I do not own the Inheritance Cycle or any of the characters from the book.
Michael
Two months later, Arya was finally healed and they were able to get moving. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy spending that much time alone with her, but he was anxious to find out if the enemy Riders had done any more damage, probably, and to kill them.
Several places in Alagaesia had been burned but in general they were uninhabited. It seemed as though the demonstrations of power had been just that, demonstrations.
"We need to find the others," Eragon said.
"I agree," Arya said. "They should be at Farthen Dur."
They went to the Beor Mountains and Murtagh and Orik met them in the air. Orik's stone dragon was now about as big as Firnen had been when Eragon had first met him.
"You look well rested!" Orik called to Arya.
"Thank you!" Arya called back. "Garzhog?"
"Training Nasuada to fight!" Murtagh said. "They're going to meet us over Dras-Leona!"
"There's a pleasant memory," Eragon said to Arya who was instinctively flexing her hand.
"Let's go!" Arya said.
They all flew toward Dras-Leona and met Nasuada and Garzhog who had been waiting.
"I was going to scold you for being late but now I see why," Nasuada said. "Who's doing what when we reach our enemy?"
"I'm going after that damned dragon," Orik said.
"I shall go with him," Garzhog said.
"Good luck," Eragon said. "I'll take the leader."
"I'll go with Eragon," Arya said knowing that it was the best way for him to keep his oath."
"Then we'll cover you two," Murtagh said.
Eragon nodded and they all flew west.
Miles away, the leader of the enemy Riders was relaxing on top of Volcanus' head while his other dragon flew around with a fake version of him. He enjoyed his new dragon. It responded well to him and seemed to be more loyal than his own dragon. He had three other Riders still alive. One was a human, one a dwarf, and one an elf. He himself was something that shouldn't exist. Many had tried to kill him before but he was far stronger than anything that had ever existed before.
Eragon shifted in Saphira's saddle and she sensed his discomfort.
"Is something wrong?" Saphira asked.
"No," Eragon said clearly lying but then continued. "Just thinking about Arya."
"Ah," Saphira said before laughing. "You flesh creatures have the strangest ways of enjoying your fantasies."
She laughed again, louder this time and Arya looked over and raised an eye brow as she saw Eragon shift.
"Something wrong?" Arya asked.
"Nope," Eragon said.
"Why was she laughing?" Arya asked.
"He has a rash," Saphira said before laughing again.
"Saphira!" Eragon said. "Useless overgrown lizard."
"Oh really?" Arya asked. "So it is a rash and not shrinking pants?"
Eragon's face turned bright red and Arya laughed.
"What's so funny?" Murtagh asked mentally.
"Eragon's got a hard-on," Arya said to everyone.
Everyone and their dragon's erupted into laughter except Eragon. He moaned miserably and lay down beside the spikes on Saphira's back then a thought occurred to him and he sat up again.
"He's not on his own dragon!" Eragon said to everyone.
"What?" Orik asked.
"He's riding on Volcanus," Eragon said.
Everyone agreed and Orik tossed Eragon the hammer.
"Me and Garzhog will handle the other riders," Orik said. "Murtagh and Nasuada should hold off the Fanghur."
"Good idea," Eragon said.
They continued flying and after a few minutes they reached the center of Alagaesia and saw Volcanus standing with three Riders and the leader's dragon flying around him. The Leader was on his dragon but it was hard to see him. Eragon shot a boulder at the Leader and scored a direct hit but the boulder passed through him and broke the dragon's neck instead. Volcanus roared in rage and took off. Each beat of his wings produced category ten wind strength so it was understandable that Eragon and the others had to catch back up after he was flying.
Eragon and Arya landed on his tail as they had before and Saphira and Firnen flew low over Volcanus burning ever Fanghur they found. Murtagh and Nasuada landed a moment later and their Dragons moved to help Saphira and Firnen. The four Riders made swift progress along Volcanus until they reached Niernen and the leader. He was about eight feet tall with smooth and long horns extending up from his head. He had a very angular face and his skin had patches of scales ever so often. He had claws and even a tail with a morning star-like end.
"What the hell are you?" Murtagh asked.
"I am an abomination," the leader said. "My name is Michael. I was named after a human but have no relation. I am-"
"Half elf half dragon," Arya said holding back a gag.
"That's sick," Eragon said.
"And unfortunate for you," Michael said. "You can't kill me."
"We'll see," Eragon said.
He raised Volund over his head then swung it forward with all the strength he could muster. The hammer with Niernen squarely and the spear shot into Volcanus' head with nearly no resistance. When it reached Volcanus' brain, he roared in agony and began to fall. Eragon and his friends jumped into the air and their dragons caught them. Michael simply stood there as Volcanus landed upside down. Orik and Garzhog had finished off the other Riders and flew over.
"Is it over?" Garzhog asked.
"Not even remotely," Eragon said as Volcanus rolled over and Michael stood.
"Did he just roll Volcanus over?" Nasuada asked.
"All of you stay up here," Eragon said. "I'll finish this."
"Wait," Arya said but Eragon dropped to the ground and drew Brisingr.
"A duel, hm?" Michael asked. "Very well."
He held his hand out and a sword formed out of his scales. He charged forward and Eragon met his charge. Both began moving too fast for anyone but Arya to follow the fight and she was less than pleased. Eragon was losing ground and every time he blocked Michael's sword, Michael slashed him with his claws. After a good half hour of this, Eragon finally let Michael stab him through the stomach so that he could drive his own sword through Michael's chest.
"Nice try," Michael said. "But not good enough."
"I know," Eragon said. "Brisingr."
Eragon's sword burst into flames and Michael stumbled back screaming in pain. Eragon pulled Michael's sword out of his stomach and healed the wound then looked up as Michael was reduced to a pile of ash. Eragon retrieved his sword and sighed.
"It's over," Eragon said.
Everyone landed beside him and Arya was the first to reach him. She kissed him and he kissed her back then she slapped him for being stupid enough to fight him alone. About a week later, they were married.
THE END
Sorry for the abrupt end but I figured there really wouldn't be much else for them to do after killing him. Read and review
