I dashed down a long, dark hallway. The hall continued forever. With no end in sight, no matter how fast my legs carried me. The damp air sunk into my lungs. My skin glistened under the dim light with moisture as it asserted its dominance over my body. Droplets of sweat rolled down my face, drawing a path of dread. Each pant brought a puff of escaped milky mist, clouding my vision for a few seconds.

Other than the muffled tapping of my feet, the tomb-like silence permeated the room. Stillness claimed the place with a vice-like grip. The shrill silence left an oppressive ringing in my ear. 

The gentle dribbling of water echoed through the hall, creating a serene aura the further I wandered. A hypnotic serenade summoned me to stop my momentum and admire its siren call.

For a moment, I complied and stopped. Lost and confused, I looked around to figure out my purpose. But restlessness rushed in like a flash flood, propelling me forward. 

Then... I continued. 

And... I raced. 

No matter what, I kept running. A shadow moved in and out of view, but I drove head-first. I forced my legs to move, even if the end wasn't in sight. Without caring if I tripped or scraped my hands and knees, I forged along. I stood and pushed.

"I. Just. Have. To. Drive. Onward." Each word drove me to search for an exit—a way out.

Soon after, the walls closed in on me. 

As an invasive pressure built around me, I ran faster, frantically trying to locate a way out. I pressed on, but my legs weighed me down. My sluggish body refused to comply with the urgency as I struggled to pick up the pace. A powerful pull from behind tugged at me, preventing me from finding what lay ahead.

"Leo... Charmaine... Where are you? I can't find you." 

The scream ripped out of my chest and slowly through my mouth. My throat felt raw with the desire to scream some more, but I couldn't. 

Still...

I pushed forward, wanting to see the end of my ordeal. 

Suddenly, a wail ripped through the silent hall. I faltered and listened as the wail continued reverberating throughout the hall. But this time, I wasn't afraid. I stopped moving. My instinct commanded me to listen instead of ignore the noise. Then I heard it. 

"Our sweet lady, save us! End our suffering. Correct the wrongdoings in this world. The lords lost their ways. They only care about their wealth, ignoring their suffering subjects. You must fight and prove your worth. Lord Vrax is your biggest threat—he wants you dead."

The voice recoiled in pain, sending a shiver throughout my body. It appeared to take a deep, painful breath as a gush of air billowed all around me. I continued my pilgrimage down the solitary corridor, attentive to the voice.

"But victory shall be yours, and Leo, Charmain, and Mordak will stand by your side. After Vrax's defeat, you shall find an ally in him. Vrax, the horseman of death—Hades incarnate. You'll forge your path to balance. The underworld will be yours, the harbinger of change." 

Without forcing itself to be listened to, the howl continued chanting its desire. The screech became musical, a lovely symphony that pleased my ears. I rejoiced and marveled at the noise. Strength shut through my veins, investing my resolve as I pushed forward in the eternal hall. 

"Be careful where you step, or you'll lose your way." The yell came like a punch to my gut as the moment lost its splendor.

Like a sudden wave, the ground warped under me and gave way as darkness swallowed me. The air rushed past me as an all-consuming void enveloped me. This time, the free fall didn't scare me for some strange reason. Even though I couldn't discern a thing, I closed my eyes to enjoy the emptiness. 

"Kayla..." 

The whispered voice of a man distracted me from my surroundings—from my acceptance. I wondered where it came from. I looked around, foolishly attempting to find the source of the disembodied voice, only to be met with a warning wail. 

"You must fulfill your destiny and help this world. Elysian believe they are superior to any other race and enslaved us for far too long. The citizens of Hades need hope once more. The underworld is a place to rest, find peace, and repent for your sins. It's not a place where one plane rules above all others. We are all the same and must teach our oppressors a lesson. They need to learn their purpose." 

"But how can I do that?" I screamed above the ever-present wail. 

The wail screeched, leaving my ears ringing in pain. "By finding and forging a family of warriors. Zarek is just the beginning and shall help you with your fate."

"Kayla..." 

The soothing tone from earlier called on to me. I wanted to reach for the voice but didn't know where to go.

"Kayla... wake up!" 

My body trembled violently as my cold limbs tried to reach for the gentle sound.

"KAYLA, WAKE UP!" 

My eyes snapped open, only to find my field of view crowded by the silhouette of a man I didn't recognize at first sight. I take a few heartbeats to focus. His bright green eyes displayed nothing but concern while his skin markings pulsated, changing colors.

Zarek. 

"Kayla, are you ok?" The look of worry on his features concerned me, putting me on high alert.

I glanced around the room to catch my bearings. "What happened?" I asked, only after calming my racing heart.

"You were having a nightmare. Then..." The male hesitated, looking around as if afraid of speaking his mind.

"Then, what?" I pressed on, worried something terrible happened.

"I don't know how to say this, but you triggered what demon lords can only unleash. A pink and blue aura shrouded your entire body. And despite being weak... a wailing echoed from within you."

"How is that possible?!" The question slipped through my lips, wanting to learn more.

"Only the lords of Hades display those skills." Zarek mused. "Who are you?" 

Juicy sassiness broke free from within. "How the fuck am I supposed to answer that?! I fell into this world, and that's it. I want to find my family and leave this hellish place." 

"You're mortal. There's one explanation for all this."

"What?!" I snapped at the male with nothing else left as a sinking sensation crowded my mind.

"You and your loved ones died in the mortal realm. You're not human anymore." 

"I didn't die!" My response came as a mumbled chirp while averting my blush from the man. I understood my arrival seemed off from the start for some uncanny reason.

Zarek's eye sparkled with understanding as he did a once over. "Many recently deceased say the same thing. You need to accept your stay on Earth is over." 

"I said..." I took a deep breath to calm an uncanny rage that bubbled up and threatened to burst. "I Didn't Die." 

"You're in denial. You died and need to admit it." 

I closed my eyes, centering my unfounded, sudden rage. "Zarek, I got sucked into a void that led me here. I keep dreaming about this emptiness." 

"Sucked... in. But that is impossible. No human can come here unless they met their end in their world." 

"Deep inside, somehow, I'm certain my family is here." My voice cracked under the pressure as a sliver of insecurity emerged.

"Even if you survived, your family may not be so lucky." 

The warning in Zarek's voice put me on edge. Dread settled deep in my heart as a dark cloud dazed my thoughts. "What?" 

"I'll give it to you straight. Your family is dead." 

"Oh!" I exclaimed, numb and coming to terms with reality. My dreams warned me of the possibility, but now I was stuck living a cruel reality. "It... makes sense. That I wouldn't be able to see them again." 

"Oh, you'll meet them again. I'm certain! They could still be in the towns near the River Styx. The deceased go there as wards, and blessings protect the area. It's a great starting place to train and hone your fighting skills. Besides, the area is vast. The underworld is not safe." 

"Then why didn't I start there? Why am I not with them? I need to remember and find home once again." Unable to comprehend the situation, I yelled out my frustrations. Zarek moved closer, enveloping me in a tender embrace as a silent sob rocked my body.

"I took a gamble by helping you, but fate planned for us to meet all along," he said as he wiped away a stray tear from my cheek. "Uncertain, but I'm mulling over what transpired while you slept. I think there are bigger things in store for you." 

I remain silent, reflecting on everything that transpired since I came here.

"After last night and your lack of refinery when hungry, I'll allow you to eat a small portion of breakfast before we train. I have read Pascal's notebook, and I have an idea. But... you need to learn to fight these monsters." 

"Can we defeat this thing, then?" Hope surged through me, but the look on Zarek's face dashed it all away.

"Not really, but we can weaken it until we find someone to help us. I have someone in mind." 

"Yeah, who?!" 

"His name is Mordak. A formidable warrior. Used to be Lord Vrax's lieutenant until he fell from grace." 

"Why is he not with Vrax anymore?" I asked, having my reservations. 

"They... disagreed on many things concerning Hade's future. Lord Vrax is supposed to depose our oppressors and become the harbinger of death. He's supposed to bring back our former glory. But thus far, he hasn't delivered." 

The haunting wail revealed Lord Vrax played an essential role in shaping my destiny. However, I chose not to reveal anything until I confirmed my real purpose in Hades.

"Well, we got lots to do. I need to whip that tight ass of yours into shape." Zarek looked around for an excuse to change the subject. "I have made some gruel for us this lovely morning. I want you to eat and be ready for training. But don't pig out. The last thing I want to see is you spilling your morning meal after a hard workout."