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Description
April 27, 1813; York, Upper Canada

Aveza eagerly knocked on the door of the house in front of her. Within moments, the door opened to reveal the face of her mother, Shikoba, smiling brighter than the sun. Aveza smiled ear to ear. She squeed with joy and hugged her mother tightly.

“Aveza dear!” Shikoba said. “It’s been a while! So great to see you again, sweetheart!”

“It's great to see you too, mum!” said Aveza.

The two eventually separated and Shikoba motioned for Aveza to enter. Aveza closed the door behind them as they walked in. Aveza took it all in. Her childhood home. It had taken Shikoba years after the incident with Aveza's father to get this place back, but the fight was well worth it. Aveza reveled in the memories that being here brought to her… or, at least, the ones she preferred to remember.

She shook the thought from her head. She came here to have a good time, to take a break from all the fighting and spying and exhaustion of her job. She wasn't going to let anything ruin her mood.

Her mother sat down on a couch in the living room. Aveza sit on the chair across from her.

“Tea?” asked Shikoba, pointing to the pitcher and cups on the table between them.

“Yes please,” Aveza said with a smile. Shikoba poured them both drinks and they sipped them down.

“So,” said Shikoba. “How’ve you been, sweetheart?”

“I've been fine, mum,” said Aveza. “Normal work stresses, but other than that I'm fine.”

Shikoba chuckled. “Yes, our job is a tiring one isn't it?”

Aveza laughed back. “Yes, it certainly is. But, it's for a good cause, so it's worth it.”

Shikoba smiled. “Atta girl! That's the proper attitude!”

Aveza just smiled. She loved to see her mother proud of her hard work. It really gave her confidence that it was paying off.

“So how ‘bout you?” asked Aveza. “How’ve things been around here?”

“Oh, things are fine, dear. There's the occasional Templar dog I have to deal with here and there, but things are generally pretty quiet.”

“That's good to hear.”

“Indeed.”

The two took another drink.

“So,” said Shikoba. “How's that young lad of yours that you're always writing to me about?”

Aveza smiled at the thought of her friend. “Arnold’s fine. He's charming as always.”

Shikoba smiled brightly. “I'm so glad you've finally found someone to love. It's so sweet!”

Aveza nearly choked on her drink and blushed deeply. “Mum!” she said in embarrassment.

“What?” her mother said innocently.

“It's not like that, mum!”

“Mhmm. Sure, dear.” She kept smiling. Aveza kept blushing.

“Mum please…”

Shikoba chuckled. “Oh alright, dear. I'll stop. But you have to admit, you two would be perfect for each other.”

“Mum…”

“Okay. I'm done.”

“Thank you.” Aveza still blushed. She took another drink.

“I do hope I can get the chance to meet him in person someday!” Shikoba said.

“I'm sure he'd love to meet you. Perhaps you could come on down to the Homestead some time and visit.”

“Oh, I'd love that. It would be nice to see everyone again. Is Connor doing well?”

“He's doing fine as always. Still the nicest man on earth.”

Shikoba chuckled. “He's a sweetheart, that's for sure. I still can't fathom why that blonde wench left him. You ask me, she didn't realize how good she had it.”

“I'll take your word for it, mum.”

Another story Aveza often heard from her friends: Connor's old marriage. It had ended before Aveza had met him, but she still was told a lot about it. He'd married some blonde woman (whose name Aveza couldn't remember) back in the 1790s. They had a few kids and lived happily for a while, but at some point she had a falling out with Connor. Eventually, the two split up, and she left with the kids to God knows where. Everyone stuck by Connor's side when he grieved. And Connor, being the man he is, was so grateful to have his friends at his side. It was one of the many kindnesses that he continues to try and repay to this day.

Aveza and her mother kept on with their chat for a while. They just talked and drank, just enjoying their time together. For a while, it seemed like it wouldn't end, but around sunset, their fun time was interrupted by the sounds of running soldiers.

“I say,” said Shikoba. “What's going on out there?”

“Let's go look,” said Aveza.

The two stood and went over to the window to look out. Outside, a hoard of soldiers was running down the streets with haste. They seemed frantic. They seemed like they were running away. Aveza and Shikoba looked at each other in worry. They went outside the house to try to figure out what was going on.

The soldiers were definitely panicking. They ran as fast as they could down the street. Shikoba stopped one of the men and asked what was going on.

“The Americans!” he said. “They overpowered us! Their commander, Pike, is leading his army here and we can't do anything to stop it!”

“Zebulon Pike?” Shikoba asked.

“Yes! Now ma’am, if I were you, I'd start making a run for it!”

He took off with the rest of his men.

“Who's Zebulon Pike?” asked Aveza.

“Templar dog,” said Shikoba, quickly rushing back into the house. She started grabbing her equipment. “Been on our hit list for a while now. He's the one in charge of claiming territories in these parts for the American Templars to rule over.”

“And now he's come to York…” Aveza said, the horror of the threat clicking in her head.

“Indeed. But I'll be damned if I let him take our home.” Shikoba grabbed a nice-looking cutlass and tossed it to Aveza.

“Your father's favorite,” she explained with a smile. Aveza looked down at the sword with pride. She gripped it tight. Time to make her father proud.

Shikoba had rushed into a closet and came out moments later in her Assassin garb. In place of her graceful gown was a white coat and a Native-patterned cloak. A thing of throwing knifes was attached to her long, fringed boots. Her sword and pistol hung on her belts, and her hidden blade rested on her bracer.

“Right then sweetheart,” she said to Aveza. “Let's go.”

Aveza nodded, and within moments, the two bolted out of the house and ran in the opposite direction of the soldiers.

“If the Americans are attacking from this direction, they'll first try to get through Fort York,” said Shikoba. “Let's head over there.”

Aveza nodded. The two climbed onto the rooftops of the city to get to their destination quicker.

It didn't take long for the two to start hearing the roar of American ships firing their cannons. As they came over the hill, they caught sight of the battlefield. 14 ships were anchored along the shore of Lake Ontario, unleashing their mortars upon the nearby forts. Hundreds of American regulars were making their way off the ships to chase off the retreating Canadian soldiers. Some stayed behind to fight back, but most were in retreat. Shikoba pointed to the nearest fort, Fort York, and she and Aveza set off towards it.

The guards at the fort’s entrance were busy dueling with a group of Americans. Blades sparked and rang as blood flew above them. The British seemed to be losing, so the Assassins stepped in to help. Shikoba flicked out her hidden blade and pounced on the nearest enemy with the viciousness of a mountain lion. Once that one fell, she whipped out her pistol and blasted a hole in the soldier that was charging at her.

Aveza drew her father's sword and locked blades with another soldier. The strong steel in the blade rang gracefully. She swung her blade underneath and sliced the man. He fell with a yell just as Aveza turned to face her next opponent. They clashed a few times before Aveza managed to shoot him dead. Aveza backed up, and bumped into her mother. Both of them stood tall, blades bared. More soldiers came, and more soldiers fell.

Eventually, they fell the last soldier. They turned to one of the British guards, who were extremely thankful for the aid. “Where's Pike?” asked Shikoba.

“He's leading his men this way. We've got our sentries inside keeping an eye on their movements,” said the soldier.

“Is he a reachable target?”

“Not really. He's stopped his movement for a moment, but only to interrogate those he's taken prisoner.”

“I'll take that chance.” She turned to Aveza. “Stay here and help them hold off the fort,” she said. “I'm going to go kill Pike.”

Aveza nodded and hugged her mother. “Good luck, mum,” she said.

“You too, sweetheart.” The two separated and Shikoba started darting towards the American forces to find Pike. Aveza turned to the guards.

“Right. What do we do?” she said.

“Come with us. You can help us with the cannons.”

Aveza nodded and followed the guards into the fort. Soldiers were frantically running around, trying to figure out what to do. Aveza scaled one of the fort walls and found the cannons. She found an unattended one and prepared it to fire. She took aim, and fired on the Americans. She hit a few, but not enough to make a difference. She kept reloading and firing. Again and again. The Americans just kept coming.

“Look out!” cried one of the soldiers. Aveza looked up just in time to see an enemy cannonball flying her way. Reacting fast,she lunged out of the way and avoided getting hit. Her cannon unfortunately was destroyed.

“Bullocks,” she said.

She looked down towards ground level. To her dismay, the soldiers were beginning to retreat from the fort.

“Bullocks!” she repeated. She looked over the wall. The Americans were still coming. They were still coming to steal her home. She couldn't let that happen. She desperately tried to think of a plan.

Suddenly, a voice, an American voice, called out to her.

“Assassin!” he yelled. “Show yourself!”

She cautiously looked over the wall. She looked in horror at what she saw. A man was standing outside the fort, dressed in a regal military outfit. He stood in front of his enormous squadron, a good chunk of the advancing army. By his side, tied at the wrist, were two people. One, an average looking British soldier. The other… her mother. Aveza gasped. Shikoba looked up at her, trying to give a reassuring look. Aveza thought fast. She looked around the fort for anything she could use.

“I am General Zebulon Pike,” said the American. “As I'm sure you're aware, Assassin, I'm here to take this land for my people.”

“You'll not bloody have it you Templar dog!” Aveza called back to him.

“I will, Assassin. I always get what I want. And right now, I want you to leave with the rest of your wretched English friends.”

“I'd sooner throw myself into the pits of hell than let you take my home!”

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You agree to leave and cede this land to us, and I let this woman go. If you refuse…”

Suddenly, he pulled out his gun and shot the other prisoner point-blank in the skull. His body fell with a thud, killed in cold blood. Shikoba’s eyes widened. As did Aveza's.

“What will it be, Assassin?”

Aveza thought hard. What could she do? There had to be some way out of this…

Suddenly, her eyes fell on her solution. Near the center of the fort was the gunpowder magazine. Aveza's eyes widened as an idea popped into her head. If the supply was that big, than it exploding could possibly…

She quickly started loading her pistol. She looked around, and saw a nearby pulley system with a long stretch of rope. Perfect. She stood tall next to the pulley system and looked down at the Templar dog.

“Still refusing to give up, Assassin?” he called, inching his gun a bit closer to her mother's head. “There's no point in continuing. There's nowhere to run.”

“Not for me,” called Aveza, “and not for you!”

With lightning speed, she aimed her pistol at the magazine and fired. The gunpowder lit up in a massive explosion. The flames barreled towards her. She grabbed the rope and swung out of the fort. The Americans tried to run as the fort collapsed from the blast, sending massive amounts of deadly debris flying their way. But it was too late, and most of them fell. Aveza, however, had managed to swing in just in time to grab her mother and take cover.

The light of the explosion shined bright in the dusk sky. Once the dust had settled, the two stepped out from cover and walked amongst the fallen Americans. And soon enough, they found Zebulon Pike. He laid there on the ground, barely holding on to life. He painfully looked up at the two Assassins. Aveza scowled at him. She drew her pistol, and then she shot him in the chest. As his body recoiled from the blast, time began to slow. Ava felt her own consciousness again as the Animus’s simulation broke down around Aveza and Pike. The white void replaced all other sights and sounds again.

“I told you,” said Aveza. “This is my home, and I'm going to defend it.”

Pike painfully laughed. “You think my death will stop this?” he asked. “My men will carry on without me. We'll take your city, and then your whole country.”

“That's all you Templars ever do. You take everything from everyone.”

“That's because we're the only ones who deserve to have everything.”

“You don't deserve anything.”

Pike looked up at her, and with one last arrogant chuckle, he died. Aveza closed his eyes. “One who has to steal from others just to feel good about themselves does not deserve anything they gain,” she said. “Rest in peace.”

Ava's mind slipped away again to be replaced by Aveza's when the Animus returned the simulation to normal. The sights and sounds and smells of the battlefield returned. Aveza stood from the body and turned to Shikoba.

“The Americans are still marching towards York,” she said with extreme worry. “We have to go!”

Shikoba nodded, and the two darted back towards town.

------------

“NO!” Aveza shouted in horror as they came up to the town. The entire place was up in flames. Buildings and houses burned a cinder. The civilians were running in horror, trying to escape the flames and the American soldiers who were starting them.

“Oh my God…” Shikoba mumbled.

“NO!” Aveza shouted again. She darted down the hill, her father's sword in hand. She charged into the burning streets, slicing up any soldiers that got in her way. This was her home. This was where she grew up. This was where she laughed and played with all her friends. This was where her father was buried. Tears of sorrow and rage flowed out of her eyes. She tried desperately to direct the innocent civilians to safety, but unfortunately, many of them were too slow to escape the flames. Aveza was shaking, but she didn't care. All she cared about was saving whatever she could. Whoever she could.

Suddenly, a terrifying realization dawned on her.

“Oh God no…” she said. She darted in the direction of her mother's house. She froze in horror as she watched it collapse in a ball of fire. All her childhood memories, good or bad, all the laughs and all the tears, were turned to ash in front of her. Her whole body shook. She dropped to her knees as the sadness overtook everything. Waterfalls of tears streaked down her cheeks.

“No…” she sobbed. She cried hard, clutching her father's sword as if her life depended on it. “No…”

She sat there in despair a few minutes as the fire raged on in the city around her. Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up with tear-blurred vision to see her mother. Shikoba gave an apologetic look and knelt down to hug her daughter. The two cried together, Shikoba much more calmly, but with equal sadness. They sat there for a moment before Shikoba looked at Aveza.

“I'm so sorry, sweetheart,” she said. “But we have to go.”

Aveza looked at her mother, and hung her head. She didn't want to leave, but she knew she had to before the flames became inescapable. She sadly stood with her mother, and the two quickly made their way out of York. Aveza held her mother and her father's sword and close as possible.

------------

The two stood on a distant hill, overlooking the city. The American troops kept advancing, seizing control of anything they didn't burn. Aveza just watched as her home was taken from her. That's all the Templars ever did: take. They took her father, they took Prophetstown, and now they took her home. All for their own selfish purposes. She promised, as God as her witness, she would see the end of their regime. No matter the cost. This she swore.

She looked at her mother in sadness. Shikoba returned the look. They turned from the sight of the city and hopped onto the horse that they managed to secure. Aveza took the reigns and kicked it into gear, beginning the long, sad ride back to the Davenport Homestead.

Description
April 27, 1813; York, Upper Canada

Aveza eagerly knocked on the door of the house in front of her. Within moments, the door opened to reveal the face of her mother, Shikoba, smiling brighter than the sun. Aveza smiled ear to ear. She squeed with joy and hugged her mother tightly.

“Aveza dear!” Shikoba said. “It’s been a while! So great to see you again, sweetheart!”

“It's great to see you too, mum!” said Aveza.

The two eventually separated and Shikoba motioned for Aveza to enter. Aveza closed the door behind them as they walked in. Aveza took it all in. Her childhood home. It had taken Shikoba years after the incident with Aveza's father to get this place back, but the fight was well worth it. Aveza reveled in the memories that being here brought to her… or, at least, the ones she preferred to remember.

She shook the thought from her head. She came here to have a good time, to take a break from all the fighting and spying and exhaustion of her job. She wasn't going to let anything ruin her mood.

Her mother sat down on a couch in the living room. Aveza sit on the chair across from her.

“Tea?” asked Shikoba, pointing to the pitcher and cups on the table between them.

“Yes please,” Aveza said with a smile. Shikoba poured them both drinks and they sipped them down.

“So,” said Shikoba. “How’ve you been, sweetheart?”

“I've been fine, mum,” said Aveza. “Normal work stresses, but other than that I'm fine.”

Shikoba chuckled. “Yes, our job is a tiring one isn't it?”

Aveza laughed back. “Yes, it certainly is. But, it's for a good cause, so it's worth it.”

Shikoba smiled. “Atta girl! That's the proper attitude!”

Aveza just smiled. She loved to see her mother proud of her hard work. It really gave her confidence that it was paying off.

“So how ‘bout you?” asked Aveza. “How’ve things been around here?”

“Oh, things are fine, dear. There's the occasional Templar dog I have to deal with here and there, but things are generally pretty quiet.”

“That's good to hear.”

“Indeed.”

The two took another drink.

“So,” said Shikoba. “How's that young lad of yours that you're always writing to me about?”

Aveza smiled at the thought of her friend. “Arnold’s fine. He's charming as always.”

Shikoba smiled brightly. “I'm so glad you've finally found someone to love. It's so sweet!”

Aveza nearly choked on her drink and blushed deeply. “Mum!” she said in embarrassment.

“What?” her mother said innocently.

“It's not like that, mum!”

“Mhmm. Sure, dear.” She kept smiling. Aveza kept blushing.

“Mum please…”

Shikoba chuckled. “Oh alright, dear. I'll stop. But you have to admit, you two would be perfect for each other.”

“Mum…”

“Okay. I'm done.”

“Thank you.” Aveza still blushed. She took another drink.

“I do hope I can get the chance to meet him in person someday!” Shikoba said.

“I'm sure he'd love to meet you. Perhaps you could come on down to the Homestead some time and visit.”

“Oh, I'd love that. It would be nice to see everyone again. Is Connor doing well?”

“He's doing fine as always. Still the nicest man on earth.”

Shikoba chuckled. “He's a sweetheart, that's for sure. I still can't fathom why that blonde wench left him. You ask me, she didn't realize how good she had it.”

“I'll take your word for it, mum.”

Another story Aveza often heard from her friends: Connor's old marriage. It had ended before Aveza had met him, but she still was told a lot about it. He'd married some blonde woman (whose name Aveza couldn't remember) back in the 1790s. They had a few kids and lived happily for a while, but at some point she had a falling out with Connor. Eventually, the two split up, and she left with the kids to God knows where. Everyone stuck by Connor's side when he grieved. And Connor, being the man he is, was so grateful to have his friends at his side. It was one of the many kindnesses that he continues to try and repay to this day.

Aveza and her mother kept on with their chat for a while. They just talked and drank, just enjoying their time together. For a while, it seemed like it wouldn't end, but around sunset, their fun time was interrupted by the sounds of running soldiers.

“I say,” said Shikoba. “What's going on out there?”

“Let's go look,” said Aveza.

The two stood and went over to the window to look out. Outside, a hoard of soldiers was running down the streets with haste. They seemed frantic. They seemed like they were running away. Aveza and Shikoba looked at each other in worry. They went outside the house to try to figure out what was going on.

The soldiers were definitely panicking. They ran as fast as they could down the street. Shikoba stopped one of the men and asked what was going on.

“The Americans!” he said. “They overpowered us! Their commander, Pike, is leading his army here and we can't do anything to stop it!”

“Zebulon Pike?” Shikoba asked.

“Yes! Now ma’am, if I were you, I'd start making a run for it!”

He took off with the rest of his men.

“Who's Zebulon Pike?” asked Aveza.

“Templar dog,” said Shikoba, quickly rushing back into the house. She started grabbing her equipment. “Been on our hit list for a while now. He's the one in charge of claiming territories in these parts for the American Templars to rule over.”

“And now he's come to York…” Aveza said, the horror of the threat clicking in her head.

“Indeed. But I'll be damned if I let him take our home.” Shikoba grabbed a nice-looking cutlass and tossed it to Aveza.

“Your father's favorite,” she explained with a smile. Aveza looked down at the sword with pride. She gripped it tight. Time to make her father proud.

Shikoba had rushed into a closet and came out moments later in her Assassin garb. In place of her graceful gown was a white coat and a Native-patterned cloak. A thing of throwing knifes was attached to her long, fringed boots. Her sword and pistol hung on her belts, and her hidden blade rested on her bracer.

“Right then sweetheart,” she said to Aveza. “Let's go.”

Aveza nodded, and within moments, the two bolted out of the house and ran in the opposite direction of the soldiers.

“If the Americans are attacking from this direction, they'll first try to get through Fort York,” said Shikoba. “Let's head over there.”

Aveza nodded. The two climbed onto the rooftops of the city to get to their destination quicker.

It didn't take long for the two to start hearing the roar of American ships firing their cannons. As they came over the hill, they caught sight of the battlefield. 14 ships were anchored along the shore of Lake Ontario, unleashing their mortars upon the nearby forts. Hundreds of American regulars were making their way off the ships to chase off the retreating Canadian soldiers. Some stayed behind to fight back, but most were in retreat. Shikoba pointed to the nearest fort, Fort York, and she and Aveza set off towards it.

The guards at the fort’s entrance were busy dueling with a group of Americans. Blades sparked and rang as blood flew above them. The British seemed to be losing, so the Assassins stepped in to help. Shikoba flicked out her hidden blade and pounced on the nearest enemy with the viciousness of a mountain lion. Once that one fell, she whipped out her pistol and blasted a hole in the soldier that was charging at her.

Aveza drew her father's sword and locked blades with another soldier. The strong steel in the blade rang gracefully. She swung her blade underneath and sliced the man. He fell with a yell just as Aveza turned to face her next opponent. They clashed a few times before Aveza managed to shoot him dead. Aveza backed up, and bumped into her mother. Both of them stood tall, blades bared. More soldiers came, and more soldiers fell.

Eventually, they fell the last soldier. They turned to one of the British guards, who were extremely thankful for the aid. “Where's Pike?” asked Shikoba.

“He's leading his men this way. We've got our sentries inside keeping an eye on their movements,” said the soldier.

“Is he a reachable target?”

“Not really. He's stopped his movement for a moment, but only to interrogate those he's taken prisoner.”

“I'll take that chance.” She turned to Aveza. “Stay here and help them hold off the fort,” she said. “I'm going to go kill Pike.”

Aveza nodded and hugged her mother. “Good luck, mum,” she said.

“You too, sweetheart.” The two separated and Shikoba started darting towards the American forces to find Pike. Aveza turned to the guards.

“Right. What do we do?” she said.

“Come with us. You can help us with the cannons.”

Aveza nodded and followed the guards into the fort. Soldiers were frantically running around, trying to figure out what to do. Aveza scaled one of the fort walls and found the cannons. She found an unattended one and prepared it to fire. She took aim, and fired on the Americans. She hit a few, but not enough to make a difference. She kept reloading and firing. Again and again. The Americans just kept coming.

“Look out!” cried one of the soldiers. Aveza looked up just in time to see an enemy cannonball flying her way. Reacting fast,she lunged out of the way and avoided getting hit. Her cannon unfortunately was destroyed.

“Bullocks,” she said.

She looked down towards ground level. To her dismay, the soldiers were beginning to retreat from the fort.

“Bullocks!” she repeated. She looked over the wall. The Americans were still coming. They were still coming to steal her home. She couldn't let that happen. She desperately tried to think of a plan.

Suddenly, a voice, an American voice, called out to her.

“Assassin!” he yelled. “Show yourself!”

She cautiously looked over the wall. She looked in horror at what she saw. A man was standing outside the fort, dressed in a regal military outfit. He stood in front of his enormous squadron, a good chunk of the advancing army. By his side, tied at the wrist, were two people. One, an average looking British soldier. The other… her mother. Aveza gasped. Shikoba looked up at her, trying to give a reassuring look. Aveza thought fast. She looked around the fort for anything she could use.

“I am General Zebulon Pike,” said the American. “As I'm sure you're aware, Assassin, I'm here to take this land for my people.”

“You'll not bloody have it you Templar dog!” Aveza called back to him.

“I will, Assassin. I always get what I want. And right now, I want you to leave with the rest of your wretched English friends.”

“I'd sooner throw myself into the pits of hell than let you take my home!”

“We can do this the easy way or the hard way. You agree to leave and cede this land to us, and I let this woman go. If you refuse…”

Suddenly, he pulled out his gun and shot the other prisoner point-blank in the skull. His body fell with a thud, killed in cold blood. Shikoba’s eyes widened. As did Aveza's.

“What will it be, Assassin?”

Aveza thought hard. What could she do? There had to be some way out of this…

Suddenly, her eyes fell on her solution. Near the center of the fort was the gunpowder magazine. Aveza's eyes widened as an idea popped into her head. If the supply was that big, than it exploding could possibly…

She quickly started loading her pistol. She looked around, and saw a nearby pulley system with a long stretch of rope. Perfect. She stood tall next to the pulley system and looked down at the Templar dog.

“Still refusing to give up, Assassin?” he called, inching his gun a bit closer to her mother's head. “There's no point in continuing. There's nowhere to run.”

“Not for me,” called Aveza, “and not for you!”

With lightning speed, she aimed her pistol at the magazine and fired. The gunpowder lit up in a massive explosion. The flames barreled towards her. She grabbed the rope and swung out of the fort. The Americans tried to run as the fort collapsed from the blast, sending massive amounts of deadly debris flying their way. But it was too late, and most of them fell. Aveza, however, had managed to swing in just in time to grab her mother and take cover.

The light of the explosion shined bright in the dusk sky. Once the dust had settled, the two stepped out from cover and walked amongst the fallen Americans. And soon enough, they found Zebulon Pike. He laid there on the ground, barely holding on to life. He painfully looked up at the two Assassins. Aveza scowled at him. She drew her pistol, and then she shot him in the chest. As his body recoiled from the blast, time began to slow. Ava felt her own consciousness again as the Animus’s simulation broke down around Aveza and Pike. The white void replaced all other sights and sounds again.

“I told you,” said Aveza. “This is my home, and I'm going to defend it.”

Pike painfully laughed. “You think my death will stop this?” he asked. “My men will carry on without me. We'll take your city, and then your whole country.”

“That's all you Templars ever do. You take everything from everyone.”

“That's because we're the only ones who deserve to have everything.”

“You don't deserve anything.”

Pike looked up at her, and with one last arrogant chuckle, he died. Aveza closed his eyes. “One who has to steal from others just to feel good about themselves does not deserve anything they gain,” she said. “Rest in peace.”

Ava's mind slipped away again to be replaced by Aveza's when the Animus returned the simulation to normal. The sights and sounds and smells of the battlefield returned. Aveza stood from the body and turned to Shikoba.

“The Americans are still marching towards York,” she said with extreme worry. “We have to go!”

Shikoba nodded, and the two darted back towards town.

------------

“NO!” Aveza shouted in horror as they came up to the town. The entire place was up in flames. Buildings and houses burned a cinder. The civilians were running in horror, trying to escape the flames and the American soldiers who were starting them.

“Oh my God…” Shikoba mumbled.

“NO!” Aveza shouted again. She darted down the hill, her father's sword in hand. She charged into the burning streets, slicing up any soldiers that got in her way. This was her home. This was where she grew up. This was where she laughed and played with all her friends. This was where her father was buried. Tears of sorrow and rage flowed out of her eyes. She tried desperately to direct the innocent civilians to safety, but unfortunately, many of them were too slow to escape the flames. Aveza was shaking, but she didn't care. All she cared about was saving whatever she could. Whoever she could.

Suddenly, a terrifying realization dawned on her.

“Oh God no…” she said. She darted in the direction of her mother's house. She froze in horror as she watched it collapse in a ball of fire. All her childhood memories, good or bad, all the laughs and all the tears, were turned to ash in front of her. Her whole body shook. She dropped to her knees as the sadness overtook everything. Waterfalls of tears streaked down her cheeks.

“No…” she sobbed. She cried hard, clutching her father's sword as if her life depended on it. “No…”

She sat there in despair a few minutes as the fire raged on in the city around her. Suddenly, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up with tear-blurred vision to see her mother. Shikoba gave an apologetic look and knelt down to hug her daughter. The two cried together, Shikoba much more calmly, but with equal sadness. They sat there for a moment before Shikoba looked at Aveza.

“I'm so sorry, sweetheart,” she said. “But we have to go.”

Aveza looked at her mother, and hung her head. She didn't want to leave, but she knew she had to before the flames became inescapable. She sadly stood with her mother, and the two quickly made their way out of York. Aveza held her mother and her father's sword and close as possible.

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The two stood on a distant hill, overlooking the city. The American troops kept advancing, seizing control of anything they didn't burn. Aveza just watched as her home was taken from her. That's all the Templars ever did: take. They took her father, they took Prophetstown, and now they took her home. All for their own selfish purposes. She promised, as God as her witness, she would see the end of their regime. No matter the cost. This she swore.

She looked at her mother in sadness. Shikoba returned the look. They turned from the sight of the city and hopped onto the horse that they managed to secure. Aveza took the reigns and kicked it into gear, beginning the long, sad ride back to the Davenport Homestead.