Assassin's Creed: Enter the Animus

Memory Fragment: Ezio

Your shoulder pressed into the stone wall as you slowly peered around it to set eyes on your target. Three men, one of whom you'd yet to see in the daylight, stood huddled together, under the dim glow of a lit torch.

It had taken months for you to get this close to any of the Templar meetings. After dead-ends and false leads, you felt your forehead prickle with adrenaline-fuelled sweat. There were guards posted at every corner, it was nearly impossible not to be spotted, so you clung tightly to the darkness.

"I should not have put this much faith in you," A man spoke in a cold, disappointed tone.

"Signore, I did the best I could with what I had," Another male voice chimed in, sounding desperate. It was Jacopo de' Pazzi, the old uncle of Vieri.

"With what you had? An army of fifty men wasn't enough? Against one assassin!?" You could place a name to that voice too; Rodrigo Borgia.

"He is not just one!" Jacopo sounded hysterical as he pleaded with Rodrigo.

"Perhaps I have chosen the wrong man for such an important cause."

"You are wrong, I assure you, Maestro."

"I do not think so, old man."

There was a sliver of silence before you heard the undeniable sound of a sword being unsheathed. Not long after, Jacopo cried out in pain amidst his pleas for mercy.

"I hope you two have better luck than this idiota."

"We will see that the job is done, signore."

"Good."

You clenched your teeth as the cloaked men disappeared into the darkness. Left behind, Jacopo lay dying, bleeding from the deep wound in his abdomen.

He was your last hope at discovering Rodrigo's plans. Your disappointment was overwhelming. You swallowed harshly, your frustration threatening to cloud your judgement. You needed to retreat before you did anything that could compromise your position.

You quickly travelled back to the safe house, once again hiding your form in the shadows of the evening. Once inside, you were met with a few recruits.

"Where is Ezio?" You asked, interrupting their conversation.

"His chambers," One answered, a look of confusion on his face.

You nodded, taking the steps down to the hall, then through the large corridors to Ezio's chambers.

You knocked lightly, and heard Ezio beckon you in. Ezio stood with his back to the entrance, leaning over the desk in the corner. His chambers were lit with a few lanterns and candles littered throughout the room. Tapestries and paintings were strung across the stone walls.

"Rodrigo escaped," You announced.

Ezio turned, watching you walk down the steps, toward him.

"I should have known he would."

You stared at him for a moment, feeling ashamed of your failure.

"I will not let him escape again," You said firmly, moving closer. "He murdered Jacopo. Rodrigo had assigned an army defend against us. We have weakened their forces."

"It is not your fault, (F/N). He will be much easier to find next time," Ezio glanced between your eyes, then turned back to the paperwork on the desk.

"What is it you're watching so intently?" You inquired, moving to look.

"A map of Rodrigo's whereabouts over the last few months. We've been tracking him," He trailed off. "Here," He moved over so that you could better see the map laid out. There were markings and small notes in the margins.