A Fresh Start

A Fresh Start was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2018 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Kassandra travelled to the Sanctuary of Kosmos to confront the last remaining member of the Cult of Kosmos.

Dialogue

Kassandra re-entered the sanctuary under the Temple of Apollo, this time fully armed and armored. As she followed the path into the core of the sanctuary, she heard her mother's voice.

• Myrrine: Kassandra. Kassandra. Kassandra.

The voice was distorted. Kassandra entered the main sanctuary.

• Myrrine: Kassandra. Kassandra. Kassandra.

Kassandra interacting with the pyramid

The voice appeared to be coming from the pyramid in the center. Kassandra marched towards the artifact. Though its fragments had been long separated, the beams of light converged into the shape of a pyramid and seemingly invited Kassandra. After some hesitation, she reached out to touch her hand to the light. A vision filled her mind, showing Pythagoras standing in the chamber she now stood in. He addressed her directly, as if knowing she would view this vision.

Pythagoras appearing as a vision

• Pythagoras: Kassandra. It was never supposed to be like this.

Images of the Greek world flashed before her.

• Pythagoras: Decades ago, a group of people gathered together to uphold a theory which they believed could control the universe. That the world functioned in equal parts, order and disorder.

An image of Kyra and Kassandra at Podarkes' funeral pyre flashed in her mind.

• Pythagoras: But some fell lovingly into the wicked arms of chaos. And the Cult of Kosmos was born.

A vision of King Leonidas confronting the Cult of Kosmos

An image of Leonidas standing defiant against the Cult in Delphi flashed in her mind, followed by an image of the night Alexios was sacrificed.

• Pythagoras: They abused their power, casting the Greek world into eternal war—one you were created to stop.

Images of battles, as well as Kassandra's own struggles, filled her mind.

• Pythagoras: In destroying the Cult, you have done what I could not. You are a hero. But this imbalance comes with a price, my child.

A vision of two men clashing

An image of a stone pyramid flashed in her mind, followed by a mysterious hooded man who travelled alone before to standing above a mountain fortress. This was followed by an image of a church, as well as a brotherhood of hooded people charging a line of well-armored soldiers.

• Pythagoras: For without chaos, there is supreme order. A loss of progression and freedom.

An image of an eagle soaring across a frontier entered her mind next, followed by an image of large ships' cannon volleys shredding each other to splinters.

• Pythagoras: But there is still hope—hope in you, hope in the future you will bring.

A vision of an eagle approaching a place of worship

This was followed by an image of another eagle, soaring above a grand place of worship. Yet another eagle soared above a bridge leading to a massive tower.

• Pythagoras: We must fix the mistakes of the past. Use the staff. Repair the rift in the universe.

Pythagoras reminding Kassandra of her duty

The final image to enter Kassandra's mind showed her in an unfamiliar garb, holding a staff, and handing it to a woman in an equally-strange garb.

• Pythagoras: The world depends on you, Kassandra. You need to be the hero again.

The images ceased, and Kassandra withdrew her hand. As the pyramid continued to glow and flash its strange numbers and letters, the familiar voice of a woman called to Kassandra from the side.

• Aspasia: So you've seen it too, then? It's beautiful isn't it?

Aspasia revealing herself as the Cult's leader

She smiled warmly at the pyramid while casting a side glance at Kassandra. Kassandra was confused by her presence.

• Kassandra: What are you doing here?
• Aspasia: You killed the last member of the Cult. Well, just about.

She presented the final Cultist mask to Kassandra.

• Kassandra: What?
• Aspasia: It's true. I was their leader, but only for a moment it seemed. When your brother came along, it changed everything we were aiming for.

(If "How could you agree with the Cult?" was chosen.)

• Kassandra: You agreed with them? With the fucking Cult?

Aspasia explaining her rationale for her's and the Cult's actions

• Aspasia: The powers that be in the Greek world weren't doing things the right way. The Cult just wanted a clean slate.
• Kassandra: By way of corruption. Dirty drachmae. They killed people in a war they made themselves.
• Aspasia: Fueling war was one of the methods, yes. But it was controlled. Until suddenly it wasn't. And then I didn't like what we were doing anymore.

(If "Isn't Deimos on your side?" was chosen.)

• Kassandra: I thought Deimos was on your side.
• Aspasia: Not in the way we hoped. As you know, he's impossible to control. He worked his way to the helm, and then he held even more sway than I did.

(If "I can't believe you're one of them." was chosen.)

• Kassandra: Maláka... So you were after us.
• Aspasia: Not you, your bloodline. People like Leonidas, like you, have always posed a threat. Then we met, and you surprised me. You were nothing like Deimos.
• Kassandra: Why not just use me? I was in the palm of your hand.
• Aspasia: You made me optimistic, that you could help me bring down the Cult that had become so corrupt. And you did, albeit unknowingly.

You're just like them.❤This was a risky move.You meant no harm.

• Kassandra: You're all the same. Selfish, and fucking destructive.
• Aspasia: It was different in the beginning. It wasn't about destruction, it was about redirection.

• Kassandra: Telling me you're a Cultist took guts. You know what I do to Cultists, Aspasia.
• Aspasia: I didn't want to lie to you anymore. Now that they're gone, we can work together. I think we'd make a good match, don't you?

• Kassandra: This is a lot to take in. But I know you had good intentions. I don't think you lied about that.
• Aspasia: Never. I thought I could maintain control, but I overestimated myself. It just got away from me.

• Kassandra: I just don't understand. What about this... pyramid? How does it work? Why does the Cult have it?
• Aspasia: I've been trying to figure out all of that myself. It's as much of a mystery to you as it is to me. This pyramid has been worshipped by the Cult for decades, and we have used it to replace the Oracle of Delphi, the most trusted person in all the Greek world. Using the people's reliance on a pantheon of dead gods would help to reshape humanity in our favor. The pyramid holds a mysterious power to see into time. But only certain people can activate it. People like Deimos, and the ones in your bloodline.
• Kassandra: But you've seen something, too.
• Aspasia: I don't know how or why, but it did show me something.
• Kassandra: What did you see?
• Aspasia: I saw you. In the vision, you destroyed the pyramid and you destroyed the Cult... I saw what would come after.
• Kassandra: After the Cult?

Aspasia explaining what she saw with the pyramid

• Aspasia: We will be replaced by a new kind of order—control under the reign of a philosopher king. There would be a movement away from the old gods towards rational society, built in a kingdom by the people, for the people. And I must find someone to lead them. But I couldn't achieve any of this with the Cult and their chaotic regime. So I let them carry out their plans, and let the time of the Cult of Kosmos come to an end on its own.
• Kassandra: Wait. Did Perikles know?
• Aspasia: I wanted to protect him, so I kept him in the dark. He would have had his own opinions. But he was never supposed to die. That is the truth.

Better to keep him ignorant.You betrayed his trust.

• Kassandra: You've made questionable choices. But I think that was the right one.
• Aspasia: You knew him. All he did was worry about the state of the Greek world. If I'd told him, it would have ruined him.

• Kassandra: He trusted you. And in the end, you didn't protect him. Maybe he would be alive if you'd stopped them.
• Aspasia: Gods know I would have if I could. When Deimos killed him, I knew the original cause was lost. I had to retreat.

• Kassandra: So. What happens now?
• Aspasia: We shift focus. We steer towards a new republic under one supreme rule. A dream I'll make reality.
• Kassandra: But it is still a dream. One that isn't realistic.
• Aspasia: Abandon what you know and just imagine! Forget democracy. No more blue and red, just citizens working for a greater good.
• Kassandra: This is crazy. It won't work, Aspasia. It didn't work.
• Aspasia: It's not crazy, it's enlightened. Once in people in Athens get wind of this, they'll come to know they've wanted it all along. Even you.

Kassandra waffled at Aspasia's words.

Aspasia and Kassandra deciding what to do with the pyramid

• Kassandra: I'm not sure.
• Aspasia: You've spent your whole life thinking for yourself. Let go. What I plan will require you to trust me. Come with me. This future's not a dream.

❤I want to kiss you.⚔️I'm here to kill you.🖝We need to destroy the artifact.

(Requires previous Flirt choice)

Kassandra stepped up to Aspasia. Aspasia's gaze widened, then she smiled. The two kissed. Kassandra looked away and stepped back.

• Kassandra: I'm sorry.

Aspasia played it off.

• Aspasia: I suppose that means you trust me.
• Kassandra: I... don't know what that means.
• Aspasia: I'll tell you what it means. Love is a singular comfort, Kassandra. What comes next means harmony for everyone.
• Kassandra: You should go. Lead your "new republic."
• Aspasia: I won't be the leader. We need someone with the knowledge of a philosopher and the wisdom of a king.

Kassandra crossed her arms and stepped towards the exit.

• Kassandra: That's a tall order these days.
• Aspasia: I couldn't have done this without you, Kassandra. You're doing the right thing.
• Kassandra: I always try to do what's right.
• Aspasia: Then we're after the same thing.

Aspasia gave Kassandra light smile and took her leave of her, to go forth and make her fresh start.

• Kassandra: I can't let you do this. You've caused so much damage. You destroyed the Greek world.
• Aspasia: You've proven you have no understanding of what we're doing. I misjudged you.
• Kassandra: So did I.

Aspasia attacked Kassandra, and Kassandra gave her the same end as every Cultist before her.

Kassandra letting Aspasia go

• Kassandra: You should go. Lead your "new republic."
• Aspasia: I won't be the leader. We need someone with the knowledge of a philosopher and the wisdom of a king.

Kassandra crossed her arms and stepped towards the exit.

• Kassandra: That's a tall order these days.

Aspasia took her leave

• Aspasia: I couldn't have done this without you, Kassandra. You're doing the right thing.
• Kassandra: I always try to do what's right.
• Aspasia: Then we're after the same thing.

Aspasia gave Kassandra light smile and took her leave of her, to go forth and make her fresh start.

Kassandra made her way over to the artifact as she heard her mother's voice emanate from it.

• Myrrine: Kassandra. There is much left to do, lamb.

Kassandra's contempt for the artifact and the grief it had caused her came to the surface. She raised the Spear of Leonidas.

Kassandra destroyed the pyramid with her Spear

• Myrrine: KASSANDRA! ...A storm is coming...

Kassandra plunged the spear into the center of the artifact. Its light flickered and went out. Kassandra drew her spear back seething with anger. She defied the artifact's final words.

• Kassandra: I can weather any storm.

Outcome

Kassandra unveiled the Ghost of Kosmos, the Cult's deposed leader, and learned of her role in the preceding events and the goal she sought.

Behind the scenes

While the memory ends with the player having the option to kill, spare, or even romance Aspasia, in the novelization she escapes which aligns with idea that she survived until around 400 BCE put forth by some scholars. ^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

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  A vision of the ancient Greek world
• 
  A vision of a mural of the Greek gods
• 
  A vision of Sokrates teaching philosophy to the Greeks
• 
  A vision of the Grave of Sisyphos
• 
  A vision of Kassandra with Kyra during Podarkes' funeral
• 
  A vision of a young Kassandra training with Nikolaos
• 
  A vision of Ancient Egypt
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  A vision of a lone man traversing the plains
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  A vision of a battlefield and a ship in the background
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  A vision of two ships in battle
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  A vision of a modern city
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  A vision of Kassandra handing the Staff to Layla Hassan
• 
  Kassandra taking time to digest what she had saw
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  Aspasia presenting her cultist mask
• 
  Aspasia revealing her reasons for keeping her cult activities a secret from Perikles