When Ember woke up this time, she wasn't in a windowless cell but in the temple infirmary. The room was dim, signaling that it was in the evening. Even so, a few priests and acolytes shuffled around, checking on patients.

Ember's body hurt and even deeper pain came from her soul. Despite that, she could feel that her soul was healing. Someone must have used Cleanse to fight the corruption. She could still feel it gnawing at her soul, staining it, but it wasn't as encompassing as before. Ember turned her head to look around. It hurt to move but she forced herself.

Beside her, was her mother. She lay partly on the bed, asleep. Not too far from her was Rowan, asleep in a chair. She looked at them and a warmth spread through her chest at the sight. Tears well up in her eyes.

"You're awake."

Ember turned her head to see a priest walking towards her. She had a gentle face that put Ember at ease. Beside her was an acolyte who whispered something to the priest before hurrying from the room.

Well, that's suspicious. But Ember was too exhausted to worry about it.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Five days," the priest said. "I'm surprised you even woke up this soon."

Ember grunted. She knew it was probably due to her soul resistance. "What about the others?"

"They are both doing well. They woke up yesterday. Their damage was bad but not as bad as yours."

Ember didn't say anything to that. She simply lay there and breathed. Her mind was bogged down by thoughts she rather not have. The sound of urgent steps distracted her. She turned her head to look at who was approaching to see Knight Vantosia and Knight Garrick. She almost expected them. What she didn't expect was the man with them - Count Uniar.

Her breathing sped up at the sight of him. Everything she had been working towards, the pain and guilt, was for this moment. She steadied her breathing and tried to sit up. Knight Garrick rushed forward, helping to prop her up while Knight Van looked at her with a dark look in his eyes.

The Count studied her before his gaze drifted to her sleeping family and then back to her. "Maiden Ember, I owe you a great debt. You saved my daughter."

Ember didn't say anything.

"Do you think you can tell me what happened?"

"It's too soon," Knight Garrick protested and even Knight Vantosia was giving the Count a disapproving look.

"It's fine," Ember said. This was too important for her to wait. Taking a deep breath, she began to tell him a revised version of what happened.

Knowing that Knight Vantosia would be checking her story for the truth, she focused on only the details she felt comfortable telling. She kept out the part of using Soul Torture or taking Allen's abilities. Instead of saying she used her ability to throw him off guard, she focused on how Allen had no idea about her soul weapon and how she used Mally to finish him off.

It was obvious there were gaps in her story but when she was done, Knight Vantosia confirmed it was true.

"I'm sorry to ask this, but it's necessary. Did you work with Allen?"

"No," Ember said coldly.

"True," Knight Van said.

A look of relief spread across the Count's face. "Good." Then the Count knelt in front of her, causing a soft gasp to spill from the room. "Maiden Ember, what you've done to save my daughter, even to the point of corrupting your soul. It cannot be measured. For a child to fight against such odds when the adults failed to protect you. Thank you. My appreciation is too great to be shown but I promise that you will gain a reward as great as the deeds you've accomplished."

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The Count stood up but before he could turn away Ember spoke.

"I have something I want."

The Count turned to her in surprise and with a trickle of suspicion.

Ember pushed on. "Please save my father."

The Count looked confused but Knight Vantosia spoke up, quickly explaining what happened with her father and Lord Felis.

The Count frowned but nodded. "Consider it done." With that, he strode out of the infirmary.

Ember closed her eyes and relief spread through her. She had finally done it. Everything she had gone through had all been for this. Finally, her family would be whole once more.

---

Two weeks passed in the infirmary. During that time, she had several visitors. Her mother had woken up shortly after the Count left and had wept and hugged Ember. That woke Rowan up and while her brother didn't cry, he hugged her as tightly as he could. The next day Justine had come, looking guilty. She felt bad about not being there during the attack but Ember assured her that it wasn't her fault. Ember had given her the day off to go with Allyana. Plus, she hadn't wanted Justine around in case the kidnapping happened since she needed to be the one who saved Allyana. Of course, she didn't tell Justine that.

It was a few days before Patricia and Allyana visited her. Allyana looked worn out and Ember couldn't help feeling guilty about using her. Logically, she knew that Allyana was destined to be kidnapped and if Ember hadn't stepped in she would have died, but it didn't change the fact that she had used the girl and could have possibly prevented this if she had come clean. On top of that, Patricia had been dragged down with them.

"I'm sorry," Ember said to two women.

Allyana smiled. "You have nothing to be sorry about. You saved me."

Ember didn't say anything more, but when she looked at Patricia there was a knowing look in the girl's eyes.

They sat and talked with her and she discovered that Richard was injured but recovering. They had even found Bridget alive though she had been heavily injured. Unfortunately, all the guards that had been with them in Patricia's room had died. It really showed just how powerful Soul Torture could be.

----

That night, as she rested alone in the infirmary, Ember called up Keeper. She looked at the list of abilities. For so long, she had wanted to be stronger no matter the cost. She had been weak in her past life and she never wanted to feel that way again. So, she took whatever route she could to obtain power.

But was that the right way? It had saved her but she could feel the corruption slithering through her. The priest came and used Cleanse on her but it never seemed enough. It was like the stain was rooted deep inside her.

She knew they would eventually get it out. She was still capable of being saved but it had been close.

Ember looked blankly at her list of powers. How far was she willing to go for it? Would she go as far as to lose her humanity? She knew she would. She would never stop. That was who she was, so she had to decide.

Taking a deep breath, Ember released the Shade abilities one by one.

She couldn't help feeling weaker but she also felt lighter. She smiled and then jerked back as a bright light appeared in front of her. She blinked as a scroll unfurled in front of her.

----

Quest of the Akashic Tree

Plant the seed in the designated place at the destined time.

Reward: Akashic Ability - Ruler's Right

----

"They're back!" Rowan said and he practically danced around Ember. Ember was still in the infirmary but now she could walk around though a bit slowly.

"Well, lead the way."

Rowan nodded and shot forward while Ember followed behind him. Her brother kept darting up and down the hall, clearly wanting to hurry but at the same time trying not to rush her. Ember tried to move faster but it still hurt to move despite all the physical damage being gone. Still, she hobbled along as fast as she could. Rowan wasn't the only one excited.

Eventually, they made it to the temple entrance to see their mother crying. Their father's arms were wrapped around her, holding her tightly. Her father looked thin and worn but there was a smile on his face.

"Dad!" Rowan shouted and then he was rushing forward, slamming into their parents.

Ember wished she could say she was more composed but she wasn't too far behind Rowan. Warm arms wrapped around her and she sunk into them.

Finally, she thought. I'm home.

End of Book 1