The fires of Polis burned high into the night, but for once, they weren’t for war. They were for unity. For survival.

You stood at Lexa’s side, looking out at the gathered clans. Warriors from Trikru, Floukru, Sankru, even reluctant members of Azgeda, all standing together against a greater enemy—ALIE.

It had almost gone another way. Lexa could have died. You could have lost her. But instead, you stood together, alive, preparing for the final battle that would decide the fate of the world.

Lexa turned to you.

“You’re thinking too much.”

You let out a breath.

“I always think too much.”

Lexa huffed a quiet laugh.

“True.”

Then, more seriously, she added,

“But we need to rest tonight. Tomorrow, we fight.”

You didn’t argue, but you also knew neither of you would be sleeping much. Not when the enemy you were about to face wasn’t made of flesh and blood, but of code, of metal, of something beyond even Lexa’s world of gods and legends.

Still, you followed Lexa back inside the Commander’s tent, where a map of your planned attack lay across a wooden table. You traced the route with your fingers.

“Raven thinks we can shut down the signal from inside the tower,”

You murmured.

“But that means I have to get in.”

Lexa nodded.

“And I will make sure you do.”

You looked up at her.

“Lexa—”

“No.”

Lexa’s voice was firm.

“We are not having this argument again. You will not do this alone.”

You sighed, rubbing a hand over your face.

“I just… I don’t want that our people lose both of their leaders at once.”

Lexa stepped closer, her eyes searching yours.

“And do you think I want to risk that?”

She hesitated, then hardened.

“Clarke, you told me once that life should be about more than just surviving.”

You swallowed.

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s fight for something more.”

You exhaled, nodding. You couldn’t argue with that.

For a long moment, they stood in silence, the only sound the distant crackling of torches outside.