Chapter 7

As Gregor sat in the car, the short ride home felt like an eternity, his mind racing with thoughts as heavy as the weight of the world itself. How could he possibly articulate to his girlfriend the unfathomable truth that, by the tender yet tumultuous age of 13, he had emerged as a fully acclaimed warrior, a figure forged in the fires of battle who had taken countless lives? Each life claimed carved a permanent mark on his soul, leaving him grappling with questions of morality and the burden of such a dark legacy. And then there was the even more bewildering reality that loomed beneath the surface—a civilization alive and vibrant, existing in the shadows just beneath their feet. The thought of revealing such secrets filled him with a swirling mixture of dread and urgency. Should he sweep her into the chaos of his truth, or would it be kinder to weave a web of lies to shield her from horrors that were far too great for her to bear? The weight of his secret pressed against his chest, each heartbeat echoing the urgency of his dilemma. This was not merely about preserving his own peace; it was about protecting the one person who meant the world to him. How could he choose between honesty and the haunting specter of his past?

The car ride home was a blur of worried thoughts for Ella, the silence punctuated only by the rhythmic thump of the tires and her racing pulse. The silence in the car was heavy, and she sensed something was terribly wrong with Gregor. She watched in horror as a giant hand dragged her loving, but reserved, boyfriend into the fetid, dark sewer; the stench of decay filled the air as she waited, her heart pounding, for 30 minutes that felt like an eternity. Unharmed and talking as if nothing had happened, his suspicious calmness suggested he was hiding something; a faint smell of smoke clung to his clothes.

He decided to find a way to introduce Ella to the truth gradually, so as not to overwhelm her. Gregor would begin by sharing stories of his past under the guise of fiction, subtly weaving in elements of his genuine experiences. He hoped this approach would allow her gradually to come to terms with the reality of his life, easing the inevitable shock and helping her understand the depth of the world hidden beneath their feet. Whether this was possible, he did not know.

When they arrived back at the house, he prepared himself for the worst. He took a deep breath and waited for her reaction. He wasn't sure if he could handle whatever came next. If Ella discovered the truth too soon, she might feel betrayed by Gregor's initial deceit, which could damage their relationship beyond repair. On the other hand, if he succeeded in gradually introducing her to his world, it could strengthen their bond by fostering trust and understanding. However, there was always the risk that the dangers of his past would catch up to them both, pulling them into a conflict far greater than either had anticipated.

Gregor felt the sudden sting of his girlfriend's palm against his cheek. The sound echoed through the hushed atmosphere of the mudroom, amplifying the tension that crackled between them.

"Gregor," she spat, her voice low and fierce, her gaze burning into him like a wildfire. "If you think for a moment that you can deceive me, you are gravely mistaken. I need you to lay down the truth, no matter how painful it may be. Tell me what happened today! Why are you not speaking to me? What are you hiding from me? Her desperation laced her words, each syllable a plea for transparency amidst a storm of emotion.

Gregor threw his head back, a wild glint in his eyes that spoke of uncontained passion and frustration. 'You would never, not in a million years, believe what I would tell you!' he shouted, his voice echoing through the dimly lit chamber, filled with the weight of secrets and unspoken truths. Each word trembled with urgency, bursting forth like a dam finally breaking, desperate to be heard.

Gregor burst out of the house, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest, the sound of his girlfriend's desperate cries fading behind him. The warmth of her concern, usually a comforting embrace, felt like a weight he couldn't bear in that moment. He didn't pause to look back or even to process her pleas—he simply ran, propelled by a force deep within him that seemed to override all thought and reason.

As he dashed into the cool night air, a swirl of confusion and adrenaline enveloped him. Where was he going? What had driven him to abandon the safety of their home? Each breath was a mixture of fear and exhilaration, the thrill of the unknown pulsing through his veins. It was as if his instincts had taken the reins, guiding him on a path to somewhere—anywhere—other than here.

With every step, memories flickered in his mind, flashes of laughter and shared dreams with her, now overshadowed by a suffocating sense of urgency. Gregor's thoughts were a chaotic blend of regret and desperation. He could still hear her voice, filled with love and worry, echoing in his ears. But those echoes gradually faded, replaced by the sharper reality of his solitude. It felt as though he was not just running away from her, but also from everything he once knew, the weight of expectation pulling at his shoulders.

As he ventured further into the night, Gregor felt both lost and liberated. The world around him was a blur of shadows and uncertainty, but with every stride, he sensed a strange possibility awakening inside him. Perhaps this frantic escape was not just flight; perhaps it was also the first step toward finding himself—an unexpected journey he had never anticipated.

Yet, in the depths of his heart, a steady ache pulsed, reminding him of the love he had left behind and the consequences of his hasty decision. Gregor took a deep breath, his mind racing as he realized he had no choice but to tell her everything. Later that evening, he returned home, the weight of his secrets heavier than ever, determined to finally confront the shadows of his past and bring everything to light.

Upon returning home, Gregor felt a tumultuous mix of anxiety and relief. His heart pounded with the fear of revealing his secrets, yet a sense of calm washed over him at the thought of no longer hiding. As he stood at the threshold, he braced himself for the inevitable confrontation, hoping it would lead to redemption and a chance to explain his predicament.

After a long, contemplative shower that seemed to stretch into eternity, Gregor finally emerged, heart racing and mind swirling. He dressed in comfortable, familiar clothes, yet every fabric felt heavy with the weight of the truth he had been harboring. As he took the short trek over to Ella's house, he wrestled with his thoughts, grappling with the truth that had taken root in his heart. In those fleeting moments, he came to a profound realization— it was far better to lay bare his soul, to come clean and reveal the secrets that had haunted him.

"What if she doesn't believe me?" the thought gnawed at him. And as painful as the prospect of losing her was, the agony of deception felt unbearable. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever came next. "Even if she breaks up with me, it's preferable to living with this burden."

As he approached her door, his heart pounded louder than the rhythm of his footsteps. "Screw it," he urged himself, fueled by an urgency that couldn't be ignored. He paused only for a fleeting moment, gathering every ounce of courage he had left, before raising his hand and knocking gently—but firmly—on the door.

To his relief, it was Ella who answered, her face lighting up the entryway like the dawn itself. "Gregor, what's the matter, honey?" she asked, a note of concern lacing her voice. "Please, come in. We need to talk." The gravity of her words sent a shiver down his spine, and he stepped into her world, prepared to share the truth that had weighed upon him for far too long.

"Fuck" Gregor muttered under his breath. Gregor was a warrior, he shouldn't be scared of such trivial things. Gregor has done so much in the short time he's been on this planet, and all of a sudden he is afraid to talk to the girl who helped him come out of his shell and be a real human being again. Just pathetic, he thought as he walked into Ellas beautiful house.

As Ella led him to her room, he admired the elegance that surrounded them. She perched gracefully on the edge of her exquisitely adorned bed, while Gregor settled into a chair opposite her, his body tense, his heart pounding with uncertainty. Silence enveloped them like a thick fog, an almost suffocating tranquility that accentuated the fluttering whispers of the wind that danced with the curtains, swaying gently in the cool air.

No one spoke, though the space was charged with a myriad of unsaid words and unvoiced thoughts. Finally, breaking the silence that hung like a cloud between them, Gregor spoke in a voice that quivered with emotion, "Ella, what I'm about to share with you is something so outlandish, I wouldn't even believe it if it were told to me. If you feel like ending things, I want you to know that it's perfectly okay. Your feelings will always come first, and I'll accept whatever you decide."

Ella's eyes widened, her voice quaking with concern as she pressed him, "Gregor, what is it that you're hiding from me?"

At that moment, Gregor could hardly maintain his composure; he was on the brink of tears, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. He let out a soft whimper, struggling to find the right words,

Neither one wanted to speak, but then Gregor in a raspy tone finally spoke "Ella what I'm going to tell you, I wouldn't even believe it even if you told me. If you want to break up it is ok for you to do so and I will except your feelings regardless."

"Gregor, what are you hiding from me?" Ella cried,

Gregor, who was also at the verge of tears, whimpered out"Well the thing that grabbed me today, well it wasn't fake it was a giant annoying rat who was my mentor. And I am going to go save some people who live underneath the earth…."

After everything I sacrificed for you, after all that I poured into our relationship, this is how you repay me? With nothing but lies upon lies."

"Ella, oh, how I wish It was a story, how I long for the comfort of a lie," Gregor replied, his voice trembling with barely contained anguish. "But the truth is, I wish I had never ventured down there—to the Underland. You see, every time I step out into the light of day, I wear long-sleeved shirts. You know the reason why. You have seen with your eyes the scars that mark my body. Each mark tells a story, one that is intricate and profound. I once told you it was from an accident, but that was only half the truth. I was a warrior, you need proof, I can show you a photograph of me standing beside a queen of the Underland. And I carry with me a claw from my bond, Ares."

As he spoke, the weight of his words crashed over him like a torrent, threatening to sweep him away. Tears streamed down Gregor's cheeks, each drop a testament to the emotional tempest raging within him. Losing Ella felt like losing a part of himself, and the rush of emotions she had so steadfastly helped him navigate was now spilling forth in an uncontrollable torrent, faster than his heart could process. If he didn't control himself he knew he would be overcome by rage.

From the angle at which he stood, away from her gaze, he could feel the enormity of his truth hanging heavily in the air. "Gregor," Ella's voice quivered with urgency, "If you're not making this up, if there is any actual truth, then please, tell me the full story."

"I never imagined my life would change so dramatically in an instant. One moment, I was just an ordinary kid navigating the bustling streets of New York City, and the next, I was plunging into the dim, musty depths of my apartment building's basement. Out of nowhere, I found myself tumbling into an extraordinary world hidden below the surface—a realm teeming with massive creatures, including towering, menacing rats and mysterious, winged beings soaring gracefully through the shadows. As I landed in the Underland, fear and exhilaration surged through me. I quickly learned I was not just an intruder but the prophesied "Warrior," destined to save this enchanting yet perilous land. Facing many challenges, I embarked on a harrowing quest that would test my courage and resolve. I navigated through the labyrinthine tunnels, where the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and ancient stone, and the distant sounds of unseen creatures echoed around me. I fought alongside Ares, the fierce bat, dodging the razor-sharp claws of the monstrous rats known as the Gnawers. Together, we launched daring rescues of captured citizens, relying on our instincts and the agility of the Underland's creatures. I climbed the towering cliffs of the Spinners' territory, battling giant spiders whose webs glistened like fine silk, each encounter pushing me to the brink of my fears. Through my experiences, I discovered strengths I never knew I had, strategizing with my friends during relentless skirmishes and devising plans to unite the factions of the Underland against their common foe. I learned to wield a sword, its weight heavy in my hands, and faced my adversaries with a newfound fierceness. Each battle taught me the importance of leadership and sacrifice, as I stood side by side with Luxa, the fierce princess, who quickly became a trusted ally. Together, we rallied the inhabitants of this strange world, igniting a spark of hope among them. My journey became not just one of survival, but a profound exploration of identity—Gregor, the Overlander, destined to weave together two worlds with purpose and hope. I had transformed from a hesitant boy into a reluctant hero, realizing that true bravery often lies in the quiet resolve to stand up for others and fight for justice in the face of unimaginable odds." and with that Gregor started to weep. Gregor hadn't talked about that place in forever and now all the people he loved down there are all in danger.

Well everyone, that's chapter 7. I hope you enjoy it :)