Ashes of the FutureChapter 6 – Threads of Alliance
The trek back from the Grounder village was a quiet one, marked by tension and an undercurrent of possibilities. Lexa had agreed to begin diplomatic talks, but that was not the same as peace. Kira knew it. Clarke knew it. And Bellamy hated it.
"You're putting a lot of faith in someone who could have you killed with a nod," Bellamy said as they walked.
Kira kept her gaze ahead. "That someone held her people back when she had every reason to let them attack us. That counts for something."
"Or she's just playing a longer game."
Clarke stepped in. "She had archers in the trees and didn't use them. Kira's right. This is progress."
"So we trust her now? Just like that?"
Kira stopped and faced him. "No, Bellamy. We don't trust. We prepare. But that doesn't mean we spit in the face of the one chance we have to stop a war."
He opened his mouth to argue, then shut it. Grumbling, he moved past her down the path. Clarke fell in step beside Kira.
"He's scared," Clarke said softly. "We all are."
Kira nodded. "But fear and caution aren't the same."
They returned to camp with their escort just before nightfall. The Ark kids crowded around, demanding answers. Kira gave only what was needed: the Commander was willing to talk. No, war hadn't been averted. Yes, everyone needed to stay alert.
She spent the night reinforcing perimeter traps. It was something physical to keep her grounded. Something real, in contrast to the political storm brewing.
The next day, Lexa arrived.
She came with a minimal retinue—only two guards and Indra, the imposing second-in-command whose gaze could strip bark from trees.
Kira met them outside the gate, Clarke beside her.
"Commander," Kira said evenly.
Lexa gave a single nod. "We come to talk."
Kira turned. "Then come in peace."
They entered the camp like specters from another world. The Ark kids gawked, some with fear, others with poorly hidden awe. Even Murphy kept his mouth shut for once. Lexa ignored the stares and focused only on Kira.
They gathered in the mess tent, converted hastily into a council chamber. Lexa sat with her usual poise, eyes scanning everything. Clarke sat across from her. Bellamy paced behind, and Kira stood near the table, hands folded behind her back.
"We need to address territory boundaries," Clarke began. "There must be land where both our people can exist without fear."
Lexa inclined her head. "This forest belongs to my people. You are intruders. But you are not without value."
Kira watched her closely. Lexa was testing them. Seeing how far she could push.
"Then let's talk value," Kira said. "We bring technology. Medicine. Tools you don't have."
Indra growled low. "We have survived without them."
"And we've survived space," Clarke said. "Maybe we can teach each other."
Lexa looked thoughtful. "Exchange of knowledge is a worthy goal. But your people are not unified. I sense dissent."
"That's true," Kira admitted. "We're not a perfect unit. But we have a common goal: to survive."
Lexa turned her attention directly to Kira. "And you. You are not from the Ark. You fight like a warrior trained in a different way. You speak like someone who knows more than they reveal."
A chill ran down Kira's spine. Lexa was perceptive—too perceptive.
"I've seen things others haven't," Kira said carefully. "That doesn't make me a threat."
"Or it makes you the most dangerous one here," Indra snapped.
Lexa silenced her with a look. "Danger can be useful, if harnessed."
The negotiations dragged for hours. Food was served, though neither side trusted the other's offering. Eventually, Lexa rose.
"There will be no agreement today. But you will not be attacked in the night. That is my word."
Kira nodded. "We'll hold you to it."
Lexa gave her a long look. "See that you deserve it."
Then they left.
Later that night, Kira sat alone on a stump near the fire, sharpening a knife. Her thoughts swirled. Lexa was exactly as she remembered her from the show—calculated, composed, brilliant. But in person, the effect was far more visceral. Lexa had presence. Every word she spoke felt like a weight, every glance a judgment.
Clarke approached, holding a flask.
"Want some?"
Kira took it and sipped. Berry wine. Stronger than expected. "Thanks."
Clarke sat beside her. "You handled that well."
Kira scoffed. "I almost got us killed by calling Indra's bluff."
"And yet, here we are."
They sat in silence for a while, passing the flask back and forth.
"I think Lexa likes you," Clarke said suddenly.
Kira blinked. "She barely spoke to me."
"Exactly. She was observing."
Kira shook her head. "I don't need that kind of attention."
"Maybe not. But you're going to get it. And if this alliance works, we'll need someone who can speak her language."
"You speak it just fine."
Clarke looked at her seriously. "Not the way you do. You understand war. Command. You lead like she does."
Kira didn't respond.
She wasn't sure she wanted to.
The following days were filled with tense quiet. The truce held, but barely. Skirmishes at the edges of camp were common—hunters mistaking each other for enemies, hot-headed kids pushing boundaries.
Kira had to break up three fights and personally stop Jasper from accidentally setting off one of the outer traps. She spent hours each day reinforcing discipline, running drills, checking supplies in her inventory space when no one was watching.
Every night, she walked the perimeter. Every night, she felt eyes in the trees.
Then one morning, a hawk feather tied with black string was found at the camp gate.
An invitation.
Lexa wanted to talk. Alone.
Kira debated for all of five minutes before packing a blade, a water flask, and walking into the woods.
She found Lexa where the stream forked into three. A sacred place, according to the show.
Lexa stood beside the water, cloak brushing the ground, hair braided intricately.
"You came."
"You asked."
Lexa turned. "Your people will follow you. They already do."
Kira shrugged. "They follow Clarke. I just bark orders."
"They trust your strength. That matters."
Kira approached. "Why me? Why ask me here alone?"
"Because Clarke is too political. Bellamy too emotional. You understand both."
Kira tilted her head. "And what do you want to understand?"
Lexa stepped closer. "What you are."
Kira met her gaze. "I'm not your enemy."
"Not yet."
The tension was thick. Kira fought the urge to reach for her blade.
Then Lexa relaxed, just a fraction. "I see potential in you."
"As what? An ally? A tool?"
"A leader. One who might help shape what comes after."
Kira stared at her. "You think that far ahead?"
"Always."
They stood there, two warriors separated by fate and circumstance.
And Kira realized something: Lexa wasn't just a player in the story she remembered. She was rewriting it, moment by moment. And Kira was part of it now.
Whatever came next would depend on the choices she made.
When she returned to camp, Clarke met her.
"You okay?"
"She didn't kill me, so I guess that's a win."
Clarke smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We need to talk."
Kira followed her to the tent. Inside, Bellamy and Raven were waiting.
"What is it?"
Raven handed her a small device. Burnt circuit board, clearly scavenged.
"We found a distress signal," Raven said. "Coming from an old station northeast. About a day's hike."
Kira raised an eyebrow. "Another Ark station? Survivors?"
"Maybe. But it's faint. Intermittent. Could be automated. Could be a trap."
Bellamy crossed his arms. "We're thinking of checking it out."
Clarke looked at Kira. "We want you with us."
Kira nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's pack."
But as she turned away, her mind lingered on the stream, and on Lexa's words:
A leader. One who might help shape what comes after.
End of Chapter 6