ASSASSIN'S CREED: VANGUARD

A FRESH NEW START

BERLIN, GERMANY
SUMMER, 1918

The chill of early dawn enveloped us as we docked on the northern coast of Germany, the salty scent of the sea mixing with the earthy aroma of the dense forest nearby. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a muted light over the landscape, yet the feeling of dread weighed heavily on my shoulders. We had escaped the flames, but our next steps were fraught with uncertainty.
We disembarked quietly, scanning our surroundings for any signs of danger. The coastline was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos we had just fled. I could feel the tension among my companions as we moved deeper into the forest, each of us grappling with the loss of the village and the lives we hadn’t been able to save.
“Where to now?” Emil asked, glancing over his shoulder, his expression a mix of hope and uncertainty.
“We need to find a safe house,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “The Brotherhood has operatives in Germany. They’ll know what’s happening and how to regroup.”
Lydia nodded, her brow furrowed with concern. “We can’t waste time. The Nazis will be on high alert after last night. We need to move before they track us down.”
We moved swiftly through the underbrush, the soft rustle of leaves beneath our feet barely breaking the silence of the early morning. I led the way, pushing aside branches and ducking under low-hanging limbs. As we made our way deeper into the woods, the weight of our mission pressed down on me.
I thought of the village, of the lives lost and the families shattered. We had escaped the immediate threat, but the war raged on, and the enemy was still out there, plotting their next move. The burden of responsibility lay heavily on my shoulders, but I couldn’t allow despair to take hold. I had to focus on the task at hand.
After several hours of navigating through the dense forest, we finally reached a small clearing where an old cabin stood, its weathered wood blending seamlessly into the surroundings. I approached cautiously, gesturing for the others to stay back.
“Stay alert,” I whispered, checking the area for any signs of surveillance. The last thing we needed was to walk into a trap.
Pushing open the door, I stepped inside, my heart pounding as I scanned the interior. The cabin was simple, sparsely furnished but surprisingly well-kept. Dust motes danced in the beams of sunlight streaming through the cracks in the walls, and the faint scent of smoke lingered in the air.
“It looks abandoned,” Lydia said, stepping inside behind me. “But let’s make sure it’s safe.”
We quickly searched the cabin, checking every corner and looking for any hidden dangers. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, we finally relaxed, knowing we had a temporary refuge.
“This will do,” I said, allowing myself a moment to breathe. “We’ll rest here and figure out our next steps.”
Emil moved toward a small table in the corner, brushing off dust to reveal a map of the area. “We should start by finding our contacts,” he suggested, spreading the map out. “There are several towns nearby where the Brotherhood might have safe houses.”
“Let’s avoid the major cities for now,” Markus added, leaning over the map. “The Nazis will be watching those closely. We should stick to smaller towns or rural areas.”
As we plotted our route, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. The attack on the village weighed heavily on my mind. I knew the Brotherhood would understand our decision to strike against the Nazis, but how could I justify our failure to protect those innocent lives?
“Whatever happens next, we need to be ready,” I said, breaking the heavy silence. “We’re going to have to confront the reality of what we did. We’ll need allies, and we’ll need to make sure this never happens again.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, we finalized our plan, choosing a small town just a few miles away where we could connect with Brotherhood operatives. It was time to regroup and prepare for the next phase of our mission.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the cabin, we packed our belongings and prepared to leave. Each of us was still grappling with the weight of our recent loss, but we knew we had to keep moving forward.
We left the cabin behind, stepping into the sun-drenched woods once more. The trees whispered above us, a reminder of the chaos that lay just beyond the safety of the forest. As we made our way to the town, I felt a surge of determination.
The war had not broken us; it had forged us into something stronger. Together, we would confront the shadows of our past and fight for a brighter future.
The town came into view—a quaint, quiet place that seemed untouched by the war, with narrow cobblestone streets and charming cottages. But I knew better than to let appearances deceive me. The Nazis had a presence everywhere, and we would need to tread carefully.
As we approached the town, I spotted a familiar figure standing near the entrance, a hooded cloak concealing their identity. My heart raced at the sight of the Brotherhood emblem stitched into the fabric.
“Stay close,” I instructed my companions as we made our way toward the figure.
“Is that…” Emil began, but I held up a hand, signaling for silence.
The figure turned, revealing a woman with sharp features and piercing blue eyes. “You made it,” she said, her voice low but filled with relief. “I was worried when I heard the explosions.”
“Allegra,” I said, stepping forward. “We need your help. We’re regrouping and need to know what’s happening in the area.”
Allegra nodded, her expression serious. “The Nazis have been tightening their grip on the region since the attack on your village. There are rumors of new weapons being developed, and they’re actively hunting for anyone connected to the Brotherhood.”
“Then we need to strike fast,” I replied, feeling the weight of urgency settle over me once more. “We have to stop them before they can unleash whatever it is they’re working on.”
“Follow me,” she said, turning swiftly and leading us into the heart of the town.
As we moved through the narrow streets, I could feel eyes on us—curious glances from townsfolk, whispers that hinted at fear and uncertainty. The war had touched even this quiet place, a reminder that no one was truly safe.
Allegra led us to a hidden alcove behind an old bakery, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. “This is one of our safe houses,” she explained, gesturing for us to enter. “We have a few operatives here, and we can gather more information on the Nazis’ plans.”
Inside, the atmosphere was tense but focused. Brotherhood members huddled together, exchanging information and plotting their next moves.
“We’re in a precarious situation,” Allegra said, her voice steady as she addressed the room. “We need to assess our resources and determine our strategy moving forward.”
As we settled in, I felt a sense of camaraderie among my companions and the Brotherhood operatives. We had all experienced loss, and we were united by our shared mission.
“Every moment counts,” I said, stepping forward to address the group. “We’ve lost too much already. We need to be proactive and stop the Nazis before they can strike again. Let’s gather intel on their operations and identify any weaknesses we can exploit.”
The murmurs of agreement rippled through the room as everyone began to organize and strategize. As I stood there, surrounded by those who shared the same goal, I felt a renewed sense of hope.
The village may have burned, but the spirit of resistance still flickered within us. We would find a way to push back against the darkness, to reclaim what had been lost.
As the meeting progressed, I caught Lydia’s eye. She was deep in thought, her brow furrowed in concentration. I knew she felt the weight of our recent loss just as heavily as I did.
“Are you okay?” I asked quietly, stepping closer.
She sighed, glancing around the room before meeting my gaze. “I don’t know. It just feels like we’re caught in this endless cycle of violence. We strike back, but the cost is always so high.”
“I know,” I replied, my heart heavy. “But we can’t let that stop us. We have to fight for those who can’t. We owe it to them to keep going.”
Lydia nodded slowly, her expression softening. “You’re right. We can’t let them win. We’ll find a way to make this right.”
Together, we turned our attention back to the discussions taking place around us. The Brotherhood was a network of dedicated individuals, each one willing to lay down their life for the cause. We were not alone in this fight.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the windows of the safe house, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. We had lost so much, but we still had each other. And together, we would face the shadows of Germany, ready to fight for a future free from tyranny.
Whatever awaited us in the days to come, I knew we would confront it head-on. The flames of the past would not consume us; instead, they would fuel our resolve to rise against the darkness.
The atmosphere in the safe house crackled with intensity as operatives discussed strategies and intel. Maps covered the walls, dotted with markers indicating known Nazi troop movements and key locations of interest. The grim reality of our situation weighed heavily on everyone, but beneath that weight was a flicker of determination.

“Here,” Allegra said, pointing to a location on the map. “This is a weapons factory just outside of town. It’s heavily guarded, but we believe they’re developing something new—a weapon that could change the tide of the war. We need to gather more intel before we make any moves.”
I stepped closer, studying the map. “How many guards are stationed there? Do we have any contacts inside?”
“Not yet,” Allegra replied, frustration creeping into her voice. “But we know that the factory operates under tight security, and they have patrols at regular intervals. We need to find a way to infiltrate it without drawing attention.”

Lydia leaned in, her eyes narrowing in thought. “What if we create a diversion? If we can distract the guards, it might give us a window to slip inside and gather the information we need.”
“That could work,” Emil agreed. “But we’ll need to be careful. If things go sideways, we might alert the entire compound.”
I nodded, feeling the weight of our choices. “We have to take the risk. If they’re developing a weapon, we can’t let it see the light of day. We strike at dawn when visibility is low, and we’ll have the element of surprise on our side.”
Allegra raised an eyebrow, her expression thoughtful. “That’s a bold move, but it might just work. We’ll need to assemble a team and ensure we have a plan for a quick exit if things go south.”
“Let’s divide our efforts,” I suggested. “Some of us can scout the perimeter, looking for weaknesses in their security. Others can start planning the diversion. We can meet back here tonight to finalize our approach.”
“Agreed,” Allegra said, nodding to the operatives gathered around the table. “Let’s get to work.”
As the room erupted into activity, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. This was our chance to strike back, to take the fight directly to the Nazis.

Lydia, Emil, and I gathered our gear, readying ourselves for the task ahead. As we stepped outside, the cool evening air brushed against my skin, invigorating my resolve.
“Stay close,” I reminded them as we moved away from the safe house. “We need to keep our wits about us. The last thing we want is to be caught off guard.”

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the cobblestone streets. As we made our way through the town, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of our mission. Every corner we turned felt fraught with danger, and every shadow seemed to whisper reminders of what we had lost.
We arrived at the outskirts of the weapons factory, a looming structure surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers. The low hum of machinery echoed from within, mingling with the occasional shout from patrolling guards.
“Looks like they’re on high alert,” Emil whispered, his eyes scanning the perimeter.
“We’ll need to find a way to create that diversion,” Lydia said, peering into the shadows. “We can’t just walk through the front door.”
I pointed toward a row of crates stacked against a nearby wall. “What if we set a small fire? It’ll draw attention away from the main entrance, and we can slip in while they’re busy.”
“Good idea,” Lydia agreed. “But we need to make sure it doesn’t get out of control. If the factory goes up in flames, we’ll have a whole different set of problems.”

We quickly gathered some dry leaves and old wooden crates, moving quietly to avoid detection. As we arranged the materials in a small clearing away from the main building, I felt the weight of anticipation settle in my chest.
“Let’s get ready,” I said, glancing back at the factory. “Once we start the fire, we’ll have a few minutes before the guards notice. That’ll be our window to get inside.”
With everything in place, I ignited the pile with a small match, watching as the flames quickly caught hold. The fire crackled to life, sending embers spiraling into the night sky.
“Now!” I hissed, turning toward the factory.
We darted toward the entrance, hearts racing as the flames grew taller, casting flickering shadows on the walls. I could hear the shouts of the guards as they turned their attention to the blaze, confusion rippling through their ranks.
“Keep moving!” I urged, adrenaline surging as we slipped past the entrance.

Inside, the factory was a maze of machinery and conveyor belts. The air was thick with the scent of oil and metal, and the rhythmic clanking of machinery filled my ears.
“Let’s find the control room,” Emil suggested, leading the way. “If we can access their files, we might uncover information about what they’re developing.”
As we navigated the winding hallways, I could feel the tension building. Every corner could hide a guard, and every shadow could be the end of our mission.
“Over here,” Lydia whispered, pointing to a door marked with a faded “Authorized Personnel Only” sign.
I nodded, pushing the door open carefully. Inside, a bank of computers flickered to life, casting a soft glow across the room. I stepped in first, scanning for any signs of movement before allowing the others to follow.
Emil moved to the nearest terminal, typing rapidly as he accessed files. “They have a layout of the factory and notes on the new weapon,” he said, urgency in his voice. “It looks like they’re developing a missile that could potentially be launched from U-boats.”

“That’s not good,” I muttered, scanning the room for any security cameras. “We need to get this information and get out of here fast.”

Lydia joined Emil at the terminal, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she downloaded the files. “I’m saving everything I can. If we can expose this operation, it could turn the tide of the war.”
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing closer. My heart raced. “We need to move—now!”
Emil yanked the flash drive from the terminal, and we bolted for the door just as a guard rounded the corner.
“Stop!” the guard shouted, raising his weapon.
“Go!” I shouted, pushing past Lydia and Emil as I dove into the hallway.

We sprinted down the corridor, the guard’s footsteps pounding behind us. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my instincts kicking in as I focused on the escape route.
“There’s an emergency exit up ahead!” I shouted, pointing toward a sign hanging above a door.
As we neared the exit, I glanced back just in time to see the guard raising his weapon again.
“Get down!” I yelled, throwing myself to the side as the sound of gunfire echoed through the factory.
Lydia and Emil followed suit, narrowly avoiding the shots.

“Keep moving!” I urged, scrambling to my feet as we burst through the emergency exit and into the night air.

We sprinted across the factory yard, the sound of alarms blaring behind us. “We’re almost there!” I yelled, my lungs burning as we raced toward the treeline.
Just as we reached the cover of the trees, I turned to see the guards pouring out of the factory, weapons drawn and shouts echoing through the night.
“Go!” I shouted again, pushing my legs to their limits as we dashed into the forest. The trees closed around us, their trunks a comforting barrier against the chaos behind us.
We ran for what felt like an eternity, finally stopping to catch our breath in a small clearing. My heart pounded in my chest as I looked at my companions, each of us gasping for air, adrenaline still coursing through our veins.
“We did it,” Emil said, a breathless laugh escaping his lips. “We actually did it!”
Lydia nodded, her eyes wide with disbelief. “But at what cost? We barely escaped.
“We have the information,” I reminded them, my voice steadying. “We can expose their plans. This is just the beginning.”
As we stood in the clearing, the gravity of our mission began to settle in. The fight against the Nazis was far from over, but we had taken a significant step forward.

“We need to get back to the safe house,” I said, glancing around the darkened forest. “We have to relay this intel to Allegra and the others.”
With renewed purpose, we navigated through the trees, making our way back toward the town. Each step forward felt like a promise, a vow to honor those we had lost.
As the first light of dawn broke through the trees, illuminating the path ahead, I felt a flicker of hope. We had survived, and together, we would continue to fight.
Whatever awaited us in the days to come, we were ready to face it. The shadows of Germany would not claim us; we would rise against them, united in our cause. And in that fight, we would find our strength.