prequel: Lexa Ascends
This is the first chapter of the very first fic I wrote but never finished. It’s a pre-canon gen fic about how Lexa became the Commander. I have six chapters written and am wondering whether or not to continue. I’d be very open to your feedback!
Art by the amazing @thasbians
Summary: In the years before the sky people fell to the earth, Lexa ascended as Commander. Before she was Commander, she was an uncanny child who experienced the world deeply, beautifully, painfully. She was a nightblood whose path was made for her. She had no choice. She became who they trained her to be, but she held on to those rich and beautiful parts of herself, even if she had to bury them.
Chapter 1: Not Heda Yet
Every inch of her hurt. The crushed fingers on her left hand. The shallow but dirty cuts across her shoulder blade, down her forearm. The skinned knees and scraped palms. The deep ache in her legs reminding her that she had fought hard for what had felt like a long time. Days. Years. But it had only been hours. From one opponent to another. From one brother, one sister, one lukot, to another. They were gone. She was all that was left.
It was the way of her people.
A wave of warmth washed over her bare back. One of the devoted, a wichen, stood over her as she lied face down on a long table. The wichen had placed a folded blanket under her head. “Rest,” she had said. “This is just the start. Rest every moment you can.” The girl opened her eyes and strained to look up at the wichen, who smiled gently. Not a wichen smile—the devoted weren’t known for their kindness or their harshness. They simply were. Measured, quiet, usually on the edges of a space. Silent but never invisible. And yet here was a smile, motherly, full of concern and pride.
“Lay your head down, Heda,” the wichen said quietly as she washed the girl’s back with a warm cloth.
“I’m not Heda yet,” the girl said quietly.
Keep reading
You have spoken, my friends, and I have heard. I shall continue writing this. There is much work to be done, but I shall persevere. Be on the lookout!
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(And for those of you who are awaiting song one-shots, have no fear! They’re coming! They keep me motivated to write these longer pieces.)
In the meantime, please enjoy another sweet image by @thasbians
