Archmages Opposed
The fiend-routing blade
faced the fiery claws:
The Laughter of the Moon
against the Lord of Darkness,
The Dragon's Talons
against the Dreadful Thought.
The glaive rose skyward
like a growing tree;
The talons descended
like toppling towers.
The blade shone forth
like a blazing meteorite;
The claws unfolded
like corn-cutting sickles.
One stroke of the steel
can start quakes and tremors;
Once the nails take hold,
they never release it.
The dragon-man cried:
Withdraw with honor!;
The liar answered:
Look to your life!.
The flame-serpent called:
You must free our friends!;
The nithling answered:Â
It is none of your business!.
The striker flashed
like streaks of lightning;
The bill fought back
like a bolt of flame.
Between fire and lightning,
who can find a victor?
Between blaze and thunderbolt,
who bears the prize?