This is the second chapter of CTE, and I'd love to hear some more feedback! It picks up right where the first chap of CTE ended. Also, it will include a POV from Voriadd's Lethrblaka! Plus, the 4th book of the Cycle releases Nov.8! So excited!

Countdown To Extinction

Chapter 2

The cheering grew ever louder as Eragon awaited his execution at the hands of the monstrous guards, unable to see anything due to the hood pulled over his head.

"Loower de knifee!", one of the guards yelled in a corrupt, garbled rendition of the normal human language. The cheers of the crowd grew louder at the hearing of this. A grunting noise was heard as the knife-holder raised the blade and began to slowly bring it down.

My life ends here. All those battles against Galbatorix, all those moments of Saphira flying high in the air with me upon her back, all of those things now being worthless and meaningless, Eragon thought as he felt the blade slicing into his torso.

-POV change-

Voriadd's Lethrblaka gurgled on his own saliva as he attempted to move himself around the cramped black cell, his body cramped into a curled up position. He squawked into the air as he poked his beak slightly through the rusted bars, attempting to get a response from Eragon, or perhaps Orik or Saphira. He had heard the man who was apparently named Angvard speak to someone far away in some unknown, deep room, but who it was remained unknown to Voriadd's Lethrblaka.

Suddenly, he saw a white light creep in. It was coming from the end of the hall. It was very faint, very dim and low at first, yet as it traveled ever closer and closer, it grew in brightness. Finally, the figure with the white light came to the front of the cell-bars, and turned to face Voriadd's Lethrblaka. The Lethrblaka gasped at the sight of who it was.

It was Voriadd. But he was changed, different. The white light was pouring from his two eyes, now bold yet featureless. Black cracks and scars covered various parts of his face and his bare arms and his neck and throat. He merely grunted as he shoved the scraps of food through the cell-bars and onto the dingy floor.

Voriadd! I thought you were dead! What has happened to you, what have these demons done to you? Please, Voriadd, answer me! What has become of you?, Voriadd's Lethrblaka telepathically asked his former master as he saw him walk away, the white light from his eyes growing dimmer and dimmer as he left.

Voriadd's Lethrblaka was horrified and mesmerized at what had just happened. His master had been brought back from the dead, something he always wished for after Voriadd's death at the Battle of Aroughs, but he did not speak, and he had been morphed into a slave for these monsters. But Voriadd's Lethrblaka did not ponder long over this. He knew what he had to do now. He had to telepathically contact Saphira and tell her to, in turn, contact Orik and spread his plan. The Lethrblaka knew not where Eragon was, but their only remaining path now was to escape, and they would find Eragon in the process, even if the remaining three of them should lose their lives in the process.

-POV change-

Eragon felt the blade slice into his torso, blood pouring out onto his ragged clothing. He did not scream or cry out in pain-that would show weakness. But then, he heard a voice.

Why are you going so slowly, you bastard?! Finish the pile of crap off quickly, and we shall then have only three more urine puddles left to deal with!, a voice burst out.

It was Daghelef. Eragon's rage was lit and soon crackled into flames as he heard the voice talk about him and his friends like that. He roared out, his rage being violently unleashed as he threw himself up and off the the wood table, the blood-ridden blade flashing out as he threw his fist into the blade-wielding guard's throat. The creature gurgled as it crumpled down.

"Stop! Get back onto the table and let me finish you off like the pig you are!", a figure yelled. Eragon turned to see it was a man with hair created of literally flickering flames run toward him. But Eragon was too fast for him. He dodged to the side and slammed his elbow into the man's mouth . Blood flowed as if though water was being dumped from a full basket. Suddenly, as the man was about to hit the ground, he was lifted several feet into the hair, his long fiery hair completely hanging low as he was lifted. Then, with brute yet invisible force, the man was thrown back and he fell into the crowd.

The boy is my prey, Ynkrhoan! Or, should I say, Oromis!", Daghelef cursed as the man groaned.

That was all that was required to catch Eragon off guard. He had injured his own master and not even attempted to help him after he had been thrown.

Daghelef realized this as he fired a bolt of energy into Eragon's torso. Eragon went flying at the impact and he crashed into a porcelain statue, his bones being broken, the marrow poring out of them.

Then, he felt his energy seeping out. Eragon recognized this. It was one of the Twelve Words Of Death, and it was sucking out Eragon's life-force.

You are weak, little Rider! I do not need to see scum like you in this new world, so that is why I shall have energy, and your life. Your soul shall be tortured within me!, Daghelef taunted.

Suddenly, Eragon felt a memory snap back within him. The Vault Of Souls. His True Name.

"I am Eragon Bromsson, half-brother of Murtagh Morzansson, Rider of Saphira, half-brother of Orik the dwarf, friend of the elven Princess Arya, companion of the Urgal chieftain Nar Garzhvog, and close friend of the Ra'zac Voriadd and his Lethrblaka!", Eragon shouted with all his might left within.

Lights burst forth from Daghelef's orb body, his tentacles crumbling away. What- was the only thing he could say as he let out one final screech and exploded in a quick flash of light.

Then, Eragon saw a figure walk slowly toward him.

"My son, do not be afraid. It is I, your father, Brom".

-POV change-

They could not find Eragon. He was nowhere to be found in any of the remaining cells. But their escape plan had to go on, with him or not, and they knew this would be their final attempt at an escape, as Orik had looked into the throne room and there was not a single being within there.

Orik sat upon Voriadd's Lethrblaka's back, the first dwarf to ever fly upon a Lethrblaka. They were within the den that pointed upward toward the sky. Now was the right moment.

Without a sound, the Lethrblaka raised his wings and shot straight forward. Orik held tightly to the beast's neck, with Saphira following close behind.

Saphira was depressed that her Rider was not here. Orik had honestly searched everywhere, but Eragon was nowhere in the palace. He was most likely dead, gone, meeting some despicable end at the hands of these odd creatures.

With this, the Company was separated, and their paths were broken apart.

Just so you all know, in chap.3, near the middle, the story will then carry on into Volume 2 of CTE. Please R&R! And guys, if you want to know something or something confuses you, please ask or tell me in the Reviews/Comments section! Bye, for now!:)