Atlas! The Lizard King Hyssa raids a small Mediterranean village, enslaving and killing dozens of people. One youth named Atlas survives the attack, but his family is not quite so lucky. He comes under the care of a man named Chagra who recognizes that Atlas is from the Crystal Mountain. He protects Atlas from Hyssa's war party and after they leave, Atlas returns to his home community to find it burned to the ground. Recovering a shard from the Crystal Mountain, he swears revenge against King Hyssa.
Years pass, and Atlas grows into a powerful man gifted with Herculean strength and stamina. Chagra remains by his side and promises to lead Atlas to the beast responsible for killing his people if he in turn will lead him to the Crystal Mountain.
Atlas and Chagra reach the Lizard Kingdom where he exhibits more great feats of strength. He wins in a challenge against a man named Kargin and finds himself at odds with one of the King's nobles, a man who sends his slaves and archers to take him down. Atlas survives the conflict and continues on his quest.
