Persphyni : I am Destruction

17

The woman took me to the chief quickly after she handed me back the seal. Her pace separated me from the rest of the group too quickly for my liking.

I kept a calm composure while I scanned everything in sight; mapping exits, marking guards, counting weapons, planning ahead on muscle memory. Making sure I was prepared to get my family out and the hydro-generator. And Bryan.

The rough pounding of boots moving fast came from behind us as we came to a stop while the rest of my people were dragged in by the other grounders that belonged to our hunting party.

I clenched my jaw but stayed silent as a bearded grounder stepped into our path and the woman beside me snatched the seal to present to him.

"Where did you get this?" I stared at the chief as my people were forced to their knees, my brain screaming at me to slit this guy's throat while my heart clawed it's way to attention with its idea of slaughtering every single grounder in here.

"King Roan." Bellamy spoke, a tad bit of sass in his voice as I forced myself to hold back my smirk. If that was me, he would have gotten punched into next Tuesday. "Azgeda and Skaikru are allies. He sent us to get a part of the ship, a machine."

"'Haihefa' Roun nou don komba raun Azgeda hashta thri yiron, you. Banau Hainofa-de nou laik ai Haihefa." The woman got close to the chief as she spoke, and my eyes drifted towards the chief's hand as it unsheathed his dagger.

"Look, if we'd come to take this place back," I cut Bellamy off.

"I would have already done it." My eyes staring into the chief, speaking English knowing he understood. Subconsciously tracking his blade as well as the other seven grounders in the hallway. "Your men would have been slaughtered and blood would have poured through this ship like a river in spring." I added, my hands causally drifting to clench my daggers as I stared at the man.

"Tsa jos dula'm klin, Dakiva." The chief stepped forward towards my people where my body cut him off.

"Ai na breik em au." I informed before slicing Adria's small hunting knife through Bellamy's rope as I lifted him, all the while keeping my eyes on the chief.

"Where is this machine for the king?" He asked Bellamy as I freed the rest of the Arkies, helping them to their feet before I returned to the front of the group.

"Led the way, Chief." I saw his nostrils flare at my tone, but he said nothing, only turned and led us down several more hallways until we reached the belly of the ship.

Until we reached the hidden work force that gave the grounders the ability to power technology far beyond their ability. Arkies.

"Here I was thinking the grounders could read instruction manuals." I muttered to myself, my eyes scanning the haunted faces.

"Kamba, blinka daun!" I knew none of the others understood more than a few phrases and words, but I understood everything. Admittedly it is a blessing and a curse.

"Slaves." I whispered quietly to Bellamy as I felt him put a hand on my back, most likely to ask me to translate. But whether that was his intent or not, the warmth of his touch calmed me enough to continue to follow after the chief.

"Do what you came to do." Bellamy's hand pushed further onto my back as he felt me slow down.

"I know you want to, but we can't. We have to get the machine." His words sunk into me, pulling my hands from my dagger hilts as I knew he was right. I couldn't fight these people right now. The causalities would be far greater in number and not worth it in the long run.

"Yo don sen em in: Kigon yo granen!"

"Up there, the generator." Thank you, Monty.

"Let's go." My voice was authoritative and left no room for discussion. We need to get up there before I ended up taking my blades and possibly tearing apart our peaceful alliance.

I reached the stairs and made Bellamy lead them up, I wanted to take the rear so I could react if necessary. And seems like I was right in doing so.

"Riley?" My eyes snapped to Bryan as he looked at someone in chains, his eyes widening. "Riley." He took a step towards the man when I got him off with a stern look.

"No. This is not our mission." Bryan went to push passed me, but I held him in front of me. I could feel the watchful eyes as they saw Wanlida holding conflict with a member of her party.

"You challenge me one more time in here, Bryan, and I swear." I saw the anger in his eyes as well as the frustration and the sorrow. "Stairs, now." I watched his jaw clench, his eyes flicked behind me before he harshly spun and ascended the steps.

The chief making his debut as I turned to face his already watching eyes as I ushered Miller up onto the stairs.

"Only the machine. The rest is ours." For now.

________•*•*•*•_______

"I don't care that we're unarmed. We can't just leave them." I stood at the railing as Bryan continued with his idea.

"We're in the coalition now, so we ask the king to free them. That's our best bet." Harper kept her voice down as the five of them kept working on the generator as I kept watch.

"Not if it means leaving Riley." I bit my tongue to keep from retorting.

"No. We won't, okay. But Harper's right. We try diplomacy first. If they doesn't work, we come back."

"It won't work. Not with this chief. He's one of Azgeda's infamous war chiefs. His whole occupation is to advise the King with war. Which is why he'll say that this is going to help them in some way." The words slipped from my mouth as I decided to let them know what I was thinking. "I can get you all out and to the vehicle, then I'll come back for the rest of them. You all and that generator are my first priorities." It was silent for a few minutes as they took in what I had just said.

My eyes catching a little girl as she quickly glanced up before accidentally bumping me. I rose an eyebrow before shutting down my face into a neutral expression when I heard the soft thud of cloth hit the floor behind me. She hadn't done it on accident. Smart kid.

I didn't turn to face her, instead I kept my gaze forward and causally moved my foot over the item and pulled it under my boot.

After a few more seconds I bent down to tie my shoe, my hands grabbing the cloth and standing back up as if nothing else happened. After a few more patient seconds I glanced down at my hands.

My fists clenched around the cloth as I read the message, my heart hammering in my chest as it got my mind on the same page.

They would all die.