Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 15 - Amelia

It had been two long years since they had last walked these familiar paths, two years filled with endless journeys across the Italian countryside, chasing down leads on Cesare Borgia and recovering scattered codex pages for Leonardo to decode. The city that had once felt like home now seemed like a distant memory, tinged with the weight of loss and vengeance.

The streets had changed in subtle ways during their absence—new vendors had set up shop along the bustling alleys, and unfamiliar faces filled the squares. But the undercurrent of tension was the same, the shadows deeper, and the ever-present threat of Templar eyes lurking just out of sight. As they approached Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, the old wooden sign creaked in the gentle breeze, and the familiar scent of oil, ink, and hot metal drifted from the open windows.

Ezio rode at the front, guiding them back to the familiar door. Amelia followed closely, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her hidden blade, a habit she had developed over the years. She glanced at Ezio, noting the tension in his shoulders. He was more at ease here than he had been in a long time, but a nervous energy still lingered beneath the surface, as if he was holding his breath.

"You know, you could try relaxing just a bit," she teased gently, nudging his arm. "Leonardo isn't going to scold you."

Ezio chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. "It's not Leonardo I'm worried about. It's... everything else."

They approached the door, and before Ezio could raise his hand to knock, it swung open. Leonardo, ever the picture of enthusiastic chaos, stood in the entryway, a wide grin spreading across his face the moment he saw his old friend.

"Ezio...? Sei ancora vivo! You are still alive!" Leonardo exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine relief as he stepped forward to clasp Ezio's hand.

Ezio couldn't help but smile at Leonardo's warmth. "Look at this place! The past two years have been kind to you."

Leonardo's smile faltered slightly as he studied Ezio's face, his sharp eyes catching the weight of the past two years etched into the lines around his friend's eyes. "But you are not the same at all, are you?" he asked softly, his tone shifting to one of concern.

Ezio nodded, his expression somber. "I was hoping you might be able to help me with something."

Leonardo's face brightened immediately, and he gestured for them to follow him inside. "Anything for you, my friend!"

Inside the workshop, the light of the setting sun filtered through the dusty windows, casting long shadows across the workbenches. Amelia trailed after them, her gaze drifting over Leonardo's latest creations—an intricate model of a flying machine, sketches of architectural designs, and the familiar shapes of the hidden blades that had become an extension of her and Ezio's arms.

Ezio handed Leonardo a scroll, its edges worn from travel. "I found another one," he said, the slightest edge of excitement in his voice.

Leonardo's eyes lit up as he unfurled the parchment. "Aha! You've found another one! How exciting!" He examined the ancient writing closely, his fingers tracing the intricate symbols. "Hmmm. This one is tricky to break... Clever in its use of ancient languages. Maybe if I just... Oh... Oh! It seems to be a manual of sorts for different assassination techniques."

Amelia leaned in, intrigued by the excitement in Leonardo's voice. "Does it say how to do those moves?" she asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

Leonardo glanced at her with a wide smile. "Indeed, Amelia! But it's more than just a design—look here!" He pointed to a series of sketches, depicting various techniques with an assassin's blade. "It's a series of movements, hidden in the diagrams! Hoho! What an inspired idea!"