Eragon: The Battle For Alagaesia Chapter 21: Give Up A Life To Save Anothers, an inheritance cycle fanfic

The two armies clashed in the center of the Burning Plains. Swords, shields, and armour clashed. Screams of pain echoed across the vast waste land. The sound of weapon slicing into flesh was all around.

The dragons had taken to the skies. They swooped down from above grabbing opposing soldiers in their great talons and throwing them great distances. Screams and cries for help rained down from the clouds.

Sirrush, and Azzo swooped down, balls of fires erupted from their mouths and scorched a large number of soldiers who were clambering to get out of the way. Burned flesh wafted through the air and filled the nostrils of everyone. Roland spotted Vanya on the battlefield.

Take me down, Sirrush.

Sirrush did as he was commanded and brought Roland close enough to the ground from where he leapt from the great dragon's back. The vile creature was a good distance from him. The rider would have to fight to get to her. A large swordsman raised his sword to strike Roland, but Roland dodged the blade, side stepped and plunged both swords into the soldier's back. He ducked a swinging halberd, sliced it in half and decapitated its holder. Five soldiers surrounded him as he came close to Vanya.

Roland felt it rumble inside of him. It was thrashing violently trying to break free. He closed his eyes and concentrated. You will not control me…I control you. His eyes shot open they were solid black, a grin crossed his face. I can use this beast to my benefit. More soldiers surrounded him until at least 100 were there all ready to destroy him. Roland searched their eyes and found not one honorable man.

Roland sheathed one of his swords. He raised his hand. All eyes followed it. He placed two fingers together. Can I pull this off? I've never entered so many minds at once. The soldiers were oblivious to Roland invading their thoughts. Vanya looked at Roland and smiled. She then looked in the opposite direction to Arya who was fighting multiple opponents. Vanya dashed towards her sword drawn. NO!

The soldiers saw their moment. Roland had let his guard down as he watched Vanya make a mad dash towards Arya. The lunged at him piling on top of him. Spears, swords, axes, daggers plunged downwards towards Roland. They sank into his skin, but Roland didn't cry out.

"AH!" cried out Roland. He flung the soldiers off of him. The beast inside of him was clawing at his insides, wanting to be released. Roland was using its energy combined with his own. He snapped his fingers and every soldier dropped down dead. Their eyes wide and staring Roland stumbled forward. His vision had become blurry, but this only lasted for a moment. He soon straightened out. Smoke was all around him. He couldn't see Vanya, but he could sense her movements. That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Roland was bleeding from every place imaginable except from his legs. The rider unsheathed his swords and charged through the smoke.

He saw her nearing Arya. "VANYA!" he shouted at her. She stopped and turned to him with a vicious grin on her face.

"Fight!" for a moment they stood and stared at each other. They took steps and moved around in a wide circle. They got closer and close to one another. Roland made a move first bringing his sword down, clashing with Vanya's.

"At least you're not holding back." She laughed.

"Shut it and fight."

While she was preoccupied blocking his one sword he brought up his other one. She dodged it just in time. Roland barely missed her mid-section. He twirled swinging his swords about him. Vanya did a back-flip to avoid the blade slicing her in half.

Vanya raised her sword to strike him, but he parried it and kicked her in the chest sending her flying backwards. Roland had had enough. He wasn't going to hold back. He unleashed it. His eyes turned black. He got into a fighting stance. Low to the ground, knees back, swords out at his sides. Roland charged bringing his right hand sword down and the other one across Vanya's stomach. He side stepped and brought the two swords in like a scissor. He crouched down and spun his blades around low to the ground. He could see fear in Vanya' eyes as he drew closer and closer to landing a blow.

The Varden and Surda were beating back the King's army. The dragons had taken to both the skies and air. The soldiers were frightened and didn't know what to do.

A soldier with two axes came swinging madly at Roland's head. Vanya seized the opportunity and sprinted towards Arya. Roland easily cut the man down and chased after Vanya. The evil woman raised her dagger as she drew closer. Roland ran as fast as he possibly could. He needed to cut her off. I will not be too late again. I will not be too slow. I will stop you! Roland had a quick burst of speed and crossed paths with Vanya. He was now between her and Arya, but the dagger had already been released. Roland's eyes grew wide. The rider looked down to see the weapon protruding from his chest, blood seeping through his armor.

Vanya smiled. "Not all is lost. At least I got one of you."

Roland fell back onto the ground. His swords dropped to his sides. Arya ran to his side. She laid his head in her lap, Roland was coughing. She removed the facemask to find blood trickling down from the corner of his mouth.

"Arya….it's poisoned." He looked at her.

"It's ok."

He smiled, "I'm tired. I just want so sleep." He closed his eyes.

"No…Roland. You can't sleep yet. Wake up, wake up. Please, Roland."

He was unresponsive. "Stay awake. Just a little while longer."

Sirrush barreled through the smoke. Vanya had disappeared. The Empire army was retreating. Arya held Roland, cradling him. Sirrush surrounded the two, keeping them from harm.

"Help me, Sirrush. He's dying. ANYONE! HELP!! HELP!!" she yelled.

There is nothing I can do.

"Help, someone, anyone." She stroked his face wiping the blood from his mouth.

"Don't sleep just yet, Roland. Please come back. ROLAND!" she sobbed.

The rest of the riders arrived. To find the two Arya holding Roland's lifeless body in her arms.

He's dead Arya, there's nothing you can do.

"NO!!" she held onto him. The dragons were now in a circle around them. Nasuada and Eragon tried to get close, but were blocked out.

What's going on, Saphira?

We are not to interfere. This is a private ceremony.

No one went to Arya. They left her with Roland. No one moved, talked. They sat motionless on their dragons. Sirrush laid on the ground and bowed his head and passed away.

This story isn't over just yet. Hoped you enjoyed.

P.S. I heard this song after the actual Eragon movie and knew it would be perfect for this chapter. If you want to listen to it. Just go to myspace, Avril Lavigne.

You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah

Hear me when I say, when I say I believe
Nothing's gonna change, nothing's gonna change destiny
Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

La da da da
La da da da
La da da da da da da da da

Keep holding on
Keep holding on

There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through