Different Yet The Same

Chapter Thirteen

-Coal-

I peer through the dense tree branches, with their leaves all coloured beautifully, just in time to see the blinding white light that is a one and only portal to Heaven.

"Damn it!" I scream, as soon as the portal has closed, my voice cutting through the forest like a knife, silencing everything.

I was so close! She was right there and then another second she's gone.

It's that stupid guardian, he's getting in my way.

My anger is boiling, I stalk off in the direction of my bike. I can't go to Heaven, that would start Armageddon, and I'd certainly be killed.

My only option is to get back to Lucifer and see if his little bird has made her way back.

I rev my bike and head off in the direction of the highway, the only way to get out of this sad little town.

All the while thinking about her. I don't know her name, or what she looks like. All I know is that I have to protect her, it's what I've been training to do ever since I was a little kid.

They told me, "She's all that matters. She's more important than anything. You have to be willing to give up anything even your life to save her."

That is exactly what I pledged to do. I was hand picked for this assignment out of hundreds upon hundreds of others. They have faith in me.

Sometimes I can't see how important this girl really is. If she's Lucifers daughter then she must be able to protect herself, but she's a girl so that's not very likely. She's probably like the girls back home, trying desperately to be pretty, wearing those disgusting clothes and throwing themselves at ever man in sight.

Suddenly I'm not so excited to meet her.

I get to the highway and pull off down a side road and take it all the way to the end, to a deserted area, enclosed by a gathering of trees the size of giants, their upper most branches reaching like talons into the clouds.

I hop off my bike and draw a hexagon in the dirt, then making a sweeping motion in the air I chant the spell that will open a portal.

As soon as the last word escapes my lips a crimson red portal opens, and I drive my bike through it. More than ready to be back home.

•••

Once through the portal, I find myself welcomed with the familiar sight of Lucifers hotel, standing tall, towering over the city, piercing daggers of fear into the hearts of the inhabitants of this soul crushing city.

Parking my bike out front and placing a few spells to keep it safe. I head inside greeting Samantha, as she works tirelessly at the receptionist desk.

I head down a few hallways excitedly, my pace fast and anxious. Stopping abruptly at the boardrooms towering doors.

I go to walk in but stop myself and knock three times before entering.

As I walk in I see Lucifer and as soon as he notices me he smiles.

"Coal! What a wonderful surprise." He beams.

"Hello sir, I came to ta-" He cuts me off.

"We will discuss business later, first there is someone I'd like you to meet." He leads me over to other side of the room where a girl stands staring out the window.

"Coal...I would like you to meet my daughter, Ember." He chuckles and walks away.

She turns around, and I can feel my eyes bulge.

She's gorgeous.

Her long raven black hair, cascading down her back in waves, her figure tall and slim, her skin so pale it's like I can see through her. Her eyes a captivating emerald green that have a sparkle to them.

She doesn't look scared or nervous. She looks powerful, she stands tall, shoulders back, head held high, I can see a small dagger attached to the waist of her pants, making her look ready for a fight.

I'm still gaping at her when she holds out her hand and says, "Nice to meet you Coal." I slowly take her hand, her skin soft and ice cold despite the burning temperatures surrounding this hell hole, and she shakes my hand with a firm grip.

"Wow, she actually shook your hand." Lucifer gasps, "She wouldn't shake my hand." He grumbles like a little kid.

She glares at him and then looks back at me. "Uh h-hi, Ember." I manage to muster out. She smirks at me, clearly enjoying my uneasiness.

"Coal is our finest soldier." Lucifer says boasting on my behalf. "He will be training you to fight, you can start now. BERTA! GRETA!" He bellows the two demons names, they come quickly and take Ember off to the training room.

He looks at me, "Listen, she's strong, but inexperienced so be careful and don't damage her face okay? Don't hurt her but don't underestimate her either."

"Yes sir." I reply, confident she won't get close enough to me to make contact, and with that, I head towards the training room still thinking about Ember.

The training room looks like any regular school gym, but with punching bags lining one wall, three wrestling mats in the middle, and weights along the other wall, finally there is a section above it where people can sit, during competitions.

After quickly changing into a pair of shorts and another t-shirt, I run to the gym. Ember has already beat me there, wearing a pair of short black shorts and a grey tank top.

"Okay." I begin. "Do you know how to punch and kick properly?"

"I know how to kick and punch." She says bluntly.

"Good, show me." I challenge.

"Okay." She sighs, taking a perfect battle stance, she swings forward so fast I can only tell her foot connected with my side because of the sharp pain I feel.

"Ah!" I scream. "That hurt! How the hell did you do that?"

"I just kicked you, not even that hard." she points out.

Right, Lucifers daughter I forgot. That makes her one of the most powerful people out there, I'll need to adjust my tactics.

"Okay good job, now block my hits." I say before setting off a rapid fire of punches at her face and abdomen, she blocks most of them easily but even the few I manage to get through don't even faze her.

After an hour of this, and a few harsh blows that should of sent her crying later, we call it quits until tomorrow.

"Good job Ember you're doing well." I comment, while icing the bruises that cover my torso.

"Thanks." She spits, then stalks off towards the exit, closing the door sharply behind her.