"You will practice everyday! You may not master it, but you will improve!"
Those words had been ringing in Gregor's head and dreams for so long. It was funny, they were Ripred's words. Usually Gregor tuned the big rat out when he talked. Usually. Why did those words pound in his head? They were coming from an ill-tempered, grouchy, stubborn rat that...that Gregor admired. True they argued some, well alot, but Ripred made Gregor feel secure. And in the four months that Gregor had been in the Overland - New York City, he had caught a sense of loneliness. He didn't know why. His dad was home. His mom, Boots, Lizzie. Alone? What a word to describe his current situation...
It didn't matter anymore. The Underland was history. School was the main goal here. Gregor had missed alot of shool. He often worried about his two best friends, Angelina and Larry. How could he explain his absences to them? To his teachers? There were alot of things Gregor's family couldn't afford...and questions was at the top of the list. He couldn't just walk up to them and say, "Oh guys sorry I've been gone so long. But I had to fight. A big white rat at that! I got to kill him and everything. Cool right?" Gregor moaned. He didn't want to go to school. But the laundry wasn't so bad. He just wanted to see -
"Overlander. Can you here me?"
He opened his mouth to say something, but the voice purred alittle louder.
"It's me Overlander. I've returned."
Gregor sighed in relief. He had waited so long. He wanted do badly an excuse not to go to school today. And here it was. In all it's black and white glory. Life was great...sometimes.
"Nike? Is that you?"
"Yes. May I speak with you? It is urgent. Well sort've."
Heck yes she could speak with him! The hot and cramped apartment was becoming too much for him. Claustrophobic. Big time. Oh well, it didn't matter now that Nike was - wait. Urgent? Sort've? Nothing in the Underland was "sort've" anything. Everything was serious. Well all the time really.
"Sure, what's up?"
"Well, I'll try to explain on the way...to uh...well...Gregor -"
Gregor could tell by her tone what was going on. And if Boots and Lizzie weren't in the living room, he would've screamed. The Underland! That's where he was going. He could see his friends down there! Even the ones he didn't like. Gregor was lost in his own autocosm when Nike's voice rose in nervousness.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Gregor. But we must go to Regalia..."
"Nope! Fine with me. Lead the way" Gregor practically sang.
Nike was dazed at Gregor's eagerness. But nevertheless, she prepared to disembark. As Gregor climbed on Nike's back, a rush of anguish crept over his heart and mind. And he knew what it was...Ares. He missed Ares. Why did he have to die? 'The Prophecy of Time' said only the ominous Bane, should die, along with the warrior. It was just unfair! Maybe...maybe he'd find a bat just like Ares...Or not.
To Gregor's relief, they bolted down the grate's entrance. He could finally see everyone.
After flying in the loud silence, Gregor piped up.
"So, Nike, how have you been?"
Not well, Overlander, not well at all." Nike almost whispered.
"Wait, wait. Let me guess, the Gnawers are at it again with the Nibblers, right? Or the Underlanders? Both?" Gregor asked.
"Oh no Overlander. A new terror arrives. Two terrors actually."
"Are they Gnawers?"
"No, well I'm not sure. You may want to ask Vikus."
Ask Vikus? Yeah, he needed to talk to him anyway...About something else. Dying for more info, Gregor spoke again.
"Is there a quest? And if there is, are you going?" Gregor really wanted someone nice like Nike to look after him. Since...Ares was gone...
"I doubt it Overlander. My mother Queen Athena - you've met her - did not recieve one word of any of my travels with you on the last quests. She has, how do you Overlanders say it? Placed me under 'house arrest.'"
House arrest. That was stupid her being a Flier and all. "But you can fly. Can't you just fly away? You seem old enough to make your own decisions. What's the reason?"
"Pandora. Remember Pandora? Howard informed me of how her light was extinguished. My mother got the word, and in fear of loosing me...like Howard with Pandora...she has made it impossible to escape the palace. "Please understand, my mother wishes not to offend you. She just doesn't want to lose me...like she lost...Zeus."
Pandora. Yeah Gregor remebered Pandora. She had attended the quest to find the Bane. Hungry, she saw a near by island in one of the uncharted places in a big ocean, the Waterway. Ignorig warnings from Howard and Gregor himself, Pandora went to check it out. She pressed on, and upon arriving at the island, mites - millions of them - attacked Pandora. Her rusty red fur turned white. Why? Because the mites were stripping her down to the bone. He remenbered how - Zeus? Who was Zeus?
"Uh, Zeus. Your mate?" Gregor asked.
"Zeus was my father. My loving father."
"Was?"
"He was killed by Gnawers. I was only 12. He died protecting me and my mother. He loved me alot, and my mother. I love him so, he is watching over me." Nike's voice cracked.
He could tell Nike was heartbroken...
...So he left it at that...
Finally the stone walls of Regalia were in clear view. Underlander saw and waved, some shouted hi. Gregor just smiled back, they respected him! But, who would he see first? Luxa? She was probably in the castle. Mareth? He could be training. Hazard? Tutoring, most definately. He'd find him later. Besides, Gregor had promised he would take Hazard on the next quest. He planned to keep that promise.
In all honesty though, Gregor just wanted to see Ripred.
"I will drop you off at the docks. Vikus awaits for you."
"So, you're not gonna come on the quest?"
"I-I will try...Not sure though" Nike was once again nervous. She was staring at a black shadow. Black figure. It looked huge. What or who was it? It was perched on a railing...
"Fly you high, Nike. And be safe." Gregor said.
"Fly you high Gregor. Make sure to save - " That's when Nike froze. Had she said something wrong? She straightened herself up again. "U-um, never mind. Goodbye Overlander..."
"Wait Nike! Save who?!" Gregor yelled, Nike ignored him and flew off. Thankfully, a familiar voice could be heard.
"Ah, Overlander! Greetings!" It was Vikus.
"Hey, Vikus. It's been a long time." Gregor rushed into Vikus's bear hug.
"Yes. 4 months according to Overland time." Vikus sounded diferent. Relaxed maybe?
"So what'cha need me to do? Fight rats? Find a cure? Oh oh! I know, a new prophecy!" Gregor ventured.
"Nike did not tell you?"
"No."
"Well, I'm afraid I'm up to my ears in military matters. So unfortunately, I cannot tell you here. But perhaps, if she is not too busy, Nerissa can inform you."
Nerissa. Henry's sister. Fragile, thin, Nerissa. Ever since her parents were killed, she became weak. And he guessed the death of Henry hadn't helped her situation any.
"Um, where would she be?"
"The Room of Prophecies." Vikus explained.
"Right. And what about you?"
"While you converse with Nerissa, I shall be loading the boats. When you're done, I shall introduce you to some new faces." Vikus seemed truthful.
"Thanks."
"Um, Nerissa, you in here? It's me Gregor."
"I am here. I'm sitting at the table."
Gregor hated being suprised. Her voice sounded hollow. Her eyes looked hollow. She was emaciated. As usual. She was sitting in a chair. Writing a new prophecy. Probably.
"Won't you sit?" She looked better than last time.
As he sat down, she tenced up and hid the scroll.
"I am aware that you have probably been informed by Vikus of what lays ahead."
"Yeah, war probably. Vikus wouldn't tell me but I have an idea. I guess I have to fight another rat? I'm ready this time." Gregor's head was probably about to explose from his swelling ego.
"War? Oh no, Gregor. You will not be participating in the war. You're running away from it. At least until you're rescue mission is over." Nerissa's muscles were tense.
"Rescue mission? What rescue mission? Vikus never said anything about rescue!"
"So you don't know?" Nerissa questioned.
"No...Who am I rescuing? Oh no...Luxa?" Gregor was dying to know now.
"Not Luxa. She is distraught as you are..."
"Why?!"
"Because the one who is missing is her bond..." The last word was a big slap in the face.
"...Ripred..."
