Artix_697
Legacy Name: Artix_697

centuries ago, Artix was thrust in the middle of a holy war that seemed to no end. in those times, violence was the only solution and the strong survived longest. the heavily built man learned fast that you had to be cruel to your foes, to take no mercy for it would never be given to you, and to look out for yourself. not even your comrades could you trust. they would step over you to move forward in life.
Artix had been intimidating since birth, a cold and barbaric warrior he soon became. every male was trained for battle, given a weapon and torn from his mother's side. he was all too willing. it mattered not how the war started, who finished it or if there would be peace. he believed the angels guided him to greatness like so many among his people, and that dying in battle was a great honor.

but he feared death above all else.

as much as he boasted about honor, the man was fearful about going to death's embrace. he had doubts to where he was going. would he be welcome to heavenly gates for carrying out the angels' will or suffer in deep fire for his crimes? and he had crimes, goodness yes. men loved the thrill of the fight, but he loved it too much.
he became known as "The Vulture" to many, for his cruelty and continual seeking of violent acts. he was like a scavenger. even after the battle was done, he would go back and impale all the corpses one last time to make sure they were dead. sometimes he raided their dead bodies for treasures or paint himself with their blood, wear their organs for display.
the man was feared by many, but to those he sided with he was known as a hero. even a saint.

but alas, you know now he is now defeated. the man met his doom at an ambush. while taking a patrol to scout the border, a thousand men descended upon his ranks. he was out numbered, but that did not stop him from going into a violent frenzy and killing a good number of them before he was ganged up on. he fell, weapons in hand, and lay still. Artix had been the last one standing, fighting on his own while his men were slaughtered.
confident they brought him down, the soldiers retreated without straying closer to him. his vision blurred, but he could clearly see one person coming nearer. come to finish him off?
"You must die to live"
he was silent. was this an angel or...or the others?
"I can grant you what you want. Eternal life... But you must die, stand facing death's doors and laugh at Him, mock the Reaper! Then I shall pull you back. Is this not what you want?"
he saw clearly it was a hooded figure, face well hidden below the hood. the words were so...great. like he wanted all along. the great Paladin nodded, accepting defeat one last time to be forever invincible.