A Warrior Reforged - V2

In the darkness of the night, there was noises of celebrating- General Almorra Soulkeeper was trudging through, coordinating the efforts to recover the supplies that was used during the battle with Death-Branded Shatterer; deep inside she has admitted that without that Charr- the fight would probably have been lost. She took a quick look over the campfire where the black furred Charr stood with a huge bottle in his claw, teaching the game of Belcher’s Bluff to soldiers of all races that was surrounding him. From her time learning about him; she very quickly learnt that Brutus Ironrend loved his alcohol- would often than not jumping into the fray while drunk- extremely drunk even. But even with that flaw, as Charr- he is the pride of Black Citadel and the Pact Commander. A lot of soldiers, of all races follow and trust him with their own lives, as well Rytlock which is in itself very rare honour. There was even rumours that they were close friends among with Rox; a comrades that only Charrs can find.

Brutus took out one of bottles that was hanging on his belt, the Charr that was around him gained a smirk on their faces- recognizing it as one of hardest whiskey that Black Citadel have ever produced. A Charr said once that there was a human who tried it never got his voice back. Brutus then produced another bottle of whiskey; grasping it in firmly while staring at the human underling.

“THREE!”
“TWO!”
“ONE!”

Both of them slammed back and took a big swig of the stuff and there was immediate reaction out of both. The human took her helmet off, ran off to the nearby log that was designated for sitting and vomited while Brutus gave out a laugh that sounded like a roar. Raising his claws toward the sky, clenching his fists as his tail swags behind him.

“THE CHAMPION!” One of few first cheers came from Norns; Almorra rolled her eyes and shook her head. Suddenly one of the soldiers that was from nearest outpost for the Pact rushed past her and went straight for the bonfire. She quickly recognized the soldier as one of Ash legion’s spies; they’re infamous for their ability to strike from shadows, kill, steal information and disappear like they were never there at first place.

Almost instantly the loud cheering died off, the soldiers looked at the approaching charr with questioning look when gave each other a salute. Brutus then relaxed his posture while taking a swig of his whiskey, the Ash Charr then gave him a hard look; deciding that it was for the best to rip a band-aid off rather than dancing around the issue of why he is here. The charr discreetly took a step back, quickly becoming fearful when the atmosphere quickly tensed; it was clear that Brutus had already figured out that something was off. The Ash Charr pushed on because it was orders from above; he must know.

His cub have had died and it was done by one of Flame Legions.

The battle-hardened soldiers who have had always known fear, throughout near deaths and close calls that they had in their campaign to make the world more peaceful and safe for all races. They have had known the fear when one of enemies was staring down at them, ready to deliver a final blow before someone came by and saved them by just a hair but they never knew and felt fear like this; when Brutus hardened his look- his jaw clenched hard enough that his fangs was digging into his muzzle- just pure murderous intention was radiating off him and they felt that if one of them twitched a finger; they would be meeting their bloody end.

They all took a unconscious step-back when Brutus Ironrend gave out a guttural growl, the enraged Charr began to squeeze his bottle until it cracked into sharp pieces. He was so enraged that he didn't notice that he was bleeding heavily from his right claw.
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Upon arriving at Black Citadel, Brutus stormed through the gate; his eyes glossing straight ahead at the path that led to his home; throughout all of this- he wondered of where his mate is currently at and when will the news of the death reach her? Already there was too much upheaval in his life and he had too much rage to be able to handle it all right now, the other Charr sensed the tension that Brutus carried and optioned to give him a wide berth when he walked past them.

He only gave a pause when a group of fahrar ran toward him, blocking his path and Brutus looked down; quickly recognizing them as the fahrar that his cub was part of. There was a quick stand-off between them but quickly ending when one of cub walked out. Quelling his rage for a moment as he knelt down to give them a equal eye to eye level and one of the fahrar introduced himself and told him about his crazy, insane but a strong cub that would have been one of finest female Charr soldier- worthy of Kalla Scorchrazor’s approval if she had been alive today. Two fahrars then stepped forward and presented him two items, one was a blue scarf- which one of fahrar have had told him that the deceased cub have had hoped to gift him; as promise that she will surpass both of him and her mother someday. Another cub presented him a bow that was fitting for a cub showing that she wanted to be a ranger. Brutus gave a single nod as he stood up to his full height, swiftly putting the blue scarf around his neck then began to tuck his left claw behind his back.

He then gave the fahrar a deep salute, his eyes taking in the sight of Imperator's Core and his resolve hardened when he saw the statues in the Memorial Quadrant.

Not too soon after he geared up, tucking away his weaponry as he walked toward the weaponsmith shop and asked the head smither to craft him a shortbow that would be befitting for his size using the parts from the small bow that he held in his paws. The smither was more than glad to do so, news does spread like wildfire in Black Citadel- especially when it comes with the Commander of the Pact and the pride of Black Citadel and the Ash Legion.

Brutus Ironrend soon traveled to one of focal points of the Mist, knowing how to get there thanks to Rytlock teaching him some of the secrets. The powers that he got there is an secret to itself- it is up for him to discover it- come hell or high water. Brutus took a deep breath, then jumped into the Mist with no fear.
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In the darkness on the lands that Flame Legion controlled, Brutus spent days- the scorching heat didn't put him off but instead helped to focus his anger and rage at the Flame Legion. In his wake, the vengeful Charr left behind a path of blood and death, bodies filled with arrowheads, some bodies were missing limbs and one of them had his own greatsword skewered through his stomach and into the ground. Brutus slowly picked up the flame axe that one of them have dropped then hilting it as trophy. One of Flame Legion that was left alive began to charge toward him with a feral roar, swinging his great blade with blinded rage only to see Brutus dodge the blow and drew his bow and fired a arrow into his leg, quickly crippled him. Brutus Ironrend then walked up to him while the fallen Charr fought and crawled to reach for his weapon.

Brutus stepped into his claw, slowly taking out his looted axe and began to raise it above his head, the axe glistening in the sunlight. The dying Charr suddenly had an epiphany- hoping that in exchange for information; this vengeful Charr would let him go with his life. He told Brutus that it was an act of revenge for the death of Gaheron Baelfire. One of dead charr lying not far from where they confronted was the murderer and it was not only him; there was also someone above him who gave the order and it was one of Fire Shaman hiding out at one of Flame Legion’s camps.

Brutus Ironrend gave out a murderous growl, saying there is difference between a soldier dying on battlefield and a cub who died before her life can truly begin. The Charr held his claw up and was about to speak but Brutus was swift with his judgement, burying his axe into his skull- there was death scream then coughing and choking noises as he fell back into the ground; his grip on the greatsword loosed.

Then he trudged on for few more days, his smoldering rage helped him to ignore his exhaustion and some of injuries, driven by vengeance and he finally found the headquarters where this vile shaman was holed up at and with skills that he learnt in the Ash Legion; he killed two of Flame Legion that was guarding the entrance without attracting any attention and sneaked in.

Brutus identified the shaman, hanging around his powerful bodyguards, discussing away their plans for the day and they were focusing on one of their prisoner, which happened to be one of Iron Legion; not only they killed his cub- they were actively torturing others. With a quiet, smoldering rage Brutus began to draw his reclaimed bow from his back and crouched; placing a arrow into the notch and lifted. Brutus’s aim was straight, his powerful claws drawing the arrow. Brutus then used his newly acquired power of Revenant invoking the powerful spirit of Kalla Scorchrazor and her warband, watching over him from the Mist.

"Gellia, your promise is now my promise. I will set a standard of being father and soldier, the one you would be proud of. I also shall adopt the fahr-...no your warband that you were with and it shall become known throughout Black Citadel, the Three Legions and the entire Tyria. Your name will be known"

Brutus Ironrend was now Brutus Frayshot.

He will deal with the consequences that came with his decision later but Brutus knew his current warband will be very supportive because of how his warband was formed in the first place and the cubs will be more bolested that they were now, or will be part of powerful warband. They must be trained by them, noting to himself to arrange that when he get back to Black Citadel. But now his vengeance calls.

Brutus then released the string of his reforged bow, his newfounded talent powered that arrow, it flew straight and true and stuck the target in the back; the shaman gave out a death scream as he fell into the ground- it was too bad that Brutus couldn’t get too personal with this kill but it was hard to do so around his security, even though if he was one of the Ash legion. The bodyguard drew their weapons, the Flame Legion’s igniter aimed his flamethrower. Brutus responded by stowing his bow, whilst pulling out his axe; growling as he drank entire bottle of his moonshine in one go. If the fate dictates that he dies today, so it shall be- Black Citadel and the Pact, both of them will survive under Rytlock and many great comrades that he met throughout his journey. Brutus roared as he lowered himself toward his ground, invoking his Renegade stance then in a instant he was rushing toward the enemies with a gleeful look on his face.
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When he finally reappeared, it was in one of the Pact's camp and Rytlock walked up to greet him first but noticed a big deal of change within him, including a missing left eye but his spirit has been reforged into something stronger, a true equal to himself; perfect for Black Citadel. Kasmeer Meade, Delaqua, Rox, Taimi and Canach was more than glad to see their friend and commander alive and well and seemed is more than ready than ever to lead the Pact to victory, in that path of victory- a peacetime for Tyria. Brutus Frayshot snuck away from the camp, his right eye glinting when he stared up at twinkling stars.

Brutus took out his new bottle of moonshine, pouring out some into the ground.

“One for you.”

Brutus then swigged the moonshine.

“One for me. Watch over me my cub.” Brutus simpered.

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I decided to rework my short story + my charr's look after feedbacks from my previous submission. Enjoy!
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