Book: Ember in the ashes

According to the legend of the Swordsmen, a soldier who dies easily dances among the stars, fighting enemies for ages. Is this waiting for me? Or will I sleep in endless darkness, unbreakable and silent?

Fear can be helpful. He can save your life. But don't let him rule you. When fear grips you, fight it and win, because your spirit and your heart are stronger.

Too much fear and you're paralyzed. Too little fear and you're too presumptuous.

Fear will be your enemy if you allow it yourself.

It's not you killing me. I choose death myself. Because I'd rather die than be like you. I would rather die than live without pity, without honor, without soul.

I suddenly stopped feeling disgraced or defeated. This - this is what Cain was talking about: the freedom to go to death, knowing that it would be right. Freedom to call your soul. The freedom to retain a little bit of kindness, refusing to be like my mother and dying for something worth dying for.

I wasn't afraid. I have long been accustomed to suffering and blood. Loneliness is an old friend of mine. Anger is my helper, I used it to get through everything.

Where there is life, there is hope. My hope flashed like a candle in the dark.

You're full, Laya. Full of life and darkness, light and spirit. You come into our dreams. You're going to burn because you're a coal in the ashes. It's your destiny. Being a spy in the Militia is only a small part of you. Nothing.

There are two types of guilt. One is a heavy burden and the other is the one that ignites your soul with a new purpose. Let your guilt fill you with purpose. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw an imaginary line and never cross it. You have a soul. She's hurt, but she's there. Don't let them take her away from you.

I live with my sin every day. I live with a load of guilt. But there are two kinds of guilt: one that drowns you until you are worthless, and the other that ignites your soul with a new purpose.

I saw the way you looked at her. As if she were water and you were dying of thirst.

More battles. More violence. All I want is to flee the Empire. And I'm still here. True freedom is freedom of body and soul. That's what I'm fighting for, I reminded myself. Not for the throne. Not for power. For freedom.

Better death than tyranny.