Later that night Gunner stood not far from the mansion just out of sight from Prince Clyde and the others who were staying there so that they would be unaware of him awaiting Apollo's arrival. As soon as the sun went down and the city darkened many different lights could be seen. Some were fires from survivors, beasts, insects, even from a rare light pole every so often that lit up different areas of the city from all around. If one looked they could even find a wild tree every so often that glowed from the magic in the air nurturing it as it grew. It was truly a sight that one would treasure if they were able to forget about how dangerous the city could be.
"My aren't you punctual, did you wait long?" Apollo's gentle voice called out to him from behind as he turned to see the man standing by a light pole that no longer functioned. His ears were twitching slightly as he tilted his head to the side with a kind smile. It was unable to be known to Gunner if the smile was forced or real.
"No. I had to come out of the mansion anyways." Gunner said while refusing to give the man the upper hand by letting him know he had to remain outdoors all day just to meet up with him. If Clyde found out he was certain the man would be thrown into a fit of fury. He was not worried about the man scolding him but rather the fact that he was sure he would personally want to hunt Apollo down and kill him.
"I see," Apollo said while giving the man a look over. He was not surprised to see that he was once again dressed up in his muzzle, collar, and very little clothing. "Let's get going."
"To where?" Gunner asked as he followed behind Apollo as they started to walk down the street.
"You wanted answers, did you not?" Reaching out and grabbing hold of Gunner's hand he pulled him around a corner. He had no intention of just standing around the mansion from the outside to speak to Gunner all night long. There were other plans in his mind for the man.
A gust of hot breath hit Gunner in the face causing his eyes to reflexively shut. When he opened them back again he saw Apollo sitting atop a Pegasus. The beast and Apollo were both staring at him as the man pulled him by the wrist so that he got atop the beast with him. Holding on tight to him by the waist Gunner could feel the beast begin to walk, it's speed slowly picking up until they were at a gallop. Beating it's wings against the air as they galloped the Pegasus slowly rose into the air. In front of him he could see waves of pink and white hair blowing in the wind as they glided through the air.
Above the city they could see farther then Gunner had gone before on foot. The many lights came in different colors that blanketed the city ruins. From above the plant and wildlife looked as though the city itself had already been consumed by mother nature herself. It felt as though they were gazing upon a painting in a museum. The night air was cool to the touch but only just enough to be comfortable to the touch as it breezed past Gunner's body.
Passing by the water ways the Pegasus lowered itself enough so that the tip of it's hooves were dragging against the water sending drops of water up into the air around them. Glancing down Gunner could see their reflection as they flew. The smiling face of Apollo as he kept his gaze straight head to make sure the Pegasus kept them in the right direction made him wonder where he was leading them. As they neared a large tree the beast slowed until it landed in front of it. Stretching it's from leg out wide the Pegasus bowed it's head low to the ground so that they could climb down.
As Apollo got down he glanced back up at Gunner and took his hand to help him down. His ears flicking excitedly as his tail curled up behind his back high with pride in himself. Gunner was not sure what the man was so excited about but he followed him towards the massive tree. At the base of it there seemed to be a door built into it. The tree itself was about the size of a large sky scraper that towered over most buildings in the city. At the top of the tree some of it's branches let off a blue and purple glow that was so bright it brightened up some parts of the city like the moon itself had fallen from the sky.
"Welcome to the my own society among your very city of Abaron, my little hound." A playful wink played at Apollo face for Gunner as he pushed open the door and lead Gunner inside. "Or shall I say, welcome to my home?"
Stepping inside the door in the tree he came to see it from the inside. The tree itself had been carved inch by inch from the bottom and on up like an actual building. Strong and sturdy the tree towered over the city full of life other than just it's own. Inside the tree he could see homes, businesses, everything from soldiers from various races to simple humans and demi humans to demons who were living along side each other hidden among the very tree he stood in with Apollo. They had somehow come together to build a society hidden from the outside city of Abaron. It was amazing to see as the place was lit up just as bright as the world outside.
"What.. What is all this?" Gunner asked as he took a step forward, unable to tear his eyes away from the sight in front of him.
"Well.. If you call the city Abaron.. Would this not be Abaron's Tree?" Apollo smiled while feeling proud of himself over seeing such a reaction from the man.
"What does this have to do with you?" Gunner asked as he felt as though the man had ulterior motive for bringing him here.
"Simply put.. this is why he was so willing to look past that to ask for my aid." Apollo spun around and through his arms open wide to imply that everything around was his own doing. A wide smile was on his face as he held his tail high. He could only feel pride as pulling off something he felt Prince Clyde could never accomplish on his own as easily. The man had already run to him for aid with the city of Abaron and yet he had already hidden himself among the city from the wild beasts with survivors from all over the city that he had taken in one by one as he found them.