Assassin's Creed: A World On Fire

Part One: Chapter 4

"The Apple?"

It's an honest question. It's not doubtful or condescending. There's only curiosity in Kenny's voice as he sits up on the bed. He gives me his full attention then.

"Yes, the Apple. That goddamn Apple," I say, studying the red apple still in my grip. There's not much of it left, only a bite or two. I'm done with it though. So I chuck it across the room, not caring where it lands. "The whole reason behind everything in this universe."

"Wait, I thought the Apple didn't work on Altaïr?"

"It doesn't. Well, at least not fully," I tell him though, when Kenny gives me a confused look I explain further. "Remember in the game, when you get to the final boss? When you have to fight Al Mualim?"

"Yes."

"Remember how Al Mualim was able to pin Altaïr down with the Apple's power? Hell, you remember how he made us fight all the Templars we killed throughout the game?"

"Yeah."

"He admitted during the fight that he did try to control Altaïr mentally. It's just that, when he took away Altaïr's freewill, his skills as an Assassin came with it and he couldn't have that because he needed Altaïr to kill the Templars," I explain but Kenny doesn't seem to be getting it. "The Apple does work on Altaïr. It can control him physically and show him illusions and control him mentally. It's not the Apple that doesn't work, it's Altaïr."

"So you're saying that it's Altaïr that doesn't work?"

"Exactly!"

Silence envelopes as Kenny tries to process what I just told him. Though, when he lets out an exasperated groan, I know he still hasn't understood. He flops back onto the bed in defeated confusion.

"Jen, you're not making much sense."

I stare at him in surprise until I realize that I'm really not. At least not to someone like him. He's not gamer but I am. So, to me, it all makes perfect sense. Nothing of what I just said is confusing in the least. Too him, though, I'm talking in riddles.

"How can Altaïr not 'work'?"

"Altaïr doesn't work because he can see through the illusions. The Apple can very well put him under his spell, but he can break free from it," I tell him as I flop down next to him. "You see, in this universe, humans were created for the sole reason of being slaves for the First Civilization, The Isu. The Apples were then created to control them. So what good is a slave that can look through the illusions? And when you think in those terms, well, Altaïr's the one that doesn't work."

"It can still physically control him though, so he must be good for something."

"Yeah, I guess. Though it might not be for much," I mutter. "He can see through the illusions so I'm betting he can break the mind control if he tries to fight it. The only thing the physical manipulation would be good for is to stop him before he can kill you."

"Kill you?"

"Do you really think he'd take kindly to being enslaved?"

"True," Ken agrees and silence envelopes us once again. I let it because I can practically hear the gears turning in his head. "So how does Al Mualim do it? How does he make him forget?"

"I'm not sure, actually. The most logical answer would be the Apple but Altaïr's going to be traveling to Jerusalem and Acre and Damascus and I doubt the Apple's influences would reach that far," I answer. "The only way to know for sure if it is the Apple's influence is to give him a sword after his demotion and make him counter an attack."