Protector of Persia

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Protector of Persia was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Kassandra confronted the Huntsman in the forests of Makedonia

Dialogue

...

• Kassandra: It's over, Huntsman.

The Huntsman coughed up some blood.

• Huntsman: Oh, is that what you think?

He signaled two guards to step forward. One drew his blade, but before he could take a single step towards Kassandra, he was assassinated from behind. The other guard spun around to anticipate an attack, but the blade hidden in the shadows was too quick, stabbing him in the stomach. The Huntsman spun around looking for the assailants, until they stepped forward.

• Huntsman: What—no... No!

He dropped to his knees in defeat.

It's good to see you both.You took your time.

• Kassandra: Nice entrance.
• Natakas: Took the easy way.

• Huntsman: Artabanus! The betrayer himself!

Artabanus was the one credited with assassinating Xerxes, and Kassandra realized that he and Darius were one and the same.

• Kassandra: So you are Artabanus!

Darius simply looked down at the Huntsman.

• Darius: Pactyas.

Kassandra turned her attention back to the Huntsman

• Kassandra: After all you've done to this family, how does it feel to have them watch you die?
• Huntsman: Is that how Artabanus tells it? No... he started this.

He keeled over. Kassandra looked to Darius.

• Kassandra: What is he talking about?
• Huntsman: We—we trusted him! Loved him! We were all as brothers, but he drew his blade against us!

Darius knelt down over him.

• Huntsman: Did you not consider the cost?

Pactyas addressed Natakas.

• Huntsman: They'd be alive. Your mother, your siblings... He may as well have killed them himself.

Stop lying, Huntsman.Tell the truth, Darius.

• Kassandra: You're in the Order. You deal in lies.
• Huntsman: Why would... a dying man lie?
• Kassandra: Darius. Say something.
• Huntsman: Yes "Darius," tell them about our promise.
• Darius: To protect Persia... Our children. Their future.
• Huntsman: Then—then why did... Why did you betray us?
• Darius: To keep that promise.

The Huntsman breathed his last, and Darius stood.

... Amorges gripped the Hidden Blade with all the strength he could muster, keeping it from his neck.

• Amorges: This King hasn't done anything.
• Darius: Yet.

Darius drew the blade back and sliced a deep wound into Amorges' palm. He shook off some blood, seething with anger, and abandoned trying to talk Darius down. He called for the guards.

• Amorges: Guards!

Darius glanced down the hall, knowing that with Amorges' call for the guards, his and his family's livelihood in Persia was at an end. His mission was also a failure, all due to his closest friend.

• Darius: Traitor.

The scene returned to the present day.

• Darius: Amorges joined the Order of the Ancients. From that day, he's led the Huntsman to destroy us and the Tainted Ones. He was my closest friend. Through war—

He turned to Natakas.

• Darius: Your birth... When he called the guards, he doomed our family.

Natakas was furious with his father, blaming him for their hardships rather than Amorges.

• Natakas: The moment you drew your blade against the Order, you doomed us. Did you ever stop to think who else your blade has killed? Mother? My brothers and sisters? Me?
• Darius: My son... I think of nothing else.

Natakas turned around and contemplated the revelations swarming in his mind.

• Natakas: Pactyas' death will be a beacon to the Order. Amorges and his full might will rain down on Makedonia. Father... we can't stay here. I'll pack the hideout.

Natakas took off, leaving Darius to brood while Kassandra stood nearby. He directed her to leave as well.

• Darius: Go. I have an old friend to bury.

Kassandra took her leave while Darius saw to the remains of his former friend and comrade-in-arms.

After a time, Kassandra returned to the hideout, where Natakas had begun to pack up their belongings. Darius stood on the ridge overlooking the forest, and Kassandra joined him.

• Kassandra: Darius.
• Darius: Kassandra.

They looked down and saw two children playing at the base of the mountain.

• Kassandra: Sometimes I think about... a simpler life. Small stall in the agora. Fish. Teaching my son how to catch them. Do you ever wonder about a simpler life?

Darius thought for a moment, then nodded.

• Darius: I fight for the greater good. For the ones I love... but it's always the ones we love we hurt the most. Always.

Behind them, Natakas struggled with the camp materials. Darius turned and walked back to speak with him.

• Darius: Natakas—bring your coat. You'll need warmth for the road ahead.

Natakas smiled at his fatherly concern as he walked off. Natakas walked up to Kassandra.

• Natakas: Do you think we'll see each other again?

We will meet again.It's not likely.

• Kassandra: I do.
• Natakas: How can you be so sure?

She clapped Natakas on the shoulder.

• Kassandra: Trust me.

Natakas nodded and smiled.

Darius returned to them.

• Darius: Pactyas is dead, but the Order lives on. And with Amorges at their head, none of us are safe. He'll bring his full might against us—warriors, wit, cunning.

He looked to Kassandra.

• Darius: He'll never stop hunting you.

He then looked back to Natakas.

• Darius: Or us.

Amorges is no match for us.We'll have to work together to stop him.

• Kassandra: Against us, he hasn't got a chance.

Darius nodded in agreement. Natakas joined them up on the edge and looked out at the wilderness that entwined their fates. Darius left first, then Natakas nodded at Kassandra and took his leave as well.

Outcome

Kassandra hunted the Huntsman, ending the Order's activities in Makedonia. With his dying breath, he revealed Darius' identity as Artabanus. Darius and Natakas parted ways with Kassandra to seek safe passage out of the Greek world.

Trivia

• The five Persian soldiers that attack before the Huntsman will act as witnesses to each others' deaths, generating bounties for murder. Defeating three or more in open combat will guarantee a bounty sufficient to send a bounty hunter after the player, likely spawning them right next to the glade when the cutscene transitions into the battle against the Huntsman, requiring the player to fight them both at the same time. Thus, it behooves the player to stun the group of soldiers and/or break line-of-sight to find a hiding place and defeat them with stealth.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Legacy of the First Blade: Hunted