Fight for the Masyaf Keys

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The fight for the Masyaf Keys was an event in 1512 that occurred in Constantinople.

Near the end of his mission in Cappadocia and after the death of Manuel Palaiologos, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze witnessed the Ottoman prince Ahmet in the area, revealing where his allegiances truly lied: with the Byzantine Templars.

After Ezio refused to hand over the Masyaf keys he recovered, Ahmet threatened to harm Sofia Sartor, the woman who assisted Ezio in locating the keys. Disregarding Ezio's threats, Ahmet and his men sailed back to Constantinople.

Wasting no time, Ezio hurriedly made his way out of Cappadocia and back on his boat, sailing immediately back to Constantinople.

Return

Immediately after his arrival, Ezio overheard an announcement from a herald about a reward for his capture. Disregarding this, Ezio made his way to Sofia's bookshop.

Inspecting Sofia's bookshop

"Brothers. Sisters. The whole city rises against us while Yusuf's murderer waits and watches from the arsenal, laughing. Fight with me, and show him what it means to cross the Assassins."

―Ezio, after giving Yusuf his final rites.

Entering the bookshop, Ezio saw immediately, the mess left behind by the Byzantine soldiers. Dead bodies lay everywhere, and as Ezio looked further into the bookshop, he saw more bodies on the floor, and one body leaning against a wall. Ezio inspected the body and saw Yusuf Tazim, with a piece of paper held in place by a dagger stabbed behind his back.

Removing the dagger, Ezio gave Yusuf his final rites, saying that he had earned his rest. Just then, a group of the Assassin apprentices arrived to see their Mentor's body. Ezio, seeing the apprentices, rallied them for battle, and had them ready to invade the Arsenal, where Ahmet lied in wait.

Invading the Arsenal

Suleiman: "Spare my uncle, if you can."

Ezio: "Would your father?"

Suleiman: "No."

—Suleiman and Ezio, regarding what was to become of Ahmet.

With the Assassins, Ezio launched a full-scale assault on Constantinople's arsenal, facing a legion of Byzantine soldiers in their wake. With the Apprentices, Ezio charged forward, clearing the way as he hurriedly made his way to Ahmet's location. Located in a secluded area of the docks, Ahmet lay in wait.

Ezio was able to make his way to Ahmet, and hurriedly pinned him down with his blade, an inch away from his throat. Ezio demanded that Ahmet reveal Sofia's location, but Ahmet reminded him that he he was in no position to negotiate. The two would then argue about the goals they shared, though discussed the differences in their means to get it. Afterwards, Ahmet instructed Ezio to give meet him with the Masyaf keys at the Galata Tower in exchange for Sofia's life. Afterwards, Ahmet left the area.

Just then, Suleiman I, who had been eavesdropping the whole time, revealed himself to Ezio. He admitted grief over the discovery of his uncle's true allegiances, but he knew that he must be stopped. Before Ezio left, Suleiman asked Ezio that he spare Ahmet if he could, though when asked if his father, Selim I, would do the same, he admitted that he would not. The two would then part ways.

The Exchange

Ezio: "Are you hurt?"

Sofia: "No, not hurt. But very confused."

Ezio: "I did not mean to drag you into this. I am sorry."

Sofia: "You are not responsible for the actions of other men."

—Ezio and Sofia, right after the former saved the latter.

Returning to the Assassins' Headquarters, Ezio collected the Masyaf keys and prepared to meet with the other Assassins. Arriving at the graveyard at Galata, Ezio prepared a speech for the Apprentices, who were mourning the death of Yusuf. After appointing a Master Assassin to lead the others in honor of Yusuf, Ezio instructed the other Assassins to take position near the tower and prepare to meet the Byzantines.

At the meeting point, Ezio asked for Sofia's location, though Ahmet did not comply. When Ahmet sent his men to detain Ezio, the Assassin summoned his apprentices. Ezio asked for the girl, which Ahmet replied to by pointing to the top of the Galata Tower, where Sofia, with a burlap sack over her head, being held by a Byzantine guard at the edge of the tower, just a few inches away from falling. Ahmet told Ezio to make his men stand down and hand over the keys, to which he complied to. Afterwards, Ahmet left Ezio's audience and lets him rescue Sofia.

Ezio hurriedly made his way to the top of the tower and saved Sofia, or so he thought. After removing the mask, Ezio had saved a different woman who only wore the same clothes as Sofia. Scouring the city from the top of the tower, he saw Sofia, being chocked to death by a rope hung from a tree. Immediately, Ezio made his way to Sofia and saved her.

Sofia admitted that she was more confused than hurt. Ezio apologized, stating that he did not mean to drag Sofia into his affairs, though Sofia commented that he was not responsible for it. Just then, a group of Byzantine tried to intercept Ezio and Sofia, though the two managed to flee on a carriage. Taking control of the carriage, Ezio rode to meet Ahmet by Constantinople's countryside.

Conflict at the Countryside

Ahmet: "So what now, Ezio? How does this end?"

Ezio: "I am wondering that myself."

—Ezio and Ahmet, after their fight.

Ezio, with Sofia, drove the carriage and chased after Ahmet through the countryside. Riding to catch Ahmet, Ezio was being attacked by two carriages of the Byzantines. After dealing with the carriages, Ezio's carriage collided with a nearby wall, which caused Sofia to fall off. While trying to help her, Ezio slipped up, causing him to fall to the back of the carriage, barely holding on to a rope. Before being forced to let go, Ezio activated a parachute whilst being bound to the rope, making him glide over the carriage. Just then, Sofia recuperated, and drove the carriage while Ezio remained air-bound.

Sofia drove the carriage as they chased after Ahmet. However, several Byzantines on horseback chased after Sofia's carriage. Ezio, still gliding with the parachute, dispatched the men using his hidden blade, keeping to the air as he killed the men. In the midst of the chase, Sofia was forced to take several detours, destroying most market stalls and navigating through small villages. Eventually, Ezio and Sofia caught up with Ahmet.

When Sofia tried to get close, Ahmet utilized his carriage to dispatch hers, destroying the wheels with his spiked rims. As Sofia's carriage came to a halt, she bid that Ezio should go on his own from there. Letting go of the rope, Ezio dropped down to a small plateau, and made haste to meet Ahmet's carriage. Jumping down, Ezio caused Ahmet and himself to fall down to a cliff.

As they fell, Ahmet and Ezio fought each other, with Ezio eventually gaining the upper hand. As they drew closer to the ground, Ezio had another parachute prepared, and utilized it just before they fell. With Ahmet latching onto him, Ezio directed the parachute to safety, dropping down at a nearby village.

The new Sultan

"Were it not for his endorsement, I would have you killed where you stand. Leave this place, and do not return."

―Selim I, to Ezio.

As Ezio and Ahmet recuperated, the latter asks what would happen next, to which the former wonders also. Just then, a platoon of Ottoman soldiers and Janissaries arrived, with the Ottoman prince Selim I leading them. In a panic, Ahmet told the Ottomans that Selim was not their leader, and that they only follow the word of their sultan, Bayezid II. When Ahmet asked where was the sultan, Selim answered that the sultan was with him, stating that their father gave the throne to him.

Enraged by Ahmet's actions, Selim choked him, as he begged for mercy. Despite Ahmet's pleas, Selim continued to choke him to death, eventually pushing him down a nearby cliff, killing him. Afterwards, Sofia arrived at the scenario, as the new sultan formally introduced himself to Ezio, stating that his son Suleiman spoke highly of him.

As Ezio praised Selim's son, Selim stated that he would have had him killed where he were, if it wasn't for Suleiman's word. He then told the Assassin to leave Constantinople, and never return. Enraged, Ezio readied his sword to stab Selim, but was stopped by Sofia. Selim, while laughing, then left with his soldiers. Sofia comforted Ezio, saying that he's done the right thing, but Ezio doubted if he did.

Aftermath

After the death of Ahmet, Selim returned to Constantinople and began his reign as the new Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Ezio returned to the Assassin Fortress of Masyaf with Sofia, ready to open the door to Altaïr's library.

Source

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations