Assassin's Creed: The Fall is an ongoing comic book mini-series written by Cameron Stewart and Karl Kerschl and published by WildStorm. The mini-series, consisting of 3 issues, follows the journey of the Russian Assassin Nikolai Orelov during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, whose genetic memories are being viewed by his present-day descendant Daniel Cross thanks to a natural version of the Bleeding Effect.[1]
The series was initially planned as an expansion of the travels of Ezio Auditore, but was moved to an entirely new setting to provide greater freedom to the writers. Despite this, the comic still utilizes the long-standing Templar vs Assassin feud as the basis of its story.[1]
Description
Issue #1
At an unspecified time, two scientists working in an Abstergo laboratory prepare to insert a newly acquired test subject captured by Lineage Discovery and Acquisition into the Animus.
In 1888, Nikolai Orelov lives in St. Petersburg, Russia with his partner Anna, who is carrying his child. Orelov is a member of the Narodnaya Volya, the Russian chapter of the Order of Assassins. Having previously failed to prevent the execution of Aleksandr Ulyanov, Orelov worries about his coming mission, but Anna urges him to succeed for Ulyanov's brother, Vladimir, and their unborn child.
These moments are revealed to be memories experienced in 1998 by Daniel Cross, who has been diagnosed with an unspecified psychological disorder and is under court order to attend psychiatric sessions. At his latest session, Cross admits to experiencing unclear visions of a woman in Europe, but refuses to continue taking his medication. Upon being reminded of the death of his former girlfriend, Kelly, Cross takes the prescription from his doctor, but later discards it. Later attending a bar, he fails at picking up women before becoming sick and stumbling into the bathroom, where he begins to experience another vision.
In late October 1888, Orelov is tasked with assassinating Tsar Alexander III by the Mentor of the Order of Assassins. Having previously assassinated Alexander II and prevented further Templar gains in the country, the Assassins had hoped for a period of liberalization under Alexander III. However, the Tsar's actions have convinced them otherwise, leading the Assassins to attempt his assassination.
Orelov boards the train returning the Tsar and his family to St. Petersburg from the Crimea. After dispatching several guards, he bursts into the dining car of the train to find the stunned Royal Family. As the Tsar grabs him from behind, Orelov stabs him with his hidden blade, though this only wounds him. The two men brawl in the car until a malfunction derails the train.
Leading his family out of the wreckage, the Tsar sees Orelov lying nearby.
Issue #2
The comic book companion to the hit videogame series continues as Daniel Cross explores his mysterious past and his connection to the modern-day Order of Assassins. Meanwhile, his ancestor Nikolai Orelov prepares a dangerous siege on a Templar research station in remote Siberia – a mission that concludes with the devastating Tunguska Event.
Issue #3
The exciting comic book companion to the acclaimed video-game series reaches its final issue. The streets of Petrograd are filled with the color and noise of revolution – the Bolsheviks have taken control of the country, but there's still conflict within the ranks. Assassin Nikolai Orelov confronts the abdicated Tsar Nicholas II to learn the final location of the Staff. And in the present, Daniel Cross completes his pilgrimage to find the elusive Mentor of the Assassins, a quest that changes the Order forever.
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Notes and references
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