Templar's Creed

Chapter 15

1476. Florence, Italy.

"Giovanni, wake up!"

The urgent voice pierced through the fog of sleep, and Giovanni's eyes shot open. He sat up with a start, his heart racing as he took in the dimly lit room. It was his sister, Elena, standing over him with a worried expression etched on her face.

"What is it?" he asked groggily, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Elena's voice was a hushed urgency. "Giovanni, it's Ezio. He's been taken by the Templars!"

Giovanni bolted out of bed, his mind racing. "What? How?" His eyes searched the room for his hidden blade, finding it beneath his pillow. He had to act fast.

Elena's hand trembled as she handed him a scrap of parchment. "I received this message. They want us to come alone to the Palazzo Vecchio. If we bring anyone else, they'll kill him."

Giovanni's stomach knotted as he scanned the note, the paper feeling like it might disintegrate in his grip. The Templars' emblem was stamped at the bottom, a taunting reminder of their power. He had to keep his cool, think strategically. He couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment.

"We can't just walk into a trap," he murmured, his eyes narrowing.

Elena's expression was resolute. "We have to save him, Giovanni. He's our only hope of finding the truth behind Father's death and Mother's disappearance."

Giovanni took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their legacy pressing down on his shoulders. The Auditore name was synonymous with freedom and justice in Florence, and now it was up to them to carry that torch. "We'll go, but not without a plan. We need to be smart about this."

They quickly gathered their belongings and made their way to the rooftops, the cool night air brushing against their faces as they moved swiftly and silently. The city was eerily quiet, the cobblestone streets deserted save for the occasional patrol of Templar guards. The moon cast a pale glow over the red-tiled rooftops, guiding them like a silent sentinel.

Giovanni's thoughts were a whirlwind as he climbed and leapeded from rooftop to rooftop. Memories of their father's execution and their mother's disappearance flashed through his mind, the pain still fresh. He clenched his fists, feeling the leather of his hidden blade's grip beneath his cloak. They had to be careful; the Templars had proven themselves to be ruthless and cunning.

Elena's breathing grew heavier as they approached the Palazzo Vecchio. The massive fortress loomed ahead, its towering stones a stark reminder of the power the enemy wielded. Giovanni signaled for her to wait as he scouted ahead, his eyes peeled for any signs of an ambush. The courtyard was empty, but the silence was unnerving. He knew they were being watched.

He found an open window on the second floor and slipped inside, the scent of dust and ancient scrolls filling his nose. The room was a library, its shelves packed with books and manuscripts, likely containing secrets that could topple the very foundations of the Templar's power. He spotted a guard patrolling the corridor and waited for the perfect moment to strike. With a swift and silent motion, he dispatched the man, taking his keyring and donning his uniform as a disguise.

Giovanni signaled to Elena, who had been anxiously waiting outside. She climbed in, her agility belying her fear. Together, they moved through the shadowy halls, the echoes of their footsteps their only companions. They encountered more guards, each one falling to Giovanni's blade with a quiet efficiency that spoke volumes about his skills. His heart pounded in his chest, but he pushed the fear aside. Ezio was counting on them.

As they approached the room where Ezio was supposedly being held, Giovanni could hear the faint sound of muffled cries of pain. His blood boiled, but he knew that anger would only lead to carelessness. He took a moment to compose himself, reminding Elena to stay hidden and ready to escape if things went south. With the key, he unlocked the door and slipped inside.

The sight that greeted him was one of horror. Ezio was suspended from the ceiling by chains, his body bruised and bloodied. His usual cocky grin was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a grimace of pain. A Templar stood before him, wielding a whip, his face a twisted mask of sadistic pleasure. The room was dimly lit by flickering torches, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Giovanni's rage was palpable, but he knew he had to remain calm. He took a deep breath and stepped into the light, the Templar turning at the sound of the door creaking open. "Release him," Giovanni demanded, his voice low and steady.

The Templar sneered, recognizing the siblings. "Ah, the loyal puppets of the deceased. How quaint." He raised his whip, ready to strike. "You're too late. The information we need has already been extracted."

Giovanni's eyes never left the man, his hand tightening around the hidden blade. "You're lying," he said through gritted teeth. "Ezio would never betray us."

The Templar laughed, a cruel, taunting sound. "You think you know him so well, but we've had our ways of... persuading him."

Giovanni's eyes flashed with fury, but he didn't move, his mind racing with options. "Let him go, and we'll leave peacefully," he offered, trying to buy time.

The Templar's laugh echoed through the chamber, sending a shiver down Elena's spine. "You think I'm a fool? Your son has seen too much, knows too much." He took a step closer to Ezio, the whip cracking menacingly in his hand. "And now, he will pay the price."

Giovanni saw red, his vision blurring at the edges. He could feel the warmth of rage seeping into his veins, his grip on the hidden blade tightening. He had to act, now. Without warning, he lunged at the Templar, the blade slicing through the air with a deadly whisper. The man's smug smile faded into shock as the weapon embedded in his chest. He crumpled to the ground, gurgling his last breaths.