The bruising had darkened overnight into a broad band across his left side that ran from the hip bone to the lower shoulder. It was not dangerous. It was thorough.
He pressed two fingers against the worst section of it, felt the tissue react, and decided that zone work was not happening today.
That was the assessment. No argument with it.
The Adaptive Recovery had been running through the night and had done what it could. The deepest tissue bruising needed time that no skill could replace. Two days, probably. Maybe three before he could take a full impact on that side without the pain affecting his movement decisions.
He did not plan to waste the two days.
Sael's note arrived with the morning meal delivery, tucked between the bread and a small folded document that was the standard voluntary protocol check-in reminder for the day after tomorrow.
