神圣科学：第二章－撒拉克丝的居鲁士

撒拉克丝的居鲁士（Kyros of Zarax）是Facebook页游Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy的神圣科学篇的第二章。

记忆详情

目标：撒拉克丝的居鲁士

地点：古希腊 时间：西元前6世纪

游戏简介视频

视频简介:

DDS正在试图同步一个千年前的古老记忆，因为在这记忆中你将探索公元前的古代，因此你有可能会迷失方向，甚至感到困惑。你可能也很难将它与小说故事分辨开来。这很正常，请保持镇静。 随着这些事件后，我们将解锁记忆，你将会探索赫尔墨斯学派传统的起源。你讲跟随令人兴奋的古希腊大学者与数学家毕达哥拉斯，而你则作为他的门徒，撒拉克丝的居鲁士。

和声

【按：该序列中的标题基本都与音乐有关。】

我作为冠军回到了萨摩斯岛后，人们都为我的成绩而感到骄傲，就像他们自己收获到了荣誉一样。他们是多么有礼貌。

柔板乐章

我的老师毕达哥拉斯在黎明之前叫醒了我。我很累，但很高兴能为他服务，自我在伊利斯获得胜利开始，我便欠了他一切。 我跟着毕达哥拉斯穿过萨摩斯那安静的街道。太阳还未从天边升起，清晨的冷意仍在世间徘徊。 费雷西底斯（Pherecydes）是老师的一位朋友，他向我们问好。他起的很早。毕达哥拉斯说我在比赛中的表现没有不让人惊叹的。我笑着。 老师将我的事迹与伊利斯的科罗厄布斯【按：维吉尔笔下的一个神话人物】相比较。科罗厄布斯！如果是其他人，我就会笑了，但他是个充满智慧的人。 费雷西底斯的手柔软并冷黏，当他向我祝贺时。他是一位博学的人，但他不遵守老师的高道德标准与伦理规范。 费雷西底斯与我们告别。像不计其数的其他人，他从不尝试戒律与苦行解放的力量。我感到真正的幸福。 我们继续着悠闲的散步。静静地，陷入沉思。人们很快就会忘记我身为他们的冠军一事，但这不重要，我不介意。

加速

萨摩斯在缓慢地醒来。我们享受了一顿简单的早餐——浸酒面包。在这清晨寒意消失之时的公共场所。今天将是个会起水泡的日子。 我们接近了当地的铁匠铺。毕达哥拉斯忽然停下并闭上眼睛。什么吸引了他的注意力？但我不能在这嘈杂的城市中指出。 毕达哥拉斯快步进入了一家铁匠铺中。在进入之时，他因内部 灼热的空气而透不过气来，但敦促他们继续工作。 老师的脸因汗液流出而显得闪亮，他从一位铁匠处走到另一位铁匠处，集中注意力看着。他突然捡起一把锤子并敲击铁砧。 铁匠们停下了手头的工作并围在他身边。他拿了另一把锤子，重量是之前的两倍。他挫打了一下，再次敲击了铁砧。 「听！你能听到吗？」毕达哥拉斯问道。他的声音颤抖着。「看到不同之处了吗？」铁匠们盯着他，瞪大眼睛一脸茫然，旁边的我也一样。 毕达哥拉斯继续敲打铁砧，每次都用不同规格。虽然他因汗而浑身湿透，但他脸上浓重的笑意扭曲了一贯严肃的表情。

快板乐

我们离开铁匠铺并带走了十把不同规格的锤子。还没到中午，但外面热的跟铁匠铺里一样难受。 身上的负担让我浑身酸痛。在到达老师家时我的背部感受到一阵阵灼烧般的痛感。这热度毫无帮助，太阳在今天很是毒辣！ 很快我们到了庄园内，我将这些东西放在了庭院中的赫斯提祭坛旁。我的背部会在稍后感谢我。 庭院中的温度尚属可以忍耐，但我认出了老师目光中的含义。今天没午餐了！ 随着老师的指示，我将铁砧放在了庭院的中央。 我敲打它们，然后再来一次。一把锤子都敲了四次，之后再拿两倍重的锤子的敲四下。我的胳膊麻了。 毕达哥拉斯模仿锤子敲打的声音。他的声音在内院中回响在黄昏之时，他让我停下。我们的工作，无论是哪个都已完全了。

快板乐曲

毕达哥拉斯蹲在地上，在庭院的沙地上画着线条。他用一种激烈的速度书写着，之后用沙子覆盖了潦草书写出的大部分东西。只有重新开始了。

老师写了几个小时都没有休息，拒绝吃喝，即使他的妻子西雅娜拿来的也一样。很快，文字和图案布满了整个庭院。

奴隶们点起了火把，老师检查并重新思考他写下的东西，偶尔加入一两个新数字。他口齿不清的说着，我听到了「比例」与「音阶」。

毕达哥拉斯勉强吃了些西娜雅为他准备的晚饭。

「万事相关。」他宣布道：「万物都增加。」

「四大数字」他喃喃道：「四大元素.......完美数字！」他突然看向我，道：「我看到了！『圣十结构』！」【按：毕达哥拉斯学派所提出的一种神秘的三角形结构】

老师最终睡着了。这给了我一个机会去看看他在地上所写的东西。我不该这么做，但我必须去看它们！

在地上有一个四排的三角形数字。一个由众多三角形组成的大三角形，他的「圣十结构」！

急板乐段

一些人聚集到了老师的庄园中，有名望的学者以及年长的祭司们在庭院中三五成群地站着。其中一个靠在了赫斯提的祭坛旁！我盯着他直到他离开。

许多人传播毕达哥拉斯的关于灵魂归宿的信仰，小部分人甚至效仿他那严格的生活方式。而不相信的人也来了。

在老师解释他的理论时，许多人充满怀疑。他们不理解他所说的「音乐领域」的意义以及「圣十结构」体现了什么。

「这是几何学的内容。」毕达哥拉斯说道：「在琴弦发出的声音内，在世界上的音乐中！」他的宾客沉默地看着对方。

「音乐。」毕达哥拉斯说道：「能够表达四大数字，这些组成了圣十结构。」祭司们开始离开了。

许多宾客，当然，像是能理解他的假说的，我羡慕他们，他们向他提问以来更好地理解他的学说。

奥瑞斯忒斯，一位博学的数学家，他举起了酒杯向老师赞美道：「圣十结构是集合了智慧的产物！」他宣布道：「赞美毕达哥拉斯。」

乐曲

在我第二次获得「大满贯」【按：Periodonikes，古希腊人对于取得全部四项赛事冠军的美称，类似于今日的大满贯。】的称号三年后。我们抵达了克罗顿，毕达哥拉斯认为这是一个好兆头。

前奏

克罗顿在规模上不能与雅典相比，他的城墙也无法与罗德岛或比雷埃夫斯相比较，但它的名气若敢称第二，则无人敢称第一。

在我们的船接近城市时，他正笼罩于金色的阳光中。就像我们学派中的每个人一样，我不能我的眼睛从城市上移开。这好像是城市在召唤我们，仿佛我们受到了塞壬歌声引诱。

毕达哥拉斯第一个开口，打断了我们的遐想：「在经过长途旅行后我们终于到家了。在这里，在克罗顿，我们将会兴盛！」

老师的言语比我们先发出，克罗顿的市民代表在港口等待欢迎他。他们劝他先去与克罗顿市民议会成员们见面。

我们跟随向导穿过城市。太阳没有出现，但市民们都没有回家，一大群人聚在了毕达哥拉斯身旁！

我紧紧守在老师身旁，轻轻的推开挡路的市民，剩余的随从也一并而来。

在议事厅中，有许多人在等候的，这里有成百，不，上千！

Overture

Members of the Council share Pythagoras' beliefs and value his wisdom. They urge him to speak to the city's youth.

• Hundreds of young men and women gather before my master in front the palaestra. Older citizens have also come to heed his words.
• Most in the crowd have tears in their eyes when Pythagoras completes his speech. I am also deeply moved, but remain calm.
• The

people of Croton cheer! Everyone in town, it seems, wants to talk to 

Pythagoras. They also want to touch him, as though his knowledge and wisdom were contagious.

• The citizens

of Croton pose no threat to Pythagoras, but I carefully observe everyone

approaching him. One can never be too careful.

• One

man shoves a young woman out of his way to reach my master. I grab his 

arm and twist it so hard I almost break it. That should teach him some manners.

• The woman, an athletic,

olive-skinned youth about half my age, smiles at me. Her friends pull her away, giggling. I am going to like it here.

Etude

The people of Croton readily follow my master's teachings. Word of his presence quickly spreads to neighboring cities and foreigners come seeking his guidance.

• The academy

attracts countless students; hundreds of men and women eager to follow my master's ways. They do not yet realize how fortunate they are.

• A youth named Alcmaeon

arrives at the academy. He is intelligent, but arrogant and 

undisciplined. For some reason, Pythagoras takes him under his wing.

• I meet an athlete named Milo. This giant young man has seen me run at , and he wants me to help him become a champion.
• Milo

has already won the boys' wrestling championship at the Olympics. He 

has great potential and I am happy to teach him everything I know.

• Contrary

to Alcmaeon, who ceaselessly questions Pythagoras, Milo embraces my 

master's lessons. Surely, he will become the greatest athlete of his generation.

• Pythagoras' philosophy

reaches far and wide. More and more men and women adhere to his ways. I am gratified, but not surprised. He is, after all, a truly great man.

Progression

Milo brings honor to Croton, and to my master. He has won all four tournaments! I have mixed emotions about being surpassed by my protégé.

• We

celebrate Milo's victory with my master's family. It is an intimate 

affair, but Pythagoras, the master of ritual, turns it into a grand occasion.

• I praise Milo and announce I will not participate in next year's games. Damo, my master's daughter, raises her cup. "To our former champion, and truest friend!"
• The

food Theano has prepared is worthy of kings, but everyone eats 

sparingly, as my master teaches. Only Alcmaeon drinks more than one cup of wine.

• Milo's face turns red when Myia

addresses him; a giant of a man, a champion, intimidated by a young 

girl! I feel for him. Myia is, after all, Pythagoras' youngest daughter.

• Alcmaeon

comments Milo's malaise. How tactless! I bite my lip, but Myia laughs, 

kissing Milo's cheek before disappearing into the kitchen.

• Alcmaeon

leaves, slamming the door behind him. For a long while, Pythagoras 

stares at the door, then he turns to us. "No man is free who cannot control himself."

Suite

We are on our way to the academy when Pythagoras abruptly stops. "Listen!" All is quiet in the early morning, save for the distant sound of yelping.

• Pythagoras is surprisingly fast when he needs to be. I follow him toward the sound, and discover the owner of a young mutt beating it with a stick!
• Pythagoras

grabs the man's stick and moves between the pup and its owner. I stay 

close, keeping an eye on the aggressor. People begin to gather around us.

• The mutt's owner moves toward Pythagoras, glances at me, and stops. He shakes his head and opens his mouth, but remains silent.
• "Do

not harm this dog!" Pythagoras' commands. The crowd around us grows. 

"This animal bears the soul of an old friend! I hear his voice in its cries."

• It is not the first time my

master uncovers proof of the immortality of the soul, but his extraordinary instinct never ceases to astound me.

• "Of rational beings," someone declares, "one sort is divine, one is human, and another is such as Pythagoras!" People cheer.

Grand Finale

Many influential citizens of Croton are now devoted to Pythagoras' ascetic way of life, but some important elders continue to question his wisdom.

Trio

Alcmaeon, my master's favorite pupil, challenges his doctrines, again. The arrogant gados! Why does Pythagoras fail to see he is not truly one of us?

• I share the morning meal

with Damo and Alcmaeon, making it my duty to keep an eye on Pythagoras' daughter. I will not let Alcmaeon befoul her mind!

• I

am on my way to the gymnasium when I hear an animal howl. Its lament is
unbearable! I soon find Alcmaeon in an alley, bending over a dog. He 

has plucked one of its eyes!

• The

beast's lament stops, but Alcmaeon brings a knife to its stomach. How dare him! Has he not learned anything about the fate of the soul?

• A

muffled shriek catches my attention. I step around the corner and come 

face to face with Damo. She has been spying on Alcmaeon! I can no longer

hold back.

• I reveal myself and

strike Alcmaeon. Bones crack. He opens his mouth to protest, but I hit him again. Damo shrieks and grabs my arm, forcing me to stop.

• I

have to stand in judgment of my master for the harm I have caused 

Alcmaeon, but I am gratified to know that he will be held accountable for his immoral actions.

Ensemble

The last remnants of Helios' passing cling to the heavens as Alcmaeon leaves the city. I am glad to see him depart, but I fear he has already poisoned the minds of others.

• "Alcmaeon," Pythagoras declares, "is no longer our brother." The hundreds of followers gathered around my master remain silent.
• "Alcmaeon,"

Pythagoras continues, "is dead to us." As if on cue, women suddenly 

begin to weep, their dreadful cries echoing throughout the cemetery.

• Pythagoras

utters a solemn prayer for the deceased. Men lower their heads while 

weeping women tear their clothes and wound their breasts.

• "Alcmaeon,"

Pythagoras says, "is dead." Helped by others, I raise the wooden statue
representing Alcmaeon and bring it inside the temple.

• I

lower the statue in the coffin, as carefully as I would place the body 

of a dear, departed brother. My master kneels beside the coffin, blessing it.

• The funeral procession

slowly moves out of the cemetery. Unbelievers stare at us. I see scorn in their sneering faces; scorn, and no small amount of fear.

Duet

The Council of Citizens organizes a banquet in Pythagoras' honor. Some of the richest and most influential citizens of Croton fill the banquet hall.

• All of those attending the

banquet are ardent supporters of my master's teachings. Those who oppose

him have made it a point not to be here tonight.

• Myia

leads the dance. Milo, her husband, is surprisingly graceful as he 

follows each of her steps. I catch a glimpse of Pythagoras' thin smile. I

have not seen him this relaxed in years.

• A

thunderous sound suddenly echoes in the hall. One of the columns has 

broken! It crumbles in a heap upon the floor. The ceiling is collapsing!

• A massive stone block falls, crushing a poor slave. The screaming throng stampedes toward the only exit! My master is trapped!
• Incredible!

Milo stands under the ceiling, supporting it! I rush to his side. The 

weight is unbearable, but we are successful! We prevent further deaths!

• Helping

Milo save my master's life is, without any doubt, my greatest 

accomplishment. But I fear the column has been sabotaged. Hostilities are brewing!

Quartet

Dusk has settled by the time I lead Pythagoras through the quiet alleyways of Croton. I hope to avoid the throngs of citizens, for they are now more often hostile than not.

• A shadow moves to my right. I draw my and raise a hand, alerting the four bodyguards accompanying us. I peer into darkness, but see nothing.
• One of the guards screams! A runs through his thigh and he drops to his knees. Our assailants step out of the shadows!
• Another guard falls, his throat slit. I block a and ram my blade into an abdomen before breaking a cheekbone with the back of my cestus.
• I

lacerate an arm, puncture a lung, and amputate fingers, then step 

toward Pythagoras. I dodge a dory and run my xiphos between shoulder blades. A third guard falls.

• Only

three of them left! The last of Pythagoras' bodyguard stands beside me. Blood flows through his chiton, but our foes do not stand a chance. It is a massacre.

• "Reason is immortal,"

Pythagoras mutters, "all else mortal." I only half listen to my master's

prayer. These men were not simple ruffians, but hired hands! War has 

begun!

Solo

Those who do not accept our ascetic way of life— who refuse to honor their mothers, wives, and sisters— despise us. I see it in their faces every day. And I see it now, as I escort Pythagoras.

• People

gather around us. Angry people! They hate us because we are better 

athletes, musicians, mathematicians. But they have only themselves to blame. Undisciplined bous!

• Faces are

hard and words are harsh. The crowd turns into a mob! Hundreds of people

follow us, shouting insults and throwing rocks and refuse!

• We

enter Milo's home, but the mob is relentless! Flames engulf the villa! 

The champion of Croton steps outside, followed by his loyal retinue.

• I

draw my xiphos to follow Milo, but Pythagoras grabs my arm, shaking his
head. Myia moves a table, revealing a secret trapdoor leading to an 

underground pathway.

• I light a torch and follow Pythagoras through the narrow opening. "May Zeus guide your path," Myia whispers, closing the door behind us.
• Pythagoras

had foreseen that this day would come. He had been prepared to leave 

Croton! My master is now safe, but I worry about those we have left behind.

Requiem

Long years have passed since we left the shores of Croton; long years which have taken their toll on my master. Yet, he bears their marks with pride and remains as determined as ever.

Kyrie

We have explored the highest mountains, the entire coast of the middle of the earth, and the ancient cities of and Egypt. Yet, my master's quest for knowledge continues.

• We

now find ourselves at the edge of the world. The desert is vast and 

unforgiving, but Pythagoras is adamant. He must explore it!

• Helios is as relentless as my master. I wonder how long we can hope to survive in this accursed heat. Soon, we will lack water.
• I

have not had a drop of water in days. I can scarcely feel the blisters 

upon my skin now. Is my master wandering aimlessly, or is he following some divine inspiration?

• I spot a man on top of a great sand dune. He holds a winged staff intertwined with serpents, but remains motionless, like a statue. Is he real? Am I dreaming?
• The

stranger wears a sheep herder's clothing, yet his bearing is kingly. 

Each step I take could be my last, but Pythagoras moves with the speed of a young athlete.

• I barely make it atop the dune. I am on my knees, fire burning my lungs, when the stranger greets us. "I am Hermes Trismegistus. I have found you."

Agnus Dei

I am on my hands and knees, fingers buried into the burning sand. My head is pounding. I strive not to collapse, yet my master, an elderly man, stands beside me.

• How can

Pythagoras be suddenly so filled with the breath of life? A moment ago he could barely put one foot in front of the other. Does he not feel Helios' fury?

• I manage to raise my

head and look up at Hermes Trismegistus— a king in peasant's garb. He raises the winged staff above his head.

• In

a sudden movement, Hermes strikes the staff upon the ground. It digs 

deeply into the sand in front of Pythagoras. Unbelievable! The serpents upon it move!

• The serpents turn their heads toward my master, hissing. It cannot be! As one, the serpents speak! "You are a worthy successor."
• There is something emanating from the staff— an invisible, indefinable force. Around me, the desert sands begin to shift.
• "We hold the key to life's mysteries," voices say in dissonant unison as darkness suddenly engulfs me.

Benedictus

I awake parched and feeble. I feel hot sand underneath me and open my eyes to see the wide, green leaves of a palm.

• Water

dribbles from a piece of cloth my master holds over my mouth. I swallow
every drop, even though each one feels like a handful of dust.

• Gradually,

I regain my senses. Hermes is no longer with us, but Pythagoras proudly
holds the staff with interlaced serpents— LIVING serpents!

• One

of my master's thighs is now made of gold! It is supple as muscle, yet 

solid as metal. How can this be? A new aura surrounds him, a new power.

• Decades of cares have vanished from Pythagoras' face! He almost seems like a young man again. No, like a young god!
• "This

relic," Pythagoras says, "has been passed down since the dawn of time."
I grimace, barely able to look at the serpents upon it.

• Pythagoras

puts a reassuring hand upon mine. "Our journey is at an end. You have 

served me well, old friend. Now begins a new chapter in our lives."

Encore

The princess of , a savage beauty, refuses to marry any man unless he outruns her, and whoever she beats must die. Many suitors have tried their luck, and failed.

A Cappella

What kind of woman could best so many men? I am no longer in my prime, and I am no fool, but I must meet this woman and race her! I must!

• I

seek my former master's wisdom. Pythagoras believes I will find what I 

need to win this woman's hand in an abandoned temple honoring Aphrodite.

• I am not even halfway through the mountain when a mighty blizzard hits. I am cold and tired, yet my quest is only beginning.
• Famished

and freezing, I reach the top of the highest peak, where lie the ruins 

of Aphrodite's forgotten temple. I can see it now! Just a few more steps...

• I stumble forward and

crumble. I try to move but there is no strength left in me! There is a power emanating from the temple. Something I have not felt in a long time.

• I raise my head. Bits of ice

cling to my face as I behold— No! A nude woman of unearthly beauty appears through the falling snow! She seems unreal, like the immaterial soul.

• Ignoring me, the woman moves

toward the temple, unhindered by the freezing cold. Impossible! She walks through the temple's wall!

Hymn

I feel Helios' rays upon my skin. I remain motionless, basking in the warmth for a while. Then I open my eyes to find myself in the middle of an orchard.

• I hear footsteps and

hide behind a tree. A young woman with long, flowing hair strolls in the

orchard. The same woman I saw enter Aphrodite's temple!

• The

woman is flawless, like only a goddess could be. She seems tangible 

now, moving with purpose, each new step more graceful than her last.

• I

reveal myself and greet her, but she does not heed me. Instead, she 

plucks a large apple from a nearby branch. She does it again, and then carefully selects a third one.

• I

follow her. Only a few steps and we are out of the orchard, standing in front of a magnificent building bathed in bright, golden light: Aphrodite's temple!

• The woman steps

inside. I follow. She hides the three apples under the statue of Aphrodite, behind the temple's main altar. Why can she not see me?

• I

awake covered in snow. I no longer feel my limbs, but I somehow manage 

to crawl inside what remains of the temple. There, where the woman placed three ripe fruits, I find a single, golden apple!

Serenade

King Iasius of Arcadia, a boorish old man who ceaselessly barks at his subjects, welcomes me to his court. The prospect of his daughter marrying a former champion pleases him.

• King

Iasius warns me that no man can beat his daughter, and that losing the 

race means losing one's life. He arranges for me to meet her— one last chance to change my mind.

• In the gardens, my heart pounds as I await Atalanta, the virgin princess raised by bears who became a fierce hunter, a hero, and a slayer of !
• I

spot a group of maidens behind the branches of the olive trees. As they
approach, the young girls seem to fade away, for I only have eyes for 

one: Atalanta!

• She is magnificent!

Surely, Atalanta's beauty rivals Aphrodite's! My face gets warm when she

smiles and greets me with a rich, warm voice.

• Atalanta

places her hand upon mine! I feel the blood pumping through my veins. 

For an eternity, she gazes into my eyes, as though exploring the very depths of my soul.

• Atalanta does not

want me to race her! She could not live with herself if I died, but I know I cannot go on living without her. I must win her hand! Or die trying.

Fugue

The race is about to begin. Atalanta avoids my gaze. She knows I could die, but she will give me no quarter. It would not be honorable.

• I

try to breathe normally, reminding myself that I have won countless 

races against the mightiest runners in the world. But no race has ever been so crucial.

• It begins! I run as

fast as I dare in this early stage of the race, but Atalanta is already several paces in front. Sweat dribbles from every pore, yet I lose sight

of her!

• I put a hand on the golden

apple and utter a silent prayer to Aphrodite. I almost ram into Atalanta! She has stopped running! She stares ahead, confused.

• I

am tempted to help her, but Atalanta regains her senses and— 

Incredible! She overtakes me! I touch the apple again. She stumbles! I run past her.

• My lungs burn, my legs

hurt, but Atalanta outruns me again! Once more, my fingers brush the apple. Atalanta shrieks and falls to the ground, but quickly recovers.

• I

win the race! As I regain my breath, Atalanta approaches, smiling. 

People will soon begin to call me Hippomenes, the man who beat Atalanta!

External links

• Project Legacy App page