Bard: A song descends from Olympus,
Bard: Of an apple gold as the sun.
Bard: For secrets held in Hesperides bough,
Bard: Stirs to conflict the fairest and foul.
APPLe: Must I really be up so high, Captain? Between the thin air and the fumes from this paint, I'm beginning to feel woozy.

Regulus: Well, whose fault is that for shaking off your old coat?
Regulus: Though you do look smashing in gold, mate!
Vertin: Mr. APPLe, are you high enough to be visible to the crowd?
APPLe: ... I'm bloody well high enough to be sick.
Vertin: Excellent, good luck!
APPLe: !
Regulus: Hello, Athens! Allow me to direct your eyes to the skies!
Athenian I: By Zeus—is that a golden apple?!
Athenian II: An offering like that might convince the gods to cleanse our city of its sorrow and pain ...
Regulus: Oi! Wouldn't you like to be the first one to have their mitts on it? Too bad, I'm getting to it first!

Athenian III: We must offer that apple to the great Dionysos!
Athenian I: After her! Don't let that strange foreigner steal our golden apple!
Kassandra: Well done.
Kassandra: Is this also part of your plan?
The crowd has emptied from the square, chasing the golden apple as it floats away. Those that remain here have only one purpose and are eager to return to it.
Evzoni & Cultists: ...
Alexios's sight is still fixed on the strange fruit as it disappears into the distance. Slowly, he returns his eyes back to the fight before him.
Alexios: I don't know by what means you've done this, but don't presume it changes anything.
Alexios: Let's put these tricks aside, Kassandra.
Kassandra's knuckles turn white from her tightened grip.
Kassandra: This isn't what I want, Alexios. We are family.
Alexios: But it is what I want.
Sword meets spear in a shower of sparks; their battle has begun.

COMBAT

Clang! The Sword of Damokles is sent out from Deimos's hand, and beside it a broken spear is pierced into the soft ground.
Alexios: Impossible ...
Kassandra: Nothing is impossible. Not even redemption.
Kassandra's voice is winded but calm. She braces her stance as her legs shake from exhaustion.
Kassandra: You have a chance to choose another path, Alexios.
Kassandra: Bury the name "Deimos" and return to who you really are, brother.
Kassandra: Put the past aside, and you may still have a chance to best me in the future.
Alexios: ...
Alexios: The fates have already made their choice; our destinies must take us on different paths.
He reaches for the sword, breathing deep against the pain, but then as an eagle retracts his talons, he sheathes it.
Alexios: You will never know a moment of peace, sister. I will kill you and all you hold dear.
Alexios: Retreat!
Smoke bombs erupt across the plaza as the cultists flee in every direction.
As the clangor of battle fades at last, Perikles emerges from behind a pillar.
Perikles: You've saved me, Eagle Bearer, and indeed all of Athens.
Kassandra: We cannot be hasty in claiming victory, Perikles. The enemy is not yet defeated.
Kassandra: My brother will return.
She presses her hands on her temple, feeling the dull throb of her adrenaline.
Perikles: The fates will bring what they will, but for now the battle is won, my friend.
Perikles: Athens will survive another day, thanks to you.
Kassandra: I have done my duty as a misthios, nothing more. Besides—
Kassandra: I said that my services would cost you.
Perikles: Of course. On matters of payment, my honor is unwavering.
Perikles: But for now, you must rest until you can make your way to Kos Island to see Hippokrates about your injuries. The journey ahead is long, but they say his skills surpass even Apollo's ... Oh, and on the subject of the gods.
Kassandra: Yes?
Perikles looks out at the horizon.
Perikles: What is the nature of that talking apple that appeared over the plaza? Could it be the same golden apple spoken of in myth?
Kassandra: ...
Kassandra: Maybe so.
She stretches out her sore muscles. As she does, a familiar bard appears, racing toward her with a joyful expression.
Bard: Oh, if it isn't my dear Kassandra. I wonder if you caught much of the ode I sang?
Kassandra: Euphonia? Well, I admit I've developed a new appreciation for your music ...
Kassandra: I won't be so stingy with my applause in the future.
Bard: Wonderful! Does that mean you'll finally let me compose a song about you, Kassandra?
Kassandra: No, not that. Never that.
A good mercenary tries to never reveal her weaknesses.
Kassandra: Now ... Have you seen our friends?
Regulus: Ver-Vertin, how-how much longer ... until we can stop ... running?
Regulus: I ca-can't go on much longer ...
Matching the concern, a nervous and sickly voice wafts down from the sky.
APPLe: This APPLe is very much interested in your answer ...
Yet the frantic mob chasing them does not yet seem to have diminished.
Vertin: Just hang in there.
Vertin: Keep a stiff upper lip you two, and if all goes well, I'll make sure to requisition some sherry and Dr. Papper to celebrate.
Vertin: And a whole bunch of records!

Open your eyes to see the future that we know?

In the Ancient City-State