Phidippides was the FASTEST marathoner that EVER LIVED!!

Mighty Phidippides was drenched in sweat and encased in heavy armor. A suit of armor has allure such that a quick glance turns into a prolonged stare that many can get lost in meaningful thought. Trusted, reliable, damaged, imperfect, unaware. It has no knowledge of or concern for its own condition, but simply serves its purpose to its best ability without asking questions. Dip was much like armor in that sense except that he himself came away seemingly unweakened, unscathed. He was a wellspring of strength.

The battle was over but the war had just begun. The ripples of militant bloodshed echoed loudly. That which had transpired at Marathon was just a warm-up as Dip was called upon once more, this time with an urgent message to deliver. As he was making his exodus from the city he passed by the HOLY TEMPLE which was home to the GODS and the Pantheon of the DIVINE. Hundreds upon hundreds of townsfolk were seen PRAYING. Many PRAYED for the dead, others PRAYED for Dip, and even others PRAYED that PRAYING would make a difference. Even Dip PRAYED that during his race to Athens he wouldn't become some wild animal's PREY.

He then ran by the FORUM, which was a popular place for runners to gather for discussion or meet before a long trek. Dip encountered one of his running buddies as he was passing by.

Dip: "Yo Pete."
Pete: "Hey Dip. How've you been?"
Dip: "Chillin'. Gotta deliver the news that Persia thinks it can settle the score with us in Athens. I'm a little tired, so it should take about 2 hours to get there."
Pete: "2 hours? You? More like 1:50. Here, take this with you..."

Pete tossed a bottle filled with a chilled power drink to his friend. Dip drank a splash of it. The taste was unusual.

Dip: "A little grainy, but not bad. I feel energized, refreshed. What's this stuff called?"
Pete: "It's called VAAM!! And it's the patented scientific sports drink derived from giant hornets that boosts human endurance and stamina!"
Dip: "Word?"
Pete: "No doubt!"

Pete flashed his middle and index fingers to Dip in a V-like shape, a symbol he used to mean "victory," which in modern day symbolizes peace. Dip thanked him and continued on.

He was a stoic on the exterior though secretly there was desperation to leave all that was blood rain, brimstone and hellfire behind. Something to elevate his soul would've been great. A six pack of HOEGARDEN and a LAP DANCE could've filled the prescription, however it was neither the time nor the place. A DUDE wearing Birkenstock sandals, sportin' long hair, rockin' tie-dye, groovin' on nature's herbs, and strummin' the harp while sitting under the tree shade in Marathon city's park often preached, "find your BLISS," to runners like Dip and other passers-by. Was Dip in search of something? Did he want to find his bliss? Anything's possible. Phidippides would never have defined it in such terms though, simply because a REAL MAN just doesn't talk that way. He thought of his journey from Marathon to Athens and that made him happy. He was running. He was free. As Dip ran he imagined a splendid blue marble revolving around a brilliant, glowing star in a boundless universe without conflict ? without war...

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