Achilles

I circle my opponent under Bedivere's watchful eye. And this challenger is no ordinary foot soldier – it's Achilles, a veteran of several wars and hero of legendary tales. The Eidolon's copper cuirass shines in the setting sun, and the tip of his lance glimmers in the twilight glow. I carefully monitor every one of his movements, searching for the slightest flaw. But that's easier said than done. Even though he's set aside his helmet and shield, the fearsome reach of his weapon is danger enough on its own. To trip him up and outmatch him with my jian, I'll need to reduce the distance between us and get inside his guard. But how? Suddenly, he strikes. I block at the last second, rotating my wrist slightly to attempt a disruption of my own.

But as I prepare to hit him, his fist clips me on the jaw and I stumble back, realizing he's dropped his weapon to more easily take me with his bare fists. I stagger, then roll to get myself back on guard. But Achilles is faster. Catching his lance on his foot, he launches it in the air to grab it, then spins it around while taking a step toward me. I dodge the shaft that almost hits me, but not the kick that lands right in my ribs. I plant my weapon in the ground to avoid falling, struggling with all my might not to give in to the panic from my gasping breath and spinning vision. When I started the fight, I had hoped I could exploit his heel, but I didn't know it would be so hard to reach.

In the Iliad, the epic saga attributed to Homer, and the Aeneid composed by Virgil, Achilles is a Greek hero, son of Thetis and Peleus, who distinguishes himself in the Trojan War. Having been dunked in the river Styx, he is said to be invulnerable – except for his heel, the only part of his body that wasn't submerged in the infernal waters. That is how he comes to be fatally wounded by an arrow from Paris, a Trojan prince who kicked off the war by abducting the beautiful Helen.

Atsadi

382 AC