Hey guys, I hope you are ready because I am really excited about this chapter! I know It's not the longest chapter, but I think it fits well here. Damn, writing fight scenes is really hard, but I think I wrote a pretty damn good one and I hope you guys agree. Please comment and let me know what you think, I really love hearing what you guys have to say. There is still a lot I hope to do with this story so I hope you guys enjoy it and stick with it!
Clarke could feel her heart beating in her throat she was so nervous. She knew her and Roan were skilled. She knew both of them were likely better than each of the warriors that they were going to fight, but the numbers game was not going to be in their advantage, and that could be their downfall. She heard as someone called out the warriors they were going to face and listened as some of the crowd cheered for them. After that she heard the same voice call out for her and Roan. "Here we go," he whispered to her as they made their way out of the shadows of the alcove they were in and into the arena.
Clarke and Roan walked out together and they took their places in the center of the circle facing the stage. The voices of the crowd around them were deafening, but Clarke tried to block them out as her eyes locked onto green up on the stage. Roan and Clarke both bowed their heads towards the Commander on the stage.
Titus was the one to speak again "The trials today are test if the spirits accept the bonding of Hainofa Roan kom Azgeda and Wanheda. Nine of the thirteen clans object to this bonding and their warriors stand here now to to test the strength that Wanheda and the Hainofa share. Either the will both stand or they will both fall."
Clarke knew Titus was speaking, and she knew she should probably be listening, but she wasn't. At first when he started speaking, she had been lost in a trance, staring up into the green eyes that she was going to try so desperately to fight for. As Titus kept going on, she snapped herself out of her trance and began to scan the area. The first thing that she noticed was that in the very front row, Skaikru was standing together, all there to watch her. They were all looking up at Titus listening to her speech, all except for Octavia and Raven. Their eyes were on Clarke and when they met, the two of them gave Clarke an encouraging nod. She needed that sign of faith from her friends and she was glad that they were there to support her. Her mother was a different story, but she would worry about that later.
She moved on from her friends to scan her opponents. They were all surrounding her and Roan, and they all looked fierce clad in the colors of their people with their own warpaint smeared across their faces. She took note of the various weapons that each warrior held and noticed that there were three of them on her side with a bow and a quiver of arrows at their backs. She would need to take them down quickly to avoid the threat they posed. She continued to scan, seeing mostly swords and axes, one or two spears. Some of the warriors looked ready to fight and they definitely looked like they would pose a challenge, like those from Trikru, but some of them looked uncomfortable or nervous to be there. It made sense. The clans weren't going to risk using their best warriors for a simple bonding trial. Especially the clans that were more peaceful with less warriors. Those clans only had a few skilled warriors and they wouldn't waste them here. Clarke honestly felt bad for them, but it wasn't going to stop her from killing them. That didn't mean she was going to underestimate them either. Everyone was a threat and she needed to keep her head on a swivel and be ready for anything.
Clarke made sure to stand tall in the center of the arena. All eyes were on her, and she needed to look calm and confident, and she also needed to intimidate her opponents. That wasn't difficult. The titles she and Roan held alone sent fear into the hearts of most men. Their appearances helped as well. The both of them wore their Azgeda armor and the white war paint on their faces made them look terrifying. Clarke looked like she could actually command death and she made sure her posture and facial expressions added to it.
Titus carried on with his speech a little longer before it was time. Clarke and Roan stood back to back, eyes scanning their opponents when Lexa stood forward. Her eyes met Clarke's and Clarke gave her a reassuring nod, giving Lexa the strength to start the trial. "You may begin," she ordered before taking her seat in her throne, Titus and Indra standing on either side of her. Immediately Clarke pulled out three assassin blades from hidden locations on her arm and launched them in rapid succession. Each of them hit their mark, and the three opponents with bows and arrows dropped dead.
At the same time that Clarke attacked, Roan threw his own dagger, and it dug into the neck of another opponent. That was four dead in one second. The crowd was in a stunned silence, not expecting those four deaths to happen so quickly, but once the shock wore out they erupted into their own set of cheers. It reminded Clarke a little bit of being in The Crater and she had to inhale deeply to keep those memories from surfacing. She needed to stay focused if she wanted to come out of this still breathing.
Eighteen was now down to fourteen and the remaining warriors remained in place around their two opponents, stunned by the display and unsure of who exactly was going to attack first. Clarke and Roan both reached to their backs and pulled out their swords, readying their stances for the onslaught they knew was coming. "Show off," Roan grumbled from behind her.
"Are you really going to complain right now?" Clarke asked with a smirk on her face. She knew that Roan was only joking, he was still the superior warrior when compared to her and taking down three of their opponents was not something that he would be upset about. She wasn't happy about killing, but she had grown used to it so it didn't affect her much anymore.
Before Roan could respond, the first warrior attacked, charging him. The man came at him with a sword and Roan parried the attack easily and made a counter strike. He was able to cut into the man's bicep, but it wasn't a fatal wound.
Once the first man attacked, everything happened quickly. All the remaining warriors charged at Clarke and Roan. Clarke and Roan stayed close to each other to defend the others back as best as possible and provide aid if the other needed it, but there was a little space between the two. Clarke ducked under the blade of a woman who swung wildly at her and she rolled to avoid the boot from a second attacker. She was in a fight where she had to play defense, only attacking when she had a clear opportunity. Roan was fighting much of the same way and the two were avoiding as many oncoming attacks as they could.
Clarke rolled over to avoid another attack and she popped up inside the guard of another opponent. She forced her sword through his chest, and pulled back quickly to avoid a different blade aimed at her head. She avoided the blow, but someone behind her managed to cut into her arm with a dagger. She grunted in pain, feeling the warmth of her own blood cascade down her arm, but she couldn't let it faze her. She sidestepped another attack and took out another opponent in the process.
Meanwhile, Roan dove out of the way of an axe aimed at his head and he rolled behind his opponent, stabbing him through the back. Roan had a couple of his own injuries at this point, and he had taken down three more of their opponents.
Clarke and Roan were ducking and dodging every blow they could, but they were both taking a bit of a beating themselves. They would try to take out one opponent, but another would be at their back in an instant delivering their own blow whether it a fist, an elbow, or a blade. The two of them fought hard bringing the count of their opponents down to seven. At this point their muscles were screaming at them and they could feel the cuts and bruises they had obtained across their bodies stinging and throbbing, but they kept pushing forward. They moved closer together so they were back to back and they worked together to take out their remaining opponents. They communicated well telling the other to duck and stepping forward to deliver a blow or alternating sides to keep their opponents on their toes and themselves safe. They brought the enemy count down to four. Or so they thought.
One of their opponents had gone down, but wasn't yet dead. He reached to his belt and launched his dagger towards them. Neither of them saw it, but Clarke certainly felt it as it dug into the outside of her thigh. She cried out in pain and it caused enough of a distraction that another warrior was able to deliver a cut across her abdomen. It wasn't a fatal slice, her armor took the brunt of it, but it was still painful and it sent Clarke off balanced.
Roan had just ended one of his opponents when he heard Clarke's cry of pain and he turned to aid her. She stumbled back slightly and Roan finished off the man that had cut her. The man who had thrown the dagger returned to his feet and now there were three opponents left.
/
Lexa's stomach churned like there was a snake twisting and writhing within her. She ordered the trial to begin and watched as Clarke launched three blades into her enemies. They were skilled throws, each blade killing its target instantly. She watched as Clarke reached for her sword and she even watched as Clarke and Roan spoke to each other. He said something that made her smirk and Lexa didn't know how to feel about it. She had just watched Clarke kill three people and now she was smiling with Roan. She would admit that the blades she launched were thrown with precision and accuracy. It was a smart and well executed attack, but she also knew Clarke. She hated killing and the girl that she knew before the mountain would never smile at what she had just done. Of course a lot had happened since then and it was clear that Clarke had been through so much and had learned to accept death. It still made Lexa's blood boil at the fact that Queen Nia had taken that once innocent girl and turned her into something else entirely.
Lexa knew that the ground had that effect on people. She knew that death was not the end and she had learned to accept it long ago, but that didn't serve to quell her anger towards what the Queen had done to Clarke. She would get her revenge for Costia and for Clarke and she would make sure that Nia never hurt anyone she cared about again.
Lexa felt her heart jump into her throat as a blade bit into the flesh of Clarke's arm. It wasn't too bad, but she knew it could be a factor in the future. She watched with bated breath as Clarke and Roan continued to eliminate their opponents and she watched as they skillfully moved, defending themselves and each other. She couldn't deny how impressed she was with Clarke's skill. She had seen her train already, and it was true that her opponents weren't the best the coalition had to offer, but they were warriors with skill nonetheless, and they had trained for a much longer period of time than Clarke had.
Two years was enough time to become skilled with a weapon, but Clarke's skills surpassed what she should have been able to do. She recognized though that when it's kill or be killed, you quickly learn how to kill. Training in Azgeda wasn't easy either and the torture and highly difficult training that Clarke must have been subject to definitely served to teach her at a much faster pace than for a usual warrior.
Lexa watched as Clarke and Roan stood back to back, working together to eliminate more of their opponents, but her heart dropped when she saw the dagger dig into Clarke's leg and then the blade cut across her abdomen. Neither wound was fatal, but it would definitely slow her down and it would affect her ability to fight for the rest of the trial. She watched as Roan cut down the man that had injured Clarke and the fight continued.
/
"Holy shit," Raven said as she watched Clarke's three blades find home in three bodies. Octavia and Bellamy were standing on either side of her and they nodded their agreements with her reactions. They were in the front row of the crowd, standing right beside the wooden platform that all the clan leaders were seated upon.
Abby's reaction to her daughters skill was not as impressed as Clarke smirked at something Roan said to her, "What have they turned her into?"
"A warrior, Abby," Octavia defended. She understood that Abby was only trying to protect Clarke, but it was clear that Clarke didn't want nor need her protection, and she was getting annoyed with the obnoxious way that Abby was acting. "She's been through a lot and she has learned how to survive on the ground. She may not be what you remember, but this is who she is now. She doesn't need your protection and she sure as hell doesn't need you treating her like a child. She's your daughter, and she needs your support not your scorn."
Abby stood mouth agape at Octavia's words. Before she could snap back a reply she winced as she watched Clarke take a cut to the arm. A string of curse words came from Octavia and Raven, Raven's much more colorful, and Bellamy flinched.
They watched the fight, impressed by both Clarke's and Roan's skills. The two were doing well until Clarke took the dagger to the leg. Abby took a step forward, but Octavia and Bellamy held her back. "You can't do anything Abby. If you do something, they will end the trial and they could kill both Clarke and Roan. You have to let this happen." It was clear in her tone that Octavia was nervous and it seemed that she wasn't the only one who was having to hold back to keep from helping Clarke. Bellamy was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot and it was clear he was using all his strength to stay rooted in place. All they could do was watch and wait and hope that Clarke and Roan could make it out of this.
/
Clarke stumbled back and watched as Roan took out the man that had cut across her midsection. She took a second to regain her composure, but that second cost her. Roan was surrounded by three opponents and she watched as he did his best to defend, but one of the injuries he had previously obtained slowed him down and it cost him. She watched as Roan blocked one sword that came at him, but he couldn't stop the second one. One of her opponents forced his blade through the right side of Roan's chest. His eyes widened and when the sword was removed from his chest, his body gave out and he collapsed.
"Roan!" Clarke cried out and she pushed forward to get to her opponent before he could finish Roan off completely. The three remaining opponents of course were the best three. Two were from Trikru and one was Broadleaf and all three used swords. Clarke felt her adrenaline spike as she launched a flurry of attacks at her opponents. Her new burst of speed caught all three of them off guard. She kicked the legs out from under one, sent the second stumbling backwards from a hard fist to the face, and she fought the third one head on. They were in a deadlock, but he was much stronger than her. He applied more pressure on his sword and with the injury to Clarke's leg she dropped to one knee. She could feel her opponent bearing down on her so she reached up and grasped her blade with her free hand. Blood gushed out of her palm as the blade bit into her flesh, but it allowed her just enough leverage to push her opponent back.
What Clarke did was so unexpected, her opponent stumbled backwards and she was able to force her blade through his chest, ending his life. As soon as he went down her two other opponents came at her and they pushed her back. She blocked each attack, but her heel hit a body on the ground and she lost her balance for a split second. She was able to regain it, but her opponents took advantage. They surrounded her on both sides and Clarke struggled to defend both of them. She was able to get one of them to stagger backwards and she charged the second. They exchanged blows, but finally Clarke found an opening. She took advantage of it, rolling into her opponents guard, pulling a hidden dagger from her belt and slicing his throat with it.
Clarke could feel her head growing fuzzy from blood loss, but she still watched as he dropped dead. She reached up to her head as if touching it would ease the pounding she was feeling and the ringing in her ears. She had been so out of it in that moment, she hadn't realized her last opponent had come up from behind her until she felt his blade cutting down her back. Clarke's whole body lurched forward as he tore through her clothing and sliced a long line down her back. Clarke cried out and she felt like her entire body was on fire. She could feel her blood dripping down her back and she turned around just in time to block an incoming attack. The final Trikru man came at her using all of his power and with Clarke's weakened state, he managed to disarm her. Clarke could hear the crowds gasp around her, but she kept going. She had no time to reach for another weapon, so she ducked under his next few attacks until she found a weakness in his stance. She waited until the last second and then dodged a strike aimed for her heart. Clarke grabbed his wrist and flipped him over her body. The sword flew out of his hand, but Clarke stumbled forward. The flip took up most of her remaining energy and the cut down her back sent shockwaves of pain throughout her entire body.
Her opponent rolled to his feet much quicker than she anticipated and he started to race towards her, reaching for the dagger he had in a sheath on his thigh. The blade was longer than usual for a dagger and the metal was much more jagged than usual. Clarke turned around to face him, but she was too slow to react and she felt the blade pierce into the upper left part of her abdomen, and he twisted. Her eyes grew wide and she could hear the gasps of the crowd and the cries from Skaikru behind her, but that wasn't what mattered to her. She looked up onto the stage and immediately, her eyes locked onto watery green. She looked at Lexa, but there was nothing she could do, no way that she could comfort the Commander for what she was about to see. She had tried her best to win, but having only two years of training and the disadvantage in numbers seemed to be too much for her. She had hoped she'd be able to survive the trial, but now all she could do was hope the Lexa and her people would survive without her.
Her eyes were drawn as Nia rose from her throne and screamed out at her, but Clarke had nothing left. Her opponent finally pulled the blade from her body and she dropped down onto both knees. He pulled back the dagger, ready to deliver the final blow, and Clarke kept her eyes on Lexa to see the one person she cared about more than anything before her end.
In that moment, something snapped within her. Looking into the eyes of Lexa, she knew she wasn't willing to accept her own death. She still had so much to live for. Clarke rolled to the side at the last second, just as her opponent brought down his blade.
The crowd cheered as Clarke narrowly escaped her death, but there was really nothing left Clarke could do. She struggled to rise to her feet and she picked up a small blade that was beside her on the ground. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. Clarke's entire body was burning and her vision was being disturbed by black dots. Her head was foggy and she could barely remain on her feet, but she wasn't going to give up. Her and Lexa weren't done yet, and she still needed to make things right with her mother and had sworn that Nia wouldn't get to see her fall. She got into her stance and prepared to defend herself once more. Her opponent grinned maliciously, knowing he had the advantage and he charged towards her, but he never made it.
Roan had returned to his feet just in time to throw his blade at her attacker. It pierced into his back and he stopped in his tracks, eyes wide with surprise. He dropped to the ground as his last breath escaped his lips, and it was over. The crowd erupted with cheers as the last man fell. Clarke and Roan had won.
/
Lexa watched as the blade entered Roan's chest. The wound wasn't immediately fatal, but it would be if it wasn't treated soon. She could feel her nerves begin to vibrate throughout her entire body. With Roan down Clarke was on her own, and the remaining warriors were skilled. She knew the two Trikru warriors that had been selected and she knew from the start that they would be the toughest opponents for Clarke and Roan. She watched as Clarke seemed to regain some energy and she pushed forward. She killed the warrior from Broadleaf and then locked into battle with the remaining Trikru.
Lexa was on the edge of her seat as they surrounded Clarke. Clarke was able to separate them and she watched as Clarke finished off one of them, but then her heart dropped to her stomach. Clarke's injuries seemed to be affecting her and the remaining warrior was approaching from behind her. She winced as she watched the blade slide down Clarke's back, but Clarke kept fighting.
She felt her entire world shatter as Clarke's previous injuries marred her fighting abilities and the blade of a dagger disappeared into her flesh and twisted. She heard the anguished cries from Abby and the Skaikru that were watching but she said nothing. She was frozen in place, her eyes glued to the woman that she cared for more than anything else in the world. She could feel her eyes begin to well with tears. In the back of her mind, she knew she shouldn't let her weakness show, but she couldn't help it, this was Clarke.
She watched as Clarke looked to the stage and their eyes met. Lexa saw the look in Clarke's eyes and she could feel her world crumbling around her. The look in Clarke's eyes was an apology, acceptance of defeat, and Lexa couldn't bare to look at it, but she couldn't pull her eyes away either. She blocked out what Nia was screaming from the stage and vowed to make Nia suffer dearly for whatever happened to Clarke later. She watched as Clarke dropped to her knees, their eyes never breaking contact with each other.
She thought she saw resignation in those gorgeous blue eyes, and she wanted to scream at Clarke, tell her not to give up, to keep fighting, but nothing came out of her mouth. Her expression must have shown something though because she watched something new flicker in Clarke's eyes and then she was rolling out of the way of a death blow. Lexa exhaled deeply, but she knew that Clarke was no where near safe yet. She watched as Clarke struggled to stay on her feet, her body trembling and covered in sweat, but a determination in her eyes.
She couldn't explain the relief she felt when she noticed Roan rise from his spot and launch his sword, ending the man's life and ending the trial. She knew she should be feeling some remorse. The warrior just killed had been Trikru and she knew he had a family, but she couldn't help but feel anything for him in that moment.
She jumped to her feet to end the trial. "The trials are over. Wanheda and Prince Roan have won. Their bonding will be scheduled at a later time. Healers attend to them immediately." Lexa didn't wait to see if anyone would listen to her. She jumped off the stage and made her way quickly over to Clarke.
Clarke's entire world was spinning and she was struggling to hold onto consciousness. The one thing that kept her tethered to consciousness was the voice of Lexa. She looked to the stage and watched as Lexa rushed over to her, healers behind her, but as Lexa approached, her body gave out.
She fell, but instead of landing onto the hard ground, she landed in the arms of the Commander. "I told you we weren't done," Clarke rasped. She could barely keep her eyes open and she felt like her entire body was on fire.
"You're right, and your fight isn't over yet Clarke. I need you to keep fighting," Lexa said. Her voice was trembling and it sounded much more broken than she wanted it to, but she didn't have the time to care. Clarke nodded her head slightly and mumbled something incoherent as she fell into oblivion. "Clarke?" Lexa called, her voice panicked.
Just as Clarke fell into unconsciousness Abby and Nyko arrived at her side. "We need to get her and the Prince into my medical tent now," Nyko instructed. Lexa ordered two guards to pick up the now unconscious Prince and Lexa lifted Clarke into the air. She sprinted towards Nyko's tent the healers on her heels behind her.
"Don't you dare leave me Clarke," Lexa said as she reached Nyko's tent. She laid her down on the bed as Nyko and Abby entered along with the two guards carrying Roan. "Stay with me," she begged as Nyko and Abby ushered her away to get to work on the two patients.