User:TheSt0ryTeller/Sandbox2
- "Do not seek retribution or revenge in my memory, but continue the search for truth, so that all may benefit. 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.[src]
An elderly Ezio Auditore da Firenze, wiser and now the Grand Master of the Assassin Order, embarks on a journey to discover the answers left by Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad and unveil the weapon hidden in his library which would be the one thing to end the feud between the Templars and Assassins. Sleuthing through the city of Constantinople and forming new allies, Ezio discovers the keys which would bring him one step closer to the end of his quest.
Discovery in Masyaf
- Main article: Pilgrimage to Masyaf
The journey
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 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 legendary Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad. Ezio, unknowing what or whom would be there to greet him, journeyed for the fortress in later 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.[src]
Trying 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 is led back to the weapons that were taken from him during the battle. Ezio continued to move along Masyaf's fortress and found himself upon the top of the fortress itself. Kicking 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, 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 leaving the worker to give him answers.
Approaching not only the worker, but also the door, Ezio questioned the worker who was quick to plead for mercy.
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, Ezio 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 on to the rope connecting to the 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.[src]
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
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.
Arrival in Constantinople
- "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.[src]