The Warrior's Return -The Underland Cronicles fanfiction

Chapter 5 -Gregor

I anxiously glance around me. I take in Central Park in the dark. My eyes slowly adjust to the dim lights of the street lamps. After catching sight of the rock entrance, I quickly slip under.

The Underland surrounds me once I flip on my miniature flashlight. I take in the once-used-to-be familiar tunnels that lead throughout the Underland. I sigh as I notice that somehow my memory of these tunnels are not how they are today.

Today, they are horrific memories that somehow catch me off guard each time. Somehow they find a way to my heart, and they are slowly eating me. (Not literally of course)

I hurts to think about them so I force myself to think of other things.

As I navigate my way though the tunnels I realize I have absolutely no idea where to go. Four years ago I could have done this blindfolded. Well, actually Ripred had me blindfolded and my hands tied behind my back, therefore leaving bruises after running into the walls several times.

I walk into a huge cavern. Shining the light all around I try to remember where this is. I curse and sit down totally lost and confused. I knew I shouldn't have come here. It was the dumbest thing I could have done. Why am I such an idiot?

I'm almost ready to turn around and head back home, defeated. Suddenly it hits me like a brick. A sob builds at the back of my throat.

Here.

Here was where it happened.

Where I lost my best friend. Where I lost my bond.

Suddenly the memories come flooding back to me.

------Flashback------

"Get out!" I had cried to Ares. "Get out, Ares!" I had a terrible sense of dread. Something was wrong about our position, our proximity to the Bane. Even before Ares opened his wings, I somehow knew there was no way we were going to escape the Bane's claws. I quickly thrust my sword in the direction of the Bane, but I was too late. 'Ares!" I called. "No!"

Everything around me seemed to move in slow motion. The Bane snagged Are's wing, spun him around so they were face-to-face, and pulled him forward. I quickly dropped Solvet's dagger and wrap both of my hands around the hilt of my sword. Just as the Bane sinks his teeth into Ares' s neck, my blade pierces the rats heart.

------------ End of Flashback ----------

They are there for a moment and them they are gone. Just like that, Ares disappears from my life once again.

Pushing the pain aside, I glance around the cavern. It looks exactly like it did four years ago. But, how much can it change really? All it is is rock. After the life changing event that occurred here, I still looks the sam

A shuffling sound comes from one of the corners. The sound startles me but I quickly recover and shine the flashlight in that direction.

Once the light hits what made the sound I cringe. Two bats hang, silently watching me with wide eyes.

My heartbeat picks up, with anxiety I cautiously take another step towards them. I haven't seen a flier in four years. I haven't seen anyone from down  here. Have they changed? Has the live they once knew completely flipped since the reign of the Bane?

Preparing to ask them if they could lead me to Regalia, I open mouth.

"Overlander?" The smaller and more dark, one purrs in a masculine voice.

I nod, but say nothing.

"Sent to get you, I was." Their once familiar dialect is now foreign.

"By who?"

"The queen," Hoping to the ground the bat bows, as if offering his back. I carefully regard his inviting gesture.

How can this be? After what happened earlier today? I'm almost taken aback.

I slip one leg over his neck. I run my fingers though his smooth fur coat, longing for the rough, worn feel of my bond's.

Without another word, the young bat sails into the air with my body pressed gently against his back. A small smile spreads across my face as the light wind hits it.

The other bat joins our side as we head towards the Underland city, Regalia.