Completed The Wave Guard Initiation

[Ricky Maze]

The Wave Guard Initiation Prologue of The Part of Moving On Fall 80th, 512 AV The day had been started as bland as the rest, as pointless as they seem to come nowadays. Yet today would prove to be a testament to his will, something that he had been preparing for since the day he lost his faithful companion. That was the day Ricky lost himself and had no where to turn, unable to face anyone now he sought for a way to distract himself. There was no other alternative than the initiation into the Wave Guards. The test to swim out to the rock stretched before him now as he wore only his linen pants, his new clothes awaiting for him at home now when he was done with this. However the cerulean uniform rested next to his officer that was overlooking his test, and out in the distance a rowboat with two sailors waited. Perched in their floating tree they were buzzards to Ricky, just waiting to pick his carcass clean should he drown. The officer had a familiar face only too well, one that was there that horrid and gruesome night. What Ricky had done to the bastard was no doubt overstepping a boundary, but killing a man in cold blood changed Ricky's perspective of everything. The world was and is a dark and cruel place, and in it there were few who had the ability to stand and defend it. Ricky was seeking to become one of those few, a defender of peace and hope even if he had nothing left to fight for. His suffering alone was what brought him to this test, as he wished to protect others from suffering the same pain he felt. Ricky would become a guardian and shield the good that was left of the city, even if it would kill him in the end. Death was a way out that rather did sound appealing for this broken fisherman, but it would go against everything his pa had taught him. 'Life is not a simple journey but an grand adventure, so live it while ya can.' Or so his pa had put it. "Are you prepared?" His overseeing officer asked with patience, watching Ricky with a rather bored expression. Ricky took a deep breath and sighed as he looked to the rock, examining the distance with his eyes. From what he could tell it was a credible amount of water to cover, but nothing Ricky couldn't handle now that his hand and other injury had healed, though there were still occasional flares off pain when he would clench his fist. Perhaps more time would have been necessary but Ricky had little patience to wait any longer. His hand had healed more than enough now, if he could use it for this task that's all that mattered. With one more intake of air and a release he eyed his officer, nodding with determination to show that he was now ready to dive in. The officer's expression then changed attentively, no doubt eager to see Ricky pass or fail. "Ready? Very well then, on the count of three. One. Two... Three!" He exclaimed as Ricky ran in for a dive, the small momentum he built gave a slight boost in his start; but the rest was now up to him. As he plunged into the water he pushed his hands outward and in front, helping him propel to the surface in need of air. The sea was cruel to him today for the water was not cool but cold, the icey rush that took over his body as he now shivered. He must have been mad for doing this so late in the season, with Winter drawing nearer the sea itself was already colder then its usual tempature. Ricky already began to heave for air as his lungs contracted, as did the rest of his body, and begged for warmth. He couldn't let this stop him though, not when he had just hit the water at least. To turn back now would be to fail at everything Ricky believed in once more, Ricky could not bear to think of failure once again. He wasn't able to protect his dog in the end, why should he not be able to protect his home. He struggled a bit as he paddled to get his blood pumping, trying to force the jittery cold out of his nerves. He wasn't turning back now, there was no going back for Ricky. Not when he had nothing left. Stroking out his arm with another to follow as he would pull back, he coordinated each twist in his arms to gain a steady motion while kicking his way through. His breathes were heavy and deep and he grimaced at the challenge of holding them in, each chance he had to exchange the supply of the abundant air was met with only a need for more, as his internal organs were slowly beginning to work overtime to generate heat. He was only reaching about halfway now and already he was feeling the exhaustion take over his legs, his mind now fuzzy from the bitter cold that now turned his hands and feet numb. His right hand now acting against him as he felt the stinging flares of pain resonate from all over, coursing to his wrist as his nerves screamed at his mind in agony. He grunted and still forced himself to continue, pushing through each painful stroke involving his right hand. He was surprised the cold didn't numb that as well, or maybe it was becaase his blood was now working to adjust his body tempature. Either way he had crossed the halfway point in his mind, which means he had only a relatively shorter distance to go. This was where it got trickier for him now, as the incoming tides would prove to slow his progress down. Each time he felt the sea pull him back into the city and away from the target he cursed under his heavy breathing, wishing that he would at least catch a break at some point. Yet there was no time for breaks or wishes, not anymore there wasn't. Ricky had spent his life more then long enough waiting for something good to happen, and when he decided to believe in chances just for once it backfired onto the last thing he had. No. If he wanted good things to happen he would have to make them happen, no more waiting or wishing for it. The world doesn't give to those who ask, only those who take what they desire. With this set in his mind the empty shell that had been his heart waited for something, anything to bring life back into his life once more. He would now push harder with less clustered breathes and more solid deep ones, he would overlook the pain in his hand as he would use it as a sign; that he was still alive. Still capable of feeling actual physical pain, where as it would help balance out with the emotional pain he felt. He would struggle agaimst the odds and clutches of failure, he would perservere and conquerer this trial; as he would all others. At last his hand slapped onto a solid rough shape that made his pain unbearably overpowering, snapping his mind back into the real world as the mentality of pushing forward was now swept away with the tides. He almost cried out in from the pain as the balance toppled over the emotion, but only for a few ticks as the sailors cheered him on. He had made it to the rock. It was a physical as well as mental challenge, yet as he now clung to the rock and watched the sailors row to him he shivered. Mostly because he was cold and exhausted, but mainly because he had surpassed a limit he thought he could never do. This time he was the victor and failure had to admit defeat, yet he still did not feel like he suceeded. He felt like he had only taken one step in his life, and as the sailors pulled arrived and pulled him onto the boat he contemplated on what the next step could be. The sailors congratulated and patted his shoulders with wishes that they knew he had it when he was halfway there. Ricky only nodded with a fake smile to hide his occupied mind, the troubled thoughts that clouded his moment of glory. Where as others would silently bask in their triumph Ricky wished for something else, that a companion would still be here to see this. To make this moment feel more real, to make Ricky wish that what was happening could only be a dream. Finally the arrived back to the docks where the officer applauded Ricky, pulling a warm blanket that lay next to the uniform. He handed the blanket and took it to Ricky with ease, wrapping himself in its soft comfort warmth as it carressed his still damp skin. The breeze that hit Zeltivan would have been enough to keep Ricky shivering now, but the blanket proved to be a shield against its soft touch. "Well Mr. Maze you did it at a steady pace, job well done good sir." The officer then handed Ricky the uniform, a badge of honor for the fisherman in this painful endeavor. "You'll find that these will fit you well, we expect you at the office starting tomorrow." He stated to Ricky with a nod, Ricky accepted the uniform and looked at the officer promisingly. "Yes sir." He confirmed to the man as he could feel a small part of him feel better about himself, yet that little was only a fraction compared to the rest of his spirit. 'Odis, if yer watchin me boy...I did it. ' He thought to himself with content, still wishing that things could've been different. At least he now had a new purpose, one that would help set him on the path he sought.

[Arcane]

Rewards and Treasure! Experience Points +3 Swimming Lores Wave Guard Initiation Swimming: Mind Over Matter Comments Hooray we have a new wave guard!