Crushed

The boat rocked back and forth, the tide lapping at the sides of the wooden hull, its decadently engraved head slicing through the violent waves the painted bow smashing through the white frothing swell. The fierce blackening clouds above threaten the already violent waters. Through the chopped movements of the boat, its hull swaying across the waters like a drunkard. His feet stumbling clumsily over the soaking, slippery surface, Mahon's light frame knocked around by every gust or wave that smashed into the side of the wooden warship.

His tripped feet catching over each other and forcing his way to the front of the ship.

"Beautiful weather, isn't it?" Leonidas stood in the pouring rain, a psychotic smile spread across his face.

"Shut up before I push you in, what are we doing here?"

"Battling Argos, of course."

"I gathered that much, but why in Zeus's enlarged thigh would we want some back end storm territory like Sepeia?"

"We are Sparta! We will conquer the Peloponnese and then the world!"

Mahon's fist planted in Leonidas' back, the small hand pushing through his muscled skin, making him stumble towards the frothing and splashing water.

"Ok, Ok, we're here because our dear king is trying to punish Argos for its heresy, but really he just wants the glory, because we are the strongest, so we will quash all other armies and take the Peloponnese because we can."

"Gamo! I can see why humans are always trying to kill each other."

"I think you have killed far more than anyone here."

"Yes I am conducting a service, speaking if why am I here?"

"My friendship."

"Tais-toi!"

The week before, the two had stood in the middle of the grounds, their bodies circling each other. The wooden swords light to the touch, sliding around Mahon's hand. Leonidas took the first strike his body flying at his head with surprising speed, Mahon instinctively stumbled back his hair catching in the blade, quickly thrusting his hand behind him and kicking out with his legs he pushed himself up his body close to Leonidas' his elbow jabbing into the man's ribs.

The two stepped back, their feet sliding across the sand as they stared intensely at each other, Mahon forced his way forward, jumping into the air and slashing downwards the sword planting in the sand where Leonidas once stood. His body rotating to his side and kicking him in the stomach, the sword crashing into his spine and slamming down to the ground

"Now you have to be my friend, hahaha!"

The man smiled down at him, his body barely fatigued, Mahon's eyes widened in shock. For the first time he received such a crushing defeat, his mind ringing with hopeless thoughts

'Without the ability to regenerate, am I strong? Am I worthy of my king?'

His mind clouded with thousands of doubts, his life as a warrior ended with such simplicity, for thousands of fights, hundreds of wars he had remained, been the strongest but yet this man… this fool! He somehow beat me so easily.

"Cheer up friend, let's go conquer the world!!!"

For a second in the eyes of a defeated Mahon, his pitiful body spread across the sand, he saw the shining light, the familiar ray of pure and unfettered light shining on his face.