Chapter 2

"Greetings, Overlander."

Aurora! It was Luxa's beautiful golden bat, Aurora! Why was she here?

"Well, it is about time you have shown up, Gregor." A voice came from atop Aurora. Aurora dipped her head and Luxa stepped off, completely into the room. She had to shield her eyes from the light, as even the light bulbs were too much for an Underlander.

"Luxa! What are you doing here?" Gregor was too surprised to even welcome her.

"Well, after I left you the message, I returned to Regalia, and apparently there is sounds coming from it, a sort of faint voice. We think it wants something to do with you, for it has mentioned "Overlander" once or twice. We cannot make out any other words." Luxa explained.

"Wait, so let me get this straight, you want me to come back down?" Gregor said, a little excitement building up inside at the thought of seeing his friends again.

"Well, technically it is only I who even thought to confide in you, since no one knows I started contacting you. But I feel it would be a big help, and since there is no fighting that seems to be involved, the "warrior" is not needed, only the "Overlander"." Luxa answered.

"Okay…well how do you expect me to come, my mom is scared to death I'll be dragged into another war!" said Gregor.

"Oh, there is no need to worry about that, as you witnessed, we are at peace with the gnawers, and one should believe it will last." Luxa continued.

"Well, I think I'll need you to prove that to her." said Gregor.

"You want me to come to your home?" Luxa was astonished.

"Really, it's the only way my mom might realize I need to come, and that there's no danger involved." Gregor said.

"But what if I am seen?" asked Luxa.

"You won't be. Nobody is ever in this hallway, because barely anyone leaves this building." Gregor said.

"Okay…I will come. But do not tell Vikus of my visit, he will surely confine me to my chambers if he finds out." Luxa agreed.

"Ahem. What am I to do?" Aurora called from the grate.

"Uhh… Aurora, just stay here. Luxa and I will be back in a second. Just make sure nobody sees you." Gregor told Aurora. She looked to Luxa for confirmation.

"Yes, listen to the Overlander." Luxa reassured Aurora. She entwined her fingers with Gregor's and they walked to the stairs. "So, what did you write on your letter back to me?"

"Here." Gregor showed Luxa the letter. When Ares was mentioned, a sad look came upon her face. She buried her head in Gregor's shoulder.

"Yes, we all miss Ares. But he will always be in our hearts." Gregor tried to hold back a tear himself.

"Yeah. He was something, that Ares." said Gregor. "Okay, here we are. This is my apartment. Just be prepared, though, everyone's going to be really surprised to see you."

"Well, I believe I can handle it. It is alot, just being in the Overland." Luxa said.

"Okay. Here's your first look at an Overland apartment. Mine, anyway." Gregor knocked on the door. Boots came and opened it.

"Oh, hi you! Hi you you you!!" She ran over and gave Luxa a hug, which she returned. "Why are you here?" asked Boots.

"I have come to see how you all fare." Luxa let Gregor lead her into the room.

"Luxa!" Lizzie bounded over to her. "How did you get here?"

"Gregor met me in the grate, then invited me up to here." answered Luxa.

"Oh my goodness!" Mrs. Cormaci had seen Luxa. "Grace, come here!" Mrs. Cormaci called to Gregor's mom.

"Luxa! I thought we'd never see you again!" His mom gave her a hug, but turned to Gregor with an angry look on her face. Did he go down there again?

"Well, I take pleasure in seeing you all again as well." Luxa smiled.

"Why don't you come tell us all what's been going on in the Underland?" Grace led Luxa to the table, and Luxa began to tell everyone what was happening in the Underland.

"Well, just after you all departed, Ripred and I had a meeting with our delagates. It went badly at first, for everyone was fighting over anything they disliked about the other side, which became very maddening. But shortly afer everything settled down, we made some progress. We have decided on permanant lands for every party, well, all that attended the meeting. Of course we could not get the cutters to come, they were unhappy that we made a compromise. Then everything just went like that, no trouble with the gnawers at that moment. Then one day guards were patrolling the passages beneath the palace, and found that peculiar door. Have you told them about that yet, Gregor?" Luxa looked toward him.

"Actually, I don't remember hearing anything about that, Gregor? Do tell us." Grace cut in. She had an exasperated tone, like she was fed up with the secrets he had been keeping.

"Uhh, yeah. Luxa, I didn't tell tell them you wrote." Gregor whispered to Luxa. And then to his family he said, "Umm, there's this strange door they found. It gives off some sort of light." Everyone was silent, thinking about this. Even Lizzie was stumped.

"The door cannot be opened, it has some jagged-edged hole in it, It looks strange, but we believe it a keyhole." said Luxa.

"Yeah, it probably is." agreed Gregor.

"Oh Luxa, you can't go home looking like that, so tired! Why don't you spend the night?" Grace said.

"Oh no, I could not possibly, Aurora is awaiting me in the grate, and I could not leave her. Besides, everyone in Regalia would be terribly worried, I could not leave them hanging." Luxa stayed serious, but Gregor could tell by the tone of her voice that she was a little scared to spend a night in the Overland. He really hadn't been listening to what she was saying, just looking at her. He was only now just realizing how much he really had missed her. But now it was time to ask his mom what Luxa had really came for.

"Umm, mom, Luxa says there's a voice coming from inside the door. She says it's been saying "Overlander", and you know, that's me. She thinks it would be really helpful if I...ummm...came down for a bit to kind of...help them figure it out. And they're...pretty much at peace with the rats right now, and they think it will last a while. Right Luxa?" said Gregor. Luxa gave a nod in agreement. "So, can I go?"

Grace had been frowning ever since he began explaining. "Gregor, how can I be sure there won't be any more wars going on? I can't risk the thought of losing you!" Tears began to slowly run down her face.

"Mom, I'll be fine! They need me down there, what if it's really important? Plus, I'd get to see everyone again!" That was what Gregor was really looking forward to.

"Gregor..." Grace's voice trailed away.

"Mom, I'll be fine. Please don't worry!" Gregor was begging now.

Grace paused, for a long while. She was clearly thinking it over. Then after a while, she sighed. "Gregor, if I let you go now, you'll be asking again next time. You can go, but you definately cant bring Boots!"

"Thank's mom!" Gregor was so happy, he hugged Luxa right there in front of everybody! Luxa's face was bright red after they separated, and Gregor imagined his was, too. Grace was attempting to keep his face straight.

"Please be careful, Gregor! I mean it, watch yourself!" Grace said.

Gregor jumped up, dragging Luxa along with him."Bye everyone! I'll be back soon!" As they walked out the door, Gregor could hear Boots crying, "Boots go too! I wanna go!!!" Gregor felt bad to leave her, but it was the only way he would get down to the Underland. They walked, no, ran, the entire flights of stairs. When they got down to the laundry room, Gregor pulled Luxa close, and kissed her. He was so happy to be going back!

"Ahem? Luxa, we must be going now, for everyone will be worried." Gregor had forgotten Aurora was there. Embarrased, he pulled away. Again, Luxa blushed.

"Oh, Aurora, please do not tell anyone about this! Vikus says I have been neglecting my responsibilities, and I know, but he does not, that it is because of Gregor!" said Luxa.

Aurora clicked her tounge, but beckoned them onto her back. "We must be going." They hopped onto her, and riding the currents, flew down to the Underland. Gregor was excstatic about seeing his friends again.