courage of stars ─── o. blake

three.

CHAPTER THREE,
beginning of wonkru

STELLA HAD NO idea how long she had been in the bunker. No one had found their comfort place yet. Everyone was in the arena crowded together as they stared at two doors that harbored the person who would change their lives.

On the other side of that door sat Octavia Blake. The champion of the conclave and the new 'Heda' of the bunker as everyone was saying. She was on a radio call as everyone stood there awaiting her presence; Stella included.

Everyone was growing impatient as the seconds passed causing Stella to get nervous. She didn't know how the bunker would work with 12 clans and Skaikru under one roof. Her eyes stayed fixed on the doors while her hand was holding onto Aiden's hand tightly. She couldn't bring herself to let go because of the fear she built of losing him like she lost everyone else.

"We got this, star. We will survive this and live on by Owen and Ruby." Aiden reassured the smaller girl as she rested her head on his shoulder. She adjusted her bag on her shoulders with a sigh as she watched Indra walk through the doors into the room.

Within a couple of minutes, Stella watched as Indra walked out of the doors. The chatter that once filled the space was now gone as everyone's attention went towards the new leader who walked out closely behind.

Octavia looked around the room at the people she was now leading. Stella stood up straight as she watched the young girl stand before everyone.

"This is it. We are all that remains of the human race. I won't lie to you. The next five years won't be easy. There will be days when we wish we were out there right now. But I promise you, if we stand together, if we are Wonkru, then Kom folau, oso na gyon op." Octavia ended her small speech with the phrase in Trigedaslang. People started to repeat what the new leader had said until they were interrupted from the outside world. Instantly, heads turned up towards the ceiling. Stella squeezed Aiden's hand with him doing the same as they looked up. A loud sound echoed through the bunker as everyone hit their realization.

Praimfaya was here and it was happening at that moment. Stella sucked in a sharp breath as she turned her head back down towards the ground. She couldn't bear the pain and heartache of the thought of her blood being up there. Once the sound was gone, everyone was back to chattering. They were leaving the room to go to their assigned bunks. Stella was lost in her thoughts until Aiden tugged her towards their bunks, the two vowing to stick together through it all.

The two managed to get a bunk to themselves. Stella was on the top bunk while Aiden occupied the bottom bed. After setting their things on their beds, they sat down on Aiden's bed, side by side, and looked out at the others who were filing in to claim their places.

"This is insane." Aiden muttered under his breath as he took in all of the people. Stella glanced at him before looking out with a smile.

"That's Azgeda for you." Stella replied as she watched a family settle in on the bunks across from them. A mother, a father, and their daughter sat on the bottom bunk talking away as the time passed.

"No, that's Wonkru for you. Wonkru is a new clan. Everyone will forget about Azgeda."

"Aiden, look at the bright side in things. I am doing everything in my power to relieve the heartache that is soaring through my body. I just lost my father and you just lost the girl you were in love with," Stella paused, "Azgeda will be a memory as a clan. The things they did will not be forgotten especially when it comes to them taking over Polis." She spoke the last part through gritted teeth in a hushed tone to where no one could hear her words other than Aiden.

The two shared a small look before settling back and forgetting the words that had just been spoken moments ago. "We have each other, Benson. It's been like that since we were in diapers. You are all I have in here and I'll be damned if you do something stupid to get yourself killed." She rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.

Aiden was Stella's first true friend in Azgeda. The two instantly clicked and it had been that way for years. Nothing could change the bond that they shared and Stella would not let the bunker decide that either.

The two teenagers sat on the bed together watching everyone settle or pile out of the room onto the next. "Would you rather—" Aiden started making Stella's eyes snap up to him.

"Seriously? You want to play 'would you rather?'" She looked at the boy with eyebrows raised and a small smile on her face. Aiden grinned at the girl before nodding making her shake her head.

"Before I was rudely interrupted," he started with a smile, "would you rather have a pet dragon or a pet panther?"

"Easy. A dragon." She spoke up and turned to the boy who looked at her with wide eyes.

"I pegged you for the panther type of person." Aiden let out with a small chuckle at the girl's reaction to his words.

"We've known each other for years! You believe I would choose a panther over a dragon?" Stella's eyes were wide with her lips parted slightly, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Shut up," he laughed as he looked at the small girl, "lets go eat. I'm starving." Aiden stood up with his hand out to the girl. Stella smiled while grabbing his hand and pulling herself up and off the bed. The two walked together to go get some food before the true days in the bunker started.

All they hoped was that they would get through the years together. Without anything happening to either of them.