Different Yet The Same

Chapter Seventeen

-Coal-

I slowly sit up, crying out in pain. We've been sparring for just over an hour now and I'm being royally defeated.

Ever since yesterday Embers ferocity has intensified to something like a foolishness. Where she just wants to fight, run herself down until she can't go anymore.

"Again!" She barks at me. Taking her battle stance, right leg in front of her left, fists clenched at her sides.

"No!" I hiss. Earning myself a quizzical look from her. "I'm done with being kicked around! We're getting the rest of the available soldiers in here." I'm not thinking straight, right now I just want to see her taken down.

I run around the hotel, gathering all the available soldiers. Running with them back to the gym, I enjoy seeing Embers shock when five other soldiers follow me into the room.

"Okay guys!" I yell. "This..." I say pointing at Ember. "Is the famous Ember, daughter of Lucifer himself. You are here to take her down! Show her the power of the soldiers we train!" I bellow. "Now...who's first?"

The soldiers look amongst themselves. They're all very big guys, muscles even bigger than my own.

"I'll go." Says a deep gravelly voice. From the back of the group comes a tall guy, about 6'3, he has a lot of confidence, you can tell from the way he carries himself. Proud.

"Okay." I confirm. "Ember? You scared?" I mock.

"Hell no. Bring it." She spits at me, malice in her voice.

"Okay!" I scream, my anger boiling. "You're name?" I ask the challenger.

"Crimson." He growls, glaring at Ember.

"Okay Crimson...take her down!" I hiss and the match begins.

Crimson runs at Ember barrelling into her and tossing her to the ground. She try's to get up but he punches her square in the face causing her nose to give way to a heavy flow of blood.

He attacks her punching and kicking, leaving bruises all along her arms and legs, decorating her torso in blue, black and purple.

The other soldiers are cheering him on. I'm tempted to join in but I can't help but feel guilty for Ember. I am the one who put this on her.

Delivering one more deadly blow to her head Crimson turns around and raises his arms in the air, bellowing out in victory.

The soldiers are clapping and cheering and this time I do join in.

She deserved it.

Then I see Ember slowly getting up from the blood splattered mat. Crimson sees her and laughs.

"Are you really wanting to go again?" He mocks. "Want me to damage that pretty little face of yours! I will kill you!"

He runs at her again, but this time I see Embers face. It contains a burning fury, that is alight in her eyes making her look more menacing, like she could rip him to shreds.

Suddenly Ember let's out a roar of rage and the soldiers and I stare in shock as she transforms.

Fire has manifested itself from thin air, travelling up and down her body like ivy. Encircling her in a cocoon of vengeful flames. Her hair has turned into fire sparks flying in every direction. In no time at all, her body is consumed by fire, she's wearing nothing but charcoal black shorts and ripped tank top. She let's out an inhuman roar and charges at Crimson who is now paralyzed with fear.

She runs at him and picks him up throwing him across the room as if he weighed nothing. He crashes into the wall leaving a dent and pieces missing.

"You could never kill me!" She hisses, in a deep velvety voice. As she stalks towards him. "I would like to see you try!"

With that she sends a river of flames coming down her arms, and burns Crimson until he is nothing but ashes.

The rest of the soldiers have fled, leaving me alone with this monster.

"Ember..." I plea, trying to calm her down.

"That is not my name!" She scolds. "I am Ignis."

I stare at her in shock. Her charcoal eyes, turning greener by the second. She's turning back.

"No you're Ember." I say cautiously.

"No I am not!" Ignis bellows.

"Ember..."

Suddenly Ignis twitches. "Coal..." She whispers.

"Yes Ember it's me, please come back." I plea to her.

Then slowly the fire starts to fade, and in no time Ember is back looking exactly how she had before Ignis showed herself.

"Ember..." I say soothingly. Walking closer to her.

"No!" she screeches jumping away from me. "I'll kill you." Then she runs out of the gym, with me following closely behind.

She clearly doesn't know where she is going. Eventually backing herself into a corner. "Please Coal." She whispers. "Just go away!"

Not wanting her to turn back into that creature, I talk soothingly. "It's fine alright. You could never kill me." I say cockily.

"I killed Crimson." She sighs, but glares at me her eyes turning a lava red, clearly not enjoying my cockiness.

"Yes but he was going to kill you." I reassure her.

She takes a minute to process this then she suddenly seems to come to a conclusion. "It's all your fault!" she yells.

"What how?" I question.

"You brought them to me just so you weren't the only one being beat to a pulp!" She sneers.

I stand silently, not denying the accusation.

"You see this!" She screeches, pulling her shirt up so I can see her flat stomach painted with bruises of all shapes and sizes. "This is all your fault!" She rages.

"I-I know." I stammer. "I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? Sorry!" She yells. "Sorry doesn't cut it!" She's about to storm away.

Not even thinking I grab her arm and pull her back to me.

"Listen." I start. "I know what I did was unacceptable. Just please give me the chance to make it right." I beg.

"How do you plan on doing that?" she sneers, her words dripping venom.

I pause and scratch the back of my neck. Then I get an idea. "How about dinner? Tonight at eight?"

She looks surprised, stunned even. She quickly collects herself. "Okay. I'll see you in the lobby at eight." With that she walks away, a new confidence in her step.

'This should be interesting.' I think to myself.

I have a date with the devil's daughter.