Hey dear readers! I'm sure most of you are aware the show is (finally) over! I must admit it was weird to kinda go back to seeing some content of it considering I stopped watching when Lexa died. xxxxxxxx*spoilers ahead*xxxxxxxxx Bellamy died at the hands of Clarke (the irony of the century) our girl was back! (not really but at least it was clear she was the love of Clarke's life, the most important person for her.) Clexa are soulmates and it was canon! (it was nice to see Alycia dressed as Lexa once again, she is a sweetheart. Also, weird getting Clexa content after 4 years lol but that makes me very happy. Sorry About my rant. Now getting back to my fic this is a short chapter but is packed with tension and action. It was fun to write so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Don't be mean shy and tell me what you think. As usual, thank you for still reading and for planning on continuing till the end. Go and read! Till next chapter!

At first, neither Esiry or Orita speak as they walk away from the meeting room. The young warrior is busy thinking where they could go and the other girl simply doesn't know what to say.

Eventually, it's Orita who ends the awkwardness between them. "I'm guessing if the commander asked you to fill me in it's because they don't know much about Lexa's location, right?"

Esiry sighs loudly. "Yeah, we actually don't know much yet".

"Oh," Orita lowers her head.

"But they are going ahead with the search soon."

"OK", Orita comments unenthusiastically.

Not able to put up with Orita's miserable demeanor, Esiry starts with the small talk. "So, you're the famous Orita, huh?"

"Famous?" The blonde teen's brow rises up but then she remembers "oh… she told you about…"

"Yup, she did" Esiry nods, with an amused expression on her face.

Orita blushes profusely at the revelation. "You must think I'm stupid", she lets out ashamed.

"No more than Lexa was". Esiry tries to minimize the damage. "She was the one in a relationship, not you". Then she adds her two cents. "But to be honest I think more than stupid, you are very bold. I mean challenging the commander… and now this…" she shakes her head in disbelief. "I find that very brave".

"Thank you… I guess", Orita shrugs shyly.

With the ice broken between them, both start talking about other topics on their way out of the tower.

Polis is not as crowded as usual, the only people around are the ones coming into the city for the mandatory lockdown.

That is what probably encourages Orita to open up. She pauses, clears her throat, and then ventures hesitantly. "Esiry, look I…"

"Nice bumping into you again!"

A male voice interrupts both girls.

"Oh… hi!" Esiry looks with surprise at the boy she ran into earlier.

Orita stares at him confused.

"I just made it in; can you believe it?" The boy chuckles.

Esiry opens her mouth to speak but doesn't know what to say. She is caught off guard.

Orita looks at him and then at Esiry instantly connecting the dots. She sighs and rolls her eyes.

"It's getting late, where are you headed? Maybe I can accompany you", he offers excitedly. "Not that you need my help or anything" he corrects, realizing he's talking to a warrior. "But you know it doesn't hurt to have someone else around, huh?" He shakes his head, remembering something. "Ah sorry where are my manners? My name is Arac."

Esiry looks flustered and Orita suspicious as the boy continues speaking.

"What is…" he pauses uncertainly, looking at Orita as if realizing for the first time she was there "I mean what are your names?"

….

The decision was made with a 100% approval rate from all the authorities in Polis. The search for the rebels starts right now.

As everyone returns to their designated tasks Malku approaches Clarke and Octavia.

"Commander, General" Malku addresses them with respect. "I am ready and willing to take part in the battle with you."

Octavia is aware of what needs to be done but decides to let Clarke deliver the news to the man.

Noticing her friend's silence, Clarke proceeds. "Malku, I'm sorry but you won't be coming".

Malku's expression shows surprise so he quickly explains. "Commander, I am aware I haven't trained in a while but I'm sure I can be of service. I'm perfectly willing to do anything to help bring my girl safely back to us." He ends with determination written all over his face.

Clarke sighs. She completely understands the man's desperation but she can't allow the father of the woman she loves to risk his life. "I know what you're feeling Malku, unfortunately, I can't let you do it. Lexa will need both her parents when she gets back, I can't take the chance of you going and possibly being injured or killed."

"But Wanheda…" Malku persist, "she's my daughter, I can't simply stay behind and do nothing. I need to participate. Please let me help." He places a hand on his chest.

"I'm sorry. You're staying", Clarke states, adding then with some discomfort but firmness "And it's not a request, it's an order".

That is enough for Malku to stop insisting. He straightens his body in a firm stance and submissively lets out, "as you wish Wanheda".

Admiring the man's loyalty and respect Clarke asserts, "I promise you, I will bring your daughter back to you. Have no doubt about it Malku". She doesn't know where the confidence is coming from but she doesn't hesitate and just lets it flow. "Now return to your family. It's important that you stay together now more than ever".

Malku's features soften. "I have my full confidence that you will Wanheda". With that, he bows to her and departs the premises.

Clarke exhales loudly in frustration. She really wants to fulfill her promise and end this suffering for all; including herself.

"I'm gonna have to be a party pooper here and remind you to take your own advice."

Octavia's voice interrupts Clarke's thoughts. "What?" She looks at her puzzled.

"That speech you gave Malku, applies to you too… for the exact same reasons".

Clarke's face morphs into a scowl. "I have no time for this bullshit", she snaps as she attempts to get past Octavia only to be forcibly grabbed by the arm.

"You better be only having one of your tantrums" Octavia chastises.

Clarke jerks her arm away from Octavia's grasp and takes a breath to verbally berate her but Octavia cuts her off.

"Look there's no time to waste in useless discussions so if you stubbornly insist on coming with me, then would you care to inform me on how I am gonna break the news to Lexa when I rescue her that you let's say… died?"

Octavia's crudeness evokes memories in Clarke, ones she has been trying to erase since she got her girl back into her life. Lexa's black blood on her hands as she dies. Her heart registers the feelings, the helplessness, the pain. Now her mind switches the scenario: someone giving Lexa the news she's dead. The idea of making Lexa go through the same event hurts her more than her own suffering. Clarke closes her hands into fists along with her eyes. She swallows the rant that threatens to spill out of her throat and after a prolonged moment of silence she opens her eyes again, the words she expels surprises even herself. "Don't come back until you have her safe". She gives the general a sidelong glance, her eyes failing to conceal her latent emotions.

Octavia was expecting a lengthier discussion so she is greatly surprised and relieved by Clarke's quick acceptance. Now she can focus on the forthcoming battle. Never one to back down from a challenge she turns to face Clarke and willing to fulfill her duty as the General, Octavia affirms. "You can bet on it".

Both friends exchange looks of understanding and trust.

"I'm still going to check on the troops", Clarke warns.

"Lead the way, Commander", Octavia concedes.

As they exit the meeting room Octavia gives orders to the guard. "Tell Esiry and the girl with her to meet me at the army formation as soon as possible."

"Yes General".

…

The troops that are momentarily taking the streets of Polis as they get ready to deploy inevitably draws people's attention. Despite the lateness, most citizens are observing the rare occurrence with interest and concern.

Abby is giving final instructions to the healers, nurses and doctors heading to the back of the formation.

Bellamy and Myrreh are in front, readying themselves.

"Wear this", Bellamy offers a bulletproof vest to his wife.

Myrreh rolls her eyes and puts it to the side. She is about to reply to Bellamy 's imminent protest, but the sudden presence of Octavia distracts her. "General".

"The show is about to begin." Octavia lets out with a glint in her eyes. "Let's go for it".

…

Lexa's body is weak. She knows she's on the verge of passing out at any moment now and there's nothing she can do about it.

As if she were beckoned, Echo enters the tent with a canteen.

Involuntarily Lexa moves forward but immediately retracts.

"Someone is thirsty", Echo mocks and slowly comes closer.

Lexa's jaw twists with anger. She hates her body for betraying her by showing weakness in front of this woman.

"Want some?" Echo unscrews the lid to the canteen and offers it to Lexa, with an annoying smirk on her lips.

Even though she dislikes the position of submission she finds herself currently in, she also doesn't want to die because of her damn pride. Probably in her previous life as a commander she would have but not now. Not when there is a lot at stake for her. So, setting pretenses aside she leans in to take a drink of water.

Echo laughs as she watches Lexa desperately quenching her thirst. "Yeah, drink away little girl. We don't want you to die just yet. I have some things in mind and I need you alive to see them".

…

Clarke walks along, observing the formations as they prepare for the search and battle. She can't believe she is in this predicament again, once again facing a war. It's exhausting and she wonders if it will ever end. Nevertheless, like the good leader she is, she accepts her destiny and continues checking on the troops, allowing them to observe her supporting them, to embolden them for battle.

Octavia soon appears by her side. "I made contact with the other clans. They are getting ready too and will join us as we advance", she fills in.

A nod in response is all Clarke gives. She involuntarily rubs the middle of her chest, lost in thought. It is not until she feels Octavia's intense stare on her that she realizes what she was doing. "What?" She lets out feeling judged "she's gotten stronger" is her brief explanation.

Octavia scoffs at her, knowing to whom she's referring to.

Clarke is not sure why Orita's visit has unsettled her not only for the obvious reasons; there's something else there she can't pinpoint, something deeper. It's a very confusing sensation she can't seem to get rid of. She will give it more thought once the army has departed and things quiet down. This is too intriguing to let it go.

The contemplating moment is interrupted by a guard.

"General!" He hastily approaches "We haven't located your second or the girl".

"What?" Octavia doesn't like what she hears. "I don't have time for this bullshit" she grumbles not wanting to leave without seeing Esiry. "Tell the tower guard to call her on the speakers." Octavia orders.

The news doesn't sound good to Clarke either and it certainly doesn't help with her already pressing uneasiness.

"Esiry of Trikru, report to the general immediately. I repeat, Esiry of Trikru, report to the general immediately" the order blares through the streets of Polis.

Octavia taps with her feet the ground repeatedly, cursing under her breath.

It's been fifteen minutes since Esiry was summoned and there is still no sign of her.

Octavia is really getting concerned. "I'm going to the security room", she lets Clarke know.

"Coming with you" Clarke offers, concerned herself.

Octavia didn't wait for a guard to show her the images, she took it upon herself to look for them. The first camera she checked on was the one installed in front of the tower.

Both Clarke and Octavia watch the exact moment a young male meets them.

"Him…" Octavia seems to remember the boy. "He was talking to Esiry outside Polis". Her brain starts connecting the dots.

"Did she know him?" Clarke is intrigued.

Octavia isn't listening to her anymore, her blood is already boiling. She has a bad feeling about it all. "That fucker…" she sprints back toward the formations.

Not understanding what is happening, Clarke follows her friend.

When Octavia reaches the outside of the tower she frantically begins looking around. She spots some royal guards and is about to ask them to begin a search when she sees the boy coming her way.

"YOU!" She strides toward the boy and grabs him by the neck. "Tell me where they are, you piece of shit, where are they?!".

"Octavia!" Clarke reacts quickly, removing Octavia's hand from Arac's neck. "Get him!" Instead, she orders the guards to take him.

"Where is she!" Octavia persists, this time at a safe distance due to Clarke's arm blocking her way. "You better tell me the fucking truth right now if you don't want me to get the information from you the hard way." She menacingly points at him.

Still struggling to breathe, Arac also finds it hard to speak because of the fear, but one of Clarke's assertive looks coaxes him to try. "I-I don't know -where they are".

Octavia moves forward glowering at him.

"I'm telling the truth". Arac desperately tries his best to explain. "I heard her name being called over the speakers. I asked for you, so I could tell you what I knew."

"Then start talking boy", Clarke demands, running out of patience.

Arac gulps and nods before carrying on. "I saw her and well, I let her know I wanted to hang out with her and I even walked with them for a couple of minutes. But then the other girl told me they were busy".

"The other girl?" Octavia repeats in an attempt to make sense of what he was telling her.

"Yeah, she- she told me I had to leave. And they left together. I don't know anything else general; I promise you. I-I don't know", Arac declares with a trembling voice.

"I don't think he's lying," Clarke states with a grimace, letting go of Octavia.

Octavia grunts and then turns around to utter with a weight in her heart. "Then, where the fuck are they?"

…

It's almost dawn. The rebel campsite is quiet for the most part.

Lexa has unavoidably closed her eyes for a few minutes but she's trying to stay alert as much as humanly possible.

Suddenly there's a commotion far outside the tent.

'What the…' Lexa wonders quietly, trying to discern the sounds through the thin material of her confinement. A few minutes pass and she hears the distinctive voice of Echo approaching, along with an even louder commotion.

The flaps of the tent open abruptly.

"I told you there were things I needed you to see" Echo sarcastically voices.

Lexa has no idea what Echo is talking about, that is until she notices someone unconscious being carried to a nearby tent. She recognizes the person immediately. "ESIRY!" She screams with new-found strength as she pulls on her restraints.

Echo chuckles and shakes her head, leaving the flaps open and walking toward a group of rebels nearby.

"But… how…" Lexa mumbles to herself, grinding her teeth, her heart pounding in her chest. She is fuming. She starts once again to plan her escape, this time due to worry for her friend the Nightblood. She knows exactly what they want with Esiry and she has no intention to allow them to torture her or worse, brainwash her. Lexa also worries about the how. 'How is it they could infiltrate and capture Esiry just like that? It doesn't make any sense.' She makes a fast-mental note of possible weak spots in Polis but she doesn't have to do much thinking.

The group of rebels suddenly burst into cheers when someone approaches them.

Lexa makes an effort to take a look but they are blocking her view. The group parts and she hears a faint "well done" directed at this certain newcomer. She focuses on the person to try and get to see them. Fortunately, the wait is not long.

A slim blonde girl covered in white war paint on her face and furs over her shoulders looks to the side, making eye contact with her.

Lexa's heart sinks to the floor at the vision. All the anger and frustration disappear instead replaced with disbelief and despair. "no…" her eyes well up with tears as her head moves from side to side; a name escaping her lips in a painful murmur. "Orita…no".