Different Yet The Same

Chapter Thirty-Seven

-Ember-

I can feel it. I can feel my soul splitting. Tearing in two. Half of it leaving me. Deserting me. I knew we were always connected, and that thought makes me smile amongst the tears. That's how I know she's gone. I kiss her forehead which is as cool as an autumn day, and whisper a final I love you. I'm about to rejoin the battle when a searing hot pain lashes through my body and I fall to the floor in a crossing of limbs, my roar of pain echoing across the armies blades.

The battle comes to a halt and everyone turns to me. They all look impressed and in awe but I'm in too much pain too notice it. I can feel Ignis itching to come free and I can't stop her. She breaks free of my hold and comes to a battle with herself. She lashes and hits at herself while emitting cries of pain and anger. Then it all simmers down, like a cool wind flows over the scorching desert. I turn my head and see the battle is still on a pause. I look down and see I am still Ignis covered in flame only, this flame is white, it caresses my limbs and torso, I have on a blue and red blouse and shorts. Behind me I see wings shaped like a pixie but as white as an Angels. I'm not Ignis, I am Ember. I've never been two people I am simply one. One person, one being, one me.

"Isn't it beautiful folks?" The King of Hell snickers. "Truly beautiful. The only complication is the prices you'll have to pay, the choices you'll have to make." His eyes glint with something new, joy? Slight fear? He turns his head and I see a few feet behind him is my mom held on her knees by two demons.

"Mom!" I cry out, she raises her head. There is blood stains all over her clothes, her hair is matted and frizzy and her eyes look almost soulless. "What happened to her?"

"All in due time." Then out of nowhere Coal comes up tailed by several demons restraining him.

"Coal, what's going on?" I question, what did Lucifer mean by choices?

"Choose." He concludes holding his hands up in the air as a demon holds a knife to my moms heart, and another to Coals neck.

"I-I can't." I say looking pleadingly at them both.

"Don't worry about me Ember. Save your mom." His voice comes out ragged and with a hint of terror knowing today is the day he dies.

"I can't do that Coal. I can't loose you now that I've found you." Tears spring to my eye but I push them away as seeing gem would only bring Lucifer more pleasure.

"Ember." My moms voice startles me and I turn to face her. "You look so beautiful. I always knew you were special." Her eyes sparkle with tears. "I love you so much. Never doubt that."

"Mom..." I whisper but it's to late. With a sudden movement she plunges the knife deep into her chest. There is no cry if pain, nothing but a small smile spread across her lips. "Mom!"

Lucifer cries out, "Angela!" Then turns to me, "You were supposed to have Coal killed!" He does not weep but I see how much her death burns him. "You killed her!"

"I killed her?" I yell incredulously. "You were the one who set up this whole thing!"

"Do not release Coal under any circumstances." He sneers, "Let's show this petty girl what it's like to feel true heartbreak." he motions for them to finished off Coal but I slide a knife from my belt loop and bring it up to his neck.

"You kill Coal and Hell's 'all oh so mighty leader' dies too." The knife pierces his skin drawing blood. "Don't test me."

"Foolish girl." He spits, "don't you see? I made you. I am the cause for your power. You are no match for me."

"I guess you'll have to prove it to me, because I don't believe you." I swallow past my fear and ready myself for battle.

"Little girl. See that's just the thing. You're so little. So weak. So helpless." He winks. "But all havoc." Then he transforms. His skin deepening to a midnight purple, backed hunching, muscles expanding, teeth with sharp pointed ends. He lets it an animalistic roar. This isn't Lucifer who stands before me, it's a new kind of monster.

I too transform. Taking on my newest combined form. The white flames comforting and the wings a reassurance that I can do this. Well at least I can try. Too caught up in my thoughts I'm oblivious to Lucifers attack. He swipes his giant claw at me, knocking me to the side. I hear a bone breaking crunch as I land and feel my insides bleed. Taking a stand I take flight, giving myself a minor advantage. Lucifer starts swinging upwards but his arms are too short and muscles too large to get his arms up to reach me. I close my eyes and pull the power that I feel studying inside me out into the thin air. With a last breath of courage I aim my hands at Lucifer and hope for the best. Thankfully the best is hat I get. Two beams of energy, a white mixing with red, like a tornado come spiralling out of my hands and towards the monster. They explode on impact half absorbing into his skin and half shooting out across the desert. It looks like a firework show but with more power and intent. He cries out in pain and anger, letting loose his claws and tries to slice me in half. I avoid most of his swipes but at one point I look down and see Coal being taken down by several soldiers. Pulling on my power I shoot them off him. He looks up at me great fully, by his gaze turns to horror when he sees Lucifers claw swipe down on me, creating three large gashes across my back. I cry out in pain and go tumbling to the ground where I land face first amongst the sand and surplus of dead bodies.

"Ember?" Coal wheezes a he run up to me. "Are you ok? Please be ok."

With a cough I pull my head up to look at him. "I'm fine. Just need to rest for a minute." He gingerly touches my back and I cringe, the wounds are deep and won't be fully healed for hours, even with my faster healing track.

"You'll be okay. Maybe we can work out an agreem-" He gets cut off by the sound of laughter. Lucifer.

"You're so weak. It's hilarious." I can tell Coals intentions.

"Coal..." I whisper weakly, but it's to late he's charging at Lucifer full force. As if plucking a petal off of a flower Lucifer grabs his throat and pulls him off of the ground.

"Ah the warrior. All brave and mighty. Ready to protect your love. Did you really think you could? You are pathetic. Just look at her there lying on the sand. All because she cared to much for you." His sneer deepens. "Now you will die." He goes to smash him into the ground but suddenly it's as if the world is moving in slow motion. I jump to my feet and charge at Lucifer. He turns his head a millisecond to late as I take my aim and fire. There is a cry of pain that echoes across the desert. His head falls to the ground with a thud. His body following shortly after.

Lucifer is dead. The devil is dead.

Now what? The armies stand stock still. No one knows what to do. "Ember, right now might be a good time to say something..." Coal half whispers half coughs.

"Armies of Heaven and Hell." I project, suddenly gaining courage. "You're leaders are dead. You're futures undetermined. I ask you now to look around. Look at your fallen brothers and sisters. Do you want to join them?" Many heads shake. "Now I'm not asking you to stop being yourselves. I'm just asking for an understanding. This war will never end. You can't exist without each other. Good needs bad and bad needs good. Stop driving each other insane. Let's work together, using the presence of good and bad to keep balance. Keep the world inline." With a final glance around the battle field I finish. "What do you say? Live in harmony?" I grab Coals hand. "Not just for me but for everyone you care about too."

Slowly but surely they raise their hands. One by one. They agree with me. They agree. I did it.

But now what?