REBELLION IS FORGED IN THE HEART OF THE EMPIRE. Before they were torn asunder, siblings Laia and Darin lived contentedly with their Nan and Pop within the Scholar district of Martial-ruled Serra. While Laia is afraid to venture outside her home due to the heavy Martial presence, Darin loves to explore all parts of their city—even those that are forbidden. As a dangerous illness spreads through Serra, Laia must confront her deepest fears in order to save a community besieged by disease. Meanwhile, Darin has a chance encounter with famed swordsmith Spiro Teluman that leads him down a precarious path away from his family . . . but towards hope for his people. New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir joins writer Nicole Andelfinger and artist Sonia Liao for an all-new original graphic novel revealing early days in the life of Laia and Darin before the tragedy that pulled them into the An Ember in the Ashes mythology.