Author's Note: All smut has been removed. If you want smut, find me on AO3 or tumblr (ladyshadowwalker).
They spent the rest of the morning training. Before, he had taught her how to take down a grown man twice her size; this time, he taught her how to kill. Before, he had given her the basics across a variety of weapons; this time, he focused on the sword. It would help her keep her distance from a bigger, stronger enemy like Vik. She needed to be able to kill him if he ever came after her, otherwise he would never stop.
All too soon, it was time for Lincoln to report back to Anya and Octavia needed to get back to her camp before Bellamy returned. As he walked her back, he warned her not to return to his cave unless it was safe. He didn't want her to be easy to find if Vik…. He shook his head. He was letting Vik's taunts get to his head.
When they arrived at the outskirts of her camp, he pointed to a tree and told her he would leave one of the white flowers there for her to spot when it was safe for her to meet him. They had kissed again bitter-sweetly, neither one wanting to part from the other. But eventually, Octavia had turned around and headed inside the walls and Lincoln had left for Anya's.
When he arrived at Anya's outpost, it was to see an army amassing. "You're too late, Lincoln!" Anya called out when she saw him. "Indra has already sent her warriors and Caliban just returned. Heda wants the Sky People exterminated." She waved him over to her side.
"The ship crashed. No survivors." Lincoln followed her into the building where Anya's second, Tris, was sharpening a sword.
"Then it will be over quickly for them." Anya smirked as she motioned for Tris to leave.
"There's still time to stop this." Lincoln wasn't sure of what else to say. He knew he wouldn't be able to survive another war. If he lived, he would become like Caliban and Vik, heartless and bloodthirsty, a monster.
"It's already started." Anya crossed her arms over her chest. "Delano the Outcast had one of them captive. He's been let go to return to their village. He carries the sickness with him to soften the battlefield for us."
Lincoln shook his head slowly at her. "This isn't right, Anya. They're not warriors like us."
"You're either with us or against us." Anya's brow creased as her eyes narrowed. "It's too late, isn't it? You're not going to let her go."
Lincoln sucked in his breath sharply. He opened his mouth to speak, to say the words that would doom him to a traitor's death, the Death from a Thousand Cuts. "Anya…."
Anya raised her hand, stalling him. "The rest of the warriors will be here soon. We attack in two days." She looked at him closely. "You have until then. Either leave or fight."