When I entered the bath house I was hit with a burst of steam. It was so hazy that I practically couldn't see even two feet in front of me. I maneuvered my way around the area trying to feel for a bench or something. Eventually I found what looked like the blurry outline of a wooden bench, so I undressed and placed my clothes in a messy pile. I continued to keep my hands out and walk carefully until I felt my toes touch a wet puddle on the ground. I was just moments away from plunging into a relaxing hot spring. I was so excited that I began walking faster hoping to find the edge of the water. Unfortunately, I was definitely moving too fast and felt myself slip across the ground. I couldn't stop myself and went flying forward as I tried to brace myself with my hands. Luckily I seemed to have found the bath, because I felt my whole face and body smash against the hot water, creating a big splash. I managed to grab hold of something with my hands when I fell and was able to brace myself a little, so I didn't think it was that bad of a fall. But when my head breached the water after falling in, I realized whatever I was grabbing was pretty soft and slippery. It was also kind of bouncy….? "Huh? What the heck is this?" I said out loud. I still couldn't see anything because of the thick steam around the room. I proceeded to squeeze the object in my hands trying to figure out what I had stumbled into. But as I began feeling around even more, I was suddenly hit with a powerful blow to my head and that was it… Lights out.
I woke up spitting water and began coughing it all up. It was still really steamy but I was able to make out the shape of somebody hovering above me. I could vaguely recall something touching my lips as I was coming to, but I really couldn't say what it was. In an instant, the figure I thought I had seen in the steam vanished. I was having trouble remembering what exactly happened. "Sheesh, I must have hit my head pretty hard when I slipped." I said as I was rubbing a welt on my head. "Well, better make the best of this anyways." I proceeded to pick myself up and gently dip my feet into the water. I couldn't let this opportunity go to waste! The water felt absolutely amazing. It was as if the hot water was penetrating every muscle on my body, deep down into my soul. Strangely enough, I actually began to feel my energy begin to rise as I was wading in the water. I definitely felt exhausted before getting in, but it was like all of the stress and exhaustion was being sapped away by the water. The welt on my head even stopped hurting entirely. "Just what is this water?" I questioned aloud. Then out of nowhere, a voice spoke up through the steam. "This hot spring is special isn't it? I'm sure it must have some kind of mystical properties." They said in a familiar tone. "Is that you Sundi!? Are you in the bath too!?" I said, feeling incredibly embarrassed. I was completely naked in the water. "Yes, it's me. Just stay over where you are. It's not like we can see each other or anything. Enjoy the water. This is also the first time I have experienced a hot bath like this." She said in a calm voice. "Wait a minute, did you happen to hear me slip and fall earlier?" I questioned, still struggling to recall what happened. ".... I only heard a thud. I didn't know it was you falling." She said in a rather unconvincing manner. "Well, it's not like it matters. I'm just happy to be here. It's so nice, I wish I could do this every day." I responded, as I sunk myself a little deeper into the water. "You wish you could take a bath with me every day?" She questioned sarcastically. "N-n-no! You know that's not what I meant!" I cried out in embarrassment. "Hahaha, I'm just teasing you." She said with a cheerful laugh. "Yeah yeah, whatever…" I responded. I felt a little peeved that she was making fun of me, so I dipped beneath the water for a moment. What I didn't realize at the time, was that the water was absolutely crystal clear. When I submerge myself for only a moment, I could distinctly see Sundi only a couple yards away from me… I shot up out of the water gasping for air and then fell deathly silent. I knew that I could never speak of this to anyone, my entire face must have been as red as a tomato. "Are you alright Sid?" Sundi questioned innocently. "…. Ahaha, y-yeah I'm fine. Anyways… I wanted to ask you about something. Could you tell me a bit more about this Colosseum we'll be heading to?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Sure, it is quite an interesting place. I have visited there a few times before. It's an area that is located on the western coast of the Cashmere Kingdom. It is considered rather autonomous and is not subjected to the Kingdom's rule. The main reason for this is because it is a place where all of the Kingdoms across the world come to settle their debts and even their scores. The Colosseum acts as a neutral zone, where emissaries of each kingdom are able to meet without fear of assassinations or retaliatory actions. All fights are held within the Colosseum, there are no exceptions to this rule and anyone who breaks this taboo will inevitably face the might of all of the kingdoms combined. There is a special event coming up that is held once a year. It is a time when all of the kingdoms meet in order to establish a ranking among the kingdoms and settle disputes that would otherwise lead to all out war. Normally, there are fights held within the Colosseum throughout the year in order for warriors to prove themselves in hopes of being recruited by kingdoms. If they succeed and show a true display of their prowess, they have the opportunity to gain fame, respect, and wealth offered by kingdoms who seek them out. However, this special event called the Howling Summit, boasts a gathering of the greatest warriors across the world. These warriors fight for their prospective kingdoms in order to secure wins and show that their kingdom is stronger. Additionally by winning special matches, depending on the circumstances the kingdoms are able to secure land, advantages over one another, bragging rights, and even the right to take someone's life if that is specified within the wager. This year's summit is considered particularly important, due to the addition of the newly formed kingdom, Pan." Sundi said with a dramatic flare. "Wow, that place sounds so interesting." I responded. I couldn't help but wonder how Ivan and Fritz would end up getting involved with this place. "Yes, it is quite fascinating how entire kingdoms are willing to bet the lives of their people on meaningless duels… However, it will be a good opportunity for you to not only gain information, but also see for yourself how powerful some people within this world are." Sundi responded. "Yeah, you're right about that. I am definitely excited to see what this world has to offer." I said as I began to think about my own training. I wondered how I might fare against people who were considered the strongest of their kingdoms… I needed to get stronger. Even though I was sitting in this amazing hot spring, a part of me began to obsess about ways that I could start training now that I was feeling energetic. I was still very determined to at least damage that indestructible wall I kept punching. But after seeing how creative everyone was with their blessings, I was beginning to wonder if I was being too simple minded when it came to the use of my own power. Navy figured out how to make a sword of lightning when he wasn't even able to manipulate it at will. Darwin had a number of uses for his bubbles that seemed almost like a perfect defensive ability with the potential for real damaging attacks. Sundi has created skills from her blessing that greater enhanced the utility of her Wandering Waves. Then their was me. I could send my hands to different places and that was about it. Sure I could add my own speed and strength to it, but I needed to come up with something that would fully utilize the potential of my blessings. The first thing that came to mind, was that I should ask the other for help. I think that if I was able to talk to them more about their own thoughts and feelings about their blessings, then maybe I would be able to have some kind of epiphany. Even if I couldn't figure anything out, then at the very least I could train with them and learn how to fight against other people with incredible powers. "Sundi, would you mind sparring with me after this?" I asked with determination. "Hmm I suppose we could. I don't really sleep anyways, and it would be a waste of the day if we just sat in our beds all day. We can spar, and I will teach you a few things I noticed from the first time we met." She responded with interest.