The rain fell heavy, washing smoke into the air. The crowd stood silent, their faces grim, waiting. Jaha's voice carried above the storm.

"I know it took courage to be outside with us today, stand together now in the face of grave danger and grave tragedy. On the Ark, rain like this was only a dream. Now it's a nightmare, because we know it could turn at any second and kill us, just like it did to 18 of our brothers and sisters, who we honor today. Among them, Erin, Samual and Louis. May we meet again" Jaha says

"May we meet again" the crowd echoed

I stepped forward, fire in my hands, and lifted my chin.
"Your fight is over" I said, then lowered the flame. The pyre caught in an instant, flames devouring cloth and flesh. Smoke twisted up into the dark sky.

Turning, I caught movement- jasper stroking away, Bellamy lingered behind, tore between staying and following. His eyes flickered to mine. I held his gaze. 
"Go" I mouthed.

He nodded once and went after jasper.

I crossed back to Niylah's side and helped her place the dead near the fire. My voice lowered with hers as we prepared them.
"From the earth, we will grow. From the ashes we will rise" I said

"That's beautiful. What's it mean?" Harper asked quietly

"From the earth, we will grow. From the ashes we will rise." Niylah repeated

"What did you just say?" Jaha's voice cut in

"Sorry. I didn't think you would mind if I-" Niylah starts

"Niyah. From the ashes we will rise. Where does that come from?" He pressed

"Come from?" She looked confused

"You'd have to ask a fleimkepa to get the true answer" I said, keeping my tone even.

"All I know it's what we say to ready our dead for the fire." Niyah added

Back inside Arkadia, I gathered my things. Polis was waiting. The destruction was waiting.

"Marcus" I called, finding him near the gates.
"I am riding back to Polis. Thought I should let you know before I go" I added

"A few of us are coming. Jaha says he might know a way to open a bunker, but we need to speak to Indras daughter" he told me

"Then let's go" I say

The streets of polis reeked of smoke and death. Bodies littered the ground, skin blistered and torn. My chest tightened.

"Black rain" I muttered. My fault. If I had been here, I could've saved them. I could have led them inside. Instead, they rotted at my feet.

"It fell here too." Marcus said softly. He and Jaha walked just behind me. Monty's eyes scanned the ruin, quiet and shaken.

"I'll just be a second" I murmured, peeling away from them. I moved through the wreckage, my boots crunching over the remains of people who had trusted me as their Heda. Commanders before me had warned- true leaders face this. But knowing it didn't make the weight easier.

When I found Marcus again, Indra was already turning to leave him.
"Indra!" I called

She turned, bowing her head stiffly.
"Heda" she said

Behind her, warriors raised their weapons at them.

"Stand down. Skaikru poses no threat" I commanded, they obeyed instantly.

Her eyes burned into mine.
"Heda, how could you? You sided with Azgeda. They went behind your back and still stand. Strike them down- we will stand by you" she said

"Enough, Indra." My tone cut through like steel.
"As Heda, I do what's best for all my people, not just my clan. The end of the world comes, and you question me about vengeance? Azgeda will pay in time, but survival comes first. Saving my people comes first. After that, I will deal with betrayal." I said

Her jaw clenched, but she bowed her head.
"We need to speak to your daughter. She could save us all" I say

Indra led us inside. A young woman stood there, her presence sharp, controlled.

"Gaia. Heda and these men need your help" Indra said

"Heda" Gaia murmured, bowing.

"it's good to finally meet you" I said with a nod

"The tattoo. Look, the center" Monty whispered, pointing.

Jaha stepped forward, holding out the coin. The markings matched. Gaias eyes widened.

"Still think it's a coincidence?" Jaha asked

"Where did you get this?" Gaia demanded

"I found it. And I now believe it's so it could lead me to you." Jaha says

"Tell us about the symbol. Where does it come from?" Monty asked

Gaia hesitated.

"It's the holy symbol of our order." Indra answered

"Mother-" Gaia starts

"Gaia, it's alright. Tell them" I said firmly

She nodded, steading herself.
"It adorns the crypt of the first commander, Becca Pramheda." She says

"Where is the crypt?" Jaha pressed

"You think it's the bunker?" Monty asked

"It's in the temple. Controlled by Azgeda, as are the tunnels." Indra explained

"Can you get us through?" Monty asked me

"Yes" I nod

"No. We fight." Indra answered

"Indra, stop. Like it or not, Azgeda is an ally. I am Heda, and I command you to hold your blade." I said, sharp, firm.

"You're assuming they'll honor the alliance. The closer we get to Praimfaya, the less alliances seem to mean. How much faith do you have in yours?" She challenged

"Enough faith to know Lexa would be proud of it. Enough to know you'll obey me-  or more of your people will die" my words rang sharp. Her eyes widened, and slowly, she nodded.

The closer we came to the temple, the more the air thickened. The guards of Azgeda stood in place, steel glinting in their hands, their eyes sharp on us.

"Don't move" one of them barked.

I stepped forward, chin high.
"Stand down" I ordered

"Heda" they murmured, lowering their heads in respect. The word carried like thunder in my chest. It should have steadied me, but instead, it made my hands ache like it was a lie. Still, I held my ground.

"They must put their weapons down. Then they may pass" one said, nodding to everyone behind me.

I turned, my gaze sharp.
"Weapons down. Then we pass" I commanded.

My people obeyed, metal hitting the ground with dull thuds. Relief flickered in my chest- order was holding.

But indras voice cut through like a blade.
"This is weakness, Heda" she said

I turned my head toward her, slowly. Her hand wasn't on her weapon yet, but her eyes blazed hotter than fire.

"Letting Azgeda live after they bled your people....after they betrayed you. You ask us to lower our weapons in front of those who spit on the coalition. They will not honor you mercy. They will only wait for the moment your back is turned."  She spat

But I didn't say anything. I kept my gaze, face stone cold.

She kept going.
"They bowed because they fear the crown, not because they follow it. You protect Skaikru, you even protect Azgeda, while my people rot in the mud outside these walls. That is not leadership, Heda- that is weakness. And weakness will kill us all" she said

Her words hit me harder than I wanted them to. My hands curled into fists at my side, my chest tight with the sting of failure. For a heartbeat, I felt the weight of every dead face staring back at me, every voice whispering that she was right.

But weakness wasn't in my blood. Not anymore.

I stopped forward, voice sharp as steel.
"Weapons down" I spoke, clear, steady.

The Azgeda warriors almost hesitated, then dropped their blades, eyes locked on me. Respect, fear- whatever it was, it was mine.

Before Indra could speak again, my sword was in my hand. In a single step, I closed the space between us and pressed the blade to her throat. The gasp that went through her warriors was like a rush of wind.

"You question me again in front of them, and you will bleed before they do. I am Heda. I carry all the clans, not just the one you love. If that feels like weakness to you, then you have no place by my side." I said, voice low and deadly

Indras jaw clenched. Her breath shuddered against the edge of my sword. But she didn't move, didn't flinch, didn't bow- until at last, her knees bent, her dead dipped.

"Heda" she said, voice quiet and unbroken.

I held the blade there a moment longer, making sure every warrior saw it, making sure she felt it. Then, slowly, I lowered it.

"Let's go" I said, turning my back on her.

And they let us through.