Catching Up

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

Description

Following her mother Myrrine, Kassandra came to glimpse what kind of life her mother had crafted from the ashes of her former life.

Dialogue

Having dispatched the incursion from Paros, Kassandra and Myrrine had earned a moment's respite to catch up. They speared the sands with their weapons and sat down to talk.

• Myrrine: There's always been a rivalry between the islands. After all, Naxos used to control Paros and Andros. They're envious of our craftsmen too.
• Kassandra: And now?
• Myrrine: They think they "deserve" expansion. Their oligarch demands their wings spread wide.
• Myrrine: But we'll clip their wings before that happens.
• Kassandra: They don't know who they're up against.

Myrrine smiled at her daughter's determination.

• Myrrine: You remind me of Nikolaos. You fight just like him; ruthless and cunning. He would be proud.

You taught me well.He's not my father.I've learned a lot since then.

• Kassandra: I've never forgotten what you both taught me. I had a good education.
• Myrrine: I wanted you to be unstoppable. And you are.

• Kassandra: Nikolaos might have played the part of my father, but he wasn't. He tried to kill me.
• Myrrine: What he did was wrong, Kassandra. I hated him for it, but he did love you in his own way - I can assure you of that.

• Kassandra: The real world taught me better. When someone wants your head, you have to learn to save your neck.
• Myrrine: I know exactly what you mean.

Regardless, Kassandra still had questions for her mother, now without Paros to interrupt.

(If available and players chose "Who is my father?")

• Kassandra: I want to know about my real father.
• Myrrine: How did you know?
• Kassandra: I was told.
• Myrrine: Nikolaos? You saw him?
• Kassandra: In Megaris, yes.
• Myrrine: Nikolaos was your father. He was the man who raised you... until he took his Spartan duty too far.
• Kassandra: He mentioned another. What can you tell me about him?
• Myrrine: I always hoped you would never need to discover the truth, but there are things you need to know if we are to stop the Cult.
• Kassandra: What do you mean?
• Myrrine: He sought me out before I knew your fa... Nikolaos. I've not heard from him in a long time.

("You should have told me.")

• Kassandra: Why didn't you tell me the truth about Nikolaos?
• Myrrine: You were just a child, you looked up to him. I couldn't bring myself to take that from you then, and I'm sorry you know now.
• Kassandra: I've been sheltered from the truth long enough.

("You did the right thing.")

• Kassandra: Knowing would only have complicated things.
• Myrrine: You still had a right to know the truth.
• Kassandra: You did what you thought was best, like any mother.

(If available and players chose "What happened to you?")

• Kassandra: What happened to you in Argolis after that night?
• Myrrine: I found your brother and rushed to a young doctor's apprentice, Hippokrates. I thought I'd lost you... I wasn't ready to lose you both.
• Kassandra: I spoke with him recently. That night still haunts him.
• Myrrine: I was heartbroken when the healers in Asklepios told me Alexios was dead. The two of you were my whole world.
• Kassandra: But he did live, they lied to you.
• Myrrine: They... must have realized he was special and handed him over to the Cult.

("We'll get him back.")

• Kassandra: We'll save him from the Cult, mater. We'll get him back.
• Myrrine: The Cult is insidious, once they have their claws in, they don't let go. I fear he is beyond saving.
• Kassandra: I found you, didn't I? I know we can save him, together.

("He's beyond saving.")

• Kassandra: He's been brainwashed. He believes he is doing what's right.
• Myrrine: Some have successfully abandoned the Cult. We could bring him back.
• Kassandra: We owe it to him to try.

(If players asked "What does the Cult want?")

• Kassandra: I don't understand why the Cult targeted our family.
• Myrrine: There are many reasons, lamb.
• Kassandra: What did we ever do to them?
• Myrrine: Now that we're reunited, it's more a question of what we could do to them.
• Kassandra: They fear us.
• Myrrine: Your ancestors have been a thorn in their side for generations. They've decided we need to be eliminated to ensure their plans come to fruition.

("The Cult will pay in blood.")

• Kassandra: The Cult will pay for all they've done to our family and the Greek world.
• Myrrine: You are mighty, lamb, but you cannot defeat that beast with sword and spear alone.
• Kassandra: I'll use any weapon I can to make them suffer as we have.

("Our family will be reunited.")

• Kassandra: If it's our family they fear, we'll reunite and give them a reason to be afraid.
• Myrrine: Many have tried to stop them and failed.
• Kassandra: We are not those people. Where others failed, we will succeed.

(If players asked "How did you end up here?")

• Kassandra: I know you left Sparta, but how did you end up on this island?
• Myrrine: I couldn't stand by Nikolaos after what he did - I had to get out of Sparta.
• Kassandra: So why here?
• Myrrine: I saw an opportunity to help people, to grow something. I was elected to rule and protect this island from those who would ruin what we've built.

("Naxos is lucky.")

• Kassandra: You've done some incredible things. Naxos is lucky to have you as its leader.
• Myrrine: It's not been without its difficulties, but I'm proud of what we've achieved.
• Kassandra: It's a pity there aren't more leaders like you.

("Sparta needs you too.")

• Kassandra: What about Sparta? You know what's happening there, and it needs your help like Naxos once did.
• Myrrine: I thought about returning on more than one occasion, but it was too painful.
• Kassandra: Sometimes the most painful things are the things we should do.

(Leave - "We should go.")

• Kassandra: Let's continue this discussion somewhere the smell of death doesn't linger.
• Myrrine: Ride with me.

They collected their weapons and mounted the horses back to town. As they rode, Kassandra took in the scenic island.

• Kassandra: The island is beautiful.
• Myrrine: It is. Sparta has nothing on Naxian beaches.
• Kassandra: Sparta. All I remember is the bottom of Mount Taygetos.
• Myrrine: When I brought you to the Pythia as a baby, she never said we would live a nightmare. She said you had such promise.
• Kassandra: The Pythia can't predict everything.

Reaching the city gates, Kassandra complimented the readiness of Myrrine's forces.

• Kassandra: Your general acted quickly - raising the alarm.
• Myrrine: Timo knows Paros is a threat. They make their business clear.
• Kassandra: They can't be more clear than sending soldiers. There's no treaty?
• Myrrine: Maybe there was, but it's long over. Now there's no mistaking them for anything but the enemy.
• Kassandra: An enemy I could help you defeat.
• Myrrine: We'll discuss that later. But I think you're right.

They rode through town and dismounted, continuing on foot to the site where a temple to Apollo was being constructed.

• Myrrine: The temple's coming along, Evandros.
• Priest: It'll stay in ruins if we don't secure more donations. Soldiers can't get all the funds.
• Myrrine: They can if you don't want the temple destroyed by our enemy. But I'll see what I can do.
• Priest: It's a good deed, restarting construction. Lygdamis was a great man who deserves reverence.
• Myrrine: His battles against corruption and oligarchy are lessons we all should remember. I do intend to finish the temple.
• Priest: Thank you, Phoenix.

Exhausted, Kassandra and Myrrine made their way to the villa to reflect on the day's events.

• Myrrine: What a strange day it has been.
• Kassandra: But a good one.
• Myrrine: I've certainly had worse.
• Kassandra: Me too.
• Myrrine: You have grown into a remarkable woman, but I see the burden you carry on your shoulders.
• Kassandra: Finding you has lessened it, I think.
• Myrrine: I'm glad, but I have wondered why the gods chose to reunite us now.

(If players chose "To repair our family.")

• Kassandra: I think they felt it was about time our family found each other again.
• Myrrine: If we want to be truly united, we have to find Alexios and rescue him from the Cult's grasp.

(If players chose "To destroy the Cult.")

• Kassandra: So we can destroy the Cult once and for all.
• Myrrine: If only it were that simple. You are mighty, but we cannot stop them alone.

Regardless, Kassandra emphasized the threat the Cult posed.

• Kassandra: They are the source of all our pain and they will cause more to many others unless we act.
• Myrrine: I put that life behind me the moment I left Sparta. I have Naxos to worry about now.
• Kassandra: Let me help you here. We can safeguard Naxos and then hunt down the Cult together.

Timo entered and addressed Myrrine.

• Timo: Myrrine, the symposium is about to start.
• Myrrine: By the gods! I'm sorry my sweet, I forgot. Prepare the horses - I'll be out shortly.
• Kassandra: The symposium?
• Myrrine: I need to show the people their leader is strong and in control.
• Myrrine: Sometimes the face we show to the world needs to be one of strength, despite the chaos we harbor beneath.
• Myrrine: I will help you stop the Cult, but before I can leave Naxos I have to ensure it will survive without me.
• Kassandra: What do you need?
• Myrrine: Paros has to be dealt with. We need to weaken their position. Once they're vulnerable, they will make a reckless decision, and we will strike.
• Kassandra: What did you have in mind?
• Myrrine: We must force the Paros fleet to engage us and destroy it, but my admiral, Euneas, is missing. His ship was sailing for Paros to engage in peace talks, and he never returned.
• Kassandra: Don't worry, I'll find him.
• Myrrine: If you need me, I'll be at the symposium. Although... try to look less intimidating should you choose to pay me a visit.

Outcome

Kassandra and Myrrine caught up after 17 years apart, and Kassandra resolved to help her mother deal with Paros.

Gallery

• Myrrine tours Kassandra through Naxos and passes by its agora.
  Myrrine tours Kassandra through Naxos and passes by its agora.
• 
  Evandros and Myrrine chatting
• Myrrine and Kassandra returns to her villa to talk about what happened and what their plan will be.
  Myrrine and Kassandra returns to her villa to talk about what happened and what their plan will be.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey