NameLess

Geona

"Looks like I'm almost there," Jak said to himself, stopping briefly to look around at his current surroundings. "Should be just another mile out. Haven't been home in ages. Nearly forgot where to go."

Shouldering his way through the dense foliage, the young redhead continued onwards, pushing his way through the forest at a calm pace. The various branches and vines tugged at his dark clothing, threatening to rip them and hinder his progress, to halt his movements entirely. Of course, Jak never once stopped moving, carrying on with his journey as if nothing had happened or would ever happen. Having trekked nonstop for three days, it would take a lot more then a few measly disturbances to prevent him from reaching his destination.

"I wonder how Mako's doing." The youth grinned as he pushed a thick branch away with the back of his arm. "Knowing him though, I bet he wasted no time, diving into a Rift the moment he was prepared."

A little over two weeks had passed since Jak's attempt at becoming an Elemental Rookie, an adventurer who joined the ranks below the age of 13, and within that time, a lot had happened. So many events had transpired in the course of a week that it was difficult for Jak to keep track of it all.

Mako had taken his Trials, passing the first two assessments with flying colors before ultimately passing the third as well, but with the regular examiner as opposed to the temp Jak had fought. After that had come a celebration held by Hadok and his fellow guild mates, something that had originally been meant for both Mako AND Jak. A massive party was held within Hadok's Guild Hall, one that went on for over two days, involving drinking, singing, and toasting to Mako's success. It was a pleasant chaos that only ended when everyone had had their fill of beer and opted to head on home. Though it left a bitter feeling in Jaks mouth, he still felt happy for his friends overall success.

What followed up that event, Jak wished he could forget entirely.

As punishment for breaking the interior of Hadok's manor and giving his front lawn an unplanned renovation, the two boys were subjected to a whole week worth of brutal training.

10 mile runs every 3 hours. Sparring sessions with half a ton of weights strapped to their bodies. Hand to hand combat drills which was essentially just Hadok beating them to a bloody pulp every time they got something wrong. Studying and learning during runs which would they would be quizzed on at the end of the day.

They trained and trained, coughed up blood and then trained some more. For an entire week, they continued to train under Hadoks iron fist workouts. Though it wasnt anything particularly new to either of them, it was still an agonizing seven days, of which forced the two kids to give it their all. Hardly eating or sleeping, the youths quickly realized their own limits before Hadok knocked them over it.

After it was all said and done, Jak and Mako spent the 3 days after that relaxing and getting their bearings. Mako took the time to prepare himself, gathering the necessary items he would need when he went into the Rifts. Jak helped him out, at least until the fourth day, when he finally decided that he would start the long trek home, his home that lay far on the outskirts of Arioa. Though Mako had offered to go with him, he had quickly declined, stating to the blue haired youth that it was something he needed to take care of alone.

After packing some of his own necessary essentials, the young redhead had set out, heading west of the city, utilizing his own mental map, however underused it might've been. Three days passed quickly for him, and it didnt take long for him to near the area where he was currently positioned, about half a mile out from the home he had grown up in.

"It really has been quite a long time," Jak muttered as he stepped past another tree and completely out of the forest he had been in. Taking in a deep breath, the adolescent stopped in his tracks, crimson hues admiring the scene before him. "To think that I haven't seen this gorgeous view in 3 whole years."