Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 47 - Amelia

Amelia stood with her back pressed against the cold stone wall of the Vatican, her breath coming in quiet, controlled puffs. The chill of the marble seeped through her clothing, but she welcomed it—it sharpened her focus, keeping her mind clear as they approached their final target. Beside her, Ezio's presence was a steadying force, a reminder that she wasn't alone in this fight. She cast a sideways glance at him, catching the determined set of his jaw and the tension in his shoulders. She knew that, like her, he was thinking of all the lives lost and the pain they had endured to get here.

They moved together in perfect synchronization, slipping through the shadows of the Vatican's corridors. Amelia's heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing with the weight of what they were about to face. When they reached the top of a parapet, Ezio turned to her, his expression softening for a brief moment. He reached out, his gloved hand brushing against her cheek, the touch so brief it could have been imagined.

"Stay close, amore," he murmured, his voice roughened by the urgency of the moment.

Amelia nodded, offering him a tight, determined smile. "You couldn't keep me away if you tried," she whispered back, a spark of fierce resolve in her eyes.

They exchanged a look—one that held the unspoken promises between them—before he turned away, readying himself for the final approach. Amelia watched as he leapt from the beams above, descending onto Rodrigo Borgia with a grace that spoke of years of training. Her heart clenched as she saw them clash, the sound of steel meeting steel ringing out through the Vatican's halls.

Ezio's hidden blade caught Rodrigo by surprise, slicing into his side. Rodrigo's gasp echoed in the cavernous space, the arrogant composure slipping from his face as pain twisted his features. Amelia's breath caught in her throat as she watched, every muscle in her body coiled tight, ready to jump down and join the fray. But for now, she held back, knowing that this was Ezio's fight—one that had been years in the making.

She watched as Ezio pressed his advantage, his movements a flurry of precision and deadly grace. He struck again, driving Rodrigo back, each blow punctuated by the harsh clatter of metal. Rodrigo stumbled, clutching his side, but as Ezio closed in for the kill, the Pope's hand shot out, seizing the Papal Staff.

"I don't think so," Rodrigo sneered, a twisted smile pulling at his lips. The staff glowed with a blinding light, and a wave of energy burst from it, slamming into Ezio and throwing him back across the chamber.

Amelia's heart lurched as she saw him hit the ground, pain etched into his features. Without thinking, she vaulted over the ledge, landing in a crouch beside Ezio, her dagger drawn. Her eyes met Rodrigo's across the distance, her blood thrumming with a mix of fear and fury.

"Ezio!" she hissed, crouching beside him and pressing a hand to his shoulder. He groaned softly, struggling to rise, and she turned her glare on Rodrigo, her grip tightening on her blade. "We end this, together."

Ezio nodded, wincing as he pushed himself upright, his hand brushing against hers in a wordless gesture of thanks. They moved as one, Amelia launching herself toward Rodrigo with a fierce cry, her dagger slicing through the air. But Rodrigo was ready for her, his staff emitting another pulse of energy that sent her stumbling back.

He laughed, the sound grating against her ears. "Ah, the lover joins the fray. It's almost touching, really."

Amelia gritted her teeth, forcing herself back to her feet, her vision blurring for a moment. She could see Ezio, circling Rodrigo, his face tight with concentration as he readied another attack. Despite the pain radiating through her ribs, she straightened, meeting Ezio's eyes for a heartbeat.

"Don't you dare fall," she whispered fiercely, and Ezio gave her a small, pained smile in return.

Then the battle resumed, Rodrigo swinging the staff with a brutal force that belied his age. Ezio dodged to the side, landing a quick blow with his hidden blade, but Rodrigo retaliated, striking him with a backhanded blow that sent him staggering. Amelia lunged in from the side, catching Rodrigo off guard and driving her dagger toward his ribs, but the old man twisted at the last second, her blade grazing his side instead.