Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 12 - Amelia

Mario led Ezio, Amelia, Giovanni, and their family through the winding streets of the fortified town. The cool evening air carried the scent of cypress trees and fresh earth, offering a small respite from the heat and turmoil they had left behind in Florence. Despite the beauty of the Tuscan countryside, tension lingered like a heavy cloak, wrapping each step in uncertainty.

Ezio kept his head high as they walked, but Amelia noticed the weariness etched into his features—deep lines of exhaustion beneath his eyes and the tightness in his shoulders. She knew the weight he carried was more than physical. The burden of his family's deaths weighed heavily on him, the loss still fresh, cutting like a knife. She walked beside him, close enough that their arms brushed occasionally, her presence offering a silent promise of support. Behind them, Maria, Claudia, and Petruccio clung to one another, their faces pale and drawn from the arduous journey.

As they neared the grand entrance of the Villa Auditore, Mario slowed his pace and turned to Ezio with a nostalgic smile, gesturing to the town that sprawled around them. The cobbled streets, the bustling market stalls, and the sturdy stone houses all spoke of a community that had stood the test of time, a safe haven hidden away from the chaos of the world beyond its walls.

"Come on, keep pace! We're almost there. I think you will find much to like in Monteriggioni." Mario's voice carried a note of pride as he patted Ezio's shoulder.

"I thought Monteriggioni was an enemy of Firenze..." Ezio remarked, raising an eyebrow as he took in the sight of the town's quiet strength.

"For now. Next year it will be its friend. The year after, its enemy again. And on and on, I cannot keep track. So, I have stopped trying. These are honest, hardworking people. Our shops may only carry simple goods, but they're well-made and dependable. There's a chapel here too. The prete seems a nice enough fellow, but I've never been much of a believer," Mario replied with a chuckle, though his expression softened as they neared the villa's ancient facade. "Did you know the Villa Auditore is almost 200 years old? It was built by our great-grandfather, a strange man who carried all kinds of secrets. Keep your eyes open, and you might discover a few of them yourself..."

Ezio's gaze traveled up the villa's stone walls, taking in the signs of age—the weathered bricks, the ivy that crept up the corners. There was history here, a story woven into the stones, one that stretched back through the generations of his family. He felt a pang in his chest, a reminder of everything he had lost and the legacy that now rested on his shoulders. Amelia watched him closely, seeing the conflict in his eyes as he tried to reconcile the past with the uncertain future.

Mario's voice broke through his thoughts, tinged with a mix of pride and regret. "With all the fighting that's been going on, this place has started to get a bit rough around the edges. I wish I could do something about it, but I just don't have the time or money to fix things up. Guess that's life, eh? Here we are. Casa dolce casa! Home sweet home. So? What do you think?"

Ezio glanced around, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's most impressive, uncle."

Mario clapped him on the back, his own smile broadening. "She's seen better days, I suppose. Believe me, I'd have her shining again... if only I had the time. Now that you have had the tour, nipote, you should go and outfit yourself. My men in the market are expecting you. Return here when you're finished, and we'll begin."

"Begin? Begin what?" Ezio asked, pausing, his frown deepening as he looked between Mario and Giovanni.

"I thought you'd come here to train?" Mario's grin returned, though there was an edge of seriousness beneath his playful tone.

"No, uncle. I came here to escape Firenze—and I intend to take my family further still." Ezio's voice was firm, his expression closing off as he spoke.