Chapter Text
After the heartfelt reunion, Corvo decided to give Terzo and Copia some space to properly catch up. They had been apart for six months, they had more than enough to catch up on. Besides, the sun was rising, and Emily would be up soon. She would be thrilled to hear about the party, though Corvo wouldn’t tell her about the more grisly parts of the night. Perhaps, once Copia and Terzo were done catching up, Corvo could introduce her to Terzo.
Corvo smiled at the thought. Emily would delight in having another person to talk to. Terzo seemed friendly enough, and Emily was quite smart for her age. Corvo imagined that they would get along quite well, if Terzo would let his guard down around her. Having the future Empress for a friend could do well for him, in addition to the fact that Emily was a good friend to have, in Corvo’s opinion.
Walking to Emily’s tower, Corvo took the Heart out of his pocket. It hadn’t spoken in a while, and he wondered if it was just staying silent because Corvo had been preoccupied with Copia and Terzo, or if something was wrong with it. As if on cue, however, it spoke again.
“Their fate rests on your effort. On the strength of your hands, and of your heart.”
Corvo sighed in relief. He stared at the Heart, watching as the mechanical pieces within moved and clicked. He felt the prickle of anger at the back of his neck, anger for the Outsider for turning Jessamine into this, and he knew he couldn’t dwell on this feeling for now. He put the Heart back in his pocket and knocked on the door to Emily’s room.
“Come in!” Said Callista. Corvo opened the door and saw Emily and Callista sitting on Emily’s bed. Emily was putting on her shoes while Callista put the finishing touches on the white bow in her hair. Corvo smiled at the two. He was glad that Callista had taken on the role of caring for Emily. He would have done it, but his job to bring the Lord Regent down had unfortunately taken up most of his time…
“Corvo!” Emily cried when she finally noticed his presence. She gently pushed Callista away and stood from her bed, before running over to Corvo and hugging him. Corvo gladly hugged her back, picking her up and spinning her around. She laughed happily and held him tightly.
“How was the party? Did you see anything fun? Did you shoot anyone like Havelock said you would?”
Did Havelock really say that to her? Corvo made a mental note to talk to Havelock about what he should say to Emily in the future.
“I didn’t shoot anyone, no. But I did ruin some party decorations.” Corvo smiled. He knew Emily would like that.
Emily grinned, “Really? Tell me all about it!”
“Ah, maybe we should discuss this over breakfast.” Callista suggested, “Come, the both of you. I’m sure you’re both hungry.”
Emily nodded and grabbed Corvo’s hand, pulling him out of the door and down to the ground floor.
“Can Copia come with us?” She asked, “I’m sure he’s hungry too!”
Corvo shook his head, “Not today. We’ll bring breakfast to him later. He’s…talking with someone right now.”
“With who?” She asked, “Hopefully not Lord Pendleton or Havelock. I don’t think they like him very much…”
Corvo sighed. She was too perceptive. He supposed that was a good quality to have as a future Empress, but…
“It’s not either of them,” Corvo promised, “It’s someone who you’ll meet soon. I think you’ll like him.”
Emily smiled to herself, before she took Corvo’s hand and led him faster down the stairs.
“She’s eager to meet more people. She’s happy here at the Hound Pits, but she yearns for more friends, more people to share her time with…” The Heart whispered. Corvo let Emily head him down to the bar, letting Emily push him into a booth.
“Good morning, Corvo.” Came the soft voice of Cecelia, “I’ll get breakfast for the three of you…”
“Nonsense!” Callista said, smiling softly at Cecelia, “I’ll help you. You stay here, Corvo. I’ll be back soon.”
As the two of them left, Emily looked up at Corvo, intrigue in her eyes.
“What happened at the party?” She asked, “Did you dance?”
“I did.” Corvo said.
“With who?!” She exclaimed happily.
“Copia.” Corvo replied, smiling softly at his daughter. He was happy that she seemed so interested in this rather than the more grisly details.
“I’ll have to ask him if you stepped on his toes then…” She joked, “What else did you do? How was the food? Did you see any nobles? Was anyone I knew there?”
“Slow down…” Corvo said, “Let’s see…the food was very tasty. Not as great as the food here, mind you, but it was delicious.”
Emily sighed, “I miss eating the food in the tower…”
“I know.” Corvo said, “But we’ll be back there soon, I promise. Now, there were certainly many nobles there. Some you’d even recognize. But none that I think you’d want to talk to. No children, unfortunately. This was an adult party…”
Emily frowned.
“That’s…sad.” She said, “I miss playing with other children.”
“...I know.” Corvo said, “One day, Emily, I promise you will play again. But for now, you have me, don’t you?”
Emily smiled softly at Corvo.
“You’re right.” She said, “When you’re not doing important things, that is. I heard the loyalists talking when you left for the party…they said that after this, you’re going for the Lord Regent, and I’ll be crowned Empress. Is that true?”
Corvo hesitated. Emily was to be crowned Empress after Corvo took care of the Lord Regent, but…Copia’s words suddenly came to mind. Emily was so young. She was just a child, she should have more time to be a child. But there wasn't enough time…
“Yes,” Corvo said, “How are you feeling about…about that?”
Emily looked around the bar, before leaning her head onto Corvo and wrapping her arms around him.
“I’m scared.” She whispered, “I don’t want to die like mother…”
Corvo frowned, “I won’t let that happen, Emily.” He would protect her with his life, he knew this more than anything.
“...you couldn’t protect mother from him…” She whispered, before she tucked her head into Corvo’s chest.
Corvo felt his heart shatter in his chest. He knew that was true, he couldn’t protect Jessamine from Daud, and he wanted to tell her that things were different now, he had the mark of the Outsider now, but he couldn’t. Because that couldn’t change how things had happened.
“...I’m sorry.” He told her. He wanted to get on his knees and cry before her, to tell her a thousand times that he was sorry for not being able to save her mother, but he couldn’t. That wouldn’t bring her mother back.
The two of them sat there in silence, while Corvo contemplated his usefulness before Callista and Cecelia returned with plates of steaming hot breakfast. Emily pulled away from Corvo and wiped her eyes, a smile returning to her face.
“Thank you!” She said, before she began to eat. Corvo silently nodded his thanks, before eating as well. He couldn’t get Emily’s words out of his mind. He was eager to go find Daud now and kill him, so he could make sure he’d never harm a hair on Emily’s head ever again.
Once they were finished with breakfast, Corvo made two plates of food for both Terzo and Copia. Emily stood beside him as she watched, curious about the new person at the Hound Pits Pub.
“Is he like Copia?” She asked, “Will I have to take an elixir before I go see him?”
“You’ll need to take one anyway.” Corvo said, before he reached into his coat and produced one for Emily.
“Drink at least half of one.”
She cringed, before she opened it, drinking it slowly.
“It tastes foul.” She remarked, before she drank again. She was eager to see Copia and Terzo, it seemed, because within a few minutes, she had drunk most of it, before handing it back to Corvo.
“There, I’m done!” She said, “Now can I go see them?”
“Of course you can.” Corvo said, before they began the walk up to the third floor together. Emily was eager to talk to Copia again, and Corvo found himself eager to see him as well. He hoped that Terzo wasn't giving him too much trouble and that their reunion was going as Copia had hoped.
Walking back into Terzo’s room, Corvo was pleased to find Copia at Terzo’s side, chatting idly. They looked to be happy together, talking warmly with smiles on their faces.
“Copia!” Emily called, before she ran in front of Corvo. She hugged Copia’s torso before she looked strangely at Terzo, making a confused expression with her face. Corvo sighed, knowing that was just the thing an Empress didn’t do.
“Who’s this?” She asked.
Terzo gawked at Emily, before he straightened his back and schooled his expression. “I could ask the same thing myself, my Lady.”
“You obviously know who I am.” Emily said, before she looked up at Copia, “Who is he?”
“This is…his name is Terzo Emeritus. He’s my-”
“I’m his brother.” Terzo interrupted, before he put his hand on top of Copia’s, “Isn’t that right, Copia?”
Copia smiled widely, “Yes, it is.”
Corvo smiled at the whole interaction, pleasantly surprised at how sweet Terzo seemed to be treating him.
“We brought breakfast.” Emily said, smiling up at Copia. Corvo moved closer and handed both Copia and Terzo a plate, to which they both accepted with thanks.
Copia ate quickly, clearly starving after a long night of helping Corvo and, well, helping Corvo, as well as tending to Terzo. Terzo took his time, picking at the food, still a bit sick and woozy from the sleep dart’s serum.
“Corvo,” Terzo said, “I’ve heard much about you from Copia, but I must admit…you’re still a mystery to me.”
Corvo frowned slightly. He didn’t like talking about himself. Most of the nobles of Dunwall weren’t interested in hearing about a Serkonan like him. But Corvo had to remember that Terzo himself was Serkonan as well. He likely wouldn’t mind if Corvo spilled some of his past.
“Well…what are you curious to know?” Corvo asked.
“Hmm…I can ask anything, can’t I?” Terzo grinned.
“Don’t be a jerk.” Copia warned his brother.
“I won’t be! Outsider’s balls, do you really think I’m that insensitive?” Terzo asked, “I was just going to ask about how he got to Dunwall in the first place. Everyone says he’s Serkonan, but they never say where. Are you from Cullero?”
“Karnaca.” Corvo replied.
“Ah. A beautiful place,” Terzo smiled, “Do you have family there?”
Corvo sighed.
“...Not anymore,” He said.
Terzo seemed to get the point and he dropped the subject.
“Well, I’m from Cullero. I don’t remember much about the place, as my father moved us when we were very young, but I do have very fond early memories. I’m sure my older brother Primo could tell you more about it, once you get to meet him. He loves the place, that old fool…” Terzo smiled fondly.
“He used to sit in his brother’s room for hours, late at night, whispering and giggling with his brother about stories from their old home. They haven’t gone back, but his biggest wish is to take his love back to the place where he was born and declare eternal devotion.” The Heart whispered.
Corvo smiled. It was a sweet thought, and Corvo hoped that, one day, Terzo would have what he wanted.
“I’ll make sure you get to talk to him again. I promise.” Corvo said.
Terzo regarded Corvo with a strange look for a moment, before he turned to Copia.
“Now I see the appeal.” He told Copia, which caused Copia to blush furiously.
“Don’t say that!” Copia swatted at his brother, which Terzo expertly dodged by simply moving aside in his bed. Emily began to laugh, and she nudged Corvo.
“I wish I had a brother.” She whispered to him, and it certainly wasn't the first time that Emily had said that.
“Maybe one day…” Copia told her. It was certainly possible, now that he had Copia.
Emily smiled, and it occurred to Corvo that this was the happiest he had ever felt. Copia had his brother and they were arguing with each other over something silly and nonconsequential, and Emily was standing right beside him, asking for things that she used to ask for when her mother had been alive. It wasn't back to normal, things could never go back to normal, but it was almost like a new normal.
This new normal was interrupted by a knock at the door. Copia and Terzo stopped playing, and Corvo turned his attention to the door, where Cecelia stood.
“I’m sorry, sir.” She said anxiously, “Admiral Havelock is asking for you.”
Right. There was still the matter of getting rid of the Lord Regent. Corvo hadn’t forgotten, but it was easy to get sidetracked when he had a growing family on his hands.
“Excuse me.” Corvo said. He rose from his chair, but was stopped by Copia’s hand on his arm.
“Wait,” Copia said, “If this is about…you know who…” His eyes darted to Emily, “You’ll let me go with you?”
Corvo’s first reaction was to say no, absolutely not. Dunwall tower was likely to be absolutely fortified. Who knew if Corvo could even get in without getting hurt. But the look in Copia’s eyes stopped him. This was a matter to be discussed privately, where Copia could be let down gently.
“Let me talk to Havelock first.” Corvo said, “Then we’ll discuss this later.”
Corvo gently held Copia’s hand, giving it a small squeeze, before he let it go. Copia nodded softly, and let Corvo leave the room.
“He’s not going to relent. He’ll follow you to the end of this world.” The Heart whispered. Corvo sighed. He wished that Copia would stay here, where it was safe, but he knew how badly Copia wanted to go. Corvo knew that Copia was strong, strong enough to handle the worst Dunwall had to offer, but Corvo would never be able to forgive himself if he had gotten hurt on this mission.
Sighing, Corvo left the room. If only there was a way to make Copia see things his way.
Corvo walked outside, taking a deep breath as he collected his thoughts. It was time. Tonight, he was going to get rid of the Lord Regent.
Everything was leading up to this, everything he had done. Still, he didn’t know why he felt there was something more coming, like this wasn't the end of the fight. Corvo wanted to rest in his bed, to hold Copia and Emily close to him and fall asleep for a good, long time and let the world pass them by. But he knew that couldn’t happen. They had work to do. Emily needed to be on the throne. The plague needed to be fixed. Copia needed to be cured before he could be returned to his family, to Corvo in the tower.
There was always more work to do. Corvo didn’t even know if he would ever be allowed to rest.
“Corvo?” Came Copia’s voice. Corvo turned and saw Copia, his cowl covering his face. Corvo smiled sadly and beckoned Copia closer. No one but Samuel was outside, and Corvo doubted that Samuel would squeal about the two of them.
Copia moved closer, and Corvo wrapped his arms around him, pulling the cowl down and pressing a kiss to his lips. Copia kissed him back, and it was soft and tender, just how Corvo liked it.
Copia then pulled away, looking up at Corvo.
“Hello to you too.” He said, smiling softly. Corvo chuckled, before he cupped Copia’s face and wiped some of the blood away from his eyes.
“So,” Copia continued, “You talked to Havelock, then? Does that mean I can go?”
Corvo frowned slightly.
“Copia…it's not safe for you in the tower…” Corvo whispered, still stroking Copia’s cheek.
Copia’s smile faded, and he shook his head.
“I know.” He said, “It’s not safe for you, either. But we make a great team. We found Emily together, and we got rid of Waverly Boyle. I…I can help you, Corvo.” Copia insisted.
“You have helped me.” Corvo said, “But I don’t want you to risk your life again. This one is just…just too dangerous. I can’t let you go with me.”
Copia sighed defeatedly, looking down at his feet. Corvo hooked his finger underneath his chin and brought his gaze back up to meet his.
“Please, don’t be upset.” Corvo said, “I do this because I can’t lose you. I’m so close to getting back what I lost, to returning Emily to the throne. You’re safe here, and I want to keep you safe.”
“Can I at least accompany you and Samuel?” Copia asked, “I won’t go with you into the tower, but I’ll wait with Samuel on the boat…”
Corvo let out a small sigh, and nodded.
“Fine.” He said, “But you have to promise to stay on the boat.”
Copia smiled once more. “I will!” He said, “I promise to stay on the boat, Corvo.”
Corvo let his hand fall from Copia’s chin and he grasped at Copia’s hand.
“Then you can come with me.” He said. Corvo would have preferred if Copia remained, but at least, this way, Copia would stay on the boat with Samuel. It was safer than taking Copia with him and bringing him into the tower.
“Thank you.” Copia said, before he backed away from Corvo. He looked towards Samuel, who was standing near his boat on the river, before turning his attention back to Corvo.
“Are we leaving soon?” Copia asked.
“We are.” Corvo said, “I need to get this done as soon as possible. We could have Emily on the throne by tomorrow if we plan this right.”
Copia sighed. Corvo knew he had mixed opinions about Emily being on the throne at such a young age, but there was no way around it. The Isles needed an empress, and Emily was the only one who could sit on the throne.
“You know I’ll follow you wherever you go…” Copia whispered, looking into Corvo’s eyes.
“I know.” Corvo said. He pulled Copia close and kissed his forehead. Copia let out a soft exhale, before he wrapped his arms around Corvo. They hugged for a moment, enjoying their time together. Soon, Corvo let go, squeezing Copia’s hand as they separated.
“Go to Samuel’s boat. I’ll meet you there soon.” He said. Copia nodded and followed his directions. After collecting supplies and saying goodbye to Emily, Corvo met with Copia and Samuel back on the edge of the river.
“Are you two ready to go?” Samuel asked.
“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Copia said, smiling nervously.
The three of them took their seats on the Amaranth and began their journey. By the time they reached the tower, night had fallen and a low fog had settled on the river. Corvo was thankful for the cover the fog provided, knowing that Copia and Samuel would be safe and hidden as long as they stayed still.
As the Amaranth stopped, Corvo prepared to finally jump into the water before Copia stopped him.
“Wait,” He said, “I have something for you.”
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a bonecharm, one that was held together by copper wire. It looked like it was made out of several pieces of whale bone, with crude markings made on the surface.
“You made this?” Corvo asked, taking it into his hands and stroking it softly. He admired the work that went into this. It didn’t look like his other bonecharms.
“Yes. Well…it’s my first one.” Copia said, “It’s supposed to make you harder to see. I couldn’t exactly test it out, though. I figured…well, if I did it right, it would help. But if I didn’t, it couldn’t hurt to give it to you, could it?”
“It’ll work.” Corvo said. He could feel the power behind it, he could hear the faint hum, and he could feel the vibrations in his hand. It worked, and it was powerful.
Copia let out a relieved sigh, “Good.”
Corvo stared at it for a moment longer, admiring the carvings on the bone. Copia must have worked so hard on it, and for how long? When did he start this project?
“I’ll put it in a safe place.” Corvo said, before he tucked it in his jacket, in a pocket right over his heart. Copia flushed, smiling softly at Corvo. Corvo wanted to kiss him, he looked so beautiful on this boat, but he knew he couldn’t. Samuel was right there, even though he averted his eyes and gave them privacy to talk.
“I’ll be back soon, I promise.” Corvo said, reaching out to squeeze Copia’s shoulder.
Copia nodded, his fingers threading together as he looked down. “I know. You’ll get rid of the Lord Regent. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
Corvo smiled, his hand moving slightly to play with Copia’s hair. He took a strand and held it for a moment, feeling its softness. When he was done, he would have to enjoy Copia’s body more thoroughly.
Corvo pulled away and put his mask on, before he gave a silent nod to Samuel. He took a deep breath, before he plunged into the water. He swam towards the waterlock, before he surfaced inside. Once inside, he blinked up into the vents of the waterlock, pausing for a moment to dry himself off.
Once dry enough, Corvo began to navigate through the inside of the waterlock, crawling on his hands and knees as he made his way up. Soon, he blinked to a walkway, and crouched, walking slowly up the steps. He spotted a guard in front of him, facing in the opposite direction. Corvo smirked, and blinked behind him, before he wrapped his arms around his throat, choking him until he passed out. Corvo tucked his body in the corner, before he looked up and saw the roof.
It was the same roof that Daud and his assassins had come in on. Corvo frowned. He didn’t want to use the roof, but all other options meant sneaking by and choking every other guard. The Lord Regent was on high alert, and the roof seemed like the most safest option…
Corvo sighed, and blinked up to the roof. He felt…dirty, coming from this direction. If Jessamine could only see him now…
He waited for The Heart to speak, but it said nothing. He sighed and began to move forward, moving slowly so no one would hear him from below. Once he was at the end, he blinked over to the gazebo, crouching down as he realized there were two people already there.
“Isn’t it sad?” Said a maid. Corvo watched her for a moment, his sleep dart pointed at her.
“What do you mean?” Asked the guard who was trying to cozy up beside her. Corvo rolled his eyes. He didn’t have time for this. So he froze time. He shot a sleep dart at the woman and choked the man. Once time resumed once more, he dragged their bodies and hid them in the bushes.
Now that the gazebo was cleared, he could focus on the path forward, but something stopped him. On the ground was a memorial plaque for Jessamine, right on the spot where Corvo had last seen her.
Corvo felt The Heart stir in his coat, but still, it did not speak. Corvo didn’t blame it. He sighed and picked a flower from a nearby bush and placed it next to all the other flowers.
“I’m sorry.” He whispered, staring down at the stone. He didn’t want to close his eyes. If he did, then he would see her body again, her blood spilling out on the stone, her lifeless eyes looking up at him as he failed to save her and Emily.
Well, he wasn't going to fail again. He’d get Hiram, and he’d make him pay for what he did.
With one final look, Corvo turned towards the tower. He marched forward and knew he was going to get inside, no matter the cost.
It took him a while, and it cost him his patience, but soon, Corvo was soon standing on the outer walls of the tower, balancing on the architecture of the building as he slowly walked towards an open vent. Once there, he crawled inside, pushing his way into the tower.
Inside, he could hear Hiram’s voice conversing with a guard. Corvo crawled through the vents and into a better spot so he could see. There was a device that showed Hiram’s face from his safe room on the roof of the tower.
“I’m coming down,” Hiram said, “I need the comfort of my bed tonight.”
“I’m not sure that's a good idea, Lord Regent.”
“Why not? Double check all the entrances. Triple check them even. I’m paying you to do your job, so do it! I’m still coming down. Hit the alarm if there’s anything amiss.”
The machine turned off and Corvo had to admit that he was tempted to show his face to Hiram. He held off for now, knowing that wouldn’t be good if Hiram somehow survived. Corvo instead blinked over to the lights and onto the third floor. There, he quickly stopped time, as he was about to be fried by an Arc Pylon.
Running down the stairs, he quickly unplugged the whale oil tank and sighed in relief.
“That could have been a disaster.” He mumbled to himself. He could practically hear Copia’s voice right now, chastising him for not being careful enough to notice it before he almost got zapped.
Now that he was safe, though, Corvo quietly traveled up the stairs, listening to the sound of the announcer announce the ban of whale oil for the whole city. Corvo frowned as he listened to his words, knowing that a whole whale oil ban would only make the city worse. He hoped Emily would fix that ban soon, when they had time to put her on the throne.
Once Corvo snuck up the stairs, he rose to his full, intimidating height, and cleared his throat.
The Propaganda Officer gasped and turned around.
“You’re him! The Masked Felon!” He exclaimed, taking a step back.
“Relax.” Corvo grunted, “I’m not going to kill you. Yet.”
The Propaganda Officer held his hands up in a pleading motion, “Please don’t kill me. You’re…you’re here for the Lord Regent, aren’t you? What if I told you I had a way you could get him without killing him?”
Corvo raised an eyebrow. Interesting…
“Tell me about it.” Corvo demanded, stepping closer.
“Th-There’s an audiograph in his safe. He records his confessions, and some of the things on there would ruin him! Luckily, I saw the code to his safe. It’s 935.” The Propaganda Officer moved to point at his machinery, “Just plug it into this slot right here and the whole city will hear!”
Corvo considered this plan. He would finally get justice. His name would be cleared, as the signs all pointed to Hiram Burrows being the perpetrator, using Daud as his weapon.
“Fine.” Corvo said, “You’d better be gone by the time I get back.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.” The Propaganda Officer said.
Corvo nodded, and turned away. Hiram’s room was on the third floor, easy to blink to from the hall just outside of the broadcasting station’s door to the railing outside of the Lord Regent’s bedroom.
Inside, he began to put in the code, before he heard Hiram’s voice. Freezing time once more, Corvo put in the code. The safe door swung open, revealing a box that held some of Jessamine’s jewels, a note from Daud, and an audiograph from Hiram. Corvo grabbed all three of the items and closed the safe, before he blinked out of the room.
Once back up to the broadcast station, he looked down at the note that was from Daud. He was asking for more money since Corvo was there, as he was not a part of the plan. Corvo growled, crumbling up the note in his hands before stuffing it in his pocket. He’d deal with Daud later, once Emily was on the throne. Right now, he had to take care of Hiram Burrows.
Corvo took the audiograph in his hand and plugged it up into the slot that the Propaganda Officer had pointed out to him. Immediately, his confession began to play.
“If I explain, then you will see, I am not at fault…”