From The Ashes We Will Rise

Warrior

Let's get into the drama.

POV Alex

It's been a week since my last encounter with the commander. I feel numb and don't know how to forgive her. I love her so much, but she did the one thing I couldn't forgive. She has been stubborn and has tried to get me alone all week. She sends for me or has people watching me. I have gotten out of some and others I have been with either Anya, Octavia or Indra. Anya and I have this mother daughter bond that is real. It's like I'm her actual daughter and nothing in my past matters. When I'm with her I feel like a kid and loved. We train together, eat together, she braids my hair. She has been the person keeping me sane at the moment, her and Octavia. She doesn't judge but counsel me when I need it, gives me motherly advise. It's everything I have wanted. Octavia is like my sister. We have grown stronger and have gotten over our little bump. Now all I need is Lexa... But I can't bring myself to see her, let alone be alone with her. At the moment Anya and Indra had called the warriors living in Polis to the pits. Octavia and I stand behind them as everyone gathers. Apparently, there's something happening but they didn't say. All I know is Anya put war paint on me and got me ready in my armor. I had braided my hair in a way I have not done so in a long time, and I think it fits the occasion of whatever is happening today. Indra had gotten Octavia all fighting ready as well and we shared a look not knowing what was happening. After we gathered in the pit, I glanced around seeing the whole town there and lots of other clans around. I spotted Lexa in her throne, Clarke and a few others from different clans I'm guessing are ambassadors sit next to her in a line. "Anya what is happening?" I whisper after she pulled me off the side. "Some of the clans are challenging the commander and siding with Azgeda. They wanted the best warriors from each clan to gather and fight... to the death." She says and my eyes widen. "No..." I whisper, I won't be put through this again. "I won't... Octavia is for Skiakru?" I ask worriedly and she nods. "Yes, but because she is Indra's second and Skiakru is not part of the collation she will fight for Trikru." She says and I furrow my brows. "And me...?" I ask and she looks down. "The Azgada ambassador named you" she says, and I step back. "No, I won't fight" I say, and she sighs. "You have no choice, Lexa tried to fight it, but you are not Trikru anymore" she says sadly, and I scuff. "I bare the markings" I hiss pulling my sleeve to show the scared tattoo. "You have Azgeda marks too Alex" she whispers making me look away. "They named you...You need to go to your flag" she says, and I scuff looking at her then finding Lexa's eyes sat on her throne looking at me. I clench my jaw and glare at her as I walk towards the flag. "Alex!" Octavia calls and I stop but don't turn. "Indra told me" she says coming in front of me. "I won't fight you" she says, and I look at her. "Then you will die" I say and walk off steeling myself.

I was standing at the Ice Nation flag with my bow in hand and daggers secured in their place. I placed my quiver down and ran my finger along my bow setting it down as well. "ai laki glad yu will kom gonplei. The kwin will be happy yu gonplei kom Azgeda." (I am glad you will fight. The Queen will be happy you fight for Azgeda). The Ice Nation ambassador says walking up to me. I look at him and he steps closer handing me a blue coat. "Here and change your braids" he says and walks away. I glance over at Anya, Indra and Octavia to see them looking at me. I look away sadly, I have been disowned again... Why won't anyone fight for me? Every time I build relationships they crumble. Maybe I should let the beast out... I walk into the small tent that was set up for each warrior and take my black jacket off and set it on the ground with my bow and quiver. I slip the blue one on and fasten the buckles then undo my braids. I change it into one that Echo had done a few times. She had said they were for fierce Azgedan warriors. I grabbed the face paint and made winglike strokes and place a line on my forehead for the head of the bird. I take a breath and take my daggers out setting them on the wooden table. I'm done hiding, if they want a monster then they will get one. I hear horns and grab both my daggers and walk out of the tent my golden eyes stone cold. I look to see the Azgeda ambassador sitting with the others. My eyes glance over all of them and land on Lexa. She was looking at me already with an unreadable expression. I look away dragging my eyes at all the warriors getting ready to be pared up. My gaze lands on Octavia as she talks to Indra. Next my eyes land on Anya who looks conflicted and like she wants to come over to me. I want to give her a smile, but I find myself feeling nothing. They will only just disappoint you. I hear the Queen's voice echo in my mind. My eyes catch the night bloods in a group watching and Aden looks at me with a sad expression making my face soften just a tad before I look away. All the warriors step in front of their flags and Titus steps up on a platform near the commander and starts talking about the competition and the rules and what not. "The First pair up to fight to the death is Sankru and Podakru!" He says and they both step up. A few more fights happen, one of them being Octavia, but she ends up winning making me relax slightly. "Up next is Ingranronakru and Azgeda!" Titus announces and I hear cheers and boos most likely directed at me as Azgeda is not popular in Polis. I step into the ring and meet the warrior in the middle. He is big and has an Axe but nothing I cannot handle. "Fight!" I hear and he growls at me. "Chit, no gon gada?" (What, no weapon girl?) He snaps out but I say nothing at we circle around. He seems to get impatient and pounce at me, but I dodge it. I flip my daggers in my fingers narrowing my eyes at him. He is slow, us that to your advantage. One quick swipe and he's dead. I think to myself and smirk devilishly as this will be the fastest fight. As he lunges again, I dive and roll to the side then spin on my heels slashing his legs making him fall to his knees. I spring up and grab his head swiping my blade across his throat. He gags and blood sprays on me. I push his head back making him fall lifeless onto the ground. I look up and see everyone quiet and shocked, it was no more than a minute fight. There's a cheer from the small Azgeda group to the side causing a few more people to cheer but other than that nothing. I look at Lexa to see her face has a shocked expression on it. I turn on my heel and head back to my flag. Once there I look across to see Anya, Octavia and Indra looking at me, but my gaze stays cold. Don't lose focus. They wanted this... they will get the monster you have inside. Again, the Queen's voice echos inside my brain.