ASCENSION: BOOK 1.

Chapter 16: Ascension.

I held Lexa with care as she fell asleep in my arms. Even as she rested, her dreams seemed plagued by the brutality of the day. Lexa was twenty three years old and already it felt as though she'd experienced a lifetime of woes.
As the first rays of sun beamed through the window, I carefully woke my Trikru warrior from her slumber. She struggled to move her body, still sore from the conclave. I changed the bandages on her shoulder and helped her to prepare.
As a knock sounded on the door, I watched as Lexa swallowed her discomfort and stood upright, showing no weakness, "Enter!" She commanded.
Two members of The Order of The Flame approached holding the shoulder armour of The Commander and handed it to Lexa, "Gaia is ready. The Order has gathered as have the clan leaders."
"What of those leaders now imprisoned?" Lexa asked
"Nia and her conspirators will remain in their cells. Roan will stand for Azgeda. As for the others, three representatives have come forward, they denounced the attack on Polis and offer their loyalty, to Capital and Commander." answered the priest.
She clipped the armour to her body and spoke, "Then let the ceremony begin."
The sentries guarding the throne room bowed as we approached. I walked through the doors with Lexa. Not a soul objected to my presence, they honoured Lexa's decision to have me attend the ascension.
I moved to stand next to my mother as Lexa walked into the sacred circle to be greeted by Gaia, "Lexa Kom Trikru, through the fire of the conclave The Spirit Of The Commander has chosen. The blood of The Commanders flows through your veins, your blood is their blood."
Gaia took Lexa's hand and held it over The Flame that was positioned upon a large brass bowl full of ash. She sliced a small incision into her hand, allowing Lexa's black blood to fall upon The Flame. Gaia took the blood mixed with ash and marked a line upon Lexa forehead as Lexa spoke, "May the spirit of the Commanders guide me."
She bowed her head to Gaia as The Flame was taken from the bowl, "Let the Commander ascend."
Lexa knelt down in front of The Flamekeeper, bearing the back of her neck. Gaia whispered to The Flame and it suddenly activated. My heart was racing as she cut into the back of Lexa's neck and placed The Flame upon the open flesh. It moved under her skin, painfully, causing Lexa to grit her teeth to hold back the agony.
Within seconds it was over, Lexa's face changed from pain to calm. She stood to her feet and looked around the room, as though seeing everything with different eyes. Gaia saw the change in her demeanour, she knew that The Flame had bonded with Lexa and gave the final command of the ascension, "Heda has risen. Bow before your Commander!"

The entire room dropped down on bended knee and bowed their heads to honour the rise of a new Commander.
The incision on the back of Lexa's neck was cauterised sealing in The Flame to her body. She was called to recite the names of all of the past Commanders as proof that The Flame had connected with her mind. She did this with a sense of calm about her as though she remembered each one of them personally. When completed, Gaia wiped the ash and blood from Lexa's head and placed a small brass cog in place of it.
"Please rise," The Flamekeeper requested.
We all watched as Lexa looked around at each of us, her demeanour different, as though her sense of self had changed. Without a word she turned and walked over to the throne with its branches and spears woven around the back of it. The red sash of her armour trailing behind her.
After seating herself upon it, her eyes darkened into a glare. She pulled her dagger from the sheath around her thigh and began to run her fingertips over the blade. The room stood in silence, intimidated by the woman who now sat upon the throne. This was the Lexa I had met for the first time back in Xandria, the woman who instilled fear in those she met.
Eventually she broke the silence, "Clan leaders, I thank you for your attendance today. This is a new era for our people. I don't speak these words lightly, something is coming. It doesn't care what clan you belong to or where your allegiances lie. The time for fighting amongst ourselves is over. If we are to survive what's to come, I need us all to stand together as one, a coalition of clans. Thirteen live on these lands and thirteen will fight for them."
Gaia approched her, confused by her words as we all were, "You speak of The Mountain, Heda?"
Lexa frowned, "Yes. The Shadow Bloods have awoken, The spirit of the Commander has given its guidance, and the message is clear, The Mountain Men have every intension of wiping us out once and for all."
Frantic conversation erupted between the leaders. It was Prince Roan who was the first to step forward, "With all due respect Heda, rival clans will find it difficult work together you will be met with some resistance."
Lexa frowned at the Azgeda Prince, "Unification is survival, stand alone and death will soon great those who choose this path. You all have until sun set to make your decision. I hope you choose wisely."

Lexa dismissed the Order of The Flame and the clans leaders. As I made my way out of the throne room she called over to me, "Clarke Kom Skaikru please remain."
The sentries closed the doors and I turned to face the woman who seemed so different than the one I had fallen in love with.
She rose from her throne and walked over to me in silence. Stopping inches from my face she searched my eyes, a faint smile now showing. Lexa pulled me into a kiss that was charged, full of fire. I fell into it, my heart beating fast, relieved that her ascension hadn't taken away the bond we shared.
"How do you feel?" I asked
"Different. Like everything I was before feels amplified. It's difficult to explain. I can hear the voices of the past Commanders, see flashes of them in my mind. It's a little confusing." Lexa frowned, still unsure of the effects of The Flame on her mind.
"I think The Flame holds the consciousness of the past Commanders, that's what you're feeling. Takoma spoke to you, didn't he?" I asked.
"Yes. I saw everything he endured in that Mountain, felt everything they put him through. They've taken our blood, our sacred blood, bonded it with their own. It's sacrilege! When all of their armies are turned to Shadow Bloods they'll come for us, Clarke. They'll murder every last one of us." A mixture of sorrow and anger flashed across Lexa's face. Barely a day of becoming Commander and she already faced all out war with the Mountain Men. My heart felt for her.
"Then we'll fight, Lexa. We'll defend our lands and our people. If The Mountain wishes to take all we have then they'll have to face the clans, all of them." I felt a fire burning in my soul, anger at the prospect of what was to come.
That afternoon I left Lexa to discuss the details of Mount Weather and the coalition with Gaia and her Generals. The day faded to dusk as the sun fell below the horizon. The time to call the clan leaders to assembly was upon us.
We all walked into the candle lit throne room, feeling the tension in the air. Lexa stood infront of her throne flanked by her Generals Anya, Indra, Gustus and her Flamekeeper, Gaia. She waited for the room to fall silent before speaking, "Clan leaders, the hour is upon us. A decision must be agreed upon. Those who wish to be a part of the coalition of clans step forward and pledge your loyalty to Polis."
One by one each clan leader approached Lexa and bowed, offering their commitment to her coalition. There was some hesitation from Azgeda. Lexa addressed The Prince, "You seem unsure, Roan Kom Azgeda."
All eyes were upon him as he voiced what seemed to be troubling him, "My mother still lives as do her conspirators, Heda. A Prince can not speak for his people in this matter, but a King can."
Lexa understood. Roan was still not officially the leader of his clan, neither were the representatives from Podakru, Ouskejonkru and Louwoda Kilron, "Then let it be known, Queen Nia and her accomplices will be executed at dawn. The coalition has no place for treasonous intentions... Jus drein jus daun, blood must have blood!"
The Prince bowed, the coalition of thirteen was now in motion. Lexa had now solidified her position as Commander.