Gregor and the Prophecy of Destruction - a Gregor the Overlander fanfiction

Chapter 10

Watching Andromeda die had been devastating for Gregor. Nothing reminded him more of Ares than to see another bat get their neck torn off.

It was obvious that Nike was filled with overwhelming sadness. She sobbed silently as she flew with Howard on her back. Howard was stroking her fur and whispering soothing words to her.

Ripred was quiet, too. The rat would never show it, but Gregor thought he must be upset about Andromeda's death.

Gregor just couldn't stop thinking about Ares. How he'd flown in closer to the Bane to allow Gregor to stab him. He put himself in danger for Gregor. Gregor knew that Ares was the real hero... he could even be considered the real warrior. Without knowing it, Andromeda had carried on his legacy.

Suddenly, a thought hit Gregor like a ton of bricks: Mareth. Mareth would be devastated. He and Andromeda were bonds when Gregor first came down to the Underland - almost two years ago. Gregor didn't know how long they'd been bonded, but the pair had always been especially close. When Andromeda was a victim of the deadly plague, Mareth hardly ever left her side. And when Mareth lost his leg, Andromeda was always there for him.

Gregor sighed. He could just imagine the distressed look on Mareth's face. And... the anger. Gregor doubted Mareth even knew about the journey. Ripred had made sure to keep it a secret - he made that very clear. Gregor didn't think Mareth would have ever let Andromeda go by herself.

A tear rolled down his cheek. Mareth had been through so much. He was a fighter - a Warrior. And because of Gregor's stupidity, he'd lost his leg and his ability to truly fight. And then, Andromeda had gotten the plague. But the worst of all must have been getting captured by the gnawers... the torture... the panic... the sleepless nights... the endless pain...

And now Andromeda was dead.

"This is all my fault," Nike said out loud.

"No, Nike, this isn't your fault. Do not put this on yourself," Howard responded.

"I could have saved her," Nike wept. "She was my best friend."

Howard nodded. "I know. But you chose to save me. I am your bond."

"I did not choose to save you," Nike admitted. "I could not let you die. I would have abandoned my bond, and would have faced the same discrimination as Ares. I don't think I could live like that."

Howard was silent, taking in this new information. He continued stroking Nike's fur as he comforted her.

"I never thought I would be faced with the choice between you two," Nike said sadly. "When you are faced with a split second decision like that... between life and death..."

She stopped talking shortly after she started. Gregor didn't know what to say, let alone what to do. He was sitting on her back, and could feel the sobs inside of her.

They flew through the air, not saying much. Ripred followed behind them on the ground and stayed quiet, too. There was nothing any of them could do to make Nike feel better.

After a few minutes, Gregor spoke. "Where are we going, anyway?"

"I was wondering when you would ask," Ripred responded. "While you were gone, they were busy building up a secret city. But our inside man found it."

"Who is our inside man?" Gregor asked.

"I can't say it here," Ripred replied. "The rats have gotten more clever over time. They have spies hidden everywhere, just waiting to jump on us."

Gregor suddenly felt uneasy about the darkness of the cave, despite his echolocation.

"So, be careful, and be prepared," Ripred said, as if reading Gregor's mind. "Always."

"W-well... how close are we?" Gregor wanted to know. "We've been traveling for a while."

"We should be there in half an hour," Ripred told him. "It's not much further."

Howard sighed. "How are we going to tell Mareth?"

"You should tell him, Gregor," Ripred said after a pause. "You're closest with him."

"What? No!" Gregor yelled. "I... I can't tell him! You tell him!"

"I don't think that would go very well," Ripred argued. "He and I aren't that close, if you haven't noticed."

"No, I haven't," Gregor responded, "because I hardly ever see you two together."

Ripred looked up at Gregor.

"Oh... yeah, you win," Gregor admitted. "But how am I supposed to break the news to him?"

"Gregor, you're upsetting Nike," Howard whispered to him. Gregor realized that Howard was right - Nike was shaking with silent sobs again. They were starting to get more forceful.

"I'm sorry," Gregor apologized. "We'll talk about it later."

"Hey, by the way..." Ripred said. "When's the last time you raged? I mean before you came down here."

Gregor shrugged. "Probably when I fought the Bane last time. Why?"

"You know why," Ripred told him. "Gregor, I know this from personal experience. There was a point in my life where I never wanted to rage again. The first time I raged after that, I couldn't control myself. I know that's happening to you, too."

Gregor rolled his eyes. "Shut up. You don't know anything."

"You know I'm right," Ripred replied. "I was going to train with you today before..."

"Let's just go get her," Gregor said, gritting his teeth. "I can't wait any longer."

"I'm just saying to be careful," Ripred advised him. "It can be really hard to control yourself, especially if you're fighting for someone you love."

Gregor didn't reply. He knew Ripred was right. But he would never admit it - it would go straight to his head. The rat had a big enough ego, anyway.

A little while later, Ripred stopped and motioned for Nike to land. She did, and Gregor and Howard got off her back.

"We're here," Ripred said. "Follow me."

"Have you been here before?" Gregor asked.

"Yes. Once. Now shut up. We can't get caught."

Gregor looked around. They were in a dark cave. Gregor clucked his tongue and used his echolocation. The floor was filled with rocks - it was nearly impossible to walk on without twisting an ankle. Luckily, Gregor had been on quite a few quests and was mostly used to it by now.

Ripred nudged a large rock with his nose. It rolled over and fell. Gregor looked down and saw a big hole - at least big enough for all of them to fit.

"Nike, you go first. Catch us," Ripred ordered. "It's safer that way."

Nike nodded and slowly descended into the hole. Gregor and Howard jumped onto her back. She dropped them off before catching Ripred. She groaned under his weight.

"Sorry, Princess," Ripred whispered. He quickly got off her back. "This way."

They followed Ripred through a dark tunnel. Suddenly, he stopped and gasped in surprise. When Gregor saw it, he nearly screamed in shock and fear.

A familiar-looking white rat was staring down at them.