ASCENSION: BOOK 3- APOCALYPSE.

Chapter 11: A Difficult Reunion.

We still didn't know how Queen Freya had acquired the second Flame or where in Polis this mysterious bunker was hidden.
There was a strong chance the answers we were seeking were protected by The Flamekeeper and also by Lexa. My heart was full of apprehension at the prospect of once again seeing the woman I'd left behind, yet there was another I also needed to make amends with. I couldn't delay the inevitable any longer.
I entered med bay and came face to face with Jackson, who froze at the sight of me.
"Its a shock, I know but I need to see her," I said urgently.
He simply nodded, still in disbelief and left to find her.
It felt like an eternity before Abby finally appeared. Our eyes locked as we both prepared to face a moment that neither of us thought would ever happen.
I wanted to tell her my reasons why I never returned home, how sorry I was to put her through such pain but I found myself lost for words.
Tears began to roll down my cheeks as she looked at me, her eyes full of hurt.
"I'm sorry, mom. For everything, I'm so sorry."
It was at that point she knew I'd made a conscious choice to let everyone believe I'd died in The Mountain. She stepped towards me and pulled me into her embrace.
"I should never have involved you in the politics of The Clans," she whispered next to my ear.
I pulled away and faced her once more, "Leaving was my choice. There's no blame here only the consequences of my own decisions."
She was heartbroken by my words, "You would rather have us believe you died than return home. How do you expect me to come to terms with that, Clarke?"
"I left because the world is a better place without Wanheda, because I couldn't live with the constant reminders of what I've done," I solemnly spoke.
"I thought I'd lost my only daughter that day in Mount Weather, not Wanheda. Now here you stand, alive but still wishing you were gone from the world."
My mother was right, if we didn't all face extinction I would never have come back. Clarke Kom Skaikru would still be dead to the world.

As I went on to explain my reasoning for returning to Arkadia, Bellamy interrupted our difficult reunion and requested that we escort him to the control room.
There was a tense atmosphere in there that only increased as my mother and I entered the room. I ignored the sideways glances and  looked on to see Raven sitting at one of the consoles, her face full of concern.
"What is it? What's wrong?" I asked.
Raven looked at Monty before delivering the bad news, "We've analysed the theory of a nuclear meltdown across the Atlantic Ocean with the rate of radiation increase in our air. Given all the factors involved, this death wave will be upon our lands in less than four weeks."
My heart sank at the realisation that we no longer had the luxury of time on our side.
"Clarke, we need to leave for Polis as soon as possible," Luna urged.
Bellamy interjected, "I insisted that Octavia keep a radio at the Skaikru Embassy, I'll contact her, explain whats happening. She'll meet you on the road to Polis, make sure you gain safe passage into the city."
"Thank you for doing this. If The Clans come to terms with what we have to say and we find this lost bunker, there's no telling how many people it will hold. You'll need to prepare Skaikru for what's to come," I stated, knowing that not all of our people would survive if any at all.
Raven stood from her chair and handed me an electronic tablet, "Take this, it's kinda old and glitchy but if The Ambassadors ask for proof, everything we've disvovered is on there."
I thanked Raven, who I knew was still angry at me and truthfully speaking I didn't blame her, I didn't blame any of them.
My mother looked at me in disbelieve that I was leaving so soon after we'd been reunited, but time was now our enemy.

A crowed had gathered outside as Luna and I prepared our horses for the journey to Polis. The people of Skaikru looked on, still in a state of shock as the ghost of their fallen warrior stood before them.
I avoided the uncomfortable attention and made my farewells to Bellamy and my mother.
"As soon as we know more I'll send word from Polis. Trikru is the closest clan to Arkadia, warn their Cheifs of what we face, the more of us that work together the better," I requested.
"And if this mysterious bunker is lost to even The Flamekeepers?" Bellamy asked.
"Then we need to start thinking about how to obtain the journal that Queen Freya holds or seek alternative shelter. There's no stopping what's to come, it's only a matter of time until we all face extinction," I warned.
My mother hugged me tightly not wanting to let me go. I fell into her embrace, feeling like a child once again.
"Ste yuj," I whispered to her as she reluctantly broke away.
She nodded back at me, tears filling her eyes "May we meet again."
"We will, I promise," I returned with the faintest of smiles.
From behind her Raven called out, "GRIFFIN!"
I looked over to meet her gaze as she contiuned.
"Try to remain in the world of the living this time," she followed her playfull sarcasm with a grin.
"You're stuck with me, Reyes!" I smiled back, happy that she'd found it in her heart to forgive me.
Luna and I rode out of Arkadia towards The Capital. Both of us stayed silent for most of the journey, our minds full of apprehension of what woukd await us in Polis.
Clarke Griffin had been honoured by The Clans but only because of Lexa's insistence and because they thought I'd died for their freedom.
Luna had fled her conclave and refused to comply with the traditions of The Clans. They called for her to be hunted down, but Lexa had  refused in order to honour the vow she'd made to Luna's brother.
Both of us had been viewed by The Clans as outcasts and traitors at a point in our lives and both of us had been protected by the rule of The Commander. I only hoped that Lexa would  be able to keep The Clans at bay long enough for us to try and save the human race.