The night passed smoothly, nothing but the cold breeze disturbed the moments that Kyra and Kassandra shared. Although her confrontation with Cicero weighed heavily on her mind, Kassandra could not deny herself the comfort and pleasure she felt when alone with Kyra, and she savored every moment of it. She breathed a satisfied breath and looked down at Krya, who was draped over her chest, asleep. She brushed Kyra's black hair behind her ear, studying the details of her face. " I wish I didn't have to leave you." She thought to herself.

She inhaled a cold breath and carefully slid out from under Kyra, doing her best not to wake her. The brisk touch of the sand helped to heighten her senses as she began to dress. Her mind was heavy with thoughts and they refused to allow her to rest. Preparations for the attack on Poldarkes had already begun and soon the cultist leader would fall, allowing the people to reclaim their islands, with Kyra as their new leader. But the anticipation of the battle was bittersweet.

Kassandra knew that once Poldarkes was gone, she would have to leave, and continue down her own path with nothing but memories to comfort her. It was a heartbreaking notion, and even more so was the thought of having to admit it to Kyra. If their feelings towards each other were genuine, then Kassandra's departure would be equally as devastating to Kyra as it was for herself.

And then there was Aleera. Kassandra drew a chilling breath and exhaled slowly. Off in the distance, she could see Aleera's ship, laying still in the deathly calm sea. Too much time had passed to offer an appropriate apology, but Kassandra knew she had to try. After all, what other choice did she have? Cicero refused to speak with her after he made his threats and the rest of the Spyro's crew was too elusive to question.

Kassandra hoisted herself off the woven blanket. She spared a moment to take one more look at Kyra's peaceful expression before sneaking off towards Aleera's ship.

...

Kyra rolled onto her side,the sound of rustling leaves and branches stirred her from her sleep. She stretched her arm outward, searching for Kassandra, but when she felt the soft fabric of the blanket and her eyes burst open. Her body shot up in panic, frantically looking around for her companion.

"Kassandra?" she called tiredly. The early morning breeze sent an ominous chill through her. She pulled the blanket closer to her bare body and listened, her breath caught in her chest. Someone approached from behind, their footsteps were heavy. Kyra relaxed, she knew of only one person with a stride like that, "you were beginning to scare me," she said with a laugh. But the joy quickly turned to fear when she felt the icy edge of a blade slip around her throat.

"So you're the one causing all the trouble," echoed a hoarse voice, "I should just kill you now and be done with it."

Kyra stifinend. She didn't know who this man was, or why he had come. But she knew that she was no match for him. She was unarmed and naked under the blankets, whatever he wanted to do, he could easily achieve. She was at his mercy, and without Kassandra, she was completely defenseless. But Kyra was a fighter, and if she couldn't physically strike, she would do so using the venom in her words.

"Attacking a defenseless woman? What a cowardly thing to do." She hissed.

The man drew a frustrated breath, "Aleera was right about you," he groaned. He removed his blade from her throat, but only for a moment. "Your taunts mean little to me." he thrust his hand into Kyra's short, dark hair and forced her to her feet and coerced a sharp cry from her.

"No!" Kyra yowled. She struggled to keep herself covered as she was lifted off the ground. Whoever this man was, he had a tremendous amount of strength and he was more than willing to use it. Her struggle only made the man hold onto her tighter, she could feel the hair slowly start to be pulled out of her head, she knew there was no escape, "what do you want?!"

The man smiled, a deep groan manifested within him. He yanked Kyra's head backwards, and craned his neck so he would whisper into her ear, "Call for her." He commanded, "Call for the misthios." He slid the edge of his sharp blade against her skin and waited, pressing it harder and harder each second that passed in silence.

…

Kassandra heard Kyra's cry as soon as it escaped her lips. Her stomach dropped and her face drained of its bronze color. She tore her eyes away from the distant ship and sprinted back to the discrete camp, cutting through the darkness like a released arrow.

"Kyra!" she wailed.

Her blood burned with anger, her stamina fueled by fear. She didn't know what she would find once she returned but prayed it wasn't Kyra's was so much depravity in her life, she didn't know if she could cope if she were to lose Krya forever.

The smell of burnt coals filled Kassandras air way, she was close. Her feet came to a screeching halt and she

took a few short breaths before she lifted her gaze to meet a nauseating sight. Kyra was alive, but that relief was short-lived when the silhouette of her captor became clear.

"Alexios," Kassandra growled, " Let... her...go." She drew her spear and pointed it towards her brother, narrowing her flaming eyes on him. She could see trickles of blood streaming from underneath his sword and she prayed she wasn't too late.

The sound of his birth name sent heated chills through Alexios's body. He hated the sound of it, preferring the name the cult gave him, the name that evoked fear and submission, Deimos. He scrunched his nose and roughly shoved Kyra to the ground. He wiped the smooth edge across his exposed tunic, cleaning it of her blood, "Was that so hard?" he asked sarcastically.

Kassandra lowered her spear and rushed to Kyra's side, "are you alright?" She asked quickly, holding her head in her hands. Kyra coughed repeatedly but other than the light cut around her neck she appeared unscathed, her breathing was heavy, she gripped Kassandra's arm for support and lifted herself up, dragging a mass of blankets along with her.

Once standing, Kyra ignited with rage, "He's an ally of Aleera, sent here to kill me! Kassandra, kill him!" She shouted between breaths. She moved away from Alexios and positioned herself behind Kassandra, as if afraid of the consequences of her words.

But to her disapproval, the Misthios didn't obey her command, and instead stood as still as a stone statue. Despite all the sinful deeds Alexios had done, he was still Kassandra's brother and she couldn't bring herself to attack him. There was still hope of redemption for him and both Kassandra and Aleera could see it.

Alexios laughed, "You're so pathetic," he scoffed. "It's no wonder the Spartans abandoned you." He sheathed his sword and impatiently crossed his muscular arms.

Kassandra raised her spear towards him, "Why are you here, Alexios?" She asked in a stern voice.

Alexios shrugged his shoulders and began circling the campsite, his long , muscular legs moving heavily over the terrain. His gaze shifted from the two women and onto the horizon, "Despite what the little mouse believes, I'm not here to kill her" he paused, turning his back towards Kassandra and Kyra, "I'm here for personal reasons."

Kyra was furious, insulted by Alexios's comments. She pulled Kassandra's sword from its sheath and aimed it at Alexios. Her eyes were sharp and her intentions clear. She didn't care why he was really there, he threatened her and she was not about to tolerate it.

Alexios looked over his shoulder, he raised his brow and shifted his eyes to Kassandra, "You know she can't kill me," He said with a heavy breath. " Why don't you send your pet home, so we can talk?" He returned his gaze to the dim horizon, "I don't have much time."

Kyra growled behind her gritted teeth, she couldn't stand to be slandered by this stranger any longer. Her hand tightened around Kassandra's sword, "I am nobody's pet, malakas!" She lunged forward, aiming a decapitating strike.

But Kassandra quickly reacted, pulling her back. As much as she hated to admit it, a moment alone with Alexios was worth sacrificing her relations with Kyra. There was a reason why Alexios had come to the islands. Whether it be for Aleera or not, Kassandra was determined to find out the truth, and ask him a few questions of her own.

"What are you doing?" Kyra yelled, struggling against Kassandra's hold on her.

"Go back to the hideout, Kyra. I will explain it to you later." Kassandra kept her voice calm but her eyes were heavy with emotion, and fixated on her brother.

"Are you…" Kyra began to protest, but she was quickly silenced.

"Go." Kassandra ordered.

Displeased, Kyra yanked her arm from Kassandra grasp and turned the tip of the sword onto her, "I've trusted you with my heart Kassandra, don't make me regret it." She tossed the blade aside and collected her bundle of clothes.

Kassandra heaved a heavy sigh and went to retrieve her weapon. She looked off in the direction Kyra was walking and when she could no longer hear her footsteps began to speak, "There better be a good reason as to why you're here, Alexios."

Alexio's hands tightened into fists, he kept his back turned to her but his powerful voice was intimidating non the less, " I told you to never call me that name." he growled.

"Hah" Kassandra laughed, " You don't seem to have a problem when Aleera says it." She mocked.

Alexios turned swiftly, his face was flustered with anger and embarrassment. It was true, the only person he allowed to speak his birth name was Aleera. It sounded sweet coming from her lips, He would even go as far as to say it was comforting.

"You have no right to speak her name after what you've done to her," he said in a protective tone.

Kassandra scrunched her nose, she should have known Aleera would have told Alexios about their encounter, "is that why you came? To seek vengeance?"

"Hah! If that were the case I would have killed you already." He laughed

"Then what the fuck are you doing here?!" Kassandra's patience was running thin. She was already fuming after he threatened Kyra and now he was dancing around her questions.

"Hmm." Alexios Hummed thoughtfully. He sauntered towards his sister, his arms folded across his chest. He circled her like a hungry shark, studying her. He noted the differences in her mannerisms, the once optimistic Eagle Berrer had turned cold and bitter, just like Kyra. Alexios saw many similarities between himself and his sister, a fact that he would have never thought to admit. It seemed that her time on the Islands had changed her, and she was becoming more like him, more like the cult wanted her to be.

"tsk , tsk, tsk." He faced his sister, standing vexingly close to her. "You think what you're doing here is so righteous, when really, you're just like me."

Kassandra flared her nostrils, " I am nothing like you." She sneered, " You and your cult seek power and control over others. You are manipulative and dance around truth with silver tongues. Now answer the fucking question!" She stepped forward, bringing her nose to nose with her brother.

Alexios curved his lips into a smile, he looked her up and down, enjoying the anger he brought out of her. He thought about his words carefully as he reread Aleera's letter in his mind, " I need her to know of my betrayal…" She said to him, but if he revealed too much, Kassandra would surely act before the time was right.

He drew a long breath, "Poldarkes is in desperate need of allies these days…" he stopped suddenly. His gaze lingered towards the rising sun, reminding him of his obligations.

"That means I've done my job." Kassandra interjected, "What else?" She deepened her voice and pushed her hands forward as if to shove Alexios away from her.

But his senses were too keen. Although his attention was on the horizon, Alexios's body reacted on its own, snatching Kassandras hands before they could land on him. He shoved her back and planted a strong fist against her cheek. He watched her fall to her knees, waiting for the right moment to speak, "Let's just say, you're going to regret questioning Aleera's reasoning, Kassandra and when you do, you will understand the true pain of betrayal." He threatened. His eyes narrowed on his sister, blood trickled down her cheek as she bent her head in defeat. He smiled. Then turned and walked away.

"Deimos!" Kassandra roared. But her brother had disappeared. Kassandra rose to her feet and whipped the blood off of her face. "What is he talking about? What does he know?" Kassandra Thought

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