The Seeker from Above: A Gregor the Overlander Fanfic

Chapter 26

Previously...

"Crime? We just did what was right."

"It is seen as a crime in their point of view."

"So... what's the punishment for treason."

"Death," said Orion, grimly.

.

.

.

"Death?" Stella's eyes widened. "Why death?"

"We did not kill the Bane, therefore it is determined as a treasonous act, if it is," said Orion.

"If? Is there someone who decides that?"

"A tribunal of judges. The final sentence must be approved by the queen."

"Oh, so whatever the judges decide, the final decision is made by Nerissa," said Stella. "I've never met her before, I don't even know how she thinks of me."

"I have met her quite a few times but I live in the flier lands. I rarely come to the human lands."

"Then why were you at the Fount before coming on the hunt for the Bane?"

"I had a task assigned there," the bat replied.

"Oh, okay."

There was a dead silence for about a couple of minutes in that cell.

Stella broke the silence with the most random thing anyone could have ever said in that situation. "Orion, can we become bonds?"

The bat seemed startled by that sudden offer. 

He took about a minute to think about it, and then, extended his claw. Stella didn't know what she was supposed to do with the claw. Maybe it was how both species bonded? Claw in hand.

She slowly sat up and extended her arm and grasped his claw.

"Listen carefully and repeat what I say once I have finished," said Orion, and Stella nodded.

Orion started reciting some sort of poem: "Stella 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."

Stella had listened closely and she repeated, "Orion 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."

There was a moment of silence.

Stella looked at her hand around Orion's claw. "Does this mean we're bonded now?"

"Yes, we are bonded. Although, bonds are made at a ceremony," said Orion. " I believe this is the first bond made in a dungeon."

Stella took her hand away. "Why did you choose to bond with me?"

Orion rearranged his wings and looked like he was thinking deeply. "Well, I have never been bonded to a human, and I want to have a bond. I see myself useful when in a bond. I see a purpose of living."

"Yeah. I don't think we'll live long though. I mean, since we're in trial and all."

"That actually depends on the final decision." He seemed quite positive about this trial.

"Everything seems like it depends on the final decision." She leaned back on the wall, forgetting the head injury. "Ugh!" She was frustrated about this whole trial thing, and the sharp pain from the head injury had returned, and she was now locked in a dungeon, waiting for her death.

"They should have taken you to the hospital," said the bat. "But they chose to ignore your injuries."

Just then, a small hatch at the base of the dungeon door swung open, and two bowls of food were pushed in. The hatch slammed shut.