[OLD VERSION]The Saviors

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Army Is Coming

  It wasn't long before a bright red flare soared through the blue sky. It was the signal that the acid fog was disabled, and it was time to go to war. The grounder army cheered. Athena shared a smile with Octavia, Malani, and Kai.

"Bellamy did it." Athena smiled up at the signal.
"You were right to have faith in him, Athena," Lexa exclaimed from the top of a slope where Clarke stood by her side.

  Athena wore a close lipped smile as she strode up the slope, and held out her arm. A close lipped smile slightly bloomed on Lexa's face as she gently grasped Athena's forearm. They were both slightly bruised from their messy brawl earlier, but they still looked fierce. The young leaders exchanged a nod.

"Lets win this war," Athena breathed.

  Lexa nodded. She jogged to the other side and Athena followed the rest of the army was shouting at the top of their lungs as they waved their weapons. Athena inhaled sharply as she and Lexa exchanged a look.

"Sound the horn," Lexa commanded, and two grounders quickly obliged.

  The horns bellowed loudly, and the army roared with excitement. A hint of a smile dawned on both Athena's and Lexa's lips. The war had finally arrived, and their people would be rescued.

"To war!" Lexa roared as she pumped her fist in the air.
"To war!" The army shouted as they raised their weapons.

  The army of grounders and sky people charged through the woods. Athena, Octavia, Malani, Gaia, and Kai strode together in a cluster. Athena wore a fresh layer of warpaint and the black cracked leather jacket that flowed to her knees that Lexa had given her. Her heart burned with a mixture of nerves and excitement.

"You ready?" Octavia grinned.
Athena inhaled sharply as she played with her pearl. "Not even close."
"You'll be fine, Athena," Kai assured, and Athena thought it was cute how him and Malani were holding hands on the way to war. "You've been practicing with Lexa and all of us."
"It's not that. It's just. . . jitters," Athena huffed, but she quickly half-smiled. "But it's okay. We'll kick Mount Weather's ass together."
"Damn right we will!" Malani grinned as she and Octavia high-fived, and the group laughed with joy.

  Soon enough, the excitement of the war had simmered down. Everyone had their game faces on. No one was holding hands or howling with laughter. Everyone looked as if they were they were brooding behind masks of warpaint.

"Hey." Clarke fell in step beside Octavia. "I'm changing your mission. You won't be going to the mines with Indra. I'm placing you in the rear guard where you'll be safe."
"Fuck off, Clarke. I don't take orders from you. I take orders from Indra," Octavia snarled.
Clarke pursed her lips. "I'm trying to protect you, Octavia."
"Protect me." Octavia scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"One day you'll understand why I did what I did," Clarke insisted.
"Never. I'll fight this war with you because I want our friends back. . . but after that we're done," Octavia snarled.

  Clarke's expression filled with hurt. She looked at Athena for help, but Athena's glare rested ahead. She knew Octavia was only being stubborn. She just needed time to heal. Clarke walked ahead to where she had been before.

Indra stepped between Athena and Octavia. "What was that about?"
Athena sighed as she looked down. "I don't think you want to know."
"The three of you knew about the missile," Indra deadpanned.
Athena looked at Indra with shock, but then sorrow. "I'm sorry, Seda."
"Don't be. You at least did something to help most of us live," Indra retorted.
"How can you not hate them?" Octavia asked. "Indra, they nearly killed you."
"They didn't do anything. The enemy did," Indra snapped. "Lexa's a great commander because she's ruthless. That's how we'll win this battle."
Athena shook her head. "That's wrong."
"That's war," Indra corrected.