Burn, Rest, Rise

Darkness.

A thin, trembling breath escaped his lips.

The ceiling came into focus—faint lines of morning light filtering in through the blinds. The color was soft, almost golden. Peaceful. Silent.

But Dirga's body told a different story.

A crackling jolt of pain rippled down his side. Then another, in his calves. Shoulders. Neck. Even his fingertips.

Tight. Twisted. Cramps like knots of wire.

His muscles weren't just sore—they were screaming.

Like his body had been set on fire and left to burn overnight.

He tried to move. A twitch of the foot. Agony. His back locked up, chest compressed.

[System Detected Abnormal Status: Post-Overload Muscular Distress]

[Echo: Use Injury Reducer?]

His voice came out cracked. "Yeah... do it."

[Echo: Confirmed. Injury Reducer applied.]

[Activating System Recovery Pulse…]

A warm, radiant shock pulsed from the base of his spine.

It wasn't pain—it was release.