Catapult fireballs soared through the dusk lit skies. Warriors shouting, roaring their battle cries as men and woman coated in blood and sweat raced across the thousand acres of land that was the battlefield. The Great War, as it was proclaimed.  As they fought, their leaders and commanders stood proud over a steep hill as flags blew in the wind above them. There were three distinct flags. Each of them representing a faction of the nation. 

One, a black banner with a white crest that resembled the outline of a hawk's skull. A triangular like shape with a under arch underneath. Their fighters dawned armored robes with hoods covering their head and masking their eyes, mashing colours of white, red, and black. Equipped with swords, daggers, pistols and the like. But the greatest and most unique weapons they carried, were the Hidden Blade along their wrists. With a flick of their wrists, a sharp blade was summoned to swiftly put an end to their enemies lives. Nothing is true, everything is permitted. They work in the dark to serve the light. They were the Assassins Brotherhood. 

The second, a white banner with a red cross. It's rosy red texture meshed well with the sunset above. Their fighters were dressed more casually and sophisticated than their Assassin counter parts. Black was normally their go-to colour, with armored boots, lavish coats and metal chest plates, they hack and slashed with swords and knives and had a keen eye when it came to close range weaponry such as shotguns. May the Father of Understanding guide them. They were the Templar Order. 

The third banner was a symbol of unity for not just the Brotherhood and the Order, but for the Human and Isu races that banded together. A dark green banner, the largest banner soaring in the middle of the trio, was painted with a stone tower with large fiery wings of a falcon on either end. The Isu Empire.  

"Hold fast, my brothers and sisters," one of the generals of the Assassin's came forward, riding horse back on a beautiful white steed with flowing grey hair. "We will not rest until that witch and her army are burned to ashes!"

Giovanni Auditore da Firenze wore a thick white robe with grey metal armoured plating along his chest, long dark boots and a red flowing cap on his back. His long brown hair blew in the wind as dozens of his fellow Assassin's cheered at his decree. 

Queen Juno stood upon an alter that looked out on the entire battlefield. She rose her hand as a blinding light suddenly appeared within the sky, gaining the attention of everyone, friend and foe, to look upon this giant engrossing beast that hovered before them. It let out a mighty roar, almost ear piercing to some unlucky few. 

"If you won't submit to my rule in this world, then I shall make my own!" Juno bellowed with a rich and commanding voice, her eyes narrowing right into Giovanni's soul. 

It was as if the man was having a heart attack. The pupils of his eyes shrank as images flashed into his mind. Waves of light, bodies disappearing. His whole body was shaking as he returned to reality, a lieutenant urgently calling out to him.

"What are your orders, sir?"

Giovanni glanced over to the Isu Empire rulers, or the Crowned Three, and they locked onto the mans gaze. They had sensed it too. The coming end. 

"Fall back! Get everyone to--!" Giovanni yelled out to his troops, but it was already too late. 

The beast opened its mouth as a rainbow glow of light spewed from its teeth, splitting off into dozens of trails as they each snaked their way into the battling forces. Giovanni could hear the screams as one by one a body appeared to be consumed by the light, never to be seen again. Running was futile, but many attempted and would be doomed to fail. 

"Giovanni, Crowned Three, what can we do?" The Templar general came to their side, forehead sweating as he looked out helpless towards the enemy queen and her creation. 

Giovanni looked over at the Crowned Three. They sensed it too. Was it them that put those images in his head? 

"We can no longer fight," Queen Minerva spoke up as she stepped forward, her pearl white royal gown flowing in the breeze. "Our fight is ending," 

The two generals looked on, mentally preparing themselves for what was to come. Their deaths? If Juno wanted them to serve her, what purpose would she have killing them? 

"But the war has just begun for your children, and their children, as well as future generations to come," 

The snakes of light drew closer. With a steady breath, Giovanni climbed off his horse. His finger tips brushed their mane as he stood atop the hill, curling his hands into fists. He stood tall. "We work in the dark, to serve the light," 

Uncurling his fingers quickly, with a flick of his wrist he drew his hidden blade as one of the glowing snake lights flashed towards him. He rose his weapon to strike-- and blindness followed. 

A young 17 year old Ezio Auditore sat up instantly. He breathed heavily as his shoulders trembled. That weird dream again. The last thing he remembered was his father fighting in the, "Father," a faint whisper pursed through his lips. 

Glancing over he looked at an old painting, one of his mother and father holding hands. It happened so long ago, and yet it was still fresh in his mind. 

A knock came to his door. "Ezio?" A female voice fluttered through the wooden frame. 

"I'm up," he coughed, composing himself with a shake of his head. 

The door flew open as his younger sister Claudia entered the room. "Still asleep? Get up lazy bones, mother wanted you to help me with shopping at the market today," 

"I didn't forget, I promise," Ezio reassured her with a soft smile as he covered up a yawn in between his words. "Give me a few minutes to get dressed, alright?" 

Claudio huffed as she smirked playfully at her brother, arms crossed over her chest. "I'll give you five," 

Claudia left, shutting the door behind her as Ezio pulled himself out of bed. Scratching the side of his head, he made his way over to the window sill, pulling back the curtains as he looked out the view. The crisp morning air blew in his face as he watched the towns people go about their day, white and red Brotherhood banners flowing on flag posts in the main square.

Passed the town of Florence were the waterfront and docks and beyond the open water just off in the distance but not too far for the naked eye was a giant glowing crystal, embedding a rainbow like glow above the floating remnants of castle from those who came and fought before.