Renaissance. Part 39

- You can back you! Said-. How impressive. It is difficult to guess who is the true and which are Quimera ..., but that would be difficult at best, and if you thought that was a cheap trick to save you, think again!

Rodrigo stirred the Staff at the clones, and each time you gave one, faded forming a puff of smoke. The ghost Ezio pranced and dodging, attacking Rodrigo, who now seemed worried, but they proved unable to do other damage to the Spanish that was not the mere distraction. Ezio really only managed to finish real shock, though they were little, for such was the power of the Staff, that he could not bringPope is an evil enough. Ezio but quickly realized that the fight was weakening Rodrigo. When the seven fanTasman had disappeared, the repulsive pontiff was exhausted and breathless. The madness gives the body an energy that few cosas more can we do provide, but despite the Staff powers granted him, Rodrigo was, after all, a fat old man of seventy-two years ill with syphilis. Ezio then kept in his pocket the fruit of Eden.

Panting after the fight against the ghosts, the Pope fell to his knees. Ezio, panting as well, as the ghosts were usedlizado their energy into making their own, descended on him. LevanTando sight, Rodrigo clung to his staff.

"No it away from me," he said.

-All over, Rodrigo. Leave the Staff and will guarantee you a quick and merciful death.

"What a generous, mocking voice said Rodrigo-. I pregunto if you will yield a very pa.s.sive way of being the opposite situation.

Gathering the strength he had left, the Pope suddenly got up and pounded the ground with the heel of his stick. In penumbra, priests and paris.h.i.+oners whined again and emerged from the Crosier a new surge of energy directed against Ezio, who hit like a sledgehammer and sent him flying through the air.

- What do you think of this as an appetizer? "Said the Pope, with an evil smile.

He approached the place where Ezio lay breathless and when he was about to bring back the fruit of Eden, he realized that he hasBia reacted too late. Rodrigo crushed his hand with his boot and the Fruit of Eden began to roll on the floor. Borgia stooped to pick it up.

- Finally! He said smiling-. And now ... I'll see you!

He raised the Fruit of Eden, which issued a destructive glare. Ezio had been frozen, trapped, unable to move. The Pope leaned upon him furiously, but then, seeing his adanniversary was entirely in his power, his expression subsided. Extracted from their clothes a short sword and looking at his postTrado enemy, deliberately stabbed him in the side, with a pitying look, combined with disdain.

But the pain of the wound apparently weakened the power of the Fruit of Eden. Ezio still lying face down, but even so, and suppliesdo in a blur of pain, he saw Rodrigo, believing himself safe, stood in front of a fres...o...b.. Botticelli, The temptation of Christto. The temptation of Christto. She approached him and raised the Staff. An arc of cosmic energy of Staff and then started fresh reached, which was opened and revealed the presence of a secret door, through which pa.s.sed Rodrigo after throwing one last look of triumph to his fallen foe. Ezio watched helplessly as the door closed behind the Pope and before losing consciousness, only had time to memorize itlocalization of the door. She approached him and raised the Staff. An arc of cosmic energy of Staff and then started fresh reached, which was opened and revealed the presence of a secret door, through which pa.s.sed Rodrigo after throwing one last look of triumph to his fallen foe. Ezio watched helplessly as the door closed behind the Pope and before losing consciousness, only had time to memorize itlocalization of the door.

He woke up, did not know how long later, but the sails havebian almost completely burnt and the priests and the faithful were gone. Found that despite being stretched on a pool of blood, the wound that had occurred on the side Rodrigo had not touched any vital organs. He got up trembling, acered to the wall to find a foothold and began to breathe deeply and with a regular rhythm until she felt clearer head. Gotta stop the bleeding with improvised bandagesSadas ripped off his own s.h.i.+rt. Codex prepared weapons, the double-edged dagger on his left forearm, the poisonous dagger in the right-and went Botticelli fresco.

Remembered that the door was hidden in the figure, right hand of a woman charged with a bundle of firewood for Hoguera slaughter. It moved a little closer to examine the painting mynucia to trace the outline, barely visible. Intonka carefully studied the details of the painting, both right and left of the woman. At his feet appeared FIGra of a child with right hand raised, and was on the tip of the fingers of the hand that Ezio found the b.u.t.ton that triggersba the door. Opened, the cross and was not surprised to be immediately closed behind him. In any case, I would not think now turn back.

He was in what looked like a catacomb hall but as it was advancing cautiously, rough walls and dirt floor gave way to a gently carved stone and marble flooring that there would be out of place in any palace. And the walls glowed with a bright light and supernatural.

The wound had weakened but was forced to go on, fa.s.sored, and more startled than scared, although still in guarday, knowing that Borgia had also followed this route.

The long pa.s.sage resulted finally in a room consideredble size. Its walls were smooth as gla.s.s and glowed with the same blue iridescence previously seen, only here it was more intense. In the center of the room was a pedestal and sober him in clear containers designed for that purpose, the Fruit of Eden and the Staff.

The rear wall of the room was dotted with hundreds of regularly s.p.a.ced holes, and there was the Spanish, Itend and drawing, completely ignorant of the arrival of Ezio.

- Open up, d.a.m.n it, barren barren Shouted frustrated and angry. Shouted frustrated and angry.

Ezio stepped forward.

"It's over," said Rodrigo-. Let it run. And no tiene way.

Rodrigo suddenly turned toward him.

"No more tricks," said Ezio, removing the daggers andJandola fall to the ground-. No more artifacts. Is hereBaron weapons. Now ... see what you are made, vecchio. vecchio.

A smile slowly bathed face Rodrigo broken and corrupt.

"Okay ... if you want to play well.

He took off his thick clothes to stay only in the tunic and stockings. A body fat, although compact and poStand, run by small ray of light, therefore the power of the staff. And immediately, he stepped forward and downloaded the firstmer blow, a malevolent hook to the chin of Ezio, which left him reeling.

- Why could not you have let your father run?Pre-Rodrigo gunt lamenting at the time he lifted his foot to poke a hard kick to the stomach Ezio-. Had to continue pursuing it, though ... And you're like him. The Murderers are like mosquitoes to be crushed with his hand. I wish G.o.d had let that fool you hang yourself Alberti Juneyour whole family to do now twenty-seven.

"The devil does not live in us, but you, you, the Tunerivers, "said Ezio, spitting out a tooth-. Believe you can play with people, with decent people, with normal people and cocurrent, do with it what you desire! the Tunerivers, "said Ezio, spitting out a tooth-. Believe you can play with people, with decent people, with normal people and cocurrent, do with it what you desire!

"My dear friend," said Rodrigo, aiming a blow below the ribs Ezio- for it serves the people. Sc.u.m that rule and use. It was ever thus, and always will be.

- Tables! "He gasped Ezio-. This match is immaterial. We expected a much more vital. But first tell me, what do you get in the vault behind that wall? Do not tietions and all the power you might need?

Rodrigo looked surprised.

- Do not know what is there behind? Have not you figured out the great and powerful Order of Murderers?

Torpid tone of his voice stopped short to Ezio.

"But what are you talking?

Rodrigo's eyes shone.

- By G.o.d! It G.o.d G.o.d people who inhabit the Vault! people who inhabit the Vault!

Ezio was so stunned that failed to respond immediatelyately. He knew he faced a dangerous madman.

"Listen, do you expect me to believe truly that G.o.d lives under the Vatican?

- Does not it seem a more logical that a kingdom in a cloud? "Surrounded by singing angels and cherubs? It is an imagegene charming, but truth truth is much more interesting. is much more interesting.

- What does G.o.d down there?

-Expect to be released.

Ezio breath.

"Suppose you think. What would you do if you think withcontinue to open that door? Rodrigo smiled.

"That does not matter. What I seek not your approval ... But his power!

- What do you think He'll diaria?

"Whatever it is what is behind that wall, no postone to resist the combined strength of the Fruit of Eden and the Staff. Rodrigo paused-. The G.o.ds created to fierce ... whichwant to be the religion to which they belong.

"But the Lord G.o.d is omniscient. Almighty. Do you really think that a couple of ancient relics canyou hurt?

Rodrigo smiled with superiority.

"I do not know anything about anything, kid. You create an image ofdor taken from an old book ... a book, however, written by men. men.

- You're the Pope! How can you thus despise the most important text of Christianity?

Rodrigo laughed.

- Are you really so naive? I became pope, because this position gave me access. access. I was I was power! power! Do you think I believe a word he ordered that Book says ridiculous? Is carrynot lies and superst.i.tions. Like any other religious treatedgious has been published since man learned to write! Do you think I believe a word he ordered that Book says ridiculous? Is carrynot lies and superst.i.tions. Like any other religious treatedgious has been published since man learned to write!

"There are those who would kill you for saying that.

"Maybe. But I'm not losing any sleep. He paused-. Ezio, the Templars understand understand humanity, and therefore the despride in that way! humanity, and therefore the despride in that way!

Ezio was speechless, but continued to hear the Pope's speech pretentious.

"When my work here is finished," continued Rodrigo- I think the first thing I will do is dismantle the Church, that men and women will be finally forced to take responsibility for their actions, and are finally courts courts as duedo. -Adopted a beatific expression-. It will be a beauty, the new world Templar ... governed by reason and order ... as duedo. -Adopted a beatific expression-. It will be a beauty, the new world Templar ... governed by reason and order ...

- How can you speak with reason and order, "interrupted Ezio, when your whole life has been ruled by violence and inmorality?

"Oh, I know I am an imperfect being, Ezio," said the Pope, with a smirk. And do not pretend otherwise. But sabes? Morality has no award. award. Te stay with what you get, and you cling to it ... by all means. At the end of the extended hands-- You only live once! Te stay with what you get, and you cling to it ... by all means. At the end of the extended hands-- You only live once!

"If everyone lived according to your code," said Ezio atonyto- the world would be consumed by madness.

- Exactly! As if I were not already! Rodrigo I pointed a finger-. Are you sleeping, perhaps, when I went to your history cla.s.ses? A little over a hundred years our ancestors lived in the mud and manure, used by the ignorancia and religious fervor ..., starting up with the shadows, afraid of everything.

"But it's time we left that and we became more sabios and stronger.

Rodrigo laughed again.

- You have pleasant dreams! But look around you. You mymo've lived reality. The bloodshed. Violence. The s.p.a.ce between the rich and the poor ... and that does nothing but expand. He looked into his eyes Ezio-. Never Never will be at parity. I made peace with it. And you should do them well. will be at parity. I made peace with it. And you should do them well.

- Never! The Murderers always fight to improve humanmanity. Perhaps unattainable Utopia, a heaven on earth, but every day the fight is a step out of the quagmire.

Rodrigo sighed.

-Santa simplicitas! Forgive me, but I got tired of waiting to awaken humanity. I am old, I saw many things, and I have few years to live. "An idea popped into his cahead and cackled maliciously-. Although who knows? Maybe the Dome is able to change that, right? Forgive me, but I got tired of waiting to awaken humanity. I am old, I saw many things, and I have few years to live. "An idea popped into his cahead and cackled maliciously-. Although who knows? Maybe the Dome is able to change that, right?

But suddenly the Fruit of Eden began to s.h.i.+ne, with more inintensity each time, until its light completely filled the room, blinding them. Pope fell on his knees. s.h.i.+elding his eyes, saw Ezio map image began to be designed so Codexber wall dotted with holes. He stepped forward and took the Staff papal.

- No!Rodrigo exclaimed, her hands claw giving inutiI lurched into the air-. You can not! You can not! You can not! Is Is my my destination. destination. Mine!I Mine!I I am the Prophet! I am the Prophet!

In a terrifying moment of clear consciousness, Ezio was Auditorst that long ago, in Venice, fellow Murderers had seen what he had wanted to reject. The Prophet istobacco was present, in this room, about to turn its its intendedno. Rodrigo looked almost with pity. intendedno. Rodrigo looked almost with pity.

"I never said you were the Prophet-. Poor deluded soul.

The Pope fell backwards, old, fat and pathetic. And continuoustion, spoke with resignation.

"The price of failure is death. Give me at least that dignity.

Ezio looked at him and shook his head from side to side.

"No, old fool. I returned to kill my father. Or FeDerico. Neither Petruccio. Or any of the dead, eitherfront of you, either powerless at your service. As for me, are over the deaths. He looked to the Pope in the eyes, and seemed troubled now, and frightened, and the elderly, nothing to do with the piercing brightness of his enemy-. Nothing is true, "said Ezio-. All is allowed. It's time to find your own peace.

Rodrigo and departed from the Staff approached the wall, pressdo with the end of a sequence of scattered holes, as he showed the map projection.

And it appeared the outline of a large door.

That in the time Ezio played the last hole, it opened.

Then opened a wide aisle, with gla.s.s walls filled with ancient stone sculptures, marble and bronze, and many camerasflush with sarcophagi, marked all with runic letters, which got Ezio read: were the names of ancient G.o.ds of Rome. The coffins were tightly sealed.

As he walked down the aisle, Ezio was surprised by the unknown of architecture and decoration that seemed to be a strange mix of a very old style, the style of his own time, and structures and forms that did not recognize, but whose instinct suggested that they should belong to the distant future. On the walls were reliefs depicting the ancient events that seemed to show not only the evolution of man, but also the driving forces.

Much of the silhouettes seemed human, though forand clothes but could not recognize. And there were other ways, not knowing if they were carved, painted or were part of itthe cosmic s.p.a.ce was happening: a forest that ended in the sea, monkeys, apples, canes, men and women, a cloth, a sword, and colossal pyramids, ziggurats and juggernauts, s.h.i.+ps sailing under the water, strange screens s.h.i.+ny patransmit all kinds of new knowledge, all kinds of communitytion ...

Ezio also recognized not only the fruit of Eden and the Staff, but a sword of great size, and the Shroud of Christ, all carried by figures of human form, but not pajust be. Distinguished a description of the earliest civilizationstions.

And finally, in the depths of the vault, he found a hugeI granite sarcophagus. When Ezio approached him, he began to brillar with a warm light. He stroked his huge cap and rose with a hiss audible, but the cover was light, as if hitgives your fingers, and slid back. Emerged inside the tumstone bath a wonderful yellow light, warm and inviting as the sun. Ezio shaded his eyes with his hand.

Then, he got up inside the sarcophagus figure cuEzio yas factions failed to distinguish, but I knew I was Frenyou a woman. Ezio looked at changing and burning eyes and emitio a voice, a voice similar to start with birds chirping, which ended up speaking in their own language.

Ezio was wearing a helmet on his head. An owl perched on his shoulder. Ezio nodded.

"I Regards, Prophet, "said the G.o.ddess-. Took ten thousand thousand waiting stations.

Ezio dared not look up.

"I'm glad you came," said the Vision-. And LLEgo with you the fruit of Eden. Let me see.

With humility, Ezio offered it.

"Oh. He stroked his hand over the s.p.a.ce above the fruit, but not touching. The Fruit of Eden began to glow and throb. Vision stared at Ezio-. We must talk. He c.o.c.ked his head, as if reflecting on something, and Ezio seemed to glimpse a hint of iridescent smile on his face.

- Who are you? Ventured to ask.

She sighed.

"I have many names ... When I died, was Minerva. AnTES was Merva and Mera ... and so on, with the pa.s.sage of timepo ... Look! He pointed to the set of sarcophagi where Ezio happened before. And as he was pointing to them, were litnandose the pale glow of moonlight. And my faily ... Juno, formerly known as Uni .. Jupiter, that are calledTinia Maba before ...

Ezio was petrified.

"You ancient G.o.ds ...

There was a sound like breaking gla.s.s or the sound that would make a shooting star ... It was his laughter.

"No ... we are not G.o.ds. Just came ... before. Howdo come into the world, yours struggled to understand ourwork life. We were more ... developed over time. Your minds were not still still prepared for us ... He paused. And maybe they are not yet ... Maybe this neverran. But that does not matter. "Her voice became somewhat harder-. But although we may not understand, you inbuild our warning ... prepared for us ... He paused. And maybe they are not yet ... Maybe this neverran. But that does not matter. "Her voice became somewhat harder-. But although we may not understand, you inbuild our warning ...

He was silent. And in the silence, "said Ezio: "Nothing you say makes sense to me.

"My son, these words were not directed to you ... Were directeddas a. .. "And he looked into the darkness beyond the Vault, a Icuridad no limits or walls or time.

- What is it? Ezio asked, timid and scared-. What are you talking about? There is no one else!