I stumbled as the anchor around my neck surged. One of the closer anchors in the back of my mind flickered dangerously. I instantly went into protection mode. Is everyone alright? I pushed out with my mind, connecting with everyone.

   I'm fine, Archer said. Can you feel that flickering, though?

   Yes, Arno said at the same time as Altaïr and Ezio.

   It's getting weaker, Aveline warned. Can anyone tell who it is?

   Wait, Ezio said. Did Connor say anything?

   No, I froze. Connor!

   I focused on the flickering in the back of my mind. It was coming from my right. I ran towards it. It seemed that the more that I ran, the weaker the pulsing got. I started to hear a gasping sound. I rounded a corner to see Connor pushed against a wall by an all too familiar form. "SHAY!"

   Shay looked at me without letting go of Connor. He grinned wickedly. "Well hello, Edward Kenway. Scourge of the West Indies. So you've finally come to join the fight?"

   I ignored his question. "Let. Connor. Go."

   "I don't think I will," Shay sneered. "He's almost dead anyway."

   I looked at Connor. His eyes were half closed, but I could tell he was looking at me. He shook his head a tiny amount. Don't, his voice was weak. Get the others. Save them.

   No. I lunged at Shay with my swords drawn. "I said. Let. Go. Of. My. BROTHER!"

   Shay stumbled backward in surprise as I crashed into him. Connor slid to the ground, coughing. I pinned Shay down with one sword to his neck. "You should've left when you had the chance."

   Shay smiled. "Why don't you kill me, Edward? You've got me."

   "Kill him Edward," Archer's voice was quiet. "Don't think about it."

   I hesitated. I should have done what Archer told me to and killed Shay right then and there. Shay twisted under me and punched me in the gut. I was knocked back against a wall. Shay stood above me.

   "Step away, Shay," Archer sounded eerily calm as he stepped from the shadows.

   Shay looked towards Archer. I tried to stand up but it hurt too much. I grit my teeth and just watched.

   "Archer?" Shay sounded surprised. "But... you... you're."

   "Clearly not," Archer smiled slightly. "Sometimes I wonder Shay, whatever happened to the man who always did everything Achilles asked him too, even when he didn't think it would help anything?"

   Shay's eyes were haunted. "He died in the earthquake, along with everyone else."

   "Shay..." Archer's eyes betrayed a sadness deeper than I could ever understand. "I don't think that man ever died."

   Shay's eyes hardened and he lunged at Archer. "You're not my brother! My brother's dead!"

   "Shay! Please listen!" Archer backed away.

   "No!" Shay ran at Archer. "I won't listen to you!"

   Archer leaped up the side of a building to avoid the dagger Shay was holding. Shay followed without hesitation, chasing Archer across the rooftops until I couldn't see them. I worried that Archer wouldn't be able to outrun Shay, but I didn't let myself think about that. Connor needed my help.