Nia rode into the gate's and dismounted. She made her way to their stronghold with no difficulty. It wasn't till she got there that she noticed the off set in the atmosphere.
People were glancing at her unsure. Before she could question the looks she was given Tate approached her.
"Nia, Skaikru arrived not long ago and have insisted Indra into speaking with her daughter." He informed quickly wondering how she might react to the information. After all, she had been the one to announce Skaikru their enemy.
The information was shocking to her. Skaikru was the enemy and Indra had wilingly taken them to her daughter after what they had found out. Sure, it might seem hypocritical for her to say that after her encounter with Bellamy earlier but that was something entirely. He deserved to know about their child.
She set her bag down and made her way to where Gaia had been since being taken from the temple. People parted out of her way as Tate and Fox followed behind.
She stormed inside, her eyes sent a look Indra before glaring at Skaikru. Monty gulped at the sight of her while Kane and Jaha glanced at each other. They had been fortune when they arrived in Polis to be met with Indra rather than Nia, seeing how the former was more willing to coperate with them.
"What are they doing here?" She questioned Indra after Gaia sent her a nod signaling the safety of the Flame.
"Nia, listen to me, we might've found a way to save us all." Kane spoke up before Indra could. He needed to explain fast if they had any chance of finding the bunker. Nia was silent as she nodded for him to continue. "There's a bunker somewhere in this city that could help save is from Praimfaya. This symbol means something."
Jaha showed her the coin in hand making Nia wonder how they had come in possession of such a symbol. Indra was the one to resume the conversation they were having before Nia had appeared.
"The crypt is in the temple. Controlled by Azgeda, as are the tunnels." She informed.
"So how do we get in?" Monty asked as this became their obstacle.
"We fight." Indra said making Nia more than willing to participate.
A new hope arose inside her. A way for people to survive death. A chance for her girls to live a life and if Azgeda stood in the way she had no problem slaying them.
"Indra. Like it or not, Azgeda is out ally. We have the royal seal. No one has to die." Kane spoke out not wanting to condone more people to death especially when they could live.
His statement made Nia grind her teeth. They were still siding with Azgeda after all they had done.
"You're assuming they'll honor the seal." Nia commented making it known that Azgeda weren't to keen on keeping their word.
"The closer we get to Praimfaya, the less alliances seem to mean. How much faith do you have in yours?" Indra supported but Kane want willing to listen. He had to believe their word if they all wanted a chance to live.
Not bothering to argue the group left and began to make their way to the temple. Everyone on edge as the seal they carried was not guaranteed.
"Don't move." An archer called out making them all stop.
Nia, Fox, and Tate were hidden in the shadows as they didn't want to alarm Azgeda of a Trikru presence. If there was a bunker they would be brought in at least according to Kane.
They watched as the group laid down their weapons which Azgeda examined the seal. Indra sent a quick look to where Nia was and one they were allowed entrance the two sprung into action.
Indra picked up Monty's gun and fired at the guards in front of them. While Nia shot an arrow into the archer above. Once their threat were down the trip stepped out of the shadows and joined the group.
"They were letting us pass!" Kane shouted enraged at their actions.
"If there's a bunker there, Azgeda will never see the inside." Indra said menacingly.
Nia couldn't help but agree with her statement. Azgeda had done far worse long before Skaikru had come down and just because they allied together didn't meant Trikru had to honor it.
Once they were certain the temple was clear, they piled inside. Gaia went around lighting the torches while Indra and Nia stood guard. Nia had instructed Tate to watch the door and Fox to watch the tunnel. They did not need a surprise attack.
Gaia pointed out the whereabouts making the three men move the rubble that laid over it. She bent down and muttered a motto making Monty question it.
"It means, 'Salvation lies within'." Nia asked for him. It was a motto she had not paid much mind to at least not until recently.
"We were taught to refer it to the shop that brought her to us." Gaia pointed out her teachings.
"How do we unlock it?" Monty asked as they were so close to a solution to survival.
"Like every other lock, Mr Green. With a key." Jaha stated pulling the coin out. Everyone watched anxiously as he placed it over the lock. But nothing happened even when he began to fiddle with its position.
"Can you open it or not?" Indra questioned when nothing was happening. The more time they spent there they more time Azgeda would get to them.
"We have to." Monty said seeing how they had just found the answer they had been searching for.
"We need more time. Can you reposition your army at the temple?" Kane spoke to both of them not knowing who might be in charge.
"If we do that, we lose the temple." Indra responded. Whoever held the tower held power and they weren't willing to give it up until they knew what they had.
"The tower won't save you." Jaha retorted not understand their stand point.
"Neither will the ashes of the first commander, of that's all that's down there." Indra fired back not fully beliving that a bunker laid below. Gaia begged her causing Indra to look at Nia seeking more guidance.
"The guard detail are more than capable to hold off a force." Nia suggested making Indra agree. But in exchange for that to happened they needed an advantage, one that Kane wasn't fond off.
Indra and Tate would hold off the forces while the rest continued to try and open the door. Fox's attention shifting back and forth between the tunnel and the stuggle happening with the door.
The sound of gunshots could be heard from out the door as they were working against another clock. Nia heard the command from outside the door letting her know that their time was gone.
Jaha asked again whether there might be another let to help access the bunker but Gaia had no answers. Indra reminded them once more about the force coming toward them.
"Then move your army into position." Jaha called out against Indra's decision.
"I will not give up the tower for the temple and a door you cannot open." Indra told him reminding him of his position against her.
"Thelonious, we can come back." Kane tried to persuade.
"When, before or after the death wave?" Jaha remained him of their impending doom. "Leave if you have to go. I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm staying too." Monty told Kane. He needed to help get this open. It could help save everyone.
Tate barged in the room startling everyone. "They are getting close. We don't have much time."
"Maybe we are not worthy. Maybe we are meant to burn in Praimfaya." Gaia spoke out a spiritual stand point of it. The teachings she had learn were speaking back to her.
"No. We are not meant to burn. We're meant to rise from the ashes." Jaha went over to try and pry the door open again.
That last statement spoke out to her. It was one of their sayings. It was used often when they died.
"Rise from the ashes." She spoke out drawing attention to her.
"Nia, what is it?" Fox asked when she noticed her deep in thought.
Nia looked to the coin in Monty's hand and held out hers seeing if he might had it over. Once it was in her hands she walked toward the bowl that held a flame. She turned it over in her hands and muttered the motto again. It had been her experience that their mottos were more literal than often.
She looked at them all before throwing the coin into the fire. Everyone gathered around quickly as the flames turned pink.
Jaha placed the cover over when the flames died down until the fire was extinguished completely. Nia reached inside and pulled the piece back out. What was once a round circle was now only the sacred symbol.
She placed it in Jaha's hands who rushed back to the door and placed the new key into the slot. It fit perfectly. Suddenly the door opened up and stairs descended down.
"Move the army." Nia noted to Indra who looked toward Tate and a guard who had entered.
"Hold this temple." Indra ordered the door who left quickly to gather more warriors.
One by one they entered the bunker taking in what was to being their salvation. Nia and Fox walked side by side as they overlook the structure. Fox let out a laugh as she hugged Nia.
A smile grew on Nia's face as she let out a breath of relief. "Let's go your sisters."
The two made their way back to the surface and out the doors. Nia and Fox stuck close together as Trikru fought against Azgeda. They moved quickly until they found the girls. Nia instructed them sternly before grabbing her bag and making their way back.
Once they were back inside the temple, she felt hope that she had thought she had lost. They had found a salvation to death. Her girls would her a chance to live.