Demoted || Genyatta

Chapter 1: We're All Just Born to Descend

"Do you remember, Altair, what it is the Assassins fight for?"
"Peace, in all things."
"Yes. In all things. It is not enough to end the violence one man commits upon another. It refers to peace within as well. You cannot have one without the other."

-

The rooftop was wet and uncomfortable. Genji's muscles – or at least what remained of them – were aching painfully, and he wanted nothing more than for something to happen already. Rain was pouring down from the dark sky, battering on Genji's helmet with an excruciatingly loud ticking. At least the rain masked the sounds of his movements as he repositioned himself for the millionth time.

"This is ridiculous," Genji whispered, now sitting in a half-crouch. He was still uncomfortable. "I can't feel my legs."

Next to him, Derek laughed, and Genji quickly shushed him.

"You're being dramatic. We've only been here for an hour."

Derek leaned over the edge of the building to scan the people below. He pressed two fingers against his temple and a small display appeared; names of the passersby shot across the screen quickly. It was no use – he wasn't here yet. If he were, Genji would definitely know without having to run a facial scan on random civilians.

"Put that display away, it's like a beacon." Genji waved his hand through the holographic and the image blurred before vanishing completely.

With a sigh, Derek pushed himself up from his stomach and joined Genji in a half-crouch. "You're certain we're at the right location?"

"Of course I'm certain," Genji snarled. "Who do you take me for?"

"I meant no offense." Derek hastily raised his hands in surrender. He let out another sigh, somehow heavier than the one before, and wordlessly went back to scanning the alley below them.

The backstreet had gotten more and more abandoned as the time passed, but Genji wasn't sure whether that was a good sign. He'd read the briefing three times over, so there was no doubt about it – they were in the right position. In fact, he could even see the door that had been described in the file; the one they were asked to investigate. But then where was he?

Patience wasn't Genji's strong suit. It was excruciatingly boring to wait here, in the pouring rain outside, while he should be in a so called 'dangerous mission'. Dangerous my ass, nothing was happening – the only danger about this mission was that Genji might die from boredom if this were to go on for much longer.

"Genji, over there."

Sharply turning his head, he looked down the end of the alleyway to see a group of 5 people, laughing and pushing each other around as they strode down the street. The man in the front of the group, however, was unmoving. There wasn't a single hint of a smile on his face.

"That's him," Genji confirmed for Derek. "The one in front."

Antonio Bartalotti. Blackwatch had been on the lookout for him for months, and now he'd finally revealed himself.

Finally, something was happening.

The group strode down the alleyway until they reached the door that Genji had spotted before. They stopped, looked around them, and then Antonio knocked once. Barely a second had passed when the door was thrown open.

A small, frail man appeared in the doorway, a scowl on his face. He looked old, and Genji was certain that the smallest gust of wind would be enough to knock him down. As he looked up at Antonio, imposing as ever, his expression twisted to one of fear.

"I-I have what you want!" he spoke hastily, stepping back into the building for a moment before reappearing with a suitcase. Genji and Derek shared a look. "Please, take it and leave me alone."