33 - ACCEPTANCE

[ ACCEPTANCE ]

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   "The conclave must be starting." Clarke furrowed her brows as she glanced outside the window and listened to the sound of a horn.

   Murphy got up from the really soft bed, "Cool." He said like a child who just got a toy. "You see anything?" He approached her and she turned to look at him with a slight glare. "Come on, what?" Murphy scoffed. "Watching Grounders fighting to the death to see who gets an AI built in their brain? That doesn't sound fun to you?" He pulled apart the curtain to have a peek out of the window.

   Murphy was met with Clarke's silence and he turned to her staring where Lexa once lay, her black blood still coating the fur blankets. Suddenly, Clarke rushed over to the doors, and started banging furiously on them.

   "Hey." Murphy called out to her. She kept banging. "Clarke." He called once more and she stopped. "Look, I'm sorry. I know how much she meant to you."

   "This has nothing to do with me." Clarke replied emotionlessly. She turned back around to Murphy. "Did you see Sayah?" She suddenly asked and Murphy felt something inside him awake. Whatever it was, it was about to start going insane.

   "W—What?" His voice came out small.

   Clarke furrowed her brows. "You didn't see her on your way up here?"

   "Well, sorry for being unconscious." Murphy drawled before going serious. "She—She was here?"

   Clarke nodded. "She left with Octavia just before. . ." She paused. "Just before I came in and found you."

   Murphy felt something inside him cry out and ache. Ache for her. She was here. Sayah was here. In this very room. His eyes darted around before he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Was she okay? Was she—Was she hurt or anything? I mean. . ."

   "She's okay." Clarke nodded. "She had a. . . few rough months, after you. . ." Left. Murphy knew. "But Abby, Octavia, Lincoln and Bellamy take care of her a lot, checking up on her and all that so," Clarke pursed her lips.

   Murphy furrowed his brows. "Wait—Bellamy?" He clenched his jaw, ignoring his curiosity and instead asked something else. "What do you mean 'rough months'?"

   Clarke sighed. "I wasn't really there so, I don't know it all. I'm sorry."

   Murphy bit his lip, hands clenching at his sides. Bellamy? Rough months? What the hell was going on? Clarke, to Murphy's pleasure, quickly changed the subject. "We need to make sure that Aden wins the conclave."

   Murphy kept looking around. She was in here. She had been here.

   Suddenly, the doors unlocked. Murphy and Clarke both turned to it as it opened, revealing Titus. Murphy was less than pleased. "What, you come here to finish the job?"

   "No." Titus answered after a moment. "I'm here to fulfill my vow to Lexa." He then handed some clothes to Clarke and Murphy. "Put these on." Murphy did so quickly.

   Murphy turned to see Clarke hesitantly standing there. Why wasn't she moving? "Look, the door we were banging on for the last 24 hours is open. Let's use it." He told her.

   Clarke threw the clothes she had given in Titus' face. "You killed your Commander. How are you still free?"

   "I am the only flamekeeper." Titus replied. "Now, please. If you go now, you can slip in with the crowds arriving for tomorrow's conclave."

   Murphy didn't waste anytime. He grabbed Clarke's arm gently. "You heard the man. Alright, lets. . ." He trailed off when Clarke brushed off his arm and turned back to Titus.

   Why did no one listen to him? This is how people died. Murphy wanted to roll his eyes but didn't. He'd prefer to not die by an angry, emotional Clarke Griffin. Last time she was like this, he had been hung.

   "I need to see Aden first." Clarke told Titus.

   "That's out of the question." Titus denied. "The Natblidas have begun the purification ritual."

   "That sounds kind of private, Clarke." Murphy couldn't help but add in.

   Clarke ignored him, eyes on Titus. "Where?"

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   As Murphy and Clarke followed Titus into the room, Murphy did not expect to see a bunch of kids staring at him as he entered. "They're just kids." He mumbled confusedly to Clarke. She didn't say anything. Murphy watched as Titus mumbled something to Aden and then glanced back over to Clarke with a nod. Clarke then walked over and spoke privately with the boy.

   Murphy then after a few moments, watched how Aden gestured to the other kids who all stood and lowered their heads respectfully at her.

   Suddenly the doors burst open and two people entered, a man and a woman. Murphy didn't recognise them, but apparently Clarke did when Murphy watched her face turn into one of shock.

   "You." The woman snarled before charging towards Clarke. Murphy watched as Aden moved in front of Clarke, attempting to protect her, but he was simply shoved to the ground. Murphy moved quickly to help the young boy up.

   The woman grunted as she tackled Clarke to the ground. Murphy turned to see Titus stop the woman from stabbing Clarke, and the man she entered with spoke up. "Put the knife down, Ontari."

   The woman, Ontari, spoke up. "Your mother is dead because of her." She argued.

   "You will obey your king." The man replied back. Ontari let out a scoff before giving up the knife and standing up.

   "An unfortunate fact we have her to thank for as well." Ontari muttered. "No matter. When I am Heda and the king bows to me, you and every last member of Skaikru will die."

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   "Never thought I'd be back here," Octavia mumbled as she and Sayah rode their horses back into her old camp. The dropship still stands, empty and abandoned.

   Yet, only this time, Bellamy stood beside it. Octavia and Sayah shared a look before dismounting and approaching him.

   "Glad you two came." Bellamy spoke first. Both girls narrowed their eyes and glanced around. "I'm alone, I swear." Bellamy reassured them.

   "Great, so I can do this." Sayah then walked up to him and slapped him across the face. Bellamy, head turned, sighed.

   "I deserve that." He nodded.

   "You deserve a lot more than that, Bellamy Blake." Sayah frowned.

   She was angry. But at the same time, she had been waiting for him to come around. For the Bellamy she knew to come back. It was just hard to trust him.

   "I'm here to help." He told them. Sayah licked her lips before turning to Octavia.

   Octavia nodded and opened her arms for a hug and just as Bellamy went to embrace her, she stabbed the needle into his neck, and down he went. "Sleep, my big brother."

   "Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" Sayah questioned, eyeing his unconscious state.

   "You're quick to trust him again." Octavia rose an eyebrow.

   "Yeah," Sayah drawled. "I guess you're right." Although it didn't feel right. Not at all.

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   "You do not belong here!" Was the first thing Titus said to Clarke and Murphy as they entered the room.

   "Really? Pretty sure that's my blood decorating your floor." Murphy drawled.

   "There is nothing left for you in Polis. Why have you not gone?" Titus questioned them.

   "Yeah, that's what I'd like to know." Murphy muttered to himself.

   "We need to talk about Ontari. She wasn't trained here." Clarke began. "Why would you let her into the conclave?"

   "Ontari has the blood of the commanders." Titus responded. "It is her birthright to compete for the flame."

   "Is she really in there?" Clarke asked quietly as Titus held the AI—or the flame in this case—in his palm.

   "Of course she is." Titus answered before placing the flame back into the small case it sat in safely. He then covered it in a small piece of cloth before placing it away safely.

   "Why does it matter who wins?" Murphy asked Clarke. "I mean, listen to me. If your girlfriend really is in that thing, then we have nothing to worry about, right?" Murphy sighed. "Look, let's just get out of here while we can." He added quietly.

   "It matters." Titus spoke up. "I've served four commanders as Flamekeeper. None of them half as wise or strong as Lexa kom Trikru. But the truth is, she was all of those things even before ascension. The flame deepens what's already there. If the spirit of the Commander should choose Ontari, the Ice Nation will control everything, and the Skaikru will face her wrath."

   "Not really a silver-lining type of guy, is he?" Murphy mumbled to Clarke. Clarke didn't respond and Murphy was beginning to think that maybe his comments and jokes just didn't do well with a person like Clarke.

   "So how do we make sure Aden wins?" Clarke questioned Titus. "He was Lexa's choice, you know that."

   "And she will choose him." Titus nodded.

   Suddenly, a horn blew loudly in the distance. "What's that?" Murphy asked, not exactly liking the sound.

   "The victory horn," Titus explained with a shocked expression on his face as he left quickly, Clarke and Murphy following after him. They made their way to the throne room, Titus leading the way as they squeezed through a crowd of people. Murphy watched as Clarke was pulled away by the King of Ice Nation, Roan.

   "What's going on?" Murphy saw Clarke ask Roan. Roan simply hushed her with a finger to his lips.

   Murphy stepped on his tippy-toes, trying to see what the fuss was all about. When he saw who sat on the throne, however, his eyes widened.

   It was Ontari.

   "What is the meaning of this?" Titus asked her. Ontari didn't reply. She only reached down to pull out a head. Murphy recognised it to be the same young boy as before, Aden.

   She had killed him. She had killed all of the children.

   "Clarke, I think we should get out of here." Murphy rushed out, glancing over to her.

   They watched as Ontari kicked the bag full of heads over, and then dropped the one she held up.

   "I win." She stated sternly.

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   "It was a mistake to bring him here," Indra stated as Bellamy awoke, eyes squinted as they adjusted to the light.

   "Quiet, Indra." Sayah scolded, eyes scanning over Bellamy who look at the trio, confused. "He was out the whole way."

   "And I searched him for bugs." Octavia added.

   "You think I'd let them hurt you two?" Bellamy questioned Sayah and Octavia.

   "Shut your mouth!" Indra seethed at him.

   "Indra." Sayah glared at her, shaking her head. "We talked about this." She added as she looked over to Octavia. Octavia approached them, hand going over Indra's gently.

   "You waste time." Indra stated to them. "You should be in their camp by now."

   "No, it's suicide. Pike will be expecting you." Bellamy cut in.

   "Bet Pike won't be expecting me to slash his throat before he can get a word out." Sayah muttered.

   "You won't get close. I can." Bellamy told the girls. "We can save them, but we have to work together."

   "You're the reason they need saving." Octavia reminded him as she glared.

   "Maybe," Bellamy answered after a moment. "But that doesn't change the fact that you need me."

   Octavia took a step forward towards him. "For the first time in my life, that's not true."

   Bellamy had tears in his eyes. "O." Before he could say another word, Octavia left the cave, Indra following after her. Sayah stayed where she stood, eyes on the ground.

   "Sayah, please." Bellamy begged. "Please, I can help you save them."

   Sayah swallowed the lump forming in her throat. "Bellamy, I want to believe you—Hell, I really think I do, but. . . Octavia. . ." She opened her mouth then closed it again.

   "She's stubborn as hell, right?" Bellamy sniffled.

   "As are you." Sayah gave him a sad smile.

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   "Slow down, Roan. We need to talk to Titus." Clarke demanded as she and Murphy followed Roan through the dark streets.

   "Trust me, right now your friend Titus is on his knees in front of Ontari." Roan replied.

   "No, there's no way he'll support someone who hacked the heads of children while they slept." Clarke denied.

   "Yeah, those children were marked for death anyway." Roan argued with Clarke.

   "You'll support her, too." Clarke furrowed her brows.

   "She's Ice Nation." Roan answered.

   "Whatever's best for your people, is that it?" Clarke questioned him. Murphy would've walked away by now if he was sure he wouldn't be slaughtered. He just wanted to leave.

   "That's it. Kind of like killing every man, woman and child in Mount Weather was best for yours." Roan replied back nonchalantly. Murphy pursed his lips.

   "That's not a bad point." Murphy muttered as Roan held out an arm to stop them from walking.

   "Shut up, Murphy." Clarke whispered and Murphy grinned. It had been a while since someone told him to shut up.

   "Tunnel's through here." Roan turned to them.

   "Oh, great. Thank you." Murphy rushed out as he made his way towards it. He heard Roan say some words to Clarke before he left and when he turned to see Clarke still standing there, not exactly enthusiastic about leaving, Murphy sighed.

   "We are not leaving, are we?" He pursed his lips as he walked back towards her.

   "Not without the flame." Clarke shook her head before walking back into the city. Murphy ran a hand down his face.

   Sayah liked Clarke. They were friends. Clarke was. . . sort of his friend too. Murphy sighed before following after her. "Might as well attempt to not let her die."

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   Sayah groaned as Octavia helped her out from under the floor. "Never again." Sayah panted. "I hate that part of the plan."

   "Come on, you big baby." Octavia whispered. "All clear." She added and Kane, Sinclair and Lincoln all climbed out.

   "It's little bit tight in there." Kane commented.

   "A little? Kane, I can't feel my hand because I think someone sat on it." Sayah wiggled her fingers around. "A little bit tight—Please." She scoffed.

   "Glad to see you're still making jokes, huh?" Lincoln grinned at her as she undid his restraints.

   "Oh, they'll be more, as soon as we get you three the hell out of here." Sayah nodded determinedly. Abby then entered as Miller helped Bryan up and approached Kane. Sayah went to help out Sinclair.

   As soon as he was free, Sayah and Octavia passed two rifles over to Miller and Bryan. Suddenly, Harper's voice came through the radio. "Okay, S, come in."

   "What is it?" Lincoln questioned.

   "This wasn't apart of the plan." Octavia furrowed her brows. "We used their frequencies so they could hear us." She brought the radio up to her lips. "Go ahead."

   "Stay where you are." Harper's voice was quiet. She was hiding. "Repeat. Stay where you are. The exit is not clear."

   "How many guards?" Octavia asked.

   "Too many. I said 'stay put'." Harper whispered back.

   Suddenly, Monty's voice rang out through all radios. "Calling all guards. The prisoners are headed for the main gate. I repeat, they're heading for the main gate. Over."

   "Thatta' boy, Monty." Sayah grinned.

   "Guess he's with us after all." Miller stated.

   "Pike will find out." Kane said quietly.

   "We don't know that." Abby spoke up. "What we do know is that we have to move."

   And so they did.

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   Sayah stood beside Abby as they all rushed through the open panel in the wall: A.K.A what Sayah liked to call, the sneaky hole.

   Octavia advised that she should work on the name.

   "Attention all citizens." A female voice came over the PA system. "Emergency lockdown is in effect. Return to your quarters immediately."

   Sayah snuck through the hole just after Sinclair did as she waited for Lincoln. "Come on, lets—" Her words died in the back of her throat when she saw Kane and Abby share a passionate kiss. "Oh."

   She looked away until she heard Abby leave and Octavia approach them with a radio in her hand. Pike's voice crackled through it. "I have a message for the traitors in this camp. There will be an execution today. Either turn yourselves in, or the other Grounder prisoners will die in your place."

   Sayah shared a grave look with Octavia and Lincoln. Octavia clutched Lincoln's arm. "Let's go."

   Lincoln began to walk away. Sayah rushed out of the hole and followed him, grabbing his arm. "Hey, hey. What are you doing?" She felt Octavia appear beside her.

   "I can't let them die because of me." Lincoln shook his head.

   "We can't let you die." Sayah argued back.

   "Lincoln, please. We're almost out." Octavia added pleadingly.

   "I know what you're feeling, but they're searching the station. We need to go, now." Kane cut in, eyes hard as he stared at Lincoln.

   "You should." Lincoln nodded.

   "Fine." Sayah stated. "I'm going with you."

   "We fight together." Octavia spoke in Trigedasleng, nodding in agreement. Lincoln nodded sadly, cupping Octavia's cheek as he whispered to her.

   "I love you." And then he kissed her. And Sayah already knew it was a goodbye kiss.

   "Lincoln—" Sayah began but he had already stuck the needle into Octavia's neck with a hiss. She dropped to the ground and Lincoln caught her in his arms before passing her to Kane.

   "What are you doing?" Kane whispered.

   "The same thing you'd do for your people." Lincoln admitted. "Just get her out of here." Kane pursed his lips before nodding and glancing over at Sayah. She nodded in return and Kane left, Octavia in his arms.

   "Let's do this." Sayah said with a shaky voice.

   "No. You're not coming with me." Lincoln shook his head.

   "What? No—"

   "Get in the sneaky hole, Sayah." Lincoln ordered, although his tone was one of sadness and amusement.

   "Lincoln, listen to me. You are my brother, I am not letting you die without me, please—"

   "Sayah." Lincoln said her name softly. "You are so strong. I need you to take care of Octavia for me. Take care of yourself. Please."

   "Lincoln—" Tears welled up in her eyes as she clutched his shirt.

   "Your mother would be so proud of you. I know I am." Lincoln smiled and it was so heartbreaking. Sayah shook her head. "Do this for me. Sayah. Go." He shoved her back and then gently helped her into the hole in the wall.

   "I love you, my little sister. I love you always." He cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead. He smiled once more. "My little sister," The words were just a whisper and Sayah felt something inside her pull, and tug, and struggle. He couldn't be serious.

   "Lincoln, don't do this." Sayah sobbed quietly. Lincoln wiped a tear away from her cheek and he closed the panel, putting it back in place. "Linc—Lincoln! Don't—" Sayah heard something press up against it and she couldn't get it open again. She banged against it until she stopped, hearing footsteps.

   They had found him. That was when she raced after the others.

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   "How much longer?" Ontari questioned Murphy and Murphy didn't want to turn around to see her naked in a bathtub, so he continued to stare outside the window.

   "Purification is a process." Murphy pursed his lips.

   Murphy heard the water splash before Ontari spoke again. "You're not afraid of me."

   "I don't scare easily." Murphy simply replied before getting up with a grunt. "The truth is, I think what you did was smart." He turned to face her slowly, hoping the water covered her well. It did. "A little crazy maybe, but we do what we have to do to survive, right?"

   "You know I plan to wipe out your people?" Ontari questioned.

   "So I've heard." Murphy stated nonchalantly. "Sucks for them." Sayah was smart. And Clarke was also smart. They had a plan. He wasn't too worried.

   A knock sounded at the door. Ontari glanced over to it before saying something in Grounder language and moving to get up. Murphy turned around quickly as he heard the water splash. Then he heard her speak, probably saying something like 'come in', because the doors then opened. Roan entered, shoving Titus along with him.

   "What is this?" Ontari questioned.

   "The Flamekeeper claims he lost the flame." Roan explains. Roan's gaze then switched to Murphy who approached them. "You, where's Wanheda?"

   "How would I know?" Murphy asked. Roan moved to him quickly, grabbing his collar.

   "Don't play games with me." Roan snarled as he shoved Murphy up against the wall. "I know she stole the flame. Where is she?"

   "She didn't steal it." Titus suddenly spoke up, catching everyone's attention. "I gave it to her."

   Roan let go of Murphy before turning to Titus. "Where's she taking it? Your mission is to pass the flame. You wouldn't give it to her without a Natblida to pass it to." Roan brought a blade to Titus' throat.

   "You can't kill him. He's the only one that can perform the ritual." Murphy spoke up.

   Titus' gaze moved to Ontari. "This abomination will never ascend." He spat.

   "Kill him." Ontari snarled.

   "He's right." Roan spoke, turning to Ontari. "We need him."

   But before anymore words could be spoken, Titus suddenly hit Roan's arm, causing him to slice his throat. Murphy furrowed his brows. He did that on purpose? "For Lexa." Titus choked out, blood coating his lips before he stumbled back and landed directly into the tub with a giant splash. He choked slowly on his blood before stopping and going still. Titus was dead.

   "Announce my ascension." Ontari ordered.

   "You don't have the flame, Ontari." Roan argued.

   "Don't talk to me as if I'm a fool, Roan. No one knows that." Ontari replied.

   "He does." Roan gestured over to Murphy, who swallowed the lump forming in his throat.

   "'He' happens to like his head." Murphy spoke, glancing between the two nervously.

   "Light the pyre," Ontari demanded Roan. "Burn the bitch who killed your mother. Let the people know they have a new commander, and find Wanheda. That's an order."

   Roan pursed his lips, gaze moving to Murphy for a moment before he left the room without another word.

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   When Sayah reached Kane and the others, her face was red and her breaths were heavy. Octavia was waking up as she laid on her horse, and when she dismounted — more like slid off — Sayah went to catch her. She didn't let Octavia go even when they saw Lincoln being taken outside in restraints. Sayah followed Octavia past the bushes to get a better look even though her heart stung and she knew what was to happen.

   "No." Octavia breathed out. Sayah covered her mouth with her hand as tears ran down her face. Sayah watched as Lincoln dropped to his knees and she clutched onto Octavia. Octavia held her back, squeezing just as tight.

   She watched as Lincoln stared up at the sky, where rain fell lightly, matching the tears that ran down Sayah's cheeks, and she watched as Pike drew his handgun, and pointed it at her brother's head.

   And a gunshot rang out.

   And Lincoln dropped to the muddy ground. Just as Sayah did. Her body shook even in Octavia's strong hold.

   And yet, she made no noise. None at all.

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a/n

yeah.

i cry everytime I HATE IT HERE

^ ... do we really need names for this.

cuz mines on that list 😔