It had been two weeks since Eragon and Saphira chose the location of their new home. The first few days had been harsh. Food was scarce, at least for Eragon. Very little vegetation grew in the desert and what did was not the most succulent of morsels. Saphira had been much more successful with her hunting. There were large packs of desert goats living in the area and although not as big as deer they did provide the sustenance needed by Saphira. Saphira quite liked the goats as they were very cautious and knew how to evade capture; this posed a challenge to Saphira to catch her food which she seemed to enjoy.

However since they landed in the desert she had slipped further into depression and not even the challenge of catching the large flightless birds that sometimes ran nearby piqued her interest. Soon the only words Eragon heard from her were the result of a direct question and even then they were only short answers. She mostly just lay on her belly facing away from Eragon staring out into the desert. He was not offended by this but was hurt by her depressed state.

Eragon's eyelids lazily peeled back as the sun slowly began to rise behind him. He watched as the shadows of his camp stretched away from him as the sun cast its light on the flat horizon. He stretched as he got up and groggily made his way over to the five glass water troughs he made using sand and magic. He made them so the he would not need to call forth water from the ground as often and also cast a spell on the troughs to keep the water they held cool and refreshing. The water he splashed on his face cleared Eragon's mind from the drowsiness of early morning and he set off from camp to relieve himself. Upon his return he found that Saphira had still not moved from where she had lay down the day before.

His bed was close to Saphira but not as close as he would have liked. He was giving her space to think and hoped that she would slowly pull herself out of her depression but after two weeks she only got worse. Eragon put his bed away to prevent the various insects found in the desert from entering it and spoke to Saphira

Would you like to go and hunt Saphira? I have to go find some more herbs and vegetables and I may be gone for a while.

No thank you Eragon, I shall await your return. Her answer was filled with more sorrow than ever and Eragon did not want to leave her like this but he was desperate for food and in the desert it could take him hours.

--

He had left without saying goodbye and had been hunting for over an hour. At all times he kept Saphira in his mind to make sure she was safe but did not keep so much contact so as to feel her emotions. No, he couldn't bear to keep that level of contact with her anymore; it hurt him every time he did so. It also hurt him to not do it either. He felt guilty for leaving her isolated from his mind and knew that he should be there for her, mentally, to comfort her. He would do anything for Saphira under normal circumstances and although he still loved her as much as he ever did, he was scared of her emotional state and so kept his distance.

Eragon's hunt was quite successful. He had found a large supply of nuts from a lone shrub and also managed to obtain a hearty stock of cactus fruit and pulp. It didn't taste very nice as it was but after he had prepared it and cooked it properly he actually quite enjoyed it. Eragon lifted his sack and carried it over his shoulder for his trek back. It was hot and he was quite 

exhausted but his magical wards held back most of the heat and he had yet to burn. His skin did have a healthy tan though.

Eragon suddenly stumbled as he walked and he helplessly tried to regain his balance but to no avail. Nuts and fruit scattered across the sand as his sack fell to the ground and spilled its precious contents. Eragon cursed as he used magic to heal the small graze he gained from the fall and then began to refill the sack. After he was done he was curious to know what had made him trip and went to look. He had thought that the sand was relatively flat and was surprised when he found a small rise in the ground. He shifted through the sand knowing that he would find a rock or a stone. He was more than surprised when he found a strange tablet. It was the stone dragon that had been carved into the tablet at the top end that had caught his foot. Upon the tablet was the writing of the ancient language. Stupidly Eragon read it aloud.

--

Eragon awoke in a large cavern. It was dark. He stood up and realised that there were small lanterns stretching out in front of him. He approached one and it immediately erupted in flames. As it did the other lanterns lit up as well, one after the other, illuminating a path into the abyss. Eragon drew Mor'ranr from its sheath and reached out with his mind for Saphira. He could not find her. He was truly alone in the dark with only magic and his sword for protection. He raised his rider's sword, the sapphire blade and gem in the pommel casting beautiful lights as the yellow flame reflected off of it. The swords name was fitting as it meant exactly what he had brought to the kingdom whilst wielding it – Peace.

Put your sword away boy there will be no need for it here. Eragon jumped as the deep booming voice filled his mind. He immediately attempted to put up barriers around his mind but the voice still broke through.

Humph. There is no need to shield your mind from me either. Not that you could anyway. The voice chuckled inside of Eragon's head. It unnerved him. Eragon tried to regain his composure and addressed the voice.

"I am Eragon Shadeslayer, last of the great dragon riders and bringer of peace to Alagaësia. Who dares to mock me in this wretched place?"

The voice boomed again inside his head this time with enough ferocity to actually shake the cavern. FOOL, you know not what you speak of. This cavern is anything but wretched and you will show respect to the one who made it possible for you to become Shur'tugal.

Eragon was more than unnerved now and what little composure he had regained was soon lost and he didn't really feel like challenging the voice anymore. He peered into the darkness, trying to see who was talking but to no avail.

"I don't understand. Who are you?" Eragon asked trying to keep his voice steady. The voice answered back much calmer than before as if sensing Eragon's fear.

It is through me that dragons are known to exist and through my power that they will soon flourish again. In your culture you may know me as a deity, but you do not know my name in any language, only what I am. I suppose you could address me as master as, in a way, your allegiance is sworn to me through your bond with the dragon known as Saphira.

Eragon was frightened. The creator of the dragons, as he claimed, was in this cavern, addressing him for some unknown purpose. He tried to speak to the mighty deity with as much respect as possible.

Master, what is it that you want with me? I cannot fathom a reason for your summons.

It is of no coincidence that you stumbled across that tablet. You were summoned for one reason and a very important reason at that. You have been chosen to rebuild the Dragon race, Eragon.

Eragon gasped. He was confused beyond belief. "How am I to rebuild the dragon race? I do not understand."

Your dragon is the last female dragon. There are no more capable males left in this world, at least not for a time. There will be more but they will only be male and there is a possibility that Saphira will be incapable of mating by the time they arrive. She is dangerously depressed, Eragon and is subconsciously damaging herself. Eragon gasped at this shocking and disturbing news. The voice continued. This damage will prevent her from being able to carry an egg and will thus doom the dragon race to extinction. This is where you will come in Eragon. I am going to transform you, mind, body and soul into a true dragon.

Eragon cried out, "What? Why? You can't just turn me into a dragon there must be some other way."

There is no other way Eragon, the green egg was to be Saphira's mate. The other dragons would have arrived to mate with their offspring. When you burned the traitor's castle you also burned the egg. It is your fault that this threat looms on the horizon and it will be you who will prevent it from occurring.

Eragon was dumbfounded. He had no idea that it was his actions that had doomed the dragon race to extinction not Galbatorix. He was gripped with grief at his stupidity but still had no desire to become a dragon.

The Master felt this in Eragon and became enraged. "You have no choice in the matter Eragon, you WILL become a dragon, intact with all your memories and although there is still a possibility that Saphira will reject you as a mate, you will try to rebuild the dragon race...your race.

As soon as the Master had stopped speaking Eragon began to feel very weak. He fell to his knees and the lights began to burn out. Eragon was engulfed in darkness again but he did not know when the darkness of the cavern merged with the darkness of his mind. Eragon blacked out.

Sorry for removing the chapter after I submitted it but hopefully I got it back on without anybody noticing. I know it looks like I've shot forwards with the story but don't worry, i know what im doing and hopefully the story shouldn't feel rushed. Next few chapters should be up over the weekend. Read and review and dont forget to give me some constructive criticism, I always appreciate that more, lol. Thanks.