Before he stepped in, Luxa stopped him. "What means this, 'Hit the hay'?" she asked.

"Well. It means to go to sleep I guess. Because your really tired," Gregor appeased.

Luxa nodded. Boots joined in on the word game and Gregor walked into the room Three weeks. Gregor couldn't stay for three weeks. He had only planned to say for a week tops. He couldn't leave his parents for that long, especially since he had Boots with him. Maybe they could make the trip faster somehow. Maybe he could talk them into making the trip shorter by telling them he had an appointment or something.

"Is there any way we could make the trip any faster? Maybe pack light baskets? Take a short cut?" Gregor asked, a knot in his stomach.

"Not likely. We must start by heading towards the Dead Lands. Turn East and cross a few seas and series of land. Who knows how long it will take to kill you and find Ares," Ripred started. "Also time to visit and to retrieve all that are lost. Not all come from the Spirit Lands, some will have to be found in other lands."

After everyone had finished eating Gregor and Boots bathed again. The bath gave Gregor time to think. How could he do this? His mom would not allow him to stay that long! She would kill him before he was allowed to go to the Spirit Lands. After Gregor's bath he and Boots headed to Luxa's room to sleep.

Boots and Gregor made their way down the long, slightly lit halls. Gregor knew most of the halls in the palace by now, he had been there many times. Gregor knocked on the outside of Luxa's door and waited for an answer.

"You may step in," Luxa called.

Gregor stepped in, followed by Boots and Temp. He didn't even know Temp had followed them, he was so quiet. Luxa was sitting on the ground around a small coffee table, playing a word game with Hazard. Gregor would have joined, but he was way too tired.

"You must be tired," Luxa laughed as she looked up from her game. Gregor and Boots must have looked tired.

"Yeah. I think I am gonna hit the hay. Boots, you can stay and play if you'd like. I have had a long day," Gregor replied as he started to walk towards a guest room.
. He face planted onto the fluffy bed and nodded of when his head hit the pillow. All that the day had held was overwhelming. A few hours later Boots cuddled up next to him and also fell asleep.

Luxa nodded. Boots joined in on the word game and Gregor walked into the room. He face planted onto the fluffy bed and nodded of when his head hit the pillow. All that the day had held was overwhelming. A few hours later Boots cuddled up next to him and also fell asleep.

Next thing Gregor knew, he was being shaken awake. His eyes popped open to find Boots shaking him awake, "Wake up Gregor! Breakfast is ready!" she yelled as she shook him harder.

"I'm up alright!" Gregor said groggily as he rubbed his eyes and stretched.

Gregor walked out of the room and sat next to Luxa. She, Temp, and Hazard were eating breakfast. Boots took a seat in between Hazard and Temp and began to eat her already filled plate. Gregor took a warm roll from a platter and spread jelly like substance on it. When everyone ate Boots and Gregor bathed again. Gregor walked out of the bathroom door to find Mareth.

"Your sword is being mended. While it is being mended you must train. I will meet you at the stadium. A flier by the name of Zinx is awaiting your arrival at the high hall," Mareth instructed and walked away towards the high hall.

Dulcet came out with a squeaky clean Boots latched onto her hand. Gregor thanked her and took Boots' hand and lead her to the high hall. Temp trailed along behind them, he was awfully attached to Boots this trip. Gregor saw a creamy red bat sitting alone in the high hall, he guessed the bat was Zinx.

"You must be Zinx," Gregor spoke as he walked up to the bat.

The bat nodded their head. "I am she who is called Zinx. I was assigned to take you to the field to train. Is this correct?" Zinx asked.

She, Gregor didn't know the bat was a female. She was awfully large for a female. She was almost the size of what Ares had been. Not as bulky, and not as long as a wing span. She was a good foot or two smaller than Ares but she was very bulky and looked powerful. Her muscles rippled under her fur as her wing twitched.

"Yep, I am supposed to go train," Gregor replied and Zinx knelt down to let them mount her.

Gregor sat in front of her bulky shoulders with Boots sitting behind him. She was talking to Temp in cockroach. He couldn't believe she remembered any of the words. Zinx took off for the field. Boots didn't seem to have any ounce of nervousness. Gregor did, it had been a while since he had ridden a bat. He didn't trust much bats other than Ares.

"So, who is your bond?" Gregor asked.

"I do not have of one yet. I could find of none earlier in life. No human suited me, nor did I suit any," she replied, a pinch of sadness in her tone.

"Well, I am sure there is someone out there just right for you. My sister Lizzie, she is eleven. I bet she would like you. She is quiet and nice. Maybe next time she comes back down you guys could get to know each other," Gregor added.

Zinx fluttered onto the mossy field. Mareth was already down there with Luxa and Hazard. How did he get down here so fast? Gregor slid off of Zinx and helped Boots down. Boots scurried over to Hazard, Temp following behind her. They would probably talk with Temp in cockroach and talk to any other creature that would listen to them. Hazard had a special talent where he could speak the tongue of many creatures. He was a Halflander, and Overlander and an Underlander. He had taught himself when he lived in the jungle to speak to other creatures.

"So what am I going to be trained on today?" Gregor asked Mareth as he walked over to him.

"You will train in flying, agility, and rager. You must retake your skills. You will also be tested on raging in the dark," Mareth replied as he and Gregor moved over to the blood ball cannons where Gregor Mareth gave Gregor his sword which had been finished early.

Gregor took the jewel studded handle of the sword and stood where Mareth told him to stand. Gregor placed his feet shoulder width apart and shook off all other thoughts. He rolled his neck and swung his sword out in front of him, getting used to the feel of it before the cannons were set off.

Mareth started the cannons. The blood balls came at Gregor with intense speed but his mind slowed everything down and zeroed in on the balls. His sword sliced through the first ball, the liquid splattered across the blade of his sword and his face. Gregor swung his sword a few more times then stopped. At his feet lay the shells of all fifteen blood balls, their liquid oozing out around his boots.

"Impressive," Luxa said as she walked up to Gregor and patted him on the shoulder. "Not like I have not seen it before."

"Impressive it is. Not many can make this incredible feat," Mareth added as he also patted Gregor's shoulder. "Time to fly."

Mareth stood up three dummies on the field. They had many cuts and scrapes from earlier battles with their rivals. One's head was already missing, and one's stomach was so torn up the stuffing was spilling out onto the moss.

"Show your seat on the flier," Mareth instructed, pointing at Zinx who had ventured over near them.

Gregor climbed up onto Zinx's shoulders and positioned himself comfortably where his legs dangled out in front of him, out of the of Zinx's flying. Mareth patted his legs and told him to losen up his grip, the flier knows how to fly and will not drop him. Gregor did as he was told and he noticed Zinx began to relax a little.

"Now you will hit the target. Zinx has knowledge on how to maneuver, all you need to do is strike, making sure you do not hit her wings or any other object," Mareth instructed and Zinx rose into the air.

Zinx lifted up high above Mareth to where he looked like an ant on a large surface. She dove towards the targets and Gregor zoned in on the spots that were vulnerable on the dummies. Zinx did a twist to where Gregor was upside down and he ran his sword into the first dummies chest and pulled out, making more stuffing fall. The second Zinx circled around and Gregor sliced diagonolly through the abdomen. The third Zinx sped down towards, right when she was about to hit the floor she turned up and Gregor cut the head off of the dummy.

Mareth called the two back down. Zinx fluttered down beside Mareth and Gregor slid off next to him. Luxa had been watching them the whole time, hopefully Gregor did his attacks right, he didn't want to look like a complete idiot.

"That was fair, yet losen your legs when attacking," Luxa chirped.

"Now Ripred will see you for echolocation," Mareth instructed as he handed Gregor a wooden sword. "Good luck."

Gregor walked over to Ripred and followed him into one of the dark tunnels that led out of the stadium. They stopped in a large cave where Gregor had to focus to see.

"Good to see you boy. Yet, can you see me?" Ripred laughed as he teased Gregor.

At first Gregor could not see a thing, then he clicked and a picture of Ripred crouching before him came back to him. Ripred silently stalked towards Gregor. Gregor swung his sword down on Ripred who had caught it off guard, it sent him stumbling but he soon caught his balance.

"Oh, so you want to play it the hard way boy?" Ripred evily chuckled, "oh, I can play it the hard way."

Gregor's stomach did a flip, but his mind was steady. Gregor locked on Ripred and every move he made. Ripred's tail came crashing down near Gregor's face. He quickly blocked it with the sword. The impact made the sword make a cracking sound. Gregor swung around. Ripred's claw just missed his face. Gregor's sword hit Ripred right on the side and sent him sprawling to the ground. He got up and shook it off.

"Oh my gosh! I'm sorry!" Gregor exclaimed as he ran to Ripred's side.

"I am fine boy. Just got the wind knocked out of me," Ripred pushed Gregor's sympathy off.

Ripred headed for the mouth of the tunnel. Gregor traveled behind, feeling very sheepish. They both had to shield their eyes when they entered the bright stadium. Gregor's eyes adjusted quickly and he walked over to Zinx. Boots and Temp were already mounted and ready to head back to the palace. Gregor climbed onto Zinx's shoulders and looked back at Ripred who was limping slightly.

"Are you sure you are okay? You don't need help getting back to the palace or anything?" Gregor asked.

"I am quite alright boy. I will even race you to prove how well I am," Ripred laughed.

Gregor chuckled and Zinx rose into the air. She sped off towards the palace. Ripred stayed right under her wings. Ripred had to stop at the elevator as Zinx flew into the high hall. Gregor and the others slid off of the bats back. Ripred walked over to them as Vikus did also.

"You two will bathe. Ripred, we need to discuss traveling plans," Vikus instructed as he and Ripred headed off.

Gregor thanked Zinx for the ride and he lead Boots and Temp to the bathing room. His body ached as he stepped into the warm water. It instantly washed away the pains and left him feeling refreshed as he stepped out of the water. When he toweled off he put on the fresh clothes and asked the guards to take his boots back to Luxa's room. He walked out to find Boots and Temp waiting for him.

"What is for dinner?" Boots asked.

"I am not sure. We will find out soon though," Gregor told her as they walked into the feast room.

The room was full of people. They took their seats. Gregor ate gluttonously and so did Boots. He had worked hard when he had trained, he was also older and could take in allot of food.

"So when do we leave?" Gregor asked Ripred after he had swallowed a mouthful of carrot things.