Templar's Creed

Chapter 19

Giovanni's blade was a blur of steel, slicing through the air with the precision of a master craftsman. He moved with a deadly grace, a dance of death that had been honed over a lifetime of struggle and loss. The Templars fell like wheat before the scythe, their armor no match for the fury that fueled his strikes.

Maria's eyes grew wider with each passing moment, the hope in them growing stronger. The rope around her wrists dug into her skin as she strained against her bonds, willing herself to break free and join the fight.

Giovanni's blade sang through the air, finding its way to Uberto's neck. The old man's eyes bulged with fear as he realized the end was upon him. "Giovanni," he choked out, his voice thick with desperation. "I can give you anything. Name your price."

But it was too late for deals. The rage that had fueled Giovanni's every step had reached a boiling point, and with one swift motion, he separated Uberto's head from his body. The chamber erupted into a cacophony of shock and horror as the lifeblood of the traitorous Templar spilled onto the ornate carpet.

But amidst the chaos, a shadowy figure saw Uberto's fate and took advantage of the distraction. A Templar, desperate to protect his own, rushed toward Maria, his eyes wild with terror and malice. Before anyone could react, he plunged a dagger into her gut, twisting the blade with a brutal finality.

Maria's eyes widened in agony, her scream piercing the air. The color drained from her face, leaving her skin a ghastly shade of white. The hope that had burned so brightly in her gaze just moments before was extinguished, replaced with shock and pain.

Giovanni's world shattered. His blade fell from his hand as he lunged for the Templar, but the man was already gone, lost in the melee. "Maria!" he roared, his voice filled with anguish as he cradled her in his arms.

Maria's eyes searched his, her voice a pained whisper. "Giovanni..."

Giovanni's heart felt as though it had been cleaved in two. The Templar had slipped away, leaving only the cold, unfeeling steel in her body as a parting gift. "Hold on," he pleaded, his voice cracking. "We'll get you to a doctor."

But the light in Maria's eyes was already fading. "No," she gasped, her hand feebly pushing his away. "Giovanni... I'm sorry. I didn't... I didn't want this for us."

Giovanni's world was spinning, his heart racing in a futile effort to keep time with hers. He pressed his forehead to hers, tears streaming down his face. "Shh," he whispered, his voice a broken promise. "You're going to be okay."

But the truth was in her eyes, the flickering candlelight reflecting the inevitable. "Find them," she whispered, her breaths growing shallower. "Find our children...Protect them."

Giovanni's voice was thick with unshed tears as he nodded, the weight of her words heavy on his shoulders. "I will," he choked out. "I promise you."

Maria's hand fell limp, her eyes closing for the last time. The room grew still, the chaos around them fading into the background. The only sound was the harsh, ragged sobs that tore from Giovanni's chest, a testament to the love and loss that consumed him.

But the night was far from over. Through his grief, Mario's voice cut through the haze. "Giovanni," he said urgently, his eyes scanning the corridor. "We must go. The Templars will be here soon."

Giovanni nodded, his gaze lingering on Maria's lifeless form. He felt a cold, emotionless rage building within him, a force that promised to consume him whole. They had to leave her behind, for now, a fact that tore at his soul. Carefully, they wrapped her in a tapestry from the chamber, a silent vow to give her the burial she deserved once this was over.

Moving swiftly, they made their way through the palazzo, evading the panicking Templars who were now aware of their presence. The grandeur of the place was lost on Giovanni; all he saw was a labyrinth of corridors and stairs that stood between him and his escape.

As they reached the courtyard, the siblings were met with a grim sight: a sea of Templars, alerted by the commotion, had gathered below, their torches casting a fiery glow that painted the night in a hellish palette.

Mario's eyes searched his brother's face, reading the storm of emotions that raged there. He knew what Giovanni had to do—find and save their children. "Go," he said firmly, his voice laced with resolve. "I'll hold them off. You have to save Claudia and Petruccio."

Giovanni's gaze flickered between Mario and the sea of Templars. "No," he protested, his voice thick with pain. "We'll fight together."

But Mario was resolute. "This is my fight," he said, his eyes gleaming with a fierce determination. "I'll hold them off so you can save the others. Go. I'll meet you in the afterlife."

Giovanni's heart was a leaden weight in his chest, but he knew his brother was right. He embraced Mario, their eyes locking in a silent understanding that spoke of a bond forged in blood and loss. With one final nod, he turned and sprinted across the rooftops, the sound of his brother's battle cry echoing in his ears.

The fight below was a symphony of steel and agony. Mario wielded his sword with the ferocity of a man with nothing left to lose, his movements a blur as he carved a path through the Templars. The clang of metal on metal was punctuated by the grunts of men falling to their doom. Each swing of his blade was a declaration of war against the order that had destroyed his family.

Giovanni watched from the rooftop, his heart wrenching with every clash. He knew that Mario was buying them precious time, but the thought of leaving him to face this horde alone was almost unbearable. Yet, he had a duty to their family. He had to honor the promise he'd made to Maria. With a heavy heart, he took one last look at his brother, then disappeared into the night, the echoes of battle fading behind him.