NOTE: This is a new type of fic. I've never done anything in this particular style. It's going to be something different, but I hope you like it all the same! Here it is! I hope you enjoy it!
***
The fate of the beautiful land of Alagaesia was sealed in one fateful night.
One day, three young riders flew far north; farther north than any Rider and dragon had ever flown before. When they stopped, there was ice and snow all around. Night was beginning to fall. The three dragons were brown, pale yellow and dark green. Their names were Ohenya, Eve and Jarnunvosk. Their riders were Ericsson, Isildor and Galbatorix.
As they slept, Urgals ambushed them. In the commotion, Ericsson, Ohenya, Isildor and Eve were all brutally killed. While trying to protect Galbatorix, Jarnunvosk threw herself in front of her trusted companion.
Jarnunvosk used her last bit of her energy to give Galbatorix her Eldunari, her heart of hearts. Her dying words were whispered to Galbatorix through the mind touch. Live your life well, Galbatorix. I give you my Eldunari, my heart of hearts, so that you may still talk to me when I am gone. Farewell.
She died in his arms.
***
Terrain he could fly over effortlessly on a dragon's back now took him months to traverse. However, when he left the Spine, Galbatorix was found by a farmer. He was collapsed in a mud put by the farmer's house. When he saw the gedway ignasia, the shining palm, on Galbatorix's hand, the farmer immediately summoned the Riders.
The Rider that came took the limp form of Galbatorix to Doru Araeba, the home of the Riders. He spent the next four days in recovery. When he was deemed healthy, Galbatorix went before the Council of Elder Riders.
It was located in an immense hollowed out tree in Ellesmera. Everywhere a person looked, they saw the green of the leaves. Vines covered the wall, lacing over it with an intricacy that moved people to tears. But that wouldn't work with Galbatorix. The council was seated on a ledge high above where he stood. The dragons almost never came in here, but there was an alcove set aside that was big enough for them to fit their heads into the room, and so participate in the discussion. The sealing was made of branches, which allowed for sunlight to shine in.
There were five on the Council: Oromis, Vrael, Arva, Imelda and Nila. Oromis had a golden sheathed blade, Naegling. His hair was as silver as starlight. Vrael's sword was white; it matched his hair almost perfectly. Arva's blade was green and it was named Tamerlein. His hair was as black as night. Imelda was a female human Rider. Her hair was blond, but it shined like gold in the sunlight, as did her dark orange blade. Nila was a female elf rider. Her hair was waist length and black. Her purple sword gleamed in the sunlight.
"We cannot, Galbatorix," said Imelda. "While the council grieves for your loss, there is nothing we can do about it."
Galbatorix was fuming. Some of the younger council members though they could see smoke coming out of his ears. "What about-"
"Stop this madness at once!" yelled Arva. "You cannot have another-"
Oromis turned to Arva and silenced him. "I will handle this." Oromis turned back to face Galbatorix. "I truly am sorry young rider, but we cannot grant you another dragon," Oromis sighed. "The only way you'd be able to get another dragon was if-"
Vrael cut him off. "We, that is, the council, cannot grant you another dragon." Galbatorix started to protest, but Vrael cut him off. "It has been decided."
With that, Galbatorix turned and fled from the room. Vrael had sealed his fate with that last sentence. Galbatorix came to believe that it was the Riders' fault Jarnunvosk died. Not his own foolishness or arrogance, not her selfless sacrifice, but the Riders. The seeds of hatred and madness were planted in his head. He was already formulating a plan to exact revenge.
One day, he met a sympathetic Rider. Together, they lured an elder Rider and killed him. Their swords bathed in the blood of the elder. Then, without warning, he turned on his companion and slaughtered him. That was when the Riders found him. He was laughing maniacally. Blood dripped from his hands. When the Riders entered the room, he turned to face them, his eyes wide. He let loose a wild, feral cry and fled from the room, into the night. They could not find him, no matter how much they looked.
Galbatorix hid in the wastelands like a hunted animal for years. Eventually, people stopped looking for him, though his deed was never forgotten. Then, through cursed luck, he met a young Rider named Morzan, who was strong in body, but not in mind. Galbatorix convinced him to leave a gate unlocked in Ilirea – currently Uru'baen – unlocked. Galbatorix entered and stole a black dragon hatchling, which he named Shruikan.
Galbatorix and Morzan, his new disciple, went to a dark and evil place, where the Riders dared not go. There, Morzan entered a dark apprenticeship. Galbatorix taught him things about magic that should have remained secret.
When Shruikan was fully grown, Galbatorix and Morzan revealed themselves to the world. Together, they fought all of the Riders that they came across, growing stronger with each kill. Twelve Riders joined them; some wanted power, others revenge. Those twelve, along with Morzan became known as the Thirteen Forsworn. The Riders were unprepared and couldn't guard against Galbatorix and the Forsworn. The elves tried to help, but they fell quickly, retreating into the depths of Du Weldenvarden.
Only Vrael, leader of the Riders, could resist. He was ancient and wise, struggling to save to Order. In the final battle at the gates of Doru Araeba, Vrael defeated Galbatorix, but he hesitated at the final blow. Galbatorix seized the opportunity and slashed Vrael's side open. Badly wounded, he retreated to Utgard Mountain, where he hoped he could recover.
Galbatorix found him and as they fought, kicked Vrael in the groin. With that underhanded blow, Galbatorix decapitated him with a shining blood soaked sword.
From the day, he has ruled over Alagaesia.
But it will not last, for there are four hopes for the land: the last free Riders and their dragons. Eragon and Saphira and Evarinya and Briam.