I'll be the Bad Guy

Chapter 50: God Bows to No One

Lexa's POV-

I inhale sharply, turning to my next victim. The crowd around me roars in high spirits as the crimson red blood drips from my blade.

This was our culture.

The second criminal was a middle-aged man. He had been reported stealing from merchants in the city for the past year. His debt was inexcusable.

I hold my knife to his throat, gritting my teeth as I apply a sharp wave of pressure, slicing through his neck. His body falls to the side. Dead.

"Yu gonplei ste odon." [Your fight is over.] I whisper.

The third criminal is also a man- slightly older than the last. He was charged with crimes against women. I feel no empathy as I slice delicately through his chest, creating hot, red lines as he screams in pain.

I kick him between his legs as he doubles over in pain, and when he lowers his head to the ground in agony, I execute him. The crowd roars in response.

The next 5 executions go as planned, and finally the only living body on the pyre other than mine is Clarke's.

I hadn't let myself look in her direction this entire time, but now there was nowhere else to turn.

With a deep breath I push down my shame, fear, and regret as I raise my head to Clarke's.

She watches me with a vulnerable, terrified expression seeping through her ocean blue eyes. She looks breathtaking. Her hair is done like mine and her warpaint as well. She wears an expensive, traditional grounder dress and her makeup is flawless.

I turn away from Clarke and address the masses.

"Polis! The people and armies of the 12 clans! We have faced many hardships and challenges, but we have always emerged stronger and more united than before. Our strength lies in unity and by coming together as 12 clans, we can and will conquer all trials to come. We have remained steadfast in our beliefs and our commitment to one another, for only then can we build a better future for our people. Remember that we are one clan, and together we can achieve anything. We beat our greatest enemy: the Mountain men. Our enemy was strong, but we were stronger. We fought not just for ourselves, but for the future of our people. We fought for freedom to live as we choose, not as we are forced. We fought for our brothers and sisters and our way of life. We went into battle with courage and determination and showed our enemies that we will not be defeated. The mountain men took our people captive, but we put an end to their tyranny once and for all. Wanheda singlehandedly ended the fight that we began. She is a powerful warrior, feared by many." I roar to a silent crowd as they listen intently.

"As your Commander, I have been entrusted with great power and responsibility. But this power is not mine alone. It belongs to us all, and it is our duty to use it wisely for the greater good. I have faced many challenges in my time as Commander, and I have learned that true power comes not from physical strength, but from wisdom, and the ability to make difficult decisions. I stand here tonight not to kill Wanheda, but to tell you that we need her." I conclude, turning in the last part to speak only to Clarke.

Several lowly whispers rise from the vast crowd, but their opinions are irrelevant to me.

Clarke searches my eyes desperately for certainty as I hold her eye contact sternly to prove my sincerity.

"gon a bright aftaim." [To a bright future.] I whisper to Clarke in front of thousands.

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Clarke's POV-

"gon a bright aftaim." [To a bright future.] She speaks softly, to only me.

I feel my heartbeat catch in my throat as I realize the importance of Lexa's speech. This could destroy her reputation, or even end her life.