Chapter 3

The currents were in full force, so they rode down with ease. The ride broght both happiness and sadness to Gregor, because riding Aurora reminded him of riding Ares, and how it had been his fault that he died. He had told him to dive, completely in reach of the Bane! It was a stupid thing to do, and it resulted in the death of his very best friend, and bond. Luxa could see the sadness in Gregor's eyes. She reached back and embraced him, then pulled back and held his hand. She always had a way of knowing what he was thinking about. Aurora pretended she wasn't paying attention.

"We approach the city, Overlander." Aurora soared out of a tunnel and into another, larger one. Suddenly the arena, the one Gregor was so familiar with, opened out in front of them. There were a small bunch of mice left from the airlift, but he assumed the rest were at the Fount Colony.

"The Queen! She returns!" People were pointing up at Aurora, but Gregor was hidden by her wings. He supposed that was just as well, because he didn't want to get Luxa into trouble. He hoped she had a plan to cover his visit, because she would be in MEGA trouble if she didn't. They flew towards the city and soon arrived at the palace. Aurora landed in the High Hall.

"Overlander! You return! But how?" Gregor turned to see Mareth running towards him. He gave him a rib-crushing hug and pounded him on his back. Gregor looked to Luxa for an answer to that question.

"Well, I was simply taking a flight around the tunnels with Aurora, and saw Gregor walking to the city, breathless. He has told me that he could not keep himself away, that he missed you all." Luxa answered calmly. Boy, she was good at making up lies!

That seemed good enough for Mareth. "Howard! The Overlander is returned!" He cried out the doorway. Howard, Luxa's cousin, rushed in.

"Gregor! You are back! How?" Luxa told him the same story, but Gregor could see that Howard was having trouble beleiving it. "Okay then. Has Luxa told you of the discovery?"

"Um, yeah. She has. So it's been saying "Overlander"?" asked Gregor.

"Yes. We must assume of this reffering to you. It is but a great coincedence that you have arrived at a time when you are so needed." He said the last part with a hint of sarcasm, then looked over at Luxa. She gave a shrug, as if she had no clue what was going on. "All right then. Gregor, Luxa, why not come in for a rest? You both look terribly exhausted." Gregor knew that Howard was going to make them tell the truth, but Howard could be pushy, so he didn't resist. They walked to Luxa's chambers. Hazard, Luxa's halflander cousin, was there.

"Gregor! Why...how...you're back!" Hazard jumped onto him and gave him a hug.

Luxa smiled. "Yes, Hazard, he is back." Luxa had a look of genuine happiness.

"Is Boots here?" Hazard asked.

"Sorry Hazard, she wasn't allowed to come." answered Gregor.

"Oh. Okay. I'm going to go see Dulcet." Hazard walked off. Howard beckoned them to a chair.

"So what really made Gregor come here?" He asked them.

Gregor looked over at Luxa. She caught his eye and gave him a nod, as if to say, "You might as well". So he told him. "Luxa wrote to me telling about that door, and when I went to write back, she was in my laundry room. I persuaded my mom to let me come. It's Luxa's fault, it really isn't!" Gregor blurted out.

"Oh Howard, please do not tell Vikus! He would surely be upset with me!" Luxa begged.

"Relax, cousin. i had no intention of telling Vikus, I just wished to know the truth. I would not advise lying to me anymore, for I can always see through your expression." said Howard to Luxa. Luxa just glared at him.

"So anyway, when are we going to go see that door, or something?" asked Gregor, to get them away from their disagreement.

"Yes, let us go now." Howard and Luxa led Gregor farther down the same passageway he was in with Ripred for his echolocation lessons. Then he saw a glow coming from a doorway. Vikus, Nerissa, and others Gregor didn't know were also there.

"Gregor the Overlander! What brings you here?" asked a surprised Vikus. Luxa told him what she had told Mareth. Vikus seemed to believe her, but then again, he did have a strange glint in his eye.

"Gregor. I had a feeling we would be aqquainted with you once more." said a misty voice from Vikus's side. It was Nerissa. Gregor wasn't surprised she had known. She was always having these visions.

"Well, now that you are here, we may proceed to find the key. Do you have any ideas, Gregor?" asked Vikus.

Suddenly Gregor had a flasback. He remembered Ripred's voice, telling him about a key he had found in the corridor they practiced in. He ran back, with Luxa calling after him. He reached into the dark, and using his new echolocation, found the spot where Ripred had placed the key. He ran back, and without a word, stuck the key in the lock. It clicked.

"Well, okay Gregor, this is it!" said Vikus. Luxa squeezed his hand as Vikus pushed the door open. A burst of light almost blinded them.

"Greetings, all! I am he called Photos-Gow-Glow, and she is Za...no, not you again!"