Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 16 - Amelia

As Amelia and Ezio approached the bustling village square, the familiar sights and sounds of Florence wrapped around them. After two years of traveling through Tuscany—chasing down leads on Cesare Borgia and collecting hidden Codex pages—the city held a sense of both nostalgia and tension. The scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the sharper notes of street vendors hawking their wares, and the chatter of the townsfolk filled the air, creating a constant hum that seemed to settle in Amelia's bones.

The tranquility of their return was shattered when a young man bumped into Ezio, nearly sending him off balance. Ezio's hand instinctively reached for his belt, but his pouch was already missing.

"What? My pouch—my money!" Ezio's voice rose in alarm as he scanned the crowd, catching sight of the thief slipping into the crowd with a cocky grin.

Amelia's eyes narrowed as she spotted the thief weaving through the market stalls. "Ezio, don't let him get away," she urged, her voice carrying a note of urgency.

With a determined nod, Ezio took off after the pickpocket, weaving through the throng of people. Amelia followed closely, her steps light and purposeful, her focus unwavering as she tracked both the thief and her companion. The chase led them down a maze of narrow alleys, the thief darting between market stalls and leaping over barrels, scattering fruit and crates in his wake.

"Get back here!" Ezio shouted, pushing himself to close the distance.

"Make me!" the pickpocket taunted over his shoulder, throwing a crate of apples into Ezio's path.

Ezio leapt over the obstacle, determination etched into his features. "You're making a big mistake, my friend!" he called, his tone turning stern. "Enough of this!"

The pickpocket glanced back, a smirk on his lips. "Enough indeed! Why don't you give up?"

With a final burst of speed, Ezio lunged forward, tackling the pickpocket to the ground. Amelia skidded to a stop beside them, catching her breath as Ezio pinned the thief's arm behind his back.

"I really have no interest in hurting you," Ezio said, his voice tight with irritation as he kept the thief pinned. "So give me back my money, and we'll call it even."

Before the thief could reply, a shadow fell over them. "Not so fast," came a smooth, confident voice.

Amelia looked up, her eyes narrowing as a figure stepped into the light. A man with a hooded cloak, his smile sharp and knowing, stood above them. "What do you want? Who are you?" Ezio demanded, his grip tightening on the thief.

The stranger chuckled softly. "They call me many things: Murderer. Tagliagole (Cutthroat). Thief. But you may call me La Volpe. At your service, Messer Ezio."

Amelia's expression shifted, recognition flickering in her eyes. "La Volpe," she murmured, taking a step forward. "I've heard stories about you... You knew my father, didn't you?"

La Volpe's smile softened slightly as he looked at her, nodding with a touch of reverence. "Indeed, *signorina*. Matteo was a dear friend to me. A great man, skilled and wise beyond his years. We shared many adventures in these very streets." His gaze lingered on her, his tone becoming more earnest. "He would be proud to see the woman you've become, fighting alongside the Assassins with such determination."

Amelia swallowed, feeling a pang of bittersweet emotion well up in her chest. "Thank you, La Volpe," she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. "That means more than you know."

La Volpe inclined his head, a knowing look in his eyes. "I know what it is to carry the memory of those we've lost. But know this—you do him honor with every step you take."