I don't own TUC only my OC's. Hey guys sorry I didn't update on Friday, my weekend was extremely hectic, but here's the chapter enjoy!

Chapter 9

Peter

Little Ripred stopped us suddenly, and we landed in a tunnel off of the main path. "This is it. We're almost there." He said from atop Hestia's head, "It has been a long week of travel, but our goal is in sight. The city is only a short distance from here, and after we have explored it the hard part begins. Be careful. We don't know if anything still inhabits the city, and we don't know when it was last occupied. Understood?" our party nodded and we took to the air once more.

Less than a minute later we entered a cavern larger than the one that held Regalia. I heard Silvia give a sharp intake of breath as we flew into the magnificent city. There were sections where you could tell a different species lived, and in the center a magnificent castle where I assumed they had all gathered for meetings.

I looked over to my left and saw about 50 low flat table looking houses which I assumed were for the crawlers. The ceiling was covered with small alcoves where a flier could easily hang. There were rat and mice nests, pools filled with deep water and above ground streams or rivers that flowed to the middle building. All the streets led to the center building as well.

We landed in what appeared to be the human section of the city. The buildings were very similar to those in Regalia. I noticed though that each building had words carved into the walls on the outside. I climbed off of Aren's back, and went closer to inspect them. I could only understand snippets of what was written there because it was written in a different language.

They seemed to have taken words from each creatures own tongue and mixed them with others to make a language of their own. I ran my hand over the words and could almost see a family living in the house in front of me. I could see people and creatures walking down the streets and mingling among each other. This used to be a very peaceful place. What had happened to it?

I pulled my hand away and went to study a different house. I also began to notice that among the words were pictures. They reminded me of Acacia. I felt a small pang of regret at having to leave her behind, and not explain any of it. Not to mention I had lied to her about my true intentions.

I walked around to the front of the house and entered through an opening that resembled a doorway. Every piece of furniture I encountered was made of stone that still had scraps of what used to be cushions lying on top of them. I explored each room of the small abode. There was a bathroom with running water like the ones at home two bedrooms and a living room that was connected to a dining area. I entered the last bedroom and suddenly wished I hadn't.

There lying on the floor were the bones of a human lying over the bones of a small child. I could see stains on the floor and walls where blood had splattered. My stomach churned and I left quickly. Something evil had happened here, and now that I had seen this I could only assume that evil was rising again. And this time it was our job to stop it.

I excited the house quickly, and found Aren flying above me with his siblings examining the place where the flying creatures took residence. I signaled him down and we took flight to the back part of the human's section. Once we landed I told him what I saw. "We should stick close Peter." He purred. I nodded my agreement and we went inside another house.

By the time we got back to our meeting place Aren and I had found many houses with streaks of old blood where it had stained the stone, and six more skeletons.

The others came back in pairs with similar reports; streaks of blood, skeletons, even claw marks in some areas, almost like the victims had put up a fight. There was only one section in the entire city that did not have any damage done too it.

"This is quiet disturbing." Hestia said, speaking almost for the first time on this trip. We all nodded our agreement.

"We should search the castle-like building in the middle. Stick together in pairs of two or three. Peter I want you with me." I nodded, and we split up into our groups, Aren and I with Little Ripred, Hestia, Demetrius, Silvia, and Apollo in one, and Simon with his bond Artemis.

We entered the building, and the first thing we saw was two rivers merging in the center of the entrance hall, and splitting off in different directions of the building with path ways going the same way alongside them. The entrance hall had a slopped ceiling that had a large opening at the top for the flying creatures. Beautiful carvings and paintings were displayed in the walls and the trim above and around each entrance to a hallway were ornately carved, some with gold, around the arch. I looked down at the coble stone pathway and saw there were patches of precious jewels.

I heard Silvia gasp behind me, and I saw where she was looking. I went to stand beside her as she looked down into the water. The stone was cut the same way as the paths, and the water was crystal clear. I could see the bottom without echolocation, and realized that I could see the entire hall pretty well. I began looking for the source of light and realized that it was coming from above, and hitting something in the very center of the room. I went there and looked up to see a patch of blue. That was where the light was coming from. It was sunlight. "Wow" I breathed. I had been to the Overland twice to visit my grandparents and two aunts, but I was always amazed by the Sun.

"Beautiful isn't it?" Little Ripred said climbing up my shoulder. I nodded, "You know you mother and I, we used to just lie out in the backyard of the orphanage and let the sun warm our faces." His voice dropped as he spoke remembering, "Your mother, Peter, and I." the old rat sighed, "She told me to protect you no matter what ever happened to her. Those were her last words me before she left, 'Protect my son, do not come looking for me if I disappear,' always the last words she spoke to me before she left on a trip." I felt a sadness and grief stab at my heart, and I had to look away from him before tears formed in my eyes. "Come on let's go." He said taking a deep sniff, "That way." He pointed his tail to the north tunnel.

We followed the beautiful hallway down until Little Ripred stopped in front of a door. We entered the room as he directed, and found an extremely large library. Mother would have loved this, thought as I examined the shelves of books. Aren had taken flight and was looking at the ones near the roof of the library.

"Can you read these?" Little Ripred asked me.

"I can pick up bits and pieces of the language, if I had more time to study it I would eventually be able to read it I'm sure. I can already see a little bit of a pattern."

"Good, good." He said and jumped off my shoulder. I ran my hands along the spines of the books. They were incredibly old that I was sure of, but how old one could only guess. "Peter come look at this." Ripred said motioning me over to him. I saw his sitting on top of a large desk with rotting papers, dried ink, stubs of wax, and disintegrating quills. I took the page he was standing on from him, and stared at the txt.

Dear anyone who may read this,

Are city is being attacked; the Dark One has risen to power among the stabbers, and they have rallied with him. Only a few have joined the rest of the city. Tonight we flee for a sanctuary that the elders had set up long ago. Please help us Heroes! We have already lost three Keepers, and several are wounded. They come now; you will know where to find us. Just follow the path of the Sun.

I flipped the paper over to see who had written it, but nothing was there. I searched all over the desk, but the only thing I could find was a book with a piece of parchment sticking out of it. I opened the book and another letter fell out. I picked it up and began to read.

I have to write quickly, they will be coming for me soon. My name is Sydney McCarthy. I am married to Howard son of York. The stabbers have captured me. Peter if this is you reading this don't come after me. I will find a way home to you I promise. I know of the prophecy stay together with your cousins. They are coming now. Regalians or who ever finds this I will be home soon. The stabbers are planning some sort of evil. I have just recently found out what it is. Be prepared for

The words stopped there because the ink was smudged. I could care less though. My mother was alive! This letter couldn't be more than a year or two old! "This is why I wanted you to come with me. I could smell the lingering traces of your mother. They're gone now, but this is where they were the strongest. She was here longer than any other place in the city."

I couldn't speak. My mother was alive, and I couldn't go and look for her. She had been here in this very room. Then another thought struck me. What if she hadn't made it out?

What did you think? The next chapter will definatly be with Silvia, and her veiw of the city, but after that I'm still thinking. Hey guess what? I updated almost on time! Thanks for reading!

~chocoyum4~