The warmth of the water beckoned, and I decided to push these thoughts aside for a moment. A hot bath was a luxury I hadn't realized I'd missed so much. It was a chance to soothe the aches of battle, both physical and mental.
Submerging myself in the tub, I felt the tension begin to melt away. The heat enveloped me, a stark contrast to the cold, calculated world of the arena. Here, in this moment, I could find a brief respite, a sanctuary before facing the unknown challenges of the final battle.
The hot water enveloped me, its warmth seeping into my weary muscles. Steam rose in gentle swirls, the heat carrying the subtle scent of an unknown, sweet-smelling herb. Each breath felt like a cleanse, expelling the arena's grime and tension from my lungs. After the cold, metallic world of the arena, the bath's softness was almost alien. It was a moment to recharge, to gather my thoughts and prepare mentally for what lay ahead.
As I closed my eyes, letting the wonderful heat further seep into my muscles, my mind drifted. I considered my girlfriend, she loved baths. I had always been a shower guy, who wants to stew in their own filth. The thought of her and I debating shower versus bath and cats versus dogs was pleasant and then sad. I was still considering the memory when Elyria's voice cut through the silence, "You do know it's rude to hog all the hot water, right?"
Startled, I spun around in the tub, instinctively covering myself with my hands. "Elyria! I thought the doors were locked," I stammered, my heart racing from the surprise.
She leaned against the doorframe, a playful smirk on her face. "They are, to most. But mentors have their privileges. We need to talk about the final."
"Can it wait a minute?" I asked, slightly flustered.
"Sure, I'll be waiting," she replied, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary before she turned and left.
Wrapping a towel around my waist, I stepped out of the bathroom to find Elyria casually lounging on my bed. She was a distracting sight, but I knew we had more pressing matters at hand. "Do we know anything about tomorrow's final?" I asked, trying to keep my focus.
Elyria sat up, her expression quickly turning serious. "First of all, we don't know if it's the final tomorrow. It's the beginning of the final stage, but there could be multiple parts."
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I hadn't considered that. "I didn't even think of that. Geez, what could that mean then?" The weight of what lay ahead suddenly felt even heavier.
"It's hard to say," Elyria mused. "They usually aim for 10 rounds in the tournament, and you've done 7 so far. There are a lot of participants left, more than usual. They might come up with a way to cull the numbers down."
"What does that even mean?" The uncertainty was gnawing at me.
"It could be a number of things, but expect it to be in the arena," Elyria explained. "Another zone like the proving stage is possible, but it's expensive and hard to pull off more than once. I wouldn't count on it."
"Okay, so expect something unusual," I said, trying to mentally prepare myself. The unknowns were daunting, so I had to be ready for anything.
Elyria nodded, her gaze meeting mine. "Whatever happens, remember, you're not alone in this. I’m here to help you as much as I can."
The tension in the air seemed to dissipate as Elyria stood up, her movement graceful and deliberate. She stepped closer and without a word, wrapped her arms around me in a hug. It was a simple gesture, yet it carried the weight of our shared experiences and our struggles in this strange, brutal world. I hesitated for a moment before returning the embrace, feeling the warmth of her body against mine.
I lingered in the hug a moment longer than intended. As I held Elyria close, a jolt of something familiar coursed through me. It was like a current of electricity, subtle yet undeniable, stirring a sensation deep within. I could feel my heartbeat quicken, a warmth spreading through my chest.
I gently pulled back, our eyes meeting briefly before I quickly turned away. I sensed she felt it too, that unexpected spark between us, something was there that I was not sure I was comfortable with. My mind considered the possibilities, but I quickly brushed them aside, not ready to delve into any newfound feelings.
Flustered by the intensity of the moment, I managed a half-smile, trying to regain my composure. "I, uh... thanks, Elyria," I mumbled, feeling my stomach start to tie itself in knots.
She gave me a knowing look, her expression softening. "You're welcome, Everett," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of something I couldn't quite pinpoint. The air around us seemed charged, the tension palpable, yet neither of us spoke further on it.
With a small nod, she turned to leave, and I was left standing there, trying to make sense of the electricity that had just passed between us. It was a feeling I hadn't expected, one that left me questioning what it meant for us, for me. As the door closed behind her, I was left in a whirl of thoughts, the echo of our fleeting connection lingering in the air.
Rest eluded me as I lay in bed, the darkness of the room mirroring the turmoil within me. My thoughts circled back to the upcoming final stage of the tournament. What new challenges would it bring? What unforeseen trials awaited me? The uncertainty gnawed at me, a relentless reminder of the unpredictability of this reality.