Several hundred meters from the towering gates of Troy, the grand, fortified city-empire, a brutal and unrelenting battle raged. The clash of metal on metal, agonized screams, and frenzied warrior cries filled the air, reaching even the innermost streets of Troy. At first, the thunderous noise had jarred the city's inhabitants, cutting through their peace with violent clarity. But now, after two long, grueling months, the sounds of war had woven into the backdrop of their lives. The war, now entering its third month, seemed to grow more ferocious with each passing day, each dawn signaling a new escalation.