Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 42 - Amelia

Amelia stood in the shadows of the courtyard, hidden among the marble columns as she watched the scene unfold below. Her heart beat like a drum against her ribcage, the tension in the air so thick she could almost taste it. Two years had passed since Ezio had left Venice, and not a day had gone by without her wondering where he was, if he was safe—or if he ever thought of her at all. She had imagined this moment a thousand times, but she had never expected it to unfold like this, amidst the clash of swords and the sharp cries of battle.

Leonardo had brought word earlier that day, his voice tinged with excitement and urgency. "Ezio has returned," he had told her, his hands shaking as he relayed the news. "He's back, Amelia. And he's not alone. The others are gathering—they're going after the Borgia."

Amelia's world had shifted in that instant, a maelstrom of emotions tearing through her. Relief, anger, fear, hope—they twisted together inside her, leaving her unsteady. She'd barely managed to listen to Leonardo's instructions, her mind too consumed with the knowledge that Ezio was here, in Venice, and that she might finally see him again.

Now, hidden in the shadows, she watched as he fought alongside Mario, La Volpe, Bartolomeo, Antonio, and the others—men she had come to know well over the years, who had become allies, friends. But the sight of Ezio, moving with that familiar grace and determination, made her breath catch in her throat. He was still the man she remembered, yet there was a hardness in his eyes that hadn't been there before, a shadow that spoke of the battles he had fought, the losses he had endured.

Rodrigo Borgia's voice rang out, sharp and mocking, cutting through the clamor of swords. "Is this all you have? Where's the rest of your people?"

Ezio's reply was cold, filled with the weight of his journey. "What people?"

"You really have no idea, do you?" Borgia's laughter was cruel, and he snapped his fingers. "Guards!"

Amelia's hand tightened around the hilt of her dagger as more of Borgia's men swarmed into the courtyard, surrounding Ezio. But then, in a blur of motion, Mario stepped forward, cutting down a guard with a swift strike.

"Uncle!?" Ezio's voice cracked with surprise, and Amelia felt a pang in her chest. He had thought he was alone.

"Don't worry, nipote," Mario called back, his grin wide and fierce. "You are not alone."

La Volpe appeared next, driving his blade into another guard. "We could very well ask you the same thing, Ezio!" He glanced over his shoulder, a sly smile playing at his lips. "We?"

Antonio and Bartolomeo emerged from the shadows, their weapons gleaming in the low light. "Save your questions, brother," Antonio said, his voice steady and firm. "Don't let Borgia leave with that box! Avanti!"

Amelia's chest tightened as she watched the reunion, her fingers trembling against the cool stone. She wanted to step out, to join the fight beside him, but something held her back. She could see the tension in Ezio's shoulders, the weariness that weighed on him, and she knew that this was his moment—his battle to face. She stayed hidden, her breath shallow as she took in every movement, every word exchanged between the Assassins and the man they had hunted for so long.

"Take him down, Ezio!" Antonio's voice rang out, filled with a confidence that Amelia wished she could share. "We're right behind you!"

But Borgia fought back with a venomous determination, his taunts cutting through the air like a knife. "This is a losing battle for you, hombrecito. You will die by my hand, just like your brother..."

Amelia's heart lurched at the mention of Federico, the memory of Ezio's grief and rage surfacing like a wound that had never fully healed. She watched as Ezio's face twisted with anger, his fists tightening around his weapons, and she wanted to run to his side, to remind him that he was not alone. But still, she held herself back, knowing that this was not her moment to intervene.