Gregor and the Siege of Claws

I Really Hate Learning

Gregor POV:

When Vikus told him to meet Ripred at the Waterway, he didn't expect to find the old rat sitting on a narrow cliff, challenging Gregor to a duel.

"Uh Ripred, in case you forgot, I haven't fought since the last time I was down here."  the rat laughs and whips his tail.

"Well Overlander, time for a refresher on fighting, eh?"  Gregor's eyes widen and he takes a step back, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Uh, Ripred, I don't want to fight anymore.  I can't fight anymore." Gregor pleads, as the memories of the Bane fight start overwhelming his senses.

"Nonsense, boy.  You still have that rager inside you!  It's part of you, and it will always be part of you, whether you like it or not." 

Gregor shakes his head, more vigorously ever second.  

"No.  I won't, I can't!"  Gregor pleads once more.

"Then you'll die out there."  And with that, Ripred sulks into the shadows, leaving Gregor an emotional wreck.

He calls Nike to take him back to Regalia, taking one more glance back to where Ripred had been, a thousand thoughts circling through his mind.

*Time Skip*

Gregor sat on his bed, staring emptily at the ceiling, when Luxa entered.  Her face instantly contorted to confusion, then concern at the sight of Gregor looking like he was about to do something rash.

"Gregor, is everything alright?" She asks, sitting on the edge of the bed, tilting her head to the right, her lip quivering slightly in concern.

Gregor sits up, and scoots next to her, lying his head on her shoulder.

"Lux, will I die if I don't want to fight?  I just... I can't fight.  Not with the memory of Ares.  Of the wars and battels, we had to fight." 

Luxa sighs, and kisses his temple, before taking a moment to think of a response.

"Gregor, I know how you feel.  But whoever told you that you will die if you do not fight, was wrong.  Just because you cannot physically or mentally fight, does not mean you are dead.  I, and the rest of Regalia will stand by your side and protect you no matter what."

Gregor looks up at her with a smile.

"Thank you.  I don't know what I would do without you."  Luxa rolls her eyes and stands up, brushing off her robes.

"Unfortunately, I do have a meeting to go to, so I will be away for a while.  Though, I will see you tonight."

Gregor nods, and as soon as she leaves the room, he falls back on the bed with a sigh.

As encouraging as Luxa's words were, he still had doubt whether or not he could make it in the war without fighting.

It was all too much, but nothing a good nap couldn't handle.  And with that, he hit the hay almost instantly after closing if eyes.

*Time Skip*

After waking up, Gregor decided to go for a walk around the halls, where he saw Nerissa sitting in a chair, blatantly staring out in space.

"Nerissa, are you okay?" Her head snapped up, and Gregor almost did a one-eighty to the nearest exit.

"Gregor?  Oh yes, I fare well, Overlander."  He nodded slowly, his leg bouncing towards the opposite direction.

Her hair was scraggly, and her eyes were almost bloodshot.  She looked like she'd gone mad.  Her usual silky robes were torn around the bottom, and had dirt smudges every now and then.

"I must go, though, enjoy the rest of your day, Gregor."  And with that, Nerissa stood up and walked away. 

 Even though she was now out of the room, Gregor's legs still made him back up, screaming at him to run away from Luxa's cousin.

Gregor felt a hand on his shoulder and nearly got whiplash turning around.  In front of him stood Howard.  And if Gregor wasn't scared before, he definitely was now.

Howard disliked anything that had to do with Gregor and Luxa's relationship, and even a few years ago, before Gregor had left the Underland and before him and Luxa had gotten together, Howard was already annoyed with their flirting and 'dates'.

"Gregor, we must talk."  Gregor took a step back, and prepared himself for whatever lecture about dating his cousin would come out of Howard's mouth.

"I know I cannot convince you nor Luxa to not be together, though I must advise you be careful.  Though, yes, you are the Warrior, there are many who believe you a threat, and may see you as manipulating Luxa."

Gregor's eyes widened, not at the information, but at the fact that Howard was giving into the fact that Gregor and Luxa wouldn't be breaking up any time soon.

"Thank you, Howard.  And I promise, I'd never hurt Luxa.  I'll protect her til the day I die."  Howard nods, and a small, almost genuine smile appears on the corner of his face.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, as a guard rushes in, almost frantic.  Gregor sees a few other guards sprinting through the connecting halls, all heading towards various parts of the castle, in a hurry.

"The council meeting was attacked by the rebel gnawers.  They took the queen."

Stay tuned! You're welcome btw for that wonderful ending :D