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chapter thirty-two, Just Kill Me

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NOVA STOOD OUTSIDE OF KANE'S DOOR because it came to Nova's attention that Kane wanted to speak with both Octavia and Nova separately. Octavia then walked out the room with stern look on her face and walked past Nova. Nova walks into Kane's room next and shut the door behind her.

"You wanted to see me?" Nova questions as Kane motions to the seat in front of him. Nova crosses her arms over her chest, walks over to the seats and slowly sits down across from him.

"Like I told Octavia, rumors of the Flame's destruction are spreading. People on the street openly call for the king's head. Your choices have consequences Thanatos" Kane mocks and Nova rolls her eyes leaning forward in her chair.

"I'm sorry but I'm not going to kill Indra's daughter even if she deserved it" Nova states and Kane shrugs his shoulders.

"I rather you or Octavia didn't kill at all" Kane states and Nova clears her throat rolling her eyes. "I was told we have to keep Roan on the throne and wait for Clarke and the others to find a way to save us... save us all and I am doing that!" Nova says looking to Kane.

"By cutting a man's head off and burning his dead body in the street" Kane states with slight curiosity.

"You do know why they call you that, right? The grim reaper. You have a name now" Kane states slightly slamming his hand on the table.

"Then I guess I should live up to it" Nova says slowly leaning back in her chair.

"This isn't you... this isn't the girl from the ark" Kane states standing to his feet. Nova clears her throat and stands to her feet. "We aren't on the ark anymore, Kane! This is the ground! We are barely surviving and as far as I know this is the girl from the ark. Guard killer, remember?" Nova asks looking to Kane who opens his mouth to talk.

"Don't stand here and tell me this isn't me because you don't know the first thing about me" Nova states as she takes a step closer to Kane.

"There's a darkness in you, Nova. I know you're still mourning from your father's death, your mother's death, and your first murder" Kane tries to get through to her and Nova didn't hesitate as she swings her arm and punches Kane in the face.

"I'm done grieving, and you haven't seen darkness yet" Nova declares as she kneels down to Kane's level.

"I got you and Octavia a horse. You're going back to Skaikru. Maybe the ride will give you some common sense" Kane states and Nova scoffs.

"I don't take orders from you-" Nova begins, "You're going! You're going home!" Kane shouts and Nova takes deep breath as she looks at Kane whose face is slightly red.

Nova kicks over the wooden chair and stomps out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Nova starts making her way to see Indra. She opened the door to Indra's quarters and sees blood and dead Trikru bodies around the room. Nova moves her eyes to the front of the room and sees Octavia kneeling in front of a body.

"What.. Where's Indra?" Nova asks stepping over dead bodies. "The alliance is broken. It's war. We have to go now" Octavia states as she stands to her feet.

"I need to find Fio, I can't" Nova states and Octavia grabs Nova's arm and takes her over to the secret exit.

"If anything, they took Fio and Iris and claimed them as Skaikru. If we stay here, we will die" Octavia reassures and Nova pushes her hair back and looks back at the front door and noises of warriors are heard circling their way back.

"Okay! Okay" Nova gives in and starts following Octavia through the tunnels to see their way out.

Nova and Octavia find the horse Helios and Octavia gets in front to steer the horse and Nova climbs behind Octavia. Octavia starts riding the horse, making the horse go faster and faster each step.

They get far into the woods and Nova starts hearing horse feet hit the ground behind her and she turns around and sees Echo and another Azgeda warrior on a horse yelling at each other to catch up to them quicker.

"Octavia! They're behind us!" Nova shouts and Octavia lets out a worried sigh and makes the horse go even faster than before. Octavia starts riding but comes upon a cliff and quickly stops the horse in place making Echo and the other Azgeda warrior ride up on them.

"It's over. Don't fight it. Roan wants you two alive. Come quietly," Echo orders, her voice stern and unwavering.

Nova lets out a defeated sigh, exchanging a quick, resigned glance with Octavia as they dismount their horse. "That'll never happen," Nova mutters, drawing her sword with a determined glint in her eyes.

Echo signals to an Azgeda warrior, who swiftly pulls a blade from his boot and hurls it at Nova. The blade strikes her leg with a sickening thud. "Ah!" Nova screams, dropping to one knee in pain.

"It doesn't have to be this way," Echo says, her tone almost sympathetic.

"You just threw a blade into my leg. It has to be this way," Nova retorts, yanking the blade out of her leg with a grimace. She stands slowly, gripping her sword tightly, and steps toward the Azgeda warrior. Octavia moves to face Echo.

Nova and Octavia share a brief look, then turn their attention to their opponents. "I promise you, girl... you don't want to do this," the warrior mumbles, his voice full of warning.

"I'm guessing you haven't heard what they call me," Nova replies coolly. The two engage in a fierce battle, their swords clashing with a metallic symphony. Both fighters seem to anticipate each other's moves, their skills evenly matched.

Nova spins quickly, sweeping her leg under the warrior's, knocking him down. She places a hand on her wounded leg, groaning in pain, then glances over to see Octavia and Echo locked in combat.

The warrior catches Nova off guard, kicking her in the chest and sending her sprawling onto her back. He looms over her, sword raised to strike, but Nova rolls away just in time and springs to her feet, surprising him.

They circle each other, Nova limping but resolute. Suddenly, she notices Echo aiming a crossbow at her. Echo releases the bolt, and it strikes Nova in the stomach. Nova looks down at the arrow protruding from her, then back up at the warrior. He drops his sword and punches her hard in the face.

Nova refuses to go down easily. Summoning all her strength, she stands to fight once more. The warrior grunts, throwing another punch to her gut, causing her to collapse onto her knees. Blood pours from her nose, trickles from the arrow wound, and drips from the earlier gash in her leg.

Nova sneaks the blade out of her boot, lifting her head to glare at the man looming over her.

"I don't die easily... Memento Mori," she whispers. With a sudden lunge, she plunges the blade into his throat. She pins him down, slicing deeper into his neck, her eyes locked onto his as life drains from them. A slight, defiant smile graces her face.

A gasp breaks her focus. Nova's smile vanishes as she sees Echo driving a sword through Octavia's stomach, the blade piercing straight through.

"Octavia!" Nova screams, pain searing through her own wound as she looks down at the arrow embedded in her stomach. She starts crawling toward Octavia, but before she can reach her, Octavia falls from the cliff's edge.

"No!" Nova's scream echoes, a tear sliding down her face. She collapses onto her back, staring up at Echo standing over her.

"Just... kill me," Nova mumbles, clutching her stomach in agony.

"You're already dead," Echo retorts, yanking the arrow from Nova's stomach, causing blood to pour out faster.

"Ahh!" Nova cries out, tasting the tang of blood in her mouth as she spits it out. Echo kneels beside her, cutting a lock of her hair.

"I need proof," Echo says, pocketing the hair.

Nova feels consciousness slipping away. "Clarke..." she whispers, opening her eyes slightly to see Echo walking away. Summoning the last of her strength, she rolls onto her side, closing her eyes, believing this is her final breath.

But it wasn't.