Editing Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad (section)

====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.