The next morning Leoni stood in the throne room looking out into the city with her hands behind her back. she had her war paint done, not because she was fighting but because she wanted to show her respect to the warriors in the conclave. she still refused to wear the Commanders jacket much to Gaia's displeasure. she just couldn't do it but she wore the emblem on her head proudly along with armour and boots

"Heda?" Indie called on the girl from the door and Leoni turned around. a small smile crept up her face

"Indie" she cooed walking towards him and shaking his arm.

"i wanted you to know i will not be fighting" he told her. Leoni frowned in confusion. he was by far the best fighter in Trikru

"why?" Leoni asked walking over to her drinks stand and pouring two glasses

"for Octavia" he told her making Leoni stop what she was doing and turn around. she raised a brow as if asking him to explain
"she's your second Heda and i...well i care for her. i don't want to kill her." he told Leoni almost sheepishly

"you care for her gona?" Leoni asked with a smirk, turning back to her alcohol and pouring both her and Indie a glass

"i do Heda. we've become close through your private detail" Indie explained cautiously

"you do know she's in love with Lincoln?" Leoni asked handing him a now full glass which he accepted. Leoni then went to sit on the steps leading to her throne and patted the space beside her signalling for him to sit down. she tried to sit in the commanders chair as little as possible

"yes. another reason why i refuse to kill her" he nodded, sitting down beside his commander

"so what have you guys kissed or more or..." Leoni trailed off sipping at her drink

"no no Heda!" Indie said defensively making Leoni laugh lightly

"it's ok Indie. i'd be happy for her to have someone like you in her life" she nodded and Indie relaxed

"Octavia will win" Indie said changing the subject slightly and Leoni nodded gravely.

"she's the best" Leoni agreed

"of course she is, she was trained by you" Indie winked at Leoni making her smile subtly

"it means i might loose you" Leoni said. her eyes trained on nothing in particular as she took a longer gulp of the alcohol desperate for her feelings to fall down her throat with the burning liquid

"might?"

"there are just over 400 people in Skaikru. there's space for you. if Octavia cares for you which i have no doubt she does you might be invited to join us. i know you'd be my first choice" Leoni shrugged

"i never thought of it that way" Indie thought about his slim chance at survival

"if makes it that much more brutal" Leoni said pursing her lips
"if we could all just get along half the population would be saved" Leoni shook her head just as a knock came from the door. Leoni and Indie looked up to see Octavia.

"i'll let you talk" Indie excused himself, placing his glass down and standing up he walked past Octavia, both their eyes instantly connected and Indie brushed her hand subtly on the way out. Leoni watched the interaction with a smirk. she stood up to greet Octavia

"what?" the girl asked at Leoni's expression

"you're totally blushing" Leoni shook her head

"i am not" Octavia denied with a roll of her eyes

"i don't blame you" Leoni smirked downing the rest of her drink and placing the glass down
"he'd be my second choice too" Leoni joked and hugged Octavia. the girl hugged her mentor back tighter than she'd ever done so before. slightly confused Leoni wrapped her arms tighter around Octavia and let the girl bury her head into her own shoulder. they just held each other for a while. it had been so long since they'd last seen one another. so much had changed since then. when they finally pulled away Leoni held Octavia's hands. she took in her second's face and thumbed away a speckle of blood
"this better not be yours" she tilted her head in question

"seems i've made quite the reputation for myself...Trishanakru doesn't agree with my methods" she shrugged and Leoni just nodded

"you're fighting for Skaikru." Leoni said inviting her to ask any questions

"i'm fighting for us all" Octavia corrected and Leoni raised her brows in interest
"if i win. i'll take us all into the bunker. we all get to take our legacies. 100 people each" Octavia explained. she was getting at something Leoni just didn't know what yet
"lead together. you as Heda of course and me as your second."

"Wonkru" Leoni nodded
"When you win they'll have no option but to agree to your terms. It takes a strong leader to embark on that kind of mission" Leoni's eyes glimmered with hope

"i wanted to run it by you first" Octavia looked to her friend for guidance

"all you have to do now is win" Leoni let go of Octavia and picked up her blades chucking one to the Blake girl who twirled the blade around in her hand almost nervously

"You think I can win?" She asked sheepishly

"Octavia. I trained you. I know what your capable of. If I thought sending you into that battle would kill you I wouldn't stand by. I know you will win" Leoni assured genuinely
"Now enough of the self doubt and get your ass practicing" she said and took position. Octavia smirked and followed suit.

when Leoni walked out to face her people who were all waiting to see the tributes everyone fell to their knees. Leoni locked eyes with Bellamy who was nearer the back

you've got this he mouthed to her and Leoni nodded keeping her expression unreadable

"rise" Leoni called and everyone came back to their feet. Leoni gestured to Gaia for her to announce the tributes

"Guara kom Podakru accept the symbol of your clan" Leoni noticed that Gaia was clearly well versed in this ceremony as the blonde placed the silver tag around Guara's neck
"And fight with honour as their champion" Gaia finished as Guara stepped to the side looking out onto Polis
"Kai kom Boudalankru accept the symbol of your clan" Leoni placed the chain around Kai's neck and continued to do the same for the next 9 tributes
"Roan kom Azgeda accept the symbol of your clan" Leoni looked up as Roan stalked towards her

"Fighting your highness I'm impressed" Leoni whispered but Roan didn't react. Leoni knew this would most likely be the last exchange they had so she gave him a nod of respect before he took his place beside his fellow tributes

"And fight with honour as their champion"

"Octavia kom Skaikru accept the symbol of your clan" Octavia walked over locking eyes with Leoni. The blonde fixed her posture letting Octavia know she should as well, the conclave was a game of confidence as well as skill. Leoni slipped the chain over Octavia's neck

"once appearances are over get straight to the weapons room, give yourself as much time as you can to prepare your  blades" Leoni whispered in Octavia's ear and she gave a subtle nod before standing on the platform facing the people of Polis

"And fight with honour as their champion" Gaia finished
"Illian kom Trishanakru accept the symbol of your clan" Leoni slipped the chain around his neck
"And fight with honour as their champion"
"Now listen well to your Heda" Gaia gestured for Leoni to say her piece. The blonde stepped forward and looked around at the crowd in front of her

"we gather today for the final conclave. A battle to the death and a warriors death at that within the walls of Polis our sacred capital. The warriors behind me will fight until just one remains. Once the surviving warrior has collected all the signals from their fallen competitors and delivers them to our Flamekeepa they will be declared the victor. They will also decide who is worthy of living through Praimfaya and who is destined to burn in her fiery claws. In accepting the outcome we honour those who fall by the sword and respect the one who wields it the best"

"That would be me!" An unmistakable voice interrupts and Leoni's stomach sunk so fast she nearly fell over. She watched in disbelief as a furious Luna stormed through the crowd and towards her commander. No.

Leoni's belief in Octavia is gonna keep her sane
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