Chapter 5 Ember's Death, Beginning Of Revenge

*TWO WEEKS LATER * Ember walked down a lonely path, her feet carrying her through the alley as she hummed a gentle tune. The basket of vegetables she had purchased from the market swayed gently in her arms, her eyes fixed on the ground ahead. Suddenly, a man emerged from the shadows, his eyes locked onto hers with an unnerving intensity. As he approached her, he called out her name, "Ember?" His voice was low and menacing, and Ember's expression turned curious as she turned to face him. "Do you know me?" she asked, her voice laced with caution. The man's face twisted into a cruel smile as he replied, "Yes, I know you." Without warning, he pulled out a knife and slit it through Ember's shoulder, the blade biting deep into her flesh. Ember's expression contorted in pain as she shouted, "Who are you? And why are you doing this?" She clutched her shoulder, her hand trembling as she tried to stem the bleeding. The man's smirk grew wider as he revealed, "Before I kill you, I should at least tell you who sent me." His eyes glinted with malice as he said, "Your stepmother, the wife of the minister." Ember's expression turned bitter, her voice laced with pain and anger as she realized the truth. "She threw me out of the family, and now she wants me dead," she said, her words barely above a whisper. The man's knife flashed in the sunlight as he stabbed Ember again, this time in the stomach. Ember's eyes widened in shock, and she stumbled backward, her body weakening. Just as the man was about to deliver the final blow, Akira appeared out of nowhere, her eyes blazing with fury as she hit the man's head with a rock. He crumpled to the ground, his head bleeding as he became unconscious. Akira rushed to Ember's side, her expression twisted in horror as she saw the blood streaming from her stomach and mouth. "Ember!" she shouted, her voice cracking with emotion. "Ember, please stay with me," she cried, pulling Ember into her arms. Ember's expression was weak, her eyes cloudy with pain as she whispered, "My stepmother sent this man to kill me." Her voice was barely audible, but Akira heard her clearly. Ember's eyes filled with tears as she begged, "Please stay alive, and help me get revenge." Akira's face contorted in grief as she nodded, tears streaming down her own eyes. Ember's body began to weaken, her eyes fluttering closed as she whispered her final words, "Live as me, get revenge on my behalf, I beg you." Akira held her close, her heart breaking as Ember's eyes closed, her body going limp in her arms. Akira's expression was one of devastation, her eyes streaming with tears as she mourned the loss of her friend. Akira's face was etched with grief and determination as she cried, "I will get revenge for you, I will destroy the people who killed you." She made a promise to Ember's lifeless body, her voice shaking with emotion. After burying Ember in the forest, Akira paid her last respects, her expression somber and reflective. As she walked back home, she encountered a carriage with two maids, who were discussing their mission. One of the maids wore a happy expression, saying, "We're almost there, we will finally bring the second mistress home." The second maid’s face lit up with a warm smile as she added, "The old madam asked to bring her home for her birthday, Ember will finally come back home." Akira's expression turned determined as she rushed home to inform the midwife. "Aunt, Ember was killed by an assassin sent by her stepmother," she said, her voice urgent. The midwife's face contorted in shock, her eyes wide with fear. "What!" she exclaimed. Akira continued, her voice steady, "And some people are coming to get Ember, they said the old madam wants her back for her birthday." The midwife's expression turned frantic, her eyes welling up with tears. "They're going to kill my whole family, what will I do," she cried, her voice trembling with fear. Akira's face set in determination, she said, "I will go as Ember." The midwife looked at her, and Akira's expression was resolute. Just then, a knock at the door interrupted them. "They're here, I need to go, I promised Ember that I will help her get revenge," Akira said, her voice firm and determined. The midwife nodded, finally agreeing to Akira's plan. Her face was etched with worry and concern as she pleaded with Akira, her eyes wide with fear. "My family's life is in your hands, please don't get caught," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. Akira's expression was resolute and determined, her eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "I will do everything in my power to avenge Ember's death, so don't worry, I won't get caught," Akira reassured her, her voice firm and confident. Akira then stretched out her hand, her expression expectant, and said, "And yes, give me the jade back." The midwife's face faltered, her expression hesitant, as she replied, "But Ember gave it to me." Her voice was laced with a mix of reluctance and attachment. Akira's expression turned persuasive, her eyes locked onto the midwife's, as she explained, "I will need it, Ember's mother gave it to her, I need something to prove that I'm Ember." The midwife's face softened, her expression resigned, as she reluctantly handed over the jade to Akira. Akira's eyes lit up with determination as she took the jade, her grip firm and resolute. As they went outside to greet the visitors, the two maids bowed their heads, saying, "Greetings, second mistress." Akira's expression was calm and composed, her voice steady as she replied, "Greetings." Her expression was one of confidence. ***** As night fell, Ember and her two maids arrived at a guest house. One of the maids, with a polite and considerate expression, said, "Young mistress, we will stay here for the night." Ember's face remained calm, her expression serene, as she replied, "Let's go inside." The maids nodded, and they entered the guest house. Meanwhile, Gavin and his guard approached the guest house, their eyes scanning the environment. The guard, with a professional and efficient expression, said, "I reserved a room, we will stay here for the night." Gavin nodded, his face relaxed, and replied, "Okay, we will stay here for the night and head home to the Midnight Pack tomorrow." The guard nodded, and they entered the guest house.