Chapter 24

As they flew on, Gregor began talking to Kendra. He didn't know why, he was still a long way of calling her his friend, but he did. The fact that she had the courage to leave the only home she'd ever had and move to a totally different place intrigued him.

"What are you going to do about your looks, when you're in the Overland? It's not normal for people to have really pale skin and silvery hair." He asked her. She shrugged.

"My grandfather said that if I ever came to live with him, I would have to change my hair color using something called…dye?" she said. Gregor nodded.

"My eyes are not really that bad, but my skin, I am just going to have to live with." She continued.

"Oh, okay." Gregor said.

"It will be a big change for me not to have a flier to get around on, but…" her voice trailed off. Gregor actually felt sorry for her. He knew what it felt like to lose a bond.

"What about your soldier training? Will you continue that in the Overland?" Persephone, who had just flown up, asked.

Kendra sighed. "I do not believe I will be able too." She said.

"Yeah, we don't really use swords in the Overland, only guns, which I really don't think they'd allow a thirteen year old to use in New York City." Gregor said.

"What is a gun?" Kendra asked.

"It's kind of like…some sort of machine, which shoots out these little lead ball things called bullets that can kill almost anyone with one shot." Gregor said. Kendra looked shocked.

"I do not think I would want to use one. I much prefer swords." She said. Then they were silent for a while. Gregor took that time to survey the group.

Gregor was amazed Persephone had gotten out of this alive, but he kept that too himself. She really was a skilled bat.

He probably had the worst injuries in the group. Luxa was sleeping right now, with a nasty cut on her cheek. Hazard was curled up on Aurora's back next to her, unharmed. Boots, Temp, and Apollo were also unharmed, but the rest of the bats had numerous scratches on their wings, but nothing to affect flight. Howard and Kendra both had a couple of cuts in a few places, but Ripred had only scratches, because, after all, he was so skilled at defending himself.

Then his thoughts turned to how long he had been away from his family. Hopefully when Nyx and Persephone had gone to Regalia, they had told Lizzie that he was okay, so he hoped she wouldn't worry too much. But his parents! They had no idea what was going on right now, and he had been gone for two weeks! Man, he was in for it when he got home.

"Okay, let's stop to rest." Ripred's voice came from below them. They all coasted in off to the side. Howard passed along their last bits of bread and cheese. Gregor gave part of his to Boots, since he had this empty feeling in his stomach that prevented him from being too hungry.

"Gregor? Can I talk to you privately for a moment?" Luxa had apparently woken up.

"Sure." Gregor said. They went off to the side of the group.

"Gregor, the council will want you to stay in the Underland now. They believe that it is not over for the warrior yet, and that trouble can come at any time." Luxa said.

Gregor sighed. "I just can't do that, Luxa. My family needs me, in the Overland."

Luxa nodded. "I knew you would say that. That is why I will not persuade you to stay. But you must leave soon after we get back, so they will not have a chance to go to any measures to prevent you leaving."

"But what about Vikus? He wouldn't let them hold me here if they tried!" Gregor said.

"You know Vikus is unwell. He would do his best, but the council would eventually overpower him." Luxa said grimly. She had a point.

"Okay, I'll leave quickly. But I need to say goodbye to everyone first." Gregor said. They walked back over to the rest of the group.

Gregor and Luxa spread their blankets along with Boots's and Hazard's at the feet of Hera and Aurora. Gregor wanted to talk to Hera.

"Hera, I have to leave the Underland really soon." He said.

"For how long?" Hera asked.

"I don't know. I really want to come back, but it may take me a while to find a way." said Gregor.

Hera nodded. "You will find a way. Of that I am certain. But however long it takes, I will be here, waiting for you." She said. These were very similar to the words she had said months ago, before they had even been bonds. It meant even more to him now, to know that he had a friend who would always be waiting for him.

He had made friends in the Underland that were much stronger than the ones he had in the Overland. Larry and Angelina probably thought he was some walking disease now, the way he was "sick" and out of school all the time. They had probably given up on him already. He wished he could tell them the truth, but he didn't think they'd believe him.

In the Underland, however, he had friends that he could always be honest with, regardless of how different they were. It didn't matter if they were human, bat, rat, or roach, they were true friends. He hated to leave them, but his family needed him more.

Gregor laid his head down and wrapped his arms around Boots. She snuggled closer to him.

"I love you, Gregor." She said.

"I love you too, Boots." Gregor said. It felt great to have someone counting on you like that, even if it was a big responsibility. Gregor didn't know what he would do without his family.

Boots fell asleep fast, but Gregor stayed awake for a little while longer. Ripred was on watch. The bats were all asleep, and Temp, but Gregor had a feeling Luxa was awake beside him. She had her back to Gregor holding Hazard, but her breathing was too fast for someone who was sleeping.

"Luxa," he whispered, so silently that he didn't think anyone but Luxa could hear. She turned her head his way. She was indeed awake. He held out his hand and she grasped it. "I love you." Gregor said easily.

"I love you too." She said. And they both fell asleep, holding hands.