͵βι

Πέρασε ο χρόνος (τώρα ακριβώς από πού πέρασε και πού πήγε, θα σας γελάσω - i will laugh you, που λέει ένας φίλος). Κάπως δύσκολα, κάπως ήρεμα, κάπως έτσι, κάπως αλλιώς. Πέρασε. Περνάει. Τό'χουν αυτό τα χρόνια. Ωραία! Και εις άλλα με υγεία - για όλους.

Zen premier

Il est du vainqueur de proclamer "j'assume".
Du Prince de se nier la grace.
Du voleur de tout emporter, à jamais;
Et de tout restituer, à l'instant même.

Confessions of a winner

I ignore my childhood. My first recollection is lined up in the battlefield, next to an iron-clad trooper. Since, I have been devious and diligent in winding my way up in command. I am now the head of the Army. To the last soldier, they obey my slightest nod. By greed or fear - I don't mind; either serves my needs.
Under my rule, we set out and took over the City. By treason, of course - at the stroke of midnight. My scouts slained the guards in their sleep; the slippery carpet of their blood summoned my steps to the tower.
Once total surrender was secure, a flock of old fools dropped their despair to my feet, pleading for mercy. Was I moved, indeed! I granted (nay, I ordered) the troops to loot at will. And amidst my soldiers' furious feast, I raised my tent and slept under the smoke and clash of carnage.
Since then, I take long strides around the silent city. Each and every day I walk in empty streets: men and women shy away of my course. My soldiers are eager to provide as I please; the City is mine. These are glorious days.
My nights, however, are not as calm and content. My sparse hours of rest are haunted by a dream, over and again. A river, a path, a meager town with common folks. Pulled by a strange light, I step into a yard before an old building - some place of worship, I think. The light glows stronger; it almost blinds my sight. Then, hidden in the haze, a disfigured creature voices my true name. In sounds my ears never heard before.