The doors opened fully.
A low hum rolled out from inside.
Nico stepped in first.
The floor was smooth steel, wide and open, stretching across the entire chamber. The walls were thick, reinforced, lined with faint glowing panels that pulsed slowly.
Rex followed behind him, looking around.
"…This is huge."
Chica walked in next, arms crossed. "Feels weird."
Viper stayed near the entrance, tapping something on a small device in his hand.
"It'll feel a lot worse in a second."
Rex smirked. "Good."
Nico stood in the center of the room, rolling his shoulders.
"…What are we starting at?"
Viper didn't look up.
"Two times gravity."
Rex let out a laugh. "That's it?"
Viper glanced at him. "Relax."
He pressed a button.
The hum deepened.
For a moment, nothing changed.
Then
A slight shift.
Nico felt it first.
A small increase in weight.
Barely noticeable.
Rex bounced on his feet.
"…Yeah, okay. This is nothing."
Chica nodded. "Feels normal."
Viper watched the readings.
"…Good."
He pressed another button.
The hum sharpened.
"Ten times."
WHOOOM.
The air dropped.
Rex's feet slammed harder into the ground.
"…Okay yeah, that's different."
Chica lowered slightly, adjusting her stance.
Nico stayed upright.
But his movement slowed.
Just a little.
"…Better."
Viper's eyes stayed on the screen.
"Keep moving," he said. "Don't stand still."
Rex stepped forward.
Each step was heavier now.
Deliberate.
He swung a punch.
Slower.
But stronger.
Chica moved too.
Her footwork tightened, smaller movements, more precise.
Nico watched them.
Then moved.
Fast
No.
Not fast anymore.
He pushed forward anyway, forcing his body to adapt to the weight.
"…Again," he muttered.
Viper adjusted the controls slightly.
"…Good. Don't fight it. Adjust to it."
The pressure stayed constant.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
And this time
No one complained.
They just kept moving.
Because this was only the beginning.