A Contest of Power

Durza stood near the top of Alagaesia alone staring into the cold eyes of Galbatorix. Both stood alert staring at each other swords drawn ready for the battle that was to come between Shade and rider. Galbatorix had eyes of a brown so dark they almost seemed to be black. Galbatorix's star was cold and showed that he had no sympathy for anyone; it was kill or be killed when facing him.

Durza didn't know how long they had been staring at each other, all he knew was that he had to escape as in wasn't his destiny to kill the king and end the war.

"I'm curious Durza, how did you survive?" Galbatorix finally asked. Durza got the impression that he was waiting for Durza to be distracted.

Durza's gaze flicked up to Shruikan who was standing sideways watching Durza with one huge black eye. He was snarling at Durza and his eyes showed nothing, only a deep anger that couldn't be released and he didn't know why.

Galbatorix turned his head slightly so that he could see Shruikan through his peripheral vision although he didn't take his eyes off Durza. "Shruikan back off you are not to interfere" he growled.

The black dragon slowly walked sideways away a little further from them.

"Doesn't know does he?" Durza asked "he doesn't know you killed his life partner"

Galbatorix turned his head back to Durza. His eyes showed more fury than Durza had ever seen. Yet Durza pressed on.

"You're curious to know how I survived. Well I'm curious to know if you believe Shruikan should suffer forever because of your foolishness" Durza spoke with a hard voice. He was taunting Galbatorix and Galbatorix knew it.

Galbatorix hadn't changed his posture in the slightest he just stared at Durza in fury.

"Katurla" Galbatorix's voice was shaking "Knell"

"No. You no longer control me" Durza smiled "your highness"

Galbatorix's jaw moved sideways.

"What was the last thing she said? When she died in your arms, Galbatorix how did it feel knowing that that you brought about her death? How does it feel living with" before Durza could finish Galbatorix roared in fury and changed forward. Assaulting Durza mind as he did so.

Ducking out of the path of a reckless stroke of the sword swung in the blindness of anger. Durza swung as hard as he could and landed a punch in Galbatorix's side. As Galbatorix stumbled Durza leapt backwards and waited.

Regaining his balance Galbatorix raised a hand and screamed in the Ancient language. Durza couldn't understand what was said but behind him heard a number of boulders falling to crush him.

Durza sprinted out of the way. As he ran he pointed a hand at Galbatorix and yelled "Garjzla!" the familiar spell caused a crackling red bolt to shoot from his hand.

Galbatorix leapt to the side to avoid the red lightening but as he did so he lost sight of Durza.

Charging forwards Durza assaulted the king's mind. Galbatorix spun around and their swords met. Sparks shot everywhere; the force of the collision caused their arms to become num. Durza jumped back and swung his sword towards the king's right arm. It was blocked. Galbatorix grabbed Durza's arm and twisted it trying to gain an advantage but Durza kicked behind Galbatorix's knee and he lost balance a fell. Tearing his arm free Durza swung again intending to land his stroke on Galbatorix's arm, but he rolled and jumped to his feet. Then he charged Durza once again. Galbatorix drove Durza back several feet. Then ducking under the blade Durza charged forward and drove his shoulder into Galbatorix's stomach. Lifting him off his feet Durza drove him into the ground. Durza snarled as he was hit on the jaw. Jumping back Durza quickly retrieved his sword. Then turned just in time to block the brown rider's sword coming down to plant it's self in Durza's head. Durza then had to fight in a couch. He slowly managed to stand the push Galbatorix back. Finally Durza shoved Galbatorix in the chest. As he stumbled Durza landed a blow on his arm.

Galbatorix yelled in pain. Durza tore his sword free as it had hit the bone, then he slowly walked backwards staring at Galbatorix.

Galbatorix looked down at his wounded arm and stared the injury, and then placing a hand over the wound he healed it in only a few seconds. Durza knew what spell he had used so it didn't surprise him.

Galbatorix then got to his feet, his breathing was smooth.

He glared at Durza for a long moment before "you could have ended me Durza. Why didn't you?"

Durza still had his sword drawn at his side, blood clear on the blade "it's not my place" he finally said.

Galbatorix growled "that's not it! You're just weak" it was clear he still longed to thrust his sword through Durza's heart.

"I go now to teach Eragon the secrets I you couldn't get from me" Durza said after a long moment "and it is he that will end this war"

"Ha go on teach him I'm on the verge of controlling an entire language" Galbatorix said an evil grin on his face.

"I've already found it. Give it up, you will never find what you look for. I wonder what she would think about what you have done" Durza said glaring at Galbatorix.

Galbatorix's expression went from grinning to shock to confusion then to fury.

"She be furious, disgusted that she had chosen you. Pity she couldn't see deeper when you touched her egg" Durza spat each word.

Galbatorix didn't speak he just glared at Durza.

Durza noticed a large movement behind Galbatorix. Shruikan had taken a step closer to them and his eyes were fixed on Durza. The dragon was still snarling. Galbatorix turned and walked back to Shruikan. Durza watched him carefully as he walked away.

"You know I control an empire. Thousands at my command, I will have you hunted for the remainder of your pitiful life" Galbatorix spoke calmly as he stared at Shruikan's black scales.

"You could. But you can't. Your death nears Galbatorix. The elves push down from the north and the Varden from the south" Durza said.

Galbatorix turned and looked at Durza, a grin on his face "Maybe. But if I die so will Saphira"

"You would doom an entire race?"

"If I die then yes, it won't affect me in anyway" Galbatorix was still grinning.

Durza stared at the king he's mad he thought.

Expression suddenly went from a grin to a frown "I today you die" then he drew his sword once again a sprinted at Durza "Shruikan NOW!" he yelled.

Behind him Shruikan rose into the sky and released a thick torrent of flame.

Durza raised a hand "BRISINGR!" he yelled. The flame split into two paths and passed by him harmlessly. Then looking down he saw Galbatorix's sword arching down towards his neck. Durza knew what this meant, but he raised his arm in a desperate attempt to block the sword anyway.

Next thing Durza knew he fell to the ground, the sword had struck him in the neck. Durza lost control of his body. It rolled over so that he was facing up. Durza felt his skin tearing. His skin felt like he was standing in a fire letting it burn him. Pain racked through his body, Durza's back arched up and he heard several cracks then he couldn't stand it. A scream broke from him as the pain tore him inside out.

Not again! Durza thought throughout the pain. Then Durza closed his eyes as he yelled in pain once again.

As Durza lay on the ground his skin stopped tearing. Began to rejoin and form around his body.

What! What's happening? Durza thought.

Then he regained control of his body, the burning pain inside him subsided and vanished. Durza opened his eyes and sat up, he looked at his body slightly confused then it dawned on him I don't vanish anymore! Durza looked up at Galbatorix he was walking backwards, frightened and confused by what had just happened.

Durza slowly got to his feet. His hands they were the same, he hadn't changed but he felt different. He felt, stronger. I'm stronger. He thought.

Durza looked up at Galbatorix; he couldn't help but smile "It's not like before, things have changed, and even after 136 years you still underestimate your enemies"

Galbatorix just stared at Durza for a long moment. Shruikan had landed once again and was standing as he had previously been. His black eyes seemed to show curiosity.

Durza walked forward "Don't get in my way you have lost today. Don't think the battle is lost but not the war because the war is lost and you know it" Galbatorix and Shruikan watched him closely as he walked to the cliff.

Turning on the edge of the cliff Durza stared at Galbatorix.

"Soon there will be two riders you face" Then Durza jumped backwards and fell leaving Galbatorix staring at the place where he had been.