Citizen 156 Fearghal

Sunny weather,  a bright blue sky and small breeze fell upon Fearghal. It is a wonderful day to try to succeed the coming of age ceremony.

Normally a lot of Rexals would pick diving down into the Posian trench out of the multiple possibilities for their ceremony, since overcoming such a scary task is something they can brag about afterwards.

Fearghal had no need for something like that. He's more than happy delivering an offering to the Ancients. As long as he'd do his best and make an effort during the ceremony he'd be okay. There was not a lot of pressure for him, since he could always retake the ceremony if needed!

But since he woke up quite well rested, with a smile and covered in the warm rays of the sun he had more than enough reason to believe that today will go very well.

Now he just needs to finish his breakfast, head to the meeting spot, register that he is in fact present for the ceremony and go off to hunt something big!

Satisfied he gulps down the well balanced breakfast that he wanted for today. It's always good to be prepared and take care of yourself before a large task.

Hunting might sounds simple but it's not. Especially not with how he does it. Laying still for minutes, sometimes hours. Moving as slow as possible to not disturb anything and scare away the prey. Stalking and ambushing is his preferred way of hunting.

Others might like te chase more, but he had been content with hunting from the water since the beginning. While you might think that due to his hunting preferance he would not like running, but nothing is more true! He does love it, just not for miles and miles after way too fast prey!

Happily he starts powerwalking out into nature. Having been overly excited for today and trying to keep his calm. But as expected he was a bit too early due to his quick footwork.

"Goodmorning, i'm here to take on the hunting coming of age ceremony!" his voice full of excitement, he says to the examinor and elder that's already there, waiting for other Rexals that will partake in the ceremony. "Good morning to you too. Welcome, and what is your name?" He exclaims "Oh my apologies, It's Fearghal"

The elder takes a note, putting a green checkmark behind his name on a long list of candidates. "Great! I've written it down! Feel free to start hunting now. We've made sure this area is full of suitable prey. Be sure to be back before midnight and come back to me to confirm the kill. And most of all; good luck!"

Fearghal thanks the elder thoroughly before heading off to a spot that he had picked out in advance. A week before the ceremony starts the elders make sure to inform the candidates as to where the ceremony will take place. Just in case they want to get somewhat familiar with the area as to not get lost or help them while hunting. Since this is an important feature as well, they allow scouting it out beforehand.

A few twist and turns through the woods and a small river appears. Fearghal runs towards it and plunges down into the water. It's clear and warm. The sun is hot enough to warm the water to a point that it's comfortable. Fearghal had practice holding his breath as well as using his magic to be able to breath under water. And if he really had to come up for a breath of fresh air he could do so if he was strategic enough.

Floating on the surface of the water he takes off, following the flow of the river, barely having to do anything as he just lets the water take him where he needs to go. He knows that this river ends in a nice big lake that is attached to some grasslands. The perfect spot for animals to drink! Not being in the forest is a huge advantage to herbivores, as that makes it harder for predators to sneak close enough unnoticed. However. That is not the case for aquatic animals! He'd seen crocodiles do it before. Slowly walking on the bottom of the lake towards the drinking animals. And even tho you can't really see what's happening above the water, you can guess where their body is if you look at the shadows, where they are drinking from and how they're positioned!

Before going to the shallow waters he waits patiently for some animals to show up.

There's a lot of deer that like to hang out there. And it takes quite a while before something bigger shows up. Not that he minds! It's such lovely weather! And he's far anough away to bask in the sun while floating. Letting the top part of his body above the water.

Then, a lone boar shows up. It has big tusks and is sure to be a male with how raggety and bulky it looks. "Perfect!" he thinks to himself. Slowly he submerges himself into the deeper water. It's a lot colder down there. Lots of fish start swimming away from him as soon as he takes on a more active position.

Slowly he creeps closer, minimalizing his movements every step he takes. Trying to propel himself forwards with as little disturbance as possible.

Thankfully the deer had been standing in the shallow parts, making the normally clear water cloudy and difficult to look at from outside of it.

But unlike deer boars are a bit less of a fan of having wet feet. It's barely dipping his front hooves in the water and sand. "Ohno, how am i going to ambush it if i cannot get close enough?" Fearghal starts to worry a bit, not having anticipated that the animal would not come into the water except for maybe a snout and the tips of their front feet.

"Okay i just have to give it time and strike at the right moment."

He waits patiently, having crept up so close that he could literally nuzzle the boar. But his tusks are in the way. He's right in front of it and cannot attack at an angle unless the boar decides to step sidewards.

A bubbly escapes from Fearghal's mouth and the boar notices it, pulling his snout out of the water to inspect it and take a good look.

"Shoot!" As quickly as he can Fearghal uses his magic, camouflaging himself to be less visible, merging more with the sandy color the water had taken on.

The seconds feel way too long. Did he mess up his chance?

Suddenly the boar hears something from the edge of the forest that borders the grasslands. And with it's hightened sensitivity it turns his head and Fearghal seized the oppertunity without losing even a split second. His hind legs and tail propelling him forward. His front claws opening facing forwards and with his maw open wide he goes for the side of the throat.

The boar tries to jump into action, but with it being distracted by the noise and facing away Fearghal latches onto it's neck. One claw holding on to one of the tusks, the other trying to push the boar on it's side. It struggles, and boars are strong! It braces itself and stands it's ground. While Fearghal might have his teeth in it's neck, it has yet to collapse and give up.

With wet and somewhat slippery feet Fearghal digs into the sandy ground, trying to gain leverage over the boar. And that is just enough weight and strenght to make the boar collapse, giving him the oppertunity to seal the deal.

He had done it succesfully!  One of his first big hunts!

Exhausted and sweaty he drags the boar into the water. Carrying it up through the water is easier than dragging it along while walking.

Ready to confirm his kill and have it delivered to an ancient by the elder he arrives back at the initial meeting place.

With a big bright smile he drops his prey. "I've done it! I managed to get a boar!"

The elder applauds and congratulates him on having done a wonderful job. And after receiving his certificate he goes home feeling even better than when he woke up!

Ready to take the rest of the day off, relax and enjoy the weather.

Author: Chrysokami