Shadows of the Past

Chapter 4

"I guess the Warrior is back,"

~~~

I put the sword back in its scabbard. It showed up a few weeks after I left the Underland for good. I set it on my desk, my mouth suddenly dry. I grab the cup on my desk and walk to the bathroom connected to the room, to fill it up. I fill it halfway, then take a big drink, coughing as it went down the wrong way. Water fell onto my shirt, soaking it.

"Great, it's going to be a bad day," I set the cup down and take off my shirt. I look in the mirror, seeing all my scars. My hand goes to the one on my chest, 5 slashes. I got it during the final battle when I killed the Bane and Ares was killed. I quickly walk out of the bathroom and to my dresser and put on a new shirt, it was a red long sleeve with black stripes. 

I walk to the corner of the room and grab a duffel bag, I'm not too worried about clothes. But, I pack some jeans and shirts, just in case. Maybe I should tell the girls that they don't need many clothes. Yeah. I'll do that. I walk out of my room and knock on Lizzie's door.

"Yes?" I open the door. She had a bag and was packing her beloved Marvel funko pops.

"Don't pack a lot of clothes. They will give us clothes okay," 

"Leaves more room for my stuff so great!" I smile and close her door. I go and knock on Maggie's door.

"Come in," She had 2 bags, with clothes protruding out of them. I walk to her bed, where her bags were.

"Maggie, sweetie, you don't need that many clothes. Just bring a few days worth, okay?"

"Yeah, okay," I walk out of her room and shut the door. I walk to my room, grabbing a few things, like the pictures from the Underland, pictures I have taken over the years before I even knew of the Underland, and some trinkets that I hold dear. I zip the bag up and swing it on my shoulders. I walk out of my room and set the bag on the table. Lizzie was already out, with her bag on the table. 

"Maggie's almost done," 

"You excited,"

"No,"

"What about Ripred?" 

"Well, I'm excited to see him. I just don't want to go there, you know. And he's like the only person I know, besides your girlfriend, and I don't know her that well,"

"Who's Gregor's girlfriend?" Maggie was in the hallway, with a bag on her shoulders.

"Oh, you'll meet her soon, trust me," 

"You ready to go girls?" I swing the bag on my shoulders

"Yeah," Lizzie says.

"Yep,"

"Don't forget to grab your masks," I walk to the door and grab my mask, and put it on. Maggie and Lizzie follow suit. I open the door and we file out, shutting the door to the apartment. I walk down the stairs to the laundry room, to see if we can go down that way. I move the things that were on top of the vent and take the cover off, the hinges screeching. I tie a string to the grate, so when I drop I can close it shut. The white substance was there, thankfully.

"Okay, so we can take this way, Lizzie, you wanna go first,"

"Okay, I will," She drops her legs and slides off of the floor. Maggie lets out a small screech.

"Maggie, it's perfectly safe, I promise. I'll go down with you if you want,"

"Please do," The opening could fit 2 people. I sat next to Maggie, holding her hand.

"Ready?"

"No," She paused, her hand was shaking, "Now," We slide off. The door slammed shut and I let the string go. Maggie screamed, I held her to my side, as we fell.

---

It was a few minutes before we landed on the ground. Lizzie was waiting at the entrance if the tunnels, where Maggie and I first entered the Undlerland, 11 years previously. Maggie was shaken up, by the fall. Lizzie lets me walk out first, and I see a Regalian guard.

"Who are you?" The Regalian guard says, he looks familiar. 

"The Warrior," 

"The Warrior left many years ago,"  

"Mareth?"

"Yes, I am he who is called Mareth. Now what is your business here?" He asked, threatening.

"Mareth, its me Gregor,"

"Gregor?"

"Yeah," 

"Come here, boy," He pulls me into an embrace.

"Where's Andromeda?"

"She doesn't like being in here, to cramped, you know, shes just outside, where it opens up," He looks behind me, "Are those the princesses?"

"Yep, Lizzie and Maggie," 

"Wait, what do you mean by 'princesses'?" Maggie asked

"Just wait until we get to Regalia, then I will answer all of your questions," I tell her I turn towards Mareth, "Do you mind taking us to Regalia?"

"Sure, my post is almost over anyways. And we don't want to keep the Queen and your bond waiting,"

"Ares died,"

"No, he didn't, I'll have Luxa explain. Follow me," He leads us through the tunnels, which were longer than I remember.

It took quite awhile, but we made it to the opening. Andromeda was flying overhead. Mareth whislted and she flew down.

"Andromeda, the warrior has returned," She looked over his shoulder.

"Greetings,  Warrior," I looked at Maggie, her brows furrowed in confusion. 

"Greetings, Andromeda," Mareth whispered to Andromeda and she took off towards the Arena, not to far away. 

"Where is she going?"

"I asked her to get another flyer, since she can't carry all four of us," 

"Oh, that makes since,"  

"There she is," Andromeda lands, and another bat, with golden fur, a rider jumps off her.

"Gregor?"

~~~