Between the assembly of shocked and dire faces, Gregor's gaze was only on the trembling shape of Dalia – a young servant he had been introduced to on his first visit here and whose job he had not entirely understood. All he knew was it had something to do with taking care of Stellovet. Gregor blinked, he almost thought "babysitter", then again, Stellovet had to be at least fourteen, so he figured she wouldn't need anything along the lines.

A part of him wished to ask why she was being restrained by guards, but he dared not interrupt. For a second, his eyes darted over to Luxa next to him, then back, before she could notice it.

And the trip had started so well, he thought, suddenly glad he had left Boots with his mother in Regalia. Something she had referred to as "the Cascades", Luxa had meant to show him. It had supposed to be a weekend trip to the Fount – his dad had even given him the much too expensive yet water- and pressure-proof flashlight he had recently bought for Underland-related emergencies. May it serve you well, he had smiled, and don't lose it! You know it cost a fortune. Then again, with what place you have chosen as your go-to hangout spot, in recent times, it is a fair investment, I'd say.

Gregor swallowed and glanced over the assembly of York and Susannah, Howard, his younger siblings whose names Gregor could never remember – only that the youngest girl's name still reminded him of chimney. And then Luxa and the Death Rider with Thanatos, next to Dalia, restrained by a pair of guards, each more than a head taller than she.

Gregor took in the loaded scene and thought back to yesterday. They had meant to travel to those ominous cascades first thing in the morning, yet had been forced to cancel when the shrill sound of the alarm bell had disrupted their preparations.

"Alright, we have all assembled. Now reiterate." York's grave voice cut the silence. Dalia visibly swallowed and gazed around, at Gregor and Luxa, then at York's and Susannah's family, and finally at the Death Rider.

"Speak, for goodness sake!", York cried when she did not instantly respond and Gregor winced together with Dalia. His jaw clenched with discomfort.

"They... they came out of nowhere", she at last muttered and twitched in the grasp of the guards. "They were... were three gnawers, and they had us surrounded in heartbeats. Tristan and Orin – I mean, the guards you sent with us, were dead in seconds."

Gregor nervously twitched on his seat. He had no idea why they all had been summoned here now – the alarm bell had not rung since yesterday morning. Then, nobody had explained why, but York had ordered him and Luxa to stay in the residence, there had been an "incident", as he had phrased it. He had not even allowed them to make the trip back to Regalia prematurely, as Gregor had suggested. And now – more than a day later, they had been summoned here, to, as Gregor hoped, finally get some answers.

Perhaps the delay had something to do with how the Death Rider and Thanatos were here now too. Though why York would even want them at this meeting, Gregor could not begin to imagine.

Dalia squinted. "One gnawer stepped forth at me, as the other two restrained Stellovet... and... and... dragged her off. She screamed, and twined, and fought, but..." Dalia's voice broke and she sobbed, "the... first one grabbed me and... and..." Unable to finish her sentence, she burst into tears. Gregor suspected had the guards not held her, she would have collapsed.

"Oh, release her, for goodness sake!" Howard suddenly jumped up from where he sat and shot a glare at the guards. "She has no fault in this, what was she to do? Fight off three grown gnawers by herself?"

York's head twitched. "To defend my daughter", he hissed, but under Howard's accusing stare, the guards released Dalia, who clung to Howard's arm like a lifeline. He gently directed her towards his own seat until she could sit down. "It is not your fault, Dalia", he placed his hand on hers soothingly. "Please speak on."

Dalia bit her lip and wiped at her face, then nodded. "He said they would send me back, to deliver a message to you", her glance darted up at York and Susannah, "and you as well, Your Highness. They... they said they knew you were here, and –"

"– and that she was supposed to warn us", York cut her off, apparently tired of waiting. "If we ever wanted to see our daughter again we are to send the Death Rider, as well as the Queen", he glanced at Luxa, "and the warrior", his eyes met Gregor, "to a –", he hesitated and furrowed his brows at Dalia, "did you say a... gnawer arena, somewhere at the outskirt of the Firelands?" The young woman nodded and York sighed. "If we instead alerted the army, the wretched beasts would murder my daughter within hours."

York's words were followed by a grave silence. Gregor heard his own heartbeat uncomfortably pungent and shivered. An... incident. Stellovet. Her face flashed before him and his gaze met Luxa, who had not taken her eyes off Dalia yet.

"He further said I should mention that...", the young woman finally dared speak again and looked at the Death Rider, "Longclaw sends his regards. For whatever that means to you."

"It means a lot", the outcast raised his voice for the first time and all eyes darted to him. "This guy, Longclaw, he's... an old friend of ours. A friend we should have taken care of long ago. Before he could drag all of you into our feud." He glimpsed at Luxa. "We... must apologize."

York furrowed his brows. He had his large arm around Susannah's uncharacteristically frail figure and when he now spoke, his voice had lost all aggression. "I have heard that name before... Longclaw. Was he not a general of Gorger's, whom the king banished for trying to usurp him?"

Gregor's eyes widened but before he could ask, the Death Rider nodded. "Yet seems exile has only made him stronger. Last time we met, a few months ago, he had a whole armada of followers. We incapacitated most of them when we collapsed that part of the cave system, but it seems like he has... regained his strength." He exchanged a glance with Thanatos, then looked at the floor. "I am certain he is out for the crown of the gnawers, as certain as I am he wants our heads on stakes in front of his new palace."

A brief moment of dire silence followed and to Gregor's surprise, it was Luxa who broke it. "You mean to say he kidnapped... my cousin", she cleared her throat, "to trap... you? Do you not find this a little far-fetched? Why does he not target you directly, if it is you he is after? Why would he take the detour through... my family?"

The Death Rider uncomfortably shifted. "I... I have no idea."

He exchanged another glance with Thanatos who shook his head. "Maybe he believes we are too elusive for a direct attack."

"Yes, and... I mean, how else would he lure us in?", the outcast nodded. "It's not like there are many things he could use against us. The few non-human friends we have are well-protected. And then there are you all, the – how Gregor so fittingly calls you – questers."

Luxa silently stared at him for a heartbeat, then she shrugged. "I suppose we will walk into his trap then. To save my... cousin."

"Under no circumstances!" Gregor winced at York's stern tone. The Death Rider frowned, yet Howard's father undauntedly continued – "By that I mean Queen Luxa and Gregor will under no circumstances walk into this trap."

To Gregor's surprise, the outcast nodded. "I agree. We can not endanger either of them needlessly, not when there is already a life on the line." He exchanged glances with Thanatos, "We will go, as this is also our chance to get Longclaw. The world will be better off without him."

"Do it for whatever reason you want, I will do it for my sister", a different voice suddenly spoke and all heads turned to Howard. He stepped forth and regarded the Death Rider, then his father. "I will come with you."

"Very well", York nodded and though he did not smile, Gregor had the strange feeling he had expected Howard to volunteer. "You will ensure the safe return of my daughter, and you", he turned to the Death Rider, "the elimination of Longclaw."

The two young men exchanged somewhat forced glances, then nodded in unison. "We will depart at once."

"Hold on", before the outcast could turn, Howard had his arm. "Where exactly are we going? You know the way?"

The Death Rider pondered, then nodded. "The arena... that is in the uncharted land east of the Firelands, I know my way around there fairly well. It's maybe two, three days if we fly." His gaze met Thanatos, "You can take the two of us by yourself, right?"

"Uncharted land...", Howard murmured and for a second, Gregor caught a hint of regret to have volunteered to follow the lead of an outcast into uncharted territory flash on his face, but he quickly regained his composure. "If that is what it will take to save my sister...", he sighed and turned, throwing a last glance back at his father who stared straight ahead.

"I wish to come with you, also."

Everyone winced when the quiet voice spoke above the murmur. And all eyes locked on the thin yet suddenly stern shape of Dalia who had stood up and gazed directly at Howard and the Death Rider.

At once, the guards were at her side again. "You are under arrest", York shook his head, but Howard cut him off – "Father, will she not be more useful helping to make right her mistake than to remain in the dungeon?"

He stepped at Dalia's side, whose expression had lost all fear and uncertainty to make way for determination. "I wish to make amends for not defending her then. I believe so is my right."

"Your –" Before York could speak, Howard beat him to it. "I agree. It is hereby settled." Under the unbelieving eyes of his father he guided her towards the Death Rider, "We all three will go – Death, can you handle it alone, still?"

"Certainly", the large bat with the skull face nodded, "and I agree with Howard. Any extra help is welcome, especially from someone who has seen our opponents."

"Well, we must consider our stealth too", the outcast mumbled and regarded Dalia. "I don't think that'll be a problem as long as it is just you, though." He threw his new party a glance, then sighed. "Come, let us plan a route, and then let us get this over with. The sooner, the better."

Before Gregor could bat an eye, the group had disassembled. York and Susannah had taken their children to their quarters, the outcast, Thanatos, and Howard left in brisk discussion over possible routes, and before he could address Luxa she had leaped up from her seat and dashed out of the room without even saying goodbye.

Gregor stood up himself and furrowed his brows, wondering how and when he had offended her this time. But before he could follow out of the room he heard uncertain shuffling behind him, then a quiet sob. Gregor spun around and in the same heartbeat remembered Dalia had not left with the others.

"I... I did not mean to startle you." She visibly quivered again. "Go along, after the others."

Yet Gregor remained where he was. "I'm sorry for how angry they were with you. I'm sure they were just upset over what happened, and not actually mad. I mean, there was no way you could fight three rats on your own." He shuddered at the sole thought, then remembered he, with his moody yet at least somewhat reliable rager talent, would most likely stand a good enough chance.

A glance back at Dalia confirmed she was holding back tears again. Despite the fact he had never exchanged more than a couple lines of small talk with her, a surge of sympathy hit him and he attempted an uplifting smile. "Hey, I'm sure you guys will succeed." He took a step closer and resisted the temptation to place a hand on her shoulder.

Only now he noticed the big, purple circles under her eyes and realized she wasn't just skinny, but outright emaciated. For her maybe nineteen or twenty years her features seemed much too mature, and it must have been a while since she had last smiled.

Before he could ponder on why she seemed so unwell, Dalia lowered her gaze. "Yes, I hope so", she wrung her hands. "If we do not succeed I will never forgive myself."

"I mean, why shouldn't you?" He attempted another encouraging smile and finally placed his hand on her shoulder.

She raised her head and he registered he was marginally taller than she. "I mean, I guess what I am saying is, I hope we can get close enough, without taking you or the Queen." Her gaze had turned down. "The gnawer who threatened us said we must bring you all three, the warrior, the Queen, and the Death Rider." Her eyes fluttered up. "Do you think they might kill Stellovet if they find we have come without you?"

Gregor swallowed an uprising lump in his throat. "The... the Death Rider said he knows his way around, and –"

"Of course!" Dalia took a step back and sniffed, then shook her head. "I mean, I would never expect someone so important as the two of you to risk your lives, especially with enough capable forces on their way." She stood a little taller and dusted off her dress, yet still did not look him in the eye. "I should not even be saying this", she muttered and wrung her hands more aggressively. "I must ask for forgiveness, I should not be so forthright when –"

"No!", Gregor cried and Dalia winced. "No", he repeated more gently and took another step towards her. "Don't apologize!" He opened his mouth to assure her the concern had been perfectly valid, but then closed it again. His mind flashed back to the few times he had even met Stellovet, and his jaw clenched at the memory of their first encounter, some year ago. Of her nasty joke about Henry, and of how much he had wished to never see her again.

But then his eyes darted back to Dalia's trembling shape, saw the sunken shoulders of the so warm and friendly Susannah, the clenched jaw of York, Howard's huddled-together younger siblings... and the lump in his throat grew until he could not swallow it anymore.

"Just because we are considered special by some, that doesn't make our lives worth more than anyone else's", he muttered and Dalia looked up. "You..."

Gregor shook his head. "Listen, I'll think on this, okay? But don't worry. Even if we don't end up going, I'm sure you guys can pull this off without the rats noticing." He grinned, "You know what, in doubt, they could dress you up as Luxa, and Howard as me. With how overconfident those rats sound, they won't ever know the difference!"

Dalia stared at him with a widened eye for a moment before she managed a smile. "That... might be crazy enough to work."

"So what you are saying is... you think we should go with them?"

Gregor barely held Luxa's gaze and shrugged. "Not necessarily, I just –"

"It is exactly what you are saying!" She turned from him and stepped towards the window to glance down.

Gregor attempted for the hundredth time, yet could still not swallow the lump in his throat. After his conversation with Dalia, he had gone straight back to the guest quarters, where both he and she had been staying. He had to think. More than anything he had wanted to talk to Ares about all this, but he and Aurora had requested permission to accompany the fishermen this morning, to gain insight into their work, and not returned yet.

So Gregor had spent the next few hours alone, sliding back and forth on the large windowsill he had taken to sitting on, and when Luxa had finally come back from wherever she had disappeared to, he had at last gotten himself to admit what he thought he had to do... what they had to do.

He joined her by the window and spotted the three figures at the main gate, preparing for departure. The Death Rider received a hamper of what Gregor thought had to be supplies and loaded it on Thanatos' back. Both Howard and even Dalia carried backpacks now, and the young woman had changed into a long shirt and a pair of pants, from the dress she had worn earlier. Around her bony shoulders, she had draped a short cape and her waist-long, thin hair was tied back in a tight braid.

"But what if Dalia was right?"

Luxa ignored him. Her eyes were fixated on the scene below. Gregor caught sight of Howard now rummaging through a medical kit and exchanging a few words with a servant who then disappeared back into the mansion.

Right. Gregor smiled. He had told Gregor's mom he had decided he wanted to become a doctor. Maybe you'll be a doctor too, someday, he recalled her words, and how he had only shifted uncomfortably in response. He had not even remotely considered what he wanted to be when he grew up. He always felt like he already had a job – warrior.

His eyes hovered on Howard for a second longer. He now took something from the servant who had gone back into the residence earlier and stored it in the medical kit – well, at least he had discovered his true calling. "I mean, what if she really ends up dying because we didn't go with them?"

Luxa still didn't respond, though her jaw was visibly clenched.

"I know you don't like her", he agitatedly tugged at the seam of his long sleeve, "but isn't she still... like... your family?"

"Not all family is good family, Gregor", Luxa twitched around to him and Gregor groaned. But before he could speak, she interrupted him again. This time she sounded dejected. "I know. It is an awful thing of me to say, and I know you are right", she squeezed her eyes shut. "But I..."

She broke off without finishing her sentence. Her hand darted up to finger the golden crown she still wore and Gregor sensed a wave of shame. "Look, I didn't mean to make you feel like –"

"It's alright", she shook her head. "And I know you're justified to fear this mission will not succeed without us." She looked back up at him. "I am all but surprised to find you advocating for embarking on a potentially dangerous trip."

Had the situation not been so dire, Gregor would have laughed. "It is a bit funny, isn't it?" Then he grew serious again. "But if Dalia ends up being right, if Stellovet dies because we decided to sit around here and have others do our work – will you be able to live with that? Because the more I think about it, the less I feel like I will."

For the first time, Luxa looked directly at him. She held his gaze for a few heartbeats, then turned her eyes down. "She is still family... family..." The word hung over them awfully dreadful. "You know, I once told myself I have now lost so much of my family I would do anything to not lose any more." Gregor caught sight of her faintly trembling shoulders and had to restrain himself to not embrace her. In his head, he went over everyone she had lost, her parents, Hamnet... and Henry. He swallowed. Him, she had lost in the worst way possible.

"Besides", she glanced up again and despite the nervous twitching of her hands, she suddenly looked stern. "If we can believe the Death Rider, this Longclaw could be a dangerous future enemy. Should you have truly averted the Bane's fate to become the new king by sending him to Ripred, maybe the world would have Longclaw take his place. I must do everything in my power to avoid that, I must protect my people... mustn't I?"

Gregor stared at her, mouth agape, for a few heartbeats, before he processed this was her attempt to work with him. "Exactly!", he quickly nodded and registered the group below was almost ready to depart.

"And... they could certainly use our help if they encounter trouble", Luxa mumbled as they looked down together.

"Yeah", Gregor nodded again, "I mean, last time, the Death Rider said he couldn't fight anymore, ever since he lost his eye. And who knows if Dalia can fight." He attempted to picture her frail shape with a sword and miserably failed. "Howard would have a hard time, on his own."

For a moment, Gregor's eyes hovered on the outcast – then fixated the oversized, two-handed sword he had strapped on his back, next to his old one, and frowned. "Maybe the Death Rider's solved his issue, though. Why else would he carry that massive new sword?"

Luxa's eyes lit up. "I really wanted to ask if I could hold it."

"I don't know", Gregor mumbled, barely hearing what she had said. "Is it just me or does he seem... changed?"

His eyes followed him as he stepped at Thanatos' side and exchanged a couple words with him before he signaled his companions to mount up. After their trip through the jungle, Gregor had only seen him once, during his last visit at the Fount, but never dared ask what had happened to him since, or where he had been. But, as he was now, he barely recognized him. It weren't just his new clothes or the much longer hair he wore in a loose ponytail. It was... something more. Only as Gregor thoroughly inspected him now, he took notice of how he seemed to have consciously attempted to cover as much skin as he could, with the longer than usual gauntlets and the layers of bandages going up to his shoulders.

"I know what you mean", Luxa mumbled and a shiver ran down his spine. "It's like... I don't know why or how, but I am certain something bad has happened since we last saw him."

Gregor nodded, then sighed. "So... what are we going to do?", he asked after a seeming eternity of silence. Below, Thanatos now spread his wings and leaped in the air. He flew an honorary round over the residence, then darted forward, in the opposite direction of Regalia.

"We must talk to our bonds", Luxa muttered, "but you know as well as I we have no choice."

Gregor looked back up at her, sensing a jolt of regret. Had he actually just convinced her to... "We really don't, do we?"

"So, have we understood this correctly", Ares tilted his head, "Stellovet has been kidnapped by a gnawer named Longclaw, both the Death Rider and Howard have departed earlier, to go rescue her, and you two", he eyed Luxa and Gregor, "think we must come as well?"

The two exchanged a glance. "Well, Dalia said –"

"Yes you mentioned what she said", Aurora shook her head. "This is indeed quite the predicament..."

Gregor pressed his lips together and uncertainly stared at Ares. He sensed how torn he was about this and felt it add to his own already unbearable dilemma. "Look, I –", but before he could finish his sentence, his bat interrupted – "You believe we must go, but even if we go, how will we know where to?"

"Oh, don't worry about that", Luxa waved dismissively, "I know where they are going." Out of the backpack she had already packed, she pulled a tightly rolled-up scroll that revealed a map of this part of the Underland. "I... overheard the Death Rider and Howard as they planned their route."

She did not look at him but Gregor's head darted up. "Wait, was that where you went after you ran out of the meeting and –", but Luxa cut him off. "They left this map on the table", she shrugged, but Gregor grabbed her by the shoulder. "Did you plan to go all along?!"

Luxa stared at him for a moment, then shook her head. "Not... exactly. I just... didn't like the way York immediately excluded us", she hissed, "like we are little children, incapable of looking after ourselves." Before he could remind her they were indeed children, she continued – "And I thought it would be useful to at least know where they were going. Just in case."

"You could have mentioned that earlier!", he grumbled but Luxa simply stepped towards the table and placed down the map. "Their goal lies beyond the Firelands", she pointed at an "x" someone had drawn on the furthest eastern border of the map. "They mean to follow the border of the Firelands to avoid the jungle, to around here, and this", she pointed at a slightly curved line in the same ink as the "x", "This is a large tunnel called "Path of Styx". Apparently, it has an exit that will lead us close to this arena."

Gregor furrowed his brows. "Firelands? What kind of a name is that?" He attempted to remember whether he had heard it before but could not think of any instance.

Ares hummed. "It is a territory north-east of Regalia, and known for its high volcanic activity. It is little explored and often avoided for large portions of it are contaminated with toxic gasses."

Gregor's brows furrowed but Luxa waved dismissively, "I am certain we will not encounter any gasses on our way. We do not mean to venture deep in."

Gregor sighed and left it alone, to adamantly stare at the map, thinking he still had not entirely digested they were actually doing this.

"And you wish to catch up to them... where?", Aurora tilted her head.

"Around where they will enter the Path of Styx, preferably", she let the map snap shut. "If we catch up to them too quickly, they will send us back at once. But like this, it will not be worth the trek anymore."

Gregor eyed Luxa and silently shook his head at how well thought-through all this seemed. Suddenly, he was taken back to her appearance on the boat, during their quest to slay the Bane, and wondered if a similar planning session had preceded her departure then.

"How... long must we wait before we depart, in that case?", Ares asked and Luxa shrugged. "Not long. We should leave as quickly as we can, before York and Susannah think to assign guards to watch us. And, though the Death Rider said the entrance to the Path of Styx is a good place to rest, I doubt they will stay for long."

Gregor's gaze trailed up and met that of Ares, who seemed as uncertain yet determined as he. "Man, we are really doing this, aren't we?" He was suddenly immensely glad neither his mom nor anyone else he would have to explain this trip to, was here. He could hardly explain it to himself.

"So... it would seem", Luxa replied. Nobody saw the need to add anything.

Gregor fumbled with the straps of the backpack Luxa had handed him earlier and uncertainly stared at an array of swords on something like a rack, in the residence's little armory. He picked one out at random and fastened it to his belt, then turned to be faced with Luxa in the entrance. From her belt already hung a sword. "Are you all set?"

Gregor nodded, then took off his backpack again to double-check what he had packed. There was no museum to go through here, and he stared at the single pair of extra batteries he had packed for the trip to the Fount with worry. "We don't have much light", he muttered and stored the new flashlight at the bottom of the backpack.

"That is quite alright", Luxa stepped closer, "the fliers will find their way in the dark. And when we reach the others, we will have their light."

Gregor hesitated but finally nodded. He closed his backpack back up and shouldered it, then followed Luxa out of the armory.

Before Gregor could ask what they would say if the guards inquired where they were going, the two stepped into the entrance hall together. The guards suspiciously eyed them for a moment, but before they could speak, Luxa beat them to it – "We are at last making our trip to the cascades, as planned. Now that Stellovet's rescue has been arranged."

The guards exchanged glances, "Just the two of you?"

Gregor's chest tightened but Luxa shrugged. "We are to meet with an entourage about halfway", she glimpsed outside, "Gregor here had forgotten something he had to take care of, so we are already late. Please let us pass or they will be worried." Gregor opened his mouth but shut it again when the guards shrugged and courteously nodded at Luxa before letting them pass.

Outside, Gregor contemplated whether it was worth complaining about how she had essentially just embarrassed him in front of two strangers, but then he asked something more important instead. "How long does that give us until they notice?"

"York and Susannah will be looking for us at the latest at dinner time", Luxa waved at their approaching bonds.

"Maybe... we should leave them a message somewhere, I mean, they'll be worried, won't they?"

"And immediately send an armada after the party to retrieve us", Luxa waved dismissively. "We will explain ourselves when we get back."

"You really are experienced in getting away with things that would get you in trouble, aren't you?" Gregor wasn't certain whether to be impressed or concerned as he mounted Ares.

"A little too experienced for her own good", his bat muttered as he and Aurora lifted off.

"You may sleep if you want", Ares responded to Gregor's excessive yawn, maybe ten minutes into the flight. "We will not reach the spot where we intend to meet the rest of the party in seven or so hours. The tunnels here are hard to traverse."

Gregor instantly stretched out on his back. "Yeah, I'm pretty tired." He stared out into the pitch-darkness that had engulfed them after they had left the last outskirt of the Fount behind, and shut his eyes. Not that it made much of a difference. In mere seconds, he was fast asleep.

"This is utterly unacceptable! We must send them back at once!"

For a moment Gregor found himself wondering whether the voice was in his dream, but as soon as his eyes fluttered open and he registered the flickering of a torch in front of him, he understood it was real.

"So you will endanger or at least delay the mission by another fourteen hours just to get us back?"

His eyes flung open and he registered the shapes of Luxa and Howard across each other, between them the torch with the quietly bubbling pot of stew Gregor distinguished by the enticing smell.

"I –" Howard clenched his fists and released a frustrated groan. "This is... we must –"

"We must accept she is right", a different voice sounded from behind him and Gregor twitched, then cried as someone yanked him up by his collar. "Quit pretending you're still asleep", the Death Rider jabbed at him and easily carried him over to Luxa and Howard before dropping him on the floor. "For Luxa has indeed planned this out excellently. We can not afford to send them back as there are not enough of us to escort them and both their fliers."

For a second Gregor could have sworn he heard something like admiration shine through in the outcast's tone before his gaze found Ares and Aurora, huddled together in a corner, watching the scene with visible discomfort. Beside them hung Thanatos, his eyes were closed. Had his ears not been pointed, Gregor could have thought he was asleep.

Howard's eyes shot daggers at both Gregor and Luxa. "Who said anything about their fliers? Take them back with you on Thanatos, meanwhile –"

"MEANWHILE you will get lost around here without us to guide your clueless ass!", the outcast shot back and Gregor silently sighed. For as long as the argument lasted he did not speak, nor did he raise his gaze. All he did was wish to be miles away, back in Regalia with his mom and Boots, or back in New York with his dad and with Lizzie. Was it Saturday already? Would he be over at Mrs. Cormaci's now, if he would not be here, on this stupid trip to rescue someone he didn't even like?

"Gregor!"

His eyes he had tightly shut flung open, to stare into the Death Rider's strained face. "Gregor you can uncurl now, and perhaps volunteer to take first watch. As you're apparently so well-rested."

With a surge of embarrassment, Gregor scrambled to his feet. Howard sat by the torch with his bowl of stew and still death glared Luxa who happily chatted with Aurora now as she ate her own portion.

"There."

Gregor closed his fingers around the bowl the outcast held out to him and for the first time registered the furious growling of his stomach. "Look, I'm sorry", he finally got himself to speak, "but –"

"Nevermind", the Death Rider waved dismissively. "Luxa informed us what Dalia said." His gaze met the young woman who looked up from where she had been rummaging in the supply hamper. "And it's not like she was wrong either. It's still HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE!" The last part he shouted in Luxa's direction who threw him a quick, visibly satisfied, grin.

"Man, sometimes I wish she would not be like this", Gregor thought the outcast mumbled before he stepped towards the bowl of stew. "Sandwiches, anyone?"

"So... where are we now, exactly?" Luxa set her empty bowl aside, some ten minutes later. "At the Path of Styx yet?"

For the first time since he had awoken, Gregor inspected his surroundings. They appeared to be in a large, nearly round cave with two exits, one much narrower than the other.

"Nearly. It lies directly ahead." The outcast pointed at the narrow exit. "We had just agreed to set up camp here before you arrived. We will rest for a few hours, then we will proceed."

Gregor nodded and watched Dalia collect the dirty dishes, then carry them out through the larger exit. He wondered if there was a water body somewhere nearby where she intended to wash them. She had already disappeared out of sight when Gregor realized none of the others even moved a muscle to help, except the Death Rider who had taken to collecting the scattered remains of supplies and store them back in the hamper.

Right, his teeth gritted, Dalia was a servant. He flashed back to the first two quests where Mareth had naturally been expected to do chores in a similar manner, for he was a commoner. His mouth curved into a sour smile when he remembered Luxa and Henry, and how the two of them hadn't even known how to make themselves a sandwich.

Determinately, Gregor got up just as Dalia appeared back in the cave with the washed dishes. They had not spoken yet, since he and Luxa had arrived, and her face was expressionless, but Gregor thought the purple circles around her eyes had grown since he had last seen her.

But before he could offer to help the Death Rider had already approached and took over, niftily carrying everything over to the hamper and stashing it away. Gregor instantly sensed his sympathy for the outcast increase. At last, someone who did not think himself above chores, or helping a servant.

"Alright, to bed!", the Death Rider then sounded and clapped his hands. "Gregor, you take watch, right?"

"Yeah...", Gregor pressed his lips together, recalling his first miserably failed attempt at keeping watch, back on that boat, but he could hardly refuse now. Well, he grimly thought as he sat down beside Ares, maybe this was his shot at redemption.

"Wake us in a few hours, will you?", the outcast yawned and killed the light before he plopped down in the corner besides Thanatos.

"Will you be alright?", Ares asked and Gregor nodded. "I slept through the entire flight."

"HEY!" Gregor's head jolted around when the Death Rider suddenly called, "To BED, I said! That means no more chatter. We all need to be well-rested, so shush!" Luxa and Aurora, who had been whispering with each other, fell silent.

"Who even made YOU the boss?", Howard called from his own corner but the outcast silenced him with a glare. "I'm the leader your parents assigned, and for how I see it, the term "leader", in this context, means more than "guide". If you can't work with that, you're actually the only one who has not been requested by Longclaw to come, so over there is the way back." Howard returned his glare sourly, but moments later lied down without further protest.

"He sure knows how to make Howard hate him", Gregor whispered to Ares.

"He can be quite commandeering, though it can hardly be denied he has more claim to a position of leadership in this group than any of us others, for he is the only one who knows the way", his bat replied and the outcast's head shot around to them. "I meant all of you!"

Gregor blinked and wondered how he had even heard them, from where he sat, nearly ten feet away, but only shrugged. "Good night."

"Good night", Ares whispered back, and soon all Gregor perceived were the quiet and even breaths of the party.

Gregor sighed and stretched his legs before they could fall asleep. He blinked out into the darkness and suddenly nearly broke into laughter at the absurdity that was his presence here. He had meant to be back in New York... tomorrow. He sighed at the thought of his mom in Regalia, his dad in their apartment. He would have to explain this trip after all, only in hindsight. And what would he even say? This rat kidnapped one of Luxa's cousins and wanted me to come to get her?

Gregor nearly broke into laughter again, yet he felt not happy. He did not want to lie to his family, but he knew not how to explain or justify this trip truthfully. At least so far, he'd had the prophecies. The prophecies required him to go out on dangerous missions, so he had to do it. But there wasn't any prophecy this time.

Agitatedly, Gregor wrung his hands. Maybe his parents would limit his visits in the Underland again, after this episode. Even with his mom still in Regalia, he pictured her convincing his dad it was better for Gregor to not spend so much time down here. Maybe they would revoke his permission to celebrate his upcoming fourteenth birthday in Regalia, as he had planned.

To his own surprise, his jaw clenched in discomfort at the thought. He flashed back to all the fun he had had down here, over the last year, with Luxa and Hazard. Certainly, the weekly echolocation lessons with Ripred were a pain, especially as he had long given up on ever making progress in that department. For, as far as Gregor was convinced, it was impossible to learn anyway. He meant to tell Ripred he had misjudged the sensory abilities of humans every lesson, yet never found the courage.

But even with the looming dread of pointless echolocation lessons, there was so much other stuff to do down here, when he wasn't currently risking his life on some excruciating quest. Several birthdays and anniversaries had been celebrated, he had taken Ares on a trip around the city, on his first day out of the hospital, and he had even let him and Luxa teach him the ball game the Underlanders had played on his first arrival in Regalia. He was by no means good at it, but it had still been... fun.

With something like surprise Gregor found, among all the perils he had suffered in the Underland so far, he had never thought of it as a place to just have fun at. And yet, that was exactly what it had now become.

Gregor found himself smiling out into the darkness. His eyes remained wide open, for whatever it would take, he would not fall asleep on watch again. Maybe, to keep himself awake, he could practice echolocation. He nearly broke into vigorous laughter at the thought.

Gregor had no idea how much time exactly had passed when Ares beside him woke up, then Aurora too. He had stood up to wake the others when the Death Rider rose as well, waving at him to go wake Howard and Luxa.

They ate breakfast in still loaded silence. The outcast had asked Luxa to show Dalia how to make sandwiches and they handed out the food together. Gregor had firmly promised himself he would help her with the dishes later, only in hindsight realized there weren't any. Everyone ate their sandwiches by hand and the outcast had used his own dagger to cut the bread.

"Well, looks like we have more fliers now", the Death Rider inspected Ares, Aurora, and Thanatos, who had been in hushed conversation. "We can switch up a couple seatings, then. At least until the canyon. Then we might have a problem."

Gregor looked up. "Canyon?"

"Yeah. The normal trek to the arena would from here take us another two days, Death and I happen to know a shortcut that will save us a day, though we must travel through a quite narrow canyon. The fliers can not traverse it. Howard and I thought we could carry Thanatos, but now that we have three fliers it will not be so easy. Oh well", he shrugged and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, "we'll figure it out when we get to it."

Despite the Death Rider's carefree tone, Gregor's chest tightened with anxiety. His eyes searched for Luxa, she had never mentioned any canyon, despite apparently having listened to the outcast and Howard planning their route.

He ended up in his usual spot on Ares, though this time he was joined by Howard. Luxa remained with Aurora, and Thanatos carried Dalia, the outcast, and the supplies.

They flew for about an hour and Gregor found himself on the brim of dozing away again. He barely registered the change in environment, only when the Death Rider signaled them to land and he nearly slipped on the surprisingly smooth floor, he bothered fetching his flashlight.

When the strong beam of light illuminated the high cave Gregor's jaw dropped. It's... obsidian, he carefully touched the smooth, shimmering, black wall. There must be a volcano nearby. Only then he recalled what Ares had explained about the Firelands and wondered how close they were now. If there really was an actual volcano nearby.

Though as fascinating as he found it, his mood instantly dropped when he saw the opening the Death Rider now pointed to. "From this point on we must carry the fliers,", he announced and Gregor dejectedly stared into the maybe four-foot-narrow entrance to a canyon that was apparently their way. "Unless you all want to lose a day and take the long way around."

Howard shook his head and frowned, inspecting the party in the light from Gregor's flashlight. "We must walk in a column and carry the fliers between us. The five of us can take three fliers, the last in the column must take the supplies."

The outcast hummed in approval. "I will lead, one of you must volunteer to walk with the supplies in the back."

"I will go last", Dalia spoke, and the outcast nodded. "The rest of you, line up." He silently counted and murmured something to himself, then shook his head. "No, Luxa, actually, I want you to go first. You will take the torch and Aurora's front, then Howard and I, who are the strongest, will both have to help carry two fliers. Gregor, you will take Ares' legs, and Dalia you must ensure nobody falls behind."

It took the group a full five minutes to assemble according to the instructions, and as soon as the newly forged column began their trek into the canyon, after Luxa with the torch, Gregor realized just how arduous this part of the trip would be.

Ares was not particularly heavy but the tunnel was extremely narrow and difficult to traverse, and even though they moved at snail's pace, Gregor still panted from exertion almost instantly. Then again, from what he saw, it was even more uncomfortable for the bats than for the humans. Had he any breath to spare he would have attempted to cheer his bond up, but he was much too taken up with moving his legs forward.

Gregor had no idea how long they had walked for when he sensed a jolt run through Ares' body, then heard an alarmed scream from the Death Rider.

Gregor abruptly stopped and cried out when Ares' legs escaped his grasp. Only now he understood something was not right. Above and around he registered the sound of raining gravel and when his hand placed on the wall beside him he had but a second to wonder why and how he sensed a slight tremble before the Death Rider screamed out the reason – "Brace! EARTHQUAKE!"

Gregor had not a heartbeat to spare. Not to ponder on how this was the first earthquake of his life, or how they were in the possibly worst spot to be dealing with one now. He twirled around in an attempt to somehow get to his flashlight when a deafening rumble sounded somewhere above.

"RUN!"

The Death Rider's cry had just registered in his brain when a large rock crashed down directly in front of him. Gregor screamed and stumbled back, into Dalia who had walked directly behind him, then a sharp jolt of pain pierced his skull. On the edge of his consciousness he registered a blur of voices, then a pair of hands grabbing him from behind.

Gregor twitched. Something hit his face but before he could understand it was a drop of water, he drifted into chaotic, unconscious oblivion.