Andromeda: We Are The Universe

7. Brûto'bak: The Warrior King

"The Gulzag is ready, my King," said Grozmal, his muscular yet relatively short stature making him almost spherical. Standing about five meters tall, he boasted a deep red skin, typical of those from Vulag Moguzot. His long, thick tusks extended beyond his eyes, giving him an unwelcoming, disproportionate look. However, in Mokmog Tomog, such tusks signified unyielding power, for they had not been cut in defeat; Orcs traditionally trimmed their tusks only after being spared in mercy, a fate considered far worse than death.

The throne room of Brûto'bak was a vast cavernous space, stretching so wide that it could easily house more than 222,222 orcs within its walls. Guards, numbering over 1,111, were positioned throughout this grand hall, their figures dotting the immense room and lining the distant perimeters, which seemed ludicrously far from the center of power. The very notion that Brûto'bak required such protection bordered on the absurd; there were few in the universe bold enough to challenge him, and those who did invariably met their demise.

Brûto'bak's legend was born in the ancient Fojor Töt, where, over a millennium ago, he first showcased his prodigious martial prowess. His battle record was unmatched, marked by exactly 666,666 kills—no opponent had ever been spared under his hand, nor had they needed to spare him, for he had never tasted defeat, nor even neared the brink of it. His recent accolade had come from the Z¨dăhḵ, who selected him to compete in the Jmaâbv̂¨g̀eh-Dûhm, a prestigious cosmic tournament viewed as the pinnacle of universal competition. There, facing beings of seemingly infinite power, Brûto'bak had still emerged unscathed and victorious.

The legion of guards, in truth, was unnecessary. No one posed a credible threat to him. Yet, their presence pleased him—it swathed him in the trappings of royalty, enhancing the regal air he naturally commanded, and affirmed his stature not just as a warrior but as a king within his own right.

Grozmal stood with his gaze directed at the ground, in a posture of attention. Wrapped tightly around his bald head was his Grukhashar, its long flaps falling below his waist to the backs of his knees, as motionless as he was. Unlike the Oiolossë, a blindfold favored by Elves and more delicate humanoids, the Grukhashar exuded a fierce, war-like aura. It seemed to radiate a fierce energy akin to battlefield flames, enhancing the wearer's presence significantly.

This was no accident. The Grukhashar was a product of ancient craftsmanship, created eons ago by the legendary Throgmar Peace-Bringer. This bandana was made from the war-torn hides of Gargul beasts, known for their resilience, and adorned with war symbols and victory runes that reflected the epic battles of its time. It had been treated with essences from Mount Krathok's molten lava and exposed to Dragon's Breath to imbue it with formidable power.

Brûto'bak, sitting on his throne with his head resting on his huge left fist, wore his own Grukhashar, which was markedly different. It bore unique symbols and appeared to be made of different materials. His bandana was actually on fire, emitting intense flames of multiple shades of red—scarlet, rose, mahogany, crimson, ruby. Each spark of flame danced with vibrant life.

Brûto'bak regarded Grozmal as if he were insignificant, his expression bored, his massive body barely covered, his armor nowhere in sight. Yet it was hard to imagine that such a formidable being would ever need armor. At nine meters tall and incredibly muscular, with tusks longer than Grozmal's, Brûto'bak's red skin was unscarred by battle.

The sunlight streaming through the tall arches behind the throne cast Brûto'bak in a magnificent silhouette. Rays of light pierced the space behind him, filling the room with a mystical aura and revealing the clear, sunny day beyond the confines of the throne room. In the backdrop, the grand city of Vulag Moguzot stretched out in splendid view, its elevated vantage offering a panorama of vibrant red and purple vegetation. Vessels darted across the sky, while countless beings bustled below, their movements reminiscent of tiny ants.