Treading death’s edge, stalking the dread gryphon,

Beast-deep in trail his mud-span massive spoor;

My breath froze brittle when I surely spied him,

Dark umbra broiling with blood-curdled roars:

Curt moments later—Hades’ gate exploded—

Taut tawny tyrant burst from dark, aghast;

Unleashed like Cerberus, full fury vented,

Demon sworn that none alive shall pass.

A heartbeat later the double tubes reported,

Spat lead and brimstone answering his bawl,

Igneous lightning from ported barrels thundered—

Track stopped the menace—carnage to forestall.

Throat rasped, chest heaving, death splayed at my feet,

Leviathan conquered, quarry quest complete.