Gregor stared at the carvings on the wall. The Prophecy of Mysteries was carved in a very well-lit spot, where one could clearly discern all the letters written there. However, the letters made no sense what so ever, since they were written in the Code of Claw that Ripred and Lizzie had cracked during the war between the rats and the humans. Vikus hadn't meant for him to understand the prophecy, he just wanted to see if there were certain hints on the wall which Gregor may recognize. He saw none. Vikus, who had been standing off to the side so that Gregor could concentrate, now stepped forward and pulled out a piece of parchment. It was a hand written version of the decoded prophecy, with pencil marks here and there showing work and thought.
"When Ripred decoded the prophecy," Vikus said, "I decided to take the privilege of unraveling the prophecy by myself, but let us examine it together. We may get some new ideas thinking together." He pointed to the first stanza. "If you please Gregor, reading aloud helps promote the process of thinking very much." And Gregor began to read.
"When the time of war's receded,
And all violence has retreated,
As each creature's light is guarded,
By vow to death protected.
While the undead resides in the over,
And the new queen is lone in the under."
Gregor shrugged. "That is actually easy for Sandwich's standards," he said, "its literally just what happened after the Prophecy of Time was fulfilled."
Vikus nodded. "It is amazingly accurate as well," he noted, "even the details of Luxa's act of bonding with Ripred, 'vow to death protected' was in Sandwich's prediction."
Gregor didn't answer. He had his doubts about Sandwich's abilities, but he wasn't going to let it out in front of Vikus. He continued on to the next stanza.
"May fury be the sin of doom,
For they who cleave bares its womb,
Hatred swarms around the edge,
The line which marks this land we pledge.
What's gone you think it won't be back,
How wrong you are the peace due crack.
Two young lives on the border maimed,
Two faithful hearts with their light all drained."
"This is also not hard to comprehend," Vikus said, "it is a notation of where we are now, a sign that marks the coming of the prophecy." He pointed to the second line. "This is the only part where there may be more to it than meets the eye."
Gregor frowned. "It seems perfectly clear to me." He said. Vikus nodded. "Yes, upon first glance, there seem to be no problem." He then pointed to the word "cleave". "But this word troubles me. We Underlanders refer to the cutters as cutters, because we'd like to think ourselves as having no fear for the cutters, and the word 'cut' seems less terrifying than words like 'cleave' or 'slice'." Gregor was now beginning to understand. "And that habit came from Sandwich himself?" He asked, and the old man nodded. Gregor read the sentence a few more times, trying to find the problem if he substituted the word "cleave" for 'cut'. "Maybe," he said slowly, "it's because if you substitute 'cut' for 'cleave', the sentence doesn't work out as rhythmic as the original, since the word 'cut' is only one syllable, and the word 'cleave' has a couple? This is a poem after all, and Sandwich probably wanted it to be as rhythmic as possible." Vikus nodded. "It may be that." Though he still looked troubled. "Please read on Gregor."
"Bring the warrior below or grief,
Reforge the blade which splits by he.
The young queen to which the duty lies,
From which to choose, princess or lives.
Summon untrusting though he'd be,
The gnawer to whom you owe your peace.
Seek within the eye of eyes,
Pass the darkness and the night,
The only hope the eternal light,
Destroy your foemen before the strife."
"Okay," Gregor felt his brows furrow, "this is more like Sandwich, more unfathomable words. At least the first few sentences are clear, they are just calling Luxa, Ripred and me to go on this quest, and Luxa has to choose between Boots and Lizzie whom to be the real princess. But what about here?" He pointed to the line, "Seek within the eye of eyes". "What is the 'eye of eyes'?" Vikus hesitated for just a second. "It is one of our deepest sins." He finally said, "it is the reason for the cutters' immense hatred towards all warm bloods."
YOU ARE READING
Gregor And The Prophecy Of Doom (Book VI)
AventureIt is 2 and a half years after Gregor and Lizzie have returned from the underland, but their family is still in New York City. Dreams of giant rats and falling to his death still bothers Gregor from time to time, and he isn't improving as a student...
