Taking Flight

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Taking Flight was a virtual representation of one of Basim Ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.

Description

Basim furthered his training to officially become a fully-fledged Hidden One.

Dialogue

Time progressed as Basim furthered in his training. Lessons of his training included meditating on the top of a rocky outcrop, becoming Enkidu's handler, sparing sessions with Roshan, freerunning on rocky terrians, climbing with Rebekah, and learning how to sneak up on enemies atop of a building. Overtime, he matured and mastered the training, with Enkidu sitting on his arm as he completed his meditation. From his meditation spot, he performed a Leap of Faith and dived into the haystack below.

• Novice: As-salamu 'alaikum (Peace be upon you), Basim!.
• Basim: I must see Al-Hasan. He awaits me.

Basim made his way to Al-Hasan's workshop, speaking to Rebekah along the way.

• Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum (Peace be upon you), Rebekah!
• Rebekah: Wa 'alaikum as-salam (And peace be upon you), Basim. What a slow and boring day...
• Basim: Did you not know that I have been called to be initiated?
• Rebekah: Oh? We are really initiating anyone now!
• Basim: Where's this all coming from?
• Rebekah: Oh, calm down! I am well aware this is the great day of Basim. Waffaqaka Allah! (May God grant you success!)

Basim reached the workshop, speaking to one of the brothers in purple whom he believed to be Al-Hasan.

• Basim: Al-Hasan!
• Abu Jafar Muhammad: Wrong again. It's Abu Jafar.
• Basim: I apologize. What are you reading?
• Abu Jafar Muhammad: The works of a poet named Arib Al-Ma'muniyya. Tabid was kind enough to lend it to me. I would recommend her highly. Now, if I may continue.
• Basim: Of course. I will leave you to it.
• Abu Jafar Muhammad: Basim, go see my brother Al-Hasan. You remember who he is, yes?

Basim spoke to Al-Hasan on his right.

• Basim: It is strange, Al-Hasan. My head is clamer than I believe it would be. I thought I would be a stormy sea inside, but I am calm and quiet.
• Al-Hasan: Because you have dedicated yourself to your training and left nothing to chance.

Al-Hasan went to a nearby shelve and took a wrapped package, which he handed over to Basim.

• Al-Hasan: Here, Basim. You have earned this. It is a great honor. I suspect you understand that.
• Basim: Roshan and the others are waiting for me. Wada'an (Farewell) ... and thank you, Al-Hasan.

Basim departed to head to the cave.

• Novice: I wish I could just look into the cave for a moment ... to see what is there.
• Novice: There is one thing I do know about today's ceremony. Basim will leave the cave a little lighter than he went in!
• Novice: Oh, do not be wicked! This is a big day for him.

He spoke to Tabid.

• Basim: Good day, Tabid! What are you busying yourself with?
• Tabid: Have you heard about Iltani? One of the first of our founders. She assassinated Alexander the Great with an ingenious poison. I have attempted to recreate it from historical records... Iltani has taught me that no enemy is untouchable ... no matter how powerful they appear!
• Basim: Thank you for this lesson.
• Tabid: Waffaqaka Allah!
• Novice 3: I would be honored to be called to initiation. I must work harder to become worthy of it. I feel I am making no progress at all!
• Novice 4: The road to initiation is long and very hard. We must take it a day at a time.
• Novice 3: Ah, patience again! A more difficult art than sword combat!

Basim spoke to one of the recruits.

• Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum! (Peace be upon you!)
• Novice 5: Wa 'alaikum as-salam (And peace be upon you), Basim! I did not see you there. How was it?
• Basim: If I may? If you swing through your target, it my give you more power to strike.
• Novice 5: Thank you.

Basim reached the cave, where Fuladh was waiting.

• Fuladh: How are you feeling?
• Basim: Ready to make the leap!
• Fuladh: I wish you to know it has been an honor to waatch you walk your path as a Novice ... and as a man.
• Basim: I am grateful to you for leading the way before me.
• Fuladh: I am honored. Come. Your new robes await.

Fuladh led Basim deeper into the cave, where the latter changed into his new robes.

• Fuladh: Ah, they suit you well. Come, it is time.

They head further inside.

• Basim: How did you feel on that day so long ago?
• Fuladh: I felt afraid! My palms were slick with sweat and my knees were shaking.
• Basim: I can not imagine you being afraid.
• Fuladh: Allow me to share a secret with you on this important day... To have courage means to act in the midst of feeling great fear.

Fuladh and Basim arrived at the center of the cave, where a ceremony table stood, with the Hidden Ones including his friends in attendance. Basim took the package and handed it over to Fuladh. As they climbed the stairs, they were greeted by Rebekah and Tabid,. each holding a candle in their hands. They stepped aside, allowing them both to reach the center, where Roshan and Mentor Rayhan awaited. At the table, Roshan began the induction ceremony.

• Roshan: Basim ibn Is'haq. Ar you ready to leave your life behind and walk the path of shadows?
• Basim: I am.
• Roshan: Are you ready to give up who you once thought you were, ready to sacrifice everything you held close?
• Basim: I am.
• Roshan: Never forget the tenets you have sworn to uphold. Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent. Hide in plain sight. Never compromise the Brotherhood. Then out of the dark, you will come into the light.

As Roshan signalled, Basim took the heated dagger from the porch.

• Roshan: And from the light, you will return to the dark.

Rayhan covered the porch with a lid, while Basim proceeded to cut his ring finger, groaning in pain. Rayhan approached him.

• Rayhan: Basim ibn Is'haq, you now follow in the eagle's path.

Rayhan presented the Hidden Blade to Basim, which he wore on his left wrist. Rayhan helped to secure the bracer. Once done, Basim tested it by drawing its blade. After the ceremony, at the outside, the Hidden Ones watched as Basim prepared to spar with Roshan once again, with Basim now as a graduate.

• Roshan: Welcome, Hidden One. You have died and been reborn. Now, fight me ... as your equal.

Basim drew his sword and dagger and attacked Roshan, with both exchanging blows.

• Roshan: Aha! Well done!
• Basim: Take that! You have trained me well, Roshan.
• Roshan: Which one will I strike with next ... my dagger or my sword?

In one instance, Basim deflected Roshan's attack.

• Basim: How is that for focus?

The Hidden One spectators commented on the fight.

• Novice: When the student finally faces the master as their equal! I love when this happens!

As they were busy sparing, a wounded Nur returned and called out for aid.

• Nur: Sa'iduni! (Help me!)

Nur collapsed on the ground, with Basim and the rest noticing. He and Roshan quickly ran to him.

• Basim: Nur! Do not strain... Save your strength.
• Roshan: He traveled unprepared. Left Baghdad in a hurry.

Basim took out a bottle and handed it to Nur.

• Basim: Here. Drink.
• Nur: (coughing) Ali ... he is gone ... they took him in the night.

Nur laid down on the ground, unable to speak further.

• Basim: They?
• Roshan: The Order.

Roshan picked up a red sash by Nur's side.

• Roshan: Bring him to my tent.

Two of the Hidden Ones picked up Nur to safety, while Basim and Fuladh met with Rayhan and Fuladh, who witnessed the whole scene.

• Rayhan: If Ali is gone, we are blind. The Order has put a fog over Baghdad and their movements.
• Fuladh: We must go to Baghdad.
• Rayhan: Roshan, Basim, go with Fuladh. Leave at once.

The Hidden Ones went to make prepartions.

Outcome

Basim was officially inducted as an initiate of the Hidden Ones. During a sparing session with Roshan, they met a returning and injured Nur, who revealed Ali ibn Muhammad had been captured, likely by the Order of the Ancients. Mentor Rayhan sent Fuladh, Roshan, and Basim to leave for Baghdad to investigate.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Mirage