I sank against the table, trying to steady my breathing as I watched Clarke kneel beside her mom, checking her vitals. The relief on Clarke face hit me harder than anything else that day. Then Bellamy walked in, pointing his gun at Abby, ready for a fight.

"Hey, no it's ok. I used the EMP. She's back." Clarke called out, her voice tight with urgency.

"Is the floor secure?" I asked, wincing as I tried to shift.

"For now. Jaha and the guards are tied up in a bedroom" Bellamy said

"We took out the elevator and the ladder as we climbed. The stairs are collapsed. No one's following us." Pike added. I grabbed the edge of the table to help me stand.z

"You're lucky we need people to fight- otherwise, I'd kill you now." I muttered to pike.

"So we have time" Clarke nodded, ignoring my jab.

"What we don't have is a way down" John pointed out, scanning the broken stairwell.

"Time for what?" Pike asked, raising an eye brow.

"An ascension ceremony" I replied, keeping my tone steady.

"An ascension? They said Ontari wasn't an option" pike said, skeptical.

"We're not putting it in her head. We're putting it in mine." I said, gripping my sword just enough to make a point.

"It's risky. She's lost a lot of blood. But it's our only option" Clarke explained. They all exchanged  looks, nodding in agreement.

Before we could move further, O walked in tension radiating off of her.
"Whatever you're doing, you better do it fast" she said

"Why? What happened?" Bellamy asked, already tense.

"They're climbing" she replied.

I went to move toward the edge, but Bellamy grabbed my arm, steadying me. We both peaked over the side, spotting the swarm of people trying to make their way up.

"We need to do this now" I said, letting him guide me back inside.

I collapsed onto the thrones struggling to catch my breath.

"Balcony's greased. No one's getting in through here." Pike said, walking in with his usual grim efficiency.

"Good. Theres enough lamp oil to cover every window on the floor- except the commanders chambers" Bellamy added

"Then that's where the fighting starts. We'll dig in there" pike said, and some guards filed off to follow orders.

I called out.
"Octavia" I said

She came over, and I pulled her into a tight hug.
"As soon as this is over....you kill Pike." I whispered, and she nodded, letting the words sink in.

"Safe...alive, please" she said softly

"You too" I murmured as she walked away.

"O" Bellamy called after her. She turned briefly, and he added.
"Be careful" he said

She gave a small nod before disappearing around the corner.

Abby approached, her medical kit ready.
"I'm prepared if you need me" she said. I nodded, lowering myself back into the throne. Bellamy stayed close, her presence grounding me.

"You ready?" Clarke asked

"Yeah. Let's end this" I replied, voice firm even if my body felt like lead.

Bellamy let out a small laugh.
"Hey, if you survived being hung upside down while bleeding out, you can survive this" he said, I offered a weak smile at him, though my limbs ached too much to move freely.

"If we're going to do this we need to do it now" John said, stepping forward toward the flame.

"You better know what you're doing" I warned, and he nodded before taking the flame from Clarke.

"Lean forward" he instructed. I did as told, reaching for Bellamy's hand and gripping it tightly.

"You ready?" John asked

"Do it" I nodded

"Ascende superius" he said, pressing the flame to my neck. It cut through my skin, connecting to me instantly. Pain shot through my body, and I let out a scream, eyes squeezing shut.

"Get that thing out of her head! She doesn't have enough blood to support it!" Clarke yelled as I slowly returned to consciousness.

"No...no. I got it." I mumbled

"Are you in any pain? Weak? Dizzy?" Abby asked

"No...I'm fine." I lied, though every inch of me screamed otherwise.

"I know how to stop Allie.... I have to take the chip." I told them, determination burning through the exhaustion.

"What?" Bellamy asked, confused.

"I have to go into the city of light and find the kill switch." I said

"Yeah...that sounds like a great idea" John muttered

"Diana, listen to me. Allie wants the flame. If you take the chip, you're giving it to her. The second someone sees you, Allie is going to know you're there. She'll kill you. If your mind dies, you die. I promised Lexa I'd protect you" Clarke said, tears threatening to fall.

"The flame will protect me. I know it will. You have to trust me" I told her. Bellamy's hand slipped from mine, and for a moment, the emptiness of it made my chest ache. I shook it off, refocusing.

Bellamy picked a chip from the bowl and held it out.
"I trust you" he said, locking eyes with me.

"Do you even know what you're looking for?" Clarke asked, wary.

"I'll know when I find it" I assured her

"May we meet again" she whispered

"We will" I promised

Bellamy's grip on my hand tightened as he said.
"We'll keep you safe." He said.

"I don't doubt it" I said, lifting the chip in my right hand to my lips. I grabbed Bellamy's hand tight with my left, taking a shaky breath.

"Don't let go until you have to, sky boy" I whispered, and he nodded.

I closed my eyes and took the chip.

When I opened them again, I let out a deep sigh, surveying my surroundings. The city stretched out before me: buildings, roads, and empty streets. I paused on the bridge, taking it all in.
Where was everyone?