The Day of an Apprentice | YPA Log 4

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Prior Log | YPA Log 3

 

Jotohei Masamune Fumi began plans for an upcoming camping trip, a friends coming of age meant as something that'd last for quite a long time as a series of trials are undertaken, the friend group as a whole attending. Before that, though, there was a rule. The only things to be brought are the clothes on your back and a blade you've made yourself. Her work as a blacksmith came in handy and with words that only came from her years of experience, she'd manage to explain the process of blacksmithing and show the others the concept, so they'd at the least have a rudimentary blade. Complaints were made by the neighbors as the teens gathered and planned and after speaking with their superiors, they'd set off the next day.

The first night was cold, bitter as the group struggled with the basic necessities of life. Finding a place to set up, where the rain wouldn't flood the ground and where they could overlook any animals coming their way, turned into setting up a crude shelter and only grew from there. The struggle soon turned into something fun, the group finding something during that year spent out.

A bond, furthering past that of friendship and evolving into that of brotherhood.

The collecting of fruits spurred on talks of a future farmhouse, the finding of animals bringing mention of training their Shibas to sniff out drugs upon their return to the nation and the creation of tools from the most basic of things helping to better the very foundation their knowledge was based from. Laughter came as some get jump-scared by a falling coconut and wonder abound as a Turtle stood close by a newly hatched egg.

And as the group eventually returned, a casual confidence is taken up, the group and Masamune Fumi herself sure of her steps and movements. Soon after their return, the trainings of the YPA seemed to ramp up. With more and more at the age of law and needing to commit to three years of service, she'd find her friends alongside her, clad in gear and marching along the road until they'd be briefed in the newly created training area.

Looming walls met with the neighing of Horses as the clack of hooves sound as they're brought into the newly constructed stables. The military was seemingly undergoing an upgrade and more then ever, if she were to earn her place, let alone keep it she'd need to work harder then before. Ballista training bled into siege training, and soon she was learning to draw a bow at a moving target in the wheat fields below.

How cruel the thought would be, at how the trainings began in true and the practice turned into reality.

A thundering roar, bellowing out from the back of the city, the creature unknown in origin. Orders sent out and a group of the YPA, her included, marching out on a scouting mission to seek its source. As near silent footsteps came to a jarring stop, the group would crouch behind the stone boulders, though they were soon seen.

A creature, large and frightening, with a tail akin to that of a swinging mace and seemingly made of ice, fur and flesh. An Ice Creature of gigantic proportions running at them, past bellowing roars and rattling the ground as the scouting group bolted for the city, shouts to ring the bell and to arm the ballista's soon reaching the citizenry and military alike.

The air turned to ice, breaths frosty and fogging out in front of them as they'd reach and man the walls. Arrows fired and nay striking the target as intended, ballista's and arrows are lit aflame via molotov as they'd come at the creature rapid-fire, one after another in an onslaught of firepower.

At first, it was the five, the scouting group just barely awake themselves before the roaring began. Jotohei Masamune Fumi leading the siege against the Ice Creature as requested but soon, more and more joined them. Citizens and soldiers alike banding together to take down the creature that dared threaten their prosperous home. With a bolt landing to blind one of its eyes and its fur and flesh scorched with flames, it'd finally flee, joy overcoming those there after their long battle and celebration would take place.

Seventeen and enjoying the taste of aged plum wine with her friends in the teahouse, she'd slump back, exhaustion clear to her face though joy clear in her tone.

Alas, this wasn't the end to what was to come, as the increased trainings weren't for the Ice Creature; but for the assistance offered to Luciensberg as they'd prepare a siege against the Ratiki who'd taken over their neighbors home.

A drink is enjoyed after a battle hard won and the next battle prepared for in turn.

Would a time come for the Apprentice to rest or would it only continue to build? Leaving her but a choice as she comes to a careening precipice: Rise or Fall.