Templar's Creed

Chapter 42

Julien approached Edward, the skull's pulsing light casting an eerie glow over the chaos of the battle. The pirate's eyes were wild with rage and grief, his hand shaking as he held the artifact tightly. "The Sage and the artifact," du Casse demanded, his voice firm. "Hand them over now, and I will spare your men."

Edward's gaze flicked from the dying Kenway to the Sage, who was now surrounded by a shimmering aura, the power of the skull seemingly keeping him upright. He knew that surrender was not an option, not with the blood of his friend on his hands and the fate of the world hanging in the balance. "You'll have to take it from me," he spat, his voice low and deadly.

Julien du Casse's eyes narrowed, assessing the situation. The pirates had been mostly subdued, their hope snuffed out by the loss of their leader and the relentless onslaught of his men. But Edward was still standing, a wildcard in this deadly game of power and control. He nodded to his soldiers, and they moved in, a ring of steel and malice closing around Edward and the Sage.

"The Sage and the artifact," du Casse repeated, his voice a mix of confidence and warning. "You know the alternative." His scar twisted his smile into a grimace as he gestured to the kneeling pirates, their faces a canvas of fear and defeat.

Edward felt the Sage's grip tighten on his arm, the old man's eyes filled with a fierce determination that seemed to belie his frail form. "We stand for something greater," Edward said, his voice steady despite the tumult around him. "This isn't just about us."

Julien du Casse studied him, the flames of the burning ships reflecting in his cold gaze. "I know you believe that, pirate," he said, sheathing his sword. "But sometimes, the greater good requires sacrifices." He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Edward's. "We don't have to end this in bloodshed. Give me the artifact, and I'll spare your crew."

Suddenly, the Sage's body jerked, and a spray of blood erupted from his chest. A scream was ripped from Edward's throat as he watched in horror, his eyes searching for the source of the shot.

Julien's head snapped to the side, his expression a mix of shock and fury as he spotted a figure emerging from the shadows cast by the burning ships. It was a woman, her arm extended with a smoking pistol still in her grip—Lucía Márquez, the legendary Spanish Assassin. Her eyes were hard and cold, her aim unwavering as she locked onto Edward.

"Why?" du Casse roared, the question echoing across the battle-torn deck. His men paused in their advance, their swords hovering in the air as they awaited their leader's command.

Lucía's eyes never left Edward's, her expression unreadable as she stepped into the light cast by the flaming wreckage of the Jackdaw. "The Sage knew the price of his knowledge," she said, her voice as cold and sharp as the blade she holstered. "He chose to protect it, even from his own kind."

Edward stared at her, the skull's light pulsing in his hand, his mind racing with questions and accusations. "What have you done?" he shouted, the anguish clear in his voice.

Lucía's eyes remained steady. "What needed to be done," she replied. "The Sage knew his time was short. He gave me this task before he passed."

Her words hit Edward like a cannonball, the weight of the Sage's sacrifice crashing over him. The old man had seen his end, and had chosen to safeguard the artifact even in death. Edward clutched the crystal skull, the pulsing light now feeling like a beacon of hope amidst the chaos.

Du Casse's fury was palpable, his scar a livid line on his contorted face. "You've sealed your fate, Assassin," he snarled, drawing his sword once more. The Templars surged forward, their blades glinting in the fiery light. Edward knew he had to act fast, to honor the Sage's trust and Kenway's sacrifice.

With a roar of defiance, Edward leaped into the fray, the skull's power surging through him. The artifact's pulse grew stronger, and with it, so did Edward's resolve. He fought with a frenzy that matched the chaos around him, his blade a whirlwind of steel and retribution. The Templars fell before him, their cries of anger and fear lost in the cacophony of battle.

Julien watched, his eyes narrowed in disbelief. The pirate's strength seemed inexhaustible, fueled by the very essence of the artifact they sought. He bellowed for his men to press the attack, his own blade slicing through the air in a deadly arc aimed at Edward's back. Yet, the pirate was everywhere, his cutlass a blur as he defended himself and the Sage's legacy.

"This isn't what the Sage wanted!" Edward shouted, his voice raw with pain and fury. "You've been blinded by your own greed!"

Du Casse's eyes flashed with rage at the accusation. "You dare speak of greed?" He pointed his sword at Edward. "You pirates are the scourge of the sea, stealing what isn't yours, bringing chaos wherever you go!"

Edward felt the skull's power pulse in his hand, and with it, a surge of clarity. He knew the truth now. The Sage had trusted him with the artifact, and it was his duty to protect it from both the Templars and the Assassins if need be. "Your 'greater good' is just a veil for tyranny," Edward spat. "I'll see it burn before I let you have this."

Julien du Casse's eyes narrowed, the flames from the burning ships reflecting off his furious gaze. "The Sage is dead because of her!" he bellowed, pointing at Lucía with his sword. "You must avenge him! Join me, and together, we can purge the world of her kind!"

The air was filled with the acrid smell of burning wood and gunpowder as Edward took stock of his surroundings. His crew was in shambles, his ship a fiery wreck, and his allies lay lifeless on the blood-soaked deck. His hand tightened around the skull, the power within it pulsing in time with his racing heart.

Julien du Casse had been so focused on Edward's accusation that he had not seen the shadowy figure emerge from the wreckage of the Jackdaw. The roar of a mortar shell pierced the cacophony of battle, and Edward's eyes widened in horror as he recognized the source. It was a Templar ship, her captain aiming straight for the heart of the chaos, for them.