Years began to pass while he continued his campaign

　　although enthusiasm had grown difficult to feign

　　sometimes when a kingdom fell, he`d have a few weeks free

　　that`s when he would take the chance to see his family

　　Time was moving quickly and as his new empire grew

　　the hero`s family at home had grown a fair bit too

　　yet another son was born that filled his house with noise

　　he wondered how such chaos came from just three little boys

　　Playing from the moment they awoke until they slept

　　he marvelled at the household that his strong and brave wife kept

　　he never had a moment to relax, but didn`t mind

　　on battlefields a boring day was easier to find

　　Sometimes while at home the hero had a certain thought

　　raising children might be harder than the wars he fought

　　but he was confident that through his actions they would learn

　　they would grow by watching his heroic passion burn

　　Every time he saw his sons they`d all grown quite a bit

　　perhaps a little faster than the hero would admit

　　soon their childish rambling turned to questions, songs, and tales

　　asking him about his quest and all that it entails

　　The youngest of the three was strong but didn`t like to fight

　　he much preferred to read and study late into the night

　　the middle and the eldest loved to practice with their swords

　　dreaming of a hero`s life and all of its rewards

　　He`d pretend to be a monster, chasing them around

　　they`d fight him til he dropped his sword and fell upon ground

　　he knew they`d be the finest heroes one day, just like him

　　even if their chances of surpassing him were slim

　　His wife had taught them many types of magic early onUnauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

　　every day they`d practice making fires out on the lawn

　　the youngest was more fascinated by illusions though

　　everyday they watched in awe at how fast he would grow

　　The peaceful weeks that interrupted all his war campaigns

　　reminded him a hero`s blood was flowing in his veins

　　it was just a common thing for him to be at war

　　clinging to the glory and the honour he fought for

　　Every time the hero went home to his family

　　he could see first hand the capital`s prosperity

　　riches flowed there from all corners of the new empire

　　the hero`s wealth expanded faster than his own desire

　　The kingdom had become a power great enough to fear

　　its borders growing faster with the passing of each year

　　its king became an emperor whose hero was his tool

　　to motivate the loyalty of those beneath his rule

　　The hero had been travelling and conquering for years

　　quickly gaining influence despite the prince`s fears

　　he did encounter powerful opponents once or twice

　　but he was bored and thought some more excitement would be nice

　　It took more effort keeping up with how his children grew

　　it didn`t take them long to learn whatever things he knew

　　the languages the hero spent a lifetime just to learn

　　took less time for them to learn than for a fire to burn

　　He made them wooden toys like he had when he was a boy

　　but soon his youngest son could carve himself a better toy

　　he made sure not to teach them any gardening techniques

　　but even if he had he knew they`d pick it up in weeks

　　Although he only saw them several weeks out of the year

　　even when he wasn`t there, their growth was all too clear

　　he`d brag about his sons out on some distant battlefield

　　against the wars` monotony, his stories were his shield

　　There came a time of peace in which the hero couldn`t rest

　　he looked toward his family and knew that he`d been blessed

　　his wife had even told him they could take the kids and run

　　telling him his time at war was surely good and done

　　The hero knew he`d live in comfort if he should retire

　　spending all his days with her and reading by a fire

　　his children would have wealth enough to spend when he was gone

　　his wife would be there with him every journey he was on

　　For many nights he weighed her words against his oldest dreams

　　to rise to such heroic heights, to fight to such extremes

　　and now he was the hero of an empire strong and vast

　　living on the riches he so easily amassed

　　While his heart was wavering, his choice was made for him

　　a messenger arrived with an expression cold and grim

　　the hero was accustomed to the summons of the king

　　but happy news was all the messengers would ever bring

　　The messenger explained that an invasion had begun

　　wiping out whatever forces didn`t hide or run

　　the hero had repelled invasions many times before

　　and wondered what the messenger was really worried for

　　"Tell me of the army who invades us without fear

　　surely it`s no different than the one we fought last year"

　　the hero laughed while thinking of the battles he had fought

　　invaders who surrendered once his fires were burning hot

　　The boasting hero couldn`t put the messenger at ease

　　he stuttered as he spoke and couldn`t stop his shaking knees

　　"the army doesn`t fight like any that I`ve seen before

　　they darken skies with poison and make monsters fight their war"