The horn blew and the wind carried the sound across Polis. It was the ascension call. A new commander had emerged victorious. Lexa wore the shoulder armor of the commander, with the red sash trailing down the entire length of her body. She wore the commander's headpiece on her forehead, between her eyes. She felt powerful. Confident. This was the moment she had been waiting for, although what exactly this moment was had always been a complete mystery to the Nightbloods. They knew that the Commander must "take the flame," but they didn't know what that meant. Only Titus, the Flamekeeper, and the Commander themself ever truly knew what the flame was. Lexa felt a shudder of apprehension run down her spine. What was she about to do? What would she become? "Let the Commander ascend!" Titus yelled for all gathered to hear. Lexa had no more time to worry. She had to portray confidence now for her people. She was to be their Heda and they would look to her for safety and security. She could never fail them. The doors to the throne room swung open and Lexa walked with unshakable purpose down the red carpet of the aisle, keeping her eyes fixed on Titus. A small crowd of representatives from each clan was assembled in the throne room. She stopped when she reached Titus. He looked confident, proud even. She had long suspected that she was his favorite. Perhaps she had been right. They were standing just below the steps to the throne. A bowl sat on a pedestal in front of them. Suspended above the bowl was something Lexa had never seen before. It was small and translucent with a sideways "8" engraved in blue on it, the sacred symbol. The flame, Lexa thought. It was not what she had expected.

Titus motioned for her to hold out her hand over the flame. This feels familiar, Lexa thought, as he sliced her palm and closed her fist, letting her blood trickle down onto the flame. "May the Spirit of the Commander choose wisely," he announced loud enough for all to hear. Titus motioned his head for Lexa to kneel. When she did, he took some of her blood on his index finger and painted a straight line with it down the center of her forehead. "Lexa kom Trikru," Titus began, "You have emerged victorious from the Conclave. None now stand who can challenge your reign. Now, tell me, what are the three pillars of the Commander?" Lexa looked up at him, eyes bright with determination. She spoke loudly and clearly for all to hear. "Wisdom. Strength. And compassion." "And Lexa, as Heda, do you vow to uphold these principles? To apply them to all people regardless of clan? To lead with wisdom, strength, and compassion until your fight is over?" "I do," Lexa said. Titus took the flame, covered in Lexa's blood, from its resting place. He moved to stand behind Lexa, still kneeling. "Ascende superious," Titus whispered to the flame. Only Lexa could hear him. The words sounded foreign to her. What did they mean? As Titus spoke, tendrils emerged from the flame. He held it over the base of Lexa's neck and the tendrils reached out. He took a knife from his belt and cut a small slit at the base of Lexa's neck. Not expecting it, Lexa involuntarily winced. The tendrils began to take root in her neck. Titus released the flame and it burrowed all the way in. Titus' assistant Flamekeeper, Gaia, brought him a needle and thread. He quickly stitched up the cut. Lexa felt strange. She heard Titus's voice, but he sounded so distant. She felt him pulling her to her feet. "Rise for your Heda!" He shouted. The crowed rose and cheered. Lexa saw it all as if in a fog, the action happening far away from her. Titus directed her to the throne and she sat. She heard Titus dismiss the crowd. And then they were alone. Seek higher things. That's what ascende superious means, Lexa thought. How do I know that? Lexa felt a rush of information flood her mind and she screamed. Then unconsciousness grabbed her and pulled her under.