~ GREGOR

The last two weeks of Gregor's schooling career went by in a flash. Fortunately, his rager side brought no further incidents. He felt confident his grades would be acceptable, although he didn't plan on staying around to find out for sure.

Having packed what he needed, which was relatively little, he lay his bag by the front door and set off in search of his sisters. He found both sitting on Lizzie's bed, doodling in a scrapbook Gregor had bought her a while back for her birthday. It seemed to calm her down, to draw patterns of geometric shapes and what not. She had always loved the pictures that seemed to invert the dimensions, changing as you shift your gaze or tilt your head. Now, however, she drew Ripred to the best of her abilities. Only a vague memory of the rat lingered in her brain; she couldn't even remember the obvious scar that ran across his face.

"Hi, Boots. Hi, Lizzie."

"Hey Greg," they piped up, only Boots looked up from the book before continuing on her own drawing.

"What ya got there?"

"Just a doodle. It's terrible, isn't it?" Lizzie replied.

"Is not," Gregor said. He paused for a second. "Listen, remember how a couple weeks ago I covered for you when you broke the plate?"

"Yeah..." Lizzie began, looking up now, trying not to relive the moment.

"I need you to return the favor."

"Yeah..." they both said. Boots looked up again from her drawing and gave him a questioning look. She could always tell when he was up to something. It must've been some mischievous part of her nine-year-old brain that could sense he was forming an intricate lie. He hoped that wasn't the case.

"Don't let mom and dad stress too much. I'll be fine, you know that. I know mom's worried."

"Where are you going again?" Boots asked innocently.

"Err... The school is sending me out on a... A kind of study trip... remember?"

"Oh yeah, like mom said."

"So late in the year?" Lizzie asked.

"Yeah, they told me it's because they want to help me for when I go to university." That seemed to convince them, because they both instinctively nodded. Gregor moved closer to them and gave them a squeezing embrace. "I'll be back. I don't know when, but I will. I love you two." Gregor's eyes started to well up with tears, as did Lizzie's.

"I love you," Boots said, followed by Lizzie.

"See you soon!" Gregor stood up and walked out of the room. His stomach hurt at the thought. When was soon? If ever? His dad was waiting outside the door for him.

"Ready?" His dad asked.

"Ready," he replied firmly, gaining what composure he had lost. His dad led him outside to the red, rusty Ford truck; Gregor threw his backpack in the trunk and rushed back inside, wanting to say goodbye to his mom.

Gregor left his house with tears in his eyes but was more confident than ever that he was doing the right thing. He climbed into his dad's car, his dad shifted it into gear, and they traveled down the lonely gravel road towards the airport.

It was getting late, the traffic was thinning, and the airport loomed closer and closer. Gregor knew he could ask his dad to turn around at any time, but he knew his best shot was miles away. Deep under the sparkling lights of New York City.

****

After landing at the terminal, Gregor's dad had hailed at taxi. Paying the driver as he pulled up alongside Central Park, Gregor and his father located where the entrance to the Underland was. Hidden in a grove of trees was a hole covered by a huge boulder. Gregor stood for a whole minute just looking at it, hands in his pockets. Finally, he turned to look at his father.

"I guess this is goodbye," Gregor said to his dad as he stepped up onto the sidewalk.

"I'm following you in, just until I know you're safe."

"Dad, you know I'll be. Besides, it'll only be more dangerous for you to come with me."

His dad smiled, knowing he would only be a liability if caught in a battle. He didn't seem to mind, as long as he got to spend as much time as possible with his son before he left.

Gregor's frown deepened as he realized he didn't know when he would see his family again. In the fall? At Christmastime? A year from now? Or... never? A fog of doubt shifted over Gregor; he was unsure of how he was to make it to Regalia. On the other hand, something in his gut told him he would be ok. That he would be found.

"I love you," his dad whispered, and pulled him into an embrace.

"I love you too," Gregor said with the air being squeezed out of his lungs.

"Do you need help moving the rock?"

Gregor gladly accepted. With his dad's aid, the slab slid out of place relatively easily. Gregor took a look into the darkness below. The light that streamed in from the opening would soon be gone, and Gregor would be plunged into total darkness. He was thankful for his ability to "see" by using echolocation. Luckily, his years spent in Virginia did not diminish his special ability. Gregor cautiously walked down the stairs, the hustle and bustle of New York slowly fading away. Of course, he had packed a few flashlights and batteries, but he didn't bother getting them out. He could see just fine.

He turned around to give a final wave to his dad. "Tell the girls I'll be back sometime, would you?"

His dad only gave a sad smile, as if afraid he might break down if he used his voice. He started to move the boulder back into place, leaving Gregor in the ever-growing darkness.

Gregor soon reached the bottom, his eyesight already useless. He relied solely on his echolocation. Footsteps echoing off the tunnel walls, Gregor continued in the direction he remembered led to Regalia.

A rat popped his head out into Gregor's line of sight. Startled, Gregor's first reaction was to throw a fist towards his attacker. The rat's front paw flinched, digging a claw into Gregor's forearm. The pain he felt and the realization of danger plunged Gregor deep into his rager sense. His vision fractured around him and helped him focus on only what mattered, and Gregor began hurling attacks at his enemy. The rat, now without the element of surprise, dodged the blows without much trouble. As fast as Gregor was, the rat was faster. He dodged him at every turn, even when Gregor thought he was being unpredictable. However, none of this mattered to Gregor, who continued to swing every available limb in precise movements at any weak spot he supposedly saw in the rat's flawless defense.

"Gregor!" The rat whispered fearfully, ducking as a fist flew over his head. "Gregor, it's me!" He whispered again, without reaction. Seeing no other choice, the rat lashed at Gregor's chest, making Gregor recoil and lose his balance. The attack was a decoy, making way for the tail that now struck Gregor on his chest. He fell back and landed hard with a sharp cry; the rat lunged over him and covered his mouth with his paw, pinning him down with the rest of his massive body.

"Easy boy," he whispered to a still struggling Gregor.

Still immersed in his rager abilities, Gregor lashed at the rat with any freedom he could pry from his iron grip. Gregor came to realize the rat wasn't trying to fight him anymore. He was standing perfectly still on his chest. Gregor had to take larger breaths underneath all the weight. There was something strange about the rat's face, but it was hard for Gregor to tell features exactly without his normal vision. An imprint on his eye... in the shape of an 'X.' Gregor was starting to calm down. He stopped thrashing.

"Ripred," Gregor said shakily. "We need to talk."

"Now may not be the best of times, boy. Lower your voice, we are in the cutter's territory."

Gregor's eyes widened in disbelief; the rat lifted himself off Gregor. "What? How?" The last Gregor heard of the cutters, they had destroyed the Starshade, hoping to put an end to all the warmbloods in the Underland.

"It will all be explained later," Ripred said impatiently. He cantered off into the darkness, followed less than eagerly by Gregor. Up ahead, he could see the wavering light of a torch. As they turned a corner, he saw her. Hunched next to a sleeping Aurora in the corner of a huge cavern, Gregor almost didn't recognize the young woman. With pale skin and long silver hair, he stared into her violet eyes as she slowly turned and then stood, torch in hand. The beautiful lady had a distant look, as if she were gazing through Gregor, as though peering deep into his thoughts. As he stood there watching her, it seemed as though movement suddenly seemed impossible.

"Stop being a wallflower, greet her," urged Ripred. Although he spoke in a hushed voice, the sound still echoed through the huge chamber. Through echolocation, Gregor noticed many things about the cavern that weren't illuminated by the torch. He wanted more than anything to believe there were many rocks strewn on the floor, but Gregor knew they were surrounded by bones.

He snapped back into reality, focusing on his first priority. It was his first time seeing Luxa in six years, and Gregor took the first stride of his seemingly hundred-mile journey towards her. What's my plan? He thought. Those words were reminiscent of the battles he and Ripred had fought through. He honestly had no idea. The insurmountable barrier in his mind melted away as he stood closer to his boyhood love.

"Hey," he said softly. No reply came from Luxa; no external reaction was visible either.

"Hey, Luxa?" He said again, feeling completely exposed in front of Ripred, who seemed to always see through his defenses.

"Greetings, Overlander," she said, completely void of emotion.

"Long time no see. How've you been?" He questioned with draining enthusiasm. In the torchlight, Gregor noticed how much Luxa had changed. She seemed more responsible and distant... it was hard to see the mischievous glint in her eyes. It was as if she was wearing a mask.

"I have been many things as of late, but here is not a great place for conversation. We should be on our way." She got down on the ground again to wake her bond.

Gregor turned around to Ripred, who was purposely looking away, not wanting to intervene with the strained reunion.

"What's wrong? You seem..." Gregor couldn't find the words, but he knew this wasn't the reaction he had been expecting.

"There is nothing wrong," she said shortly. "Now can we be on our way?" She still revealed no emotion, not even the usual rebellious sarcasm that was almost always in her voice.

"Tell me, please. I've said something? I haven't said something? I'm not moving an inch until you tell me," Gregor said softly. He wanted more than anything for Luxa to stand and hug him, showing she was glad to see him just as much as he was glad to see her.

"What is wrong is we could be attacked by the utters at any moment until I get a rebellious Overlander to do as I say. Unless you prefer your light to be smothered by a horde of cutters looking for us at this very moment, I recommend you take my word as the truth and move on," she snapped, standing and twirling in the same movement and holding the torch a little too close for Gregor's liking.

Gregor turned around, heart aching and mind racing. He automatically reached up and pulled at the sides of his hair. He must have had a hurt expression on his face, and although Ripred was now watching him, he said nothing. Luxa was already on Aurora's back; the bat had awoken, unbeknownst to Gregor, in the middle of their conversation. He turned back around and apprehensively climbed onto the golden bat behind Luxa. With a powerful stroke of her wings, the bat was soon flying, Ripred following right behind. The journey was just as silent as heartbreaking. What happened to Luxa that so drained her of emotion? The answer was beyond Gregor's knowledge, part of him didn't want to know. Part of him wanted just to fix his rager problems, however long that might take, and leave right after. All the bad memories came rushing in, all the death, the sadness, and most of all, Ares. He would never forget his bond. Gregor tried, half successfully, to shove those thoughts into the farthest, darkest corner of his subconscious. This only made room for more recent ordeals; why had Luxa reacted the way she had? Had he done something wrong?

The bat raced down the narrow pathways, Gregor oblivious to everything around him.

Was she angry because he had left those great many years ago? He couldn't stop himself, could he? He was only thirteen, how could he make that decision? Could he have? If he could have, would he have?

All those thoughts melted away as the outer boundary of Regalia came into view. He had never forgotten what the beautiful underground city looked like – ornately carved buildings, torch light filling the busy streets, the huge fort-like appearance of the palace near the center.

As they neared the heart of the city, Gregor started to hear cries from below.

"Look! With the Queen!"

"I hardly believe it!"

"It can't be... can it?"

"Huzzah! The warrior has returned!"

"Ho! Queen Luxa has brought back the warrior!"

"What shall the Queen do now?"

"Warrior! Will you help us?"

"Are you here to stay? We need you!"

As more and more citizens learned of his presence, the more desperate the cries became. A rock fell in Gregor's stomach. The Underlanders were looking towards him, yet again, as a beacon of hope. They needed guidance... little did they know that Gregor was there for the same reason!

People began to run towards the palace, and fliers surrounded them on all sides. Humans atop their bonds tried to reach out to Aurora, shouting at Gregor. It wasn't soon after that guards from the palace moved in place alongside of them, clearing a way for Aurora to safely get to the High Hall.

Once they landed safely, Luxa sprung off her bond's back. Aurora practically took off again before Gregor had the chance to dismount. Luxa was walking stiffly and briskly towards the closest hall, servants and guards approaching her from left and right. They seemed just as riled up about Gregor's appearance as the citizens they had passed through the city.

"Luxa, wait!" Gregor called. He had to jog to catch up with her.

"I want anyone who is not personnel to vacate the top three floors of the palace," she instructed someone.

"Please, can't we talk?" Gregor tried to put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged him off.

"I need all available guards around the palace for crowd control," she ordered someone else.

"Vikus... Later, please," Luxa begged her grandfather as she passed him.

Gregor gasped and looked at the old man. It was great to see him! "Vikus!" He called. He jogged over and gave him a quick hug. Luxa didn't stop to wait for him. "I'm gonna have to talk to you later." Gregor pulled away and followed Luxa down the hall. "I'm sorry!"

"Luxa? Luxa!" He called. She made no attempt to acknowledge him. He finally had enough of her silence. Grabbing onto her upper arm, he pulled her into a small room on the side of the hallway.

"You can't keep pretending I'm not here. Luxa, please! Talk to me!"

She yanked her arm out of his grasp, a look of indignation on her face. Although it wasn't the look he was hoping Luxa would give him, he was glad she wasn't still looking at him nonchalantly... or not looking at him at all.

"You would like me to talk?" She yelled. "Very well then! I've got another war on my hands. I have an arena full of stingers that I have to accommodate. I have spinner refugees who have no homes." Gregor stood there patiently, deciding to let her continue screaming in his face. It was far better than not having her talk to him at all. "There is a group of rebels who wish to assassinate me. I've had countless trials and meetings and battles to attend. And on top of all that, I have to pacify the citizens of Regalia who have seen you return!" As she took a breath to finish her speech, Gregor saw tears collect in her eyes. Her voice started to get tight. "How dare you approach me as if the entire world is at peace and ask what is wrong!" She broke down and started to cry, tears flowing down her cheeks. Through her sobs, she choked out, "Everything is wrong!"

Gregor's heart ached to see Luxa in such a state. She was an extremely strong girl, Gregor remembered, and it took quite a bit to get her to a point like this. In fact, Gregor had never seen Luxa cry. He did the only thing that felt right to do; he stepped forward and enveloped Luxa in his arms. It took several seconds for her to register how to react. Slowly, she pulled her arms from her sides and around Gregor's back. She continued to cry on his shoulder.

"I'lltry my best to help make things right," Gregor promised quietly, pressinghis cheek against her hair. "I'm here now, Luxa. You don't have to do thisalone anymore."