When I woke up after making the relationship between me and Monroe clear, and still remaining friends, albeit, with benefit with her, a grounder entered my tent and promptly dragged me out at Lexa's orders.
Even though I was forced to follow the warrior, I wasn't in the mood to play the bad guy yet, so I quietly follow behind him while mentally preparing myself for the upcoming fight against, who knows how many bloodthirsty grounders.
Soon, we reach the open ground where hundreds of grounders were waiting for me to bleed at the hands of their brethren. Lexa, who was sitting on her wooden throne, got on her feet, which made the crowd silent the moment they saw her ready to speak.
"Some of you were dissatisfied with the way I handle the boy that murdered a villager and as such, I decided to punish his friend. Our tradition was always that the blood must have blood, and today, I grant you that honor. Defeat, kill, or maim their greatest warrior and the honor shall be yours. The Skykru warrior would be granted a wooden weapon while you, my strongest warriors would use whatever you desire to make him bleed for the sin of his friend."
As soon as they heard Lexa's words, tens of grounders walked forward ready to slaughter me, whom I have to admit was kind of intimidating. Even more so, thanks to the condition put forward by Lexa.
I had to steel myself as well as maneuver my body to face the charging mass of grounders. I prepared my sword ready to face the grounders as the grounders were quickly closing the gap between them and me, close enough that I could see their desire to cut me into many pieces, close enough that I could almost feel their eagerness. Granted courage by numbers as well as better weapons, they were sure of their victory, certain there was no way a single boy from Skykru could face their might.
"Bring it on!" The only thing that I could do was to shout, pointing my sword in the direction of the onrushing horde. Crossing the short distance before the archers had time to let loose a volley of arrows, I ploughed into the enemy ranks. Caught by surprise, the grounders' attack faltered as the warriors that were at the front turned and tried to get out of my way.
I felt a shock run up my arm as I brought my sword down on the head of a grounder, sending the man to the ground, but sadly for them, my assault didn't stop there as I struck out again, and again, my sword rising and falling in a bloody arc of destruction as I cut a swathe through the enemy.
The more I cut through their ranks, the more I heard men screaming, squealing, and shrieking as they were knocked out cold by my sword or foot. In the madness of melee, it was almost impossible to judge how much I've progressed, especially when these madmen were charging at me without even stopping, but for a split second, I managed caught glimpses of Bellamy, Monroe, and surprisingly Clarke and Marcus as they watched the fight. Sadly, I couldn't look longer at them, but I knew that Bellamy and Monroe would have jumped into the fray if they would have the opportunity. Maybe even Clarke would have come to my aid if not for the man that was holding her shoulder so that our princess won't do something stupid, again.
The grounder had attacked me expecting an easy kill, but my sudden charge and the casualties they had taken had given them second thoughts. Even as I slashed my way deeper into their massed ranks, it was clear they were on the brink of collapse. Their confidence was visibly draining away, leaving them on the verge of panic and despair, albeit, I wasn't faring any better than most of the wounded ones, having my body covered in blood, both of my own, as well as theirs.
The more unorganized they were the closest to victory I, and even though the grounders might not fully rout, they might only retreat a little way before Gustus could reorganize their ranks, but for me, this was more than enough. After all, if they rout now, they would completely break when I take out their leader.
A flash passed through their already fairly broken ranks. Striking my sword down with even greater ferocity into the enemy morass, I redoubled my efforts to quickly end this slaughter. And as if everything was in my favor, the moment I took out a group of warriors, whoever was still conscious wavered, and a second later, all of the grounders run away, having their morale shattered by my ferocity and demonic-like appearance.
Abruptly, I heard a terrifying roar and it seems that my plan didn't work the way I hope it does. Nonetheless, I braced myself for what was coming in my direction.
Bellowing in bestial fury, an enormous shape came lumbering from behind the running mass of grounder. It took a moment for me to see it clearly, but even if I didn't look at him, I could have guessed that Gustus was coming toward me. Who would have guessed, that Lexa would send her best warriors to fight me, then again she didn't want to lose the trust of her warriors, especially now that we are about to assault the mountain.
As soon as Gustus joined the fight, I heard a cheer from among the grounders. They seemed to regain their strength from their strongest warrior roar, making my effort be all for naught, or at least that's what I despair. In the end, the only thing that would end this fight was whoever would remain standing so I committed myself to a last, desperate gamble. Fighting my way through the grounders that have come back to wear me down as I was standing in Gustus's path, but albeit they tried their best, I pushed them back as I let out a battle cry of my own as I charged toward Gustus.
Strangely enough, he seemed to recognize me as his greatest challenge. Gustus pushed the warriors that were in his path, as his mouth widened into a hungry smile.
Reacting before the man could get close enough to strike it, I lashed out with my wooden sword. Right as my sorry excuse of a weapon hit him, Gustus felt a searing pain in his thigh, followed by my left fist connecting to his head before he was thrown to the ground, the world spinning crazily for a second as he landed on the ground, clearly defeat by what he thought to be a weak and sheltered kid.
What followed after was what I expected. I looked around me and yet no one was moving or reacting in any way…only silence. Not even Lexa imagined this outcome when she proposed this fight, yet contrary to what they thought would happen, I won against all odds. Tens of her warriors were now lying on the grounds moaning in pain as they just got thrashed by a single person.
On the other hand, I was faring any better than most of them. I was tired, injured, and above all hungry as a wolf, but I still stood there proud of my accomplishment, watching the grounders widening their eyes at this scene.
A few moments later, Lexa regain her demeanor as she once again raises to her feet, this time to announce the end of my punishment.
"Against all odds, the Skykru warrior fought well and won. If anyone believes that it wasn't enough, I ask them to join the warriors on the ring and fight him, if not, I declare that the blood spilled has seen blood and this matter is over! Now, we must prepare for the upcoming assault!"