The Great Demon System

For hours, the hospital room of complete white had been dead silent, although there had been two people present. They sat near each other, yet they spoke no words as they stared blankly at the wall, almost like they were trying to disregard each other's presence.

The atmosphere was slightly awkward between the two. Both bore hair with bright colours of flame. One, sat on the bed with hair of half orange and half gold while the other, a female with hair of bright scarlet was sat upon a stool to his side, hints of sweat on her face and her hands clenched on her lap. 

But that all suddenly changed. The man on the bed abruptly sighed and sat up straight, catching her by surprise after he had kept to himself and ignored her for so long.

"What do you want… " He muttered, taking a deep breath and shaking his head. "You said we met before right? What's your name, and state your purpose…"

"Apologies!" She lowered her head. "I seem to have let my manors slip; I have yet to tell you my name… My name is Abby Reid."

"Reid?" His eyes gently opened. "Where have I… Wait… I've read this somewhere… Wasn't your entire family executed?"

"Yes, they were," She nodded. "I was the only survivor all due to the mercy of my stepfather…" 

"Are you not distraught over that?" 

"No, of course not. I feel no remorse for the likes of them…" 

Rupert was taken aback by her sudden change of expression as he leaned back on his pillow.

"Hmmm… I see… That seems like a sensitive topic, so I won't pry any further. But, can you explain to me how you even know me?"

"Kai Fatebringer. How can I forget? When we were children, the fire families would always frequently meet. The adults would go to their own places while we children were left in another room to socialize. I would always get picked on by all the other kids, and especially my older sister but it was always you and your brother who stood by my side. Especially your brother who would always stand up to my sister like some sort of hero or champion. However, he was rather cold and unkind when I would try to thank or help him… While you on the other hand were far more open to conversation." She gripped her hands together and stared down as she did once before.

"I'm sorry but, I can't seem to remember any of that." Rupert shook his head. 

"It's not surprising. We fire households stopped doing meetings after I had turned ten. But, I promise you I speak the truth." 

"Don't worry. The way you describe Regrit really does seem accurate, so, I believe you. Still, I can't guarantee that my intentions at the time for helping you was any pure. I had a troubled past you see. But that's behind me now. Anyways, why exactly are you here again? Is there a reason I shouldn't just send you away? I don't ever remember inviting you." 

"I got special permission for entry…"

"Figures…"

"I came here to thank you for your help in the past and to ask something else."

"Yeah? What is it? Spit it out," He responded with clear disinterest in his voice. 

"I spectated your match with Adam Walker. It was truly a spectacle to behold. The way you used fire was unlike anything I ever thought was possible. It was almost inhuman. Would you be willing to teach me do the same?"

*Tsk* "Who the hell do you think I am?" He scowled. "Don't think just because you got a pretty face and a nice chest that I would teach you."

"OF COURSE NOT!! I would never!! I have something else to offer!!" She stood up out of her seat straight as an arrow with firm, angered, gleaming eyes of crimson that immediately left Rupert speechless. 

*Hmph* "Whatever it is you offer, I doubt I'd agree. And besides, why would you want a failure like me to teach you?"

"Failure?" She raised an eyebrow, slowly sitting back down in her seat. "You almost beat the strongest student in history! If you are a failure, then I am even worse than trash!"

"Well, then maybe you are…"

"Excuse me!" 

"You don't understand…" Rupert's tone suddenly lessened, and the glow around the female to his side began to subside. "I had the power to win. I had more than enough. But I had lost and let down the person I admire most. Now, I doubt he'd accept me or even bat an eye at the sight of me without disgust."

"Huh? Who is this person of yours? Some sort of superior?"

"Maybe he is. Maybe he isn't. You have no right to know his name."

"Perhaps so! But I do have the right to speak what's on my mind! And I think whoever it is, if that's truly how they feel, then they are not worth serving!"

"Ah— How dare you utter those words!!" Black flames engulfed Rupert's figure, slowly turning orange as they burned off the bedsheets wrapped around him. With a dominant force nearly unrivalled and a stare that could melt steel, he stood face to face with the girl ahead of him, yet despite his presence, she remained firm; no hesitation in those crimson eyes. 

"A great man once told me… When I too was a pathetic sob like you! No! I was even worse… He told me… 'How many times do I have to tell you this! You have it all wrong! No matter how weak you get or how far you fall behind, you will never be useless or be mistreated by me because you are more than just a tool, a servant or subordinate.  So keep your head up high and think of the future! I am sure you will get past this eventually, I know you will!' THAT'S WHAT HE SAID!! If you understand you tried your best and put your whole heart and soul to serve, that should suffice!"

Despite the overwhelming pressure ahead of her, her voice remained strong. As she spoke, the weight pressed upon her began to lessen, and the face of anger upon the man ahead slowly widened following suit.

"Of course! That does not mean that you should not always strive for success, but that does not excuse any of this! Think about what you can do to make up for it and how you can better serve in the future! How is what you're doing going to help your situation!? You think I don't know anything huh? Do you! I've been in that exact same position as you before! Pathetic, drowning in my own delusional misery! IF YOUR SUPERIOR WOULD SO EASILY NEGLECT AND THROW YOU AWAY THEN HE IS NOT WORTHY OF YOUR TIME, EFFORT, OR LOYALTY!"

"..."

Once more, the room found itself engulfed in quiet. The aura that Rupert once held had all but completely subsided. And his dark face that grimaced seemed to have rekindled some of its lost flames.

"Those words… They sound familiar… Who was it who said them?"

"Just like you won't share the name of that seemingly heartless superior of yours, I have the right to reserve the name of mine as well!" She smiled. 

"I… I see… That is very understandable… … … Hmmm… Looking out into the future and trying my best to move forward… Is that the reason why you came to me for help in fire training?" He smiled back. 

"That may be the case. I can't say for sure. Anyways, so, what will it be?"

"Hmph… I guess I can consider your proposal… Of course, depending on what it is you have to offer." He waved his hands enthusiastically. 

"Well, that's a relief! Because I'm certain you won't be disappointed!" Her closed her eyes and confidently puffed her chest out forward with a chuckle. 

But that was when their conversation abruptly came to a halt and the doors of the room found themselves flung open. 

"Hey Kai, I've come to check up on you. Regrit's match just ended and—" A pink-haired girl emerged casually scratching her hair. Her head was looking towards the ground with lazy eyes, yet those eyes became gaping when she looked up to see what happened. "Abby Reid?"

"Elizabeth Elianora?" Abby responded. 

"Wait, you two know each other?" Rupert asked. 

"I guess you can say that… It's been a while since we last met eye to eye. I can't believe she's still even alive... Anyways… Seems like you're suddenly doing a lot better… Why is she here?" She exchanged glances between both of them. 

"That's none of your business Elizabeth! What are you? Jealous?"

"Jealous!? Jealous of what!? *Arg* Whatever! Seems like you're better now! So, you coming or what!?"

"What is there to come to?" Rupert questioned. 

Elizabeth sighed shaking her head before responding. "Regrit lost his match against Adam Walker."

"As expected," Rupert interjected. 

"So, you know that it means that it's now Moby Kane against Adam Walker! The final round is starting in a few minutes! I thought I'd come here to see if you're good enough to go!"

"Of course I'm coming…" He sternly responded before looking over to his side. "Do you want to watch with us too?"

"Uh— No, sorry." Abby aggressively shook her head. "I'm already watching this match with my step-sister. I can't simply leave her alone. Especially this match that we had been dreaming about watching for almost a year…"

"Oh! I see… Well, it's your loss!" Rupert shrugged. 

"My sister should already be there waiting for me. I should not keep her waiting. Thank you for talking to me Mr. Kai, this conversation has been truly insightful. If it is okay with you, I would like to contact you after this tournament is over."

"Fine by me! But it should really be me who thanks you…" 

They both bowed and exchanged a mutual expression, and soon after did Abby leave the room, leaving Elizabeth and Rupert to themselves. 

"Why was she here anyway? From when were you two friends?" Elizabeth questioned. "I'd stay as far away as possible from her. She's only trouble…"

"We only just met now…" He responded.

"Is there something going on between the two of you?"

"No! Of course not! She's not that kind of girl!"

"Yes! But YOU'RE that kind of guy!"