Chapter Zero:

 

The whole Trojan army listened to the warning of Apollo. They retreated and went inside the gates of Troy. They were like a child trembling with fear. They were afraid to die in the hands of Achilles. They didn't want to suffer under the hands of the mighty beast. Hector was still on the battlements waiting for the return of Achilles. King Priam and Queen Hecuba tried to convince him to retreat. But Hector persisted to fight the Achaeans. By nature, Hector never gives up in battle. He has the heart of a true warrior and leader. He will never surrender his beloved city of Troy until to the point of his death.

Upon seeing Hector outside the gates, Zeus lifted his golden scale to determine the fate of the two great warriors. Hector's scale sinks to the ground. Zeus wanted to save Hector from his fate but Athena persuades him.

Apollo made his move. He left the Mount Olympus to help Hector in battle because the other gods were unfair. Hector will definitely lose the battle for Achilles was protected by gods and with the armor of Hephaestus. Apollo informed Paris about his brother's fate and convinces him to join Hector in fighting Achilles. In this way Hector would be saved from death. Paris prepared himself for the battle. He wore his iron helmet, plate mail together with his shoulder and shin guards made by the greatest Trojan blacksmith. He tied his bow and arrow across his back and picked up the sharp spear made of ivory and bronze. He bade goodbye to his lovely lady, Helen of Troy. He went to the battlement at his full speed. When Paris arrived, Hector was surprised.

Hector said…

My brother what brought you here? It seems that you have made up your mind. Paris replied… I was inspired by Apollo Shoot Afar and he informed me about your fate. You will die in the hands of Achilles and you will be fed to the dogs and vultures in their camp. But I would not allow such thing to happen to my dear brother. You cannot defeat that beast alone but with the two of us nothing would be impossible. The gods of Olympus were astounded when they saw Paris on the battlefield.

Athena was mad for Apollo intervened in the battle. She decided to go to the shores of Troy to help Achilles but Aphrodite and Ares prevented her.

Paris and Hector prepare their spears when they saw Achilles coming like a bull.

 

 

Achilles made the first strike but it missed Paris for Apollo casted a shield that repelled the attack. Achilles was out of balance because of the missed strike. Hector casted his spear and went to the chest plate of Achilles. Achilles strike back but it missed Hector.

 

Paris shot his arrows and hit one of the horses of Achilles. Achilles immediately released the wounded horse. Hector cast his spear for the second time but it missed. Achilles countered the attack and wounded Hector on the left shoulder.

Paris saw the weakness of Achilles in that encounter. Paris and Hector ran around the shore and planned their attack. Hector did his move which serves as a decoy for Achilles. Achilles dodged the attack making his legs open. Paris aimed and shot his arrow at full strength. The blazing arrow struck the legs of Achilles until his heel. Achilles groaned in agony. Hector and Paris left their chariots and approached dying Achilles. Achilles accepted his defeat. Hector promised him a good burial.

Thetis and the Olympian gods cried in sorrow for their strongest warrior had died under the Trojans. The Achaeans settled an agreement with the Trojans requesting for the corpse of Achilles. The whole Achaean fleet retreated with Achilles' corpse and that ended the hundred years of war.

 

 

Bonus:

"For a young man all is decent when he is killed in battle; he may be mangled with wounds, all is honorable in his death whatever may come."
(by King Priam, Iliad Book 22)

 

This is a wish of every warrior, to die in battle. If a warrior dies in battle, he will be honored and his name shall be exalted. This statement says the right attitude towards battle. We shouldn't be afraid to respond to the call of help even if our lives are at stake. We should have the courage to respond to God's call of service. We should have the courage to face death for our lives will all come to an end. It is better to die in honor rather than to die in shame.