Fight for the Masyaf Keys

The fight for the Masyaf Keys was an event in 1512 that occurred in Constantinople.

Near the end of his mission in Cappadocia and after the death of Manuel Palaiologos, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze witnessed the Ottoman prince Ahmet in the area, revealing where his allegiances truly lied: with the Byzantine Templars.

After Ezio refused to hand over the Masyaf keys he recovered, Ahmet threatened to harm Sofia Sartor, the woman who assisted Ezio in locating the keys. Disregarding Ezio's threats, Ahmet and his men sailed back to Constantinople.

Wasting no time, Ezio hurriedly made his way out of Cappadocia and back on his boat, sailing immediately back to Constantinople.

Return
Immediately after his arrival, Ezio overheard an announcement from a herald about a reward for his capture. Disregarding this, Ezio made his way to Sofia's bookshop.

Inspecting Sofia's bookshop
"Brothers. Sisters. The whole city rises against us while Yusuf's murderer waits and watches from the arsenal, laughing. Fight with me, and show him what it means to cross the Assassins."

- Ezio, after giving Yusuf his final rites.

Entering the bookshop, Ezio saw immediately, the mess left behind by the Byzantine soldiers. Dead bodies lay everywhere, and as Ezio looked further into the bookshop, he saw more bodies on the floor, and one body leaning against a wall. Ezio inspected the body and saw Yusuf Tazim, with a piece of paper held in place by a dagger stabbed behind his back.

Removing the dagger, Ezio gave Yusuf his final rites, saying that he had earned his rest. Just then, a group of the Assassin apprentices arrived to see their Mentor's body. Ezio, seeing the apprentices, rallied them for battle, and had them ready to invade the Arsenal, where Ahmet lied in wait.

Invading the Arsenal
With the Assassins, Ezio launched a full-scale assault on Constantinople's arsenal, facing a legion of Byzantine soldiers in their wake. With the Apprentices, Ezio charged forward, clearing the way as he hurriedly made his way to Ahmet's location. Located in a secluded area of the docks, Ahmet lay in wait.

Ezio was able to make his way to Ahmet, and hurriedly pinned him down with his blade, an inch away from his throat. Ezio demanded that Ahmet reveal Sofia's location, but Ahmet reminded him that he he was in no position to negotiate. The two would then argue about the goals they shared, though discussed the differences in their means to get it. Afterwards, Ahmet instructed Ezio to give meet him with the Masyaf keys at the Galata Tower in exchange for Sofia's life. Afterwards, Ahmet left the area.

Just then, Suleiman I, who had been eavesdropping the whole time, revealed himself to Ezio. He admitted grief over the discovery of his uncle's true allegiances, but he knew that he must be stopped. Before Ezio left, Suleiman asked Ezio that he spare Ahmet if he could, though when asked if his father, Selim I, would do the same, he admitted that he would not. The two would then part ways.

The Exchange
Returning to the Assassins' Headquarters, Ezio collected the Masyaf keys and prepared to meet with the other Assassins. Arriving at the graveyard at Galata, Ezio prepared a speech for the Apprentices, who were mourning the death of Yusuf. After appointing a Master Assassin to lead the others in honor of Yusuf, Ezio instructed the other Assassins to take position near the tower and prepare to meet the Byzantines.

At the meeting point, Ezio asked for Sofia's location, though Ahmet did not comply. When Ahmet sent his men to detain Ezio, the Assassin summoned his apprentices. Ezio asked for the girl, which Ahmet replied to by pointing to the top of the Galata Tower, where Sofia, with a burlap sack over her head, being held by a Byzantine guard at the edge of the tower, just a few inches away from falling. Ahmet told Ezio to make his men stand down and hand over the keys, to which he complied to. Afterwards, Ahmet left Ezio's audience and lets him rescue Sofia.

Ezio hurriedly made his way to the top of the tower and saved Sofia, or so he thought. After removing the mask, Ezio had saved a different woman who only wore the same clothes as Sofia. Scouring the city from the top of the tower, he saw Sofia, being chocked to death by a rope hung from a tree. Immediately, Ezio made his way to Sofia and saved her.

Sofia admitted that she was more confused than hurt. Ezio apologized, stating that he did not mean to drag Sofia into his affairs, though Sofia commented that he was not responsible for it. Just then, a group of Byzantine tried to intercept Ezio and Sofia, though the two managed to flee on a carriage. Taking control of the carriage, Ezio rode to meet Ahmet by Constantinople's countryside.

Conflict at the Countryside
Ezio, with Sofia, drove the carriage and chased after Ahmet through the countryside.

Source

 * Assassin's Creed: Revelations