The nation slowly rose from the 'ashes' of war. = It slowly rose out of the 'ashes' and began to rebuild itself.
The city was reduced to 'ashes' by the fire. = The city was burned to 'ashes'.
Their happiness turned to 'ashes'. [=their happiness was destroyed]
(..) Protected them. Then came the peace. Hard fought. Solely won. The people. Rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. The freedom has a cost. And the traitors was defeated. Peace-War as a nation. We would never know (..)2012 The Hunger Games