In the dimly lit room, Jade stood as the sparse rays of light gradually illuminated her form, sweat dripping from her brows. Two weeks had elapsed since her arrival with Ashaiki Tonistone.
The initial worry she had for her family and friends quickly dissipated as the relentless challenges thrown her way since day one pushed her to the brink. From grueling physical exercises to simulated battle tests, each day was a test of her ttle.
Although the rationale behind this rigorous regin remained unclear to her, the thought of reaching her breaking point brought her back to that fateful night and Ty's promise of his return.
The undying hope of reuniting on that promised day continued to fuel her resolve, propelling her forward through the relentless grind.
Briefly, the light flickered on, revealing four figures standing in different directions around Jade before plunging back into darkness. As they lunged at her, each wielding mock swords, Jade instinctively stepped back.
The synchronized swing of the four blades ca at her at once. Swiftly, she dropped to her knee, narrowly evading the incoming strikes. Seizing the mont, she propelled herself upwards, catching the end of one blade, and leaping over the figure that was just behind her. With a swift palm strike to his back, she sent him stumbling off balance, montarily gaining the upper hand.
Soon after, two of the figures dashed forward, one a step behind the other, planning a synchronized attack– one going low and the other high.
Taking a defensive stance, Jade swiftly lifted her leg before slamming her foot down as the sword dove in, taking a strong strike to the side of her head, which caused blood to start trickling down because of the blow.
As the first assailant lunged low, aiming for her legs, Jade's instincts took over. "CLIINNNGGG"
With a swift, precise movent, she swept her leg up, deflecting the blade away, the clash of tal resonating in the dimly lit room.
However, before she could recover from the first attack, the second figure swung high, aiming right for her head. "Thwack!"
The blade made contact, sending a sharp sting through her temple, montarily blurring her vision.
Ignoring the throbbing pain in her temples, she seized the opportunity.
Her fingers tightly gripped the recoiling blade, wrenching it away right from the assailant's grasp. In one fluid motion, her leg swirled low, striking the legs of the first figure, unbalancing him. Without pausing for a mont, her other leg swung around in a side-hilt kick, landing squarely on the chest of the second figure with a loud thump.
The impact sent the two figures tumbling back before they crashed onto the floor, followed by a loud thud that echoed through the silence.
After crashing, they lay motionless, their breaths hushed. anwhile, Jade steadied herself, her chest undulating with each controlled breath, the sweat on her forehead mingling along with the small trail of blood that trickled down her face. The rough blade was still clutched in her hand and she could feel the cool draft of the room whisking over her.
At the sa ti, the two remaining figures exchanged a glance before one of them handed over his mock blade to his companion while slowly retreating as he dragged the unconscious figures away from the battleground. A mont of silence passed in the room and the lights flickered back to life, resuming to reveal the lone figure that was now wielding two mock blades. The glow of his bright blue eyes pierced through the slits of his black plaid mask, adding a nacing aura to the standoff.
With a sudden burst of motion, he lunged at Jade, the blade in his hands slashing through the air.
"SWISSHHH"
Jade nimbly stepped back, evading the sharp swoosh of the blades that cut through the silence.
As if anticipating her move, the figure dropped the handle of his blade before fully extending it and perford a strong palm strike to the bottom of its hilt, propelling the blade forward akin to a spear being thrown. The blade that was now a projectile struck Jade right in the middle of the head, causing her senses to falter as a stream of green light lit up around the figure's feet before he blinked away, leaving Jade to mutter with an irritated look on her face, "shit."
Trying to regain her composure while the blood continued to slowly trickle down her head, Jade planted both of her feet into the white polished ground, performing a one-motion turn and throwing both her hands up as the mock blade descended on her. She tried to catch it, but it blinked away, finding its mark on Jade's side, throwing her to the side as she skidded a few inches, tumbling to the ground.
Quickly regaining her footing, Jade noticed that the figure had dropped the blade to his side with its tip touching the ground, ready for another clash at any mont. Suddenly, a bright green light flickered before a booming voice echoed through the speakers surrounding the encased, polished white room. "That's enough, call it a day, Jade."
As she succumbed to exhaustion and dropped to a knee, cursing out, "I just can't keep up with this, ugh." She threw her head back in frustration as the masked figure approached her. The figure removed his mask, revealing a Matured face with white hair and bright blue eyes. Extending a hand towards Jade, he spoke kindly, "Hey, you've only been here for a short while, and you've already begun to grow way stronger than so of the people here." "Rember, the path you've started on is a marathon that could span generations." He emphasized.
"You're doing just fine," he assured, his black robes fluttering lightly as the doors opened, letting in a light breeze of fresh air from outside the training room.
Throwing a hand over her head, Jade bluntly stated, "I guess, but I have to get stronger."
"Thank you for the lessons, Master Gojaro. You'll have to teach how to do that fast movent where you seem to blink away," Jade said, giving a slight chuckle.
"I've told you this a couple of tis by now, I can't explain it very well. I just do it naturally; you'll have to find your own talent eventually."
"Hopefully, with enough hard work, it will surface and show. Just keep working hard, okay?"
Before grabbing a bottle of water and walking off, he stated, "Training resus at 6:00 a.m." "So get so sleep and study up on your fighting styles."
Jade gave a slight bow, the heavy gear she was wearing forced her sweat to co more often, as she muttered to herself before taking a deep breath, "I'm ready for a shower."
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