Editing Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad (section)

===Fall From Grace===

====Journey to Mongolia====
In 1217, the expansion of the Assassin Order was halted by Genghis Khan's advance from the east. Altaïr suspected that Khan's progress was aided by a Piece of Eden, so he, Maria, and their son Darim—who had become a skilled crossbowman—traveled to Mongolia to assassinate the warlord, leaving their younger son Sef behind to care for his wife and daughters. Malik was appointed as the temporary head of the Order in Altaïr’s absence.

Their journey spanned ten years, taking them through Persia and India before reaching Mongolia. In Mongolia, they connected with the Assassin Qulan Gal and traveled to Xingqing in the Western Xia Empire, which was under siege by the Mongols. Darim took a vantage point to monitor the Mongol camp, eliminating any guards who might detect them, while Altaïr and Qulan Gal infiltrated the camp. However, as Altaïr aged, his stealth skills had declined, and he was detected by a guard who injured him before being killed by Qulan Gal.

After rescuing a fellow Assassin, the young apprentice Nergüi, from the camp, Qulan Gal helped Altaïr escape. They regrouped with Maria and Darim on the hills overlooking the camp. The Assassins devised a plan to lure out and kill Genghis Khan by setting the camp ablaze with flaming arrows. The plan succeeded, and as Khan fled on horseback, he was pursued and assassinated by Darim and Qulan Gal.

With their mission accomplished, Altaïr and his family began their journey home, bidding farewell to Qulan Gal and Nergüi. Altaïr suggested that Qulan Gal take Nergüi as his apprentice, and Qulan Gal agreed.

====Return to Masyaf====
Upon their arrival in Masyaf in 1228, Altaïr, Maria, and Darim were met by Swami, a former apprentice they had little regard for. Altaïr inquired about Rauf, whom he had expected to greet them based on his previous letters. Swami informed them that Rauf had died of a fever during their absence.

Swami led them to the now dilapidated citadel, which had lost the vibrancy it once had under Altaïr’s leadership. The Assassins were lounging idly rather than training, showing him disrespect, and the villagers avoided eye contact, looking on in fear. Instead of being taken to the Master's tower, as Altaïr had anticipated, they were shown to a smaller room in the castle's right wing. When Maria asked about Sef, Swami mentioned that he had gone to Alamut with his family. Swami also revealed that Malik had been imprisoned, and in the absence of a Mentor, a council led by Abbas Sofian had taken over the Order. Distrustful of the situation, Altaïr and Maria sent Darim to Alamut to retrieve Sef.

The next day, Altaïr and Maria went to the Master's tower to meet the council and found it comprised of the least capable members of the Order. Altaïr recounted his family’s travels in Mongolia, but Abbas explained that Sef had been killed by Malik weeks earlier after discovering Malik’s plan to usurp the position of Mentor. Enraged, Altaïr demanded that control of the Order be returned to him according to the Brotherhood’s statutes. Abbas, supported by the manipulated council, claimed that the statutes no longer applied.

====Finding the Truth====
Altaïr and Maria returned to their residence, grieving the loss of their son. Altaïr began to reflect on the pain he may have caused Malik, questioning if Malik harbored deep resentment. Maria, upset by his wavering faith, reassured him that Malik would never betray him. Encouraged by Maria, Altaïr decided to infiltrate the Masyaf dungeon to rescue his friend.

Navigating past patrolling and sleeping guards, Altaïr reached Malik's cell, where he found Malik in a dire state—emaciated, with long hair and an unkempt beard. Altaïr took Malik back to their residence, where Malik revealed that Abbas had staged a coup two years prior, killed Sef, and framed Malik for the murder. Malik lamented his failure as a leader and expressed regret that Altaïr was not there to prevent such events. Altaïr and Maria waited until Malik was asleep before heading out to confront Abbas.

At the fortress, Altaïr and Maria confronted Abbas, who was accompanied by Swami carrying a burlap sack. Abbas presented the sack, revealing Malik's severed head inside, which Swami had executed after their departure. Abbas questioned Altaïr's motives for infiltrating the prison, causing doubts among the other Assassins present.

Abbas demanded the Apple of Eden in exchange for the true circumstances of Sef's death. To Maria's shock, Altaïr agreed, handing over the Apple. As Swami approached to take it, he foolishly revealed that he had falsely accused Altaïr of ordering Sef's death before executing him. Consumed by grief and rage, Altaïr unleashed the Apple’s power, freezing Swami and causing him to harm himself.

In the ensuing chaos, Maria was fatally injured by Swami. Altaïr, devastated, killed Swami with his Hidden Blade and held Maria as she passed away, urging him to stay strong.

Abbas’s men, fearful of the Apple’s power, hesitated to attack Altaïr. Though tempted to use the Apple to destroy himself and everyone around him, Altaïr chose to flee with Darim. They traveled to Alamut, where Altaïr lived with his son, widowed daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Overcome by grief and hatred towards the Apple, Altaïr fell into depression, which drove away his daughter-in-law and granddaughters, who moved to Alexandria, Egypt. Unable to tolerate his father’s obsession, Darim left for France and England to warn them of the Mongol threat.

After several years, Altaïr began to recover and resumed studying the Apple. He used its knowledge to develop new designs, tactics, and medicines. During his research, he discovered that the fortress of Alamut was built on the ruins of a First Civilization temple. Inside, he found ancient Memory Seals, artifacts capable of recording genetic memory. Altaïr took six of these seals, recorded his most significant memories on five of them, and kept the final one for future use.

====Reclaiming His Title====
In 1247, Altaïr departed from Alamut and began his journey back to Masyaf. While resting at a well near a village, he was awoken by a local merchant named Mukhlis, who was then attacked by the notorious bandit Bayhas and two of his henchmen. Altaïr engaged the bandits, quickly dispatching one of them. However, as he faced the remaining two, it became apparent that his combat skills had waned. Despite sustaining serious injuries and nearly being overpowered, Mukhlis came to his aid, and together they managed to defeat Bayhas, while the last henchman escaped on horseback.

Grateful for Altaïr's help, Mukhlis invited him to his home in Masyaf, where his wife Aalia and daughter Nada treated Altaïr’s wounds. Altaïr grew dangerously pale over two days but began to recover on the third. Mukhlis, who had been conversing with Altaïr during his recovery, commented that Master Altaïr would never have allowed the Order to fall apart as Abbas had.

Upon hearing his name, Altaïr awoke and revealed his identity. Mukhlis informed him about the current state of the Order: the villagers were heavily taxed and mistreated by the Assassins, who no longer provided protection. Abbas had even permitted Fahad, Bayhas's father, to enter the village and seek revenge against his son's killer for a fee.

The next day, Altaïr ventured into the village to demonstrate the true principles of the Order. He mediated disputes, presented new designs to tradesmen, and tended to the sick. While doing so, he noticed an Assassin trailing him, led the man to a secluded spot, and spoke with him privately.

The Assassin introduced himself as Tazim Al-Sayf, Malik’s son, who had been using his father's name in secret. After embracing him, Altaïr shared his plan to reclaim control of the Order and restore its former honor. He asked Tazim to gather all remaining loyal Assassins, and the following morning, about twenty men met Altaïr outside the castle gates.

Altaïr instructed that there would be no killing and emphasized that no Assassin should harm a Brother, regardless of loyalty. One of Abbas's followers, hearing this, charged at Altaïr, hoping to kill him and halt the uprising. Despite his age, Altaïr dodged the attack and subdued the Assassin. Abbas’s supporters, who fought half-heartedly, were easily captured or rendered unconscious.

A second wave of Assassins, including archers, took position on the ramparts. Altaïr hoped that by showing his men meant no harm, the archers would stand down. As Altaïr and Abbas confronted each other, the archers lowered their bows, and Abbas’s forces surrendered, recognizing the shift in power.

The castle gates were opened by the surrendering Assassins, and Altaïr faced Abbas. Consumed by hatred, Abbas ordered his remaining men to attack, challenging Altaïr to reclaim the Order without losing any Assassin lives.

As the final wave advanced, Altaïr raised his arm and fired his Hidden Gun at Abbas. Shocked by this display of unfamiliar power, Abbas’s forces surrendered. Altaïr approached Abbas in his final moments, and Abbas, with his last breath, said he would never believe Altaïr's claims about his father but would seek the truth in the afterlife.

With Abbas dead, Altaïr was reinstated as Mentor. Two days later, Fahad arrived with his forces seeking revenge for his son’s death. Altaïr convinced him to withdraw, arguing that a conflict between their forces would only lead to the destruction of both their communities.