A Cursed Sickness was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.[1]
Description[]
Kassandra was tasked with finding an asphodel flower to heal a woman who thought she was still sick.
Dialogue[]
After helping the lost soldier, Kassandra returned to Charon at the docks.
- Kassandra: I'm ready to help another of your lost dead.
- Charon: My my, aren't you a productive little fleshling. Tell me, how did things go with the Athenian?
- Kassandra: Athens meant everything to him. I spared him the truth.
- Charon: You brought comfort to a troubled soul.
- Kassandra: I couldn't tell him the plague destroyed everything he loved.
(If "Where do I find the flower?" is chosen)
- Kassandra: An Asphodel flower.
- Charon: My little fleshling is in luck! Due to all the chaos you cause, there is a breach between the underworld and Elysium. You might find a flower there.
(If "What does the flower do?" is chosen)
- Kassandra: What makes this Asphodel flower so special?
- Charon: Everything from Elysium, that sickengly perfect paradise, has some kind of boon.
(Leave – "I'll get the flower.")
- Kassandra: I'll get the flower and make sure she reaches the pyre.
- Charon: Be careful out there. Something as rare as an Asphodel flower in this place will surely draw a great deal of attention.
Kassandra headed to the breach, located at the eastern part of the Scorched Lands. Ikaros found the entrance.
- Kassandra: Here we are.
Heading through the breach, she encountered and killed numerous Hounds of Hades. She continued her way through.
- Kassandra: The air feels different here. Reminds me of Elysium.
She found the flower on the ground.
- Kassandra: That's what I'm looking for.
Kassandra stepped forward to pick up the flower. Afterwards, she heard someone approaching behind and turned around to face them, hiding the flower in her hands.
- Kassandra: Testikles. It's nice to see you in one piece.
- Testikles: Misthios. Yes, I likes it. Nothing's trying to eat Testikles.
A pack of hounds of Hades eyed him from afar.
- Kassandra: What are you doing here?
- Testikles: Came looking for a magic flower... Sounded so pretty. Wanted pretty flower oil. Have you seen it?
- Kassandra: I have the Asphodel flower. I need it to save someone who's sick.
- Testikles: But I needs the flower, misthios. I came all this way to get it. And I will.
The Hounds of Hades lunged themselves at Testikles, killing him.
- Kassandra: No flower for Testikles.
Kassandra secretly dropped the flower to the ground.
- Testikles: You're right. Testikles is the only pretty thing here.
- Kassandra: Right. Well, it was nice seeing you.
- Testikles: No hug this time, OK?
The Hounds of Hades lunged themselves at Testikles, killing him. Kassandra picked up the flower.
- Kassandra: Take care of yourself, Testikles.
Kassandra eliminated the hounds and looted Testikles' body before heading off to Hades' Palace to find the plague victim. Ikaros found her at a camp designated for the plague victims on the cliff above the Stables of the Immortal Stallions.
- Kassandra: There she is!
Kassandra entered the camp.
- Kassandra: How can the dead bear it here?
Kassandra approached the plague victim.
- Lost Woman: Please, stay back. I'm very sick.
- Kassandra: I've been sent to help you get better.
- Lost Woman: Nothing can cure me. Even here I'm cursed by this plague.
(If "What do you remember?" was asked)
- Kassandra: Do you remember anything of your life before?
- Lost Woman: I used to bake the best-smelling bread. It's all like a dream that I can't quite see or touch.
(If "How did you get here?" was asked)
- Kassandra: How did you get here?
- Lost Woman: I remember being in my bed. I was... sick. Everything went dark, then I was by a river surrounded by people waiting to cross.
("Eat this flower.")
- Kassandra: Here, eat this flower. It will help you feel strong.
Kassandra gave the flower to the woman, who ate it.
- Lost Woman: I feel... different. I feel better.
She inspected her hands.
- Lost Woman: But the plague is still with me.
- Kassandra: I will take you to a place where you can feel better. There is a fire that will cleanse you.
- Lost Woman: A fire! Are you sure it will help me? Won't it hurt?
- Kassandra: The flower you ate will protect you.
- Lost Woman: If this is the only way, then I suppose I have to try.
Kassandra followed the woman out of the palace.
- Lost Woman: Am I cursed to be sick forever?
Kassandra escorted the woman up the akropolis to the pyre. Along the way, she killed numerous guards. They reached the Thanatos Pyre, which burned with a large blue flame.
- Lost Woman: Look! The pyre. We've reached it.
With the coast clear, they approached the fire.
- Kassandra: Strange. This fire gives off no heat.
Suggenly, Hades appeared.
- Hades: Just the mortal I was looking for.
Kassandra rolled her eyes and turned to Hades, who leaned against the wall behind her.
- Kassandra: What do you want, Hades?
- Hades: It's funny how the tiniest, most insignificant things to some, can mean the world to others.
- Kassandra: Good, more riddles.
- Hades: My darling wife hasn't been the same since the death of Cerberos. I would see her smile again. The flower you picked is the last of its kind in my world, and it happens to be her favorite.
- Kassandra: But Charon wants me to give it to the plagued woman. And you wanted me to help Charon.
Hades stepped closer to Kassandra.
- Hades: Tell you what, give the flower to me, and in exchange, I'll give you the location of one of the Fallen you're hunting.
- Kassandra: Fine, take it. Now tell me where the Fallen is.
- Hades: Very wise, this will make Persephone very happy.
- Kassandra: Keep me out of your marital affairs. The flower goes to the sick woman.
Hades got angry and leaned closer to Kassandra
- Hades: Have it your way. My hounds will get their meal. They always do.
Displeased about the conversation's outcome, Hades turned around and left. Kassandra turned towards the plague victim.
- Lost Woman: Please, stay back. I'm very sick.
- Kassandra: I've been sent to help you get better.
- Lost Woman: Nothing can cure me. Even here I'm cursed by this plague.
(If "What do you remember?" was asked)
- Kassandra: Do you remember anything of your life before?
- Lost Woman: I used to bake the best-smelling bread. It's all like a dream that I can't quite see or touch.
(If "How did you get here?" was asked)
- Kassandra: How did you get here?
- Lost Woman: I remember being in my bed. I was... sick. Everything went dark, then I was by a river surrounded by people waiting to cross.
("Eat this flower.")
- Kassandra: Here, eat this flower. It will help you feel strong.
Kassandra gave the flower to the woman, who ate it.
- Lost Woman: I feel... different. I feel better.
She inspected her hands.
- Lost Woman: But the plague is still with me.
- Kassandra: I will take you to a place where you can feel better. There is a fire that will cleanse you.
- Lost Woman: A fire! Are you sure it will help me? Won't it hurt?
- Kassandra: The flower you ate will protect you.
- Lost Woman: If this is the only way, then I suppose I have to try.
Kassandra followed the woman out of the palace.
- Lost Woman: Am I cursed to be sick forever?
Kassandra escorted the woman up the akropolis to the pyre. Along the way, she killed numerous guards. They reached the Thanatos Pyre, which burned with a large blue flame.
- Lost Woman: Look! The pyre. We've reached it.
With the coast clear, they approached the fire.
- Kassandra: Strange. This fire gives off no heat.
Outcome[]
Kassandra recovered an asphodel flower and gave it to the sick woman to regain her strength. She then escorted her to a pyre to be cleansed of the plague.
Behind the scenes[]
If not all of the Fallen have been found yet, Hades will appear and offer to take the flower from the Eagle Bearer in exchange for revealing one of the Fallen's locations. However, not only does this prematurely end the memory, but players may have already located the Fallen whom Hades speaks of and find a different member in their stead.
The woman can die en route to the pyre. It may behoove players to simply charge past the guards on horseback, as the plague victim will ride on the same horse as the Eagle Bearer.