The temple of the Flamekeeper stood bathed in flickering light, the sacred flames dancing along the walls as the ascension ceremony reached its crescendo. You stood at the edge of the gathering, your breath shallow, your eyes locked on Lexa. The Commander knelt in the center, her head bowed as Titus, the Flamekeeper, approached with the Flame. The air was heavy with reverence, yet you couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling clawing at your chest.

The doors burst open.

Shouts echoed through the hall as armed intruders stormed in—warriors from a rogue faction opposed to Lexa’s leadership. Chaos erupted.

Lexa was on her feet in an instant, drawing her sword in one fluid motion. The sacred ceremony was forgotten as the temple became a battlefield. Grounders fought to protect their Commander, but the enemy pressed in, their blades hungry for blood.

You grabbed a discarded dagger from the floor, your heart pounding. You had no armor, no plan, but none of that mattered. The alliance and Coalition was in danger.

Through the chaos, you spotted the leader of the rogue warriors, a towering man wielding an axe, advancing on Lexa. Your voice cut through the din.

“Lexa, behind you!”

Lexa pivoted just in time, blocking the strike with her blade. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. But she was outnumbered—three more warriors closed in around her.

You surged forward, slashing at one of the attackers. The man turned, surprised by the ferocity in your strike, but you pressed on. You fought like a wild thing, your only thought to reach Lexa and save the Coalition.

The battle raged, but the intruders had the upper hand. One of them managed to drive Lexa to her knees, his sword raised high.

“Lexa!”

You screamed.

Without thinking, you hurled the dagger in your hand. It struck the attacker in the throat, and he fell with a gurgled cry. Lexa seized the opening, spinning to her feet and dispatching another foe with a brutal strike.

Blood smeared across your hands as you helped Lexa to stand.