GROUNDER - The 100, B.B

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ⋅ᡣ𐭩 ་༘࿐ 013 - No cure

Sylva

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ⋅ᡣ𐭩 ་༘࿐

A young Lexa runs ahead of me, her excitement palpable as we near the gates of Polis. Her movements are confident, almost fierce, as if she's been waiting her whole life for this moment. In many ways, she has.

I try to keep up with her, my own heart pounding with anticipation. This is the first time either of us will see Polis, and the thrill is nearly overwhelming. Lexa has been my best friend since we were four, and now, at eleven, we're on the brink of something that will change everything. Eight years of friendship, of training side by side, of dreaming about what the future might hold—I'm not sure I'm ready to let go of that just yet. Luckily, I don't have to. Not for a while, at least.

Breathless, I catch up to Lexa, my curiosity getting the best of me as usual. "So what are you most excited to do when we get to Polis?" I ask, my voice full of the eager energy that always seems to bubble up inside me.

Anya, ever the stern mentor, rides up beside us on her horse, her presence a constant reminder of the seriousness of our journey. Lexa, however, barely notices, her eyes shining with excitement. "I am mostly excited to meet The Commander!" she exclaims, her voice full of awe. "And training with the other Natblida's."

Her words send a chill down my spine as I remember the conclave. The thought of it terrifies me—a brutal competition where only one of us will survive. The reality of what we are walking into presses down on me, momentarily dampening my excitement.

But as the gate to Polis comes into view, all my fears are pushed aside by the sheer excitement of seeing the legendary city for the first time. Lexa and I squeal with delight, our voices high-pitched and giddy. "We're here!" I cry out, smiling so widely that my cheeks ache.

Anya halts her horse in front of us, her expression serious as she dismounts. "Remember, you're here to fight and win the conclave. Only one of you will get to win, so don't get too close to any of the other Natblida's. Understand?" Her voice is stern, a reminder of the harsh reality we're about to face.

I groan slightly, dragging out my reply in typical defiance. "Fine." Even as I say it, I can't help but feel the weight of her words. The bonds we've formed, the friendships we've built—they all mean nothing in the face of what's to come.

Anya steps between Lexa and me, leading the way into Polis while the Natblida scouts take her horse and follow us. The first glimpse of the city is enough to make my heart swell with awe. The people, the activity, the sheer unity of the clans—it's unlike anything I've ever seen. Traders barter in the streets, children run around under the watchful eyes of their parents, and everywhere, there's a sense of purpose, of life moving forward.

We enter a towering structure that seems to scrape the sky itself, and an elevator whisks us up to the higher floors. I glance at Lexa, our excitement mirrored in each other's eyes. This is it—the moment we've been waiting for. I reach out to hold her hand as the elevator doors slide open, but she pulls away, her expression serious. The look she gives me says it all: We can't show weakness. The gesture stings, but I quickly push the feeling aside. There's no room for vulnerability here.

Stepping into the throne room, we are greeted by the imposing figure of the Commander, seated on his throne, exuding an aura of authority and power. The room is lined with ambassadors and Natblida's, each accompanied by their own mentor. The air is thick with tension and anticipation.

"Now that we're all here, we can begin," the Commander announces, his voice commanding and strong. We move to our assigned spot, where Anya takes a seat while Lexa and I stand beside her.