"Ah, drink up lads! Another triumph will come for us tomorrow!" The hall was filled with soldiers, all jolly with a bottle in their hands. The smell of ale was nauseating. Revan smiled and raised his own tankard, joining in the raucous laughter that echoed throughout.
"Those bastards won't even know what hit them!" Revan beat his chest with one hand and drank with the other, spilling drops of beer onto his beard. The soldiers roared in agreement, spilling beer and stomping their boots. A soldier stumbled over to Revan and slang his arm around him and raised his cup.
"Revan! Master of battle! With both magic and might, all fear him!" The hall cheered in an uproar at the exaggeration. Revan pushed the soldiers arm off of him, and the soldier moved to sing the praises of the next poor soul.
Revan tried his best to enjoy the festivities as he'd be risking his life again the next day, but his mind could only worry about his brother elsewhere in the camp.
He sat his tankard on the table, and stood up to leave. Outside of the hall, all that could be heard was the cheers and shouts of the soldiers, and the wind rustling the trees. Dante was the only family he had left, and Revan was determined to ensure his brother's safety in the upcoming battle. As usual, he found Dante praying infront of a shrine. Although brothers, they couldn't be more different, even in appearance. Revan had shaggy black hair with a dark beard, while Dante had short and tidy blonde hair and a clean shave.
"You still think those 'gods' of yours will always protect you?" Revan didn't have any faith in these gods. If they had protected his parents the way they protect Dante, maybe he would. Dante's posture remained unmoving at his brother's harsh words.
"My faith in them gives me the strength to lead," Dante replied, rising to his feet. "And without someone to lead them, there is no strength." Revan put his hand on his hip, and turned his head to gaze at the hall. Revan watched as Dante grabbed his sword and shield off the ground. Although he was younger, Dante was still the captain of this brigade.
Revan shrugged.
"Their faith in ale seems to give them plenty of strength"
A loud crash erupted from the hall. The cheers of the soldiers morphed to shouts. Within seconds, the screeching sounds of swords clashing became overwhelming. Revan and Dante shared a gaze for a brief moment before rushing to the scene.
The stench of smoke grew stronger as they approached. As Revan bursts through the shaky wooden door, the smell of blood floods his nostrils. Revan's heart raced as he surveyed the chaotic scene. The comrades he had shared drinks with just moments ago were lying on the ground, motionless, in a pool of blood. Even more concerning, he didn't see enemies anywhere. Dante entered the hall behind him, and a shout could be heard.
"Captain! We've been betrayed!"
Revan felt a surge of anger and disbelief at the words.
He shouted.
"Bring those bastards to me!" He bolted forwards, hurdling the table in front of him towards the chaos. A voice could be heard from behind him.
"Revan, wait!" Dante rushed after him, but in his bulky suit of armor, he could hardly keep up. "I said stop, Revan!"
Revan ignored his pleas, keeping Dante out of the fight was preferred. He wouldn't be distracted by how he was doing in battle, even more so against his own troop. There was a massive hole on the opposite side of the hall. There was even more fighting occurring out there.
Just as he figured, the enemy was wearing the same garb as his brigade. He had a way to distinguish the enemy. Though it was a massive gamble, the odds have never stopped him before. He hopped on top of a table, and shouted, casting a spell to amplify his voice.
"My name is Revan, master of magic and might, all fear me!" He scanned the faces the battlefield, some didn't pay attention to him, focused on the battle at hand. Others were faces he clearly recognized, looking up to him in a hopeful gaze.
The rest of them, stared at him with an anger in their eyes. Revan couldn't tell if he recognized some of the men staring at him, but it didn't matter, some collateral was to be expected.
The only thing that mattered was that his brother was safe.
Revan raised his arm stiffly, and held out his fist. He raised his thumb, and extended his top two fingers. Several bolts of fire emerged from his fingertips, and dashed towards his targets, most were able to narrowly dodge the fire, leaving just a singe mark on their armor. Others had their torso pierced. But all of them had been clearly marked by Revan's magic.
Revan shouted once again with a booming voice. "Attack the burned ones!"
Now that the enemy had been clearly identified, the tide of battle had shifted. Revan was known in the brigade for being vulgar, impatient, and ruthless, but at the same time, his judgement was invaluable.
Revan breathed deeply, scanning the battlefield for an opportunity to strike, but his eyes landed on a soldier with a bulky suit of armor and a sword and shield. Dante had avoided his gaze and enter the center of the battle. Revan took his sword, grit his teeth and sprinted through the now bloodstained grass, cutting through any enemy in his way.
He finally reached Dante, and he was out of breath, huffing and puffing as he defended Dante from incoming swords. Each slash of a blade exhausted him further.
He had no time, or energy, to share words with Dante. Revan cut down the last enemy infront of him, he turned to face the rest of the battlefield. The fight was still as fierce as it had been, no sign of victory for either side, still. Suddenly, a hand landed on Revan's shoulder.
"That was a nice speech there, captain." A sharp pain pulsed through Revan's body. He looked downwards, and saw a bloodstained sword sticking through his abdomen.
Revan gasped for air as the taste of metal overwhelmed his senses. His vision went black, and a thud was heard as he collapsed.