standing watch at Ezio's villa]]
Shao Jun had a strong desire for knowledge, specifically in learning about how the Assassin Order functioned and how its members lived their lives. She would search for information when none was given to her, even going against the wishes of others for her own clarity, as evidenced by her invasion of Ezio's study.<ref name="Embers"/>

Despite this, Shao Jun was sincere about her interest to understand her Order, and took Ezio's lessons and lectures to heart. She was fairly approachable in personality, having a sort of naive innocence that contrasted with the then-elderly Ezio's gruffness and desire to distance himself from the Assassin's Order.<ref name="Embers"/>

Shao Jun remained on-guard at all times, keeping a close eye on her surroundings for any possible threats. Because of this, she was somewhat restless, often staying up at night and preparing for an attack instead of sleeping.<ref name="Embers"/> She also loved to experience and learn from new cultures and societies, and was often excited about the opportunity to understand people of different nationalities other than her own.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

Even in training, Shao Jun seemed incapable of staying her hand when a Templar was in sight. During her quest of revenge against the Chinese Templars, she appeared colder and more vengeful, sometimes stabbing her targets multiple times with her [[Crimson Jian|jian]] when assassinating them.<ref name="China"/> Similarly, when Anastasia Romanova gained Shao Jun's memories, she would sometimes become lost in the Assassin's persona, which was noticeably more ruthless and brutal, at one point threatening to kill [[Nikolai Orelov]], a fellow Assassin, simply for pushing her down.<ref name="Russia"/>

===Skills and equipment===
[[File:ACE-V 9.png|thumb|250px|Shao Jun utilizing her Hidden Footblade]]
With maturity, Shao Jun adapted her techniques to her physical strengths and weaknesses. Unhappy with the wrist blade of the Assassins, she designed a lighter and more versatile one, better suited to the martial arts. Hidden under her left boot, the [[Hidden Blade|Hidden Footblade]] allowed her to perform deadly kicks in the midst of a close combat.<ref name="Embers"/>

Shao Jun wielded a Chinese jian as her primary weapon, and her sword skills were perfected in the dark alleys of the city, fighting off Templar agents. While she had no ordinary Hidden Blade, she did have a total of six throwing needles tucked under her bracers as secondary weapons.<ref name="Embers"/> Accompanying this, she developed the rope dart after her journey to Italy, using it to swing across gaps or climb up to ceilings, and also employed [[firecracker]]s, [[Throwing knife|throwing knives]] and noise-creating darts to distract guards.<ref name="China"/>

Shao Jun was born with a gift of stealth and agility that made her stand out from all the other concubines. Her talent for killing was as graceful as it was efficient, and the Master used to refer to her style as a "dance of death". She was extensively trained in combat by the Order, and was an adept and agile fighter. Her fighting style was heavily reminiscent of the Chinese martial art of {{Wiki|Chinese martial arts#Wushu|Wushu}}, which involves ample flexibility and knowledge in both unarmed and sword combat.<ref name="Embers"/>

[[File:Chronicles-China 6.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Shao Jun crossing narrow pathways to reach another location]]
Shao Jun possessed the extra-sensory ability dubbed [[Eagle Vision]] and used it to detect the path of guards and the distance that sound carried from [[Dog|dogs]], [[Bird|birds]], and wind chimes.<ref name="China" /> The Vision also allowed Shao Jun to see into the future to an extent, allowing her to predict her enemies' moves during combat.<ref name="Eagle Vision" /> She was also highly agile beyond the range of many Assassins, capable of dodging incoming gunfire, thrown weaponry, and crossbow bolts.<ref name="China"/>

Shao Jun's arsenal of weapons were fitted for her style of combat, as they were light yet deadly. To lower suspicion in public areas, she concealed her weapons in her attire, save for her jian, which she kept sheathed across her back. Shao Jun had at least a basic grasp of Italian, being able to say "grazie" to Sofia Sartor after she was allowed to stay at the villa, and was also able to understand Ezio even if he spoke in the language.<ref name="Embers"/>

==Behind the scenes==
Shao Jun is a character first introduced in the 2011 short film ''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'', where she was voiced by the [[Canada|Canadian]] actress [[Angela Galuppo]]. She later appeared as the protagonist of the 2015 spin-off game ''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]'', voiced by [[Annabelle Galea]]. In the 2021 podcast series ''[[Assassin's Creed: Turbulence in the Ming Dynasty]]'', she was voiced by the Chinese actress [[Liu Yan (actress)|Liu Yan]].

===Name===
====Discrepancies====
'''Shao Jun''' is a name in the {{wiki|Mandarin Chinese}} language. In accordance with Chinese naming custom, the surname is Shao and the personal name is Jun. However, there has been major discrepancies in regards to the name, owing to it having been selected in English without prior reference to actual {{wiki|Chinese characters}}, also known as ''hanzi''. Essentially, a {{wiki|Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin}}-sounding name was chosen as opposed to a real Mandarin name, leaving Chinese, Korean, and Japanese translators to then figure out on their own the name that would correspond to how it sounds.

Compounding this problem is the initial mispronunciation of Shao Jun's name in her debut appearance in ''Embers''. The spelling is reflective of the {{wiki|pinyin|Hanyu Pinyin}} romanization system of Mandarin that is standard in the {{wiki|People's Republic of China}}. From its spelling, it should be pronounced {{wiki|Help:IPA/Mandarin|/ʂau̯.tɕyn/}}, which in turn can be best approximated into {{wiki|English language|English}} as {{wiki|Help:IPA/English|/ˈʃaʊ.ˈdʒuːn/}} (i.e. "shao-joon").<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://chinesevoyage.org/pinyin-course-lesson-3-6-basic-vowels-jqx/ |title=How to pronounce j?| date=23 June 2024| publisher=''chinesevoyage.org''| accessdate= 2 Jul 2024}}</ref>

However, her name is pronounced in ''Embers'' as /ˈjuːn/ (i.e. "yoon") by Ezio Auditore and Sofia Sartor alike, with Jun even affirming to Sofia that her pronunciation is correct. The characters pronounce the ⟨j⟩ as an English ⟨y⟩, as it would be in most {{wiki|Germanic languages}} and in the {{wiki|International Phonetic Alphabet}}. This is incorrect because the ⟨j⟩ in the Pinyin system represents a Mandarin phoneme that corresponds closest to the English ⟨j⟩.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.yoyochinese.com/chinese-learning-tools/Mandarin-Chinese-pronunciation-lesson/pinyin-chart-table |title=Yoyo Chinese Pinyin Chart| date=7 April 2017| publisher=''Yoyo Chinese Inc.''| accessdate= 29 March 2019}}</ref> Shao Jun should be pronounced in English exactly as it is spelled.

The mistake initially appeared to have been rectified in ''Assassin's Creed III'' and the standard release of ''Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China'', where the characters pronounce the name correctly with the English ⟨j⟩, yet this did not resolve the issue because already in the Chinese language edition of ''Embers'', Shao Jun's name was given as '''邵雲 (Shào Yún)'''.

The mispronunciation has given rise to a slew of further variations and mistaken renditions of her name. Beginning in the Chinese version of ''Chronicles: China'', her name was rendered as '''少芸 (Shǎo Yún)''', her surname having changed from 邵 (Shào) to 少 (Shǎo) and her given name from 雲 (Yún) to 芸 (Yún).

The Korean and Japanese versions of the game only created an additional layer of errors. Chinese names intrinsically have 1:1 correspondences with Korean and Japanese names as the ''hanzi'' can be read in those languages. Thus, 少芸 (Shǎo Yún) is '''Sō Un''' in Korean and '''Shō Un''' in Japanese. Instead of performing the conversion, the Korean and Japanese translators opted to transliterate the Mandarin pronunciation into their languages, resulting in the erroneous three-syllabic names '''샤오윤 (Sy-o Yun)''' in Korean and '''シャオ・ユン (Sha'o Yun)''' in Japanese.

From ''Chronicles: China'' onward, 少芸 (Mandarin: Shǎo Yún) has become the established form of Shao Jun's name in East Asian languages, being carried over into ''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]'' and ''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]'' despite still being based on the mispronunciation of Jun.

Eventually, this has culminated in a final error with her name in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]''. Originally written in Korean, the webtoon still uses the mistaken conversion of the already erroneous name 少芸 (Mandarin: Shǎo Yún) into 샤오윤 (Sy-o Yun). When ''Forgotten Temple'' was translated into English, confusion over whom "Sy-o Yun" referred to produced the mistranslation '''Xiao Yun''', reflecting a different name in Mandarin and thus a different hypothetical individual entirely. The English translator mistook Sy-o for the Chinese surname 蕭 (Xiāo) because "Sy-o Yun" was being described as an ancestor of the character [[Xiao Han]], not realizing that this "Sy-o Yun" was none other than Shao Jun.

Technically, these discrepancies make it unclear if her name is mispronounced in the short film or if it has instead been consistently misspelled across all English ''Assassin's Creed'' media. In practice, she has multiple different names in [[Europe]]an language versions of ''Assassin's Creed'' and [[Asia|East Asian]] language versions of ''Assassin's Creed''.

Chinese fans of the series has added one final variation of her name: 邵君 (Shào Jūn). This variation uses her surname as originally given in the Chinese release of ''Embers'' in conjunction with the common feminine name 君 (Jūn) that accurately reflects the proper pronunciation of her given name.

====Name meanings====
The three main variations for Shao Jun's name are 邵雲 (Shào Yún), 邵君 (Shào Jūn), 少芸 (Shǎo Yún).

Shào (邵) is one of the most common surnames of that pronunciation. It originates from the name of an ancient Chinese state and is largely meaningless. Shǎo (少) simply means 'little [of something]', 'small', or 'junior'. This surname was recorded in the [[Tang dynasty]] (618–907) {{wiki|Yuanhe Xingzuan|''Yuánhé Xìngzuǎn'' 《元和姓纂》}}. However, since the [[Song dynasty]] (960–1279), the name has disappeared from all known records of Chinese family names. Because of this, Shǎo (少) appears to be an anachronistic surname for the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

As for the variants of her given name, Yún (雲; {{wiki|Simplified Chinese characters|simplified}}: 云) means 'cloud'. Jūn (君) is a common female name that literally means 'monarch' or 'ruler' and is used to translate the English title 'lord', therefore carrying the connotations of an 'honorable' or 'noble person'. Yún (芸) refers to the ''{{wiki|Ruta graveolens}}'' plant.

===Lore inconsistencies===
There are a few inconsistencies in lore regarding Shao Jun, particularly with her birth date. In Scroll 1 of ''Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China'', it is stated that she was born in 1506, but the ''Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun'' manga gives her birth date as 1500, while the second edition of ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]'' gives it as 1505.

Other discrepancies concern the location where she first meets Ezio Auditore and where she positions her Hidden Footblade. The ''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]'' states that she meets him in Florence, but ''Assassin's Creed: Embers'' depicts their first encounter as taking place at Ezio's villa in the Tuscan countryside. ''Blade of Shao Jun'' and Scroll 10 of ''Chronicles: China ''state that her Hidden Footblade is hidden underneath her left boot, and although it is not impossible for her to change its position, the film ''Embers'', ''Chronicles: China'' gameplay, and the non-canon novel ''[[Assassin's Creed: The Ming Storm]]'' all have it equipped on her right foot.

===Anachronisms===
Aside from her surname being likely anachronistic if it is actually Shǎo (少) and not Shào (邵), Shao Jun's attire is also anachronistic for the Ming period (1368–1644) since its style only arose under the [[Qing dynasty]] (1644–1911).

===Merchandise===
On 16 November 2011,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archives.ubiworkshop.com/2011/11/16/shao-juns-necklace/|title=Shao Jun's Necklace|archiveurl=https://archive.li/JOkas|archivedate=22 June 2013|author=Lewis, Chris|date=16 November 2011|publisher=''Ubiworkshop''| accessdate=17 November 2018}}</ref> Ubisoft announced that the [[Ubiworkshop]] store was releasing a replica of Shao Jun's necklace that could be bought for $24.99 USD, or the equivalent in the regional currency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.ubi.com/us/shao-juns-necklace/577bd63aa3be1616208b487c.html|title=Assassin's Creed – Shao Jun's Necklace|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626225035/http://store.ubi.com:80/us/shao-juns-necklace/577bd63aa3be1616208b487c.html|archivedate=26 June 2017| date=2011|publisher=''Ubisoft''|accessdate=17 November 2018}}</ref> One month later, UbiWorkshop announced that limited edition red<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://store.ubiworkshop.com/shao-juns-necklace-red/|title=Assassin's Creed Embers – Shao Jun's Necklace|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108202612/http://store.ubiworkshop.com/shao-juns-necklace-red/|archivedate=8 January 2012|author=UbiWorkshop| date=2011|publisher=''Ubisoft''|accessdate=2 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/96194142011172016|title=Assassin's Creed Shao Jun's Necklace|author=UbiWorkshop|date=2011|publisher=''{{Wiki|Pinterest}}''|accessdate=17 December 2018}}</ref> and black versions<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://store.ubiworkshop.com/shao-juns-necklace-black/|title=Assassin's Creed Embers – Shao Jun's Necklace|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109081524/http://store.ubiworkshop.com/shao-juns-necklace-black/|archivedate=9 January 2014|author=UbiWorkshop|date=2011|publisher=''Ubisoft''|accessdate=2 May 2024}}</ref> were available for purchase at the same price<ref>{{Facebook|UbiWorkshop|posts/new-shao-jun-necklaces-a-black-and-a-red/182096468553988|UbiWorkshop|quote=New Shao Jun necklaces. A black and a red!|backup=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103113030/https://www.facebook.com/UbiWorkshop/posts/new-shao-jun-necklaces-a-black-and-a-red/182096468553988}}</ref> and would ship out in early January 2012.<ref>{{Tumblr|thetumblrhoodheadquarters|post/14358134920/|thetumblrhoodheadquarters|postname=UbiWorkshop Releases a Black and Red Version of Shao Jun's Necklace|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103112902/https://thetumblrhoodheadquarters.tumblr.com/post/14358134920/ubiworkshop-releases-a-black-and-red-version-of}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Shao Jun (non-canon)]]

==Appearances==
{{GalleryBox|Shao Jun}}

*''[[Assassin's Creed: Embers]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]'' {{c|appears on Helix Navigator}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Unity: Abstergo Entertainment – Employee Handbook]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed (film)|''Assassin's Creed'' film]] {{Del}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Blade of Shao Jun]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Freerunners]]'' {{Nc}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' {{c|cameo}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood of Venice]]'' – ''[[Apocalypse]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' – ''[[Featured Events]]'' {{Mo}}

==References==
{{Scroll box|content={{Reflist|2}}}}
{{Assassins nav}}
{{ACC}}
{{ACfilm}}
{{ACRebellion}}
{{ACBoSJ}}
{{ACBV}}
{{ACRPG}}
[[Category:1505 births]]
[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Ming people]]
[[Category:Han Chinese]]
[[Category:Concubines]]
[[Category:Thieves]]
[[Category:Chinese Assassins]]
[[Category:Master Assassins]]
[[Category:Mentors]]
[[Category:Individuals who held Pieces of Eden]]
[[Category:Individuals with Eagle Vision]]
[[Category:Ancestors of Lin]]
[[Category:Ancestors of Kō Risa]]
[[Category:Regicides]]
[[Category:Animus hosts]]