Virulence

Chapter 6 - Lark Gets His Ass Kicked

"Get up." Was all I heard before being yanked out of bed and landed face first into the cold floor. My groggy brain couldn't even react fast enough to get my hands up to catch myself, so I smashed my face against the stone ground. Before I could even curse, I was being dragged to my feet.

"Get your ass in the weightroom, now." Rias barked, shoving me forward. I was still trying to get my head around what was happening. He never got us up for training, and better yet why didn't Zade wake me up like he always did? When I didn't get moving right away, Rias smacked me in the back of my head. "Move!"

I rubbed the sore spot as I marched towards the weight room, grumbling to myself the entire way. What the hell was up with Rias this time? Why was he being a colossal prick to me? He followed close behind me, shoving me every time I slowed down.

Once I got to the weight room, no one else was there and the lights were off. I looked around, confused. "Wait, where are the others?"

Rias' answer was another shove. I didn't realize how close to the equipment I was and wound up falling back into the dumbbells. "They aren't going to train with you anymore. Instead they will be helping me."

As if he had called them, the other members of the Shadows entered the weightroom. They looked sad, making me fear what was going to happen next. Rias waved his hand, signaling towards me. Ward and Zade moved from their position behind him to on either side of me. Zade took a moment to help me back onto my feet, giving me an apologetic look before facing Rias again.

"You'll start out on the bench press. After every set of ten, these two will add more weight." Rias stated, looking me square in the eyes. I held his gaze, resisting the urge to fidget. "And once you've finished with sets on all weights you'll move on to cardio."

I looked at him in disbelief. "You do see what a twig I am right? How do you expect me to do that?"

Rias closed the gap between us, glaring at me. I flinched despite myself. "Get to work, Or I'll switch to my other plan."

As much as I wanted to argue, that other plan didn't sound like a good path for me to be tossed down. I swallowed my retort and pushed past Rias, heading for the bench. I laid back under the bar and sighed. How the hell was I going to be able to pull this off?

Zade and Ward appeared above me for a moment before they slid on weights to each side of the bar. I breezed through that first few sets easily, but once the weight reached over two hundred pounds, my arms started shaking. My hands were so weak and sweaty I couldn't hold onto the bar properly.

"Rias he's got nothing left." Zade said, keeping a hand on the bar so I couldn't lift it. "Cut him some slack before he gets himself killed."

I was surprised that he was the only one brave enough to stand up to Rias, but I was happier to know that he was on my side. Rias didn't say anything for a moment, as if he was trying to win a staring contest with Zade or something.

"Fine," Rias finally said, "Let him rest for a minute before we move on."

Zade wasted no time in helping me sit up. My upper body was so weak, I felt like I would float away if Zade let go of my shoulders. Ward handed me a towel and some water before rejoining the others behind Rias. Zade stayed at my side, clearly showing who he was supporting at the moment. I was glad for his friendship, but I worried what trouble defying his leader would get him into.

"I think I'll be ok now." I smiled up at Zade, "You don't have to hold me up anymore."

Zade returned the smile but didn't move from his spot. Either he didn't get the hint I was dropping or he was actively ignoring it. After a few more minutes of awkward silence, Rias called for all the assassins to leave. There was a second delay before everyone behind him started moving. Zade held his ground.