Warrick's Tale part 1-1
the next part of Warrick's tale
Snowblind Peaks in Gendarran Fields was home to Vollyum's Battle Pit. Many people came to the battle pit to test their strength. While others came to compete for money or glory. All are welcome at the battle pit though. "Are you ready to see some blood." Shouted an announcer to a roaring crowd. Warrick's ears twitched at the noise, no matter how many times he comes here it still amazes him just how bloodthirsty the other races are. "Everyone thinks charr are the battle-hungry ones." Another charr grunted in agreement with Warrick's assessment.
More cheering from the spectators signaled the end of a round. Excitement briefly rushed through Warrick, a couple more rounds and it was his turn. In the month and a half since his banishment from the Black Citadel, Warrick felt like something was missing from his life. Fighting in the battle pit helped a little bit, but as soon as he left the soul-crushing emptiness returned. It wasn't hard to figure out why he was feeling what he was, he was lonely.
But shame prevented Warrick from seeking any meaningful connections. No charr would want to associate with a disgraced soldier. And most of the other races of Tyria don't have good relations with charr, especially humans. So that left Warrick feeling isolated, even in Lion's Arch where all races are welcome. Which in turn drove him to take unnecessary risks in his fights at the battle pits. Anything to get acceptance.
Warrick shook his head, this was no time to get lost in thought. His turn in the arena was coming up soon, and it was going to be his best yet. It took a lot of convincing to allow Warrick's idea in the battle pits. The risks were too high they said. But like a true Blood legion soldier that he once was, Warrick is stubborn. Once he sets his mind on something, nothing will stop him. "We'll be taking a short break to prepare for the next round."
()
One would think that being covered in fur, charr would have some resistance to the cold. "How are you holding up Maverick?" A muffled reply was all Dominick got. A glance at his eldest brother showed Maverick trying to huddle in his heavy winter clothes. A smile spread across Dominick's muzzle at this. "We're almost at the battle pits, you can warm yourself then." That was all the encouragement Maverick needed to start running. Out of his brothers, Maverick had the hardest time with the cold.
Thankfully they reached Vollyum's Battle Pit quickly. It was kind of funny watching Maverick all but shoved people out of his way to get to a brazier. "Looks like it's up to me to find Warrick." A sigh broke free from Dominick's mouth at the mention of his lost brother. It took longer then he wanted to retire from the legions. It was nerve-wracking waiting to be relieved of duty so that they could find Warrick. Being exiled from the high legions right after what happened, was probably wreaking havoc on Warrick's mind. The sooner they find him, the better.
A loud cheer from the battle pit spectators broke the albino charr out of his thoughts. "What a good round, just a few more rounds and we'll be at today's main event." That piqued Dominick's interest. He knew his brother would never be able to resist a good fight. "Knowing Warrick, he's somehow a part of that." A hand grabbed Dominick's arm trying to stop from walking forward. Years of being an Ash legion soldier honed his instincts to react quickly and with deadly precision. "You know The Gauntlet?"
This stilled Dominick's from reaching for one of the many hidden blades he had on him. Gently he pried the red-haired human's hand off of him. "Perhaps are they an orange and black striped charr?" Dominick almost regretted answering the human's question. It amazed him just how fast a human can talk without needing to breathe. "I can't understand a word you're saying, could you slow down and more importantly breath." A blush of embarrassment spread across the human's face.
"Sorry, my name is Spark." The now named human said, holding out his hand. It was almost comical the way Dominick's larger hand engulfed Sparks' much smaller hand. "Warrick the Gauntlet is a big handsome tiger-like charr." That so far matched his older brother's description, it was a little weird hearing a human call a charr handsome though. Spark started excitedly rambling about Warrick's many wins and his love of onslaught style fights, which brought a smile to Dominick's face. He expected nothing less from his ex-Blood Legion brother, he was doing something he loved. "And now it's time for tonight's main event." Loud cheering came from the crowd, but Dominick's attention was caught by cloaked figures standing around the arena.
"Let's hear it for Warrick the Gauntlet." There standing in the middle of the arena, reveling in the cheers from the crowd was his brother. "Same old Warri-" Dominick's words caught in his throat as four green portals started opening on the arena. Silence fell over the crowd, some reached for their weapons ready for a fight. "Worry not everyone a barrier has been put in place to prevent any creature from escaping." The announcer threw a rock towards Warrick but it bounced off an invisible force. That eased some of the people's fears, but the crowd was still on edge.
"Warrick will have to survive five minutes in the arena while these portals to the underworld remain open." Spark couldn't keep the fear from showing on his face. "Why would Warrick do something so dangerous?" When he glanced at where his companion was, He was nowhere to be seen. Dominick, on the other hand, was frantically searching for his other brother. "This is not good, we knew Warrick wouldn't be in a good spot but not suicidal."
()
Out of all things in the world, being cold was something Maverick couldn't stand. He hated the shivering, the teeth chattering, having to bundle up just to stay warm. "Why did Warrick have to choose this arena to fight in." The thought of his brother helped steal his resolve, Warrick needs them, whether he wants to admit it or not. A blast of cold wind caused him and a few other arena spectators to huddle closer to the fire. "I'll make him pay for making me come up here."
A purple butterfly fluttered its way over to Maverick and landed on his horns. Magic flowed into him and conversations from all around him came to his ears.
"Tonight's main event is supposed to be amazing."
"I wonder what Warrick the Gauntlet has in store for us."
"I can hardly wait for Warrick's fight."
"Warrick's fights are always impressive."
While interesting, these conversations would not help Maverick on his search for Warrick.
Most people associate mesmer magic with tricks and illusions, but it has other useful abilities too. Such as having magical butterflies float over people's heads to eavesdrop on conversations.
"I wonder if I can get a few combatants to assist with my expedition." This caught the mesmer's attention. A dangerous mission would be right up Warrick's alley. And it would be a good bonding experience for them. With a mental command, the butterfly on Maverick's horn flew off.
The butterfly led him to another fire, which he was very grateful for, before disappearing. It wasn't hard to guess who he was looking for, especially being former Ash Legion. An Asura was harassing a burly looking Norn, who was getting increasingly irate.
Usually Maverick would let the situation run its course. But he needed the diminutive intellectual, so he had to intervene. "I hear someone is looking to hire protection, is that you?" The Asura sized up Maverick for a few seconds before deciding that he was worthy. "My name is Bhixx, and yes I am looking for strong individuals to help me." The arrogant tone Bhixx had grated on Maverick's nerves, but he forced a smile on his face. No need to insult his future employer. "Then you're in luck, my brothers and I are looking for work."
Bhixx simply looked unimpressed. "I need warriors and an elementalist, not people skilled in subterfuge." The smile on the mesmer's face turned into a malevolent smirk. With a snap of Maverick's clawed fingers, a clone appeared behind the arrogant asura holding a dagger against his throat. "You're quite perceptive but never underestimate a charr, it could cost you your life." Fear gripped at Bhixx, possibly having his throat slit by an angry charr mesmer was not how he envisioned today would end.
"You have eloquently made your point, shall we discuss what I would require of you?" Maverick stared down at Bhixx for a few seconds, committing the way the scared Asura looked to memory. "I guess we can." Another snap and the clone disappeared in a burst of butterflies and glass-like shards. Bhixx rubbed his throat before trying to regain his composure. "I require assistance in procuring four items that will open a crypt of a human elementalist." Reaching into a pocket the asura pulled out a map with five locations marked on it. Each circle was a different color, one red then blue, brown, purple, and finally gold. The locations were scattered all over the human lands of Kryta.
Maverick was quick to memorize each location on the map. "Let me guess you have to pass a challenge at each location based on one of the elements to get the items you need." It was a rather obvious design, but the confusing part was why would someone go through such effort. "Yes and there's a final test in the crypt, to prove you are worthy of the treasures hidden there." Excitement coursed its way through the charr mesmer. Danger, treasure hunting, it all would be perfect for Warrick. "This will be a good test of my brothers' ability as an elementalist." This made Bhixx pause. Finding a group of strong charr for protection that had an elementalist was serendipitous. "You should have said that, to begin with."
From within one of his coat pockets, the asura produced a large bag. "One hundred gold to begin with and another two hundred when we finish." Three hundred gold was a hefty sum of money for their first job together. Maverick took the bag of gold with a smile on his face. "Meet me at this location tomorrow morning." Bhixx said, placing a slip of paper into the hand of his new employee. With their business concluded both went their separate ways, one towards Lion's Arch the other to find his brothers.
When Maverick found Dominick, he was practically vibrating with excitement. "I got us a job that paid one hundred gold up front." He waited for his brother to praise him for doing a good job. But that wasn't what he got. "Did you ask Warrick if he wanted to do it?" This confused Maverick, he knew what Warrick would like so why would he need to ask? "The job will contain violence and will test his magical abilities of course he'd want to do it." The growl that came from Dominick was surprising. His youngest brother was one of the most laid back person he knew. "Warrick isn't going to be the same cub we grew up with, hell he won't even be the same from when we saw him last." Dominick hissed, getting directly in Maverick's face. "He's been alone for a month and a half, that would wreak havoc on any charr but combine that with what he went through...." He paused to take a breath and collect himself before continuing. "Warrick is not in a good place right now and if we're not careful we could lose him."
Out of the three brothers Dominick had the kindest heart. So it was only natural that he would be worried about losing his brother. "I know you were closer to Warrick than I was but trust that I am doing this to help him." Maverick said in a placating tone. "Before we can help him, we need to establish a bond as a warband, the familiarity will help his mental stability." The anger in the albino necromancer's eye lessened a bit. Before Maverick could react his brother snatched the bag of gold out of his hand. "Fine, most of the money will go to Warrick then and I get to say 'I told you so' when this backfires." Any response was drowned out by the arena's announcer.
"And Warrick the Gauntlent takes a nasty hit from an Aatxe, is this the end for him?" Maverick felt his heart plummet at the words. In the arena, he saw his lost brother with the horn of a shadowy demon buried in his stomach. "Burn me, he even worse off than I thought."