You will see more POV's now as the main characters come together, as I must keep the story going with both Gregor and Brad (and more!)

Chapter 7: A Warrior indeed

As Brad awaited in the High Hall he wondered what the letter had said, was it a warning? Was is a farewell? It seemed kind of late to be a farewell. He had left 4 years ago. It had to have been a warning, or at least, a message powerful enough to make him return. And what about Eris and Thanatos, they were Ares's brother and sister, would be want to see them? Brad had Idea about what to think of this Overlander. He had heard tales of his victory over the bane, how his words had brought Luxa and Ripred to a bond. But was he really a Rager? Or maybe Ripred thought he was. No, Ripred could probably smell a rager a mile away, if Ripred said it was true, then it was. "I should check on Eris" Brad thought, she should be ready when he gets here. So Brad walked down to the hospital to see a heart warming sight, Thanatos, Eris, and Hestia were all snuggled up together, sleeping. When he saw this he chose not to wake them and rather to let them sleep. The overlander could see them if he wanted to, he was just about to go to get something to eat when he was called to the High Hall with Ripred, Luxa, Vikus, Howard, Hazard, Eris, Hestia, all their bonds (except Thanatos and Aurora of course), and a frail girl Brad had not seen before. "what Purpose does she serve being there? She can hardly walk." Brad thought making his way to the High Hall. When he arrived he had seen that Gregor the Overlander, along with some other overlanders, had arrived.

Gregor POV

They had just started to fly when Aurora started to speak. "Oh overlander, I am so glad you returned!" she said cheerfully. "It's nice to see you again too Aurora, how have you been?" he asked. "not well as of late, but with you arriving, I can say my mood has taken quite a lift." she said. "That's good, what about this new guy, Brad, and his bat?" Gregor asked, eager for any little bit of information. "I still have no opinion about Brad, but Thanatos, he is a great person...he seems a lot like Ares" she said mournfully. Gregor couldn't continue for a moment, thinking back to that horrible day when Ares had died

flashback

"I've got to get in closer if I'm going to take him out!"

"hang on!" Ares said

The spinning, Then being under the Bane's foreleg.

"Get out Ares!"

The Bane grabbing Ares's wing

"Ares!"

The teeth sinking into his neck

"Ares? Ares? Don't go, Ares, okay?"

But he had already gone

end flashback

Gregor had his eyes squeezed shut while he thought about the horrible last moments he had been in the wings of his dead bond. How he thought he had no home, how he thought he would turn into Ripred, or Ares, a suspicious figured that nobody wanted around. And for the first time, he felt lucky about not dying there. He always thought he should have, he should have died with Ares, but no, he shouldn't have. There would always be a place for Gregor as long as he had friends, and love. He had these things, and his outlook on the whole thing changed...it was better Ares had died, he would have had no one after Gregor had left, he would be an outcast for 4 years...even he couldn't stand that. And for once, Gregor felt peace in knowing that Ares was gone, he was safe now, from all the pain he could have suffered, he is safe. When Gregor opened his eyes again, Aurora was landing in the High Hall, and His friends were waiting.

Brad POV

He looked miserable as he landed, Brad thought maybe it was because he was back, but Brad knew deep in his mind, that he was thinking of Ares. Because once he saw the others there, his face lit up, "Vikus, Luxa, Howard...everyone! How're you all!" he said quickly, they all greeted everyone seemed happy, Brad stayed out of the circle, but one thing caught his eye. When he went to hug Luxa, the Hug was more intense, longer, tighter, and for once, Brad could see why Luxa had a hard time talking about Gregor, she loved him. He could tell in every aspect of her, her face changed, he attitude changed, even her eyes changed, they had love...they had hope. And apparently, Brad wasn't the only one to catch this display. "well well warrior, come back to see your girlfriend? Forget about the rest of us have you? Shame...I would have loved to recall some of those echolocation lessons with you." Ripred teased. Brad was surprised again, Echolocation lessons? Gregor knew how to preform Echolocation? Brad himself had tried to learn with no avail, he gave up years ago. Luxa, flashed Ripred a look and then noticed Brad had entered the room, while the other were talking amongst themselves, she brought him over to Brad to introduce him. "Brad, this is Gregor, he is the warrior that so many have spoke of.". Brad immediately introduced himself, "Hello Warrior, I am Brad, Brother of Queen Luxa and a Rager much like yourself.". Gregor looked surprised but managed to address him back, "uh Hey there, so your bond is Ares's Brother?" Gregor said looking anxious to meet him. Luxa lightly hit his arm with her elbow and whispered "be polite!" but Brad didn't act offended. "Yes he is, there is also a sister named Eris, they are resting now, but if you would like to see them, I will indeed escort you to them." said Brad politely. Gregor didn't even have to respond, because Brad had already started to walk out of the room, him and Brad went alone. " Luxa wait here, I will be back soon ok?" Said Gregor. "I just have to see them". She laughed, "do not worry. I understand, now go". And so once Brad saw he was following, he started to talk to the hospital.

Gregor POV

Brad walked quickly to the hospital, he must have know that Gregor really wanted to see the bats. It was a good thing too, they had left unexcused, they couldn't be gone long. Once they reached them, Gregor heart nearly jumped out of his chest. "my lord, that one you just like him!" said Gregor. There were 3 bats, a Bat bigger than Ares had been and that was gray, he figured that one was Thanatos. Another that was average size for a bat, but no where near Ares's size, it also had dark orange fur, so that one must not be his sister. But the one he was talking about was a beautiful Black bat who was literally just the size of Ares. If Gregor had to tell them apart, the only thing he could find different was the newly made scar down her wing. It seemed a small twist of fate that their name sounded so close to one anothers, Eris, Ares, nearly the same thing! And she looked exactly like him! He found himself looking strait at the claw of the bat, he wanted to hold it, he didn't care how weird it was, he wanted to feel like he had felt when Ares was alive. And lucky for him, Eris was the only bat awake at that moment. "can I...talk with the now" he said looking up at Brad. He smiled and opened the door, they both walked in an Eris eyed Gregor with immediate friendliness. "This must be Gregor the overlander, is it not? I have heard you would come." Gregor couldn't speak, her Voice of course sounded different, but...it had the same...tone...the same beautiful tone that made Gregor feel ok. And before he knew it, he was hugging this bat he didn't even know, it was too much for him, the sudden burst of Ares that has appeared right in front of him made him long for the past. And Eris, she didn't push him away, she didn't tell him to stop...instead she embraced him just like Ares had, and spoke again. "Gregor, I'm sorry for Ares, I will be your flier on this journey, I hope I will be enough for you.". "Eris...you look so much like him...you're...you're perfect!" Gregor said, feeling safe again, finally.

Brad POV

Brad told him it was time to return to the party and he went back. But Brad needed to do something first, and as he found hid diary, he began to write.

"month 5 of my 18th year.

Today I met Gregor the Overlander, he seems like a nice person, but a young man who has lost many things...a Warrior indeed. However, he could barely contain himself when he saw Eris today, it was nice to watch them embrace, I think they would make a great bond...but I am getting far to ahead of myself. This overlander, I can tell by what he did with Eris he has not mastered his skills as a Rager...this is Dangerous, I think I should teach him. But how could he trust me so soon? I don't know...but someone needs to do it, and if I have to, I will make Ripred Drag him to me. He needs to learn, if he tries to fight this war without knowing how to use his skills, he will most defiantly die...Luxa is treating me better...maybe I could have a life here, but for now, all I know is that we will be heading out in 3 days to the kingdom of Angelos Theou to enlist in their help with the cutters...I can only hope we are not too late.

Brad closed his book and put is under his pillow, and instead of going back to the small party they had planned he went to sleep, feeling worried, and happy all at the same time.

Had some trouble with this Chapter :( I still don't think it's as great as I could have done, but I tried.