❛ empire now ❜
★ ₊˚.  ❪ loyalty lies with ❫
˗ˏ⋆ ˎ˗⠀┊  4x1⠀┊ ⠀❝ xxxvi ❞
▅▅▅ ▅▅▅ ▅▅▅ ▅▅▅

"ANAKIN..."

Was rudely awoken by John Murphy, who kneeled beside his throne, ready to spew apologies after apologies for what he had done. He wasn't that kind of person, no. He was the kind who held very few regrets and chose to look forward, but Anakin, he held the world in his palm now. He would be whoever he needed to be to survive.

"What?" Anakin snapped as he pushed John away from his body and stood from his throne, body aching, but in a good way. "Where is Marie?"

Someone he didn't know blinked, stepping forward with their gun by their side. "In the embassy, with the king."

"Heda." A voice spoke, one he was all too familiar with. They spoke in his native language, a hint of a learned accent peaking through. "Your people are awake."

"My people." Anakin reached out and clasped his hand with the dark-haired girl, nodding in thanks for all that she had done, who she was and where her place was among the grounders. "Are your people too, Octavia."

Octavia knows what she wants when she stares him down, the rest of the people standing in the throne room becoming a blur as she speaks. "Recite the lineage, and do what you were born to do." Her eyes sparkle as the scenario played out in her head. Anakin and her knew each other, and she wouldn't die today, not with a power hungry Anakin.

"With all due respect —" Pike, the one who had told Anakin where Marie was, stepped forward. "You need to help Skaikru get out of this city, we have a call out for our heads."

Anakin doesn't say anything, only gives Octavia a nod. She knows what to do, and pushes her sword through the skin of Pike's chest, right through his heart. She wouldn't have done it without his okay, not today, not when he was just crowned commander by the flame. Even if Pike had murdered the love of her life, she still wouldn't until she got the okay.

"Good," Anakin says as the man chokes on his blood and drops to the floor. A satisfied smirk on his lips. "Anyone else want to leave?" He gives the rest of those standing around him a chance to speak out and earn their deaths. No one moves. "Are you sure?"

He moves to where John Murphy stands, anxiously waiting for what could happen. "Bring me Daisy, and your life is spared, John, for what you had done."

John moves so quickly. In his head, he needed to prove his worth, needed to survive. As he dashed out of the throne room, Anakin turned back to face the remaining Skaikru and grounders, his eyes scanning each face for signs of dissent. Little dared meet his gaze.

Everlee, the first to bow, her loyalty clear, steps forward. "Heda, my loyalty lies with you." Her voice is steady, not even a small tremor of fear underlying her words. She spoke clearly, nothing hidden.

Anakin acknowledged her with a nod, then turned his attention to Abigail Griffin, who stood in the corner of the room. "Doctor Griffin," he addressed her coldly. "The king and Marie need medical attention. You will help them."

Abigail's eyes flicked Bellamy, who stood on his own beside Kane, then back to Anakin. "You banished my daughter. Why should I help you?"

Anakin's expression hardened. "Because if you don't, you will join her in exile. And this time, no one will save you."

Abigail hesitated, her eyes defiant. Octavia stepped forward, her sword pressing lightly against Abigail's throat. "You will help him," Octavia said, her voice low and dangerous. "Or else the traitorous bitch of a daughter you have, won't make it another day."

A tense silence filled the room. Abigail finally nodded, moving towards a guard Anakin gestured too, they would take her to the King and Marie. Anakin watched her for a moment before shifting his attention to the rest of the Skaikru.

"Remember, your loyalty to me is the only thing keeping you alive," he warned those around him, his voice icy. "Do not forget it."

Turning to Octavia, he spoke in a lower tone. "We need to secure the area. Take Everlee if you can trust her and reinforce our defenses. I don't want any surprises. With their fallen king, Azgeda will strike in retaliation."

Octavia nodded. "Consider it done."

As Octavia and Everlee moved out to follow his orders, Anakin's thoughts drifted to Daisy. The thought of her in danger twisted his insides. He trusted John to find her, but he couldn't shake the worry gnawing at him.

Back at the throne room, Anakin stood alone, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on his shoulders. He had enemies on all sides and couldn't afford to show any weakness.

"ECHO KOM AZGEDA..."

Doesn't move when Anakin steps towards her, his own sword drawn. She had just murdered one of the ambassadors of another clan, slicing her throat open and letting her bleed to death.

"Azgeda isn't under your control, Echo." Anakin speaks coldly as he steps forward, Octavia a step behind him, Grounders and Skaikru steps behind her.

Echo keeps her glare sharp. "It is. The coalition died alongside your sister and any chance at working together died alongside Ontari."

"And it's reborn with him, the new commander." Octavia steps forward so she's side by side with Anakin. Her eyes are narrowed as she tightens the grip around the handle of her sword. "Now, what do you choose to do, Echo Kom Azgeda?"

Echo blinks but quickly recomposes herself. "Azgeda will not follow someone who killed Ontari. She was our rightful commander."

Anakin's grip on his sword tightens. His eyes, cold as ice, lock onto Echo's with deadly intent. "Ontari was a tyrant. She deserved her fate. The lineage will be recited and the nightblood in my veins grants me my birthright, and I have claimed what is mine."

The tension in the air thickens as Octavia glances at Anakin, reading his calm resolve. She knows his claim is more than just words and has seen the proof in his actions. Her presence bolsters his stance, and she takes a step closer to him.

"The people need a leader, and they need one now," Octavia asserts, her voice echoing through the area. "Anakin has proven himself time and time again. He is the leader we all need."

Echo scoffs, her eyes never leaving Anakin's. "Proven himself? By murder and coercion? Azgeda will not bow to a commander after the death of our king."

Anakin moves forward with purpose, closing the distance between them. "This isn't about tyranny, it's about leadership and unity. Ontari's death was necessary. Join us, or be left behind, along with the others who choose not to join me."

Silence falls as Echo weighs her options. Her defiance is apparent, but the reality of the situation starts to sink in. She looks around the area at the faces of those who have suffered, who are scared. For a moment, something flickers in her eyes, a recognition of the gravity of their plight.

Octavia seizes the moment, stepping even closer to Echo. "We don't have time for petty power struggles. Choose now, and choose right, or the King really dies."

Echo hesitates, her grip on her weapon loosening slightly. "I will not bow to him," she declares, but her voice lacks the earlier conviction.

Anakin sheathes his sword slowly, a calculated move to show he is willing to talk. "Then don't bow. Stand, and show your loyalty to me, the commander, and Azgeda will live."

The people holds their breath, waiting for Echo's response. She looks back at her own warriors, seeing the fear and uncertainty in their eyes. The realization that unity might be their only hope dawns on her.

"Very well," she says finally, her voice steady. "Azgeda will join, but we do it for our survival, not for you."

Anakin nods, accepting her terms. "That's all I ask. We live together, or we die apart."

The tension eases, and Echo lowers her weapon. Anakin extends his hand, a gesture of solidarity. After a moment's hesitation, Echo takes it, sealing their fragile alliance.

Octavia steps back, her eyes scanning the room, ensuring everyone understands the new order. "Good. Now let's get to work." She turns to someone. "Prepare for the lineage."

Echo straightens, her gaze meeting Anakin's once more. "Don't think this means I trust you, Anakin."

Anakin smirks slightly, a hint of respect in his eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."