AN: Hello again, first off: Disclaimer I own nothing as all source material and inspiration belongs to Christopher Paolini.

Chosen Hope

Everything around was ablaze, the two Shades seemed to ignite everything around them, continuing the flames that spread from there arrival. Murtagh looked around disoriented, he remembered the witch yelling something before a blast of crimson energy hit himself and those around him. The energy seemed very similar to that of the kings Grey Folk weapon, even to the color of the energy.

Two figures came out from the orb of energy that had blasted the table apart and its occupants with it. Murtagh had seen many Shades during his time under the king, all were servants to him. Murtagh had often wondered how the dark king was able to hold the loyalty of the faulted creations, Murtagh though he had used his vast powers to bind them to him much as Murtagh himself was. Over his training Murtagh was forced to fight and duel with powerful Shades, learning how to fight them and other magical opponents. By the time the king deemed him ready to engage his brother he had fought dozens of them, but only once had he ever kill one.

Now two Shades walked before him, both armed to the point and seemed to be working together, a trait that did not make any sense. Shades were strong willed creatures, they rarely could work together, their prides and egos caused them to clash with one another. One of the Shades looked towards were Arya had been flung, saying something to her. The same Shade walked over to her and grabbed her throat hosting her up into the air as Arya reached for her neck trying to stop herself from being chocked. The other Shade stood by, looking around for other members of the consul.

Murtagh rose to his feet quickly, running up to the Shade as he drew back his blade to stab Arya. Smashing into the Shade the three of them rolled down the side of the hill, as the other Shade followed. Arya was able to get lose as she and the following Shade engaged, Arya drawing a knife. Murtagh quickly gain his barring, it seemed that the Shade had lost his sword during the fall, lucky for him Zar'roc was still in the position of Nasuada, else Murtagh would have struck the Shade down in a flash. Murtagh barded his fist as he struck at the Shade with all his might. Smashing in the side of the Shade Murtagh continued his attack, battering the Shade with blow after blow with his body. Murtagh was unused to hand to hand combat, he preferred a sword or any weapon opposed to his bare hands, but he had learned long ago to fight with everything he had. Murtagh used his rough style of swordplay in his hand to hand combat as he quickly kicked the Shade in his ribs. The blow did little as his leg bounce none too gracefully off of the Shades armor. The blow to his leg slightly dazed Murtagh giving the Shade an opening as he returned blows with Murtagh. The Shade seem to not hint at any pain from what Murtagh had dealt him, as each punch from the Shade came at a incredibly fast speed as even Murtagh's Rider abilities could not help hum block or dodge the Shade's furry of blows.

Find a break between blows, Murtagh looked upward seeing Arya's battle with her own Shade with much less success than he was having. She held her ground but was losing fast as she barely dodged the Shade wild swings with his blade. Murtagh returned to the fight only to have the Shade before him smash his fist into Murtagh's forehead, the blow sending him back several feet. There was some much power that was put into the blow Murtagh had no idea how the Shade had done it. Murtagh could feel the faint sting of power on his forehead; he had felt its power before, from the kings many punishments for his failures. How could this Shade generate that power, the power of Helgrne, the power of the Grey Folk.

"Murtagh" Thorn's mind entered fully into his, "What is going on! I am coming for you" Murtagh reacted timely to Thorns advance, "No! Stay with the Varden, if there are more Shades you will be needed, please I can handle myself, Arya is here with me, we will deal with these two. Please stay where you are." There was no response from Thorn; Murtagh knew not if he and Arya could defeat the two Shades. He knew Arya had battled Shades before, and killed them, but she was tired and without even a proper weapon, much like himself. To boot both Shades seemed even more powerful than any other Shade that Murtagh had encountered before, the one Murtagh battled seem to even be able to generate power of the likes of the Grey Folk weapons.

Murtagh reengaged the Shade as he saw Arya run back up the hill towards the rest of the council. Murtagh moved upwards, working his way up the hill, he though the best way to engage the Shades was together. Landing a blow to the Shades head with a powerful kick the Shade went tumbling down the hill, blood pouring out his mouth. Murtagh hurried up the hill, seeing Arya engage the other Shade again, who had also seemed to have lost his sword and was forced to uses a knife. The Shade below Murtagh growled out towards Murtagh yelling towards him, "That is it! You no good Rider!" The Shade ran with unnatural speed towards his sword finding it near a tree. Rushing towards Murtagh the Shade shot a beam of energy at Murtagh, as he only barely dodge the blast. Again the Shade used magic that the king had used, but with no weapon. How was that even possible, he wonder. Arya too saw what the Shade did as her eyes shot open with disbelief. Murtagh looked around for a weapon to defend himself from the oncoming Shade, but saw nothing.

"Murtagh here!" Arya yelled as she tossed Zar'roc to him. Murtagh graciously took his sword, preparing his stance as the Shade struck at Murtagh. He had little idea where Arya had got his sword or how see was able to get the time to give it to him, but he was thankful for it. Now with Zar'roc in hand Murtagh blocked the Shades attack, counter attacking after attack of the Shades. There duel began as Murtagh eagerly pressed his advantage.

Arya looked around, Murtagh was in trouble. The Shade he fought had just used a power that Galbatorix told them only weapons of the Grey folk could use. But this Shade had used it without any weapon, just his bare hands. Murtagh now stood there unarmed, about to face a Shade more powerful than any other Shade she had ever seen. The Shade in front of her attacked again as he pressed forward. Arya looked for a way to help Murtagh, seeing Nasuada nearby, she ducked under the Shades blow dropping in the Shade left flank, quickly she sank her dagger in the Shades thigh, dropping him to the drown, as he reached around to the wound. Reaching Nasuada Arya grabbed Zar'roc from her side, "Murtagh here!" she yelled as she hurtled the blade Murtagh's way. He caught it with much ease as he turned around just in time to block the Shades attack.

Arya had to turn her attention to her own Shade that she was battling. While she had help Murtagh, she had gravely harmed her own stance. The Shade now held two dagger, one in each hand, as Arya herself was once again unarmed. Quickly Arya rushed the Shade, hoping her attack would surprise the Shade enough to allow her to regain her dagger. But instead of smashing her knee into the Shades face, the Shade turned sideways allowing Arya to simple slide past the Shade as he struck at her while she pasted. Her own dagger sunk into her thigh, blood poured out of the wound as she rolled down the hill to where Murtagh and his Shade battled. Murtagh's Shade swung towards Murtagh's exposed left arm, but as Murtagh went to block the Shade Arya slammed into his leg, forcing Murtagh forwards right into the Shades blow. The Shades sword struck Zar'roc hard, the impacted ripping the sword out of its Riders hands. Murtagh tried to salvage the situation, turning he struck at his Shade sending the Shade back. Arya remained on the grown as she laid on the grass clutching her wound. With a deep breath she pulled the blade from her body, as more blood escaped the wound, just as a cry did. Her Shade moved over her, looking towards his companion battling Murtagh. Raising his dagger the Shade struck down towards Arya, only to have something fly into him sending him towards the ground.

"Use it!" Angela cried as she ran away carrying a battered Orik and Nasuada. Arya looked towards what Angela had thrown at the Shade, it was the Dauthdaert. The barded ends of the spear bore into the soft ground, Arya reached out for it quickly as the Shade rose up, looking more angered than ever. "I am tired of this you bitch!" he spat, rushing Arya, this time he held both his sword in one hand and his dagger in the other. Arya blocked the Shades attack just in time, as the blade struck the shaft of the Dauthdaert. The impact sent vibration through he spear, Arya feared it might break due to the force of the impact. Then she remembered something the king had said, "But you have brought me the second of these weapons!"

The Dauthdaert, the king said it was a weapon of the Grey Folk, but how do I control it, Arya questioned herself. The Shade pressed his position as Arya shifted her weight to try to hold the Shade at bay.

Eragon controlled their power, but how. Her mother and Nasuada were right; they need to know how to control the power of the Grey Folk. Eragon could do this then so can I. she thought. Remembering again to the halls of the dark king, Arya though back to what the mad king had said. "Lucky for this elf, this particular weapon has already bound to her soul, so there would be no point in killing her, but she has yet to unlock its true potential, which means she is still weak."

Weak? I am not weak, Arya though to herself. The king said it was bound to me, yet see could not control its power, why. How could the likes of Galbatorix and Eragon control a power, that she could not. They were both Riders, but the original owners were not. The king spoke of how it's a person's soul that unlocked that power, but her soul was already bound to the Dauthdaert, at least that is what the king said, was he lying. Arya could see no reason why the king would have lied to her and Eragon, but it was the only thing that made sense.

The Shade pressed even harder, Arya felt as if she was going to sink into the ground she lied on. As the Shade pushed down, Arya twisted the Dauthdaert forcing the Shades blade into the soft ground. The blade sliced into the ground not inches from her head. Arya quickly pulled the Dauthdaert into the way of the blade, so that the Shade could not simply pull his sword into her head. The Shade grabbed at his blade as he put all his strength into pulling his weapon into the elf. Arya raised her good leg, wrapping it around the Shades head. The two were in a dual of strength, interlocked with each other, as each fought with nothing but there strength. The now kneeling Shade pulled hard as he tried desperately to kill the elf. She had proven more of a fight than he had though, he had underestimated her the whole time, toying with her, but now he was stuck. The elf had him wrapped up in an almost hug. He needed to act, to get himself out of this position and kill the she-elf.

Looking around Arya saw Murtagh, the red Rider was bleeding from his hands as he held the Shades sword between his palms. The feet had amazed the Shade, who much like his counterpart could only press on his own strength. The Rider was slowing running out of both time and energy, the Shade used all of his strength, as he pushed his blade down towards the Riders body. Murtagh looked at the Shade who smiled with glee, his blade was slowly working its way towards Murtagh's head, Murtagh held the blade with his hand but could not stop the Shade from continuing his attack. With a last push Murtagh had no choice but to move the blade to the side, forcing the blade into his shoulder rather than his head. A yell of pain escaped his lips as the Shade laughed in return.

Arya was having her own issues, her Shade was able to press on her wounded leg, forcing her to let him go, the Shade was once again pushing down on Arya with his sword, as the Dauthdaert only barley blocked the Shades sword from removing her head. Ever closer it moved to her neck. Arya and Murtagh looked at each other, they were both spent and all they could do was hold of their death in hope of something. Neither knew what they were holding that Shades of for; they were both fighting the inevitable battle. Arya though back to when Eragon was impaled by the king. All hope was lost then and yet somehow they were able to pull through and defeat the king. They had to do that here as well. With a burst of energy Arya smashed the Dauthdaert into the Shades knee forcing him down, rising up she shot a blast of fire at him with her magic, the Shade easily blocked her attempt at magic. The Shade rose, as he simply shook off Arya's hit.

"That is it!" the Shade yelled as he threw down his sword. Beside her the other Shade released Murtagh, as the Rider stammered back till he was back to back with Arya. Murtagh's Shade also threw down his sword as the two put their hands together. Pulling them apart a ball of crimson energy formed between their hands. There pools of energy built up until together the Shades trusted their arms toward the pair, there pools of energy hurtling towards Murtagh and Arya.

Murtagh's mind brushed up against Arya as she let him in, "I guess this is goodbye then…" was all he said before a blinding ball of light hit them, its energy casting into the surrounding area. The light consumed the pair, as the Shades ducked down, the light sending energy through them smashing them into their surroundings.

To Murtagh's surprise he felt nothing, all he could he saw was white light. He found himself somewhere else. He no longer was on the hill with the Shades. Standing up he looked around, nothing but white was around him. Bending back down he put a hand on Arya's back. Her eyes opened slowly as Murtagh helped her up. Both looked around confused, neither understanding what was going on.

Murtagh was the first to speak, "Are we dead?" Arya looked back at him; she had no idea about Murtagh's question, were they dead? Both Arya and Murtagh turned the attention once a noise echo through the plane. The sound echoed as it continued to grow louder with each repetition "Footsteps?" Murtagh questioned his own hearing, but he was right. From a distance the outline of a figure could be made out. Both Arya and Murtagh turned to face on whatever was coming their way.

Soon the figure came into their sights; the figure was fully clothed in a pure silver armor, as a full helm covering his face. A white cloak flowed from his shoulders as it wrapped around the figures neck. At the figures waist was a sword with a highly decorated hilt, but what was most shocking was what the figure held in his right hand. Murtagh stepped forward, readying for a fight. There in the figures hand was Helgrne; it forked spear tips shinned even more then when Galbatorix held it. A sudden breeze began to pick up completely out of nowhere, the gusts moved in surrounding the three of them. In the nothingness that Arya and Murtagh had been thrust into the wind howled and howled as the figure drew closer, as Helgrne shinned brightly. Final the figure stopped before the pair, Arya and Murtagh tensed as the figure raised up his hand, both knew what was to follow, a blast of energy and then the ever silence of death. The figure slowly moved his arm to his helm, grasping under the metal, pulling the protection from his face.

Arya let out a sharp gasp as Murtagh staggered backwards, before them was Eragon, or at least someone who looked extremely similar to Eragon. The figures face revealed sharp pointed ears of an elf, even more so then Eragon's were, but the resemblance was still uncanny. The elf had the same dark brown hair, and deep brown eyes as Eragon had. Even the way the elf held himself was so much like Eragon, as if you could see the very weight and responsibility that he held. The elf's long cloak once again moved as another breeze became to pick up.

"Greetings my friends, I have long awaited to finally see the likes of you two." The elf may have held Eragon's physical features, but not his voice. This elf's voice held even more weight than that or Oromis or Glaedr, through the elf's voice was a deep and rich tone, he seem to show much of his age in his voice, even so he still held and almost boyish nature in the way he smiled, again much like Eragon. Murtagh returned to Arya's side try to grasp who the elf was before him and why he said they were friends of him, they had never meet before.

Before Murtagh could ask on the matter the elf once again began to speak. "Though my appearance may not be known to you, you do know of me, just as I know of you. My name is Eragon. First of the Order of the Riders."

The original Eragon? How is this possible? Arya questioned herself. Eragon, the original Rider, the one who had created peace between her kind and the dragons. Eragon once again smiled as a chuckle left his lips. "Yes it is me. The one who bound the dragons and the Riders together. The one your friend is named after. Please there is much to speak of and I am afraid I do not have much time left."

Murtagh quickly responded moving forward toward the ancient Rider, "How is it that we came here, and how are you even here you, die ages ago?" Eragon looked down; it was the first time the pair had seen the ancient Rider saddened. "I never truly die; though my physical body was lost my spirit has lived on through time. I shall explain more on that later. As to how you got here, that is entirely my doing; I have brought the two of you here because it is finally time. It is the time to final put the past of this world in the ground. The history of Alagaesia is one plagued with a darkness that has continually tired to gain control over everything that this world holds. My kin where responsible with handling that threat, but we were unable before we passed on into nothingness. So we created others to perform that task, but they as well fell before darkness. And even though the one reasonable for their destruction was able to maintain the darkness, now that he is gone, everything is undone, four thousand years of death and suffering is undone. The past shall finally return to its former darkness, and your world will be destroyed."

Both Murtagh and Arya were rather confused at what the elder Rider had said, he was being cryptic not telling them exactly who the people were. But what caught there thoughts was that the Rider said his kind created other to do their task. Eragon was the first Rider, so did that mean that he was not an elf, that he was another race of ancient Alagaesia, the race that created the Riders. Arya looked up at Eragon as he held Helgrne, a weapon of the Grey Folk. "You're a one of the Grey Folk." Arya final said as grand smile soon came upon the Riders face.

"Yes my lady, that I am. But am no mere Grey Folk, I am Eragon, King of the Grey Folk, Ruler of Alsia." Both Arya and Murtagh moved back at the proclamation of the King. Eragon the First was the king of the Grey Folk. "I beg your pardon my lord." Murtagh stated as he bowed down on his knee, Arya following likewise.

"Please, I am no king any more, though I do proclaim myself as own. I am but a spirit now, and with no people to rule anyway. But please I said before, we are friends and there is much work to be done!" the pair rose as the awaited what they knew was to be a long explanation of what the history of Alagaesia really was like.

"As I said I was the King of the Grey Folk of Alsia, or original home world. What Galbatorix told you of how my kind came to fight the dragons of my world, and the forging of our great weapons is true. After my kind was done with our own lands we sailed from our home looking for new grounds to call our home, the war with the dragons had cost my kind many of our friends and family, we greatly wished to get away from our own past. We found Alagaesia, a world much different from our own. At the time of our arrival there were only a few races that called this there home. The dwarves had just settled in the mountains of the Beor, and the humans would soon land on the western beaches.

Our true issue did not come until one of my kin discovered a different form of magic then our blood magic, which we were able to use through our forged weapons. That one of my kin was my brother; he found a form of spirit magic that was weaved through these lands. Though blood and spirit magic are similar, they hold different capabilities. Our natural blood magic had to be conjured through a vassal, our weapons. This new spirit magic could be used through direct currents, meaning there was no need for our weapons to control magic. Due to this new magic we were able to unlock the true potential of our power, now our weapon did not control our magic, they made it even stronger. We were able to bend our blood magic with our own hands. This was what allowed my kin to survive in Alagaesia now we were able to bend the wills of nature to ourselves. But what happened next no one saw coming.

My people used spirit magic to enhance our blood magic, but my brother wanted to physically combine the two into a central power that we could draw upon. Both myself and the heads of what was left of my people all agreed that such an act would destroy us as a people, that the magic would be too dangerous. This did nothing more than to stir my brother onward. With a small group of his followers my brother preformed a dark ritual atop a solitary peak in what is now know as the Hadarac Desert. We tried to stop the ritual, but were unable, what we had predicted end up being only half correct. My brother was able to control the magic, but it twisted him, the spirits he called upon were bond to him, his very body became that of pure magic and almost ether like being. So we fought my brother atop that mountain, our forces battled, my magic versus his. Final after hours of combat I struck him done with my weapon, Helgrne. We killed all of my brothers' follower, and that was the end of him, at least for now.

In fear of what the mortal races of this world could do with our powers, we choose to seal our power to the very land of Alagaesia. The spell that bond magic to a written language for thousands of years later would be used by all the race of these lands. Most of my kind were killed by the amount of energy it required, there sacrifice will never truly be repaid, they gave their life for the greater good of this world. During this period humans arrived here, some of my kin began mating with their kind, creating what would be our linage, the elves of Du Weldenvarden. But the races of Alagaesia where not ready for what was about to come. Darkness began to build again, the humans began to be slaughter by and enemy that traveled with them, the Ra'zac. Though few of my race were left, we felt the evil of that was control these demons. Once again what was left of my race travel the Hadarac Desert, only to find the greatest shame of my race.

Through the dark ritual of my brother, spirits were now able to be bond in bodies of flesh, both of mortal an immortal. My brother had created a new race, the race of Shades. But these were much different Shades than those that your land knew of, at least before today. These Shades held our power of blood magic as well as the power of the spirits. They were extremely powerful and almost impossible to truly kill, as no mortal weapon could truly hard them. But that day we found that the Shades were not leaderless, the day my brother preformed his ritual he created the original Shades, by chance one did escape, still even as an original Shade he did not lead his fellow Shades. Before use was my brother, thé original Shade. I had failed to fully kill him, and now he was even more powerful than before.

The great Shade battle began, as Shades, Ra'zac, and death battled against what was left of my people. The war was waged in the Hadarac Desert, before it was lush, with greens and forests, now nothing remains, but the every looming magic that was spent that day. Though we were able to once again kill my brother, it was at a horrible price, only a dozen or so of my kin remained. We discovered how to kill immortal Shade, by striking them through their hearts, but my brother seemed to not be able to be killed. We battle many times through the years, but time it seemed I grew weaker, and he stronger. His kind had grown wild and destructive, the mortal races would have stood no chance, had it not been for us.

During these times of battle and death, many things had happened on Alagaesia, the dragon we thought were dead fond this land as their home too, they were much different than the dragons we knew, but there power was still vast. Both the humans and the elves culture grew, the elves grew to the point that war broke out between them and the dragons. My kind greatly feared what the dragons meant, we knew that brother would return soon, and my race would not be able to fight him off this time, as powerful as he had become. So a final plan was put into action. I chose to become Eragon the elf, and created peace between the dragons and the elves, thereby creating the Rider and a new guardian for Alagaesia. The Riders could protect the races from the likes of other mortals, but we knew that my brother and his Shades would destroy them. The second part of our plan came to be. We found a way to lock away the original blood magic of my people from the Shades, thereby only leaving them with the spirit magic we had created. With the help of the new Rider order and what was left of my kind, we travel to my brothers mountain, were he first created the Shades, to seal away the Shades true power. The Rider, who became my predecessor was told of the true nature of the ritual, and how it who befall upon the Riders to maintain the hold over the Shade spell and the Shades themselves, just as my kin had done all those years.

As my people and Rider began the spell my brother finally returned. So much rage was in his heart, he knew what we were trying to do to him and those like him. I said my goodbyes to those few of my kind and of those few Riders. My power had been drained almost dry, as I gave my last power to those performing the ritual, my weapon; Helgrne had been hidden in our vault, where we had perform the spell of the ancient language, as well as the other remaining weapons. I stood there before my brother, no power, no Helgrne, just my will and my sword.

With my brothers rage and power he was able to quickly best my as he struck my through my chest with my own blade. I still pressed at him as my brother slayed my dragon, wounding him in his neck as he threw me down the mountain side along with my soul partner. As I tumbled down the mountain side my brothers rushed the group, but they had already finished their ritual. My brother quickly slew my fellow Grey Folk, but it cost him the last of his powers, his true powers began to leave him, as he grew weaker and weaker. Still he believed himself immortal and indestructible as without a weapon of the Grey Folk he thought he could not be struck down so he pressed his attack on the Riders. Though he killed one, my predecessor, who wielded the first the Rider blade struck him through his heart. But unlike before my brother fell to his knees as his body burned away, spirits flowing everywhere.

And so I died, and my brother died, and my race was lost to the Shades and my brother; and everything was fine, because even when my brother did return, he was nothing. He held not the power as he did before, the Shade like him were effect likewise as well, now the Riders held my brother on a chain, as I once did.

Of course nothing lasts forever, as you know the Riders are with us no longer. Though I was lucky, Alagaesia was lucky. The mad Rider Galbatorix was not really mad. Yes he was filled with rage, but he understood what he was doing, and in that way he saved Alagaesia. Before you say anything I know what I am saying, Galbatorix was a horrible man, but he did prevent even worse things from happening when he took over. If he hadn't taken over none of this would have happen in the first place, but still. Anyway, Galbatorix was a interesting Rider, very interested with power and had an almost obsessive nature towards it. So when he was able to slay Vrael he discovered the way that the Riders had restricted the Shades, Galbatorix had first hand seen what the power of a restricted Shade could do, he could only imagine that power in his control. So when the Riders fell, my brother would have been free, but the new king tricked the leader of the Shades, he used the magic that my people had taught the original Riders, and permanently bound my brother to his will, thus restricting the race of Shades even more so than the Rider had before them.

This leads us to where we currently are, as you clearly know the Shades have returned, as well as their former powers. With the death of the Galbatorix, everything that my people, the Riders, and even Galbatorix had sacrificed to restrict the Shades has been undone." Eragon final paused, as the pair of warriors before him were completely speechless, Eragon spoke on the history of Alagaesia, the true history. Everything they had learned sense they were born was wrong. What was even worse was that in saving Alagaesia from the mad king they had unknowingly unlocked a far worse threat, one not even the Grey Folk could defeat.

Murtagh spoke, his voice cracked as it seemed he had not spoken for an eternity. "So that is why we are here. We have to fix what we caused. We were the ones who released the Shades, we the Varden did this." Murtagh's anger grew as he realized what they had done, even though they knew not of any of this, they still caused the issue.

Eragon looked down at the Rider as he began to speak again, "So much hate, all directed at yourself. There is no need for that here. You and Arya are not here to be judged. The Varden's actions and the actions of the races of Alagaesia could not be change, what happened had to have happened. Galbatorix would have found away to release the restrictions that bound the Shades natural powers, he would have held the most dangerous weapon in of all Alagaesia's history, what was done was right. You are here because what you did was right, the time has finally come. Alagaesia's heroes will rise, and this darkness will finally be put away. That is why you are here Murtagh, you and Arya, are here because we have chosen you. My race is all but gone, I remain here only to watch over these lands, but I can no longer protect them. My body fell all those days ago, but I was able to remain pure, my spirit kept hold. So now I remain here, I have remained here, but my spirit yearns to rest. Both the dragons, Riders, and my own people have all agree it is finally time to put down the Shades, no more hiding, no more death. We shall defeat them, and we will do it when they are at their strongest!"

Murtagh looked upward, "How? If you… if even you in all your great power was not able to defeat them, then how can we even try? We don't have the power's you did, or the powers the Shades control. We don't have an army or warriors capable to fight with Shades. How? How do we fight this?"

Eragon looked up; a smiled came through his lips. Arya looked up at him, she wanted to say what Murtagh had said, but held her tongue. They were here for a reason, but would good could it do?

"Hope. Hope will defeat them. Each one of you will deify everything that is logical. The races of Alagaesia have never worked together, but they do now. That hope can best anything, Hope is light, and light breaks through the darkness." Looking at Murtagh Eragon continued, "You, Arya, and Eragon. The three of you are our chosen few. Eragon was already given the gift of our power; all he needed to do was unlock it. I shall give that gift to the likes of you two as well. Use it, guild this world against the darkness. You may not see it, but we do. We see that the three of you can defeat this enemy. You three are pure and good where we were weak. Remember that Murtagh. Each one of you feeds of off one another, alone you are a force to be reckoned with, but together nothing can stand against you. I have faith. Have some in yourself."

The light of the area began to shine even brighter, as light once again began to consume the pair. Eragon looked once more at Murtagh and Arya, "One last thing, Eragon is hope, my brother is darkness, but Eragon is the light, help him. Those gifted with great power often cannot deal with the weight it entitles and Eragon is gifted more even greater than you two will be. This is not our favoritism it's just the way it is, Eragon's will is strong, but he has darkness that clouds his heart, and in will consume him. Eragon is our greatest hope, but he is only one person, and he has already faced one of the darkest challenges of his life. When he awakes, that darkness will set upon him, it will stay with him until his end. He is strong, but together, with the two of you, he is stronger. Take care of him, take care of each other! My brother did not kill my race because we just had power, he is cunning and destructive. I was never able to kill him. I failed at that task, at my task, but the three of you can triumph were I failed. Goodbye Arya Dröttningu and Murtagh Morzansson, take care of Eragon."

The area suck violently, as the light ever brighten, "We have hope in you!"

The light slowly faded away as Murtagh and Arya once again found themselves on the hill outside of Urû'baen. Both Shades were on the ground, the blast of energy that had sent the pair to see Eragon the First had knocked them both to the ground. Both Shades looked at each other in disbelief as their enemies still remained after what they were sure would destroy them. The Shade both stood quickly, their arms moving fast as the rebuilt there pools of energy, trying again to blast apart their enemies into nothingness.

Murtagh and Arya looked towards each other; both remember the words that Eragon had told them, this was now their fight, and now they had the power to battle with. Surges of energy began to flow out of all four of the figures, the two Shades black crimson energy versus Murtagh's own crimson energy and Arya's golden energy. Murtagh and Arya shut their eyes as they held strong, the Shades began blasting their own energy towards the pair, but none hit their marks, each stuck a barrier of pure energy that had form around the pair. The Shades roar with anger, both turn their energy into a full current of energy, blasting everything they had within them at the pair.

Murtagh and Arya's eyes shot open, power was with them as the true power of the Grey Folk was now theirs. Grasping the Dauthdaert, Arya poured her strength, her very soul into the weapon. The Dauthdaert shined a bright golden light as flames began to igniting from the shaft. Arya remember the white flames of Brisingr when Eragon unlocked his power, now her own golden flames cover her, transforming the Dauthdaert into something else. The spear shaft lengthened as the barded ends of the spear head lengthened more and more. Soon Arya held in here hands a weapon that she had never seen before. It looked as if a sword was attacked to a spear shaft; the shaft held a bright golden hew to it as the blade shown emerald green, the weapon itself was light, feeling like air in her palms, Arya grasped the shaft wielding her new weapon like a staff, the blade pointed at the Shade in front of her.

Murtagh was experiencing the same thing, Zar'roc had returned to his hands as it burned hot with crimson energy. The blade lengthen much like how Brisingr had, its handle allowing Murtagh to grasp in with both hands if need be, but unlike Brisingr, Zar'roc's blade curved at the end giving it a nasty sharpness to it, perfect for Murtagh's quick cutting sword style. Murtagh and Arya once against looked at each other, as the Shade poured more and more energy into the barrier that protected them.

"It is our time now. It is our turn to us this power." Murtagh spoke just as he rushed out of the barrier striking back at the Shade with his new found power. Arya turned to face her own Shade, while still in the protection of her shield Arya swung her new weapon, believing it would emit the same band of energy that Brisingr had, but it something much differently. From the blade dozens of razor sharp wire of pure golden energy emitted from the blade, each swung towards the Shade. The wires of energy found there mark, as each wire plunged into the Shades flesh. But Arya did not move her weapon; instead she reached out physically grabbing her wires of energy. Arya did not know why she thought her could physically wield this energy, but her body was in control now and it knew something. Grasping the energy, Arya could fell its power as it pulsed in her hands, the Shade looked up at her in horror as he tried to remove the wires from his body as he crumbled to the ground.

Murtagh was having as much success as Arya, with his new sword Murtagh duel the Shade, who had retrieved his blade after Murtagh sprang towards him. Both duel with everything they had, but it was apparent that Murtagh had the advantage, with their power now more equal Murtagh's expert swordsmanship skills were proving a grand asset. The Shade retreat back sending a current of energy towards Murtagh, remember how his brother used his own power, Murtagh released Zar'roc, thrusting his hand forward and open. Crimson energy poured out from them as his energy collided with the Shades. The energy exploded around them, both from his fight and that of Arya and her Shade. The trees and ground around them was ripped to shreds as energy poured into the surrounding area. With a last push Murtagh broke the Shade current, as Murtagh quickly rushed him with Zar'roc, as it flew into his hands. The Shade moved his weapon to block but Zar'roc passed right through the blade removing the Shade right arm as Zar'roc shattered the opposing blade. Even with the loss of an arm the Shade continued to blast energy at Murtagh sending volley after volley of energy at him.

Each blast allowed Murtagh to move closer and closer to the Shade, who for the first time in his long life, felt fear. With a last turn Murtagh hurtled a blast of energy from Zar'roc which caught the Shade of guard. The Shade and the tree behind him were severed completely in two. Murtagh fear that the Shade would still live, but quickly remember how Eragon had told them that Grey Folk weapons did not need to strike a Shade through the heart to kill them. Soon spirits filled the air as the Shades corpse burned away. Eragon was right; the power of the Grey Folk can kill them like normal weapons a man. Murtagh thought to himself, turning he saw Arya's fight, or what was left of it unfolding.

Arya had wires of energy holding the Shade as she wielded the base of the energy, throwing the Shade around like a rag doll. The Shade was yelling wildly as each pull from Arya ripped into his flesh more and more. Arya finally released the Shade, as he flew helplessly into the only remaining tree. As the Shade rose up Arya acted quickly, grasping her weapon she through it sideways, the spear spiraled towards the Shade, striking him mid chest, pinning him to the tree. Both Arya and Murtagh moved over to him. The grown beneath there feet was nothing more than ash, the once green grass had all been burned away. Both understood how the battle between the Grey Folk and Shades had destroyed turned the Hadarac into the desert it is now. The pinned Shade tried to remove himself from his fixture, but Arya's weapon remained were it was. Soon Zar'roc was to the Shades throat as Murtagh glared at the creature.

The Shade laughed as more blood poured out of his mouth, "You loss!" was all he said before he blasted Murtagh with his free palm. The impact seen Murtagh falling down the hill. Arya acted without pause pulling out her weapon from the Shade's chest she plunged the blade back in to the Shades batter body, this time directly though his heart. Sprits soon surrounded her, as she left the Shade to die, running over to where Murtagh was getting back up on his feet. Arya offered the fallen rider her hand, the same Arya who just a few days ago would not even been in the same presence as him, even after everything with Galbatorix Arya still did not know what she felt for the red rider. But know everything was different, he was with her, Murtagh, herself, and Eragon were trusted with the powers to fight off the return of the original Shade. Murtagh was with them, Murtagh was with her. They had just fought through their second ordeal together, and soon they would fight another.

Murtagh graciously took her hand; his other hand clutched his wound. Arya forcefully removed his hand so she could see the extent of the damage. Murtagh unwillingly showed her, his side was burned rather badly. The clothing he wore was burnt into his flesh. Arya figured he was lucky to even be alive, she did not understand truly her and Murtagh's new powers all too well, the power of the Grey Folk seem to vary between user. But from what she had seen with Eragon and the Shades, this form of power could destroy whole structures and could easily cut through mortal flesh.

"Murtagh, we need to get you to Angela, this burn looks rather severe." Arya tried to move him, but Murtagh remained there, a blank look was across his face. Murtagh could not believe what the elf before him had just said, which in light of everything that had been happening around him made little sense. "What did you just say?"

Arya didn't know if this was a joke or something, but she wasn't exactly in the mode to play. "Murtagh will you just come on, you need to get that taken care of." Murtagh simple remain as his dumb founded look only continued. "I... I don't know what to say. I'm sorry I really am not used to people actually giving a dam about my current health standings. I'm actually surprised you even care."

Arya knew that a conversation was bound to come up between them about how they were now not only allies, but practically family, in a power linked sort of way. "Look Murtagh, I get it, trust me I understand were your coming from. Not two days ago if I saw you I would most likely strike at you, both for the Varden and for Oromis. Everything is just so different then it was, I cannot believe that two days would bring enemies together, but it has. You and I are allies. No. were more than that, we are friend Murtagh. I am your friend, we have helped each other and saved one another, and isn't that what friends do for each other. I don't know why I'm say this, I'm elf, I shouldn't even show emotion, but I am, because I need to. Eragon is my best friend, my only real friend, and you are his brother. And the three of us are linked together, bounded together in this battle against these Shades. The members of the Varden spoke there piece about where they stand on you, and now I have spoke my. They may not be able to forgive but I can. Not just for you, but for Eragon and for this world. We have to be together Murtagh, we have to be strong. In light of everything that your brother is about to go through, we have to be together. I will make that step, if you are ready to make one as well?"

Arya once again held out her hand, she had made her mind up. She could except Murtagh, she would. Murtagh looked once more at the elf, his former enemy and only brother best friend, id not more. She was able to forgive him for everything he had done and even more she had stretched out her arm in friendship.

Smiling Murtagh took the she-elf's arm. "I would like that! Thank you Arya, my brother is lucky to have you." Using Zar'roc Murtagh steadied himself as he and Arya head off to find the regiments of their consul meeting.

AN:

Well I will say that was one of the best chapter I have written so far, at least by my enjoyment. Eragon the First being a Grey Folk, it totally makes sense. I know this chapter was all exposition, but I was needed, it was like chapter 2 on steroids and with a more accurate source of information. Hope y'all all enjoy it, tried to get in some attack before and after the all the talk to break it up.

So lots has happened; now Eragon, Murtagh, and Arya all have the powers and weapons of the Grey Folk, but will it help them against the brother of the Eragon the First, I think not. Yes so next chapter there will probably have a character that we haven't seen in a while, (hint: it might be Eragon). And on the topic of Eragon the First's brother, let's just say him and "the master" now each other well, one might say they are one in the same. Next chapter will be out probably in December, this chapter has been in the works for 2 months now, I just fell y'all deserve a nice big long chapter. Lastly, sorry if people don't like how I am handling Arya's character, I am trying hard to make her more human, for someone who has sent almost 80 years of her life with humans, and constantly states that she has been around humans more than her own people, yet she still acts pretty elf like; but now I get to fix that!

See y'all soon! Thank to all my followers and reviewers.