THE TALE OF THE CAT FORSWORN
Almost on this day, a full solar cycle ago, the butterfly effect cascaded into a bond made in heaven. Twelve of the mightiest metaphorical swords were chipped, broken, and battered to the point of death. Their confidence was bashed into the ground by the paw of the largest, nastiest feline in existence. They picked their heads out from the dust, fire in their eyes and determination in their souls, and squared their shoulders to launch yet another attack at the three headed beast that lay before them. Six months they sat, nursing their wounds, honing their skills to the fine point of perfection. They put the edge on their swords, rekindled the fire in their hearts and raced out to meet the monsters that lay between them and the three headed monster, practice for their bloodthirst. In this obstacle course where failure meant death, a soldier, green as they come, but full of quick cunning and wit, decided to form an alliance of the elite, a bunch of the best that would help each other slay the mighty beast. He watched, he observed and he picked the twelve most ferocious, cunning and quick witted warriors that he could find. And boy, was he right. Thus began a match made in heaven, a group of men who would lay their lives down for each other. Men who would sing and dance together, sharpen their swords and make a game of killing the most monsters. Of them, each a legend, had his own characteristic.
First among them all was Achilles ( @hiteshlohani13 ), a man from the magical city of Kebabs, evenly skilled in every technique, humble of soul and benevolent of hand. Never did he refuse anyone wanting, a tip here to fine one technique, help to those in need of it. He was truly a legend, body and soul, unconquerable, perfect in every sense.
Second to him were all equals and I employ no order while describing any of them.
There was Odysseus ( @ram.lakhan ), cold and calculating, a number for every emotion, a formula for every action. He was the analyst of the group, he made charts, compared the warriors, and approached the monster with the shrewdest preparation that one could ever undertake. The brothers benefited from his obsessions, and adored him in their heart of hearts.
There was then, Hercules the brave ( @Gully_Cricket ), relentless and demanding. He killed the most monsters, won the most fights and yet shared his shoulder with anyone in need. His deeds were the bravest, he braved the most hardships willingly, an unwavering smile on his face.
Then came Nestor ( @akash12191 ), Nestor of many battles and many wars, just as able of limb as the day he chose to slay the monster. Veteran of many crusades, he once rode with the Gods themselves, shared drinks with Zeus and slept with Hera, the wife of Zeus the same night. He was the wisdom of the group, ancient and infallible (also a pervert).
Then came Heracles ( @ndutt2323 ) with his many lovers, the symbol of masculinity, hung to his knee. He was fickle, and dangled between happiness and sadness like the dong between his legs. He was full of cunning for killing the monster, and yet had a golden heart, he wouldn't hesitate to cut it out for any of his mates.
Then came Icarus ( @Rishgl15 ), all but a boy on his first conquest, and yet filled with such terrible strength that the heavens shook at its sight and cursed him with a fatal flaw. He was the man who was the cause of the group, a simple man with simple tastes. He laughed and cried, (cried, mostly) with the men that he brought under a banner.
Then came Haphaestus of the fire ( @DRaacaarYSS ), wielder of the ever burning flame that burned in his heart, the son of Zeus himself. He worked alone for the most part, engrossed with his pursuits of excellence. Already skilled in the nuances of the war that they were going to face, he was always a step ahead of the rest.
Another of the fabled thirteen was Apollo ( @jehal ), with a heart of gold and music on his lips. He never feared failure, and worked only harder whenever there was a setback. A God himself, he was the personification of everything the group stood for.
Yet another was the famous Perseus ( @Hidden_Leaf ), the killer of Medusa, the legendary Gorgon. Blessed with a will of fire, he fell only to rise again, stronger each time. A lover of food by the street, his indomitable spirit roused the group to fiery action, time and again.
Accompanying this group of bestial might was the god of the hunt, Artemis ( @anikunique7 ) himself. Isolated in his solitary perfection, his well aimed arrows always found their marks, shot with perfection, with each breath, releasing destruction upon the best of beasts.
Another among the list of heroes was Theseus of the maze ( @Indefatigable_ ), a man who was perseverance personified. Trapped in the struggle that was the war with the feline, he used dogged determination to win each and every battle he faced. Coming from the same family as Hercules, he used his monstrous strength and unflinching optimism to crush enemies. He was the largest of them all in size, and that was often to his advantage.
If Theseus beat the maze, the inventor of the maze, Deadalus ( @failedengineer ) was also a member of the group. Giving up his profession as the engineer of the gods, considering himself failed because of Theseus, he joined Theseus in his pursuit to kill the mighty beast.
Last but not the least was the sea God's blessing to the team, the famed Lord Pegasus ( @shadowfax1312 ), the king of all winged horses, the chronicler of events. It is his word that you now hear, he of the famed speed and silver tongue.
Thus set out one of the greatest teams the monster ever faced, each a face of stoic determination, boiling rage and cold cunning. On their way, they met Chiron ( @muxi ), the teacher of the gods, he who was once the greatest Archer in the history of heroes.
With his aid, they practiced day and night, taking up one monster after another, slaying them spectacularly day after passing day. And within five months of forming the team, they approached the monster and fought some of the most valiant battles ever fought. Each put his life on the line, venting the frustration of the year of long toil that they endured, remembering the hurt that the monster once doled out to them all with contempt. In spite of such bravery, there were still victims that the beast took. There were still those who were greviously injured. Everyone came off the worse for wear, battered more than they thought they would be. And yet there was a warmth in their chests that wasn't the before. A spark from the unextinguished hearth, a fresh breath of spring, a drop from the waters they drank together and the memories they shared. Some of them would probably pass, some of them would probably have to go back for yet another crusade, but what they deserve can only be delayed, not denied. This was the tale of fourteen brave warriors, each of whose names is etched deeply into my heart. This is the tale of Billi Killers 2017.
For CATs may come and CATs may go, but BKs shall go on forever.
Long Live Billi Killers!
Final Scorecard:
@anikunique7 99.94
@hiteshlohani13 99.91
@Gully_Cricket 99.77
@ndutt2323 99.76
@shadowfax1312 99.76
@muxi 99.71
@DRaacaarYSS 99.70
@Rishgl15 99.60
@Indefatigable_ 99.60
@Hidden_Leaf 99.51
@akash12191 99.36
@failedengineer 99.30
@ram.lakhan 95.34
@jehal 93.46