Deep in the heart of the Beor Mountains, hiding in Farthen Dûr slept the Varden. It was one of the most secure places in all of Alagaësia, with guards working hard to protect the new Dragon Rider and his dragon from the Empire. But what they didn't know was that this time, danger wasn't from the Empire. If only they could be so lucky.
On top of the huge sapphire that topped the city-mountain, Tronjheim, shaped like a blooming rose, was the Isidar Mithrim, red as the breaking dawn. And atop it was the dragon hold. There Eragon and Saphira were sleeping, when Saphira woke up with a start.
In the bed next to her, Eragon barely stirred. ERAGON! Wake up. Something isn't right. Eragon blinked his eyes open and turned to see Saphira's head a few inches from his. He could feel that she was worried.
What is it? Is someone attacking?
No. Can't you hear it?
No. What can't I hear? Eragon delved into Saphira's mind. Suddenly the world was tinted blue and he could a sort of wail coming from outside. It sounded like a thousand instruments being played at once, but they were all playing different songs, forming a strange symphony.
What should we do? Eragon thought. He sat up on his cot and looked at Saphira. He could see himself in her eyes and he looked worried.
I think that you should investigate. If it is an intruder, assuming that they got past the Varden's guard, then you have a better chance of not being seen then I do. He groaned but knew better than to argue. She was right, but that didn't take away how tired he felt.
He pulled on his clothes and sheathed Zar'roc. It was probably no one, but better wrong than dead.
I'm right behind you little one. As soon as you see them I will show them why it is best to let sleeping dragons lie. He smiled and then walked to the mouth of their cave. He slowly climbed down into the hold and followed the sound to the floor.
There was no way of telling the time in the depths of the mountain, but it felt like midnight. There was no noise, as the city was asleep. As should I be he thought, irritated by the fact that he couldn't see anything. Worse, Saphira was as drowsy as him so he could only just hear the sound through her ears. Then he looked closer at the Isidar Mithrim. The sides of it seemed to glow, but not just from the halo of lanterns around it. It seemed to have developed its own luminescence.
That is strange, but it doesn't explain the noise thought Eragon. He felt Saphira agreeing with him. Something about this situation didn't add up.
Do not move. I will be there in a minute. We don't know what is going on and we need to face whatever it is together.
No stay hidden for the moment. You were right before. I have a better chance of not being seen by whatever it is on the Isidar Mithrim. Stay ready though. I might need your help. She snorted.
Might. He ignored her and knelt down to examine the great gem below. He placed his hand onto it and was surprised about how it felt. Before it had been hard and cold but now it felt warm and softer. Then he saw moving images, swirling beneath his feet. He bent over to look at them.
They moved in a pattern that seemed to match the music. Watching the dancing images, he began to feel the music making sense. He swayed along to it, his eyes never leaving the moving pictures.
Suddenly it was as if the gem was sucking him in. He began to fall into the gem but he couldn't move from his position, still intoxicated by the music and the images beneath him.
Eragon! screamed Saphira and a growl escaped her as she swooped down to her Rider. He was about waist deep, somehow sinking into the once solid gem. She grabbed his shirt between her teeth and pulled but only succeeded in ripping it from his back. Helpless, she watched as his shoulder disappeared, then neck.
Saphira help me!
I cannot, little one.
Don't worry. I'll think of- and then she couldn't hear him anymore. Saphira raised her head and let out a roar of anger and sadness that resounded of the now darkened gem.
*
Eragon woke up in a place that looked nothing like Trojenhem. It was dark and lit by red stones that looked evil. The room was circular and dark, with a door (locked) and a bed. The walls were made of metal, but Eragon had never seen so much in one place. It must have been built by dwarves.
After walking around the rooms for a few minutes, Eragon sat on his bed and waited for someone to let him out. He had considered using magic to blast open the door, but he first needed to find out where he was. Instead he tried to contact Saphira. He could feel her consciousness a stones throw away from his, but there was something between theirs that repelled him, and refused to let him talk to her. Still, knowing that she was unhurt was good enough for him.
Just then a woman in a purple cloak that almost seemed alive walked in, followed by a man in a green and red uniform with a strange symbol on the front and a huge sword strapped to his back, with a strange ruby sticking out from the hilt.
Both people seemed to have an aura of unspeakable evil and power. With a shock Eragon realized that the man's eyes were a deep blood red. The woman's were obscured by a hood.
"Hello, Dragon Rider." said the woman, or more accurately hissed. Eragon resisted the urge to shiver. "I have waited a long time to meet you."
"Where am I?" asked Eragon.
"Where are your manners? Introductions first. This is the Dark Ace and I am Master Cyclonis. What is yours, boy?" asked the woman. Eragon was puzzled. Their names sounded so strange, like something out of a children's story book rather than real life. But for now it seemed to be a good idea to play their games.
"My name is Eragon. Where am I? Where is Saphira?" he asked again and this time the man laughed.
"Oh your dragon is far from here. You are now in Cyclonia, in a world called Atmos." he said. It seemed to Eragon that he was enjoying seeing his discomfort and confusion.
"You, Eragon, have been brought here to do my bidding." said the woman, and for the first time in a while, Eragon felt stranded, lost in the world of 'Atmos' without Saphira to help him.
"You can't do that." he said. She laughed and bent over to look him in the eye.
"This is my world and you will play by my rules, Eragon."