Well that was not the correct answer. Desmond could feel his life shortening, although he wasnât sure if stress or Altair would be the cause.Â
It took everything in him not to flinch as Altair moved. Of course, he didnât want to die, but being threatened with it wasnât exactly a new concept. He sat statue still as he watched them all argue back and forth.Â
He only took his eyes off of Altair and Malik as Maria pulled his hood down, turning his gaze to her questioningly. Of course, he knew how striking the resemeblence to Altair was. People never seemed to shut up about it, and expected him to be as beneficial to the order as his ancestor. To be as useful.Â
âDo with me?â He muttered, frustrated. This situation refused to get under control. He sighed and spoke loudly enough that the others could hear. âYes, weâre related. JustâŚdistantly. InâŚtime.âÂ
"He who increases knowledge, increases sorrow... Damn that old man." Altair commented, Desmond statement was giving him a headache.Â
Related distantly in time meant Desmond was his son? or grandson of sorts? Which he was skeptical of, he was skeptical of everything he heard. Truth, lies? The only reason he was honestly humoring this idea is because Desmond seemed to know about the Apple and what was keeping him alive was the fact he once heard his name in the Apple. Something he hadnât revealed to either of them till now because he wasnât sure of itâs legitimacy. Â
âWeâve only just married and youâve already bedded whores?!â Maria yelled enraged, men really were all the same and marched up to Altair to strike him.
âI have not!â He argued, catching her hands and placing his foot on her stomach to keep her at a distancing, knowing she would try kicking him next, awkwardly pinning him to the table he was leaning against.
Malik sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment before looking back at Desmond. There was never a dull moment with these two, both being prone to brash, impulsive behaviors and similar temperaments but often worked hand in hand and never against one another, the other often able to make the other see reason. This was a bit of an interesting exchange between the two but one he wasnât going to step in-between while they sorted themselves out.
âYes, to do with you. You are a stranger to Masyaf, unsure how you got here. Do we help you? Do we set you free? Do we imprison you? These are all things our Glorious Mentor, has to decide.â Malik explained sarcastically, emphasizing his words to draw back their attention. âNot to mention, several people saw Maria holding who they likely also assumed was Altair at sword point... We also need to explain that.â He added.
âYou know damn well Iâm not having children!â She argued, struggling against him, waiting for the perfect moment to kick him where it would hurt and make him think twice to ever consider sleeping with another woman while she still breaths.
âYouâve been skeptical of everything heâs said and this is what you choose to believe?!â He argued, trying to make her see reason and to that, she ripped her hands back out of his grip, taking a step back. He was able to straight himself again and gave a long huff at her reaction before returning to the problem at hand, keeping an eye on her.
âWhen I attempted to use the Apple in search of knowledge, I asked how I could improve my Creed. Perhaps the question itself was too vague but I was shown, if I wish to believe it was a prediction of the future... a vision of something that could transpire later in Masyaf. I saw illusions of armored men I did not recognize and spoke a language I did not understand... fearing... despite my inability to kill or touch these men... I had created an event every could see, I confronted Malik and Maria, asking if they could see them, which they could not. In my attempt to explain what I had done, suddenly I was able to understand their speech and saw a man, who I thought was me at first, using weapons and skills I did not possess.â Altair started to explain.
âI believe... the apple was only showing my things related to my question because some of the conversations seemed lacking. I attempted to follow The Assassin around but he would disappear suddenly. I found him again in our library, speaking to someone and walked through a wall. I could still faintly hear the conversation and knocked over a bookcase to break through the wall, revealing a room we were unaware was there. He spoke of me being a profound man and a prolific writer... That I had seen and learned things that would drive lesser men to despair. The woman called him Ezio and he appeared elsewhere in the tomb I had uncovered.â Altair stated, crossing his arms and walked closer to Desmond.
âEzio... Spoke of you, that he heard your name once before, unsure of were you are or by what means you could be hearing him speak. That he discovered a strange truth, that he is only a conduit for a message that eludes his understanding. That maybe you would be the one to makes all this suffering worth something in the end...â Altair paused. Â
âYou failed to mention that part of your vision to us.â Malik stated unamused.
âIâm sure you can see why I was skeptical too but now we have a man of that name who kneels before us. It seems... to convenient to be a mere coincidence.â Altair stated before looking back down at Desmond, offering his right hand to pull Desmond to his feet.Â
âI still have questions I want answered and Iâm unsure if the information I told you has any meaning to you but if you are in fact the same person, as strange as it may be... I believe you must be here for a reason. That perhaps you need our help to some degree? Perhaps you are here to help me? Fate seems strange in that regard but ultimately, that is for you to decide, on what you wish to do.â Altair offered.