Much to Diana's dismay, there was no entrance into the Institute, not without finding a way over its famous wall. It stood at least fifty feet by her estimations, possessing no gaps or entrances. She had spent the last hour walking around it to confirm this. That was after telling the taxi driver to drop her somewhere close by, and walking the plain of metal that separated it from the rest of Exia beforehand.

  The place is a fortress, Diana thought, glancing behind towards the empty metal plain, supposedly created by the Divinity to separate humanity from the Cursed abominations that plagued them. Diana considered that, along with many questions that rose in her mind, like how did the Hateful get food or water? How did they live? Would they be how Lieutenant Newman described them to be? A mix of More Cursed and Less Cursed? If that was true, did that explain Lucifer's motives? Justify them? These thoughts bubbled in her mind, but really they just confirmed the one thing that was obvious to Diana.

  I really know nothing about them…

  Diana took a couple of intentional steps back and folded her arms, examining the giant wall that separated her and humanity from them. Why would I? All I remember is being brought up to fear the Hateful, to distrust them and call them “Cursed". Still, I can't say much about my kind. Not everyone is the daughter of the beloved Darling of Exia...

  Diana bit her bottom lip, reflecting, as a sense of agitation emerged within her. She had spent most of her life trying to differentiate herself from that person. She would not—

  I'm doing it again. Hurting myself. I can't stop…

  Diana squeezed her fists while closing her eyes, forcing herself to focus on her breath, breathing in and out.

  'I will be better,' she said, determination rising. 'I will be better.'

  She returned her attention back to the task at hand, wondering how to scale the wall.

  If I'd been born a Transformative, I could've flown over it. Had I been born a Physical, I might have been able to jump over it.

  Unfortunately, Diana was neither of those. She was an Elemental, possessing the power to manipulate whatever element she wished. She could choose from the likes of fire, water, earth, air, and electricity, but sometimes Elementals could gain access to metal, light, and darkness.

  But which one could I use? Water? Use it to conjure up a staircase of ice?

  Diana grimaced at the prospect, considering her other options.

  My fire isn't strong enough to propel me to the top. Earth is pretty much useless here, and I'm not strong enough to produce any elements out of the original five. That leaves only one option.

  Air.

  Diana strode forward, knowing that what she was about to do was a rather crazy idea. She pictured herself conjuring a powerful wind, a gale that would lift her and make her soar like a Dynamesian falcon. By the time she got to the bottom of the wall, within reaching distance, she forced herself to hold out her arms, summoning wisps of air all around her.

  This is stupid, Diana! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

  Diana forced herself to tap further into her Elemental Blessing before she changed her mind, the swirling air strengthening with each second. It cooled her skin while blowing her hair in all directions. The wind enveloped her, creating a cyclone so strong that had anyone been near her, they would've been caught in it and thrown away like rag dolls.

  But I will not be thrown away. I am the vortex. I am the storm.

  Diana closed her eyes, knowing that her body was lightening as the air swept underneath. In her mind, it wrapped her in a cocoon of air, a small hurricane that would lift her above the wall. In all her life, Diana had never allowed herself to truly unleash her power, removing all restraint and not fearing the consequences.

  I feel so alive, she marvelled, unable to suppress a delighted grin. Diana was close to achieving levitation now. She sensed it. Her wind continued to whistle towards her, as though questioning her audacity to even attempt this. Diana grinned more. She could do this, she knew that. All she had to do was release herself, surrender to her power, go beyond.

  And then she would levitate.

  That was when Diana opened her eyes, seeing nothing but a white blur engulfing everything around her. She glanced down at her feet, knowing that they were in the air, as she was. Joy rushed to her mind, realisation emerging.

  I'm doing it! I'm flying!

  A few more seconds passed before the white blur changed, becoming brighter while three tall shapes emerged through it. Diana recognised them as the three towers of the Institute, causing her to marvel at her quick ascension. However, she noticed another shape emerge at the far right, a long rectangular shape that stood alongside one of the towers but nowhere near as tall.

  What is that? she wondered, before all her power dissipated into tiny wisps of air. Diana hung in the sky, staring towards the building, which she knew her kind would never see. A coldness engulfed her skin, as though the natural air of Ethero could finally embrace her. Unfortunately, this also brought with it a new realisation within Diana.

  She had stopped concentrating on her Blessing, and she had not considered how she would land.

  Diana fell, flailing her arms as her mouth opened to scream. Nothing came. The cold air rushed into her throat, making her breathless as she hurled towards the wall. Panicked, Diana tried to tap into her Blessing again, conjuring a few more pathetic wisps that did little to slow her descent.

  Oh, shit, she thought, knowing there was nothing she could do.

  I…can't do anything. I'm—

  Something slammed into her side, wrapping itself around her body. Time froze, and it was a couple more seconds before Diana realised she was no longer falling. Whatever had caught her had let her go. Diana looked up towards the black sky, her body frozen stiff from fear, lying across a cold, solid surface. She heard the light whistling of a breeze touching her skin. A few seconds passed, and Diana allowed herself to breathe again.

  What just happened? she wondered, her neck loosening so that she could turn it. To her left, the three towers of the Institute stood tall, illuminated by large spotlights. Alongside it sat the bigger but much shorter building, which had caught her attention earlier, a rectangular silver construction with windows running across the upper floor. Frowning at it, Diana cast her gaze to her right, seeing the vast open plain of metal between her and the rest of the city.

  'I'm…on the wall,' she gasped, turning so that her chest was against the narrow, flat metal surface she was lying on, her hands clasping both edges, closing her eyes.

  This was such a stupid idea! Why did I do this?

  Diana forced herself to breathe, relaxing her grip before opening her eyes. She shifted to her right, casting her gaze in the Institute's direction once again. She looked down from the wall, finding herself staring at a sight that stunned her.

  The grounds of the Institute.

  It's a garden, Diana marvelled, her eyes grazing over the patches of grassy surface that were layered with many winding paths and organised flower display pathways. It was illuminated by a series of dimmed yellow spotlights that ran across the ground, leading towards the three towers and the large rectangular building. From what she could see, there was no sign of any Hateful. Even as she looked at the Institute itself, there was no sign of any life, as though the towers were empty. Still, Diana couldn't help but stare at the garden in awe.

  'Amazing,' she said, before swallowing in realisation. 'But I didn't get here by myself, did I?'

  Diana risked a glance upward, seeing what her suspicions had been telling her for the past few seconds.

  'You helped me.'

  'I did,' a Hateful woman replied, standing a few paces ahead with her arms folded. She looked quite amused as she regarded Diana. She appeared to be in her late 30s with almost perfect skin. Her curves were pronounced, pressing against the Hateful attire that Diana had recognised from Lucifer, figuring that they all must wear similar clothes. Her hair was long and streaked with gold and silver, reaching towards her shoulders. Diana compared the woman to Lucifer, finding something different about her. While he seemed a brooding presence, heavy with the weight of his kind on his shoulders, the Hateful woman seemed to possess an air of seniority.

  'I must admit, I'm quite impressed,' the Hateful woman said, sounding genuine. 'I don't think I've ever seen a human Elemental try that before.'

  'Thanks,' Diana said, her arms tightening around the top of the wall as a strong wind threatened to lift her. 'Are you not angry with me?'

  The Hateful woman knelt on one knee, looking confused by the question. 'Why would I be?'

  'Well…I kinda tried to break in.'

  The Hateful woman's frown turned into a smile, amused.

  'Unless you tell me otherwise,' she began, 'You don't seem to be a human that wishes to hurt us. I'm curious to find out what compelled you, but you don't strike me as someone who would call us "Cursed". In fact, I sense curiosity from you.'

  Diana nodded, unsure of what to say. She had not expected the Hateful woman to read her, so she changed subject.

  'Why isn't there an entrance?' she asked.

  'Well, I would've thought that was obvious,' the Hateful woman chuckled, her soft laugh infectious. 'We don't want anyone getting in.'

  Diana nodded again, acknowledging the stupidity of her question. 'What if someone wanted to talk to you?' she asked.

  At once the Hateful woman's smile dimmed. 'Do you know many humans who wish to talk to us?' the Hateful woman asked, waiting for a response she knew wouldn't come. Diana said nothing, feeling some embarrassment as the truth was obvious.

  'I appreciate your sentiment,' the Hateful woman added, as though sensing Diana's change. 'I'm still impressed at what you did to get here. There's me thinking we only had Transformatives to worry about.'

  'I wouldn't have made it without your help,' Diana said.

  The Hateful woman's smile grew, knowing. 'Yes, but you've been rather persistent, haven't you? You still took the chance, despite how nervous you were.'

  'You've been watching me the whole time?' Diana asked, stupefied.

  'Yes.'

  'So you could've helped me earlier?'

  'I'm on guard duty,' the Hateful woman replied, rising to her feet. 'Kinda defeats the point if I help you in.'

  'But, you have,' Diana replied, her frown deepening in confusion.

  They're so genuine…so blunt and genuine.

  'You think my way of thinking is strange,' the Hateful woman said, appearing to not phrase it as a question.

  'No. It's quite refreshing,' Diana said. 'It's nice to meet someone so honest.'

  'And what about you? Are you honest?' the Hateful woman asked.

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  The question surprised Diana, but she was more drawn towards how it was asked. Her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion, deciding to trust her intuition. 'You're testing me,' Diana said, convinced that it was true.

  'I've been testing you since this conversation began,' the Hateful woman said, her eyes glowing alongside her radiant smile. 'After all, I'd expect no less from anyone on guard duty. I like to remind everyone that I'm no different from them.'

  Diana's mind stirred. Those words had been intentional. They were the words one used in a position of power, revealing another facet that she had not expected of the Hateful.

  'Your kind has a hierarchy?'

  'Not much of one,' the Hateful woman said, chuckling to herself, 'Unless you count one leader as being an entire hierarchy, that is.'

  'So, you're the leader of the Hateful?' Diana asked, unable to keep her surprise from her voice.

  'Only in Exia,' the Hateful woman replied.

  Diana considered the implication of this, unable to contain the smile that came to her lips.

  I'm learning so much about them. This is incredible.

  'What are you thinking?' the Hateful woman asked, drawing Diana's attention back to her. 'Your mood has changed.'

  'Sorry,' Diana said, knowing that her face was reddening. 'I was just realising how much I'm learning about your kind. I mean, you're so different from him.'

  'Him?'

  'Lucifer Armedeus.'

  Diana noticed the twitch in the Hateful woman's face before she looked away at the mention of his name, sighing before scratching the back of her head.

  'I'm having problems with him,' she said, appearing to consider how much to say to Diana. 'He's not well.'

  'He seemed pretty well to me,' Diana admitted, keeping her focus on the Hateful woman. 'He inspired me to come here. Alongside the DFA, strangely enough.'

  'The DFA?' the Hateful woman asked, her eyebrow arching.

  'Yes. He already has their attention. They questioned me earlier this morning. The Agent was…strange. He seemed to understand your kind very well. He told me to come here if I wanted to learn more.'

  Diana stopped herself, her eyes widening towards the Hateful woman who snapped her head away angrily, as though she were on the verge of exploding.

  'What was his name?' she asked, this time avoiding Diana's gaze. When Diana didn't answer after a few seconds, the Hateful woman whipped her head towards her, her eyes burning with rage.

  'What was his name?!' she barked.

  Diana quivered under the Hateful woman's fury, not understanding why she had changed. At once she searched her mind, picturing the Lieutenant at first before his name followed. 'Newman,' she said, unable to hide the fear and confusion in her voice. 'Lieutenant Newman.'

  'Shit!' the Hateful woman spat, shaking her head before returning her gaze to Diana, forcing her face to relax. 'I'm sorry for snapping at you. You didn't deserve that. I can only pray to the Divinity that Vennifer finds Lucifer. If my…no. If the Lieutenant gets to him first…'

  The Hateful woman stopped herself, taking in a breath before turning to regard Diana once again.

  'Thank you,' she said. 'It's good to know that he's on Lucifer's tail. If we can get Lucifer back here, then he won't bother us. Of course, that depends much on whether Lucifer listens to me.'

  'Why wouldn't the Lieutenant come here, though?' Diana asked, watching the Hateful woman look away again.

  'It's…complicated,' she said, unwilling to say anything further. Before Diana spoke, the Hateful woman stepped towards her. She felt herself lifted in the air, opening her mouth to scream before she was lying on grass. Frowning, she looked around, noticing the surrounding plants and winding paths, all of which were illuminated by dimmed yellow spotlights.

  I'm inside the walls, she realised. I'm in the Institute.

  'Tell me the truth: Why are you here?' Diana heard the Hateful woman ask behind her, drawing her stunned gaze. Diana could tell that the Hateful woman was still reeling from before, her face a forced mask that somewhat betrayed the emotion.

  What was it about the Lieutenant that set her off? Diana wondered. Is he connected to this place? He certainly acted as though he were one of them…

  'Well?' the Hateful woman urged, sensing what she was thinking. Diana allowed herself to relinquish her thoughts, glancing at her hands and considering why she had come here. Was it because she wanted to learn and understand their race? Or was it the same sense of guilt that drove her? That this was her own distorted way of running from the person she feared she might become?

  Perhaps it's all of them, she figured. It was enough for her expression to sadden, looking down at the floor.

  'I don't know,' she admitted, smiling before turning her gaze upward. 'After listening to Lucifer and the Lieutenant, I guess I started questioning myself. I've never liked how my kind has regarded yours. I mean, it seems far too convenient, blaming your race for everything that's wrong with the world. It's a perfect way of justifying why we've not moved forward. Yet, no one questions it. We're told you're to blame, and that you're Cursed because of it.'

  'And you don't believe it?' the Hateful woman asked.

  Diana's smile grew. 'What if I told you I don't believe in the Divinity? That I think both our races alongside the Titaniuses are being lied to? I think something else led to this, something the Council doesn't want us to know. Would you say I'm crazy?'

  The Hateful woman matched her smile, appearing amused by the question. 'I already assumed you were. After all, you did just try to fly over our wall with no plan, just so you could talk to us.'

  'That's true,' Diana agreed, falling into silence. She considered what she had said to the Hateful woman about the Divinity, remembering how they had drawn Lucifer out back in Rai. She wondered if that held any significance.

  'He didn't agree,' she said, realising that she had spoken the words without context. 'Lucifer, I mean. I think I forced him to reveal himself when I revealed my beliefs about the Divinity.'

  'Makes sense,' Hela sighed, folding her arms once again. 'After all, if the Divinity didn't exist, who would he challenge? What would that do to his dream?'

  'So you already know of it?' Diana asked.

  In return the Hateful woman nodded. 'Yes. He's never believed that I've done enough, that I'd rather keep things the same than strive for change.'

  Though her face twisted in agitation, there was also a pained acknowledgement within her expression.

  'Maybe he's right. Perhaps I'm not doing enough. However, I know there's something wrong. There's something he's not telling me.’

  Diana opened her mouth to reply, but was silenced by the sound of flapping wings, as though a dragon were nearby. When she looked up, she saw two Hateful flying across the wall, heading towards the tower closest to her. One possessed black feathered wings, while the other had white feathered wings. By the time Diana returned her gaze to the Hateful woman, she noticed a sternness emerging from her, a darkening in expression.

  'She's brought him back,' she whispered, sounding relieved yet agitated at the same time. Diana didn't need to ask who. If anything, she wished to see Lucifer again.

  'Are you going to talk to him?'

  The Hateful woman's eyes fell upon her again, her face unchanging.

  'Not yet. I'd end up pushing him away again. I'll let him settle with Vennifer first, before I go to see him. Truth is, I'm not sure what to do with him. He's not like anyone I've dealt with in a long time, not since…'

  The Hateful woman shook her head, allowing a faint smile to return. 'What am I doing? I barely even know you and I'm talking about this. I shouldn't be doubting myself in front of you.'

  'Perhaps you needed someone to talk to,' Diana said, unsure if she was approaching dangerous territory or not. There was always the risk of getting yourself too involved with others' problems. Soon enough, you become the person who seeks them.

  'Perhaps,' the Hateful woman agreed. 'Although, I do find irony in only opening up to humans.'

  'You've talked to other humans before?' Diana asked, unable to hide her surprise.

  'Oh yes,' the Hateful woman replied, her smile warming. Diana froze, her eyes widening. It was the smile she recognised, though in this context it would mean something that was taboo between their races. Still, there was an undeniable sense that her instincts were telling the truth.

  No, that cannot be…

  The Hateful woman gave her a knowing look, still smiling.

  'Go on,' she said. 'I know what you're thinking.'

  Diana nodded, her body tingling in amazement. She considered the best way to phrase the question, before the Hateful woman shook her head.

  'I'm not interested in playing with flowered words,' she said, 'Say it.'

  'You've been in love with one of us,' Diana said, unable to process it as she spoke the words. Yet, the Hateful woman's smile seemed to glow.

  'I have,' she admitted.

  Diana felt as though her mind had blown into thousands of pieces, stunned at such a notion. Hateful and humans, together?

  'That's incredible,' she marvelled, finding herself wishing to uncover more but stopping herself out of decency. 'I mean, you are beautiful. I just…'

  'I know,' the Hateful woman said. 'It still amazes me too when I think about it. But yes, I was once in love with a human.'

  Once in love? Diana wondered, watching as the Hateful woman seemed to read this question in her, becoming grave before she forced herself to look away.

  'It's a long story,' she said, turning away. Sadness and longing emitted from her. Diana wished to hug the woman to reassure her.

  'I'm sorry,' she said, 'I didn't mean to—'

  'No. I'm glad that you asked,' the Hateful woman interrupted, still looking away, 'You're the only one who's allowed me to talk about it. Believe it or not, it's not just your race that finds it taboo. Whether my kind will ever admit it, we're not so different. Anyway, why don't you come with me? Perhaps we can help each other.'

  She regarded Diana again and her expression hardened. Diana, however, still felt the anguish emitting from her, the pain of loss that the Hateful woman was fighting to contain, wishing that she could help.

  Her past haunts her too…Do I even mention my mother?

  An understanding silence emerged between them, one that neither wished to break until the Hateful woman glanced at the sky, allowing a slight curve of her lip to emerge.

  'You know, I hope that you're right. If Ethero knew the Divinity didn't exist, I wonder how much would change between us. When we remove the walls that we build between ourselves, what would we build in their place?'

  The Hateful woman paused, her eyes fixing on Diana.

  'What's your name?' she asked.

  'Diana. Diana Skagen.'

  'I'm glad that you came, Diana,' the Hateful woman said. 'My name is Hela Dionysus, and as you already know, I'm the leader of the Hateful. Come, let's see how we can help each other.'