An Ember in the Ashes tells the gripping tale of Laia, a slave, and Elias, a soldier, both of whom are shackled in their own ways under the oppressive Martial Empire. In a society where defiance against the Empire equates to a death sentence, Laia resides with her grandparents and older brother in the impoverished backstreets, living a life of fear and subjugation.

Their fragile existence is shattered when Laia's brother is taken prisoner for treason. Faced with his impending execution, Laia makes a perilous choice to seek aid from rebels who vow to save her brother. In return, she must infiltrate the Empire's premier military academy as a spy. It is within these walls that she encounters Elias, the academy's most distinguished—and most reluctant—soldier.

As Laia embarks on her dangerous mission, her path intertwines with that of Elias, leading them both to question their roles in a society rife with tyranny and injustice. Their decisions will have far-reaching consequences, not just for their own fates, but for the future of the entire Empire.