Assassin's Creed: Destiny of Souls

Chapter 14

Claire made her way down the halls, her heart hammering in her chest, the weight of her memories and the fragments of Desmond's legacy pressing down on her. Her footsteps were steady, resolute as she neared the Animus room, feeling a strange pull, an instinct guiding her toward her brother. The thought of Cal in the Animus again after everything he'd endured filled her with both urgency and dread.

As she stepped through the doorway, the sight before her stopped her in her tracks. A low hum filled the room, but the usual sterile glow of the Animus had transformed into something surreal, almost sacred. Around Callum were translucent, spectral figures, faintly glowing—Assassins, each bearing the familiar garb and poise of the Brotherhood, their features etched with determination and purpose. They seemed to emanate from him, projections of his mind and memories, connected to the Animus in a way she'd never seen.

She scanned the faces, each one a legend brought to life. Ezio, standing tall, a calm intensity in his eyes. His presence was commanding, and Claire felt a pang of awe just seeing him in person—her ancestor, a hero she had only known through memories, now before her in spirit. Next to him was Amelia, fierce and defiant, her hand resting confidently on her hip, her gaze unwavering as if daring anyone to cross her. Nearby, Connor, solemn and watchful, his eyes reflecting a lifetime of struggle, looked on with a quiet, enduring strength that struck her to the core.

Her eyes moved to Evie, her stance composed and graceful, embodying a deadly elegance. Evie nodded to Claire, an almost knowing look in her eyes, as if recognizing the battles Claire herself had fought. Aguilar stood beside her, his face set in a determined expression, his hand resting lightly on his blade as if ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. Others were there too, ancestors whose names and faces she didn't yet know, each one carrying the spirit and resolve of the Brotherhood.

But it was the last two figures that pulled her forward, her breath catching in her throat. Her mother stood there, as if lifted from a distant memory—her gaze warm but steady, a strength in her that Claire remembered all too well. And beside her was Desmond. His face was calm, almost serene, as he looked toward her, his gaze piercing and filled with something deeper than words. The sight of him, so real yet unreachable, made her heart twist painfully.

Claire took a slow step forward, her hands trembling, drawn to him as though he were a beacon in the fog. She wanted to speak, to say something, but the words caught in her throat. She heard her mother's voice, her tone imbued with the wisdom and conviction that had shaped her entire life.

"Where other men blindly follow the truth," her mother began, her voice echoing through the room, "remember, nothing is true."

Claire felt the weight of the words, the creed that had guided their lives and anchored their sacrifices. Her mother's gaze held steady, filled with purpose. "Where other men are limited by their morality or law, remember, everything is permitted. We work in the darkness to serve the light."

The last words struck something deep within Claire, her mother's legacy and spirit tangible in those few, powerful syllables. Then, her mother's gaze shifted toward Callum, her eyes softening, but her tone unwavering. "Protect the Apple."

The familiar, haunting command hung in the air, and Claire could feel its weight, the urgency of their mission that had transcended lifetimes, echoing through her own heart.

Then Desmond stepped forward, turning to face her directly. His gaze, warm yet resolute, settled on her with a tenderness that unraveled her, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips. He raised his hand, and Claire, overcome with emotion, reached out instinctively, her fingers trembling as they extended toward him. She felt the warmth of his presence, the brush of his spirit as she tried to touch him, to hold onto this fleeting moment with everything in her.