3. HUNTING SHADOWS ᵇᵉˡˡᵃᵐʸ ᵇˡᵃᵏᵉ

6. we will rise

-WE WILL RISE-
"Make the choice that shows you're more than just the anger that drives you."

##

After Sairah's last statement, the trio fell into an uneasy silence, with Echo keeping her eyes on them from behind, still wary. Bellamy followed closely beside Sairah, his gaze shifting restlessly as they continued moving through the dense woods. Each step seemed to echo with the tension of unspoken words, but no one dared to break the quiet. Sairah led the way with quiet confidence, her every move deliberate and sure.

As they near the familiar path leading up to the ridge, Sairah slows her pace, her eyes narrowing in concentration. She glances back at Echo, catching the Azgeda warrior's suspicious gaze before turning her attention to Bellamy, who looks like he's battling a storm of worry and doubt. "We should be close," she whispers, her voice low but firm. "Follow my lead."

Bellamy's anxious expression deepens. His eyes dart around the forest as if he's expecting danger at every turn. Sairah can feel the weight of his concern—it isn't just for Riley, but for everything that will follow if things go wrong. She takes a breath, trying to absorb some of his tension and ground herself in the moment.

"If Riley fires that gun," she continues quietly, her words hanging heavy in the air, "we'll be at war.

"Whatever you say, Trikova," Echo mutters, clearly not interested in engaging further with Sairah.

Sairah rolls her eyes in response, but her irritation is quickly overshadowed by the urgency of the situation. Her gaze shifts ahead, and her eyes widen at the sight of Riley, who is crouched down, aiming his rifle with a steady hand. Sairah points urgently, grabbing the attention of both Bellamy and Echo. "There! Riley!" She raises her voice, hoping to reach the boy before it's too late.

She rushes towards Riley, her breath heavy with exertion. As she closes the distance, she notices that Riley remains fixated on his target—Roan, who stands inside the cave with Clarke, the clear view of their confrontation visible.

"Riley! Stop, you don't want to do this!" Bellamy calls out as he reaches Sairah's side.

"Get out of here, both of you!" Riley fires back, his eyes never leaving his aim.

Echo, not far behind, pulls out her bow and nocks an arrow, her gaze cold and resolute as she aims directly at Riley's head. Sairah's eyes widen at the sight, and she quickly steps in between Echo and Riley, positioning herself as a barrier. "Wait! If you fire, he will too!"

Bellamy focuses on Riley, trying to reason with him. "Riley—listen to me. Pulling that trigger won't solve anything. Kane and Monty will be executed, and our side will open fire. It'll be a bloodbath."

Riley looks up from his rifle, meeting Bellamy's gaze with a hardened expression. "You're a prisoner. You're just saying what they want you to say. I know all about that."

Sairah's jaw tightens, her body turning fully to face Riley. "He might be a prisoner, but I'm not," she says firmly. "I don't know what the hell happened to you, but I know that once you pull that trigger, I'll make sure you suffer for it." She steps closer, her eyes narrowing as she continues, "Put your gun down, get up, and walk away—or I'll make you."

When Riley remains frozen, Echo's frustration boils over. Her voice cuts through the tension, sharp and final. "I'm done with this." Bellamy, sensing the escalating danger, steps in front of Echo's arrow, his expression a mix of desperation and resolve. "Move, or I'll kill you, too!" Echo threatens, her voice strained as she tries to keep her composure.