"Oh, so I am in the presence of 'The Warrior', huh?" Xander chirped, sarcastically.

Gregor just gave him a stern look, while is dislike for this guy, slowly rose.

"Well now, what's with the troubled face?" the soon to be king mocked, "What? Would you like me to bow in your honor and offer you my assistance, Overland?" He continued his assault.

Gregor definitely had a strong dislike of this guy now. He had a problem with everything and anything Xander. First of all, Gregor noticed that Xander looked like him. Well, not in a related way, but like an outsider to this race of pale-skinned, white-haired, violet-eyed people. His skin was not as pale as the others. His hair, long, jet black and curling upwards a little, contrasted the rest of the crowd's stark white appearance. But the thing that not only ticked Gregor off the most, but also, confused him, was Xander's ruby-red eyes, piercing and seemingly evil. Now, if he had green eyes, or violet, Gregor would've assumed he was a Half-Lander, like Hazard. But those red eyes shimmered, like an animal's eyes at night, and they were complemented by his cocky grin, which Gregor wanted to smack right off his face. Of course, he didn't, and remained silent and serious.

"So you really aren't joking about the whole 'Warrior' thing, aren't you?" Xander commented, approaching to get a closer look at this foreigner. Gregor flinched as those devious eyes observed him. "So I suppose, you are the one who kept dear Luxy here from marrying me?" He said, while circling Gregor as everyone in the meeting room's eyes was on them.

In Gregor's mind, he gave a huge sigh of relief. So Luxa did still care for him. Enough so that she would resist marrying this guy. And he wasn't afraid to let Xander know it. "Is someone jealous that the 'queen' loves me more?"

Suddenly, Xander whipped something from the top of his head that was previously obscured to Gregor, since Xander was a few inches taller than him. The object was in Xander's hand in seconds and pressing its sharp edge up against Gregor's neck, faster than his rusty reflexes could react. He winced but didn't try to move, fearing the weapon would pierce his vein. "Ohohoho, Overlander. You are so very lucky I am in a good mood today. But once I become king, I can guarantee your beheading."

"We do not behead guests, especially the Warrior!" An old, raspy voice called from across the room. Gregor had to take a minute to recognize is, but that voice definitely came from Vikus!

Reluctantly, Xander loosened his force on Gregor's neck and pulled his weapon away. "Oh Vikus, you naïve old man! I cannot wait to relieve you from your political position, too! But, whatever. You are the one in charge… for now." Xander stepped away, returning the weapon to his head. But Gregor relieved it wasn't a weapon. It was a crown! Not a traditional one, like Luxa's. No… the devilish item was constructed by bones. And in the front, a single claw stuck out, somewhat decoratively. And Gregor recognized that claw…

"I-is that Ares'…Cl-!" Gregor tried to stumble, reliving old memories of his fallen bond.

"This?" Xander lifted the ghastly crown once more. "Why, I had this specially made! And the crowning piece, this wonderful claw from an unknown Flier! I found it floating in a tub in the infirmary, coated with blood and remains. I could never let such a thing go to waste, so I just had to claim it if no one else did!"

Gregor was now trying extremely hard not to let his hand meet Xander's face. If talking back to him earned beheading, Gregor did not want to know what striking the highness will bring, so he kept his mouth shut and tightened fists by his side. Obviously, Xander could see Gregor's frustration, everyone could! But Xander was especially enjoying it.

"I think we've had enough!" Vikus spoke out once more.

"Well, then. I guess its curtain call for me, until next time. I believe it is time for a bath anyway. That goes for you too, Warrior. You reek of Overland." And with that, Xander strolled off. But he paused when he got to Luxa. "See you tomorrow, my Queen." He kissed her on the cheek. Both Luxa and Gregor winced.

Xander not only managed to make Gregor lose his temper in front of the crowd, but also managed to show Gregor's apparent weakness for Ares and jealousy of Luxa. And even though they just met, and these words were never exchanged, both Gregor and Xander knew that they despised each other.

Gregor just stood there, stunned by the recent events, looking like an idiot.

"Come Gregor. Although they stung, those last words were true. You must wash up for dinner." Mareth carefully added, before assistants whisked him away.

No matter how long Gregor bathed and washed and scrubbed, and no matter how clean he was now, he couldn't hold some knowing questions any longer. He quickly put on the spider thread clothes he was given and joined the others at dinner.

When he got there, he was happy to see Xander wasn't attending; only his friends were there. Around the table, Gregor recalled the old faces: Ripred, Luxa, Vikus, Mareth, Nerissa, Dulcet, Perdita, Howard, Hazard, and of course, Scott. All the food was already set, so it looked like they were just waiting for Gregor. He awkwardly sat and waited for the others to eat. No one did. It looked like Gregor wasn't the only one without an appetite, except Scott, who, obliviously started scarfing down shrimp with cream sauce.

"Let's just get to the questions, Gregor." Ripred just blurted out, to break the silence.

Not missing a beat, Gregor let the questions begin to fly out. "Who exactly is this 'Xander' guy and why did Luxa agree to marry him?"

"Well, "Ripred took charge, "'This Xander guy' didn't get to this point for no reason. I think I should begin a few months back. You see, Xander's father, is now the new general of the Regalian army, after Solovet… passed away."

Gregor nodded, keeping up so far.

"Now, they don't let just anyone become leader of an army these days. Now, Xander's Father is not just an 'anyone'. He was a war hero, from one of the earlier Gnawer wars. A hero, a warrior."

"Warrior?" Gregor suddenly got more interested.

"Yes, a warrior. Most at that time believed he was, the Warrior."

"His dad is an Overlander?"

"Yes. One of the most loved ones, before you came along. But after the war, he vanished. Many believed him to be dead, up until a few months ago. After the last war, after you left, he showed up again, but this time, with a… very special son."

"You're talking about Xander's eyes, right?"

"Yes, you've seen them. We all have. They have never been seen before, and I believe, aren't even common in Overlander standards, am I right?"

Gregor nodded.

"The problem is, no one knows who the mother is. Neither Xander, nor his father would speak a word."

Gregor interrupted. "But why is he engaged with Luxa?"

"I'm getting to that!" Ripred shouted, "When Luxa, here, reached sixteen a month or two ago, we needed to search for a king to continue the bloodline. She insisted on you, Gregor, but since we did not know you're current situation in the Overworld, and where to find you, we needed a different king. The Council, still filled with old timers, mainly human to note, insisted on Xander, seeing how they were friends with Xander's father way back when. And since the council's words are final, the marriage was set. Of course, Luxa, very strongly disagreed, both sides came to a conclusion that they will give you a month's time to appear."

"But I did!" Gregor pleaded.

"Yes, you did, about a day or two late. Once the deadline is hit, a week is set for preparations for the wedding!"

"A day!" Gregor's anger rose. He could've saved Luxa from this jerk with he was a day faster!

"Calm down now. None of us here at this table wanted this to happen, but it did. We've all talked with the Council, and we all have been rejected."

Gregor stood up, reputedly, slamming his hands on the table and his chair onto the floor.

"Gregor, please…" Luxa pleaded.

"You must calm yourself!" Mareth, who was sitting next to him, stood too, to settle him back down.

"No." Gregor shoved him away. "And I suppose that there is a prophecy for all this? This is no coincidence, right? What, the Warrior shows up, a day late to stop this stupid wedding!"

Nerissa shook her head. "We do not know, Warrior. Soon after your departure, the prophecy room was found greatly damaged, all of Sandwich's words, chipped away, far too damaged to decipher. We do not have enough evidence to pin on someone."

"That's just great!" Gregor threw his hands in the air and stormed out.

Done! Sorta long Chapter, but hey, at least it came quicker than Dead Dude's. Anyway, enjoy Xander's jerk-iness. xD He is by far, one of the most fun character's I've ever wrote with. His rudeness is just too fun to make up : ) Anyway, enjoy, read, review. That's all I ask for in return for this story to continue along!

Heya~! If you bother just reading all 3 chapters so far in the story, would you mind reviewing please? We'd love your feedback!

-Virawl

UPDATE [2/21/11] - Dead Dude can't post due to... personal reasons, so I guess I'll have to take over. I hope to get the next chapter out as soon as possible. Sorry for the delay.

UPDATE [5/30/11] - Bam! Back form the dead! If you haven't noticed already from my recent activity on my original account, Virawl. Sorry for the extended absence! School got extremely busy. But, since it's ending soon, I might as well start this up again! Dead Dude is still unable to post, but I hope to type up the next chapter soon and get this fic back up again :)

BTW - Speaking of my latest activity, don't forget to check out my newest Percy Jackson fic for all you Percy Jackson fans: Spearhead!

-Virawl