THE CHAMPION

There comes a time when even the most arrogant learn the meaning of limitation and the need for humility.

Gogan was the maidens' champion,
Undefeated wrestler without peer.
His legacy carved in tales and stone,
A mortal who made immortals fear.

He hurled challenges at the gods themselves,
Scaled Olympus to its highest peak.
Defeated monsters in their darkest dens,
Accomplished feats of which none dare speak.

The Gorgon fell before his mighty hands,
Where Jason's quest had nearly failed.
He founded movements across many lands,
His influence and power widely hailed.

We sent our thunder to humble his pride,
It merely tickled his battle-scarred skin.
What lurked beneath his mortal disguise
Was something divine hidden within.

Pride goes before the fall, the ancients warned.
Yet Gogan stood tall, unfazed by threat,
Until he challenged mighty Awon the Great
A decision he would soon regret.

Spectators gathered from realms three:
Heaven, Earth, and the depths of Hell.
No rules constrained this fateful meeting,
No referee to sound the final bell.

Not for glory or champion's belt they fought,
But life itself hung in the balance there.
The sacred grounds became an arena,
Charged with tension thick as mountain air.

Gogan flexed, his muscles rippled like waves,
Impressive to mortal and god alike.
Awon merely breathed, clenched steady hands;
Forests shattered like brittle spikes.

When Gogan's foot struck the trembling ground,
The earth responded with a mighty quake.
When Awon stamped his celestial heel,
Distant volcanoes roared awake.

Gogan roared, fierce as a lion king,
His followers erupted in wild praise.
Awon whispered, softer than falling snow
Yet thunderous enough to end all days.

The champion paused, then hesitated,
As wisdom finally pierced his heart.
"What manner of being stands before me?"
He turned and walked away, a different art.

Sometimes victory lies in recognition,
Of battles that should remain unfought.
"What kind of monster is this?" he wondered,
As humility became his final thought.


Image Credit: Pixabay