"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."

An ocean of lush green grass spread out before him, moving along in varying waves, dipping and rising like an actual moving body of water. Large shrubs and the occasional tree dotted the landscape, complimenting the vast field perfectly. A bit off in the distance, slightly to the side, one could see a glistening, translucent lake, one that Jak found almost irresistible. Surrounding the lake, a herd of deer meandered about, munching on the grass and drinking from the clear and pristine liquid the body of water offered to them. Situated near the lake, a small house could be seen, untrimmed weeds and some mold growing up along the base of it.

Inhaling the air, Jak could taste the familiar air, causing memories long forgotten to come rushing back.

Home meals made by his father out of rabbit and deer, training outdoors with his mother, long walks along the field, and bathing in the nearby lake. So many heartwarming remnants of the past flooded the confines of his head, causing a lump in his throat as he once again started walking, making his way towards the house in the distance.

"It....really is good.....to be home," Jak said softly, struggling to keep himself in one piece. "I...really did miss this...place."

It took him thirty minutes to reach the small building, but only because he had to slow down a few times to gather himself together. Having been focused wholeheartedly on achieving his goal, Jak hadn't had any time to think of the past. Now that he was at the spot he had been born and raised, he found that he could no longer hold back all his feelings, the intensity of which hit him like a crushing tidal wave.

The house was in obvious disuse, which was evident by the dirty windows and unkempt weeds growing around the base of it. However, even with its lack of visual appeal, Jak still found it to be a charming little abode, having no hesitation on entering in from the front door. The cobwebs didn't bother him, nor did the vast number of tiny arachnids that deiced to attach themselves to his face and chest, he was far too lost in thought to concern himself with anything.

The inside of the house wasnt any better then the outer region. Dust covered the floor, counters, and tables, some dust even lingering in the air from when Jak had initially walked in. The inside was slightly moldy due to the lack of sunlight able to get in, the dirty window allowing little to no light to pass through. Webs were strewn all about, insects and even a small, white, War Bear now using the front room as their living space.

"Ehuh!!" Jak let out a small cough as some of the dust flew into his lungs, the loud noise startling the baby bear. The redhead quickly backed out of the room, sticking his head back into the fresh morning air yet again. "Guess I actually have to clean it before anything else."

"ROOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHRRRR!!!"

Before Jak could even react to the roar right next to his ear, a large white paw slammed into his side, sending him rocketing away. The amount of force put behind a single swipe was astounding and, had Jak not been capable of taking a hit, he would have no doubt been seriously injured. The one hit had knocked him the length the full half of a football field, showcasing just how much power his aggressor possessed.

(("Owwww!!!! What the heck was that?")) Jak complained as he immediately sat up. (("That felt like one of Hadoks punches. Damn!!!!"))

"ROOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHRRRR!!!"

The loud roar sounded out again, this time much farther away but getting closer. Now that Jak was aware of it though, he managed to get a glimpse of who had exactly had struck him. Red eyes flicked towards the source of the roar, and his eyes widened, something long forgotten clicking in his head.

He was in War Bear territory.

Standing a few dozen feet away from him, a large female bear the size of a fully grown adult horse bared her fangs, snow white fur glistening in the morning sun. Muscles ripples beneath the thick, fluffy tufts of fur she wore as she wandered back and forth in front of Jak, unwilling to be the first to attack. Sea blue eyes, the same color as Mako's locked onto Jak, completely unwavering.

A War Bear. A species of bear regarded as the most powerful and most aggressive species of bear throughout the four continents. Extremely territorial, the bears were said to attack anyone who so much as even breathed on their terrain, showing no mercy to their enemies. With large paws, sharp claws and fangs, the strength of a C- rank adventurer, and the ability to use magic, they were a threat to be reckoned with. And Jak had wandered right into the path of a mother and its cub.

"You know Geona, that's not very nice of you," Jak said firmly as he rose up from the ground. "Even after all these years, you should still be able to recognize me. Or are you already so old you forgot?"

"ROOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHRRRR!!!" The bear responded, unwilling to listen to anything Jak had to say. Instead waiting for the redhead to make the first move, the snow white War Bear charged forward, rapidly closing the distance.

The youthful redhead didnt react at first as he dusted himself off, allowing the WarBear to close the gap. Then, right before she prepared to hit him, he gave her a warm smile.

"Would you like to go hunting together Geona?" Jak asked sweetly, flashing a row of white teeth.

As if on cue, the descending paw froze midway, stopping before it could make contact with the boys head. Hesitation could be seen on Geona's furry face as she looked at Jaks face, blue hues locking on Jaks crimson ones.

Geona was a bear that Jaks family had taken in before the redhead had even been born, back when the female bear was just a cub. Every single sunrise, Jaks dad, Hugo Yanda, would ask the bear the exact same question, prompting her to go and hunt something with him. After Jak had gotten old enough, he had taken up the mantle and went hunting with Geona. By repeating what he always said, he had hoped to jog some of the girls old memories and reinstate himself as a part of her, despite not being in her life for three whole years.

To his surprise, it had actually worked as, instead of hitting him,he recieved a gentle paw to the head, the heavy hand resting on the youths fluffy red hair. The earlier growl slowly morphed into a purr as the large bear recognized the youth from all those years ago.

//Wanna help me write multiple chaps a day? Join my Pátreon and help me out

https://www.patreon.com/ShadowDrev