User:TheSt0ryTeller/Sandbox2

"My story is one of many thousands, and the world will not suffer if it ends too soon."

―Ezio in a letter to his sister, Claudia.

The end of an era was an event during the early 16th century, where an elderly Ezio Auditore, wiser and now the Grand Master of the Assassin Order, embarked on a journey to discover the answers left by the great Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and unveil the weapon hidden in his library benath Masyaf, which would be the one thing to end the feud between the Templars and Assassins.

Discovery in Masyaf

The journey

"When I first set out from Roma ten months ago, I did so with a single purpose - to discover what our father did not."

―Ezio in a letter to Claudia.

Main article: Pilgrimage to Masyaf

Ending the Borgia's reign of power in Rome. Ezio scanned through old documents he had found in 1509, documents that belonged to his late uncle, Mario Auditore. Among them was a letter from Ezio's father, Giovanni. Inside the letter, Giovanni made mention of a locked library hidden below a fortress in the Syrian mountain city of Masyaf, the birthplace of the legendary Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. Ezio, unknowing what or whom would be there to greet him, journeyed for the fortress in late 1510.

Arriving in Syria and finding himself in need of rest, Ezio sought shelter in the coastal city of Acre. While there, the people warned him of mercenaries and bandits that had taken control of Masyaf. Ezio, before leaving, wrote a letter to his sister back in Rome, detailing of what obstacles he suspected to be on the road ahead and explaining his last wishes if he should die. Once he had arrived, he found the city in ruins and its fortress under the control of Byzantine Templars, confirming his suspicions.

Escaping death

Leandros: "Nowhere left to run."

Ezio: "Not for me, and not for you!"

—Ezio and Leandros.

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Ezio in a battle against Byzantines.

Attempting to fight the Byzantine soldiers, Ezio was soon distracted by a vision of Altaïr, and was overpowered. The Byzantines dragged Ezio by his arms to the fortress' watchtower where he would be hanged. His hands bound, Ezio was pushed forward towards the platform and Leandros, a Templar, placed the noose around Ezio's neck. Swiftly, Ezio knocked Leandros and, after untying his hands, threw the rope around Leandros' neck. With the noose now around his shoulder, Ezio threw it off and fell safely to a wooden platform below.

Following the "spirit" of Altaïr, Ezio was led back to the equipment that was taken from him during the battle. Ezio continued to move along Masyaf's fortress and found himself upon the top of the fortress itself. At the top, he kicked a statue of an eagle down to the ground and watched as it collided with the ground, creating a crater which showed way into a tunnel, and Ezio then performed a Leap of Faith into the strange tunnel. Discovering guards and a worker trying to break into a door, Ezio slithered through, taking the lives of the guards and only sparing the worker in order to acquire answers.

Approaching not only the worker, but also the door, Ezio questioned the worker who was quick to plead for mercy.

File:EzioRopeCling-ACR.png

Ezio clinging onto the rope of Leandros' carriage.

The worker spoke of a journal that the Templars had in their possession and explained that the Templars had also acquired one of five keys needed to unlock the door. Ezio gave the worker a pouch and told him to seek work elsewhere. Then, the Assassin left the fortress and swiftly took care of the Templars inhabiting the village. Once done, Ezio made his way to the gates, leading to the village, where he was soon to confront Leandros once again. Leandros tried to flee but Ezio clung onto the rope connecting to Leandros' carriage.

Assassination of Leandros

Ezio: "The book you carry. Where is it?"

Leandros: "Ah! Niccolò Polo's journal? This will do no good, not now. We have found one of the Masyaf keys already, and are closing in on the rest."

—Leandros to Ezio in his dying words.

Managing to claim a carriage of his own, Ezio rides it, clashing with Leandros. A guard was quick to throw a bomb, hurling Ezio's carriage off the cliff as they approached the fortress. Leandros quickly retreated as Ezio fought through guards after he had recovered from the crash. Managing his way through the village, dealing with any Byzantines

File:Leandroskill.png

Ezio killing Leandros.

that get in his way. Ezio once again confronted Leandros, the gate closing down, trapping Ezio inside but also Leandros. Leandros once again, tried to flee but in the end, it's no use. After traversing through more of the village, Ezio soon once again faced a frustrated Leandros and was quick to stab him viciously with his blade. In death, Leandros told Ezio of what he knew, such as something about a "Grand Temple" but much remained unknown, giving Ezio the journal, Leandros passed leaving Ezio with more questions then answers.

Search throughout Constantinople

Arrival

"Many generations of men have ruled the city. But they have never subdued her. She always bounces back."

―Yusuf Tazim to Ezio about the city of Constantinople.

Main article: Search for the keys

File:Suleiman with ezio.JPG

Ezio's arrival in Constantinople.

On a boat to Constantinople, Ezio read through the journal, learning much of Altaïr's life and about the keys. Arriving at the city's port, Ezio met a young man who informed Ezio he was a student. The two discussed the city of Constantinople and, briefly talked about Ezio's journey. Ezio was about to explain what he did during his youth, but was interrupted by an attractive young female. After flirting with the woman and bidding the young man farewell, Ezio marveled at the city's beauty but was soon startled by another Assassin who seemed to already know him. The man soon revealed himself to be Yusuf Tazim, Grand Master of the Ottoman Assassins.