Chapter 37: Entering the Vault of Souls
Everyone stared in shock at the dragon eggs and the Eldunari. So many questions rose in their minds. How did they get here? Why was this kept a secret? What caused these eggs and Eldunari to be sealed away, and who sealed them?
Sonic looked at what was in the vault with a look of awe on his face. He looked at Eragon and grinned.
It looks like the dragon race isn't extinct after all, he said.
Eragon nodded, still in shock. Suddenly a voice started to speak.
Welcome, Sonic, the voice said. We have been waiting for you.
Sonic growled in confusion. Who are you?
One of the Eldunari glowed and started floating, hovering in front of Eragon and Sonic.
I am Cuaroc, the Eldunari said. I assume you have many questions; I shall answer all I can.
Sonic nodded. What did you mean by "you've been waiting for me?"
Allow me to explain, Cuaroc said. The Vault of Souls was created Oromis and Glaedr to hide the dragon eggs from Galbatorix. Every dragon egg contains a wild dragon. He was hoping that once Galbatorix had been killed, these eggs would hatch and repopulate the dragon race.
The dragon looked around, amazed. How many dragon eggs are in here?
Two-hundred and forty three, Cuaroc replied. The one hundred and thirty-six Eldunari you see here are the dragons that were killed during the first war with Galbatorix and the Dragon Riders.
Outstanding, Sonic said. But why have you been waiting for me?
The Eldunari glowed brighter. It was us who have been causing events to be set in motion, Sonic. The Eldunari here reached out with our minds, manipulating events so that everything would be set to bring down Galbatorix. Angela knew this as well. We contacted her through a vision, telling her to summon a person to aid Eragon. When she cast her spell, it was us who altered the flow of magic and sent you here.
Sonic's eyes widened and he roared in surprise. It was you! He exclaimed. I thought I felt a presence in my mind sometimes during my quest. You must have sent the Chaos Emerald here also, along with Tails and Knuckles!
That we did, Cuaroc told him. As Eldunari, we have vast amounts of great power. But of course, Knuckles already knows this.
The Eldunari that was Knuckles suddenly started glowing and came out of the knapsack, hovering in midair beside Sonic. As I died, I had a vision of this place. The Eldunari here told me that my part in this quest was not yet over and that I should become an Eldunari to continue helping you, Sonic. That is why I chose to transform myself into this form.
Sonic looked at the red gem and smiled. He looked back at the Eldunari of Cuaroc and nodded.
I thank you for all you have done for us, he said. What happens now?
You must take most of these Eldunari with you, Cuaroc said. Their combined strength will help you defeat Galbatorix once and for all. The dragon eggs shall remain here for now. Once you defeat the king, come back here and take the dragon eggs out into the wild so they can hatch. We shall meet again.
With that, the Eldunari's glow faded and dropped back into the pile. Eragon, Tails and Saphira started picking the rest of the Eldunari up and put them in Eragon's knapsack. They exited the Vault of Souls and looked at each other.
That was...interesting, Saphira said.
Sonic nodded. Indeed it was. I have a feeling that we will defeat Galbatorix now.
Saphira grinned. Eragon put Knuckles' Eldunari back into his knapsack and got on his dragon's back. The three dragons spread their wings and took off into the air, ready to confront the king and defeat him once and for all.