Completed Father VS. Son

[Ricky Maze]

Father VS. Son
Summer 39, 513 AV; 6th Bell
Location: Outskirts of Zeltiva

Damn it was warm. Ricky didn't want to do anything but sleep now that he and Burt were here, ready to do the same thing they've practically been doing. Except today is different. It just so happens that Ricky is in fact no learning any lessons today, but reflecting on them and showing their use. From day one he's been learning much, all sorts of nifty techniques to better his skill in the blade. Except now there was no lesson to be had, only a test to see if the student matches the teacher in skill.. or perhaps even surpass him. Ricky drug his wooden longsword over the sand in a drowsy manner as his shield clung to his arm, Burt had to buy a customly requested wooden shield from Laviku's figurehead, although Ricky knew little as to why Burt would do such a thing. Too even the odds perhaps? Not that the odds were already leaning towards either of them, Ricky has after all learned everything from his father. Which meant he could very well counteract each move, and that Ricky would have to be prepared to fight while on edge. Expect the unexpected and take on the unknown with a challenge, or so he figured was the matter before him.

Ricky took a minute to set his things down as Burt did before him, both walked over to the shore where the waves washed over the sand. They both scooped a bit of water into cupped hands, and washed it over their faces so that its cool wet feel would awaken them quicker. "This'll be our last session son, from this day forward you'll do any training on your own. I've much I need to look into before hand." He finished with a wipe over his face to clear off the droplets that remained, and stood back up to return to his equipment.

"What kind o' things?" Ricky probed as he watched over his shoulder, still in the process of fully waking up.

"Things that aren't your concern for right now, ye've got a family t' feed and protect and that should always come first." Burt hid his intention with reasons, just as he always did before. Ricky finally stood up and returned to his equipment, all the why continuing to press the matter.

"I ain't a boy anymore pa, ya can tell me these things ya know."

"Somethings 're better left unsaid until a better time comes son, and believe me Ricky I will tell you everything when that time comes. For now though, ye're to only focus on yer family." He finished with firm look to his son, Ricky's expression remained unchanged. He was conflicted. Unable to tell why Burt kept his secrets, but he avoided further pressing the issue and only listened. If he were to learn of his secrets at a better time, then Ricky would learn them all the same. Both readied their shields and their sword arms and Ricky felt his mind become all the more aware, finally completely awake to start the day with their last session. "Ready."

Burt's call was the sign for get ready, a moment of silence that filled the air just before he gave the next word. In this moment Ricky closed his eyes and took in several quiet but deep breathes, as he mentally prepared himself for what would be a fight. Simply a spar session as it was, this tested Ricky and his abilities. If he proved victorious then he was more than ready to be a guardian to his family, if he failed though then he would simply work harder just to improve. No. Ricky had to see for himself that he was capable, thus he imagined that this spar was a fight for either life or death. As pressurable as it was, he found it all the more easier to focus on the victory. "Begin!" Burt called out finally as the silence broke, Ricky's eyes opened swiftly to see his father charged after him. Sword ready to fall downward from behind, and shield held forward as he ran straight for his son with a semi battle cry. Ricky stood fast unintimidated, sharp eyes fixated on the target before him as he angled his feet to his right. Burt's sword started to come down from overhead as he neared Ricky, as he expected his son to either block or dodge the incoming blow. Ricky however had a different move in mind.

"Steady... Now!" Ricky went into a half tick crouch to kick off his feet, and pushed into a jump over to his left at Burt's side as he quickly landed and threw his arm forward to go into a roll. Burt's blade had missed it's intended target and he seemed caught off by the gambit Ricky pulled, he however had a back up plan that prepared himself for the event Ricky pulled this move. Immediately when Ricky went into his roll Burt spun to where his shield would come first, and Ricky's sword smashed into the wooden plank hard with a loud thunk after the tick it took to regain his sense of direction. "Damn! I see why he got 'em self a shield now, he's goin' all the way t' test me." Burt shoved his shield towards Ricky to redirect the guards blade, his sword fell from above to pull off another downward strike. Ricky used the force in Burt's shield bash to help push him into a backroll, which he then staggered backwards a bit after his feet made contact with the sand. There was a moment where the two stared each other down, eyes sharply focused on one another as they tried to read movements. Burt brought his shield arm up to where he gripped his sword with both hands, and Ricky's eyebrows rose in a quick moment as he knew what to expect. The Lunging Strike.

Ricky braced himself and angled his blade close to where he could flick it outward into a spin attack, and with his heel dug into the sand he timed his maneuver just to where he spun out around with his blade flourished to counter his fathers. Both of their swords rattled hard as the wood clabbered together, enough to where Ricky considerably heard a crack between them. Burt and Ricky's blade ricocheted off one another and caused the two to falter right after, however there was no momemt to pause in their clash, only a follow up of strikes and parries that were executed between the two. Ricky of course couldn't land any blows on his father, and was very close to being "wounded" quite a few times. He refused to let up on the man however, his mindset focused on the struggle to win instead of simply surviving. So far the thought of this battle being life or death has proven to keep him focused and on edge, but he wasn't ready to lose focus now. "Think 'bout Telion. Think 'bout the baby, 'bout Gale,Tallis, and Hannah. Think 'bout all o' them!" Yes he would think about them, he would fight the good fight for them. He would live in the moment where his instincts would finally take over, and he would allow them to control his every move until the fight was over.

Burt's sword came around from Ricky's right and Ricky brought up his shield from the left to block it, a large bang rattled the large round metal plating as it absorbed the incoming blow. Ricky then held spun around with the shield still blocking the sword, his own wooden blade swirred through the air towards his father in a hasty counter attack. Guarded. Burt's shield had done the same thing that Ricky's did, and with a swift reaction to the block Burt brought his blade up to be sent downward into another strike. One that was targeted at Ricky's spine.

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky had been caught off guard. The wooden sword and its path down towards him were all he could process, this was a killing blow if it were to land on the target. He had to react now, before it was too late. "Teh." His concentration remained unbroken, with his shield free and his sword still pressed against Burt's own shield, Ricky had to options. Either block or parry. Both were a move he couldn't think on, he just had to act and go with his choice. "Block!" Ricky faced his left towards Burt more to block the blow as it came down on his own, a lounge clang filled Ricky's ears as the metal met with wood. Ricky then used his shield to bash Burt back and go into his own Lunging Strike, his blow in turn defended with the wooden shield. Ricky retreated a few steps back as Burt swung his sword horzontally, several swings swished through the air as the blade flew before Ricky. He watched closely as Burt went into another swing from his left, and pulled his right arm up with the blade positioned down as to block the strike. Ricky then pulled his body away when the blade made contact, and used his own blade to brandish a parry strike that would cut through Burt's offensive-defensive gambit. As he curved is wooden sword around Burt's he sent it away in the opposite direction of the strike, and sent his blade forward in a jab towards Burts chest. The man merely dodged and used the edge of his shield to brush off the attack, thus Ricky pulled away from Burt as he did the same with Ricky.

Both breathed heavily as their took little time in the manner, each move they made so fiercely concentrated on they nearly forgot to. Their focus was boundless as they psyched one another out, simply walking in the circle as they regained their breath. Both were sweaty already and it was only bound to get worse, the suns rays only finally broke out to start warming up the day. They weren't going to stop. Not yet. "I can win this. I'm no longer the same as I once was." Both brought their blades up in a challenge, preparation in the Lunging Strike made as they looked fiercely into one another. "I'm better!" They charged off at one another, blades in both hands as they raised arms. "I'm faster!" With a jump the two lunged at one another, swords brought down as they were both on the same path. "I'm stronger!" Clash. Both blades met with a harsh rattle that practically shocked Ricky's nerves, were the swords made of metal there would likely be sparks between their blades now. They both pushed as hard as they could, their strength being pitted against one another. Both grinded their blades hard as neither one seem to let up, until Ricky felt himself begin to lose this test of power. His strength was slipping as he felt himself slowly falling back, Burt steadily overtaking Ricky as he pushed forward to break Ricky's defense.

" Barnacle Shyke!" His determination to perservere unwavered, he pushed back even harder than ealier. Sure enough his limits were being tested in this endeavor, as he could feel his arms jitter uncontrollably as the blades continued to remain pressed against one another. Ricky continued to push as hard as he could, until he felt he was evenly balanced against Burt once again. Thus he refused to let up, as his own father continued to try to overtake Ricky, both grunted frequently as they continued this. For what felt like bells on end they struggled to keep this process going, as time seemed to leave the two locked in combat for the remainder of their days. However Ricky wasn't quitting. He was actually the one who started to overpower Burt. He could feel most of his balance being but forward now as Burt worked hard and sweated harder, but still his strength didn't seem enough to even out with Ricky anymore. Until finally Ricky himself managed to shove Burt back, and go into another strike as he continued to fall forward towards his father. Burt had been amazed, surprised even, that his son actually managed to overtake him, but he was quick to fall to his back and go into a roll to pull him on his feet. He was rather lucky he could pull his blade up just in time to stop Ricky's strike down, and once he used his shield to bash Ricky at the torso the guard knew the session took a further serious turn.

Ricky staggered back off guard after the surprise bash his father pulled, and when he regained his footing he took deep breathes while he looked to his father. His eyes stung from the sweat that poured down his face, arms tired and ached for rest as he fought to regain his posture. Burt seemed weary as well, their exertion being tested to the limits in this session, he was determined not to let up until he or Ricky would fall. "Shyke! Still got some fight in me." Burt certainly looked as though he did. In a silently focused expression he allowed the shield to slide off of his arm, so that he may weild his blade with two hands while it rested in the sand. Ricky still huffed and puffed but he knew that Burt was more swifter with just a blade, if he wanted to be able to match Burt then he too would have to lose the shield. Ricky relaxed his left arm and allowed the metal shield to slip off, and then it hit the sand next to him with a thunk. With deep breathes he focused on his father who now held his sword in an offensive stance, and Ricky then took his own wooden sword with both hands and slightly crouched as he braced for the next phase in this fight.

[Ricky Maze]

They both charged at the same time with swords angled behind them, ready to bring the blades around from their right as they came close. Their weapons clanked as the wood resisted the force of their blow, merely brought into another strike from Burt as Ricky readied for a counter attack. Burt's sword came around from Ricky's left and Ricky kept his blade pointed down as he crossed it over to block the attack, the wood made harsh contact as he then rounded his blade upward in a clockwise motion to send Burt's own weapon of course. Ricky then brought his own sword down in an obtuse curve to strike at Burt's shoulder, the blade quick to approach the target as his father reacted to the best of his abilities.

Burt pulled to Ricky's right with a twist to evade the blade and brought his own back around aimed for Ricky's belly. Ricky's sword was brought up slanted to block the blade just in the nick of time, his reflexes driven to keep up with Burt's own as the two worked hard to land an attack on one another. Burt didn't wait to go into a secondary attack though. Immediately he withdrew his blade from Ricky's and went into a flourish that Ricky nearly couldn't avoid as the tip of the wooden sword nearly ran over his chest, Burt then used the momentum of his flourish to go into another attack whilst Ricky aimed to regain his footing. The son saw the blade come from his right horizontally but he had little time to react, the only thing he could do was dunk and send a jab for his fathers chest as the sword whirred above him. Burt used the swing to pull himself away, ready to counter act with a parry of his own should Ricky lunge for him.

Sure enough Ricky did. His blade was pointed up in an arc as he went in for another attack, but found Burt brandished Ricky's sword and only moved out of the way as Ricky nearly tumbled forward from his on momentum. "Petch!" He regained his ground quickly and not a moment too soon, Burt went in for a strike of his own that would be another killing blow in a real fight. Out the corner of his eye Ricky could sre that the man held his sword in midswing ready to cut across Ricky's shoulders. Ricky, just in the nick of time, angled his feet to his left and kicked off hard to evade the attack, a quick turn to face his father whilst he landed a few feet away. Ricky then threw his right shoulder forward to dive out at the ground, and went into a forward roll to make a quick counter attack whilst Burt's side remained open. When Ricky made it to his feet he was sent his sword in for a jab, the momentum of the roll provided enough force to where Burt shouldn't be able to block or parry so easily. Ricky's blade however was only sent off course as Burt flourished his own sword, another snap as the blades clacked against one another so quickly. While Burt spun away to pull back Ricky rotated on his knee to do the same, a quick pull to rush him onto his feet as the sand gave way to his weight.

"Damn. He's impossible t' get through!" He had to admit Burt proved to be a real challenge. Every single time it looked as though he were to land a hit Burt would manage to pull away, it was simply fustrating to keep up these attempts when they seemed to end the same. "Wait!" An idea hit him, one that would be risky but worth it. Ricky would've likely smirked but he was too engaged to do so, seriously focused on this one trick that could end their session. Ricky stood on both feet with his longsword rested at the waist, a hand ready on it as he waited for the right moment to strike. Burt scoffed with intrigue in his expression, sword raised as he charged forward to Ricky without hesitation. "Challenge accepted pa..." Ricky tightened the grip on his hand as Burt closed in on him, his sword finally on its path to descend downward as he neared his son. Ricky dug the heel of his left foot into the sand and rotated counter clockwise while he drew out his blade, thus picked up on a bit of momentum as his sword flung out and rounded to collide into Burt's sword with a harsh force. A loud snap filled the space between them as their gaze locked with surprise in both their eyes, the power behind their attacks to strong for the swords to handle anymore.

Both Ricky and Burt had broken their blades in half as they staggered back, Ricky had to shake his right hand a bit to brush off the pain of the collusion when his sword rattled. He looked to Burt with heavy pants and once eye closed, still drenched and covered in sweat as the humidity continued to rise. Burt took long deep breathes as his chest heaved steadily, his eyes on the fragments of his seperated blade and then Ricky's. The man couldn't help but look to his son then, a smile crept onto his face as he broke into a small laugh. That laugh only continued to grow louder as Ricky crooked his head to the side, but when he looked at the fragments of the broken swords he joined in on the laughing too. Burt's sword had been broken into two pieces, the main blade nearby whilst he still held the handle. Ricky on the other hand had three; the handle with a bit of the blade still on, and two broken pieces of the blade scattered out. Out of all their fighting they failed to think that the wooden swords would snap, and now that they finally did the two were no longer enthralled in their session.

"Looks like you learned well son." Burt finally managed to speak after he regained his breath, Ricky agreed with a nod and hearty grin.

"Had a great teacher." He remarked with a chuckle. The two of them decided that it was time to call their session complete, and picked up their things to head back home and tend to the days task. Although Ricky had not proven victorious over his father as planned, he at least enjoyed the fact he split his sword into; even if his own was broken in the end.

[Abstract]

Grade Awarded!

Ricky

Skills

~ Acrobatics - 1
~ Weapon: Longsword - 3
~ Shield - 3

Lores

~ Fighting your Father

Other

N/A

Notes

Just a comment: at the beginning, at least, your use of past tense... wavered... and so did your grammar. However, it seemed to fix itself up so that worked out... Otherwise, nice thread! I likes Ricky's mentality!