Hey all! Enjoy… oh, and sorry for the last chapter, it was kinda detour-ish and a good waste of time. This is more detail and fuzz chapter but I PROMISE that chapter 9 will have the war in it. GET READY FOR IT!
Disclaimer: I own nothing about, from, dealing with, suggesting, or representing anything from Eragon, Eldest, or the Inheritance series
"The moon is bright tonight. It's is a wonderful feeling." Nika leaned on the white wood railing of the deck and took a deep breath with her head held up to the night sky.
Eragon walked out from the house and onto the open air terrace and sighed. It was true that the moon was bright and there was an odd sensation of peace that flowed throughout him as he walked out. Leaning on the railing next to Nika, he watched her take in the silence, then turned his head to the sky. Both sat with their eyes closed, faces bathed in the moon's light.
"It was my fault you know. At least it felt like it. The accident."
"Hm?" Eragon was woken from his reverie and focused on Nika once more.
"Everything went wrong. I over estimated myself and it ruined other's lives. I can never forgive myself." She sighed.
"Well I am sure that they forgive you! The blame does not all lie on you, I am sure. How bad could it have been? Back in Alagaësia, there are a bunch of people who make mistakes. No one is perfect."
"We – my mother and I – were close when we were younger. I looked up to her so much and I wanted to be just like her when I became older. She took Dourle, Amean and I to Alagaësia often, she was so infatuated with that world. She would tell us that one day, angels like us would be able to walk in that world too, that we wouldn't have to hide any more when we watched the others. I know it meant so much to her – that she wanted us to grow up out there, with the other peoples. Father always told us that my mother's dream would become real. He was often hesitant when she took us there though."
Angles… they are…angels? So is this, what happens to the good people in the world when they die, or are they just another people in their own world?
She laughed softly to herself, "But I killed her Eragon. I killed her because I was so stupid." Her voice wavered and sounded as if she were about to cry.
"Nika…" Eragon comforted her.
"It was on another trip to your world when it happened. The dragons and elves were fighting mercilessly, and we arrived in the heat of the battle. My mother also loved the dragons dearly, with all her heart… I guess that was her weakness, you could call it. But so many, elves and dragons, were falling at each other's hands. She was stricken, and – she wanted to help." Nika paused to breathe and keep herself from breaking down.
"She walked into battle – we were told to wait where we hid. I knew what she was doing, and – I couldn't let her. I just wouldn't let her. We all loved her too much, and my selfishness got the better of me. Just before she – well, stop the war single handedly, I rushed up to her. But she did it. I couldn't believe her. I tried to save her and channeled the magic through my own body, but I only made it worse. I would have rather died than her."
"I am so sorry. I never knew." A mixture of guilt and sympathy now passed through Eragon.
Nika waved her hand, as if to put aside away the idea of his forgiveness. "The magic coursed through me, and I couldn't control it. Everyone here told me that I couldn't save her, that no one could have saved her. She had use every single ounce of energy in her body to bring peace to the ones she loved. I heard her say before she gave up her last bit of power, that she was sorry it had to come to this. She said she loved us all very much and she had to apologize for doing this, but the spirit called her. The last thing I remember was an immense light radiating off of her and a heat running through me. Then, she was gone, and so was I. But I woke up, and I couldn't find her. She was gone. Gone. The magic that we had done that night had left a mark on me though."
He saw her hands reach slowly back towards the knot that held her blindfold together. He reached up and held her hand before her fingers worked their way into undoing the tie.
"Nika, you don't have to…" But she had already undone the knot.
She pulled the cloth away and blinked her eyes, squinting as if the dim light hurt them.
"Nika NO!"
Instantly, a black shroud covered eyes and she stumbled back. Amean came out to where they were standing and quickly made his way over to her. She was struggling with the black fabric-like material had once again covered her eyes, but could not manage to pull it off. Her eyes were hidden once again, and Eragon crushed his curiosity of what was behind the veil.
"What were you doing? Nika, you know that you could have hurt him! We don't know what happens when the people from out there see the seal." Amean tried to softly convey to his sister, who was still trying to uncover her eyes. He picked up her white blindfold that had since fallen to the ground.
She roughly yanked it out of his hands and tied it back around her head.
"How do you know? It wouldn't have hurt him! You don't know that! You don't!" Nika yelled back at him. The back veil had disappeared from her face as soon as the blindfold was secured. "I can take care of myself! I'm no different than the others here. I don't need help." And Nika suddenly broke down and sobbed. "I don't need help."
She stormed into the house and her light footsteps could be heard heading to her own room. Amean got a slight slouch and took a step towards following her but gave up. He turned to Eragon and bowed politely.
"Sorry for the disruption." This was followed by a sigh, "I just down know what to do with her anymore. I don't want her to get hurt again, and she doesn't realize that the seal she possesses could hurt other people."
"Oh… I never knew." was all the Eragon could muster to say in response.
There is so much I don't know around here.
"She is so stubborn, and doesn't care if what she is doing is dangerous. One loss is enough at the moment."
Eragon yawned and unsuccessfully tried to stifle in behind his hand. Amean took notice and offered to show him back to his room. He declined pleasantly and said that he could find his own way back.
What in the world is going on around here? There are too many secrets in this 'angel realm'. Too many obscurities… I just want to go home! Back where I know what I am doing!
He roamed around the house lost in his thoughts once more and slowly making his way to his room. When he entered, the dip in the floor was empty, so he figured Saphira must be wandering around outside somewhere. With a little less gusto then before, he changed into a pair of shorts and sat on his bed a few moments, letting the day's commotion and confusion surround him.
Gradually his mind slipped into sleep, and the warm covers came up to meet him as Eragon departed from the conscious world.
"Wake up! Wake up, and hurry!"
The familiar feeling of a hand shaking his shoulder pulled Eragon back to reality.
"Come on, Come on! We have to go now!"
"What? Where we goin'…" Eragon groggily responded
"Rider, hurry!" Nika hook him even harder.
"I'm up… don't worry…" which was a complete lie as he nodded back to sleep.
The distinctive clack of claws across the floor brought finally brought Eragon out of his daze. He opened is eyes to find the familiar scene of Nika bending over him with Saphira in the background pacing. He noticed that all of his items were packed for him, and Saphira had her saddle on her, ready for a long flight.
"What's going on here? Where are we going? Ow!" Nika pulled him up by the arms and threw a set of clothes at him.
"Here, quickly get dressed. We have to leave NOW."
Too early in the morning to be embarrassed, he put his clothes on while Nika walked about the room checking for anything that might have been forgotten. Eragon looked out the window and saw that the moon was still high and no peak from the sun had come above the horizon yet.
Why do we have to leave this early? Can't someone get a proper night's sleep around here!
As soon as he was done changing, she dragged him over to Saphira and half pushed him into the saddle. The leather straps were secured around his legs and immediately Saphira took off, jolting Eragon with her sudden movement. Cold air whipped his face, while he turned around to find Nika closely following him.
They flew over to the courtyard and both landed near the entrance of the tunnel which led to the outside world. Three dark figures emerged as they landed, and the silhouettes of Rezan, Dourle, and Amean could he made out as they stepped closer.
"Have you gotten everything?" Rezan's low voice drifted out.
"Yes. Everything is here and ready." Nika responded.
"You must leave with haste, no one can see you." Amean addressed to all of them.
"Oh Nika!" Dourle rushed up and embraced her sister. "Be safe, you hear? Don't do anything I wouldn't!" she mocked sternly.
"Goodbye… I love you." Nika whispered back and released Dourle.
"We are counting on you. Please, take care."
Eragon and Nika nodded in unison, while Saphira gave a consenting rumble.
Nika took off and flew in front of them, leading the way back to Alagaësia. Saphira flowed with Eragon, and the feeling of passing through water hit them for the second time.
Eragon opened his eyes and took a deep breath of the cool atmosphere.
We are home… home!
Was that not the most sappy story you have ever read? Had to write it though! Just wouldn't be a good story without one! Get read for the war all! And yes, the chapters will never end without a cliffhanger, because that it the only way I know how to end one… oh well! Till next chapter!
