These People Are Torn - Chapter 11
Title: These People Are Torn
Rating: PG (because of violence)
Pairing: Belldom
Story Summary: Ever since the one he loved left him, Dominic Howard has been torn. In pure frustration and grief, he became one of the most skilled assassins in the land. But his next target brings up old memories; memories he's not sure if he wants to remember...
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Yeah, I kind of abandoned this story for a while. But I was going through a brain-derp (whatever that means) and it stopped me from being able to write. But, I recently got the first Assassin’s Creed novel, The Secret Crusade, and it inspired me to add more to this story. This is the second-to-last chapter, so I hope you enjoy. It’s pretty full on.
The first prisoner was called forward, and they were shoved towards the guillotine, and pushed into the position of which they would take their death. The first called was an elderly woman. Two guards were shoving her in her place, when the executioner spoke, the muffled voice coming from behind the black cowl.
“No. He shall be first.” The executioner raised his hand, and pointed to no other than Matthew.
“No!” Chris cried to himself. If only there was more time.
Matthew’s arms were grasped by the guards, and he was hurled towards the guillotine, his head pushed down into place, his arms cuffed into place. The executioner stepped forward, and checked that the blade was in place. He ran his gloved hand along the edge, Matthew cringing at the metallic sound it made. He panicked. His death was near, and had only just seemed to have dawned on him. He writhed in his place, manic groans escaping his lips.
The executioner placed a hand on Matt’s shoulder, trying to steady him.
“Matt, calm down,” He whispered, meeting Matthew’s wide, confused eyes. “It’s me.” The executioner pulled down his cowl, to reveal the face of Dominic.
Matt’s eyes widened even further, and he smiled widely. Dom un-cuffed him, causing the guards nearby to reach for their swords.
“Run, and hide. I will find you when this is over.” Dom murmured in his ear, and he pushed him away.
Matthew ran through the crowd and out of sight, and Dom drew his sword.
This might be difficult. He thought.
~
Chris was not expecting what had happened. But of course he was extremely glad it did. He ran along the city wall, and into the tower, running down the spiral steps as quickly as he could. He was going to assist Dom.
He entered the courtyard, blotches of the red-wearing guards everywhere. He unsheathed his sword and slid it through the back of an unaware guard, this action drawing the attention of some of the others, moving their gaze away from Dom. He swung his sword through the crowd, knocking down soldiers one by one.
Dom kicked the soldier nearest him between the legs, lowering his defence, before bringing the blade down on his neck, beheading him. Bloody actions brought bloody reactions. That was the thought that justified everything in Dom’s head. Dom turned to his next attacker, who was still a few feet away, so from his shoulder belt, he pulled out a small knife, and launched it towards the oncoming soldier, and it pierced his chest, causing him to fall to the ground, clutching his wound. Dom spun around to search for his next opponent, when something caught his eye. People were dropping from the city’s surrounding walls, into the courtyard. Hooded people. Assassins. The made their way into the chaos and fought against the red soldiers. A figure wearing black robes and silver armour approached Dom, and pulled down his hood. Manson stood before him, frown lines forming on his face.
“The target still lives.” He stated.
Dom replied only with silence.
“Christopher Wolstenholme is here in the city, and he still lives.” Manson broke it down. “Why is this?”
Dom cleared his throat, choosing his next words carefully.
“I cannot kill him. He does not deserve to die. Whatever he did to betray the guild - it doesn’t become justified with his death. He is a good man with a family.”
Anger flashed in Manson’s eyes, and he moved closer, filling the space between him and Dom.
“Do you not understand an order? Do you see any of the other assassins refusing their contracts? No. I am disappointed. That does not even describe how this makes me feel. I am ashamed, that such a coward was trained in my guild.”
“I am not a coward.” Dom spat. “I am a decent human being.”
Manson glared and shoved Dom into the nearest wall, holding a dagger to his throat.
“How dare you speak to your master in such a manner. I slit your throat right now, and watch your life leave you as your blood does, but no. I will let you go; but I will show you, that every contract is destined to die.”
Manson punched Dom in the jaw, and in fury, Dom leaped forward at Manson, but was thrown to the ground by his master’s hand, and was left in the dirt. He tried to get up, but a stampede of panicking villagers trampled on him, leaving his body sore, and dust in his eyes. He looked up and saw the black robes disappear through the crowd. He had to stop Manson.
Dom pushed himself up, groaning from the pain he felt. He ran through the crowds of people, pushing his way through. His pushes became more violent when he became more desperate, until finally, he spotted Manson. He was crouched over, kneeling on the ground, before he got up, and disappeared down an alley. But he left behind, a body, slumped against the building.
Chris.
Dom ran to his, and collapsed on the ground in front of him. Chris was clutching his chest, his hand covered in blood.
“No,” Dom said on disbelief.
Chris’ eyes met Dom’s. “I feel Death’s embrace.” He said weakly.
“No, Chris, don’t go. You can’t go. Matt’s safe now. We did it. We saved him!”
“Tell Matt… to stay safe.” Chris whispered.
“You can tell him yourself, Chris, come on.” Dom was trying to make himself believe his own words were true, as well as the man in front of him, who was bloody and helpless.
“I will not make it. Promise me, you’ll look after Matthew.”
“Chris,” Dom whispered. It was too late.
The last moments of life had left his eyes. He was gone.
Dom barely knew what to do, but he stayed with Chris’ body instead of continuing the fight with the soldiers. He would leave that to the other assassins, as he didn’t want Chris’ body to be trampled in the brawl.
He moved his hands across Chris’ face, and closed his eyelids.
“Requiescat en pace.” He said. “Rest in peace.”
Dom dreaded the moment when Matt was to find out about his cousin’s passing. He had been through enough already.
~
Dom heard footsteps, and he looked up to see the familiar silhouette. Matthew. He walked closer, before freezing in his tracks. He stared at the body by Dom’s side, his mouth ajar. He shifted his gaze to Dom, a look of the deepest accusation etched across his angular face.
“You promised me!” he wailed.
Dom’s eyes darted between Matt and Chris.
“What?”
“You promised you had changed!”
“Matt! It wasn’t me! I didn’t kill him!”
Dom ran forward, but Matt turned, and disappeared down a narrow street, every step thumping on the ground with the weight of his grief.