Hello people, and welcome back! Happy Easter to those of you who actually celebrate it! Today is the last day of easter break, so I want to get out a chapter with the extra free time I have. ScrumtousToast got the question of last chapter (and he was also the only one to answer it)! Hayden and Gregor will be at each others throats the entire trip, and I even have a nice twist set up for later, within a few chapters. You'll all love the twist. So, as usual, any and all feedback is encouraged and appreciated, see you guys later!
See you peeps later,
-Tytonic
Disclaimer: I do not own any of The Underland Chronicles, only the characters I make up and the plot itself.
Gregor and the War of the Myriapods
Chapter 28: Forth unto Dawn!
"Well, I have been meaning to ask you, but with everything going on, it's been a little sketchy, but I suppose now is as good a time as any.
"Chronos the flier, will you bond with me?"
"Gregor the warrior, yes, I will bond with you.
-O-
A wide smile spread across Gregor's face, and he let out a sigh of relief. He already knew that Chronos would say yes, but it was just one of those things that you get nervous over, no matter how sure of the outcome you may or may not be. It was then, and only then, that a realization dawned for Gregor.
Gregor's face bunched up in frustration. "Oh. . . crap."
"What is it, Gregor?" Asked Chronos. "Is something wrong?"
"Kind of. Our bonding, it's kind of last second. I don't know how the whole official bonding ceremony goes, if it needs celebration and such or not. When I bonded with Ares, it kind of just happened, no warning. It was rushed, in order to save him from execution." Gregor sighed. "Right now, we have twenty minutes, at most, before we must embark upon our quest. I don't know how this whole thing will go down."
Chronos let out the flier equivalent to a sigh. "You know little of our traditions, Gregor. A large celebration is usually only held for those of high status, such as royalty. Usually there is only a small celebration held with friends and family when one bonds. A council member, or the king or queen, must witness the bond in order for it to be official." Chronos blinked several times. "You need not worry. A few of the council members will be present during out departure, in order to see us off; we may bond then. I do not care for a large celebration anyway, nor would it be wise, in a time of war."
The smile plastered on Gregor's face had faltered slightly as he spoke his concerns, but it grew to twice it's size as Chronos spoke.
Gregor nodded, and walked over to a window, one overlooking Regalia. The soft flicker of torch light spread across the city was a dazzling sight. The city appeared as if it was made of pure gold, bathed within the light. Gregor felt as if he could gaze at it for all of eternity, and still be entranced by it's beauty.
You could hear the soft murmur of voices, a few hundred feet below, as the Regalians went about their day. The whole sight just seemed so, so peaceful, as if there was not a savage army of bugs thirsty for blood right at their front door.
"It's beautiful, is it not?" asked an all to familiar voice aside Gregor.
"Mmm" Responded Gregor.
Luxa let out a sigh. "It's stressful, knowing that it is my sole responsibility to protect these people."
"You know that's not entirely true. You have a lot of people to support you. You have Vikus, Hazard, Aurora, Howard, Me, Chronos, Mareth, Ripred, even Alex and Zoey." Gregor took a deep breath. "You don't have to do it alone, we'll all help back you up."
"Yes, I know. Still, the responsibility falls square on me. It is very stressful. It will only be so long before I mess up." Mumbled Luxa, worry dripping off of her voice like honey.
"You'll do fine," Reassured Gregor. "now, enough of this depressing conversation, I have a question."
"Yes?"
"How would me and Chronos go about bonding, like, before we fly to our own death?" Asked Gregor.
Luxa's eyes widened slightly. "You and Chronos are going to bond? That's great!"
"Yes, I know. But how exactly do we go about actually bonding before we leave?" Asked Gregor.
Luxa blinked a few times, realizing she had forgotten to answer the question. "Just talk to the council member that will see us off, he should do it." Luxa coughed. "So, Gregor, I assume you have gotten over Ares death?"
A wave of sadness washed over Gregor, though it was a happy sadness. "I will never forget Ares, and though I feel slightly like I am replacing him, I know he would have wanted this."
Luxa nodded sadly, and gazed back over the city of Regalia. With the soft flicker of torch light, it seemed almost as if the city had a heartbeat, as if it was alive. The soft murmur of voices got slightly quieter, as some of the citizens looked up, seeing the warrior and their queen side by side in the window, gazing upon the city.
"I do not understand." Murmured Gregor.
Luxa turned her head to face Gregor. "You do not understand what?"
Gregor sighed. "I do not understand why the slashers would want to destroy all of this. It's beautiful, who in their right mind would want to destroy this?"
Luxa turned her head back to the city. "Nobody would."
An awkward and uncomfortable silence bloomed between the two. Gregor's mind frantically darted around trying to find something, anything, to prevent the silence. He hated awkward silences more than normal people. Perhaps it was a side affect of being so closed up for the past four years.
Fortunately, the silence's arrival was delayed by Ripred sauntering into the room, hit claws scratching against the stone floor like nails on a chalkboard. The distinct stench of rat filled the room the instant he stepped in, and it wasn't necessarily a good stench.
"Are you pups ready to go, or do you wanna be fashionably late?" Snorted Ripred.
"Fashionably late? Really Ripred? You've spent way to much time in the overland, your turning into a teenage girl." Exclaimed Gregor, Chuckling under his breath.
"Well, like, whatever, like, when are we going to the, like, mall?" Said Ripred, using his best teenage girl voice, but failing miserably.
Gregor burst out laughing, as well as Ripred, ignoring the confused looks they were receiving from Luxa, and Chronos. Once their laughter had subsisted, Gregor met the looks he was receiving.
"Is that really how girls my age talk in the overland?" Luxa looked disgusted. "And what is a mall?"
"That's how a lot of the girls talk, not all though. And a mall is just a place where you can buy stuff; anything from food to weapons. You wouldn't know what most of the stuff was." Responded Gregor.
Luxa looked even more disgusted, learning that that is how overland girls her age actually talked, as least, most of the time. It may also have been because of the mixed stench of sour milk and rotten meat that was coming off of Ripred. Probably a little bit of both.
Before Luxa had a chance to reply, the sound of shoes scraping on the stone floor flowed into the room. Moments later, Hayden walked into the room, much to everybody's dread. The false sense of authority came off of him in waves, like he was trying to seem better than everybody, but failing.
"So, when will we depart?" Asked Hayden, and whistling shortly after, calling for his flier.
"As soon as the council member arrives to officially see us off. We are also waiting on Howard, who should be here at any moment now. Xano will be traveling by foot, since he is the only once fast enough to keep up with us for the entirety of out long flights." Responded Ripred, gruffly.
Gregor caught a brief glare from Hayden when he saw that, with the way the window was designed, there was only enough room for her and Gregor to be beside each other. Hayden slowly and stiffly walked over to a spot on the wall several feet away from Gregor, as if he expected Gregor to lash out at him, which by the way, Gregor would absolutely love to do.
An awkward silence settled upon the room, and was only broken briefly when Hayden's flier landed and they greeted each other. His flier was a rusty red color, and was an average size, but he seemed stronger than normal.
It was but a minute or two until the council member, who happened to be Vikus, walked into the room, leaning heavily on his cane. Howard was walking aside him, keeping pace so that if Vikus were to fall, he would be able to catch the man. He stopped at the doorway, and looked around, taking in his surroundings, and then proceeded forward. He stopped in the center of the room, and whistled. At his signal, several fliers, all of various color landed in the room. Each had a supply saddle attached upon its back, save three. Nike, Howard's flier, a large gray flier for Ripred, and a average sized creamy brown bat, who Gregor assumed was for Luxa.
Vikus nodded, signaling for everybody to climb upon their bats back. Everybody save Gregor and Luxa walked over to their bats and climbed on. Vikus casted them a questioning look. Gregor and Chronos walked over to Vikus.
"Vikus, me and Chronos wish to bond before we embark upon our quest." Stated Gregor. "If we are killed on this quest, we want to be bonded."
"I understand." Said Vikus, nodding. "Assuming you know the vows, you may proceed."
Gregor turned to face Chronos, and Chronos turned to face Gregor. It took Gregor not a moment to recall the vows. He would never forget the words that had played such a large role in his life. Gregor locked his hand with Chronos's claw.
"Chronos the flier, I bond to you,
Our life and death are one, we two.
In dark, in flame, in war, in strife,
I save you as I save my life"
The others in the room finally noticed what was transpiring, for they had not previously been paying attention. They all turned to witness the historic event taking place.
"Gregor the human, I bond to you,
Our life and death are one, we two.
In dark, in flame, in war, in strife,
I save you as I save my life"
Gregor turned back to face Vikus, hand still in claw. He felt as if he had been healed, as if a part of him had returned. He felt, better. He felt better then he could remember feeling since Ares death, which had utterly destroyed him. Above all else, he felt whole once more. He felt like he had been hit with a wave of energy, he was ready to face an entire army. Which he might actually have to do. Again.
Vikus looked between the two happily, understanding the significance this held for Gregor. The significance above that of a normal bond. Above all else, Vikus looked hopeful, as if they finally had a real chance at surviving this war.
"It is done." Vikus's hopeful appearance changed to one of confusion. "Luxa, why do you not mount your flier?"
"It does not feel right, using another flier, one I do not hold a connection with, for such a mission. I wish to fly on a flier I know better." Responded Luxa. She had the entire situation under control.
Vikus's confusion turned to understanding. "Yes, I understand, and I cannot say I am surprised. Who do you wish to fly upon?"
Vikus already knew who she would choose, and would have supported her decision, for he did not like Hayden either. It would have seemed awkward for Luxa to pick Chronos, at least to Hayden, everybody else knew why she would choose Chronos. Howard saved her from the awkwardness.
"She should fly upon Chronos." Said Howard. "If she flew with me or Hayden, it would slow us down more. Chronos, with his size, can easily keep pace with another rider."
"She should not fly with the overlander!" Growled Hayden.
"And why would that be, Hayden?" Asked Vikus.
Hayden glared at Gregor. "Because he is just a lowly overlander!"
"Lowly? I'm not the one living miles underground." Said Gregor. "Stereotype."
"What? Your just an overlander! You do not deserve to be treated otherwise." Hissed Hayden.
"Hayden, how dare you! He saved all of us, we would all be dead if it were not for him!" Proclaimed Luxa.
Hayden turned his glare to Luxa. "So? He only killed the bane, I could have done that blindfolded."
"Maybe, maybe not, but either way, you did not. You sat and hid while Gregor saved all of our lives!" Hissed Luxa, glaring right back at Hayden.
Hayden turned his head and looked away, positively steaming. Vikus looked back to Luxa, and nodded to her.
Luxa walked over to Chronos, and climbed onto his back, settling herself just behind Gregor, who had just climbed upon Chronos's back. Gregor ignored the death glare that Hayden was casted his way.
Vikus called for attention, and paused, waiting for everybody's attention. Once he had everybody's, he began to explain the mission.
"As you all know, this is a mission to assassinate the members of the slasher's royal family. After you depart, you will head westward towards the slasher lands. When you pass the wall, Xano will begin to run below you. He is fast enough and has enough endurance to keep pace all the way until your first stop.
"Your first stop will be on the border of the uncharted lands, at a small stream. There you will rest the night, and proceed to the slasher lands. We do not have any records of what is beyond that stream, so you will take breaks when you see fit. Normally, we would send a map maker to chart out the landscape, but this mission is far to important to take that risk. When you arrive at the slasher land, take no risks, none. We cannot risk failing this mission. Only make planned moves, nothing else. Above all else, do not get caught. If you get caught, we had no chance of succeeding and you will likely not survive the mission. Xano knows most of the land, so when possible, follow his lead. In your supplies, we have included ash, lots of it. According to Xano, ash disrupts the way slashers see, so they will fail to identify you. They will find something wrong, however, but they will not be able to identify you as either a threat, or some other creature. Once the mission is complete, and the leaders have fallen, Xano will take place immediately. It may take him a while to take control, but he assures us that he can. Do not wait for him ti take control. Leave immediately, and do not bother with stealth. Your goal at that point in time will be to get back here as fats as possible.
"During the trip, Xano claims that you will most likely pass a force of slashers, coming to destroy Regalia. Do not bother them, and do not let them see you. Once the leaders are slain, the force should fall apart and retreat.
"You must make all haste. Ripred claims that his rats will not be able to hold Regalia against the strength of the Slashers, should their attack be stronger than the previous attack, which Xano assures us it will.
"I bit you all farewell, and I wish for you a safe journey."
"Vikus, do you think we can do it?" Asked Gregor.
"Yes, I do."
Gregor pondered this. "Why?"
A smile crept it's way upon Vikus's face. "Because of you, Gregor. I think we will survive because of you. Remember, have hope. If anybody can do this, you can."
Gregor smiled back and nodded, having ignored the look of annoyance that spread across Hayden's face. He clearly dislike the idea that Gregor was made out to be better than him, which he probably was.
Everybody else gave their farewells to Vikus, and soon, the fliers took off with a few powerful flaps of their wings. It was not long before they were airborne, and on their way to either a victory or a defeat.
Nobody talked during the first few minutes of the flight, and Gregor hated the silence. Having spent four years closed up, denying all social contact, he had come to crave it. As a result, he had come to hate silence even more, though he had also gained an unnatural patience.
Once the group passed the western wall, Gregor clicked his tongue, for he could not reach so far with just his breath, and saw that Xano was following them on the ground with astonishing speed. He was also acutely aware of Hayden glaring at him occasionally, as if to make sure he and Luxa were not doing anything they should not be doing.
It was a few minutes after they had passed the western wall, that Hayden decided to break the silence, attempting to intimidate Gregor.
"So, warrior, are you familiar with our fighting ranks?" Asked Hayden. "Specifically the top ten?"
"Yes I am." Asked Gregor attempting to keep the bitterness out of his voice. "Why do you ask?"
"Do you know the rankings, who hold each rank?" Asked Hayden. Gregor had no clue what he was getting at.
"Only the top four." Responded Gregor. "I did know a few of the other, though I have since forgotten."
Hayden had a smug look on."Who are the top four then?"
Gregor had absolutely no clue what the man was getting at. Why would he want Gregor to say the top four out loud? To hear Gregor say that he was better than Hayden?
"Well, I am number one, Ripred is number two, you are number three, and Luxa is number four." Said Gregor, confused at Hayden's motives.
Hayden looked at Gregor like he was crazy. "Where did you hear that? You and my fiancé are not on the list at all!"
Gregor felt Luxa tense when Hayden called her his fiancé. A realization dawned on Gregor, Hayden did not know that Gregor and Luxa had made their way onto the list. He was trying to get Gregor to say that Hayden was on the list and he was not, to look stronger, better.
"Hayden, I do not think you have been kept updated." Said Gregor. "When I first arrived in the underland, presumably when you were injured, I beat Ripred in a spar. He later beat me, and I challenged him to a rematch, where I beat him once more. It was at training recently when Luxa beat the number four, I forget his name. If you do not believe me, you could ask almost anybody. Both Luxa and I had quite the audience during our spars."
An angered look crossed Hayden's face, and he looked away, and refused to look back at Gregor. He had lost his sense of authority over Gregor, and thus, he ceased checking on Gregor and Luxa every minute or so. There was no doubt that Hayden would later challenge Gregor to a spar, in attempt to steal the number one position.
Luxa must have noticed that Hayden had stopped watching them, because she put her arms around Gregor's waste, and rested her chin on his shoulder.
"Do you see what I have to deal with everyday?" Whispered Luxa.
Gregor stole a glance at Hayden, who still refused to look their way. "Yes, and I respect you all the more because of it. I would have ripped out his throat long ago if I were in your place."
Gregor could tell that Luxa began to smile. "Ripred almost did. Hayden tried to use my bond with Ripred as leverage to gain an advantage over the gnawers, despite our alliance. As you can imagine, Ripred did not take to that lightly."
Gregor chuckled lightly, but did not respond. Each moment he was around Hayden, he grew to dislike him more and more. He just kept digging up reasons to dislike him, and it didn't help that he was suppose to marry Luxa, whom Gregor loved very much. He would enjoy it if Hayden challenged him to a spar; maybe Hayden would be a little less condescending then.
Gregor whispered a few words to Luxa, and she let go of his waist. Gregor then leaned forward, right next to Chronos's ear, and began to whisper to him.
"So, Chronos, are you happy that we bonded?" Asked Gregor.
"Yes, I feel more accomplished. It's also an added bonus, that you are the warrior." Responded Chronos. "How do you feel about it?"
"I feel great. I haven't felt this way since Ares's death, it's like part of me was missing, and I am whole now." Said Gregor. "I miss Ares all the same, but it's no longer painful, not like it used to be."
Chronos and Gregor continued to talk for the remaining hours of their flight, along with Luxa constantly joining into the conversation. It was when they were talking about the overland, and different things you may encounter in it, that they 'saw' a small brook running across the cavern floor. The bats slowly circled down the the cavern floor, where they landed.
The humans, and rat, slid off of the backs of their bats, and began to search the area, looking for any possible threats. Gregor and Ripred instantly determined that there was no threat, using echolocation, but Hayden didn't trust their conclusion, coming from them, and searched the area anyways. He seemed rather unhappy when he discovered that Gregor and Ripred had, in fact, been correct.
Once they had established that the area was safe, Howard set up a torch in the center of their camp. The flickering shadows would have creeped everybody out, had the not been hardened by war.
When everybody was semi-comfortable, Luxa took out the food supplies, which consisted of bread, meat, underland cheese, and a small amount of wine. Gregor, Howard, and Luxa all made themselves sandwiches, consisting of meat and cheese. Ripred settled on taking paw rules of food and shoving it into his mouth. Hayden, refusing it try a sandwich, ate his bread and meat separately. The bats Seattle on raw fish from the small stream, which turned out to be a few feet deep, deep enough for fish. Finally, Xano scuttled off into darkness, presumably to find some time of insect that he could eat.
once the group had completed their meal, which had been occupied by friendly banter, they all roles out their bed rolls, and settled in. Xano kind of curled into a circle, and Ripred just plucked his butt down where he was, no blankets or anything. Hayden volunteered to take first watch, along with his rust colored flier.
When Gregor layed down, he was overwhelmed by exhaustion. It may not sound like it, but sitting on a bats back for hours on end was tiring, plus it must give the bats serious cramps. Once everybody's breathing slowed, and they were about to fall asleep, Gregor muttered a few words to Luxa, who lay but feet away.
"Goodnight Luxa."
"Goodnight Gregor."
Gregor had thought he said it quietly enough that nobody would head him, but he became aware of Hayden glaring at him, who was up, along with his flier, for first watch.
His eyes, dark and cold like death itself.
So, how did you guys like the chapter? I think I did good on it, though the end was slightly rushed; I only have like ten minutes left to work right now. Please leave feedback, preferable constructive criticism and critique. I haven't gotten much of it on this story. So, as usual all feedback is encouraged and appreciated, so give me any and all ideas! See you guys later!
See you peeps later,
-Tytonic
Question: If anything happens along the trip, what will happen?
*CLICKCLICKCLICK*
*POOF*
Tytonic: Thoughts, ideas, concerns?
Gregor: kill Hayden.
Tytonic: You know I can't.
Gregor: Can't, or won't?
Tytonic: Ok. . . Moving on, Luxa?
Luxa: It was good, but uneventful.
Tytonic: Don't worry, there will be some action next chapter, just hold in there.
Gregor: *Goans in annoyance*
Tytonic: Well put Gregor! See you guys later!
*CLICKCLICKCLICK*
*POOF*
See you peeps later,
-Tytonic