An alternative telling of The 100 story. Clarke Kom Skaikru is born of the Earth, a warrior who's ancestors once dwelt amongst the stars.
Skaikru have lived on the ground for the past fifty years, seeking a balance with those who survived a nuclea...
The next morning the clans began to arrive in The Capital. Lexa had left early to speak with The Order of The Flame. Each Natblida would meet with Gaia, the head of The Order to discuss what was expected of them in the coming days. There were Clans that had Nightblood Kru Heda's and those that didn't. The only clans without a Natblida that hasn't stood with Queen Nia in her attack on Polis were Skaikru and The Plains Riders of Ingranronakru. The leaders of Podakru, Ouskejonkru and Louwoda Kliron were still held as prisoners along with Azgeda. That left seven clans with Nightblood warriors who would fight in the conclave, including Lexa. As dusk drew closer we gathered to attend the honouring ceremony for Commander Takoma. I stood with my clan as did Lexa with her's as Heda's body was cremated and our farewells to this great leader were offered. Gaia honoured Skaikru for recovering The Flame and announced the next conclave. Each Natblida that was to participant was named, along with clan they belonged to. There was some uncertainty over Floukru as they had two Nightblood leaders, twins by the name of Aten and Luna. Only Aten attended, claiming that his sister Luna had walked away from her legacy not wanting to be a part of the bloodshed. In my heart I wished that Lexa had done the same, but I knew she would rather fight and die than dishonour her people. The matter of Ontari was put before the clans. Even though she'd followed Nia, she was still a Natblida. The room had erupted into chaos at the mention of her name, voices were raised condemning her part in the attack. She was veiwed as a traitor, not worthy of her blood. It was Lexa who offered a sense of reasoning to the situation, "Who amongst us has the right to deny a Nightblood access to the conclave? Be mindful brothers and sisters, we're all a product of how we've been raised or guided in this life. Ontari Kom Azgeda is no different. If she wishes to fight, then I'll gladly meet her with my sword in that arena and I'll gladly take her head!" I watched as she silenced the room, proud of her commanding presence. A vote was taken and it was agreed that Ontari would be allowed to fight. Her fate lay with The Spirit Of The Commander as did Lexa's.
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The conclave was set for three days time, giving the Nightbloods time to train and to focus their minds. I watched Lexa practice from afar, not wanting to distract her when she need the time to prepare. I had some concerns about her injuries from combat, that it would set her at a disadvantage, but she never once acknowledged it as a factor. I could see the amount of training she'd been put through from an early age, not just physically but mentally. Lexa was a warrior through and through. I constantly had to remind myself of that in the days to come, in order to not lose my mind over what she faced. As lexa spent long days training, I found constructive distraction with Gaia, discussing the threat of The Mountain Men. My mother accompanied me in her position as our Kru Heda but also in a medical capacity. She explained to Gaia that those in the mountain seemed to have used Takoma's for blood and bone marrow for experimentation. His capture two decades ago by The Mountain Men appeared to be premeditated as though they knew his blood differed from all of the other Grounders they had encountered. After all of this time, the DNA of The Commander must have proven to be a successful solution to Mount Weather's radiation problem. How many were now able to walk freely outside of their bunker was unclear, but we feared it wouldn't be long before they made the full force of their presence known. Gaia sent her scouts to get as close to the The Mountain as possible to monitor the situation. Proximity would be limited due to the acid fog, a chemical defence system emitted when any of us got too close to their territory. We had to prepare for the worst. These Shadow Bloods, as Takoma called them, would have no intention of staying on their own lands once they tasted freedom. They had the fire power to wipe us out. Now more than ever we needed a Commander to lead us. I just hoped it would be my Trikru warrior.
