I remember something when I was younger. My father, a merchant, had left me and my mother. I was only six years old, then, barely able to understand the fundamentals of life and love. Mother kept telling me that even the strongest love between two people can rot. That's how it was for both of my parents. Those six years spent of sharing passion and loyalty disintegrated to nothing.

After father leaving us, Mother promised me that once we gained a few platinum of gold coins, she would train herself to become a professional elementalist, a guard for the army to protect our little village, on the outskirts of the emperor's palace, from the afflicted creatures. Sadly, she was unable to fulfill her promise. At the age of thirty-six, my mother was diagnosed with leukimia and died.

Since my mother's death I did not have a place to stay. I was thirteen by this time, living on my own. My only motivation was the promise my mother had tried to keep. At fourteen I found a cheap apprentice job to become a ranger.

A ranger. Not the best of professions, but it was all I could afford with a couple platinum.

Four years have passed, now. I am 18 years old, a legal adult, and have just been promoted to rank three Ranger. Lately the afflicted have been infiltrating the village. Children were swarmed by the miasma, transforming into the ugliest critters. Even the most advanced and experienced professions succumbed into the vile gas, their own strength of good turning against themselves.

The emperor of the land we walk on declared that all finish apprenticeships should be written on record to later be called on for battle since his army was weakened by the great numbers of the afflicted. Aren't I the lucky one to be chosen?

Here I am, no, my last day as an apprentice. I graduate in the morning. I won't have a proper graduation ceremony due to the hurridness of needing more fighters to defend our homes.

Tomorrow is where my journey begins....

"Calysto? Calysto, wake up, darnit!"
Oh great.. please go away..

"Calysto!? What did I tell you? Get your lazy butt up now!"

My name is Calysto Oakwood. I am 18-years-old, and today is my graduation from apprenticeship.

Name: Calysto Oakwood
Age: 18
Height: 66 in
Weight: 120 lbs
Eye color: Green
Hair color: Dark Brown
Skin tone: Tan
Profession: Ranger
Registered weapon: Ironwing Longbow
Registered pet: [none]
Specialty: Barrage-trapper

"Here, this is your transcript that you need to show to your lead officer. Don't forget, Calysto-... Calysto!? Darnit!"

I felt the vibration of my teacher's fist pounding on the table. Instantly I awoke from the feel of my heart beating rapidly. It took me awhile to realize where I was at. In front of me was my bowl of porridge with two pieces of toast, and an apple slice. Beyond my food was my teacher frowning.

His silver hair was tied back to hold the strands from falling in front of his face. The expression he bored was stern, almost father like, as he held up my transcript with my physical information printed in neat columns. "Calysto," Teacher began to speak, "you need to pay attention. You know you can't fall asleep on the job."

--My head nodded slowly to his words. I was still groggy since he first woke me up. I still can't remember how I ended up in front of the kitche table, eating porridge.--

Teacher stood up and knelt down beside me, placing his hand on top of mine. His golden eyes gazed into mine. For a minute I thought he was proposing to me. "I know that these are difficult times," he began, but I couldn't help to cut him off anyways.

"Look, teacher, I'm 18, and you are---, what? A million years old? Wouldn't you think the age difference is off.. by a lot?"
After I spoke I knew I had said something completely off topic, and so I felt my cheeks burn. I knew my face was flushing into a deep crimson color.

Teacher cleared his throat and spoke up, "That.. wasn't where I was going." He paused. "We've been together for four years. I've seen you change from a homeless little girl to an independent woman. Although both of your parents are no longer with you, you managed to keep yourself together. You are woman."

"What hurts me, though," Teacher continued, "is that I must send my most skilled student away to fight. Cal, sweetheart, you are not just any student of mine; you are like a daughter. You've brought so much change into my life, and I regreat you ever knowing of what you will be entering."

By this point I knew I was in for a treat. I gently grabbed onto Teacher's hand, urging him to continue.

"Come with me," he whispered. "I may not be able to give you a proper ceremony, but I have a gift for you." Teacher hoisted himself up. I followed him to the front door while straigtening out my feather pink Druid's armor. Teacher opened the door, beckoning for me to exit before him like a gentleman. At first I squinted my eyes, trying to block out the sun. Teacher closed the door behind himself, and lead me behind his shabby cabin.

I took in a deep breath of the fresh open air admiring the beautiful landscape scenery. I knew that this would be my last few moments before I head out towards the military, forever leaving protective care. I followed Teacher's footsteps around the cabin, and found him struggling with a thick leather rope.

"What are you doing?" I bluntly asked until the view of a marvelous black moa bird, the rarest of its kind, squawked at its bindings. Teacher looked up at me with a constipated expression on his face, his hands still struggling to untie the leather rope. " For two years I saved up to buy you this bird. I knew you would prove me well, Cal. You're the best student I've ever trained. This bird," he grunted, "is a token of thanks."

I barely took in what Teacher was saying. This black moa bird was the envy of all birds, animals, and humans alike. I stood, transfixed, mouth agaped, the bird fearlessly, heroically, staring down at me. A spark struck our spirits, combining them as one, and I felt a serious, unbreakable bond with this bird.

Teacher's words were slowly starting to sink in: "...and I just really want you to have him. he is a beauty--"

"Thank you," I managed to spitter out. Tears were slowly forming in my tear ducts. "Thank you for all that you've done for me." Before I knew it my body jerked forward and I was embraced in the warmest hug.

"My daughter...," Teacher began, but quickly shut his mouth. He allowed the four years of memories between us spread like a protective shield; a loving bond we've never seen tying us forever together. For once, after twelve years, I felt like I've found a true father, and I felt like I've found a meaning, my own purpose, to fulfill.