A/N: Hey, I forgot to tell you that I update chapters on Saturdays ONLY. Hey, and I was spelling Ra'zac wrong and didn't notice. SORRY! Don't ask me to update quicker, because I'll ignore you, sorry. These are the responds to all of my wonderful reviewers.
Aiedail01: Hey! Yeah I know your username. It's cool!
Soldierx: I'll make the chappies longer.
Arya Drottning: I'm glad you like my story so far. Roran was trying to impress Eragon by jumping off Saphira, but obviously it didn't work so well!
Disclaimer: I do not own Eragon. Please don't sue!
Chapter 2: Fight to the Death
The morning came swiftly. Eragon stumbled awake and found his way toward Saphira, who was contentedly devouring a small doe.
Good morning, Eragon, she said, emitting her usual hum of satisfaction, much resembling a cat's purr.
Good morning. Are you well? Asked Eragon.
Well enough to fly to Helgrind and rid the world of the terrible creatures that killed so many loved ones.
As am I, replied Eragon, his face contorted into a determined expression. His gaze flickered to Roran's sleeping figure.
Should I wake him? Asked Eragon with a glimmer of amusement.
Might as well.
Eragon crept over to Roran and grinned mischievously. With much care, Eragon broke into Roran's mind and whispered ever so softly:
Wake up, Sleepy Head.
Roran started to his feet and pulled out a large hammer in an attack position. His eyes stared wildly at Eragon, and a soft growl escaped his lips.
"Why did you go and do that?" Asked Roran, steaming. He dropped his hammer wearily and rubbed his eyes with apparent irritation.
"You would have slept through the day if I hadn't of woken you, Roran-vodhr," teased Eragon, starting to mount Saphira.
"What did you call me?"
"Vodhr," said Eragon simply, "it is an honorific praise of males in the elven language."
Roran grunted suspiciously, but nevertheless climbed onto Saphira. Eragon was impressed by the way he mounted her; he was no longer clumsy.
Saphira gained altitude quickly and flapped her enormous wings with such ferocity that even Eragon raised his eyebrows.
The flight wasn't as enjoyable as the last. The thought of their battle with the Ra'zac rose in their minds, and neither dragon nor human could speak. The cloudy horizon thinned to reveal a small city in the distance, and Eragon recognized it immediately as Dras-Leona, the city built next to Helgrind, which practiced its horrible religion.
The wind began to grow stale and bitter, even Roran noticed. Saphira flapped her wings more often, as it was harder to soar in such frail atmosphere.
Saphira, called Eragon, although he need not shout.
You called, little one?
If either of us doesn't survive this, I want you to know that you are dearer to me than anyone on this world, and more valuable than all of the jewels in the universe…or my life.
Do not speak in that manner, Eragon! Snapped Saphira, flicking her tail in midair. What makes you think that we will not live? You slew a shade!
I had help.
But you are stronger now, wiser! You have been blessed by the elves and have trained with Oromis!
I just wanted you to know.
And I thank you, little one. You are stronger than you know.
During the conversation, Helgrind had become dangerously close. Its dreaded spires stabbed the air malevolently, and formed an angry shadow across the darkening sky.
Saphira, we must land! Cried Eragon.
Saphira obliged soundlessly, her magnificent body descending discreetly, so as to not attract the Ra'zac's attention. Hundreds of her glistening scales caught the waning light, and Eragon suddenly appreciate the dragon's beauty.
Land came swiftly. Roran slid off and started to sprint towards the great gates. Eragon leapt off as well and started after him. Being much faster, he easily overtook him.
"Are you mad?" asked Eragon, swinging him around.
"I have…. to…. get Katrina!" spat Roran, struggling against Eragon's hard grip.
"You can't just go gallivanting in there! The Ra'zac will catch you!"
Roran stopped struggling. "Then what will you have me do?"
"Just wait. We will lure the Ra'zac out of their element: the darkness. Then we will destroy them."
Roran nodded silently and pulled out his hammer, then turned away. Eragon stared concernedly after him, but turned back to Saphira.
Are you ready? Eragon said.
I'm as ready as I'll ever be.
Eragon nodded and mounted her. She took off with a snort and shot straight up toward the spires. The structure loomed ahead of them ominously.
Saphira veered sharply to the right, and Eragon looked wildly around. With a grimace, Eragon noticed one Ra'zac on its mount, brandishing a broad sword and grinning evilly.
Eragon knocked an arrow without hesitation and tightened his grip on it. The Ra'zac stared at the weapon for a moment, but quickly regained itself and shot upward. Eragon and Saphira followed. Without warning, the Ra'zac flew straight at them, his mount roaring, it was a sound that screeched unnaturally. Eragon released the arrow, it whistled through the air with unmatchable speed, but it never made contact. The Ra'zac and its mount swept to one side and lashed out with its sword. Unable to react, Eragon received a short but deep cut in his left arm.
What should I do? He asked, panicking.
String another arrow, hold on, and release it on my signal. Replied Saphira.
How will I know when I see it?
Trust me, you'll know.
Eragon quickly did as she said, and held on tightly with his knees. Saphira flew upwards so quickly that it sent the Ra'zac below spinning. The Ra'zac's parent recovered, however, and followed. The dragon turned sharply and a dazzling flame erupted from her mouth. Eragon instinctively let go of his hold on the bowstring and the arrow went flying.
When the smoke of the fire cleared, they saw that the arrow had embedded itself in the Ra'zac's chest, and it fell.
The mount let out a bellow like a wounded steer and rushed toward them blindly. Saphira easily evaded it, while Eragon dropped all pretenses and stabbed it with an arrow. The mount cried out again and thrashed to one side, but didn't stop. It came at them with more ferocity despite its wound. Eragon reached out with his mind and attacked the Ra'zac's parent.
With one last cry, the mount finally fell. Saphira dove down through the thin clouds until the ground was visible.
Where's Roran? She asked.
Eragon scanned the ground, and realized that Roran was gone.
Do you think the Ra'zac caught him? She said.
No. He would have called. Eragon mused.
Then he must be inside Helgrind itself.
Ah! We told him to wait!
Saphira headed back toward the roof. When they were a good distance above the spires, she descended inside, through a hatch that the Ra'zac's mounts must have used to get in and out. The atmosphere became damp and dingy as soon as they entered, making Eragon make a face.
The pair traveled down the first hallway, which was decorated with skeletons and layers of grime. At first, there was no sign of Roran, Katrina, or the second Ra'zac, but then there was a deafening shriek coming from a dimly lit room up ahead.
Saphira and Eragon entered it and looked around wildly. A chaotic scene was folded out before them. Roran was battling a Ra'zac with his hammer, and the Ra'zac with its sword. Katrina was on the side watching fearfully, almost unrecognizable with her face, hair, and dress caked with dirt and her ribs showed through her dress.
"Do you need any help?" cried Eragon, throwing himself off Saphira and advancing on the enemy.
"Yeah, thanks!" replied Roran, a bead of sweat rolling down his face, which was twisted in concentration.
Eragon entered the Ra'zac's mind and angrily pried through its memories. The Ra'zac noticed, and turned indignantly to attack Eragon. The memory of killing Garrow suddenly bore down on Eragon's mind and he suddenly yelled with rage and held the arrow over his head. Suddenly, the Ra'zac collapsed in an unmoving heap. Behind it, Roran held a bloody hammer with apparent satisfaction.
Eragon looked at him. "Thanks. I would have…" Suddenly the world spun, and Eragon knew no more.
A/N: Muahahaha! Cliffhanger! What's wrong with Eragon? Read &Review!
