Armageddon

-"Inevitable. Ineffable. Indestructible. In the long run, it doesn't matter all that much, does it?"-

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Dragons are the most powerful, magical, mysterious being of Alagaesia.

Still leaning almost completely horizontal over the edge of the stone, I sink my talons into the surprisingly soft rock in alarm.

The black dragon shakes the water off of his muzzle and holds his long neck above the surface, still splattering me with water.

I attempt to scrabble back but find myself slipping. Instinctively, I flare my wings and I pull back.

Now upright, I prowl backwards slowly, crouching under Shurikan's impenetrable gaze. My back right leg scrabbles over a loose stone, and it slips out from under me. My underbelly hits the ground.

I feel him entering my mind, a dark, black presence I don't really like much.

A clumsy dragon, his scornful voice echoes in my mind. What a shame.

I flatten myself to the floor. My instincts are screaming at me to fly far, far away and never look back. I hook the edges of my wings unconsciously in preparation.

I feel a shadow cross over myself, and a slight wind ruffling the moss on the walls.

The big black head swoops down and Shurikan rests his snout just inches from me.

His eye is as big as my head. His fang is as big as my leg.

This is not really a type of dragon I like to meet.

We should not have brought you your Rider so soon, he observes. Maybe some more time in the egg would have made you more agile.

I don't say anything. I'm too fixated on the terror right now.

On second thought, probably not. Your Rider will be able to teach you more about your limits.

My Rider?

I'm too frightened to even realize he's talking about Eyddr at first. When I do, my mind flashes to a picture of her at her prime, in her golden dress at the announcement ceremony, where I was first presented to the world.

I grab the picture and hold on to it, seeking comfort from my bonded.

Shurikan observes her as well.

She's rather beautiful, he thinks to me. For a human, anyway. Galbatorix could not have chosen a better bride.

Bride?

Yes, His Majesty has chosen to marry her. She will be the queen--she looks royal enough to fill the position.

She's too young.

She's eighteen. She's much, much older than you yourself--years. You entered this world only seven days ago, hatchling. His voice is filled with contempt.

Shurikan lifts his head from leveling with me. I'm still pressed to the ground as flat as can be, and Shurikan slips into the water until only his head is showing. This is so ridiculous it's alarming, but I don't choose to let him know this.

Don't forget, hatchling, Shurikan thinks to me. You're to follow orders.

I stare at him while he sinks into the water.

I'm still frozen to the ground in terror, when the door opens and Eyddr runs in, her dress frayed and ripped at the sleeves.

She gasps at me. I can't help thinking she's rather good at being a helpless damsel in distress.

"Armageddon!"

Eyddr runs over, and picks me up, holding me like a cat.

"Armageddon, what happened?" she asks anxiously.

I break out of my state and attempt to struggle down from her arms.

Let me go! I demand.

She doesn't. Not until you tell me what happened.

I'm not a cat, blast it! Let me down!

She lets me down rather reluctantly but keeps a firm hold on my back spikes.

I attempt to wriggle away, but find I can't.

This is very demeaning, I inform Eyddr, folding my legs and resting on the ground. She sits down beside me, still keeping me in place.

It's necessary.

I snap my jaws at her briefly, but she doesn't take the threat.

What happened?

My mind flashes to a picture of Shurikan, and she takes a quick look. Gasping, her eyes grow wide.

Oh my, Armageddon, are you alright? she asks anxiously, fluttering her hands.

I quickly creep away slightly before she can grab onto me again.

I'm fine, I say. Your overdramatics are unnecessary.

I'm not overdramatic, she protests swiftly.

I let it go. We sit there in silence for awhile, her running over the scenes in my head.

Eventually, she talks.

I don't know why you are so frightened of him, she says. If Galbatorix has truly chosen my as his bride--she feels a spark of pleasure at these words--he will not be able to harm us. We're bonded, are we not?

I feel irritated at her naiveté. Eyddr is much too used to depending on her looks to really be of any help.

I help, she insists. Not wanting another loss like the one of my nest, I let it go. Eyddr is much too vengeful for me to say anything freely.

We sit in silence, until I realize that I'm still sitting by the lake. Quickly leaping up, I flare my wings and soar out of the room, Eyddr following.

And you call me dramatic.

...

Now, I realize this was rather short. But still... review? I've got the next chapter almost done, so please leave a note.

Also, side note: Armageddon is the final confrontation between good and evil. Just wanted to let you all know, if you didn't already.

~CRYSTAL