Our Journey (the Fourth Book in the Her Weakness series)

Chapter 42

Lexa's POV

The next building Athena shows us is like the newer temple, except the pillars are not just in the front, but extend down the sides. There are walls inside, walls built of a material made into bricks I have not seen before. It looks rough, like sandstone, but there are seemingly random shallow holes in the bricks that are a yellow-orange. Athena calls it tuff, which is apparently some kind of volcanic rock.

It is beautiful, and none of us dare to go inside a holy place without permission. We admire it from past the pillars. Next, we head to a more flat piece of land that looks human made. I recognize what these are, but politely stay quiet so Athena can explain.

"These are the alters, where we sacrifice things to the Gods." Athena says, chuckling at Raven's impressed and alarmed expression. "Not people, of course. It is mainly ceremonious, where we will offer animals or food after a bountiful harvest. Some people do come here on occasion and pray to the Gods, leaving their offerings behind."

We walk up close to the altars as we walk along the path that leads past them, towards two more buildings, which are even smaller than the treasuries. One of them is about half the size of the other, roughly the size of a small shed one would use to store things in. I find myself immensely curious about what's inside.

The path to them is more well worn than the path to the altars, which I find curious. The doors are closed, but Athena easily pulls open the door to the smaller one. She urges us inside. I wait for the others to come in before I will look around.

Raven is the last one to get in and turns back to Athena, who's still holding the door open for her to go all the way in. "You're not going to shut us in here, are you?"

Athena chuckles. "No, of course not. First of all, I am coming in with you. Second, this door does not lock."

"Oh." Raven flushes and gets out of the way, allowing Athena to step in.

It is a bit cramped, but we all fit. The door stays open behind us, so it does not get too stuffy in here. Athena moves around the edges of the building lights the candles along an even platform that stick out from the wall.

It is only after the first candles are lit that I realize what we are standing in. There is a painting in front of me with a warm looking man who's smiling easily at whoever painted it. There are burnt out tiny candles beneath his picture and fresh flowers laid in front of the photo. It's just dark enough in here that without the candles lit in front of the paintings, we would not be able to tell who it is. Most have descriptions written beneath their names in Trigedasleng.

Athena pauses, leaving one last candle unlit so we cannot see the last person. "This is what we call the Hall of Heroes. These people are all heroes to Delfikru. Some developed new technology that incited a better way to live. Some helped us stay peaceful and neutral. Some helped refugees get here and sheltered them from enemy soldiers, at the risk of their own lives. All but one of these people are no longer alive. I wanted to see your expression when you see this last one."

The four of us watch her with unbridled curiosity as she lights the final candle. My breath catches in my throat and I can hear Clarke's quiet gasp, and Octavia and Raven's sharp intakes of breath. That... Gods, that is me. I am a hero to the people of Delfikru? I look to Athena, and I am certain she can see the questions running through my kind.

She smiles softly. "You are a hero to us, Heda Lexa kom Trikru. All the people of this clan have ever wanted is peace. After so many decades of war, of the clans fighting for dominance, some thought it was impossible. That the hatred, the anger ran too deep in our blood to ever fade. You, Heda. We consider you a gift from the Gods. You have brought peace, when so many thought it would be impossible. I am sure you have heard we have an annual celebration of you and the Coalition."

"Yes, but I never truly thought you celebrated me. I am a vessel for the Commander's Spirit. I thought you were praising the fleim." I admit.

Athena shakes her head. "Not just the fleim. This years' celebration has passed, so perhaps you and your partner can come back for the festival next year. It is a week long and begins on the anniversary all twelve clans were united. Sorry, Skaikru. You are more recent." Athena smiles.

"No, I understand. It's a big deal, uniting twelve warring clans." Clarke says. "And I think we would be happy to come back next year, we'll see how life goes."

"Yes, I understand your life will be getting rather hectic soon, with the wedding. Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you." Clarke replies.

I look back at the painted picture of me. I recognize my armor, and I have my warpaint on, but my eyes are not stern like the rest of my face appears to be. There's a happiness in my eyes that before Clarke, was rarely there. I wonder if this was painted based on the day I united the clans. I certainly had that spark in my eyes that day.

We head out of the Hall of Heroes after we help Athena snuff out the candles and into the larger building. The candles in here are already lit and I find myself relaxing at the sight of people in the paintings that line the walls. The previous Commanders, with another painting of me at the very end.

Okay, next chapter we'll wrap this up and move on! And someone did request some action, so that'll be coming up (just without any angst, I think). Thank you all for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!