I'm a bit unsure about this one. I don't really feel like I nailed Ares' characterization, and around the end of this, I think he makes the decision to save Gregor a bit too quickly, and the reasoning may be vague.
The thing about bonds is that you are always supposed to be on one another's side.
Bonds may not agree on everything — bonds may not share everything — bonds may not be the best of friends nor the closest of brothers—
But bonds are always, indisputably, regardless of one's disagreements, on one another's side.
Always.
One's bond could be the grisliest murderer, and one would still die by their side rather than at their throat.
One's bond could be the vilest monster, and one would still take their side rather than sell them out.
One's bond could be the most broken traitor, and one would still—
To break a bond is worse than treachery.
To break a bond is the greatest breach of trust one can commit.
For if one will not save another as they save their own life, who may ever trust them again?
Henry should have told Ares.
He ought to have.
He ought to have, so that Ares would have had a choice.
But then, Henry never told anybody.
Henry never told anybody everything, and he never gave anybody a choice.
Become my bond, and I will be your new brother.
Let us go play tricks on the governor.
Some things we do not share, but we are bonds, so we do not need to share some things — we will always be on one another's side.
Ares, we must not not be weak.
I must not be weak!
Not even himself.
But he ought to have told Ares.
He ought to.
He ought to.
And he did not.
Ares knows what he ought to do.
Henry has doomed them all, but Ares will save him.
He must.
He must.
The Overlander leaps, the gnawers fall, and in between floats Henry.
Henry, who is Ares' bond.
Henry, who may as well have been Ares' brother once.
Henry, who betrayed all of them so he could feel safe.
Where was Ares, when Henry was bleeding?
Where was Ares, when Henry went to meet the gnawers in secrecy?
Where was Ares?
WHERE WAS ARES?
Ares dives.
He sees Henry's face, sees the terror on his face, but also the vindication — that Henry is safe now, that he has fulfilled his purpose, and that he may now be among the strong.
It sickens Ares.
For Henry is not safe.
He is not, and he will never be again.
Never.
Among no creature will Henry ever be safe again.
Then Ares sees the Overlander's face.
And he sees the same terror, but also that same look of resolve — that the Overlander has made sure that everyone else is safe now, that he has fulfilled what he thought of as purpose as the warrior, and that now, at least, everybody else will live.
Oh, and what a frightening expression to see on the face of a child.
But then, Ares has seen the same expression on Henry's face.
When Henry made the girl who bullied his sister eat cocoons.
When Henry put his sword through the gnawers who ambushed him and Luxa on one of their foolish childhood excursions.
When Henry asked for Ares' claw and bond.
And so many other instances.
And Ares knows, then.
He knows that he will die either way.
But he cannot— he cannot let that boy die.
He cannot.
He cannot let another boy fall.
And so, with Henry's screams of desperation in his ears, with the knowledge that he will never forgive himself for this moment, for anything and everything, Ares breaks his bond to save the warrior.