Articius stood at the cliff's edge, anticipation pounding in his heart. Sensei Cliff, determined and weathered, stood beside him. The winds whipped through their hair, mingling with the crashing waves. With a nod from Cliff, Articius readied himself for what lay ahead.
In a swift motion, Cliff delivered a powerful kick, propelling Articius through the air. Adrenaline surged as the young warrior soared, plunging into the icy embrace of the sea below.
Emerging from the water, gasping for breath, Articius found Cliff approaching, his lone arm raised in encouragement.
"Welcome to your four-month training regimen, Articius. We have much work to do," Cliff declared, his voice filled with determination and a tinge of guilt.
A seasoned fighter renowned for his discipline, Cliff carried a burden of remorse. Unable to protect Articius in their previous battle, the weight of that failure haunted him. It fueled his desire to train harder, to become stronger.
