In the city-state of Lycia,
in a country we now call Greece,
there lived a monster mostly forget
they called it the Chimera.

Two heads, one breathing flames,
it was the combination of three beasts.

Finally slain by Bellerophon,
or that's what Homer says,
there were many
who came before the warrior
ridding on mighty Pegasus.

This their tale.



Two-hundred.
Two-hundred and ninety-nine
of my brothers have fought before me.
Two-hundred and ninety-nine
of my fellow warriors  have died.

Today I go out before the beast.
Only my shield and weapon at my sides.

I fight today with the trident,
others came to face it
with the sword.
I do not know if that will make the difference,
if it will be how I win
or if I will only die faster than the others.

But I cannot
entertain thoughts of it killing me.
Not now.
Not as I prepare to slay the thing ravaging my town.
my people. my family.

I will **** this thing.
I must.


Dawn is rising.
I kiss my wife and son farewell
as I step forward to defend them.

I can hear its harsh bellow in the distance
as the Chimera makes its way
towards my home.
The sound causes the babe to cry.
Its ironic symmetry is not lost on me,
but I must go forth.
I have to protect. defend. slay.

Walking forward,
weapon clasped in my hand
I prepared to meet death:
mine
or his.
One or the other
would occur today.

I am a simple soldier,
prepared to meet my destiny
hero or warrior.
Glace down at my shield:
Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
Either with this or on this,
come back victorious.

Words to live by
and die by.
Honour is all.


How will this begin?
Best to strike first
Strike hard
Strike fast

Feint right
Rush left
Miss whispered breath
by mere seconds
before fire is released.

Battle continues
until Apollo's chariot
is directly above us.

This thing is larger than any I have ever faced.
But I can conquer it.
I can be victorious.
Return with your shield or upon it.
I will face my family again
with my shield in hand.

Stab up
Step back
I cut one of the necks,
the one which breaths no fire,
but it is not a killing blow.

Once more I stab
but with its next strike,
fangs have pierced the
armor
directly above
my heart.

Knees hitting the ground,
my hands clasp the earth while
blood and sweat run down my body.
Taking another shallow breath,
flame engulfs me,
and I become
three-hundred.