Author's Note: As reader Tasha correctly pointed out, I made a mistake in the last chapter--at the beginning, I said Murtagh's hands were tied, but at the end, they suddenly weren't! My apologies. I haven't actually corrected it yet, as I haven't had time (well, okay, I was lazy and decided to write the next chapter instead of editing the last one), but I will...eventually. I think. I will strive to be more consistent in the future!

That said, here's the next chapter. After this is the epilogue, and then...ReEldest. The plot is mostly sketched out, but I'm not sure how soon it'll be up and running--there's still a few parts that need more planning, because they don't all make sense at the moment. Heh. This chapter is also not as good as I had hoped it would be...I apologize. I shall strive for better quality in the future, but I just wanted to get this chapter finished and posted. I hope you enjoy it.

Small note: I did some research on symptoms of and treatment for venom, but didn't find much, so hopefully this isn't horribly inaccurate. Sorry if there's any mistakes.

Chapter 37: Heart of Darkness

"Would you stop fidgeting?" Subieko said. "You're distracting me!"

Durza sighed. "But it's finally my turn again! You took so long with Eragon's chapters…I thought I'd never be in the story again…"

Subieko blushed. "Er…sorry about that…"

"Forget him," Arya said, shoving Durza to the side. "I'm in the story again, and I've been waiting for months, so hurry up and get writing!"

With a small 'eep', Subieko turned to her keyboard.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Arya felt exposed, standing there at the base of Mt. Helgrind. Although they could see around them for miles and knew that no one was nearby, she still felt like someone's eyes were on her. Durza had suggested that it might be the dark gods the people worshipped; Arya suspected he was joking, but still, it made her nervous. The Ra'zac were inside that mountain, hiding behind the lie of gods and spirits, being fed by unwitting humans. Perhaps it was their eyes she felt.

"I think I found something," Durza called from where he was searching a few yards away. Since Durza had no idea how to enter Mt. Helgrind, they had been forced to search and hope they got lucky. And it seemed that they had.

"I thought I sensed magic," Durza explained when Arya came nearer. "So I checked—there's an opening concealed by a spell."

"What can we expect inside?" Arya said.

Durza shook his head. "I have no idea. The Ra'zac live here, but that's all I know. I suppose we're about to find out…" He glanced at her. "Are you ready?"
Arya nodded, loosening her sword in its scabbard. "Let's go."

They ducked through what looked like solid rock, coming out into utter darkness. It was just as dark with eyes closed as with them open. Arya was about to cast a spell for light, but Durza grabbed her arm.

"Light will alert them to our presence. We don't know how close they are."

"I'd rather alert them than fail to see them coming," Arya snapped, futilely turning her head this way and that, trying to see. Even an elf's eyes needed at least a little light.

"Fine," Durza said. "Cast it."

Arya quickly spoke the words needed to form a small, reddish blob that shed a faint light but produced no heat. It hovered in her hand, letting them see ahead about two yards in all directions.

They were in a narrow rock tunnel; the ceiling was oppressively low now that she could see it. Arya shivered. She hated being unable to see the sky, and being in such a confined space was making her nervous.

"Come on," Durza whispered, starting to move forward down the tunnel. Arya kept pace with him, their steps seeming strangely loud in the silence of the mountain. The air was hot and close, feeling as thick as soup when she breathed it in. Behind them, the dark closed in, covering the entrance and trapping them in a tiny circle of dim, red light. Arya felt like an insect trapped in amber. How far had they walked? Were they making any progress at all? It was too hot, the tunnel too small, she felt dizzy and ill.

And then the air was abruptly cooler. The ceiling had abruptly vanished; they had come out of the tunnel into a wider cavern. The light was too dim for them to see much, but three other openings were visible along the rough walls. They were utterly dark, like gaping black mouths.

"Which way?" Arya whispered.

"I don't know," Durza whispered back. "Let's try the one of the left first."

They edged along the wall of the cavern rather than go straight across; it was best to keep their backs against something solid. A thousand years seemed to pass between each of Arya's breaths as they walked slowly, as silently as they could, towards the black opening. It was as narrow as the original tunnel. She took a few last breaths of the freer air in the cavern before following Durza into the passage.

Something about the place clogged her senses; some trace of ancient magic, some strange aura…Arya couldn't tell. A terrible smell drowned out every other sense, choking her. She and Durza stayed close together, reassured by the presence of another living being in this tomb-like place. It was so quiet…

Until something crunched under her feet. Arya jumped back, drawing her sword.

"Look," Durza said softly. Arya lowered her blade, looking down at her feet. She had stepped on a heap of bones…human bones. Flesh was still clinging to some of them; this was the source of the smell.

"Past sacrifices," Durza said. "Let's turn back—I don't sense anything in this direction."

Arya nodded; she didn't feel any traces of the Ra'zac either. They headed back to the central chamber, padding along through the stone passageway.

"Which way should we try next?" Arya said as they stepped forward into the chamber.

"We might as well try the central—what was that?"

Arya had heard it too; a faint swish of cloth against stone. She gripped her sword tightly, setting her back against Durza's. "I can't sense anything!"
"Neither can I," Durza said grimly. "They must be shielding themselves…"

"What should we do?"

Durza closed his eyes for a moment—he trusted Arya to watch for any sign of the Ra'zac approaching—as he tried to think, to predict the enemy's next move. Why were they hanging back? Why weren't they attacking?

"Light," he said at last. "We need more light. Then we can attack."

Arya spoke a few words of the Ancient Language, and the cavern was flooded with brilliant white light, much clearer and brighter than the dim red light from before. The two Ra'zac, who had been standing just outside the circle of the old light, shrieked in pain.

Durza sprang forward at once, skewering the first of the Ra'zac while it was still stunned. He had expected Arya to do the same, effectively ending the battle before it had begun. The Ra'zac were used to darkness, and the light would blind them long enough for two killing strikes. Freeing his sword, Durza stepped back.

It was then that he realized Arya still hadn't moved. He risked a glance to the side; she was staring in horror at the Ra'zac, her sword loose in her hand.

Ah. That explained it. Durza had seen the Ra'zac before, after all; he had known what to expect. But Arya was seeing them uncloaked for the first time.

Almost human. That was the best description for them. Would have been human except for, used to be human but now, might have been human once but maybe not. That was the Ra'zac. Human faces, the mouths twisted by venomous fangs, human arms with slashing claws growing out where the hands ought to be, scaly patches on the sides to protect them from blows. Long, bowed legs for springing and running. Spines and scales. Galbatorix had created them from humans, made them to be his perfect assassins. Durza wasn't sure they had turned out so well, but it hadn't been his place to question.

"Princess, focus!" he yelled at Arya, moving to attack the remaining Ra'zac. It groaned and sprang forward, claws trying to catch his sword and wrench it away. He dodged to the side and came back slashing at the point between neck and chest where the scales were gone and soft flesh remained. Blood splattered across his face as he struck home.

"I can't," the Ra'zac said, and Durza briefly wondered why before striking at the joint between arm and shoulder. The joints were vulnerable, fleshy, human. He had to target carefully; a missed stroke could catch his sword in the spines, pull it away from him and leave him defenseless.

"I can't stop," the Ra'zac said as it slashed at him. Durza didn't parry; better to slide to the side and strike again. His blade glanced off a spine rather than striking a vital point. He is wasting time, he must end this.

"Make it stop," the Ra'zac said, rushing forward and nearly hitting Durza; as it was, he was struck a glancing blow by the Ra'zac's thick arm, and stumbled back.

"Princess, help me!" he said, struggling to bring his blade up when his arm was bleeding from where the Ra'zac's shoulder spines had pierced it.

Arya watched them struggle, trying to pull herself together. They were people. People. Not monsters, but people, suffering people warped by magic. They were in pain. They didn't want this. She had never seen anything like it in her life. Nothing could have prepared her for the horror of their unnatural faces, or the pain in their eyes.

The Ra'zac sprang forward with startling speed, knocking Durza back. The twisted creature followed up with a quick slash, striking Durza in the chest. Busy trying to keep his balance, Durza couldn't bring up his sword in time to block.

"Arya, do something!" he shouted, struggling to rise as blood seeped out of the wound.

The sound of her name snapped Arya out of her confused horror. The Ra'zac was cautiously approaching Durza, taking its time now that its prey had been wounded. Durza was backing up, trying to keep out of range for now, but that wouldn't last for long.

The Ra'zac raised its warped arm for a finishing blow, and Durza, knowing that this might be the last thing he ever did, brought up his sword. If he had to die, he'd at least go down fighting.

And then the Ra'zac toppled over, its head rolling across the cavern. Arya was standing there instead, a bloody sword in her hand.

"Took you long enough," Durza muttered, falling to his knees. The Ra'zac's claws were coated in venom. Had to get it out of the wound before it spread any further…and he had to stop the bleeding. The sword fell to the ground as he pressed his hands over the deep cuts.

"Let me see," Arya said, kneeling to examine the wound. The cavern stank of blood, both Durza's and the Ra'zacs', and she took deep, slow breaths to keep from being sick. This was nothing like the small skirmishes she'd been involved in before. "Waise heil," she said confidently, pressing her hands over the slashes. Durza willed himself not to scream at the pressure.

Nothing happened.

"Waise heil!" she repeated, drawing more power out, but blood continued to seep out from between her fingers. "I don't understand—it's not working!"

Durza gasped for breath, trying to stay as alert as possible. If he fell unconscious now, he might never awaken. "The venom…it's stopping the healing. You need…to remove the venom…first." Oh, Goddess, it hurt just to speak. And he was still losing blood.

"How!?" Arya said, frantically pressing down on the wounds, trying to slow the bleeding.

"Calm down," Durza said. Must not scream. That would only make Arya panic further. "The venom. It enters…through the blood."

"How does that help—"

"Shut up and listen," Durza said. "Your magic. Remove…the venom."

"I—right. All right," Arya said, taking slow, steadying breaths. This was no time to panic. The word for venom…she must know it, she must…but she had never really dealt with venom before, and the word wasn't coming, her mind was blank.

"I can't do it—I don't remember the word—"

"Improvise," Durza said. Damn it all, he wasn't going to die because she couldn't hold herself together. "Just do something." The room was starting to go dim and blurry.

Other words, other words…think, Arya was shouting at herself in her mind, think, think, think! Hurry! But the more she struggled to come up with an answer, and fast, the more her mind was agonizingly blank.

A bloody hand grasped her wrist. Durza's face was twisted in pain from moving just that small amount, but he hung on. "Arya. Calm down. Just…let yourself think…breath…"

It was galling to be told to calm down by a man who was bleeding to death. But he was right. Arya shut her eyes, breathing as evenly as she could. Calm. She had to clear her mind. Just let herself think. Just let it come…

She opened her eyes. "Destroying liquid, come out!" she commanded, holding her hands over the claw marks. A reddish fluid with hints of purple gathered around her hands, being pulled out of Durza's body by her magic. She made a flicking motion, and the glob of venom struck the wall behind her.

"Good," Durza said, his eyes fluttering closed. "Good…"

"Waise heil," Arya said, and this time, the terrible wounds slowly closed, the skin knitting together, the muscles becoming smooth and undamaged again.

Durza was barely conscious, but he felt the pain ease. He would survive, then. He tried to feel at least a little angry at Arya for nearly getting him killed, but somehow he could only manage to be glad she hadn't been hurt in the battle. Annoying…

"I healed you—you should be all right—what's wrong?" Arya said, feeling panic start to well up again at the sight of Durza not getting up, or even remaining conscious.

"Lost a lot of blood," Durza mumbled. "And the venom did damage. Give it some time…"

The last thing he registered before passing out was a worried pair of green eyes.

-o-o-o-o-o-

He would wake up soon enough, Arya told herself. Of course he'd need rest after such a severe injury. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about…

She kept her sword on the ground beside her, just in case any other enemies were about. She didn't sense anything, but they hadn't sensed the Ra'zac until the last moment, either. Arya had dragged Durza to one wall; at least she'd be able to see any potential attackers coming. And so she waited, her nerves taut as she knelt on the ground with Durza's head on her lap. She had covered him with his cloak; she vaguely remembered that if someone was injured they should be kept warm. Damn it, she wasn't a healer; basic healing spells had always been enough before.

She had to stay calm. She was the only one in any shape to fight right now, so she had to stay in control and keep alert.

Part of her wondered why she was worried. They had worked together to kill the Ra'zac, but now that that was finished, they weren't really allies. But he had cared for her when she was ill, and she felt somehow honor-bound to do the same.

His face was flushed, and his skin felt hot; was it the lingering effects of the venom? He stirred, mumbling something in a language Arya didn't know. Delirious, maybe. She didn't know what to do.

"Shhh," she whispered, touching him gently. "Try to stay still." How long would this last? What should she do? Was there a spell to heal this? But Arya wasn't even really sure exactly what was wrong; she couldn't heal damage if she didn't know what exactly was wrong, not if the general healing spell had failed. She suspected this was being caused by what the venom had managed to do before she'd removed it. If she had gotten it all…could this be the effects of a mild dose? If it was…what did that mean?

He calmed when she touched him. Arya thought it was best if Durza kept as still as possible; if there was any remaining venom, that would help keep it from spreading. She sat with her back against the rock wall, one hand on the hilt of her sword, the other gently stroking Durza's hair.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Durza woke up some hours later, still somewhat dazed, but not in any pain and looking mostly recovered. Arya almost could have cried in relief.

"You're sure you're all right?" she asked as they made the journey back across the plains towards Dras-Leona. They had waited until nightfall; they couldn't risk being seen.

Durza was tempted to ask her if she was feeling all right; she'd been more worried than he had expected. But somehow he had a feeling that would only make her angry. "I'm fine, Princess. Your healing worked well." It was the closest he could bring himself to thanking her.

Arya was silent for a moment. "Before…during the fight…you called me Arya."

"My apologies," Durza said.

"No—I don't mind," Arya said hastily. "You can call me by name. If you like."

"Whatever you like, Prin—Arya."

Durza was forced to question his sanity when he briefly considered that nearly might have been worth it, just for that.

-o-o-o-o-o-

"So? What happened in the chapter? C'mon, Subieko, let me read it!" Durza said, snatching futilely at the laptop.

"If either of you so much as scratches my poor Gigo, you're dead in the story and outside of it. And I don't even care if that's not possible," Subieko said, putting her laptop gently down on a chair. "Read it or whatever, I'm taking a break." With that, she ran out of the room before they could start shouting at her.

"Finally!" Durza said, reaching for the laptop, but Arya snatched it out of his hands as soon as he touched it.

"You can read it when I'm done."

"But I had it first!"

"Oh fine, read it over my shoulder. Now stop whining and let me read."

There was silence as the two sped through the chapter. An even longer silence took hold when they were done.

"…I hope you know I would never take care of you. Never. Not even if you paid me," Arya said, pointedly not looking at her fellow reader.

"And I would never need your help in a fight."

"No, that part was totally accurate, except that I would never freeze up in a fight."

"Would so."

"Would not."

"Would so."

"Would—oh shut up, this is stupid," Arya said. "Listen, we can't let the others read this chapter. It's embarrassing."

"And Eragon would kill me," Durza added.

"And then he'd never quit whining at me," Arya said.

They quietly ducked out of the room to go find Subieko and get her to start the next chapter before anyone got too curious about theirs. Not because there was anything in it that had any relevance to them at all, of course. It would just make the other characters act annoying and jump to conclusions.

Of course.