Taking Flight

Taking Flight was a virtual representation of one of Basim Ibn Ishaq's genetic memories relived through the Animus.
==Description==
Basim furthered his training to officially become a fully-fledged Hidden One.
==Memory Animus Feedback System==
*Go to Al-Hasan's workshop
*Reach the cave entrance
*Approach the altar
*Face Roshan
==Dialogue==
Time progressed as Basim furthered his training, which included lessons such as meditating on the top of a rocky outcrop, mastering the use of his dagger in sparring sessions with Roshan, becoming Enkidu's handler, practicing freerunning on the rocky terrains of Alamut, learning how to sneak up on enemies by silently trying to take down another Hidden One from atop a building, and climbing the cliffs with Rebekah. Over time, he matured, grew a beard, and gained mastery over the usage of his weapons. One day, Enkidu perched on Basim's arm as he completed his meditation at the usual spot. As Enkidu took flight again, he stood up and, from there, performed a Leap of Faith and dived into the haystack below. He then left the cave he ended up in, passing by two other novices who were sparring.
*Novice 1: As-salamu 'alaikum (Peace be upon you), Basim!.
Basim traversed the small bridge that lead to the center of the camp.
*Basim: I must see Al-Hasan. He awaits me.
Basim made his way to Al-Hasan's workshop, stopping by Fuladh Al Haami's office to speak to Rebekah along the way.
*Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum (Peace be upon you), Rebekah!
*Rebekah: Wa 'alaikum as-salam (And peace be upon you), Basim. What a slow and boring day...
*Basim: Did you not know that I have been called to be initiated?
*Rebekah: Oh? We are really initiating anyone now!
*Basim: Where's this all coming from?
*Rebekah: (laugh) Oh, calm down! I am well aware this is the great day of Basim. Waffaqaka Allah! (May God grant you success!)
Basim reached Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Musa's workshop and spoke to the inventor who was reading a book, mistaking him to be Al-Hasan.
*Basim: Al-Hasan!
*Abu Jafar Muhammad: Wrong again. It's Abu Jafar.
*Basim: I apologize. What are you reading?
*Abu Jafar Muhammad: The works of a poet named Arib Al-Ma'muniyya. Tabid was kind enough to lend it to me. I would recommend her highly. Now, if I may continue.
*Basim: Of course. I will leave you to it.
*Abu Jafar Muhammad: Basim, go see my brother Al-Hasan. You remember who he is, yes?
Basim spoke to Al-Hasan on his right, who was in the midst of creating a concoction.
*Basim: It is strange, Al-Hasan. My head is calmer than I believe it would be. I thought I would be a stormy sea inside, but I am calm and quiet.
*Al-Hasan: Because you have dedicated yourself to your training and left nothing to chance.
Al-Hasan went to a nearby shelf and took a wrapped package, which he handed over to Basim.
*Al-Hasan: Here, Basim. You have earned this.
Basim took the package and put it away.
*Al-Hasan: It is a great honor. I suspect you understand that.
Al-Hasan returned to his table.
*Basim: Roshan and the others are waiting for me. Wada'an (Farewell)... and thank you, Al-Hasan.
Basim departed to head to the cave, passing by the campfire where a number of recruits gathered.
*Novice 2: I wish I could just look into the cave for a moment... to see what is there.
*Novice 3: There is one thing I do know about today's ceremony. Basim will leave the cave a little lighter than he went in!
*Novice 2: Oh, do not be wicked! This is a big day for him.
He spoke to Tabid near the campfire, where the latter poured a solution into a mortar.
*Basim: Good day, Tabid! What are you busying yourself with?
*Tabid: Have you heard about Iltani? One of the first of our founders. She assassinated Alexander the Great with an ingenious poison. I have attempted to recreate it from historical records... Iltani has taught me that no enemy is untouchable... no matter how powerful they appear!
*Basim: Thank you for this lesson.
*Tabid: Waffaqaka Allah! (May God grant you success!)
Basim approached the waterfall close to Rebecca's workshop, where some novices rested under a tree close to the initiation cave.
*Novice 4: I would be honored to be called to initiation.
*Novice 5: I must work harder to become worthy of it. I feel I am making no progress at all!
*Novice 4: The road to initiation is long and very hard. We must take it a day at a time.
*Novice 5: Ah, patience again! A more difficult art than sword combat!
Basim spoke to one of the novices training sword combat on the training grounds near the waterfall.
*Basim: As-salamu 'alaikum! (Peace be upon you!)
*Novice 6: Wa 'alaikum as-salam (And peace be upon you), Basim! I did not see you there. How was it?
*Basim: If I may? If you swing through your target, it my give you more power to strike.
*Novice 6: Thank you.
Basim climbed the cliffs of the waterfall to reach a platform where a recruit looked to the ground below.
He then climbed down and reached the entrance of the rock wall that lead to the cave, passing close to Rebekah, who patiently waited. Inside, Basim found Fuladh waiting for him, behind the Hidden Ones that guarded the cave. They looked to Fuladh, who nodded in approval, prompting them to provide Basim passage into the sacred enclosure.
*Fuladh: How are you feeling?
*Basim: Ready to make the leap!
*Fuladh: I wish you to know it has been an honor to watch you walk your path as a Novice... and as a man.
*Basim: I am grateful to you for leading the way before me.
*Fuladh: I am honored. Come. Your new robes await.
Fuladh led Basim deeper into the cave, where the latter changed into his new robes.
*Fuladh: Ah, they suit you well. Come, it is time.
They headed further inside.
*Basim: How did you feel on that day so long ago?
*Fuladh: I felt afraid! My palms were slick with sweat and my knees were shaking.
*Basim: I can not imagine you being afraid.
*Fuladh: Allow me to share a secret with you on this important day... To have courage means to act in the midst of feeling great fear.
Fuladh and Basim arrived at the center of the cave, walking through a path illuminated by a number of Hidden Ones holding candles. At the end of it, a ceremony table stood, with the members of the council, as well as his friends, in attendance. Basim took the package and handed it over to Fuladh. As they went up the stairs, they were greeted by Rebekah and Tabid, each holding a candle in their hands. They stepped aside, allowing them both to reach the altar, where Roshan and Mentor Rayhan awaited. Basim pulled his hood down as Fuladh passed the package to Rayhan, who unwrapped the package at the table. Roshan then began the induction ceremony.
*Roshan: Basim ibn Is'haq. Ar you ready to leave your life behind and walk the path of shadows?
*Basim: I am.
*Roshan: Are you ready to give up who you once thought you were, ready to sacrifice everything you held close?
*Basim: I am.
*Roshan: Never forget the tenets you have sworn to uphold. Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent. Hide in plain sight. Never compromise the Brotherhood. Then out of the dark, you will come into the light.
As Roshan signalled, Basim took the heated dagger from the brazier and held it.
*Roshan: And from the light, you will return to the dark.
Roshan covered the brazier with a lid, prompting the other Hidden Ones to extinguish their candles. Basim put his ring finger over a metal support, on which he proceeded to cut it with the dagger, groaning in pain. Rayhan approached him.
*Rayhan: Basim ibn Is'haq, you now follow in the eagle's path.
Rayhan presented the Hidden Blade to Basim, which he wore on his left wrist. Rayhan helped to secure the bracer. Once done, Basim tested it by drawing its blade. After the ceremony, near the camp's gates, the Hidden Ones watched as Basim prepared to spar with Roshan once again, now as a graduate.
*Roshan: Welcome, Hidden One. You have died and been reborn. Now, fight me... as your equal.
Basim drew his sword and dagger and attacked Roshan, with both exchanging blows.
*Roshan: Aha! Well done!
*Basim: Take that! You have trained me well, Roshan.
*Roshan: Which one will I strike with next... my dagger or my sword?
In one instance, Basim deflected one of Roshan's attacks.
*Basim: How is that for focus?
The Hidden One spectators commented on the fight.
*Novice: When the student finally faces the master as their equal! I love when this happens!
As they were busy sparring, a wounded Nur reached the gates of the camp, dismounted his horse and called out for aid.
*Nur: Sa'iduni! (Help me!)
Basim turned and noticed his friend.
*Basim: Nur!
Nur collapsed on the ground, with Basim and Roshan quickly running to him while the other Hidden Ones, including Fuladh and Rayhan, looked to the scene in concern.
*Basim: Nur! Do not strain... Save your strength.
As Nur groaned in pain, Roshan stood up and looked to his horse.
*Roshan: He traveled unprepared. Left Baghdad in a hurry.
Basim took out a bottle of medicine and handed it to Nur.
*Basim: Here. Drink.
Nur hurriedly drunk from the bottle, dropping it in pain.
*Nur: (coughing) Ali... he is gone... they took him in the night.
He laid down on the ground, unable to speak further.
*Basim: They?
*Roshan: The Order.
Roshan picked up a red sash left by Nur's side, then addressed the other two Hidden Ones.
*Roshan: Bring him to my tent.
The Hidden Ones picked up Nur to safety, while Basim and Roshan joined Rayhan and Fuladh.
*Rayhan: If Ali is gone, we are blind. The Order has put a fog over Baghdad and their movements.
*Fuladh: We must go to Baghdad.
Rayhan nodded.
*Rayhan: Roshan, Basim, go with Fuladh. Leave at once.
They complied and left to make their preparations.
==Outcome==
Basim was officially inducted as an initiate of the Hidden Ones. During a sparring session with Roshan, they met a returning and injured Nur, who revealed Ali ibn Muhammad had been captured, likely by the Order of the Ancients. Mentor Rayhan sent Fuladh, Roshan, and Basim to leave for Baghdad to investigate.
==Gallery==
ACMir Taking Flight 1.png|Basim meditating on top of the rocky outcrop
ACMir Taking Flight 2.png|Basim sparring with Roshan
ACMir Taking Flight 3.png|Basim learning to tame Enkidu
ACMir Taking Flight 4.png|Basim practicing to take down an enemy from above
ACMir Taking Flight 5.png|Basim enjoying a good view with Rebekah
ACMir Taking Flight 6.png|A now mature Basim with Enkidu by his side
ACMir Taking Flight 11.png|Basim meeting with Fuladh at the cave entrance
ACMir Taking Flight 12.png|Basim in his new apprentice robes
ACMir Taking Flight 14.png|The Hidden Ones gathering for Basim's induction ceremony
==Notes==
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Mirage
Category:Memories of Basim Ibn Ishaq
fr:Prendre son envol
de:Abflug