Well here's the chapter as promised and despite the lateness, 'Happy Birthday Psyclone'. 'The Legend of Spyro: The Darkness Rises' shall be updated tomorrow but for now enjoy.

I'll ask you again, what are you doing here, and pray you're answer satisfies me? The great dragoness growled as she tightened her jaws around Saphira's neck. When no answer was forthcoming she spoke again, I warn you, Saphira Bjartskular, I have no quarrels with killing you. I know how dangerous the mainland can be and I will not give up this island without a fight.

Saphira was in shock, not only was she not the last female dragon of her time, but the dragoness that could kill her at any moment claimed to be of the same parentage as her, which meant that if it was true, Rhaxma was her sister. Another tooth broke her scales and slipped further into her flesh causing Saphira to snap out of her disbelief. Release me and I shall tell you what you want to know.

Rhaxma growled deeply, Do not play me for a fool, you will be in a position to rip into my throat as soon as I let go of yours. My only option is to kill you and then regrettably your hatchling.

"I'm not her hatchling," Spyro suddenly spoke up, startling the great, white dragoness. "Now please, we aren't here to hurt you, let her go" Despite his perceived bravery he was clearly shaking, the dragoness could quite simply stand on him if she so pleased. He flinched when he saw her muscles ripple but no resounding foot stomp was forthcoming.

Speak, and quickly, I want to know what you want and where he came from. Rhaxma said as she let go of Saphira and motioned towards Spyro with her head.

Although she was in a prime position to incapacitate Rhaxma, Saphira had no intention to do so. She slid out from beneath the greater dragon and stretched her neck, feeling the minor wounds inflicted on her flex. We're here to search for a dragon known as the Chronicler, she answered. And this is Spyro, it's hard to explain but he's not from this time, he's from a past so distant that time has forgotten it. She wanted to question Rhaxma on her parentage but thought it best to wait until she wasn't a potential threat.

The Chronicler is a strange dragon, he doesn't just accept visitors, in fact it's doubtful you'll even be allowed in to his residence. Rhaxma replied as she turned her back and made her way over the rubble she had created when she toppled the archway. Saphira and Spyro looked at each other when her tail had disappeared from sight and then followed her.

When they turned the corner they saw the white flash of a tail as it disappeared into a hollow in the floor. Several scrapes of claws on stone could be heard and then Rhaxma's head emerged. You're welcome to come inside; there should be enough room for you. Her head once again disappeared.

"Do you think it's safe to?" Spyro asked, "I mean she did try to kill you only five minutes ago"

Saphira rumbled slightly, We don't really have a choice; she seems to know where the Chronicler lives so we have to ask her. Plus there's something else I want to clear up too. With that she began to make her way towards the concave leaving Spyro behind and slightly confused until he ran after her.

The hollow dipped downwards into the earth but the ground wasn't dirt. Instead it was the stone slabs that made the street that the hollow receded into. Saphira ventured downwards cautiously, the slope slowly levelling out until she was walking underneath the street above. She could feel the heat radiating from further on, obviously the burrow insulated Rhaxma's body heat well. After a gradual turn to the left she emerged into a large cavern with Rhaxma lay in the middle of it on a nest of what appeared to be very old tapestries and cloth.

Well as you can see, this is where I live. Rhaxma stated as Saphira looked around and Spyro arrived behind her. Since I was born I've always lived here, making it bigger as I grew, which is why it stretches on for so long from the entrance. Well make yourselves comfortable. With that Rhaxma pulled a few tattered pieces of cloth from her nest and threw them in Saphira's and Spyro's direction.

Saphira looked down at the rags. Before we do that, I'm sorry I have to ask, you tried to kill me before.

Rhaxma snorted. I did that only to see if you were a threat, clearly you aren't so I can afford to offer a little hospitality, at least until I grow tired of your company. Living alone isn't always preferable. That said I have no idea what the alternative feels like so I can't really compare it. With that answer Saphira seemed satisfied. She arranged the cloth into two piles, one for her and one for Spyro and then lay down on them. Spyro hesitated at first, the scent given off by them assaulting his nostrils but he eventually overcame it and lay down.

You know the Chronicler don't you? Saphira asked when she was comfortable. Rhaxma nodded and then examined Saphira's body, taking in the curves and spines. Can I help you? Saphira asked when she grew uncomfortable under the gaze.

I'm sorry, it's just I've never seen another dragon like me before…you just look…I don't know how to explain it…familiar. But I guess all dragons pretty much look the same. Saphira was about to reply but hesitated, if she asked now it might take some time before they could get back on to the subject of the Chronicler again.

Well I can't say for certain, I've only ever met male dragons before and they looked different to me, broader shoulders and larger muscles. From what I've seen it looks like dragons are destined to be specific to one attribute, one male dragon seemed built for physical prowess and another seemed to lean more towards ferocious and deadly attacks and a third looked to be a general all-rounder.

And you are lithe and have particularly powerful wing muscles, obviously a flyer but not without a particularly noticeable level of strength. Saphira seemed startled that Rhaxma could guess that but the greater dragon explained. I may have lived alone for almost a century but I still know how to recognise muscle structure when I see it. It isn't hard to gauge a dragon's strengths and weaknesses from their body type. But please, tell me more of these males you have met, is one of them yours?

Saphira could feel the longing behind the question; Rhaxma craved a companion. No, I do not have a male, and I don't believe any would be suitable for you. Two of them would be my size and in service to the king, there is of course the king's black dragon and then there is one more who is unlikely to take a mate. I'm sorry.

Rhaxma looked away for a brief second before looking back at Saphira, I expected as much, I guess you're arrival here just uncovered some long buried hopes. Now, why is it you want to see the Chronicler, I didn't think anyone new of his existence, he usually keeps to himself?

"We need to see him so we can find our friends," Spyro answered, causing all eyes to fall on him. "I've met him before and I know that he knows all dragons' futures. Please, tell us where to find him." Rhaxma studied the small purple dragon, perplexed by his ability to speak aloud.

I can take you to see him; he lives near the centre of the island in a great temple beneath the stone. It's always cold in there, the ground is ice and the water that flows beneath the island surrounds the temple and gains an eerie blue glow. But as I said before, there is no guarantee he'll see you. I myself have only seen him three times.

Unable to contain herself any longer Saphira asked what was preying on her mind. Rhaxma, you said before you're dam and sire was Vervada and Iormúngr, how do you know that? The sudden change in topic threw Rhaxma slightly but she quickly recovered.

The Chronicler told me. The first time I met him was not long after I hatched, he cared for me for a brief period until I was able to live on my own, and he told me who my parents were. Saphira nodded and Spyro and Rhaxma waited for her to continue.

I'm a rider's dragon; my egg was given to the dragon riders where I remained until I hatched two years ago. I recently learned the names of my dam and sire from the last remaining dragon with that knowledge other than the Chronicler. I'm you're sister.

I know, was Rhaxma's reply.

You knew!? Saphira exclaimed. And doesn't that mean anything to you? I mean, I thought I was alone in this land, no ancestors or family to speak of, let alone a mate worthy enough of me. And from how you said that I looked familiar but didn't explain any further I assumed you didn't know I was your sister.

Well I assumed you would recognise my scent. Rhaxma explained. All dragons can recognise family by scent; as soon as you arrived I knew you were family.

"Then why did you attack her?" Spyro asked, thoroughly perturbed by the entire situation.

Just because she is my sister doesn't mean she isn't a threat. I've never met her before therefore making her a stranger. There is no family tie between us except our blood. Quite frankly there is nothing stopping me from killing her where she lays just for the fun of it if I wanted to.

How could you say that? Saphira asked, visibly hurt by the remark. If there is one thing I've learnt from my rider is that family is important. Even though his own brother is trying to kill him he doesn't want to have to kill him in return. And the mental anguish he has gone through over his parentage, it makes him doubt his very being and his past exploits. I would have thought family would have meant something to you, you who is a member of the most honoured race in all of Alagaesia.

Saphira, Rhaxma replied coolly, you have spent too much time in the company of humans and elves. Saphira stared intently at her sister, awaiting a more detailed explanation. Family is important, but only if that family has been raised together. You forget that I am a wild dragon, no mortal morals or ethics have been imprinted into my consciousness. Yours and mine beliefs are one in the same in many respects but they are viewed differently in just as many others. Given time I am sure we could form a strong family bond between us. I like you, your personality strikes a chord with my own, but until such time a bond is formed you are just a stranger, I'm sorry.

Then you are a stranger. Saphira replied coldly. She didn't think what Rhaxma had said to her would make her respond as she did, but she truly did feel something when Rhaxma had revealed her parentage to be the same as her own. She had no one's experiences to reflect on other than Eragon's and looking at how he was driven by emotions tied to his family she compared Rhaxma to the likes of Roran and Garrow.

Rhaxma, on the other hand, was hardly affected at all. She had lived her entire life in solitude and cared very little about what Saphira was feeling, but not by choice. Without companionship her social skills were far from adequate and although she could count on her instincts to give her a sense of compassion it was no where near as developed as someone's who had lived in the company of others. The only thing she knew of compassion would be to kill an animal in severe pain, which usually resulted in an easy meal.

It was only Spyro who comprehended the situation fully. Being an independent observer he could see how Saphira had been affected and how Rhaxma had hurt her. But he could also see things from Rhaxma's point of view; isolation did have its downsides and he just witnessed one of them. At some point he realised he would have to act as a go-between, he had learned that dragons from this age could be incredibly stubborn and he doubted that either of the two examples before him would approach the other in apology.

He also knew attempting it now would be foolish so did the only thing he could do; move on. "Rhaxma, could you please take us to the Chronicler now," he asked, hoping that the urge to find Eragon would take priority in Saphira's already troubled mind. "The two that we want him to help us locate are in the clutches of Galbatorix. One of them is her rider and the other is a dragon like me, we have to get to them as soon as possible before something bad happens to them."

Rhaxma looked up, she had been licking the dirt from her claws after her botched family reunion but she had been listening. Of course, if we leave now we can be at the catacombs that lead to the temple by sunrise. Spyro looked at the light entering from the opening of the cavern and could see it's intensity waning. I know what your plan is, because one of your friends is a dragon you are hoping the Chronicler can tell you its future and you will be able to cross paths with them. Spyro nodded. You may not like what he tells you. I have argued with the Chronicler on my brief visits to him about the future and every time he wins. The present is on a constant path to the future and unless you are in your friend's future as the Chronicler views it, you will not be able to intercept them, no matter how much you try.

If Eragon is with Cynder in Cynder's future and it is seen that they will be in the middle of Alagaesia completely alone yet we are not viewed there also, Saphira started, I will make it my business to break the flow of the present and make myself cross Cynder's path at that time. With that, Saphira rose to her feet and moved out.

Her will is strong. Rhaxma commented as she rose to her feet also. But time is inevitable; if she isn't present in the Chronicler's tomes when your friends are in a position to be rescued then she won't be able to rescue them, no matter how hard she tries. Spyro was then left alone as Rhaxma exited to follow Saphira. He found himself thinking upon the last time he had met the Chronicler.

"Her entire life has been spent in shadow. She knows no other way. And when the Dark Master returns…she will concede. No one can resist the temptation…not even the strongest among us." Once again a thought came to Spyro, the very same thought that had entered his mind when The Chronicler first told him Cynder's fate.

"I don't believe that."

--

He knows the threat to his seat of power; he's not going to simply let you replace him without any form of a fight. Malefor stated as Galbatorix was forced to duck behind a row of pillars and into an alcove. Shruikan roared ferociously when he couldn't reach the King physically and let loose a jet of flames that was deflected harmlessly by Galbatorix's wards.

"Stupid beast!" Galbatorix roared back, "Know your master!" Shruikan ignored the command, a black aura beginning to envelope the dragon as he mindlessly tried to pull away the pillars to gain a better vantage point to rend his target limb from limb. "You knew this was going to happen didn't you?" Galbatorix asked as he began to weave together a spell to temporarily incapacitate the great dragon.

It was a possibility, yes. Malefor admitted, The nature of the corruption causes one to seek out threats to their power and neutralize them. Because Eragon and Cynder are being prepared to receive the same powers he has he knows that they could effectively replace him so is now trying to remove them. He's only attacking you because you are trying to prevent them entering their chamber.

Galbatorix cast his spell causing Shruikan to falter. But he didn't come to a stop like Galbatorix wanted him to. Instead he simply slowed down, as if the time around Shruikan had been affected rather than his muscles. Despite the outcome of the spell Galbatorix took advantage of it and made for cover, only to narrowly avoid being ripped asunder as Shruikan broke the spell holding him and slashed out where Galbatorix had been standing.

Why not just kill him and be done with it? Malefor asked as the King made his way to a spiral staircase and began to climb. Unfortunately the staircase led to Eragon and Cynder's chamber and Shruikan continued his onslaught. You will soon have two new servants who can perform better together than Shruikan ever could alone, why put yourself through the hassle?

"Because I refuse to be the one directly behind another dragon's death." He replied as he came to a halt just before Shruikan's clawed hand smashed through the staircase wall right where Galbatorix would have been if he hadn't stopped. "Can't you make him stop?"

I can, but I take it you want me to do it without killing him, correct?

"Exactly, just do it!" Shruikan ripped at the hole in the stone work until he could clearly see Galbatorix. The black aura had enveloped the great dragon whole and his eyes were pupiless, glowing an eerie white as they appeared to focus on the comparatively insignificantly sized human. Another roar split Galbatorix's ears as the dragon shot forwards, preparing to swallow the human who could do nothing but brace himself for his slow and undoubtedly painful death.

But the death never came. He removed his arm that had been covering his eyes and gazed out into the open space. Shruikan was simply gone. "Where is he?" He asked.

Somewhere else, was the only reply he received.

"That much is obvious, but where?" He continued to ask, making his way onwards, up the staircase and onto a landing that didn't look like it was about ready to crumble beneath his feet.

Does it really matter where? You asked me to stop him without killing him and that's what I did. He isn't dead if that's what you're worried about but he is no longer your servant.

"So basically the dragon that has helped me rule this land for over a century is gone, and you won't tell me where," Galbatorix summarised as he heard various shouts and the sound of whips on the lower floor; his servants were quick to respond to damage to the castle.

How astute of you to come up with that by yourself. Malefor commented, his voice dripping with sarcasm. If you really need to know details on Shruikan's location there is a lot of sand and it's rather hot.

"You do not need to be so condescending, a name would have sufficed but now that I know he's in the Hadarac I at least know that it'll take time for him to make his way back here if he still wishes to destroy me." The landing he was on had only one staircase, the one he had come from. It also had no windows meaning that the only light that was available was provided by the sparse lanterns that adorned the far spaced walls.

That, coupled with the fact the smoke from the lanterns had no where to go, save for the thin groves between stone, gave the entire area a dark and foreboding sensation. Those that were to walk through this eerie atmosphere gained a suspicion that whatever was on the other side of the door embedded into the wall at the far end of the landing was not pleasant.

It wasn't until Galbatorix had walked half the distance that he could see the door through the smoke, which threatened to choke him as he breathed it in and the harsh taste of it burned his throat and made his eyes sting. Perhaps not putting windows in is a design flaw you might wish to rectify. Malefor commented as Galbatorix was forced to cast a spell to filter the air entering his lungs and protect his eyes.

"The atmosphere is meant to play on people's minds," Galbatorix replied. "Anyone that comes up here is not going to be having a pleasant life. Plus the sound of a man choking is not going to be unheard by the lower levels, anyone who is up here will be located and imprisoned long before any rescue can be made."

Well storing Cynder and Eragon in your personal torture chamber isn't necessary. They are in no position to do anything but lay where they are, you could have left them in your courtyard and they wouldn't have moved. Galbatorix reached the door and placed his hand on the grip, the magic infused into it recognising Galbatorix's touch and unlocking the door.

"I like the sense of security it provides." He then twisted the handle and opened the door, a harsh purple light diffusing through the smoke and illuminating the entire area. The light was only present in the smoke filled room for a few brief seconds, the time needed for Galbatorix to cross the threshold of the door and close it with a resounding 'click' as it locked itself.

A few more seconds of standing idly was necessary for his eyes to adjust to the sudden change of illumination but after that Galbatorix made his way to the two separate cages in the corner of the room. Both were large enough to hold dragons of the same size as Shruikan, but the space that was needed was far less than was available as Cynder and Eragon lay in the centre of both cages.

The purple light was being cast by a strange crystal of unknown composition; all Galbatorix knew was that Malefor had told him where to acquire it from and that it was vital in the corrupting of others. He found himself staring at the formation, the light captivating him and the strange sparks of black lightning crackling on the surface leaving afterimages behind his eyes.

Staring at the crystal is not advised, Galbatorix. Malefor interrupted causing Galbatorix to snap out of his trance. He then looked into the cages, both the inhabitants being bathed in the radiation from the crystal. I often wonder how the dreams they experience change their souls. I can only find out after the corruption has been completed, I'm eager to learn just how Eragon's mindset changes and Cynder's, now that she's experienced freedom for a time.

I apologise for the incredible lack of updates for this story and for those of you who haven't been tempted enough to visit my deviantART, page who's link can be found in my profile, and those who do not read 'The Future Begins' I'll explain now. I have recently gone through a month of exams and have used all my free time to revise rather than write, I'm sure you understand. I must also apologise for the quality which doesn't seem to be as good as I would like, it just seems to be lacking something that I can't quite put my finger on. I guess that's what happens when you don't write for over a month. In any case I plan to update more frequently now and would like to thank those who have reviewed up to this point, I really do enjoy reading feedback, especially criticism if it's constructed well, not like some anonymous reviewer did for my Spyro story and reviewed with one word; 'crap'. Sufficed to say I removed the review, why waste my time and your own? Well that's all for now I think, and I promise that future chapters will have much shorter Author's notes, I swear it.