Chapter 5

"What is it you wanted us to see?" Vikus asked Hera.

"Come this way." Hera led them into the room. Photos Glow-Glow and Zap were aglow, but Gregor realized that the room seemed to give off a pretty big glow itself. The light seemed to come from nowhere, it was just...there.

"This message might concern queen Luxa and family more than others." Hera brought them over to a wall, where a message was written. Luxa read it through and through. It was written by her mother, Judith, to Hera.

Hera,

As your mother has told you, she and I are going in to fight the gnawers. The king is going as well. If we do not make it out breathing, I am trusting you and your sister Aurora, who is currently protecting Luxa, to watch over her. Fly you high!

Judith and Electra

"I did not get a chance to fulfill this message until now, and even though Aurora is your bond, I will do as you ask as well." said Hera to Luxa. By that time, Aurora had her wings wrapped around Luxa, and Luxa had her face buried in Aurora's golden fur. Gregor started for her.

"Luxa..." he bagan.

"I am sorry, Gregor." and with that, she jumped onto Aurora and flew away.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Overlander!" Hera fluttered over to Gregor.

"It's fine, and you can just call me Gregor." Gregor answered.

"Well, Gregor, for this message, you may need to ride up on me to view it." Gregor got onto Hera and they flew up a vertical passageway. Towards the top, there was another message inscribed on the wall. What he saw stopped Gregor's heart, because he knew what it was right away, and he knew who had written it.

As warrior, is he done?

For a new plan has begun

Fate is now becoming clear

Is there not scratching left to hear?

Following a bloody war

Will there be peace forevermore?

To keep the peace and keep the light

Can we fight a bloodless fight?

Now that the monster has been slain

The one we call ferocious Bane

We must keep the compromise

And free the light from it's disguise

Overlander, bond deceased

Opens door with light released

Give the Underland it's power

Stop those who wish to devour

Gregor was astonished. Another Prophecy? He thought those were all done! His first thought was that someone other than Sandwich had written it, but he could see the formal sound Sandwich used, and knew it was him. This prophecy revealed so much, like Gregor was really supposed to live, that the monster is indeed the Bane, that the door to this room really had something to do with everything, and scariest of all, that Ares was destined to die. There were a few lines he needed to discuss with Vikus.

For a new plan has begun

What did Sandwich mean? There were new plans to take over the Underland, or something?

Is there not scratching left to hear?

What did that mean? That there were still rats trying to stop their peace? Some who still wanted more war? Who would want that?

Can we fight a bloodless fight?

Were they supposed to have another war with no blood, no pain? Was that even possible?

Opens door with light released?

Huh? Wasn't Vikus the one who opened the door? And how was the light released?

Whey had Sandwich hidden this prophecy away from the rest? Was it because he simply had no more room? Gregor doubted that. The answer came to him. Because it would have given away so much of the rest of the previous prophecies. It would have ruined the quests from the beginning, giving away the future. But why had he put the prophecy here of all places? It was all so confusing. And then there was the trickiest question of all; should he do what Sandwich said again? Hadn't he and his words only caused trouble and pain for all the Underland, and Gregor? Wasn't he just a horrible man? There was no doubt, this prophecy brought a ton of questions, questions he knew would be answered in time.

"Man, this should be called the prophecy of Questions!" thought Gregor. Then he looked at the title. It was called "The Prophecy of Light." He guessed that made some sense, too, the whole thing was talking about returning light to the Underland. "Light", in the Underland, could also be a substitute for "life". So he had to bring more "life" to the Underland? But how?

"There is a quill and scroll if you wish to copy it. I'm sure the others would care to see." Hera said softly. Gregor grabbed it and copied it. They descended down the shaft, to the waiting and wondering faces of the Underland.

"I will help you, if at all possible." said Hera. Gregor didn't have to ask what she was talking about.

"Yeah, thanks." he replied. They landed in front of Vikus. Without word, Gregor showed Vikus the scroll.

"Oh, my." Vikus gasped as he read it. "Gregor... I would just like you to know... we had no idea... you do not have to stay...we can...get by..." he stuttered.

"Nah, I'll help. It's fine." Gregor replied.

"Nerissa, had you any idea of these happenings?" Vikus asked Nerissa, who had been strangely quiet that whole time.

"This is one of the few events I have not seen." Nerissa replied.

Gregor started to think. This was the only prophecy where Ares wouldn't be there to help! He realized how much he had loved the bat's company, how he had trusted him above anyone in the Underland. They had been bonds, and he had been so content with having Ares beside him at all times. This prophcy didn't call for a war, but it did suggest it, and Ares was the only one he would want to be beside in battle. How would he get by without Ares? He realized how much he missed his big bat.

"Well, Gregor, what say we head up and see how Luxa fares? I'm sure she would like to hear about this, as much as it would pain her and Aurora to think of Ares." said Vikus.

"Yeah, let's go see Luxa." agreed Gregor. They started to head out of the room. Hera was muttering to herself through the passageways, about who knows what. It did reassure Gregor a bit to know that she would be there for him, but what was she really compared to Ares? It didn't sound like she had ever been in a real battle. Maybe they would have to train, or something.

He was still thinking about this as they neared the exit, when suddenly a large, gray figure appeared in the doorway.

"Hello, everyone. What have I missed?" asked Ripred.