Year: 500 BC. It was a misty night in Athens. The Panathenaia festival was being held. After the people carried the cloaks they had dedicated to Athena and the other gods throughout the city, they were taken up to the Acropolis and offered to the gods. Leonidas was sitting in a corner with his son Alexandros
Alexandros: Father, why do we pray to the gods? Why does the people act with such certainty?
Leonidas: My son, the gods created us. We must be worthy of them. For Zeus's sake, you should not adopt the ideas of people like Socrates, my son.
Alexandros: But Father… do you really believe the gods are like that?
Leonidas: For Heracles's sake, my son, let's talk about this later. Look, the festival is starting.
The people celebrated at the festival, then together climbed first to the Temple of Athena and then to the Temple of Zeus. Leonidas was a devout believer. He offered sacrifices to the gods and wanted to please them. He was a brave, stern man, yet also naïve in some ways. However, not much was known about his past. His son Alexandros was curious about this mystery and wondered who his father really was.
Around this time, while Alexandros was walking in the Athenian square, he saw a group of people gathered somewhere, talking about "the Athenian" from a prophecy. When Alexandros heard this conversation, he became curious and went over to them.
Alexandros: Hey, what is that prophecy?
Man: For Zeus's sake, how do you not know? It's quite a famous prophecy, and there's no doubt it will come true.
Man's Friend: It says that a man from Athens will challenge the gods, and on that day, doom will come to Olympus.
Alexandros: Hm… nonsense. No human can challenge the gods. Sounds like a fairy tale. What do you think?
Athens Barracks
Seitarus: 4th Division, are you ready?
Soldiers: YES!
Seitarus: Very well. It's time to introduce your new commander. He is very famous and will prepare you for the coming war against the Persians.
Kerberos: There's no need for all that praise, my friend. Alright, men, I am your new commander, Kerberos. I've heard the 4th Division is made up of tough warriors. You will certainly play an important role in the war against the Persians. But first, let's have a test. The rest will be dismissed from the division. You'll fight me.
Soldiers: No way! Hey, that's not fair! I never expected to fight the famous Kerberos!
Kerberos was a renowned Greek commander. It was believed he descended from King Agamemnon of the Iliad. He was brave and fearless, had achieved countless victories, and had driven the Persians back from Athens to Anatolia. He had been awarded a medal of honor by King Kriton.
Kerberos: Alright, men. Who wants to start first?
A spear suddenly passed in front of Kerberos at lightning speed, cutting his hair and wounding his face. While the soldiers stood in shock, a voice came from the darkness of the right corridor.
Voice: Don't do it, Kerberos. You're not strong enough to be a commander.
Kerberos: Wh—who are you? Wait… that voice… you damn—
While the soldiers whispered in shock among themselves, a man emerged from the shadows. A muscular, imposing warrior with a scar over his left eye.
Kerberos: For Zeus's sake… Leonidas. You still haven't lost your form.
Leonidas: Hah. Don't forget you could never beat me before. I'll be taking command of this division, Kerberos.
Kerberos: Seems you've forgotten the man who gave you that scar over your left eye, Leonidas.
Leonidas: Hah. I should actually congratulate you. Thanks to you, I developed a better style and trained for years.
Kerberos: What nonsense are you talking about? For Hades's sake—
Leonidas: What I mean is this: we'll fight one-on-one, and the winner becomes the commander of the 4th Division. Are you in, Kerberos?
Kerberos: Hmph. Very well, I accept. But the duel will take place in front of the Temple of Athena. Prepare well, my dear old friend Leonidas.
Leonidas: Hah. Damn you, Kerberos.
Leonidas and Kerberos were two of the most important commanders of Ancient Greece. Their childhoods had passed together on battlefields. Two great figures That night, Leonidas climbed up to the Temple of Zeus and looked at the statue.
Leonidas: King of the Gods, Zeus-sama… I come to you every day. I hope you forgive me, but I want to grow stronger. More… more… more. I never want to lose my loved ones again. On that dark day, I lost everything. Except my son Alexandros. Give me strength so I can protect my family.
Leonidas climbed to the Temple of Zeus every night and prayed. In the past, during a terrible Persian attack, he had lost his family. Only his young son Alexandros had survived. Since that day, he visited his family's graves every night and looked at the sea under the night view, smiling at the moon—because he knew his wife and children were watching him from there.
Just then, a stone flew from behind him.
Kerberos: My friend… you don't look well.
Leonidas: I'm not talking to you, my friend.
Kerberos: I'm a sexy warrior. Isn't that normal?
Leonidas: Hah. Not the time for jokes. I want revenge for my family… and to bring doom upon the Persians.
Kerberos: My friend… that won't be easy, you know.
At that moment, a large army appeared, and a soldier at the front called out to Leonidas.
Soldier: Leonidas! The King is waiting for you.
Kerberos: What? Why would the King call this old man? What business could he possibly have with him?
Leonidas: Shut up, Kerberos. As if you're so young.