Chapter Text
Lexa had always believed that when she died, her spirit would remain in the flame, alongside the past commanders. Becca had once told her that the first thing she would see after death was them, gathered in the council chamber. But as Lexa opened her eyes, the reality that greeted her was far from what she had expected.
Instead of warmth and welcome, all she could hear were screams, the chilling laughter of a man, the whirring of machinery, and the clash of swords. This couldn't be the flame. Was she still dreaming? Was she still alive? Did Clarke...
"Lexa," a voice called out, interrupting her thoughts. It’s not Clarke.
"Lexa, I need you to open your eyes."
Becca...?
"I need you," the voice grew clearer. Slowly, Lexa opened her eyes, adjusting to the blinding light that surrounded her. "Good, you're awake."
Her gaze immediately fell upon Becca. "Becca," she spoke, her voice filled with both relief and confusion. Taking in her surroundings, Lexa realized that they were not in the council chamber. The room was bathed in an intense brightness, stained with the presence of blood and scattered bodies.
Without hesitation, Lexa sat up, preparing to defend themselves from the unknown threat. "What's going on?" she demanded, her voice edged with determination.
"We don't have much time. He'll find us soon," Becca replied, gripping Lexa's wrist firmly and urging her to move.
"Who??" Lexa pressed, her mind racing to comprehend the situation.
"Sheidheda."
"But I thought he was caged, bound to be separated and—"
"He escaped," Becca interrupted, her voice tinged with urgency.
"How did that happen? I thought the Flamekeepers ensured it wouldn't—"
They arrived in front of a large, round object adorned with markings and symbols. Recognition flickered within Lexa. "I remember this... You showed me this before," she said, her eyes fixed on its slightly curved shape.
"And you're the only one I shared that memory with," Becca affirmed.
Lexa looked at her, her confusion deepening. "Why me?"
Instead of answering directly, Becca stepped forward, placing her hand against the stone. "I have observed and studied all the commanders who came after me, but none have been capable enough for this, until you."
Numerous questions swirled in Lexa's mind, but Becca began manipulating the stone, turning it and touching the symbols. "Capable enough for what? What is this thing?"
"This," Becca's smile hinted at both admiration and hesitation, "is the anomaly stone."
Lexa watched in awe as the stone began to shake and emit sounds. Becca stepped back, pulling her along with her.
They stood there, witnessing the disengagement of the metallic attachments on the stone, as the stone itself floated and emitted a vibrant, pulsating green light from its core.
"Oh my god..." Lexa murmured, her voice barely audible. "What... What is this?"
Becca's gaze remained fixed on the spectacle before them. Her eyes reflected a mixture of wonder and purpose. Finally, she turned to look at Lexa, grasping her arms firmly. "You have to listen carefully to what I'm about to say. Once you enter this portal, it will transport you back in time—to where it all began."
"What...?" Lexa struggled to comprehend the gravity of her words. "The nuclear apocalypse."
Becca's eyes locked onto hers. "You're familiar with it."
"Yes, but how—"
"Listen to me. When you arrive in the past, find me and tell me that I have to stop ALIE. Once you enter the portal, the connection between us will be severed. You will be on your own. But know this, Lexa, you are the key to changing our destiny. You must stop ALIE before she destroys everything—"
"Becca, stop," Lexa’s mind racing to grasp the enormity of the situation. "This is all happening so quickly, and none of it makes any sense. Are you saying that I have to go back to the past?"
Becca's smile remained unwavering as she met Lexa's gaze. "Yes, Lexa. I have created a machine, powered by the flame, capable of bending time itself. With it, we can change the course of history."
Lexa's brow furrowed in disbelief. "But altering the past? It's impossible."
Becca's eyes sparkled with a mixture of determination and hope. "Lexa, remember the nightblood serum I created? The very one that saved us from radiation and allowed us to thrive? If I can accomplish that, then surely I can make anything possible, even rewriting history."
Lexa's voice trembled as she recalled Becca's earlier words. "You did say that all you wanted was to make things right..."
Becca nodded, her gaze fixed on the pulsating light of the anomaly stone. "Indeed, Lexa. And this is how it begins. The flame was my creation, but I never shared the true purpose with anyone until now. It's a secret I have guarded, away from those who would abuse its power. But the time has come."
“I created the flame for this, to create this machine that will turn back the time. I’ve spent all of my years in this flame trying to create this perfect machine. And now it’s ready."
"Then it should be you," Lexa insisted.
Becca hesitated, her gaze fixed on the shimmering light. "I could, but I existed in the past world. The presence of two identical individuals coexisting in the same reality would give rise to a dangerous paradox, one that could potentially alter or destroy everything. It has to be you."
Suddenly, a thunderous banging reverberated from the other side of the gate. Lexa’s instincts kicked in, and drew her sword, ready to face the impending attack. But before she could react, Becca seized her wrist and urgently pulled her towards the machine. "We must do this now—"
The gate exploded open, revealing the enraged figure of Sheidheda, the one-eyed man. His growl sent shivers down their spine. "That’s mine."
In a swift motion, he hurled a spear in their direction. Acting on instinct, Becca positioned herself between Lexa and the oncoming spear. Time seemed to slow as the spear impaled her stomach, and Lexa watched in horror as she collapsed to the ground.
"Becca!" Lexa dropped to her knees beside her, voice filled with anguish.
Weakly, she shook her head. "Go," she urged, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lexa lifted her head, her eyes fixed upon the menacing figure of Sheidheda standing before her. With determination coursing through her veins, she tightened her grip on her sword and raised it, meeting his swing with a resounding clash.
A sneer curled on Sheidheda's lips. "You can't defeat me, little commander."
Gritting her teeth, Lexa felt the searing pain coursing through her body. But she refused to let it deter her. Her purpose was clear—to protect Becca, their cause, and the legacy of the commanders.
"I won't let you win," Lexa vowed, her voice filled with resolve.
Their swords clashed, the sound of metal reverberating through the air. In the midst of the intense battle, Lexa caught a glimpse of something more than hostility in Sheidheda's eyes. There was jealousy, a burning envy that fueled his every strike.
"What are you jealous of, Sheidheda?" Lexa pondered, even as she focused on the furious exchange. "Is it my unwavering determination? The unity I inspire? Or perhaps it's the legacy of the commanders that you can never possess?"
Sheidheda's strikes grew more furious, his attacks driven by deep-rooted resentment. But Lexa refused to falter.
With each clash, pain shot through her body, threatening to weaken her resolve. Yet she drew strength from the memories of the past commanders, their spirits guiding her. Their voices echoed in her mind, reminding her of her duty and the immense power she held within.
"You are the true commander," they whispered, their words melding with the clash of their swords. "You possess the strength to overcome."
Sheidheda's words cut through the air. "Pathetic. Is that all you've got?"
No, Lexa wouldn't allow his words to define her. She fought back with renewed determination, her strikes fueled by an inner fire that burned brightly.
As she landed a decisive blow, sending Sheidheda sprawling, Lexa couldn't help but notice the mixture of pain and jealousy in his eyes. He couldn't stand the thought of someone else rising above him, someone he deemed unworthy.
However, just as Lexa readied herself for the final strike, Sheidheda retaliated with a swift and unexpected counterattack. His sword sliced through the air, finding its mark on Lexa's side. The pain surged through her body, momentarily paralyzing her.
Sheidheda's twisted grin widened as he advanced toward her, relishing in his perceived moment of triumph. "You thought you could escape me, little commander," he hissed, savoring the taste of victory.
In the midst of her writhing pain, Becca's sudden intervention caught both Lexa and Sheidheda off guard. Becca lunged toward Sheidheda with a desperate and unexpected move, spear in hand, driving it deep into his side. Sheidheda howled in agony, his grip on his sword loosening.
"Lexa, go!" Becca gasped, urgency and determination filling her voice. Blood stained her lips, yet her eyes blazed with an unwavering resolve. "I'll die anyway, but I have to ensure that you enter the anomaly, not Sheidheda. Fulfill your destiny, Commander. Escape while you still can."
Tears welled up in Lexa's eyes as she struggled to find the words, her voice choked with grief. "Becca, I can't leave you here to face him alone."
Summoning her remaining strength, Becca managed a weak smile, her spirit unwavering despite her waning physical form. "I've always known the risks, Lexa. This is the only way. You carry the weight of our legacy. Now, go!"
Reluctantly, Lexa nodded, a mixture of gratitude and heartache consuming her. "Thank you, Becca. I won't forget you."
With one last lingering look, Lexa tore herself away from Becca's side and sprinted toward the portal, its ethereal green light pulsating before her. But just as she reached the threshold, a chilling realization struck her—Sheidheda, fueled by wounded pride, had recovered faster than she anticipated. He closed in on Becca with a sadistic gleam in his eyes.
Time seemed to slow as Lexa bore witness to the brutal scene unfolding before her. Sheidheda, driven by vengeful fury, delivered a swift and lethal strike to Becca's chest.
"NO!" Lexa cried out, her voice echoing through the chamber.
Becca's body jerked, a gasp escaping her lips before she crumpled to the ground.
Lexa's eyes locked with Becca's, pain and acceptance flickering within them. With her final breath, Becca whispered, "Find me, Lexa."
A wave of anguish washed over Lexa as she watched the light in Becca's eyes fade away.
Sheidheda, now free from Becca's grasp, turned his attention toward Lexa, his bloodied sword raised high. His murderous intent emanated from every fiber of his being as he charged toward her, his screams of vengeance filling the air.
In that moment, the portal beckoned Lexa, its pulsating light a lifeline amidst the darkness. Her hesitation dissolved into determination as she sprinted toward it, her heart heavy with grief yet fueled by the need for survival.
With one final glance at Becca's lifeless form, Lexa stepped into the portal, the world around her swirling and distorting. The echoes of Sheidheda's roars followed her as she vanished into the unknown, carrying Becca's memory and their shared purpose within her heart.
Emerging on the other side, Lexa's body trembled, her mind reeling from the events that had unfolded. Yet amidst the pain and uncertainty, Becca's words resonated within her. Her mission was clear—to find Becca in the past and alter the course of events, preventing the nuclear apocalypse that ravaged their world.