【 Where 】am I? Everywhere I turned was engulfed in darkness. My gaze met the same pair of amber eyes that ignited the pitch black room. As my eyes started to adjust to my surroundings, I stood there too stunned to believe what I was seeing. The creature trailed out from the shadows, bringing it's striking features to light. Its tail swished from side to the side as it stalked towards me. Each step it took, shook the ground beneath it's muscular paws. Every sense in my body screamed danger, but for some reason I was not frightened. It continued circling around me with those same piercing eyes it had before.

I took a deep breath as I cautiously approached the beast. A low growl emitted from it as I got alarmingly close. I carefully extended my hand out, observing what it would do next.

"Scarlet. Scar, wake up."

My mouth dropped as I just stared at the mythical creature. Did it just talk?

"Wake up." The mysterious voice said once again.

My vision immediately blurred and grew fuzzy. I couldn't make out the atmosphere anymore as everything started to look distorted.

"Scar, get up. I figured that we could spar a bit before classes start. You are going to be my new partner after all." Eris spoke, gently nudging my side.

"Didn't I just see you like an hour ago? Can't this wait till morning? Let me get some sleep." I groaned, rolling over to the other side of the bed."

"It's been morning." She replied snarkily.

"Okay smart-ass." I said, feeling a tad bit annoyed.

Seconds later, I felt the sheets get ripped right off my body. "I'll give you thirty seconds to get ready or else." She said with an impatient tone.

"You won't. I'm flattered, but no."

"Oh right, thirty seconds is too generous. Time's up." She suddenly lifted my whole body and slung me over her shoulders. She grabbed a pair of workout clothes from my closet and headed out the door. I tried wiggling free from her iron grip, but it was no use. Why is she so freakishly strong? As I continued struggling, I spotted several of our floor mates conversing with each other out from the corner of my eye. I awkwardly waved at them with one stupid grin on my face.

She dropped me down onto the hard gym mat. "If you're going to be my partner, I have to make sure you're up to par. So stop being such a baby and get up."

I continued lying on the floor with my eyes closed and arms crossed. Tch. A baby she says.

"That's it. Prepare yourself." Eris stated. I immediately got up, slapping Eris' hand away before she could finish the rest of the symbol, Aparada.

"That's cheating." I huffed.

"It's not cheating if you're fighting for your life. When you're in a real fight, you cannot afford to give the enemy the upper hand. And since you're finally up, I'll tell you what. Let's make a deal. If you land three consecutive hits on me, you can go back to bed and I won't bother you again. If you lose, you are going to have to train with me everyday from now on. Fussing, groaning, complaining, or whining will not be tolerated. Do we have a deal?" She questioned, extending her hand out.

"That's a done deal Eris." I extended my hand to shake hers. I felt her grip tighten as she forcefully yanked my arm, propelling me forward. I landed on the hard floor with a loud thud.

"Rule number one. Never let your guard down." She stated calmly.

"And number two. Don't give your opponent any time to breathe". Eris moved swiftly on her feet at full speed heading towards me. I attempted to side step her, but she was far quicker than I was. She landed multiple jabs on every vulnerable spot I left exposed. I continued trying to block every move she landed, but not being able to land anything in return. It felt like I was some opened book. She easily read my moves, yet I couldn't process nor read hers fast enough to counter. Eris instantly slipped away from my hook, landing a massive blow to my rib.

I was taken aback by the monstrous strength she wielded, that I let my guard down. I winced in pain gripping my left side. In just a nick of time, I lifted my arms to block her high kick, but it wasn't nearly enough to absorb the impact. It sent me flying into the padded wall. I wiped the spec of blood that ran down the side of my face and in a blink of an eye, she was gone.

I inhaled, closing my eyes trying to stay conscious. I forced myself to focus on heightening my senses, desperately trying to pinpoint where that sensation of ill intent was in the room. I turned around instantly only to be tackled onto the ground by a human boulder.

"Do you give up?"

The smell of sweat filled the air as both of us were drenched in our own perspiration.

"No. I refuse." I flared with frustration.

"Then get up." Eris gestured.

Every inch of my body ached as I struggled to get back on my feet. As I took a step forward, excruciating pain shot up making me lose my balance. Eris caught me within that brief second before I hit the ground. She gently draped my arm over her shoulder, dragging my dysfunctional self once again back to our room.

"Well, this blows. What a crushing defeat that was..." My voice trailed off as I replayed what had just occurred.

"I do have to say that your performance wasn't too shabby despite not being able to land any decent blows. Though, your reaction time definitely needs more refining along with a lot of other things."

"I'll definitely get you next time. I'm sure of it." I remarked.

"That's the spirit. I'm looking forward to it." Eris said with a smile.