She pumped her legs hard and fast, ignoring those who fell around her as she made her way toward the X. In her periphery, she could see the black, shadowy tendrils as they rose up from the darkness to take the others down. Just as a swell of hope formed within her, the instructor appeared in front of her. Digging her toes into the ground, she skidded to a halt. The loose dirt accumulated beneath her feet, spraying upward before she staggered to regain her balance. Before she could think to do anything else, turn and run or somehow evade him, he touched a finger to her forehead. In an instant, all was dark and she was surrounded by a cold abyss of nothingness. A shooting pain lanced through her mind, causing her to double over. Her hands went to her head as she was assaulted by shrill wails of torment and shrieks of anguish. Glowing, wisps encircled her, whirling all around her like ghosts. Each one demanded her attention adamantly, crying out louder and louder until she had to put her hands over her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut, but nothing would drown them out.<br/><br/>She struggled to understand what was happening, not yet realizing that she had been transported to a realm of perpetual darkness and torture. At first, she believed that she had been the victim of yet another one of her rogue visions. As she had when she was given images of the instructor the day before, she attempted to pry herself away from the scene. Try as she might, the screaming would not cease. The harder she tried, the more intense the pain. The unseen force that made her feel as though her arms and legs were being squeezed with immense pressure persisted. Simultaneously, her insides felt as though they were being clawed at and ripped to ribbons. Never had she felt such pain in her life, and never had she been so frightened. When she opened her eyes, she saw a dark being lurking about her, stalking her like a lion would an unsuspecting gazelle. The entity moved closer and closer, but she couldn’t move from where she was. All she could do was wait till it crept up to her, glowing hollow eyes staring into her very soul.<br/><br/>In an instant, she was back on the training grounds. It was quiet and the sun was high in the sky. Rather than the incessant cries of the damned, she heard groaning and whimpering. Diem was laying on her back, hands still covering her ears. Her breaths were deep and labored, as if she had run for miles and miles. Her body was indescribably sore and achy. The splitting headache that she suffered in the dark realm was just barely manageable now. Slowly, she released her hold on her head and sluggishly pushed herself up along with the rest of her classmates. When she did, the instructor had his boot pressed to the back of the angel she tried to speak to and the muscular man who called her a half-breed. Much to her surprise, the instructor had some words of wisdom to impart on the class, ones that were in her favor. She only hoped that there would be no backlash for being so inquisitive.<br/><br/>Carelessly, he stepped on the angel’s wing on the way off the training grounds, dismissing class with a casual wave of his hand. The angel scowled at her, but the man who had locked in a chokehold soon blocked her view of the pretty winged being. He was rubbing his neck with one hand, and extending her the other. “Don’t worry about her. The angels in Lumos are generally catty by nature.”<br/><br/>“Oh, um, thanks.” Diem said, taking his hand and allowing him to help her to her feet.<br/><br/>“Sorry I called you a half-breed back there. This class puts me on edge.” He apologized as he hoisted her up with ease. He was using a small fraction of his strength, it seemed. She could tell that he was being very careful with her. Based on the bright orange accents on his suit, she knew he was from Power House. “Not really used to failing.” He admitted.<br/><br/>“Well, I am so this is familiar territory.” Diem smirked, still nursing the residual pain in her head with her hand. “And it’s fine. I’ve been called worse, honestly. You haven’t lived until you’ve been called a cunt.” Freshman year in high school, for what little she experienced, ensured that she had a very thick skin.<br/><br/>“I’m Maxim.” He laughed, extending his hand to her.<br/><br/>“Diem.” She shook his hand. “You guys in Power House are fighters . . . like warriors, right?”<br/><br/>“Some of the best in the academy.” He smiled proudly. Most of them were of gladiator bloodlines.<br/><br/>“Listen, I’m about two weeks behind. I don’t know the first thing about throwing a punch. I’ve never been in a fight in all my life. Would you . . . maybe help me?”<br/><br/>“Well, my fighting style may not be the best suited for someone whose as puny as you are—not offense, of course.” He practically dwarfed her in size, so she understood where he was coming from. “My older sister is Exellero. I’ll put you in touch with her.” Maxim promised before heading to the locker rooms. Diem did the same, though much more slowly. It was difficult to move, let alone stand. She spotted the instructor, figuring she should ask him for other ways to improve. With how cold and aloof he was, it was somewhat intimidating to approach him, but she wanted to succeed and somehow that was what brought her to him.<br/><br/>“Mr. Relic, is it? I’m Diem. I’m a new transfer—new, late transfer, actually. I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to improve. I’m a little behind, and I don’t want fail for lack of effort.” She said, trying to dial down her nerves.