The Raine Family Legacy--Gen 1, Chapter 7: How Ember Got Her Groove Back?

I don't know what it is about childbirth that makes women go cross-eyed.

It's another boy!  This is Acid Raine.  (I really thought that it would be twins with how big she was...)

Miraj:  (I can't believe how much I miss sandwiches.)

Ember wasn't as interested in this baby as she was with the last one.  She found herself dwelling all too often on the pain that VJ had caused her.  She didn't understand it and it troubled her immensely.

Miraj was worried about his beloved girlfriend and suggested that she take a vacation to clear her head.  He assured her that he would have no trouble caring for the little ones while she was away.  She accepted, though she wasn't sure it would help.  Anyway, her boss had recently hinted that he'd like her to learn Martial Arts, so she would've gone to China eventually.

Ember arrived in Shang Simla.

It was breathtaking.

Outside of the her hotel, a flyer caught her eye. A local, Zhan Su, was seeking a brave adventurer to acquire an ancient relic from a tomb.

Ember decided a little adventure might be just what she needed to lift her spirits.  So she got dressed and headed straight out.

She got the details from Zhan Su.

But decided to stop at the Academy to start training first.

She unloaded tons of pent up aggression on that dummy.  It was very liberating.

She was a Yellow Belt in no time, and could now break foam boards.

When she tired of that, she stopped by the market to sample the local delicacies.  And pick up supplies for the tomb, of course.

Then she got to know some of her fellow adventurers...

...very well.

The next day, she entered the tomb.

She felt at home here, in the dank and the dark and the cold.

Maybe this is what she needed.  She felt a little better already.

And finding the treasure was supremely gratifying.

She did some more training, thinking of the raise she'd get once she returned to work.

She sparred with a few locals and even beat the first two competitors in the Tournament!

But before she knew it, the trip was over.  She did feel better, but not completely.  She had relieved the symptoms, but the infection was still there.  She knew in her heart that in a few days, she would feel the pain again.  Miraj ran out to greet Ember.  He had missed her terribly.  Then he told her he'd gotten her a gift.  Joy and anticipation had stretched a ridiculous grin across his face.

He led her upstairs to the bedroom, where she demanded to know what this was about.  She didn't care for surprises and games.

Miraj:  "I've prepared you a special dinner.  Just come in here."

Ember:  "In the bathroom?"

Ember was visibly confused.  Had Miraj gone a little loopy in her absence?

Nonetheless, his insistence persuaded her to do as he wanted.  As the door opened, she saw that the bathroom was no longer a bathroom.  It resembled very closely her old broom closet, which had been remodeled when VJ and Miraj moved in. 

And when she turned her head she saw a tired-looking old man, whom she didn't recognize at first glance.  She looked at his hair and it hit her.  This old man was VJ, the source of all her ails.

It was the nicest gift anyone had ever given her.  That day, Ember came as close to having a feeling that somewhat resembled love, as she ever would.  Miraj explained his theory.  He thought that if she destroyed the thing that caused her pain, the pain would die as well.  Perhaps Miraj wasn't as stupid as he appeared?  And how did he know about her old broom closet?  It was mind-boggling.

After thanking Miraj profusely, Ember set to work.

Miraj, being a good-hearted guy, typically gets nourishment exclusively from blood packs.

But even he joined in on the fun this time.  There was obviously no line he wouldn't cross for Ember. Not even his own brother mattered next to Ember.  

Together they took nearly every drop of blood in his body, and left him to die on the floor.

Ember slept like a baby that night.  She didn't even stir when the Reaper came for VJ's soul.

(Thanks to Gelydh over at Club Crimsyn for the blood packs.  I love them.  I also need to thank Aikea Guinea whose fangs I could not possibly have written this story without!)