A/N: I wrote this story about...wow, almost four years ago. It's been sitting on my computer for a while, so I figured I should post it. For being written that long ago, I was amazingly proud of it. There was nothing too weird that a little tweaking couldn't fix.

Basically, I was getting tired of all the stories where Murtagh meets this girl in the palace, he's all sweet and nice, and they become friends and blah blah blah...so I decided to write my own. This is not a romance story, and I am fairly confident that my OC is not a Mary Sue.

So, I hope you like it.

Btw, I owe my sister for this story's epic name. I never would have thought of it on my own. ;) And I'll quit rambling now. Enjoy...

Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle or any of its characters.

Chapter One

He kept his feet planted firmly on the ground, his legs slightly apart. His fists were curled so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes were screwed shut, as sweat slowly trickled down his forehead. He tried his best to keep the strong wall around his mind stable, but he could feel it slowly being worn away by the Twins' attacks. There was an unbearable pain in his head, applying massive amounts of pressure, crushing his defenses.

There was no thought in his mind, only the will to keep the wall up-to keep the Twins from getting into his thoughts. His face twisted as his strength weakened. He could feel the cold clammy fingers of the Twin's thoughts scraping at his wall. There were almost through, and he could feel it. He could feel his body growing numb, as the effects of his wounds took their toll. He could feel his warm blood dripping down his side and to his thigh, but he tried to ignore it. No physical pain could be worse than that of having his mind vulnerable.

Tears slowly dripped from his eyes, as he felt a cold finger prick his thoughts.

He let out an agonizing scream, as his knees buckled and he fell to the floor. The wall had been broken, and the Twins swam through his thoughts and memories, bringing back things he wished to keep secret and hidden. But now they could see it all; his mind was naked to their eyes.

Memories and images flashed through his mind. He saw his mother, his father, Eragon and Saphira, the elf Arya, Nasuada-anyone he had ever seen. The Twins delved deeper into his thoughts, tearing up all the things he had ever forgotten, thrusting them back into his memory. He could keep nothing from them.

He wanted to scream for them to stop, but he could form no words over his pain. He fell to the floor, as everything he ever was, was thrown into the open, and disheveled.

She stepped through the halls of the castle in Uru'baen. Surrounding her were four guards, all garbed in the armor and uniforms of Galbatorix's men. Her glance momentarily passed over all them, but none of them returned her gaze.

For the better, she decided.

She returned her gaze forward, and continued to walk the deserted, dark path of the halls they were now in. She rarely came here, and she hated it every time she had to. It was rather unsettling, although she wasn't sure why.

The four guards, along with herself, all stopped in front of a large door. She gazed upon it silently, as she heard the disturbing screams and shouts that were coming from inside. The only thing she recognized was Galbatorix's disturbingly powerful voice. She tensed as she heard his footsteps moving closer to the door.

The large and heavy doors swung open and Galbatorix walked through, bearing his powerful and terrible presence. She immediately bowed to him and stepped aside to clear his path. But he didn't walk passed her. He stopped at her side.

She hesitantly looked up at him.

"Zuriel," the king spoke, without any emotion in his voice. His eyes gazed at her for a second, then he finished with, "Make sure he's well again. I'm not yet finished with him."

"As you wish, your majesty," she returned, continuing to bow as he walked past her. Following him closely were the bald twins, wearing superior looks on their faces. Truthfully, they disgusted her. They were nothing in comparison to the king. At least she had respect for Galbatorix; the Twins could never get that from her.

As soon as the three of them had passed, she entered the room. The guards followed after, breaking their formation as they gathered around. This room was a cell in the dungeon, with no windows and bare of everything, even a bed. It was lit by a few torches, casting the only light in the dismal room. All the guards were silent as they gaped down at man on the floor, who was curled up in a ball and murmuring something incomprehensible.

She gazed down at the young man for a moment, noticing all the wounds that were inflicted on his body. She let out a painful breath, as she looked away from his disheveled form and turned to one of the guards. "Take him up stairs," she ordered him. The guard acknowledged her, then he and another proceeded to lift the man up off the floor.

"Where'd you go, mother?" he murmured, as the guards carried him out of the room. Zuriel slowly followed behind them, shutting the door as she stepped out.

She walked to the head of the line, then said. "Follow me."

A/N: Like it? Dislike it? Please review and tell what you think. :)