The oppressive heat of the arena had long since faded as Echo and Rook made their way back to their quarters, their bodies aching and battered from the brutal day’s training. Every step was a struggle, and the weight from earlier in the day felt like it still clung to their muscles. The world around them seemed to blur in a haze of exhaustion, the sounds of their breath and the dull thudding of their footsteps the only things they could focus on.
As they reached their rooms, Echo’s gaze met Rook’s. Both were silent for a moment, too tired to speak, but the weight of the day hung heavily between them. Neither of them had expected the strain to be so intense. They had pushed their bodies beyond what they had thought possible, but the end of the day didn’t bring relief. Instead, it brought a new challenge.
“Pyresalt baths, huh?” Rook muttered, his voice hoarse. His tone was both dry and resigned. “They said this would help us expel impurities. Wonder how much more we can take.”
Echo let out a breath, rubbing his sore shoulder. “I don’t know, man. But they wouldn’t have us do it if it wasn’t necessary. We have to follow through.”
Rook grimaced but nodded. “Right. No choice. Let’s get this over with.”
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The Pyresalt Bath
The lights flickered to life as they entered the designated bath chamber—a large, open area with stone floors and high, vaulted ceilings. At the far end of the room, an enormous tub sat in the center, filled with steaming water that glowed faintly red. The heat radiating from the bath was palpable, and the air in the room seemed thick with an unfamiliar energy.
Echo could feel the exhaustion beginning to seep deeper into his bones, and the idea of immersing himself in the bath seemed almost unbearable. But Gladiator’s words from earlier echoed in his mind: "This bath is crucial for your progress. The Pyresalt will cleanse your body of impurities, and it will aid in your recovery. Don’t resist it. Let the process take its course."
Rook was already undressing, his face scrunched in discomfort as he stepped toward the tub. “I don’t know what’s in that water, but I swear if it burns…”
Echo couldn’t help but chuckle weakly. “If it burns, we’ll just have to deal with it. We have no choice.”
They both stepped into the bath at the same time. The water was surprisingly warm—too warm, even, but not unbearable. As Echo submerged himself into the liquid, he could feel a strange tingling sensation spreading across his skin. It was as if the water itself was alive, an odd vibration pulsating through the air as it enveloped them.
The moment Echo’s body fully sank into the water, his muscles tightened. The heat seemed to seep into his very bones, and he felt a sharp, momentary sting as the Pyresalt began its work. It wasn’t a painful sensation, but it was invasive, like something foreign forcing its way through him.
Rook let out a sharp gasp beside him. “What the hell is this? It feels like my skin’s on fire!”
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Echo gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to shout in pain. “Just—just breathe. It’ll pass.”
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The Purging Process
The mentors’ earlier instructions echoed in Echo’s mind. “The Pyresalt bath is designed to expel impurities, to cleanse the body and enhance your ability to endure the next stages of the exercise. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s necessary. Don’t fight it.”
The heat intensified, and Echo could feel his body beginning to respond. His muscles were burning, but this was different from the strain of the exercises. This was cleansing. The sensation spread from his core, his limbs, and even his bones, as though the very essence of his body was being purified. The water turned an even deeper red as the impurities within him were drawn out, the bath working its magic.
Rook let out a series of short breaths beside him, his discomfort clear, but he didn’t try to pull away. “This is insane,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “How long are we supposed to stay in this?”
“Until the process is complete,” Echo replied, his voice barely audible over the crackling of the water. His own breath came in shallow gasps as his body absorbed the energy of the bath. His muscles twitched, his skin prickling as impurities were drawn from him—sweat, toxins, and exhaustion all mingling with the strange warmth of the water.
As the minutes ticked by, Echo began to feel something else—something more than just physical. His thoughts were becoming clearer, sharper, as though his mind itself was being cleansed along with his body. Every lingering doubt, every tired thought, began to fade, replaced with a sense of focus he hadn’t realized was missing.
This is what we need, Echo thought, closing his eyes and letting the bath continue its work. This is the next step. We’ve made it this far. We can handle this.
Rook’s voice broke through his concentration. “You feel that too, right? Like—like the fog’s lifting from my head?”
Echo nodded, though he wasn’t sure if Rook could see it in the dim, glowing light. “Yeah. I think it’s working.”
Minutes passed—maybe hours. They couldn’t tell. But Echo and Rook both felt it when the process began to slow. The bath’s energy gradually waned, the water’s glow dimming as their bodies absorbed the final traces of the Pyresalt.
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Emerging from the Bath
Echo was the first to pull himself from the bath, his body feeling lighter, though still sore from the day’s training. He took a deep breath, feeling a strange clarity in his mind, the exhaustion from the earlier trials now replaced by a clean, almost refreshed feeling. It wasn’t like he had rested, but it was as though his very essence had been reset.
Rook followed suit, his face flushed from the warmth of the bath, but he seemed more awake than he had been moments ago. He looked over at Echo, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and curiosity. “I don’t know how, but I feel different.”
Echo didn’t know what to say. He could feel it too—a new strength, a new clarity, even if his body still ached. “I think we just took the first step toward becoming something more than we were.”
Rook nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. “Yeah, it feels like we’re... stronger. Even if it’s just a little.”
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Mentors’ Arrival
The doors to the bath chamber slid open, and Gladiator and Sentinel stepped inside, their footsteps heavy but purposeful. The mentors surveyed their trainees with sharp eyes, taking in their weary but resolute postures.
“Good,” Sentinel said, his voice low but approving. “The first step is complete. The Pyresalt bath is an essential part of Stage 1. Your bones have been hardened, your muscles refined. Your bodies are now ready for what comes next.”
Gladiator grinned, though his expression was serious. “Tomorrow, you’ll begin the second stage of the exercise. But for now, rest. This is the only respite you’ll get. Don’t waste it.”
Echo and Rook exchanged a glance. Both were tired, but both knew that the road ahead was long. This was only the beginning.