Home

Home 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==
After ending the Tempest, Kassandra met with Natakas and Darius to bid them farewell.
==Dialogue==
With her mission complete, Kassandra made her way to the docks to bid farewell to Darius and Natakas. As she traveled, she ruminated on never seeing them again.
*Kassandra: Darius and Natakas should be safe now. The Greek world can cause them no more pain. They can finally leave safely. It's a good thing.
She reached the docks, and the men called out to her.
*Darius: Hey! Eagle Bearer!
*Natakas: Over here!
She approached them. The merchant ship sailed to the dock. The mother and child rescued from the Teichos of Herakles were among the boarding passengers.
*Child: Mater! We can finally go home!
The word "home" struck a chord with both Darius and Natakas. Their expressions dropped. Darius addressed Kassandra.
*Darius: You once told me of a dream you had. A simpler life. A small stall in the agora. Fishing with your son.
*Kassandra: I remember.
*Darius: Are you going to do it?
<tabber>
|-|I might try a simple life.=
*Kassandra: I might... some day.
|-|I'm a misthios.=
*Kassandra: I'm like you, Darius. Never could sit still for too long.
</tabber>
Darius nodded and made his way to the dock. Natakas and Kassandra smiled at each other.
*Stranded Man: Boat's sailing with or without you! It's now or never!
Natakas walked to the dock with Kassandra following close behind. Darius shook Kassandra's hand and spoke warmly.
*Darius: Kassandra.
*Kassandra: Darius.
Darius walked towards the ship. Natakas smiled at her.
*Kassandra: So. This is it.
*Natakas: This is it.
Natakas simply frowned and turned to walk towards the boat. As he walked further away, Kassandra's own sadness came to a head and she clenched her fist.
<tabber>
|-|❤Stay.=
Kassandra marched after them and reiterated Kleta's words to her.
*Kassandra: "Real connections with people are rare. We shouldn't be too quick to let them go."
Natakas' frown instantly turned to a smile. He turned back to her.
*Kassandra: Stay. Please.
Natakas looked to his father, who simply smiled and nodded. Kassandra and Natakas embraced.
|-|Farewell.=
*Kassandra: Natakas, Darius—
Natakas stopped and smiled expectantly.
*Kassandra: Sail hard, sail far... and never look back.
Natakas' smile disappeared. He stood next to his father, then spoke up.
*Natakas: I left you a letter, Kassandra. Said everything we couldn't. It's in Dyme, in the house.
Natakas turned his head to nod at his father. Darius nodded back at Kassandra and turned to board the ship. Natakas waved goodbye.
*Natakas: Look for the wine!
*Kassandra: I always do.
Kassandra stayed to watch the ship sail away for good, then left the dock.
*Kassandra: Natakas and Darius are safe. The Greek world can cause them no more pain. It's good they left. It's good.
As Kassandra traveled, she reflected on her return to solitude.
*Kassandra: Alone again.
In time, Kassandra found her way back to Dyme and recalled the note Natakas left.
*Kassandra: Natakas left a letter for me at the house in Dyme. I—I'm not sure I'm ready to read it.
Despite this, she made her way to the house. Her composure began to crack.
*Kassandra: It's so quiet... This place was filled with laughter, once. Maybe once was enough.
She entered the house and saw the note on the table.
*Kassandra: Natakas' letter...
She steeled herself and read the letter.
Kassandra began to weep.
*Kassandra: Natakas...
She eyed the wine on the table.
*Kassandra: At least there's wine.
She shifted around the house and noticed a figurine in the windowsill. A familiar figure passed between the gaps in the window boards and stood before her in the entry. She immediately broke into a smile.
*Natakas: At least there's wine.
He stepped inside and echoed Kleta's words to her.
*Natakas: Real connection with people are rare, Kassandra. We shouldn't be too quick to let them go.
The two embraced. Darius stood in the entryway with his arms folded, smiling.
</tabber>
At the house in Dyme, the days faded away as fast as they came, as the three busied themselves with household chores and meal preparation. On occasion, Kassandra and Darius would spar together while Natakas cared for a dog. In time, Kassandra and Natakas kissed on the rooftop in the moonlight and began a romantic relationship. Some time later, Kassandra sat on the rooftop and maintained the Spear of Leonidas while humming the tune she had learned from her mother Myrrine. On the deck below her to the left, Darius kept a watchful eye on the valley. He looked up at Kassandra and nodded before turning around.
*Kassandra: I wonder if Darius has kept watch all night... Better say good morning.
She descended from the roof and joined him in the garden.
*Kassandra: You really don't sleep, do you?
*Darius: The soft kiss of the breeze... the smell of the ocean... Why should I sleep? I'd miss it, Kassandra.
Kassandra smiled at him.
*Darius: I'd miss all of it.
Ikaros soared above the valley, and Darius changed the subject.
*Darius: The hungriest warrior in the Greek world's ravaged our milk and bread supplies again.
<tabber>
|-|No mortal could eat that much!=
*Kassandra: Already?! I restocked less than a week ago!
|-|He's technically Spartan.=
*Kassandra: Typical Spartan stomach.
</tabber>
*Darius: His appetite may consume us all.
*Kassandra: More milk and bread it is, then. I'll go buy the usual.
*Darius: Double. But here—
He turned her attention to a basket.
*Darius: I was supposed to pass these to the merchant, but... I got carried away with the, uh—
*Kassandra: He has that effect on people.
They both smiled widely.
*Kassandra: I'll deliver this for us and buy double the usual. The agora should already be open. Be home soon.
Kassandra picked up the basket.
*Kassandra: Milk and bread, coming right up.
She followed the path down the hill into the village proper. A woman called out to her.
*Civilian: Say hello to Darius for me!
*Kassandra: Mmmhmm.
She overheard two children reminiscing on the Tempest.
*Child 1: When I grow up, I wanna be like the Tempest!
*Child 2: Mater says the Tempest was bad—
*Child 1: Nuh uh! she had the biggest, strongest fleet on the whole Aegean. I wanna be a mighty captain, just like her!
Kassandra passed a fishmonger.
*Civilian: Fish, Kassandra?
*Kassandra: Oh, uh—no thanks!
Out of earshot, she complained about his stock.
*Kassandra: How can his fish be so stale, we live by the sea!
At last, she reached the merchant at his stall in the agora and set down the basket.
*Civilian: Kassandra! How's my favorite customer?
*Kassandra: Tired. Hungry and tired.
*Civilian: It was the same for me. Enjoy these years.
*Kassandra: I will. I am. Anyway—
She gestured to the basket.
*Kassandra: Here's what Darius owes you. We'll need double the usual. Milk and bread, please.
*Civilian: Ah... About the bread. I ran out of wheat. I was supposed to fetch some from the farmer down the road. Perhaps you could help me with that?
<tabber>
|-|I'm happy to get the wheat.=
*Kassandra: For my favorite merchant, anything.
*Civilian: Thank you, Kassandra.
|-|I'll get it for a discount.=
*Kassandra: I'll help you, but I expect to pay a few drachmae less for my order.
*Civilian: You drive a hard bargain! But you got it.
</tabber>
*Kassandra: I'll be back from the farm soon. It's not too far away.
Kassandra set out for the wheat farm.
*Kassandra: The wheat farm isn't far. This'll be quick.
She crossed the bridge and a man repairing the wall of his house called to her.
*Civilian: When's Elpidios visiting me?
*Kassandra: Soon enough.
Another woman called to her from her left.
*Civilian: How's Elpidios?
*Kassandra: Stubborn.
She reached the farm and addressed the farmer.
*Kassandra: The merchant sent me to pick up his wheat.
*Civilian: Excellent, it's right there by the fence.
She grabbed the wheat and made her way back to the merchant.
*Kassandra: Here you go, your wheat.
*Civilian: I'll make the bread right away. Can't leave my favorite customer waiting!
Kassandra stood in wait against the stall's support beam. Eventually, the merchant brought what she requested.
*Civilian: Here you go. Bread fresh from the oven and milk straight from the goat.
*Kassandra: I'll see you sooner than I'd like to—this stuff won't last long.
*Civilian: Sometimes I think Elpidios keeps my whole business running.
*Kassandra: It's very possible.
As Kassandra walked to the basket, another civilian called out to her.
*Civilian: Where's mighty Elpidios?
*Kassandra: Oh, vanquishing evil, of course.
*Civilian: Of course!
Kassandra picked up the basket of milk and bread.
*Kassandra: Milk and bread... check. Better get this home.
Kassandra hurried home with the basket full of provisions. As she traveled the path back to the house, she exhaled at the beauty of her home.
*Kassandra: Dyme... A place even a misthios can call home.
She crossed the threshold and Natakas called out her arrival.
*Natakas: Hey, look who's home!
Kassandra set down the basket and walked up to her partner, smiling. He turned to face her with a baby boy swaddled in his arms. He handed the baby to his mater, and she looked down at her son as she held him in her arms.
*Kassandra: How's my Elpidios? How's my son?
Elpidios giggled with delight. Kassandra rocked him up and down and imitated his noises.
*Natakas: He missed his mater.
*Kassandra: And she missed him.
*Natakas: Promise me, Kassandra. This is our life. This is our home.
<tabber>
|-|❤I chose this life because I love you.=
*Kassandra: Do you remember Makedonia?
*Natakas: Of course. Walls of dust and flame, the Huntsman—
*Kassandra: I remember you, Natakas. Only you. Home isn't a place—it's people. It's us. As long as we're together, we're home.
|-|I chose this life to secure the bloodline.=
*Kassandra: We are a family now. And I believe it was the right choice. There's no need to run anymore, Natakas. We're home. I'll keep our child safe.
</tabber>
They turned to look north towards the island of Kephallonia where Kassandra's odyssey began.
*Natakas: You know, Elpidios... that's where your mater grew up. Kephallonia.
Kassandra pointed to the cape where her old hovel stood.
*Kassandra: Right... there. But it wasn't until I came here, until I met you... that I truly felt home.
*Natakas: Kleta and Phila, on the beach that day... They couldn't escape their fate. It always ends in blood... My family ran for so long... But maybe some things just can't be outrun.
<tabber>
|-|I will keep us safe.=
*Kassandra: Whatever storm rolls in, whatever Amorges and the Order are planning, I swear to you—I swear to our son—I will keep us safe.
|-|We will do our best.=
*Kassandra: We never know what's coming next. All we can do... is what we believe is right, and deal with the consequences.
</tabber>
Darius approached them.
*Darius: This fight we have with the Order—this war—it's not going to be won in my lifetime. Or yours. Maybe I was foolish to think it could be. But fate does not define us, our actions do.
Kassandra handed Elpidios to his grand-pater.
*Darius: Our Little Leonidas spoke his first word today.
Elpidios' parents were shocked.
*Natakas: What?! I didn't hear—
*Kassandra: That's not possible—what did he say?!
*Darius: "Grand-pater." Or maybe he burped? It's hard to tell at his age.
The couple laughed at Darius' joke.
*Darius: Who's my genius grandson? Who's just like grand-pater Darius?
Elpidios giggled. The family continued conversing. On the outskirts of the house, Orontas reappeared, a great deal of time after seemingly turning himself in to the Tempest. He observed the family from afar with a small sense of contentment in his expression.
*Orontas: Is there anything more beautiful than this? A simple life.
At his side, a Persian elite appeared and also observed the family.
*Orontas: Get word to Persia. Send the fleet. Send everyone.
*Persian Elite: By your command... Amorges.
The elite took his leave. Amorges glanced down at the scar on his left hand where Darius had wounded him decades ago, which he had strategically covered while observing the stranded in Boura. He clenched his fist and looked back at the family with a smile on his face.
*Amorges: I'll see you soon, old friend.
Unaware her family was being watched, Kassandra talked with Darius and Natakas about their new life.
*Kassandra: Has anyone come to bother you while I've been gone?
*Natakas: No one father and I can't handle.
*Kassandra: Maybe we should move someplace safer.
*Natakas: No, Kassandra. This is where we belong now. I will not let Elpidios live his life on the road like I did.
*Kassandra: OK.
She congratulated him on his knack for parenting.
*Kassandra: You're doing great with Elpidios.
*Natakas: We miss you when you're not here.
*Kassandra: How are you?
*Natakas: We've been doing well. The people are all friendly, and even father has been socializing.
*Kassandra: Really?
*Natakas: Yes, it's been interesting watching him interact with the villagers. It's taken him a while, but he's more... relaxed. This place is good for him.
Her curiosity piqued by what Natakas had said about his father's easier mood, Kassandra spoke to Darius next.
*Kassandra: I like your... secret sword?
*Darius: Hidden blade.
*Kassandra: Hidden Blade. Hmm. I've got a spear.
*Darius: You've got King Leonidas' spear.
*Kassandra: How did you know—
*Darius: I was there, Kassandra. At Thermopylai. I've seen that blade in full flight.
*Kassandra: You were at Thermopylai.
*Darius: Perhaps.
*Kassandra: Darius, what was Natakas' mother like?
*Darius: My wife? Oh... That was very long ago. She was stubborn. Strong. Beautiful. Natakas is more like her than me. Fortunately.
He asked about Kassandra's career choice.
*Darius: Does a misthios make a... good living?
*Kassandra: We do all right. I won't own an island any time soon, but—
*Darius: But you do all right.
*Kassandra: I do all right.
*Darius: So. What's life like for a misthios?
*Kassandra: What's life like for—uh, well, you see the world. So that's nice.
*Darius: Meet exotic people, then stab them?
*Kassandra: Sometimes. Sometimes I kick them.
*Darius: I see.
Kassandra asked about what Darius had done over her lifetime.
*Kassandra: Does it get lonely?
*Darius: Hmm?
*Kassandra: You've run and fought and hid for 30 years—
*Darius: 28 years.
*Kassandra: This life, does it get lonely?
*Darius: I have Natakas. I have Elpidios.
*Kassandra: Of course.
*Darius: But yes. It gets lonely.
*Kassandra: After Makedonia, but before Achaia—what were you and Natakas doing?
*Darius: Surviving.
*Kassandra: Hmm. Sounds boring.
*Darius: You were hoping I would entertain you with grand tales from my legendary adventures?
*Kassandra: Well... yes.
*Darius: We've kept to the shadows. Stayed away from people. Dull is safe, Kassandra. Adventure... is not.
==Outcome==
Natakas and Darius decided to stay with Kassandra, settling down at the house on the hill atop the village of Dyme. Kassandra and Natakas began a romantic relationship, which resulted in the birth of their son Elpidios some time later. Meanwhile, Orontas the merchant reappeared after having turned himself in to the Tempest. After spying on the family, he was revealed as Darius' old enemy Amorges and decreed the Order's full might be brought to Achaia.
==Behind the scenes==
The Eagle Bearer's further dialogues with Darius and his child following Amorges' identity reveal are only available after completing Legacy of the First Blade: Shadow Heritage and prior to installing Legacy of the First Blade: Bloodline. If Bloodline is already installed, they are still available for a very brief window after the protagonist receives Darius' letter that begins the memory "The Simple Life", but if the camera is panned away from Darius and his child and the protagonist moves even a few meters away, they will both unload and the dialogue will no longer be available. Oddly, one of the conversations with Darius is a word-for-word repeat of dialogue in the memory "Stranger Tides".
If the player bids farewell to Darius and his child, then reloads the autosave after the merchant ship departs, the entire group of NPCs—sans Darius and his child—may reload on the shore with the protagonist, with the ship nowhere to be found. Additionally, after departure, the ship will sail west up to a certain point between Achaia and Kephallonia, then stop in the middle of the waters between the regions and travel no further. Swimming to the ship reveals only a handful of NPCs onboard, none of whom are the player's comrades.
For most cutscenes in the base game, all the way up to "Where It All Began", the Spear of Leonidas reverts to its base form with a broken shaft and rusted blade, regardless of how far it has been upgraded. In the cutscene of Kassandra sitting atop the house, the spear appears at least in its second form with a proper shaft grip and most of the blade's rust removed.
When Bloodline is installed, the two Elite-ranked boars the player must hunt at the beginning of "The Simple Life" will be loaded into the world and can be killed early. If slain before completing "Home", the objective for "The Simple Life" will automatically update to returning to the house to talk to Darius when "Home" completes. Interestingly, this can cause two separate Darius models to load into the world, and from the right camera position, both can be viewed in the same frame.
==Gallery==
ACOD Home 1.png|The boat at the docks ready for departure
ACOD Home 3.png|Darius awaiting Natakas at the docks
ACOD Home 5.png|Kassandra watches as Natakas depart towards his father and the boat
ACOD Home 15.png|The merchant checking on Kassandra and her family
ACOD Home 17.png|The merchant brings the supplies to Kassandra
ACOD Home 21.png|A figure watches Kassandra's family from afar
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Legacy of the First Blade: Shadow Heritage
zh:家
Category:Memories of Kassandra
Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5