(A/N: Thanks yet again to redfeatherz and Super-hero Fan, Desmonic who seem to be my biggest fans, the reviews mean a lot to me guys! Glad you like the story! Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me, they all belong to Christopher who created this story, and a few things in the story belong to the creators of Inuyasha. My only creations are Jaede, Kaerian, Cianciti and Jaede's black dragon!) This is newest version of Chapter Seven, the last half is different, I messed up, sorry to my faithful readers!
"NO!" Without thinking Eragon was off his horse and racing towards where the Captain lay pinned under the rider's sword. Before he had taken four steps the other rider had pulled free yet another blade and pressed the weapon against Damitha's throat. The threat was clear enough and Eragon froze mid step, anguished at the site of the pinned elf.
Grimacing in pain the Captain squirmed under the riders blade, one hand gripping the blade tightly enough to cut through her palm; the sight of her blood trickling down the weapon and into her shoulder made Eragon feel nauseous. Coldly the other rider smiled over at Eragon as she applied more pressure down on her weapon; the Captain arched her back up as a scream of pain ripped through her, and with a sickening crunch the weapon went all the way through the Captains shoulder and into the dirt underneath her.
"Stop it!" The scream came from Arya and in a second she was standing next to Eragon, her face as pale as the Captains, her desperate plea echoed through the air and in Eragon's own mind. Surprisingly enough the other rider stopped pushing down and her expressionless black eyes flickered up to Arya's face as she stared at her. The massive black dragon behind her growled, lips peeling back to reveal row after row of ivory fangs. An answering growl flared up behind Eragon and Saphira extended her neck forward, wings arching up, ready to fight or fly.
"Why should I?" The strange female rider spoke softly, the words hissing through the air as she ignored the two dragons focusing solely on the daughter of the elven Queen. Arya didn't appear to have an answer as she only stared at the strange elf in distress.
"Don't bother trying to reason with her Princess," The snarled words came from Damitha as she squirmed under the rider's blade, still struggling to remove it from her shoulder. Sweat beaded and rolled down her face, her muscles bunched with the strain. The rider appeared indifferent to her efforts and Eragon shivered at the thought of her strength. "This soulless beast knows nothing of sympathy or empathy." Damitha glared up at the other elf, her blue eyes full of disgust and contempt. "She probably doesn't even remember her own name; she is nothing more than an animal."
"Be silent." The rider applied more pressure to her sword but the Captain bit back her scream, gasping through the pain. "Your mother did right by getting rid of you, you soulless monster!" Growling in her rage the black eyed elf yanked her sword from the Captain's shoulder, giving the cunning elf the opening she needed. As quick as ever Damitha rolled away from the enraged rider as she brought her weapon back down to slice harmlessly through the dirt. Gaining her feet the Captain lunged for her own sword, as her Second in Command, Fleil, pulled his free from its sheath and leapt at the rider the same time Damitha did.
Three things happened at once and with such speed Eragon was sure he would not believe anyone who ever told the tale if he had not been there himself. Detaching himself from the rest of his group, one of the massive Kull ran towards the rider who now appeared sorely outnumbered. With a terrible roar he leapt at the elf, not a second behind Fleil.
Moving as smoothly as water the rider side stepped Fleil, the sword in her left hand flashing down to cut across his back as he flew past her and collided with Damitha, throwing both of them to the ground in a tangled mess. Fleil's blood spurted into the air, forming a graceful crimson arch as the rider stepped forward to meet the Kull, the sword in her right hand swinging up and across as she moved around him, the blade a silver blur seeming to miss the great nonhuman. Completing her twirl the elf stepped towards the stunned Fleil and pinned Captain, and for the second time her sword plunged down, ripping through Fleil's shoulder, passing cleanly through and stabbing into Damitha, tearing through her last remaining good shoulder and into the ground under her.
Both elves screamed.
Behind the ebony-eyed rider the Kull slowed, confusion covered his face as if he couldn't believe he has missed the new threat, when his head tipped slowly to the side and rolled off his shoulders. Blood erupted from the top of his body as it dropped to its knees before collapsing sideways to lie twitching upon the ground.
The sword that protruded from the two pinned elves quivered and the black dragon roared its companions' victory. The whole thing had taken less than four seconds.
Sniffing in derision the elf twirled her other sword lightly and faced the company of fighters, Damitha's elves stood still as they were frozen in shock along with the spell casters who watched from their horses. Not a whisper of sound came from behind Eragon, and for a moment he feared he couldn't breathe as he stood stunned by the display of speed and agility he had just been witness to. Even Saphira stood, maw gaping open her own sapphire blue eyes wide with shock.
Taking a step towards them the elf stared at Arya, a strange emotion filling her face as the Princess looked first at the beheaded Kull then at the two squirming elves that could barely move for the sword that held them together. "Who are you?" Arya whispered; her voice was barely audible over the slight gasps of pain that came from Damitha and Fleil.
For a second Eragon thought the strange rider would merrily attack Arya over answering her, but her second sword tipped lowered to the ground.
"You know who I am." The words were spoken softly and the strange elf stared at Arya as if she were in some type of agony, the pain was written so clearly across her face Eragon felt a stir of pity for her.
"I've never seen you before." Arya spoke the words softly, but looking at her face Eragon could clearly see the lie, her eyes were heartbroken and filled with a pain he couldn't even begin to understand. The overwhelming urge to protect her filled his mind and when the strange elf stepped forward Eragon drew his borrowed sword and moved in front of Arya. All he knew was that having this odd and powerful rider so close was giving Arya pain, and he would do anything and everything in his power to relieve her of that pain.
Surprise flickered over the elf's face before it went carefully blank, a cold smile turning up the corners of her lips. "Do you mean to attack me, Eragon Shadeslayer?" Contempt dripped from every syllable and Eragon felt a cold tingle of fear skate up his spine. He was aware of Saphira moving closer to him, and looking at her he saw her eyes were fixed on the black dragon. Don't do this Eragon, you cannot beat her.
I will protect Arya Saphira, I can beat her. Behind Eragon as if to cement what he had just said to Saphira the Varden erupted into shouts as Eragon walked closer to the elf; voicing their support and confidence in Eragon; the rider who gave them hope, who had killed Durza and fought off the strange red dragon during the fight of the Burning Plains.
Taking a deep breath, ignoring Saphira's warnings Eragon leapt at the elf. If I can cripple her with my first blow before she can get moving I might be able to beat her. Before he had even finished the thought, while his sword was still rising above his head, a yell of war building in his throat the elf moved. One second she was standing nearly ten feet away and the next she was right next to Eragon.
With one arm extended she hit him, her forearm slamming into his throat, lifting him off of his feet and slamming him boldly into the ground. The elf went down on one knee as Eragon hit the ground, the force of the fall forcing the air from his lungs. Dazed he blinked his eyes struggling to stop his vision from wavering, cold steel lay across his throat and looking straight up he could see the ebony eyes of the strange and powerful female rider. She gave him a self satisfied smirk and looked again at Arya.
No one in the Varden spoke, shock stifled all voices as they stared in horror at the pinned Eragon, who had barely taken a step before he was thrown bodily down and kept down. Worry emanated from Saphira but she didn't dare move as all stared at the sword pressed up against Eragon's neck.
"Risa" The gasped out words came from behind the black eyed elf and she turned halfway, looking back at Damitha and Fleil and the sword that was slowly pulling itself free from both of their bodies. Silently she waited, brow furrowed as the weapon shuddered before it shot straight up into the air, tearing a scream from Fleil. Whirling through the sky, the sword came down point first and sank into the ground not five feet from Eragon. With a grunt Damitha shoved Fleil away rolling away from him and to her knees.
Taking her time the strange elven rider rose, ignoring Eragon and all the others as she stared at the Captain who glared up at her, panting like a dog but still managing to look intimidating. Blood slicked its way down her shoulders and stained two dark crimson holes in her tunic.
"So you won't just give up then Captain, do I have to slit your throat in order to stop you?" The elf spoke slowly, and took a considering step towards Damitha who continued to pant and glare.
"You are a fool to think you can ever best me." Gritting her teeth against the pain the Captain pushed herself back up to her feet, ignoring her second in command who continued to lie on the ground, holding his wounded shoulder.
"No, I can beat you easily enough; the trick is making sure I do it so you won't be able to stand up again." Smiling sweetly the elf walked over to Damitha's fallen blade and kicked it over to her. "Maybe I'll kick out your kneecaps this time?"
"Captain…please don't!" Fleil grimaced as he tried to force himself up, flicking her gaze in his direction the ebony-eyed elf raised an eyebrow; instantly Fleil was back on the ground writhing in agony, teeth gritted in pain.
"Don't use your tricks on my subordinates, though you have now explained why that sword was so hard to remove." Bending down slowly Damitha gripped the hilt of her sword with one blood stained hand, carefully eyeing her opponent for any indication of her movement.
"Yes well, what can I say Captain Damitha? I am full of many tricks." With one last grin the elf lunged, disappearing in a blur of movement. With a horrendous clang the two swords collided, freezing the combatants in motion. Snarling Damitha leapt away, jumping back and quickly moving to the left, her opponent smoothly followed.
For the second time that day Eragon watched astonished as the two elves danced from his position on the ground. No one seemed to breathe as the two females moved through their deadly dance, weapons whistling through the air as they dodged and twirled, ducking underneath the other, leaping through the air. But it seemed no one was fit enough to beat the new rider.
Before she had been wounded it appeared Damitha could possibly win, but with her two shoulders leaking blood it was all she could do to keep up the defensive. Sweat dribbled down her face as she nimbly continued to dance back, sword flashing to block the continuous blows from the other elf. Knowing her opponent was weakening, the strange elf smiled and yet Eragon knew the move that was coming. Without warning she disappeared, moving faster than any of them could see.
Resignation showed briefly in Damitha's eyes and she froze on the spot, standing perfectly motionless. The other elf stood right next to her, one arm positioned in front of Damitha's stomach, her sword point directly under the Captain's chin.
A collective groan escaped Damitha's soldiers and the proud Captain stood straight as can be, jaw clenched as she looked at the black dragon who let loose the strange chuffing noise that on occasion Saphira emitted. "Will you kill me now then, Jaede?" That name! For the second time in his life Eragon heard Damitha utter it, and as before the elf didn't move, turning her head slightly to gaze at the Captain. After a moment she took a small step back so she could more easily stare into the Captains' eyes.
Unflinching the Captain met her glacial stare, this time it was Damitha who smiled coldly.
"Do you not even remember your own name? Was I right then when I called you an animal?" For a brief moment Damitha's gaze locked on Arya who stood pale and shaking staring at the strange elf.
"I remember my name…just like I remember what was done to me and to Arya." The words came out as a menacing hiss and the black dragon growled in response, lips peeling back from his glistening fangs. Furiously the dragon's tail whipped back and forth, for the first time Eragon noticed the set of eight spikes that protruded from it.
"I also remember what was done to you Jaede." Damitha spoke softly, eyes yet again focused on the elf called Jaede. "It was unforgivable."
"Don't call me Jaede." With a sigh the rider lowered her weapon slowly, ignoring everyone else as she stared at Damitha. "I go by Jade now."
"Why?" The question was said so simply it seemed almost funny and suddenly Jaede, or Jade, which ever name she was using for Eragon couldn't really keep up, smiled slightly.
"The way they say it, it sounds like jade, so I just say Jade now." Strangely enough Damitha smiled at Jade and Eragon got the strangest feeling they knew each other from somewhere and had possibly at one time been friends. Suddenly Jade stiffened the smile disappearing cleanly from her face and she turned her head slightly to the right, as if listening to a whispered voice.
A frown creased her perfect features and she looked back at Damitha indecision in her eyes. "It always gets harder when you don't act like enemies." Confused Damitha stared at Jade, not understanding what she had just said.
"Wh-what does that mean? Jaede-" Holding up a hand Jade silenced the Captain and for a brief moment it seemed she looked at Arya then down at Eragon before focusing on Damitha.
"Promise me you'll keep her safe." Numbly Damitha nodded, still obviously confused. "Sorry old friend." Without another moments hesitation Jade smoothly took a step back, letting go of her sword hilt to grasp it by the blade and swing it up. The hilt cracked loudly under Damitha's jaw and lifted the lithe elf of her feet, with a loud crash she smacked into the ground but by then Jade was up on her dragon, second sword in her hand.
Flaring open its mighty wings the dragon pushed off from the dirt, talons digging deep furrows into the ground. With a great flap the two were airborne, and disappearing into the sky. The last thing Eragon saw was the quick flash of Jades grin as she glanced down at the powerful elven Captain who lay thoroughly stunned on the dirt.
(A/N: Alright, this ending is a bit weird I know…but don't worry, I won't change it again, the last ending for this chapter was not the right one, it was my mess up and I wasn't thinking…hope you guys liked this one a bit better! There wasn't as much Out of Characterness. Don't forget to review!)