A week had passed since Moxie had fought his way through the Forest of the Dead, and the journey since then had been grueling. His body, though strong and resilient, was beginning to falter under the strain of hunger. He hadn’t eaten in months, pushing himself beyond human limits with the power of Patience. But even that had its bounds.

Moxie found himself at the base of the High Cliffs, towering stone formations that rose high into the clouds, their jagged edges cutting into the sky like the teeth of a great beast. The climb would be treacherous, but he had no choice. At the top, he would find Liza—his cousin, his last hope.

Liza was more than just family. She was a warrior in her own right, trained in the ancient ways and skilled in the arts of both combat and survival. Unlike Moxie, who had embraced the cosmic battle against the gods and sins, Liza had chosen a quieter life, mastering the old skills in solitude. But Moxie knew that with her help, he could prepare for what was to come. The final confrontation was drawing near, and he needed every advantage he could get.

With determination in his heart, Moxie began the arduous climb. His fingers found purchase on the rough stone, and his muscles strained as he pulled himself up, inch by inch. The wind whipped around him, cold and unforgiving, but he pressed on. The weight of his exhaustion bore down on him, but the thought of seeing Liza again kept him moving.

Hours passed as Moxie ascended the cliffs, his mind focused solely on the task at hand. The sheer height of the cliffs was daunting, but he never wavered. He had faced worse than this—far worse. And yet, the thought of his cousin waiting for him at the top gave him a sense of urgency he hadn’t felt before. He had to make it. He had to survive.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Moxie reached the summit. He pulled himself up over the edge, collapsing onto the cold, flat stone. For a moment, he simply lay there, gasping for breath, his body trembling from the effort. But there was no time to rest. He had to find Liza.

Moxie forced himself to his feet, his legs unsteady beneath him. The wind howled around him, but he could see a small cabin in the distance, nestled among the rocks at the highest point of the cliffs. That had to be her.

With renewed determination, Moxie made his way toward the cabin. Each step was a struggle, but he pressed on, his mind focused on one thing: survival. He was close now—so close.

As he approached the cabin, the door opened, and a figure stepped out into the cold air. It was Liza. She was tall and strong, with long, dark hair that flowed in the wind and eyes that gleamed with intelligence and warmth. She had always been the calm, steady presence in Moxie’s life, and seeing her now filled him with a sense of relief he hadn’t felt in months.

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“Moxie,” Liza said, her voice carrying over the wind. “You look like hell.”

Moxie managed a weak smile. “You should see the other guy.”

Liza shook her head, a mixture of concern and amusement in her eyes. “Come inside. You look like you could use a good meal.”

Moxie followed her into the cabin, the warmth inside a stark contrast to the cold outside. The interior was simple but comfortable, with a fire crackling in the hearth and the smell of cooking filling the air. Moxie’s stomach growled at the scent, a reminder of just how long it had been since he’d eaten.

Liza set a plate of food in front of him, and Moxie dug in without hesitation. The food was simple—bread, meat, and vegetables—but to him, it was a feast. He ate in silence, too hungry to speak, while Liza watched him with a thoughtful expression.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” Liza said once Moxie had finished eating. “I can see it in your eyes. Whatever it is you’re preparing for, it’s taking a toll on you.”

Moxie nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “I don’t have a choice. The gods, the sins… they’re out there, Liza. And they’re not going to stop until they’ve destroyed everything. I have to be ready.”

Liza leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “You always were stubborn. But you’re right. You need to be prepared. And that’s why you came to me, isn’t it?”

Moxie met her gaze, his eyes filled with a mix of desperation and determination. “I need your help, Liza. I can’t do this alone.”

Liza studied him for a moment before nodding. “Alright, Moxie. I’ll help you. But you have to promise me something.”

“Anything,” Moxie said.

“Promise me that when this is all over, you’ll come back here. No more chasing after gods or fighting cosmic battles. Just… come home.”

Moxie looked down at his hands, the weight of her words heavy on his heart. “I promise.”

Liza smiled, a small, sad smile. “Good. Now let’s get to work.”

For the next several days, Moxie and Liza trained together on the cliffs. She taught him techniques from the old ways, skills that had been passed down through generations. Moxie learned quickly, his body and mind absorbing everything she taught him. With each passing day, he grew stronger, more focused, more prepared for what was to come.

As the week drew to a close, Moxie stood at the edge of the cliffs, looking out over the vast landscape below. The journey ahead was still long, and the battles he would face would be unlike anything he had encountered before. But with Liza’s help, he felt ready.

Liza joined him at the edge, her presence a comforting one. “Are you ready, Moxie?” she asked.

Moxie nodded, his expression resolute. “I am.”

“Then go,” Liza said softly. “And remember your promise.”

Moxie turned to her, a faint smile on his lips. “I won’t forget. Thank you, Liza. For everything.”

With those words, Moxie began his descent down the cliffs, his heart lighter than it had been in months. He had a long journey ahead of him, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he could face it.

As he left the High Cliffs behind, Moxie knew that the next time he returned, it would be as a different person. He would face the gods and sins with everything he had, and with Liza’s training and the power of Patience, he would be ready for the final battle.