Years began to pass while he continued his campaign

although enthusiasm had grown difficult to feign

sometimes when a kingdom fell, he’d have a few weeks free

that’s when he would take the chance to see his family

Time was moving quickly and as his new empire grew

the hero’s family at home had grown a fair bit too

yet another son was born that filled his house with noise

he wondered how such chaos came from just three little boys

Playing from the moment they awoke until they slept

he marvelled at the household that his strong and brave wife kept

he never had a moment to relax, but didn’t mind

on battlefields a boring day was easier to find

Sometimes while at home the hero had a certain thought

raising children might be harder than the wars he fought

but he was confident that through his actions they would learn

they would grow by watching his heroic passion burn

Every time he saw his sons they’d all grown quite a bit

perhaps a little faster than the hero would admit

soon their childish rambling turned to questions, songs, and tales

asking him about his quest and all that it entails

The youngest of the three was strong but didn’t like to fight

he much preferred to read and study late into the night

the middle and the eldest loved to practice with their swords

dreaming of a hero’s life and all of its rewards

He’d pretend to be a monster, chasing them around

they’d fight him til he dropped his sword and fell upon ground

he knew they’d be the finest heroes one day, just like him

even if their chances of surpassing him were slim

His wife had taught them many types of magic early on

every day they’d practice making fires out on the lawn

the youngest was more fascinated by illusions though

everyday they watched in awe at how fast he would grow

The peaceful weeks that interrupted all his war campaigns

reminded him a hero’s blood was flowing in his veins

it was just a common thing for him to be at war

clinging to the glory and the honour he fought for

Every time the hero went home to his family

he could see first hand the capital’s prosperity

riches flowed there from all corners of the new empire

the hero’s wealth expanded faster than his own desire

The kingdom had become a power great enough to fear

its borders growing faster with the passing of each year

its king became an emperor whose hero was his tool

to motivate the loyalty of those beneath his rule

The hero had been travelling and conquering for years

quickly gaining influence despite the prince’s fears

he did encounter powerful opponents once or twice

but he was bored and thought some more excitement would be nice

It took more effort keeping up with how his children grew

it didn’t take them long to learn whatever things he knew

the languages the hero spent a lifetime just to learn

took less time for them to learn than for a fire to burn

He made them wooden toys like he had when he was a boy

but soon his youngest son could carve himself a better toy

he made sure not to teach them any gardening techniques

but even if he had he knew they’d pick it up in weeks

Although he only saw them several weeks out of the year

even when he wasn’t there, their growth was all too clear

he’d brag about his sons out on some distant battlefield

against the wars’ monotony, his stories were his shield

There came a time of peace in which the hero couldn’t rest

he looked toward his family and knew that he’d been blessed

his wife had even told him they could take the kids and run

telling him his time at war was surely good and done

The hero knew he’d live in comfort if he should retire

spending all his days with her and reading by a fire

his children would have wealth enough to spend when he was gone

his wife would be there with him every journey he was on

For many nights he weighed her words against his oldest dreams

to rise to such heroic heights, to fight to such extremes

and now he was the hero of an empire strong and vast

living on the riches he so easily amassed

While his heart was wavering, his choice was made for him

a messenger arrived with an expression cold and grim

the hero was accustomed to the summons of the king

but happy news was all the messengers would ever bring

The messenger explained that an invasion had begun

wiping out whatever forces didn’t hide or run

the hero had repelled invasions many times before

and wondered what the messenger was really worried for

“Tell me of the army who invades us without fear

surely it’s no different than the one we fought last year”

the hero laughed while thinking of the battles he had fought

invaders who surrendered once his fires were burning hot

The boasting hero couldn’t put the messenger at ease

he stuttered as he spoke and couldn’t stop his shaking knees

“the army doesn’t fight like any that I’ve seen before

they darken skies with poison and make monsters fight their war”