An encounter of the other kind

Whenever Eragon thought he had figured out the Spine, it ironically always decided to show him how wrong he was. Exactly those thoughts were going through his mind when he tended to his morning routine. The charred area didn't look any different from the night before, meaning everything that transpired the day before had not been a dream. Well, the fact that the stone was still in his backpack should have been proof enough. But at the same time, everything that had happened the day before was so surreal, he had a hard time wrapping his head around all of this.

Eragon shook his head clear. Thinking about it wouldn't bring his family any money. The only solution there was right now was to go back to Carvahall and hope to sell the arguably pretty stone for a good price. After the boy got rid of some no longer needed liquid from his body, he was ready to have some breakfast. He just hoped the porridge wouldn't attract any wolves this time. That had been one interesting evening, to say the least. Luckily, this time, no animal seemed to be attracted to his food. At least not initially. Just as he got ready to hike back down the mountain, he heard a rustling from one of the bushes. Initially, Eragon believed it to be a squirrel or rabbit, even though normally he never saw one this high up in the mountains. Not bothering to even look, the 17-year-old started his journey back down the Spine.

The journey back wasn't exactly easy. Eragon followed a trail made by animals. And since animals aren't exactly architects of any kind, the path often took long detours or was seemingly no longer there. Despite all its drawbacks, it was still the fastest way back. The Spines weren't exactly "natural" so to speak. Many people, especially people living in small villages near the mountain range said that the Spine was cursed. Every village had it's own little story about seemingly magical phenomena (Carvahall would soon have another one added to its list), but the one story that was consistent throughout all of them was how one day King Galbatorix lost half of his army, as it traversed through the mountains. No one knew what happened to the soldiers, whether it was the work of Urgals, the Varden or some supernatural being. The list of theories was probably as long as the list of stories Brom, Carvahall's personal storyteller had in his repertoire.

Despite keeping a brisk pace, Eragon wasn't out of the woods after half a day. He wasn't worried about that, he had supplies which would last until the next day and until then he'd be back at home. It was just an inconvenience for him. If at least he'd come across some of the local wildlife, he may be able to get a last minute catch, but so far he'd only seen a couple of birds.

After reaching a clearing, the young hunter decided to take a small break there. The tracks he left the previous day were still visible to him. An untrained person might have missed them, but to the boy they might as well have been fresh. So it's no surprise that he could see another set of tracks in the dirt, next to his own. Judging by how fresh the earth still was the animal that made those tracks must have come across the area roughly an hour ago. Sadly he couldn't recognize what animal left them, as the prints were placed on each other multiple times. If the boy had confirmation that these tracks were made by deer, he might have considered going after them and catching something he could sell for sure. But as things stood, he couldn't risk chasing some animals, no matter the kind. He was needed at home after all.

But it appeared like fate decided one exciting event happening to him was not enough. The boy heard for the second time this day rustling in the bushes. Like the first time, he didn't think too much about it, as it was a common occurrence in the woods. Later he would wish he paid better attention to his surroundings. Out of the bushes, no less than five hounds like creatures appeared and snarled at Eragon. The creatures appeared to be insectoid in nature and were somewhat similar build as dogs. The beasts had sharp teeth, with two horns growing out of where the cheeks were supposed to be and reached easily Eragon to his waist. Aside from the small spines growing out of the back chitin plating of those things, there were two additional and significantly longer spines grew out of them and were pointed in the direction the monsters were facing. In this case at Eragon. The boy was so surprised by their sudden appearance, he stumbled over his own feet, screaming. Desperately the boy tried to get his bow in his hands, but it was to no avail. Eragon could feel one of the beast slamming into his side, followed by a sudden pain in his head and then...nothing.

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The first thing Eragon noticed after waking up, was the feeling of something icky on the outside of his head, while the inside felt like Horst had hammered on the skull for the past week. Slowly he moved a hand towards where the pain emitted from while blinking a few times in order to get adjusted to the light. From what he could see it was still daytime, meaning he either slept through an entire day or that he had only been out cold for a maximum of an hour or so.

As those thoughts went through his head, he remembered just why he had been unconscious at all. Eyes widening in horror, the hunter jerked up, only to find out he was still surrounded by those monsters. The only difference, this time, were the numbers! Whereas before there were five, now he was surrounded by ten!

This is a dream. He told himself. There is no other explanation! A stone appearing out of nowhere, those monsters all around me. And what is going on with the ground? It's all gray and...slimy. Hehe, maybe Brom was right. Maybe I do have an active imagination.

Having more or less convinced himself that he, in fact, was not in any immediate danger, Eragon started scanning his environment. The gray mush, as he dubbed it inside of his head, stretched across a wooded area, one Eragon was actually all too familiar with. It was an alternate path, which the dealers took from time to time. Something that convinced him even further that this all was a dream, was firstly a huge structure in the middle of the gray mush. It seemingly was made of flesh and who ever heard of something like that? On the ground were some holes that looked like entrances to the said structure. Maybe it was a nest? It appeared his dreams had at least some kind of logic. Although the teeth on the ground and on top were a bit of a stretch of the imagination.

Next to the structure was something else. It almost reminded Eragon of a butterfly cocoon, by a stretch of the imagination. It was round and purple in shape and had the same carapace for protection as those dog-like things.

Curious and admittedly still a little nervous, Eragon finally got up from the ground and approached the cocoon. His steps made all kinds of "splurge" noises, as he got closer to his destination. The hounds around him seemed to tense up, one even hissed at Eragon causing him to stop and look a little more careful. Without him noticing, the creatures had crept closer and where only an arm's length away.

Dream or not, my instincts tell me to run away as fast as possible.

For a moment Eragon looked around, hoping to find some sort of opening, but the creatures had made sure that there was no escape route. Now he could only hope that this was a dream or else he doubted that by the end of this day there would not be much left of him.

Don't be afraid.

"AHH!" Eragon screamed, startled by the voice suddenly coming literally out of nowhere. He frantically looked around for the source, but couldn't find anyone.

Leave him be.

The same voice appeared once again. The young hunter wasn't as startled as before but looked around even more frantically. So much in fact that he accidentally caused his head to spin a little. The hounds in the meantime took a few steps back, just enough to give the boy some breathing room.

What is going on? Maybe this isn't a dream. Maybe I'm going insane! Am I seeing things? Have I gotten sick?

Please calm down.

What the-?! "Who are you?" Eragon shouted. "Where are you? What is going on?!" Eragon shouted into the air.

There is no need to shout. You just need to think the words and I can hear them.

"So I'm going insane?" Eragon asked out loud. After all, more than one person in Carvahall was convinced in order to hunt in the Spine, you had to be anything but what was considered a normal human being.

No, you're not. At least I don't believe so…

That's not very reassuring. The boy thought automatically. What followed was the voice in his head giggling.

Don't worry. I'm myself not sure whether I am dreaming or not. It all feels so surreal. Even the conversation we're having.

"Okay." Eragon nodded to himself. He just spotted his backpack and bow placed next to a tree, only around ten yards away. In his mind, he formulated a plan of sprinting to his stuff, grab the bow and remaining arrows and then shoots as many of the hounds as possible, before any of them could react.

I know you're in a lot of distress and if I were in your position, I am sure I would be too.

"I am not sure I can do that. Especially when I can't see who I am talking to."

I am behind you.

"What?!" Eragon spun around and found himself staring at the cocoon-like structure.

I am inside the cocoon.

"You're trapped?! Did those...things do this to you?!" he exclaimed, already searching for his knife in his pockets.

I wouldn't call it trapped per say. More like...this cocoon exists to safeguard me.

"Safeguard?" At this point, the young hunter was at a complete loss. First, a stone appeared out of nowhere, causing an explosion, next he was attacked by some feral beasts, which then brought them to their nest or something similar. With the knife in his hand, the boy slumped to the ground, rubbing his temples and desperately hoping to wake up from this confusing dream.

You're lost, aren't you?

"Can you see through this thing?" Eragon asked at the risk of maybe talking to himself. He didn't know.

Your voice gave it away. Maybe we should start from the beginning. My name is Mana.

"...Eragon." the boy eventually said, eyeing the beasts, which have now laid down on their stomachs, eyeing said boy in return.

Hmm, curious. I feel like I have heard the name before.

"Huh?" the boy turned his head back towards the cocoon. "You have?"

I am not sure. It feels like I should know the name, yet at the same time… I'm sorry. I'm so confused myself. Ever since I woke up here, my mind has been a mess.

Eragon titled his head a little. "You woke up here? What exactly do you mean?"

I guess I should tell you as much as I remember, so it will be easier for you to comprehend. I don't know how much time passed ever since I woke up here at this place.

"Woke up? What do you mean?" the boy asked.

It was just like that. I don't remember how I even got up the mountains. Ever since I came here, my memory has been unreliable. I remember bits and pieces, like for example that I was surrounded by a lot of people and we were dancing for example. All I clearly remember is that I had cuts all over my body.

"Did someone hurt you?" he asked concerned.

Maybe. I had lost a lot of blood already and surely would have died if it wouldn't have been for this structure behind me.

"You mean...this?" the boy pointed at the building, forgetting for a moment that Mana couldn't see him.

Yes. As if it had a mind of its own, it reacted to my presence and some kind of liquid came out of it. I was lying on the ground already, barely being able to crawl. The liquid somehow stuck to my skin and enveloped me after some time.

"Wait, what?! It grew all over you?! How is this possible?"

I don't know, but it saved my life. Despite my wounds being long closed, my body is still lacking a significant amount of blood. I wouldn't be able to survive outside for long. This cocoon keeping me safe, while I recover. And of course, there are the Zerglings.

"Zerglings?" Eragon echoed, looking back at the creatures that knocked him out or rather the creatures he was dreaming off. He hoped for the latter.

I...named the creatures like that. They live in the...nest behind me.

"Their nest? I wonder how they built such a thing."

Additionally, to healing me, this...whatever it is has given me the ability to talk by touching other people's minds, like I am doing with you.

"So they gave you magic?!" the boy exclaimed.

...Maybe? Again, I'm not too sure. But...another strange thing is, when I talk to the Zerglings, they will do whatever I tell them.

"Really? Whatever you say?!" The farmer had a hard time believing this. He could only imagine what he would be capable of if those Zerglings were under his control. Alone the amount of farmland he would be able to care for, if they all pulled a plow.

Just watch. Bring Eragon his backpack.

The boy watched in fascination as one of the Zerglings stood up, walked over to his backpack, gently picked it up with its teeth and finally brought it back to Eragon. Afterward, the Zergling moved away and joined his pack once again.

The farm boy blinked a couple of times, before checking the contents of his bag. Luckily nothing appeared to be missing, not even the stone.

"Wow…"

Indeed. Oh and I'm sorry that the Zerglings attacked you earlier. My guess is that you came too close to their nest.

"Uh huh. But, what I don't understand is why they should be helping you. They look like they could tear a human apart in no time. What exactly are those beasts anyway? I have never seen or heard of those things before."

I don't know. I just began calling them Zerg. As…"exciting" as this was at the beginning, I was getting really bored. It's really refreshing to talk to another human again. I'm just surprised you're aren't crying hysterically or curled up in a ball.

"Er…" The boy didn't know how to respond to that. Now that he thought about it, there were enough legitimate reasons to do just that, even for a man. He just then noticed that the sun had started to set. He was expected to be back at the farm tomorrow.

Do you need to go?

"Y-yes. I need to get home. Though, I doubt I'm going to make it in time."

Then let me help you get back.

"How?" The boy asked, strapping his bag on.

Easy. Take Eragon down the mountain, but stay out of sight of the village.

"Wait. You want me to ride one of the Zerglings? Is this safe?" He asked, as one of the Zerglings already stood ready next to him.

I am sure it is safe. They may look vicious, yet for some reason, they follow my orders to at.

Eragon looked down at the creature, which just stood there, waiting for him to get on top of it. On the one hand, it didn't look like there was any place he could safely sit on, not to mention this was a wild animal and certainly not a trained horse. On the other hand, his family needed him back at home, not to mention he still needed to make some money by selling the stone.

"Alright. Thanks, I guess."

Don't worry about it. I hope next time we meet, we can see each other face to face.

And before Eragon could answer, the Zergling took off. He barely managed to hold onto the two long spines, which prevented him from falling off.

XXX

A few hours later Mana watched through the eyes of one of her Zerglings, as Eragon set up camp for the night. The boy was blissfully unaware that the one that brought him down was still nearby. Mana only ordered the Zerg back, after the farm boy went to sleep for the night. Afterward, she retreated into her own mind and started thinking.

She hadn't been lying to the boy. She really did not remember how she got here. But at the same time, the girl inside the cocoon had not told the boy everything either. The entire hivemind had been able to feel his fear, which he somehow managed to control, by making himself believe that everything was just a dream. The Hivemind consisted of Mana, two Zerg buildings, the Hatchery and a Spawning Pool, the latter Eragon hadn't been able to see, twenty drones, five Overlords, and the ten Zerglings. As little as she remembered, the girl somehow knew instinctively what each unit and building were capable off, as well as the conditions that were needed to make one.

The drones, for example, were busy transporting meat from all sorts of wild animals living in the area, which the Zerglings killed beforehand. Everything from wolf to deer was transported carefully to the Hatchery, where it was turned into biomass, which would then later be used to either give life to more units or create an entirely new building. But Mana's mind wasn't focused on the economy for the moment.

Truth to be told, she ordered the Zerglings to kidnap Eragon, so she could have a conversation with a human once again. The Zerg weren't exactly a very talkative bunch. On hindsight, it had been a stupid decision, which surprisingly worked out. Those ten minutes of talking had done wonders to her psyche.

But what bothered her about Eragon was the feeling that she should know the name. His mere presence or the way he looked didn't trigger anything in her mind, no it was the name which got the gears in her mind working. Somewhere, some time ago she heard that name, probably even read it, but where? This name, this simple six-letter-word rang so many alarm bells in her head, it was just annoying.

She had long since accepted that worst case scenario she would never recover her memories, hell, she had been inside this cocoon for far too long to care anymore. But now that something actually managed to trigger such an intense reaction, such an excitement and at the same time such a strong feeling of nausea, it really annoyed her.

She just hoped that in time her memories really returned. Else she would have to spend a lot of time with Eragon (once she was outside this cocoon) and hoping something else he said triggered her brain. In the meantime, all she could do was build up her own personal army and then...well, she actually had no idea what then. So far she had only done what she had done, because after calming down from her freak out, she had quickly become incredibly bored.

Man, I already wish Eragon was back. NO, stop it! I don't remember giving you the order to abduct him again! The same goes for the rest of you!