Did you know, shadow of the golden son,
When you donned his golden cuirass
And his terrible crested helmet
That your fate was already decided?

As the sun arose that morning over blood-stained Ilium
Casting long shadows across the Grecian Camp
Before setting the wine dark Aegean ablaze with light
Did you know it would be the last dawn that you would ever see?

Did you weep, son of heroes,
From behind that proud facade
Wishing bitterly that destiny had never brought you here
Far from the warm embrace of home?

As the noble Achilleus gave you your final orders
Did you know, then, that you’d defy him?
That you’d follow him to Hades if he asked
Yet, in that moment, you’d choose to stand alone?

Were you afraid, hope of the Myrmidons,
Standing alone against the champion of Troy?
Was it Apollo’s intervention that caused you to falter
Or was it the fear of your own fragile mortality?

As your blood soaked into the parched earth,
Could you foresee the consequences?
Did you realize there are few forces so powerful
As the fury of the ones you leave behind?

You, Endlessly honored heart of Achilleus
You, whose sacrifice turned the tide of war
You, who was killed by few from the decisions of many…
Was there ever a world where you could’ve lived?