Persphyni : I am Destruction

55

"The entire city is the battlefield." I leaned against the wall as Clarke explained to Bellamy. "No time limit. No guns. One warrior from each clan fights until only one remains."

"And the winner's clan takes the bunker. Just like that?" I sighed before answering Bellamy.

"Just like that." I pushed off from the wall and walked over to set my hands on the ledge. "It was the better way. If not, a whole war would have been fought and no one would have survived. Now," I looked down into the firelight decorating the City below. "Now the human race stands a chance."

"I'm assuming you will be fighting." I smiled softly as I turned to look at Bellamy.

"Yes. But not under Skaikru." The two whirled on me quickly as they threw questions like professional pitchers.

"Enough! I will not be fighting for Skaikru, because Octavia will be fighting for Skaikru. She needs this. It has to be her." I breathed in. "There are some things I haven't told you because it was better kept quiet. I know I may have completely betrayed your trust, but that is a chance I'm willing to take to see that you two survive come Praimfaya. Tomorrow you will see and I only hope you can understand. If you can find it in you to trust me, it will help ease the rest." They stared dumbfounded as I turned back to the City.

"It was a deal I had made with Lexa. It was why I was treated differently. Not just because I was Wanlida, Bringer of Death, but because I had agreed to become more. I am still one of you, I just want to secure the best chance of saving those who I care about. I hope soon you will be able to understand." My voice was a whisper as I grasped the concrete ledge tightly in my hands.

"You need to tell us what's going on, Persphyni. We can't understand unless we know." Someone shushed Clarke as a hand was placed on my shoulder. I was turned and pulled into someone's embrace. The sudden warmth shot through me. My hands holding on as I tethered myself to this world. My body folding into his as I let myself freeze in the present before my mind continued to charge onwards.

"We trust you, Persphyni. But you have to understand that we are confused." I nodded into his chest.

"I know, and I'm sorry. Part of my promise was an oath of silence that had long since passed. I haven't said anything because it was never relevant until now. We've been so busy that I forgot the other duties that surrounded me. And with all of them slaughtered, I had no one left to protect."

"Who, Persphyni?" I pressed my fingertips into Bellamy's shoulder as I stood on my toes to look at the blonde behind us.

"The True Natblidas. Aiden, Max, Cleo, Tyson, Alissa." I saw a shadow fall across her face as we stared at one another unwavering. Familiar hoofbeats reached my ears alerting me that it was time to go. I gently pulled from Bellamy's hold despite not wanting to.

"Without guns and with none of my security detail up to date on Grounder tactics. The only person who will win this is right down there. Octavia will fight for Skaikru." I grabbed both of their arms before they could look down to find the girl.

"Tomorrow, when the dawn rises, do not expect to see this version of me. When the conclave is over, get Indra to explain. But Skaikru will get a spot in that bunker and Octavia will be the champion. I swear on my life that you will live and Octavia will win the conclave. I swear." I release Clarke and turned to Bellamy before he could interrupt me.

"Go speak with your sister, make things right so she can go in with a clear head. Let her know you love her." I gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Ai na huk yu op kom diemeika, natshana, en skaifaya. Ai laik moba, Bellamy. Leidon, ai tombom." I whispered before placing a gentle kiss to his lips and walking away. If I stayed any longer he would have not let me go because the shock would have worn off.

He would have kept me there until I told him what I said, and then held me tighter to him to tell him everything. But I couldn't let him distract me. Not now. Not when I had to shed the light that surrounded me and embrace the flames that would glow in my darkness.

My hand drifted upwards as I played with the silver moon charm on my necklace Lexa had given me. The day she had accepted the thirteenth clan who was truly the fourteenth.

It was better to keep Skaikru out of the loop or things might have gotten messy between them and I. Being apart of two clans was risky and unheard of by a basic red-blood, but Lexa allowed me because she and the rest of the coalition knew I could handle the hardships. And when one clan was destined to be torn apart every new conclave, you look past the hardships and focus on a goal.

Hardships like not telling your family the whole truth. Hardships like walking away from someone who you could have loved for a long time. Hardships like fighting the young girl you had taught and seen as a little sister. Hardships like never truly being able to say goodbye because you weren't sure if you'd be able to let go.

All for the goal of saving your people.

These earthy bonds of compassion would tie me down if I let them. So I didn't— I wouldn't be saying goodbye for it would be harder for me to let go.

But heavy lies the crown.

And I shall wear it so they will never have to feel the weight that accompanies it and the world.

I am the Bringer of Death and Bearer of the World.

I am Persphyni Atlys Kane.