Part 2: Questions.
Sephiroth looked at Eragon. "A
Dragon Rider? What is that?"
Eragon turned and looked at
Sephiroth. "We Dragon Riders are people who are loved by many, but
we are also loathed by many for what Galbatorix has done to the
Dragon Rider legacy. Galbatorix is not a Dragon Rider, he is a
tyrant and a betrayer."
Eragon then took off the glove on his
right hand. He held it up and showed it to Sephiroth.
"This
is the Gedwëy Ignasia, or 'shining palm' as it is known to those
who do not understand the ancient language. This means that we have
touched a Dragon hatchling and bonded with it to become a Dragon
Rider. It also allows the use of magic, and it is much more
controlled then those who are not Dragon Riders. We are also people
of immense power. We can turn the tides of a battle, wipe out entire
armies with a simple spell, inspire others and also strike fear in
the hearts of many."
Sephiroth looked at Eragon. 'This Dragon
Rider or whatever he calls himself, how could he possibly think that
he is superior to me?' He thought.
"Lady Nasuada." Eragon
said as he put his glove back on his hand, "I believe you want to
know what I was doing with the Elves in Du Weldervarden."
"Yes,
I was just about to ask you what happened. Please explain to me."
Nasuada said.
Eragon explained his journey to Du Weldervarden, the
training he did with the Elves, his audience with the Elven Queen,
Islanzadí,
and finally the ritual he took place in that healed his back and gave
him the strength and agility of an Elf. Nasuada looked at Eragon for
what seemed like hours, then finally she spoke. "So it seems you
have learned a lot from the Elves, you even look like one now too.
But are you ready to fight for us against the Empire?"
"I
believe I'm ready. But may I have a few days to rest and gather
some supplies?" Eragon said.
"You may." Nasuada said, "Now
I want both of you to make yourselves at home here. Whatever you
need all you have to do is ask. You are our guests here. Eragon
would you like your own room or will you share with Saphira?"
"I'll
share with Saphira." Eragon said.
"Sephiroth, do you know the
way back to your room? Or shall I call a guard to take you
back?"
"I'll be able to find my way back." Sephiroth said,
"But I would like to look around Tronjheim first."
"Very
well." Nasuada said, "Both of you are free to go."
Sephiroth
got out of his chair, picked up his sword and walked across the room
to the door. He could feel both Eragon and Nasuada's eyes on him
as he did so. The door opened as he approached and shut when he
passed outside. Anger had begun to burn inside Sephiroth.
'How
could that..boy. Think he is better than me? I am Sephiroth, First
Class SOLDIER, an Ancient. No one is better than me.'
What
Eragon had said to Nasuada swam through Sephiroth's mind. Dragon
Riders, Elves, the approaching war and Galbatorix. But one thing
Eragon said made Sephiroth take notice. Magic. Eragon had said that
he could use Magic. Was this the same Magic that people could use
when they used Materia Sephiroth thought to himself. Sephiroth
realized that he hadn't used Materia since he arrived in this
strange world. Noticing a wooden torch on the wall nearby, he
focused on it and called upon the Fire Materia that was bound to him.
A small burst of flame shot from Sephiroth's hand and incinerated
the torch on the wall. A small smile crept across Sephiroth's
face. Maybe this Eragon had found Materia and has learnt how to use
it. That could explain how he could use Magic. But then again,
Sephiroth hadn't seen Eragon use Magic yet, so he could be lying.
Before Sephiroth knew it he was back at his room, the fire in the corner shining brightly. He had arrived at his room to see the bed made neatly, a plate of mixed nuts, berries and meat, as well as the crackling fire waiting for him. When the plate was clean and the fire had burnt down to a glow, Sephiroth placed his sword against the closet and lay down on the bed. As he stared at the ceiling, Sephiroth began to think about Midgar. He wondered if, when he was able to leave this strange world, his mother would be waiting for him. He wondered about Cloud and what he would do to him when he got back. A small smile crossed his place at the thought of his revenge. Finally, he wondered about the Black Materia. Jenova had briefly told him about it before he came to Alagaesia. All about its power, the power to destroy. Perhaps that's why Sephiroth is here. Maybe the Black Materia is in this strange world and Sephiroth unknowingly came after it. Or maybe Jenova sent him here to find it. If the Black Materia was here could that be the key to returning to Midgar? Sephiroth wondered about that until he drifted off to sleep.
Sephiroth awoke several hours later
to the sound of someone knocking on his door. He sat up and swung
his legs over the side of the bed. "Who is it?" He called
out.
"A messenger." Came the reply the voice sounded familiar.
"Lady Nasuada requests that you head over to the training
grounds."
"And if I don't?"
"You wouldn't want to
miss out on this. I'm sure you'd enjoy it." The messenger
said, a small hint of laughter in his voice as he said
that.
Sephiroth let out a sigh as he stood up and walked over to
where he left his sword. He picked it up and headed to the door. He
opened it to see the same boy from yesterday standing there.
"Come
on." The boy said. "I'll take you there."
The boy headed
off in the same direction as yesterday, the direction that Sephiroth
and Nasuada went to get to her room. But when they got to the gate
of Tronjheim, the boy turned left and walked up a set of stairs.
Sephiroth followed close by. When they got to the top of the stairs,
Sephiroth was surprised to see a large, open area. People of all
ages were training here. On one side of the field, were people
fighting against each other with wooden swords. On the other, people
were shooting at targets with a bow and arrow. In the middle, was a
field. And standing in the field was Eragon.
"He wants to
have a sparring fight with you." The boy said, pointing at
Eragon.
Sephiroth smiled. "Does he now?"
Sephiroth walked
over to Eragon. "So you wish to have a fight with me?"
"No,
not fight. Just a sparring match." Eragon said. "Give me your
sword."
Sephiroth hesitated for a second, giving Eragon a
questioning look. "Why?"
"I'll cast a protective spell on
it. So we won't get any injuries." Eragon said as he ran his
forefinger and thumb along the edge of his own sword. The bright
green blade of his sword briefly shone a bright blue and then went
back to its original colour. "See. I just cast the spell on my
own sword." Eragon swung the blade at his arm. But instead of
slicing his arm off, it passed straight through. "Now I'll do
yours, if you'll let me."
Sephiroth looked at Masamume, then
held it out to Eragon. As Eragon ran his fingers along the edge, the
blade shone blue, just like what happened with Eragon's sword.
When the colour faded and Sephiroth's sword went back to normal,
Eragon walked back to the other side of the field.
"Now, let's
begin." Eragon said.
Eragon ran at Sephiroth. Sephiroth
turned around just in time to block the attack.
"Impressive."
Eragon said as he pushed against Sephiroth. "I might have to take
you seriously."
Sephiroth pushed Eragon away and placed the tip
of his sword on the ground. "Come and try." He said.
Eragon
ran at Sephiroth again, but this time Sephiroth was ready. He
countered Eragon's attack, and then attacked. Eragon raised his
sword and blocked, the sound of metal on metal ringing out across the
field. Sephiroth took a step back and then attacked again. Eragon
parried the attack, and then brought his sword down over his head.
Sephiroth blocked the attack, but the power and ferocity behind
Eragon's attack made a small crater in the ground where Sephiroth
was standing. Sephiroth looked down, then at Eragon and smiled.
Eragon smiled back, but the Sephiroth quickly brought his sword down,
then attacked with an upward swing. Eragon was caught by surprise,
and was knocked away by the attack. Sephiroth jumped after Eragon.
Eragon called out "Brisingr!" as a blue of blue fire shot from
his hand towards Sephiroth. Sephiroth deflected the attack, but was
caught off guard by another ball of blue fire. Eragon landed on the
ground and looked up. The cloud from the fire attack had cleared but
Sephiroth wasn't there. Eragon looked up further to see Sephiroth
coming from above, towards him. Eragon ran his palm along the blade
of his sword, which shone bright green and then raised it for an
attack. Sephiroth attacked Eragon, but Eragon blocked the attack.
Sephiroth seemed the hover in the air after the attack, then jumped
away. He ran towards Eragon, preparing another attack.
"ENOUGH!"
someone shouted.
Eragon blocked Sephiroth's attack, then they
both looked at who shouted at them.
Nasuada was walking across the
field towards them. "That's enough." She said. "I just
learnt something that I think you both should know."
Eragon and
Sephiroth both turned and looked at Nasuada. "What is it, my
lady?" Eragon asked.
"We just received word that Galbatorix is
preparing his army. He will attack within the week. We will need
both of you to be ready for him. Eragon, we can end this war once
and for all. Sephiroth, you could probably get back home if you
defeat Galbatorix."
Sephiroth looked at Nasuada, a small smile
crossed his face.
