Atlantis

Chapter Sixty-Seven

-6 years later-

"Hey, wash up. It's time for supper." Clarke told Madi when the little girl got out of the rover.

"Look." Madi ran after her. "The berries are ripe." Madi held out a handful for Clarke to see.

"That's nice. Can you go get Faye. It's her day to cook." 

"Okay. But, Clarke, you promised. Last season, there weren't enough, but this year, they're everywhere. Please?" Madi begged. "I'll cook for a week and clean up." 

"Two weeks." Clarke said.

"Deal." Madi ran to go and find Faye. 

Inside she found Faye on the floor in front of her bed. Faye had her eyes closed and her legs crossed. Madi watched her intently until Faye opened her eyes. 

Madi knew not to ask about it because Clarke and Faye did not like talking about it, but she couldn't help it. "Why do you meditate?" 

Faye stood up and sighed. "When my mind is still enough, I can summon the past commanders and gain wisdom and experience." Faye reluctantly explained. 

"But everyone's gone. Why do you keep the Flame?"

"It's about more than being the Commander." Faye began to lead Madie outside. "It's also about protecting the Flame. And I'll do that till the day I die."

"Come on." Clarke called them over to the rover.

"I wanna drive." Madi ran to the driver's seat. 

"You coming?" Clarke asked Faye. 

"No, I'll get dinner started." She offered and watched them drive away. 

- - - 

"How could you not be afraid of her?"

"English, Madi." Clarke told her as Faye sat across the fire laughing to herself.

Madi scoffed. "I'm just saying, Skairipa's a beast." Madi looked back at Clarke's drawings. "Don't worry. She'll get them out of that bunker. I know she will. There's a reason Faye chose her. The Commander's spirit chooses wisely." Madi mocked with a smile. 

Clarke looked over at Faye, who was still silently going through the drawings with Madi.

"I'm sorry they left without you guys."

"Well, I'm not." Clarke said. "Because if we were with them, we would never have met you." 

Madi set the book aside and laid her head on Faye's lap and Clarke rubbed her arm. 

"What about them? Do you think they'll come back, too?" 

- - -

Faye grabbed her swords and watched the ship land.

They got in the rover and Madi watched Clarke drive faster than she ever has with no talking.

"Who are they? Why are you guys so scared?" Madi asked from the back.

"We will not let anything happen to you." Clarke said. "Do you understand?"

"Well, maybe they're friendly." Madi suggested and watched the two adults look at each other with the same doubtful face.

"Maybe. Look. Until we figure this out, I want you to hide in your secret spot." Clarke told her. 

"No. Clarke--"

"This is not up for discussion, Madi." Faye snapped. Madi was taken back by how harsh Faye had gotten. 

"The Flamekeeper scouts never found you there. Neither will they." Clarke stopped the rover. "Promise us you'll stay in the hole." 

"What about you?" Madi looked between them.

"We'll be back as soon as we can." Faye said. "Now promise us." 

"I promise." Madi watched Faye become a different person. Faye was always the one who took Madi out to see the stars, even when Clarke said it was time for bed, she was always peaceful. Now she was threatening with her swords strapped across her back.

Clarke grabbed her gun but Faye stopped her. "Here. If she shoots, they'll hear her." Faye handed a knife to Madi. It had a familiar wooden handle that Clarke was easily able to recognize.

"I'll make sure it's my only choice to kill." Madi said.

Clarke nodded. 

"Go." Faye told her.

They watched her run to her hiding spot as Clarke backed up the rover and drove away. 

They set up just a little ways from the ship and watched them. A woman stood at the door and took off her air mask and helmet, breathing fresh air for the first time.

"All clear." She yelled to someone back in her ship.

A dozen bulky men started exiting the ship, all carrying guns. Some weren't as buff, but no less threatening.

Clarke and Faye went back to a cave and started loading up on weapons. Faye grabbed her swords a few more knives, then grabbed a smaller gun just in case. 

They heard a gunshot go off and Faye ran towards the village. 

"Faye. Wait!" Clarke whispered but Faye was already gone. Clarke ran after her.

Faye ran in, slashing the guy's throat as he stood over Madi. She then threw another knife at the second man's chest. 

"Uh!" He groaned as Faye removed her knife and stabbed him on the side of his head.

"Hey, it's okay." Clarke grabbed Madi and averted her eyes.