Back to the Basics

--------Back to the Basics----------

Elias laid flat on his back, staring up at the faintly glowing display hovering above him. The words were clear, yet they filled him with a mix of annoyance and dread.

Task

200 push-ups

Manifest 10 objects

Win a sparring match

Reward

Level increase (1).

He sighed, his voice low. "What the hell even is a level increase?"

Dot's perched on his chest, her tiny form leaning forward inquisitively. "Maybe it has to do with pushing past the beginner stuff? I'm still trying to figure out what exactly the Doctor pulled from me. Maybe it'll let me do what I already do, just better?"

Elias hummed faintly, trying to process her suggestion. "The more I think about all of this, the more overwhelming it feels. It's like every time I try to understand, the rules get rewritten."

Raising his arm shakily, he winced as his muscles struggled to cooperate. His hand hovered unsteadily above his face. "So much effort just to move the right way… but at least I'm getting better at it."

Dot's tilted her head sympathetically. "Well, when I don't understand something, I focus on what I can control. It helps me feel less… lost."

Elias blinked and glanced down at her. "What do you mean? Didn't you lose all of your memories?"

"Oh, well, yeah," she admitted with a sheepish shrug. "But I mean what I do now. Even if I don't remember the past, I still know what I'm capable of in the moment."

Elias exhaled, processing her words, but before he could respond, a loud knock echoed through the door.

"Hey! Time to get up for PT! We've got the obstacle course right after breakfast!" The voice was firm but unfamiliar, carrying an authoritative edge.

Elias blinked, shaking the fog from his thoughts as the words registered. Who the hell is that? He slid his legs over the side of the bed, wincing at the lingering discomfort from his reversed movements.

The door slid open slightly, revealing the source of the voice. Standing in the hallway was a tall, broad-shouldered figure with a dark complexion and sharp, focused eyes. His presence exuded confidence and purpose. "You're Elias, right? I'm Paul. Figured it's about time I introduce myself."

Paul leaned casually against the doorframe, his arms crossed. He wore the standard green track suit, but it was evident from his build and posture that he took the physical regimen seriously. His voice, though steady, carried an unmistakable weight of authority.

Elias nodded, brushing the sleep from his eyes. "Yeah, that's me. Thanks for the wake-up call, I guess. You're one of the full-on workout types, huh?"

Paul smirked, his white teeth flashing briefly. "That's one way to put it. The workout regimen's been keeping me sharp. Some of us take this whole thing seriously, y'know?"

Elias groaned as he pushed himself upright, his movements still awkward. Dot's hovered nearby, offering a subtle nod of encouragement. "Lucky you. I'm just trying to figure out how to move without falling on my face."

Take all the time you need; or don't it's up to you; thought I'd wake you up though.

Walking off, Elias steadied himself, his movements clunky and deliberate as he worked to counter the reversed coordination.

He reached for the dresser, fumbled once, and finally managed to pull open the drawer.

Pulling on his green-on-green tracksuit was another battle, each limb feeling disconnected.

After twenty exhausting minutes, he stepped out into the main area, glancing at the clock—5:45 a.m.

The thudding sound of medicine balls hitting the reinforced walls drew his attention. Kikaru was hurling hers with force, her rhythm precise and relentless.

Beside her, Paul matched her intensity, the wall absorbing the impacts as they alternated throws.

Elias paused, watching them for a moment before continuing.

The hiss of a door sliding open to his right made him turn. Colby stepped out, mid-yawn, stretching as he noticed Elias.

"Better late than—oh," Colby said, blinking at him. "You're walking? That's... surprising."

"Y-yeah," Elias replied, taking another step. His balance faltered, and his legs buckled. As he fell, his arm jerked the wrong way, swiping at nothing. Colby moved quickly, grabbing him by the shoulder to steady him.

"Careful, man. Let's not overdo it," Colby said, his tone light but concerned.

Elias exhaled slowly, standing upright with effort. "Thanks. Walking's only part of it. I've also got to do 200 pushups, have Dot's conjure ten objects, and win a sparring match."

Colby raised an eyebrow. "Ah, so you got a quest too?"

Elias, still moving gingerly as he adjusted to his reversed movements, looked at the group and hesitated before speaking. "Yes… I've been… meaning to ask if anyone else got something from the Doctor. How… how did those talks go for you all?"

Before Colby could answer, Kikaru turned sharply, tossing a medicine ball with a fluid, practiced motion. It hit the wall with a satisfying thud before rebounding into her hands. Without missing a beat, she hurled it again with precision.

"About time you showed up," she called, her voice light but teasing. "Surprised to see you even walking, considering the shape you were in." A faint smirk tugged at her lips as her golden hair shifted with her movements.