Awaken the Myth was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Kassandra returned to the ruins with the completed Sphinx Medallion.
Dialogue[]
Kassandra returned to the Lair of the Sphinx.
- Kassandra: The statue. It's gone.
As Kassandra approached the plinth where the statue used to sit, she noticed Gorgias lying dead nearby. She inserted the medallion, but nothing happened.
- Kassandra: It must only work at night. I should come back after dark.
That night, Kassandra returned. After she'd inserted the medallion, she took a few steps back, waiting. Suddenly, a light beam struck down the plinth like lightning. She looked away for a moment from the flash, but when she looked back, the Sphinx sat on the plinth. Kassandra looked in awe as the Sphinx relaxed, smiling at her. Curious, she moved a little closer.
- Sphinx: Another challenger. I hope you're more resilient than the last one.
- Kassandra: By the gods! The statue came alive!
A snake appeared beside the Sphinx's left leg - its tail.
- Sphinx: I am no statue, child. If you cannot comprehend what stands before you, how are you to entertain me?
(If players choose "What are you?")
- Kassandra: What are you?
- Sphinx: The Sphinx. The guardian of truth and knowledge.
(If players choose "What are you doing here?")
- Kassandra: Why are you here?
- Sphinx: The gods sent me to protect something, and I've been its guardian ever since.
(If players choose "I'm not here to entertain you.")
- Kassandra: I—I came here for another reason.
- Sphinx: Oh? Then tell me, little one. Why are you here?
- Kassandra: I've come to end you and take your power.
- Sphinx: Many before you have tried. All have failed.
The Sphinx's snake tail hisses.
- Kassandra: I won't.
- Sphinx: While it would amuse me to see you try, harming me will not give you what you seek. The only way to acquire the power I possess is to impress me with your mind.
- Kassandra: Sounds simple enough.
- Sphinx: If you are correct, I will surrender that which I guard. If you are wrong, I shall end you.
(The Sphinx will ask any three riddles from a dozen different riddles.)
- Sphinx: What is always old and sometimes new; never sad, sometimes blue; never empty, but sometimes full; never pushes, always pulls?
- Kassandra: You're a tree.
- Sphinx: Impressive, little one. Most impressive.
- Kassandra: A chariot.
- Sphinx: You do amuse me.
- Kassandra: A hummingbird.
- Sphinx: How clever you are.
- Kassandra: You're a jellyfish.
- Sphinx: I see your logic.
- Kassandra: A city.
- Sphinx: You're sharp, for a human.
- Kassandra: The sun.
- Sphinx: I expected no less.
(The players can choose any answers and the Sphinx will accept it, only commenting on the choice made. The players must remember the answers they gave, but not necessarily in sequence.)
- Sphinx: You are an interesting one. Now, take what you have learned and touch the symbols that reflect your choices.
(If players touched the wrong symbols.)
- Sphinx: Like those who came before, you have failed.
All the surrounding symbols glowed intensely to power up the Sphinx's plinth. Kassandra tried to flee, but was shot by a beam of light from the plinth, killing her.
(If players touched the correct symbols.)
Kassandra walked back to the plinth to see what would happen next but was momentarily blinded by a flash of light. When the light settled, the Sphinx glowed intensely gold all over except for her agonized face. The Sphinx reached for Kassandra but the glow died along with her. Kassandra stood in astonishment for a little while before squatting down and plucking the large golden feather from the Sphinx's head. The feather glowed brightly as it shook violently in her hands, attempting to transmute her. With her eyes closed from the struggle, she was unaware of a ghostly Sphinx reaching its clawed paw towards her.
- Unknown: ...Outwit our oppressors, hide our truth within lies...
Kassandra grit her teeth and continued to struggle against the artifact's power. Thanks to her willpower and the unique blood within her veins, she managed to resist. Subdued, the artifact ceased its attempt and took its true shape in the form of an apple-like sphere, which glowed with the same light, albeit dimmer. Kassandra exhaled and pocketed the artifact before leaving the ruins, not noticing the desiccated human corpse of the artifact's previous holder behind her.
Outcome[]
Facing the Sphinx, Kassandra answered the creature's questions correctly and claimed the artifact.