The Hard Man (Prologue - Hard Man Saga)

Verse 1 An angel came upon a fallen man, not yet gone but fading fast, He bore a banner glowing bright .. a light not meant to last. Not woven by the hands of men, nor raised in mortal fight, It shimmered with a holy fire, and burned against the night. Verse 2 “Where did you find this sacred sign?” the angel softly pled, The man just whispered weakly, “It was placed here as I bled. When I awoke, it held me up, though I could barely stand, A gift perhaps from somewhere high… or from a stranger’s hand.” Verse 3 The angel trembled, seeing threads from Loki’s twisted loom, A banner born of righteousness ..yet reeking faint of doom. Odin’s court looked down amused, in judgment from the skies, For chaos loves to wager souls, and truth wears no disguise. Verse 4 “To heal, or let him pass beyond?” the angel weighed with care, For either choice would tip the scales ..and darkness linger there. Mockery from halls divine, the watchers' laughter rolled, So mercy forged a compromise in skin of living stone. Chorus Now tell the tale of the Hard Man born, Who rose where faith and fate were torn. Flesh of stone, with spirit scarred, The gift of life ..but cursed and marred. Verse 5 He walks where gods once dared to tread, Half alive, and halfway dead. His heart still beats, though bound by lies, While angels weep and devils rise.