Foundation and Flames

Back.

Why had I never thought of it before?

I stood in front of the mirror, back turned this time. No definition. No strength. My shoulders slouched.

It felt like all this time, I was trying to build a statue with only the front half carved.

And yet...

I couldn't go to the gym.

It wasn't just the distance. It was the people. The mirrors. The voices. The judgment.

I knew I wasn't ready for that.

So I did what I always did when the world felt too much: I turned to the screen.

---

YouTube. Articles. Reddit forums.

I dove in headfirst.

Rows. Deadlifts. Pulls. Rear delts. Posterior chain.

Words I never even knew existed were now part of my daily vocabulary.

I realized quickly — if I wanted to train properly, I needed equipment.

A pull-up bar. Resistance bands. Maybe dumbbells.

That weekend, I begged my parents. Said it was for my health. They didn't understand completely, but they agreed.

A few days later, two dumbbells arrived at my doorstep.

---

The first time I held them, I felt weak.

My wrists wobbled. My form collapsed. My biceps screamed. My lower back pinched.

I looked like a mess.

But I didn't stop.

I watched videos again. Slowed them down. Practiced without weight.

Started doing warm-ups before workouts and stretches after.

My days became structured. Wake up. Hydrate. Stretch. Eat. Train.

Track protein. Track calories.

Sleep on time — or at least try to.

---

But it wasn't perfect.

Sometimes, my head felt heavy. My eyes dry.

One day, I almost fainted after squats. Another day, I had a weird pain in my ribs.

Mom said I looked pale. Dad told me to slow down.

But I didn't listen.

Not because I was arrogant.

Because I was scared.

What if stopping means I go back?

What if resting just opens the door for old habits again?

---

One evening, I passed out on the floor — just for a minute or two — after a brutal set of dumbbell rows.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in my room anymore.

White. Endless white.

He was there again.

The white silhouette. Standing silently. No face. No eyes. Just presence.

And for the first time...

he walked closer.

There was something different this time. He felt heavier. More real.

"You have learned discipline," he said.

"But soon you must learn balance. Without it, your fire will burn you instead of the darkness."

I wanted to ask what he meant, but my voice wouldn't come out.

He turned away. And just before he disappeared:

"The world is shifting. The sky will open again. Be ready."

---

I shot up from the floor, sweating. Heart racing. Breath sharp.

I looked at my hands. They were shaking.

Was it just a dream?

Or was it a warning?

I didn't know.

But something in my gut twisted.

Something was coming.

Something big.

And this time, I

couldn't afford to be just physically strong.

I had to become unbreakable.

---

To be continued...