Chapter 36

In the forests of Ellesméra, Arya, Eragon, Oromis, and their respective dragons prepared for war. Eragon and Saphira knew that it was too much to expect to find their true names before they had to get back into the fight. They knew, including Arya, that the next phase of the war would start within the next week if even that long.

As Naruto meditated, Eragon and Arya stood around 10 meters from each other in preparation of a spar with Oromis, Glaedr, and Saphira watching and observing the two. What they didn't notice was a certain clone that concealed itself in a nearby tree as it watched the two circle each other.

Eragon stared at Arya as he slowly circled around the elf's left with his guard up, looking for an opening as she mirrored his movement. As they circled, Eragon speculated what Arya would do first, "From what I remember, she will initiate the first strike…and most likely a slash at my neck." Eragon mentally sighed as he blinked.

The moment he blinked, Arya took the opportunity to perform a chakra-empowered leap, instantly clearing the distance between them and slashed her thin blade at Eragon's neck. Eragon widened his eyes at the sheer speed she used to close the gap between them and the amount of force he could feel through the air as the blade came closer. Using his enhanced reflexes, Eragon backpedaled furiously in order to avoid the blow rather than block it, noticing that there was no way he could receive the slash with a last second defense.

"Just what was that speed? I knew that even among elves that she's fast, but I've never seen her or any elf move this fast! And this power, just where is it coming from?" Eragon thought as he desperately diverted a thrust that if hit, would instantly skewer him through his stomach, wards or no wards.

Soon enough, a flurry of slashes, chops, and stabs came his way, most of those he could barely see or even react to despite the enhanced reflexes he received during the Agaetí Blödhren, forcing him to remain on the defensive. "This can't go on…it's on a matter of time before she scores a hit on me and when she scores that hit, it's going to hurt if what I've seen hits me." Eragon blocked another slash to his neck which for some strange reason seemed to be the main target Arya was going for.

Not much longer after that thought, Arya performed a feint from a slash to the neck to a stab to the right thigh which, thanks to the wards on her sword that blunted it, merely left huge bruise and a slight fracture on his femur. Yelping at the sudden pain, Eragon went to down onto one of his knees before he widened his eyes at a downward chop that was coming right at his head.

As he performed a combat roll to avoid being brained, Eragon thought about what happened in the spar so far. "Just what is going on? Although this is a spar and injuries are expected, why is she radiating such killing intent that I have only seen on the battlefield? Although, when I did ask for a spar, she didn't appear to be in the best of moods…BARZUL, WHY THE NECK AGAIN?!" Eragon hurriedly blocked the strike as he mentally screamed in exasperation when Arya once again tried to behead him with a blunted sword.

Unbeknownst to Eragon, the mental condition of Arya was anything but stable as she slashed and stabbed at the poor Rider. "Why Naruto? How could you betray my trust so soon after promising to never betray me?" Arya thought in anguish as the images of Naruto started to overlap that of Faolin as she unconsciously started to emit the killing intent that stunned Eragon. As the spar went on, the logical part of Arya's mind started to make itself known as her emotions stabilized throughout the fight. "Calm down, from the look of horror on the clone's face, it was clear that he never meant for me to experience any sort of pain, if anything at all. Besides, this was just a clone; it is not fair to be angry at Naruto for what his clone did. He did mention that his clones sometimes retained his juvenile mindset."

Arya parried one of the few blows that Eragon struck at her as she continued her train of thought, "I will just have a…talk with Naruto. If he were anyone else, I would never forgive him or her." And with that thought, she unleashed a stab towards her one of Eragon's eyes that he was not prepared for due to his delayed reaction time from his fracture leg and the fact that Arya started pumping more chakra through her body, increasing her speed to or past the limits of elves. Noting that Eragon would not be able to block the potentially fatal blow, Arya frantically tried to hold back, but was not able to because of not being familiar with the large amount of chakra she used.

The clone in the trees, Oromis, and Glaedr all saw the dangerous attack and were startled, never having thought that Arya, the epitome of self-control, would do such a thing. Immediately, Oromis started to cast words in the ancient language, but uncharacteristically swore when he noticed it would be too late. Immediately sprinting over, the elder elf attempted to interrupt the two but already knew that he would never make it in time. The only thing he could do was to break into Arya's mind, but he would never do that; the manners and customs of the elves were far too ingrained within him to even think about doing such a thing, not to mention the experience he went through when he was almost mentally broken by Galbatorix and his minions.

As Oromis sprinted, the Naruto clone in the trees prepared to perform the Kawarimi jutsu with either a floating leaf, piece of grass, or if needed a log, although even until this day, Naruto still had no idea where these logs came from. But before he could perform the jutsu, his left eye sent out a small shockwave throughout his body. Gripping his eye, the clone almost didn't notice until he saw a sword, from a very familiar elf, coming towards his face. Narrowing its eyes, the clone immediately intercepted the blow that would have dispersed him with his right index and middle fingers.

Once there was no danger, the clone flashed his eyes to where he initially was. "What was that? All of a sudden my left eye felt weird and the next moment, I'm almost made into a shish-kebab by the lover of the Boss!" The clone started to make connections as it completely glossed over the fact Naruto and Arya still were not officially together. Finally, the clone's eyes widened as it realized what just happened. "So Saskue's beloved ability, Amenotejikara, has also transferred to Boss. Although for some reason, he never tried it, probably because he was still bitter over having the eyes of his best friend implanted into him and causing Sasuke to lose the rest of his vitality along with his eyes. However, that was only his left eye's ability...but what about the right eye?" The clone sighed at the memory, knowing that it would take a while before its Boss fully accepted that it wasn't his fault and that Sasuke would have preferred transferring his eyes rather than living for another year or two in a bed, while wondering what the right eye could do.

Just as Eragon and the two elves were about to question how he instantaneously moved to block Arya's sword, a gentle pulse seemed to resonate through the air. The clone immediately whipped its head in the direction of Naruto, somehow feeling that its Boss was behind the pulse. Almost instinctually, the clone sat down in a meditation posture and started to mirror what Naruto was doing on the other side of the continent. Seeing the odd action of the clone, the others in the clearing also turned their heads to see what the clone was startled about when another, but much stronger pulse ran through the air.

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze.

Eragon, ignoring the pain in his leg and his recent near death experience, stared in astonishment at the sheer power of the pulse and how it seemed to brush through his mental barriers as if they were not even there. But rather than fear, he only felt warmth and peace as it flowed through him without trying to pry into any of his memories or secrets. Instead, it cleared his mind and allowed him to truly observe himself without the bonds and responsibilities that he was burdened with at such a young age and as he looked, he gained a better understanding of himself. Soon he closed his eyes as he looked inside of himself.

Saphira had long made her way to her other half's side after the clone stopped Arya's sword from skewering her partner. Being a creature that was far more connected to magic and chakra, she could feel what was happening so far away. Getting over her shock of the powerful pulse, she opened up the inherent bond she had with Eragon and gasped at the changes he was going through. After determining that none of the changes were harmful, she maintained the open connection and unconsciously coiled herself around her Rider, closed her eyes, and allowed the strange force to run through her mind.

Oromis and Glaedr, with their centuries worth of experience knew exactly was going on but because of that were both far more astounded than either Eragon or Saphira. "Glaedr, how could this be possible? While in the past there were several incidents where the awakening of one's true name affected the surrounding area, they were nothing compared to this! It is as if the entire continent…nay, the planet itself is responding to its call." Oromis shuddered at the sheer power as more and more pulses started to reverberate through the air. "But Oromis, did you not feel the warmth of this force? Despite being so powerful, it does not feel as if the forest around us is fighting with itself or being corrupted. Rather, it's as if everything is sharing their energy with whoever is causing such a phenomenon. And I think we both know who it is." The old pair looked at each other before smirking, "Naruto."

Arya, who had dropped her sword after the clone stopped it, stood there, stunned by both the sheer power and the familiarity of the energy that was washing over her. "Is that you Naruto? Such power, and yet it is so warm, refreshing, and comforting. This is why I have already forgiven you...but not that clone, we still have to talk about that. Just come back to me safely from Doru Araeha, and soon." Arya thought as she dropped to her knees, swearing that one day, she will bridge or at least narrow the gap between them.

In the tower of Uru'baen, a man on a golden throne sat in silence as he felt the same pulses of power that those in all of Alagaesia felt. But instead of feeling pleasant as the energy washed over him, he felt disgust and contempt towards it and whoever caused it.

"Such a nauseating feeling that I have not felt since the days of the Dragon Rider Order. Warmth, happiness…forgiving, all characteristics of the foolish and the weak. Only after complete domination of all of your foes and the destruction of your enemies can you call yourself strong. But this power…is dangerous; I will have to take precautions. But should this person come, I will personally break him and make him my personal dog." Galbatorix started to darkly laugh as he imagined having such a powerful pet do his bidding. "Yes, it will be so! But first, time to end this annoying war. Shruikan!" Pale blue eyes opened up, shining with madness and insanity in the darkness over a hundred feet high, as Shruikan awoke from his slumber, ready to share to the world his pain.

Outside of Alagaesia and on a large island, a small naïve-looking brunette looked curiously in the direction of the pulses on top of a snowy mountain as something in the back of her mind screamed out at her to either end and then consume the possible threat or flee. But this thought quickly erased itself as tall, silver-haired man with a large broadsword strapped to his back appeared behind said girl and laid a hand on her shoulder before asking, "What is it Priscilla? Did you sense something?" only for the now identified Priscilla to shake her head as she dismissed the energy pulses to head back into the lit house behind them, but not without a small and eager smirk on her face that belied her innocent outlook.

Further aways, a young boy and a woman looked up into the sky to see a red comet flashing through the air before promptly disappearing from sight.

Even further out, a fading spirit constantly flickered between many forms eventually stopping in the form of a beautiful woman with red eyes and snow-white hair. If such a woman even slightly smiled, countless men and women would go down on their knees and beg to be her servants. But instead, she appeared exhausted with a heavy frown marring her otherwise perfect features as she mourned her situation. Suddenly, a wave of pure power swept through and around her, taking away the dark bags that were once beneath her eyes. Widening her eyes, the spirit turned towards the source and tried to get closer, but eventually hit a barrier that prevented any further advancement. Frowning, she tried again but eventually gave up and slumped to the ground and murmured, "Please, I cannot hold much longer…this is the final world for humanity, and I am so very tired."

Notes

Amenotejikara – Heavenly Hand Power