A/N- I am sooo sorry I have not updated but I have a great reason. I graduated highschool! And I have been terribly busy with the ceremonies, going out with my family applying for colleges and everything like that. The good news is im back and as an apology I offer you Rexus's identity. I wasn't supposed to reveal it this early in the story but ehh whatever. Please review with your thoughts and I will begin my next chapter right away. And there will be many questions all of which I shall answer next chapter, hopefully.

ExAxExA

Arya glanced over nervously at Eragon, as a bad feeling crept through her body. It had been two days since Eridor, Saphira, Eragon, and herself had departed from the Varden, yet it had only took two days for trouble to find them, as it always seems to.

Arya entered Eragon's mind worriedly. Eragon do you feel that presence? Something sinister is upon us and they are very close.

I know Arya, Saphira senses them as well. She thinks we should prepare ourselves for battle.

Arya nodded her head, a symbol of her acknowledgment. Then carefully with full awareness the elf drew Brisingr, watching out of the corner of her eyes as Eragon drew his own blade and Saphira readied herself. From the other corner of her eye Arya observed Eridor ready himself to fight and worry immediately over took her mind.

Eridor you must be careful, stay back and only help if absolutely necessary. I know you are a proud dragon but understand you are still young and we know not of the threat that looms.

If you are in danger I will fight, that is all.

Arya ended her discussion with Eridor and only stood distantly connected mentally with the dragon, knowing nothing she could say could stop him from fighting with her. He reminded her of Eragon in this way.

Arya took a step back, subconsciously closer to Eragon as her eyes darted back and fourth between the looming trees that surrounded the clearing they resided in. Whatever it was that the elf felt coming was growing closer and closer at an alarming rate.

A bead of sweat fell from Arya's head as the presence that had sent everyone including herself into a worried state completely disappeared, as if it never existed.

Arya frowned unsure of what to think. "Eragon! Stay alert please."

Just as the words escaped her lips Arya watched in horror as three hooded figures jumped down from the trees above. Without any hesitation Saphira rose into the air threateningly then swooped below at an impressive speed with her claws outstretched. However before her attack could hit the three figures removed their hoods to reveal three grotesque bird like faces.

The creatures had dark skin that seemed burnt almost, supplying them a disgusting look that coincided with their short brown beaks. Their eyes glowed with a vile purple color and their presence was incredibly magical, almost as if they had been birthed by magic.

Once all three creatures removed their hoods they raised their arms in unison and created an odd transparent orb. Quickly before Saphira could react the orb moved towards Saphira and enveloped her, surrounding the dragon in a sphere like prison. Arya's eyes widened in horror as Saphira roared thunderously and rammed her body against the prison created by the three creatures. Then in complete disbelief the elf watched as the three creatures disappeared.

"Saphira!." Arya heard Eragon's anguished scream and felt pain in her heart as the male rider ran to his dragon, trying in vein to free her with magic.

Then just as suddenly as the three creatures disappeared they reappeared, except this time behind Eridor. The young dragon foolishly lunged towards them thoughtlessly, driven by revenge for Saphira. Before Arya could do anything the three creatures raised their arms once again and encased Eridor in another sphere shaped prison.

Arya's heart tore apart at the sight of her partner in life trapped in some sort of magical prison created by those disgusting creatures. Hatred quickly grew inside of her and vengeance became the elf's primary thought. There was no way she would allow these unknown beings to get away with attacking her loved ones.

It seemed Eragon had been thinking the same because he sprinted towards the creatures at an incredible speed, sword raised. When Eragon got close to the creatures they raised their arms, as if to create another orb trap but Eragon raised his own arm and yelled Brisingr.

Arya watched carefully as Eragon's attack hit the middle creature directly in the chest, sending the creature hurtling back towards the ground. Deciding to join the fray Arya ran towards the creature on the right and swung Brisingr violently in its direction. Arya frowned in dismay as her attack missed. Unfortunately it seemed the creatures moved just as fast as herself and Eragon.

Quickly shaking the thought off Arya continued to slash at the creature in an incredible display of swordsmanship, yet somehow the vile being was able to evade each and every one of her attacks by simply moving out of the way with flawless timing.

The elven rider glanced over quickly to find Eragon was facing the same problem as her, none of his attacks were landing regardless of how perfectly they were executed. Thinking quickly Arya searched her mind for an answer of how to fight these creatures when her eyes caught sight of the two bird like beings Eragon and herself had just been trying to hit create magical black swords that resonated from their palms.

Dread quickly filled her thoughts as she watched one of the creatures rush Eragon with impressive speed, so incredible that Eragon barely managed to raise his sword in time to deflect the attack. Arya decided the rider needed her help but before she could even move in his direction the other creature lunged towards and struck out with the blade in his right hand. Arya raised Brisingr to deflect the blade, then spun away to dodge the creatures second blade resonating from his left hand.

Barzul, how are we supposed to defeat these creatures? It feels as if they know every move I am going to make it before I can even make it. Arya's thoughts were interrupted by another strike from the grotesque bird like enemy which the elf ducked under just in time.

Deciding to take the fight to them Arya unleashed another flurry of gracefully executed strikes, which the creature managed to deflect with its magical blades every time. Fortunately Arya predicted this and unexpectedly ducked down and lashed out with a sweeping kick that knocked the creature to the ground. Before Arya could press her advantage fear filled her heart as the beast disappeared once again.

Arya looked around hurriedly realizing the creature Eragon had been fighting disappeared as well. All became silent in the clearing, almost too silent. Arya took a quick moment to glance at both Saphira and Eridor who both continued to try feverishly to escape their imprisonment. This only reminded the elf that she must kill these vile beings, the lives of her loved ones and ultimately the Varden hung in the balance.

As if on cue the elven princess watched in absolute terror as the creatures aspirated behind Eragon with their arms outstretched and as quick as lightning the three creatures, one of which returned from taking Eragon's attack created another magical orb that surrounded the rider.

"No!" Arya screamed with agony laced in her voice as she witnessed the love of her life become another prisoner of those damned creatures. All hope seemed lost as Arya made eye contact with Eragon, the elf could feel a tear fall from her elven eye.

Then just as the hope had been drained out of her mind and body it was quickly restored when Arya witnessed the unthinkable. From out of nowhere a purple blade protruded through the middle creature's heart. Stunned Arya watched as the purple blade withdrew from the creature's heart and it fell to the floor below lifelessly, revealing the mysterious elf that simply stood behind the now dead monster, smiling wildly.

Then faster than the eye could see the mysterious elf flipped over the two remaining creatures and landed next to Arya with his blade ready for another attack.

"Well come on you disgusting birds. Attack us now that the odds are even you vile excuses for warriors, how dare you stand in the presence of a true fighter."

Arya looked on amazed at the mysterious elf that had saved her almost as many times as he had attempted to kill her. Then to further her confusion Arya felt the elf contact her mentally.

You know what to do.

Arya smiled as she immediately understood the implications of the elf's words. Not wasting any time the elven rider began to concentrate her magical energy, as the veins on her body began to expand with the power that was now coursing through them. Then following the mysterious elf's cue Arya lunged forward at an insane speed with Brisingr horizontal to her body. Then in a flash of movement Arya struck forward and sliced right through the creature's abdomen. Once her momentum halted and she stopped moving Arya glanced back in satisfaction as the bird like beast split in half and fell to the floor silently.

Then just as quickly as she killed the creature Arya fell to her knees in exhaustion. Before her eyes closed and she fell to the floor due to a lack of energy Arya felt a sudden rush of power enter her body and she instantly knew it was Eridor.

With renewed strength Arya raised herself from the ground and looked around to find Eragon, Saphira, and Eridor had been released of their prisons. As happy as that made Arya her attention was drawn by the elf that stood a few feet away from herself and Eragon, who was now standing next to her.

"Why? I demand to know why you saved me again, why are you so obsessed with fighting me? To the point that you will kill anyone else who attempts to kill me, why?"

Arya frowned as an indecipherable expression fell over the crazed elf's face before he spoke.

"I fight you because it is my right, and I protect you because you are my sister."

Read & Review Yours truly, Elvin "Cliffhanger" Blade.