Rebooting the Arena

Chapter 29: Tariq’s Warforged Legion

Tariq had always been the heart of Phoenix Reborn's frontline, the shield that absorbed damage, and the wall that protected his teammates. As the team solidified their faction choices, it was only natural that Tariq aligned himself with the Warforged Legion—a faction known for its unwavering strength, unbreakable defense, and relentless physical power.

The Warforged Legion, born from the remnants of the ancient Solarian Empire, was a faction that embodied honor, discipline, and martial prowess. Players aligned with the Legion were the backbone of any team, standing at the front of the fight, taking hits that would obliterate others, and keeping the enemy at bay with devastating melee attacks and flame-based abilities. It was the perfect choice for Tariq, whose playstyle had always focused on being the unstoppable force between his team and their opponents.

The night Tariq made his decision, he appeared in the team lobby with his avatar donning the heavy armor of the Warforged Legion. The armor was adorned with glowing embers and Solarian sigils, making him look every bit like the powerful tank he was. His massive shield gleamed in the dim light, and his weapon—an enormous battle axe—crackled with fiery energy.

Lena was the first to react, whistling in approval. "Damn, Tariq. That's some serious gear. You look like you're ready to charge through a mountain."

Tariq grinned, flexing his character's armor. "The Warforged Legion doesn't mess around. I've been testing out their abilities, and it's exactly what I needed. I'm going full tank mode now—heavy armor, fire damage, and enough crowd control to keep the entire enemy team off our backs."

Kai nodded, impressed with the new look. "Warforged Legion fits you perfectly, Tariq. You've always been our shield, and now with their bonuses, you'll be even harder to break. Plus, that fire damage gives you some offensive power to keep pressure on the enemy."

Alex chuckled, clearly relieved. "If you're as tough as you look, then I'll have an easier time keeping you healed. The more you can take, the less we have to worry about."

As Tariq prepared for the upcoming scrimmages, he spent time getting used to the new abilities granted by the Warforged Legion. The Legion wasn't just about standing still and taking hits—it was about controlling the battlefield, protecting allies, and using raw strength to turn the tide of battle. Tariq focused on mastering the following core abilities:

Inferno Shield: Tariq's shield became engulfed in flames, burning any enemies that attacked him. This ability allowed him to deal fire damage over time while still tanking incoming attacks.Solar Strike: A devastating melee attack that unleashed a burst of solar energy, dealing massive damage to enemies in front of him and stunning them for a few seconds.Flamebreaker Charge: Tariq could charge forward, slamming into enemies with his shield and igniting them with fire. This ability allowed him to initiate fights, disrupt enemy lines, and knock opponents off balance.Solarian's Blessing: An ultimate ability that surrounded Tariq with a barrier of flame, reducing incoming damage while increasing his team's damage for a short period.

These abilities transformed Tariq into an unbreakable juggernaut, capable of not only soaking up damage but also dealing it out in return. Inferno Shield meant that anyone who attacked him would pay for it, while Solar Strike and Flamebreaker Charge gave him offensive tools to knock down enemies and control the pace of the fight.

The next time Phoenix Reborn faced an opposing team in a scrimmage, Tariq's new power became immediately apparent. The match was set in The Celestial Peaks, a map with narrow walkways and floating platforms. It was the perfect place for Tariq to test out his new Warforged Legion abilities, as the tight spaces forced the enemy to engage him head-on.

"Alright, Tariq," Kai said as they prepared for the match. "You're our frontline as always. But now with your Warforged abilities, you're going to push even harder. Keep their DPS off of Lena and Alex, and when we need to go in, use Flamebreaker Charge to disrupt their formation."

Tariq hefted his massive shield, his voice full of confidence. "Got it. Let's see if they can handle the heat."

The match began, and Phoenix Reborn moved into position. As the enemy team charged forward, Tariq took his place at the front, his Inferno Shield lighting up with fiery energy as the first wave of attacks came his way. Fire damage rippled out from his shield, forcing the enemy DPS to back off or risk getting burned.

"They're attacking me hard," Tariq called out, his voice calm despite the pressure. "But they're paying for every hit."

"Keep holding," Alex said, keeping Tariq healed as he soaked up the damage.

Seeing the enemy tank start to push forward, Tariq made his move. He activated Flamebreaker Charge, slamming into the enemy front line and igniting them with searing flames. The opposing team's formation was instantly disrupted as they were knocked back, and the burning effect forced them to retreat to regroup.

"Now!" Kai shouted. "Move in while they're staggered!"

With the enemy team reeling from Tariq's charge, Lena unleashed her Chain Lightning, hitting multiple targets at once, while Nina and Kai flanked from opposite sides. Tariq kept the pressure on, using Solar Strike to stun the enemy tank and open them up to more attacks.

"They're falling apart!" Lena called out as the enemy team's health bars dropped. "We've got them!"

Tariq activated his ultimate, Solarian's Blessing, surrounding himself with a blazing barrier of flame. The enemy DPS tried to focus him down, but the damage reduction kept him standing strong. At the same time, the barrier boosted his team's damage output, allowing Lena and Nina to finish off the remaining opponents.

Victory.

The match ended with a clean win for Phoenix Reborn, and the team gathered in the lobby afterward, energized by their success.

Tariq let out a satisfied laugh. "That's what I'm talking about! The Warforged Legion is no joke. I was burning them every time they hit me."

Kai grinned, clearly pleased with how the match had gone. "You controlled the whole fight, Tariq. Every time they tried to push, you shut them down. And the damage boost from your ultimate helped us finish them off."

Lena nodded, impressed. "Having you as an unmovable wall up front let me focus on damage without worrying about getting pressured. The fire damage really makes a difference too—it forces them to back off or take a hit."

Alex chimed in, his voice light with relief. "I had an easier time healing you with all that damage reduction. You barely went below half health, even when they focused you."

Nina, always quiet but observant, added, "It was easier to flank with you holding the line. They were too focused on trying to get past you."

Tariq smiled, feeling the full power of his new faction. "That's what I'm here for. Let them try to break through me—I'll be ready."

As the team logged off for the night, Tariq stayed behind for a moment, reflecting on how much his playstyle had evolved since joining the Warforged Legion. He had always been the tank, the protector, but now he was more than that. The Legion's abilities had transformed him into a frontline powerhouse—someone who could both absorb damage and deal it out in equal measure.

In the days that followed, Tariq honed his skills even further. He focused on perfecting his timing—knowing exactly when to use Flamebreaker Charge to disrupt the enemy, and when to activate Solarian's Blessing to protect his team. He learned how to read the flow of the battle, positioning himself in ways that would force the enemy to engage him and take pressure off his teammates.

With every match, Phoenix Reborn became more formidable, and Tariq's role as the unbreakable tank of the Warforged Legion solidified. The team's synergy was growing stronger, and with Tariq at the helm of their defense, they knew they had the strength to face any challenge.

Tariq had become the embodiment of the Warforged Legion—strong, unyielding, and ready to burn down anyone who dared stand against Phoenix Reborn.