Authors Note-
Ok… this is a joint production by 6 girls who really got bored in school. A little odd topic… but we promise it'll come out well!
It's our first venture so please review!
DM- You better do it or you'll digest the venom of your spleen……
muhahahahaha……
SG- Just please write reviews… hope you like it!
AR- I know this ones too depressing but…
AZ- Shut up AR! Review or you shall die…
she laughs evilly
SS- Our egos are begging for inflation… so you better review.
Disclaimer-
This is just to say that the characters in this story belong to Marianne Curely and Christopher Paolini except for the characters that we introduced.
Prologue
He opened his eyes resisting the urge to cry out in pain. His steely blue eyes slowly focused on the huge slab of stone looming ahead of him. He raised his neck to take in his surroundings.
He was in a hexagonal room which was dark and gloomy albeit the dim flicker of light from 6 torches, one mounted on each wall of the room. The lone wooden door opposite him was locked fast with a padlock. His hands were covered in blood from the tight shackles that bound his wrists. His muddy torso was smattered with his own blood from various lash wounds. A long, ropy scar twined across his back stretching from his right shoulder to his left hip.
As he gazed ahead at the stone slab in front of him knowing full well that it would dictate his future, he heard the sound of the door being opened.
The man who strode in was the vision of darkness, his very persona radiating fear and terror. He strode in confidently his head held high and his stride long. He wore a blood red robe and a jet black cloak which was a shadow on his face. Even though most of his visage was shrouded in an infernal veil, his ancient piercing eyes dominated the room.
"Murtagh", he hissed malevolently. The prisoner shuddered but still held Galbatorix's intent gaze. "Murtagh", he said again, softly this time "My heir, you're like my own very son. I hate to see you like this way…shackled…bound…bleeding."
With his serpentine voice whispering flatters, he unshackled the bonds that constrained Murtagh. "You should follow my footsteps, your fathers' footsteps, the right path. You should rule and mould the kingdom into what you want it to be. Together we shall eliminate evil", said the excellent orator, his voice laced with dark magic.
Murtagh stood tall before him, a look of wonder on his face, his stormy blue eyes glassy. "Don't you see my son…the only way to rid Alagaseia of all its evil is by ruling it. By roaming with the riff-raff Eragon, you just taint your heritage's worth even though he is your little brother. He has already strayed into the rebellion…that pathetic excuse for freedom. You belong here", Galbatorix finished.
"I… belong…here…" repeated Murtagh hesitantly, slowly succumbing to Galbatorix's magical words.
"Yes! Together we shall create a haven of happiness and joy. We shall transform Alagaseia. We shall…"
"But… what about the shades", said Murtagh, his voice a tad bit stronger.
"Good Lord", roared Galbatorix, expertly avoiding the question. "You owe it to yourself, to your mother, to your fellow riders. Forget Eragon. You owe it", he said dramatically, his hands on the stone slab.
"To your father!" he roared and lifted the slab of stone to revel an open coffin in which lay the remains of Murtagh's dead father.
"Morzan", murmured Galbatorix eerily.
"My father", whispered Murtagh shakily. "What do you want me to do Galbatorix… for my country".
"Pledge your eternal magical alliance to me!" said Galbatorix a hint of dark joy in his voice.
"An eternal magical alliance!" gasped Murtagh. This was a magical bond that would bind the master and the pledge taker for all eternity. Breaking such a pledge would result in the torturous death of the pledge taker.
"Yes! It will keep us strong. You must! Such a small price to pay for your kingdom, your heritage, for me!" roared the king.
"Yes…I will" said Murtagh decidedly, his rugged features serious.
"Then let us proceed" said Galbatorix enticingly. Both of them then placed their palms, one aged and the other youthful, on the tombstone. Words of imminent power from the ancient language spewed from Galbatorix's mouth. As he spoke the oath of old, the shimmering words formed in the air, slowly flowing out of his mouth. As he finished, both the men now bound together by magical chains chanted the vows of loyalty. The words inscribed themselves into the stone tomb, becoming one with time.
In a burst of magic, Morzans grave stone glowed incandescent white, his bones rattling in his coffin. Then just as quickly as it started, the light disappeared leaving Murtagh strangely breathless. He examined his palm and on his gedwëy ignasia, there was a series of magical symbols etched in black.
"And now the real game begins", said Galbatorix.
"Oh no", said Murtagh, released from Galbatorix's magical hold, as he slumped on the floor. "What have I done?"
The unbreakable oath had been taken and almost nothing could break it now.
Chapter 1
The Vision
A searing blinding white pain engulfed her. She fell to the floor, realizing it was another vision.
Lady Arabella was holding a diamond vial containing a blackish purplish liquid. With a mournful sigh of her lover's name, she gulped down the liquid and the rest was silent.
For a minute or two, there was total blackness… then it began again.
Lady Arabella was standing in a void of darkness in front of a bridge which appeared to be made from the very shadows of time. Before she could step on the bridge, she turns face to face with a pair of gleaming red eyes. A booming voice speaks out, "An immortal suicide" he drawled, "as terms stated in the Beginning, if an immortal suicides, they will be able to resurrect one person. Who do you choose to give back…… the curse of life?
Isabel's P.O.V
Bloody hell! That hurt! Trust Ethan to get the cool animation and Matt to have the……everything and then there's me, having my head split open to see some stupid vision.
But what was Lady Arabella doing there? I recall the bit when the red eyed thing said 'Immortal Suicide'. Then it hit me. OH MY GOD! Lady Arabella has just killed herself!
I can feel my heartbeat quicken. I start shaking. Another death! We were still getting over Rochelle dying…… especially Ethan! Pacifying myself, I whisper Arkarian's name.
Arkarian suddenly appeared, his familiar features calming her. "We have to rush to Athens now! Call everybody! Hurry!" said Isabel.
Arkarian, with a look of utmost confusion on his face, shut his eyes for a moment communicating with Matt and Neriah. Her thoughts were too scrambled to him to decipher. So he just complied with her request.
"Matt, Neriah and Ethan will meet us at Athens. What's wrong Isabel? Tell me" he said calmly drawing the troubled girl into his arms.
" I had another vision" she murmured " and I think Lady Arabella committed suicide, I saw her talking to some hooded red eyed…… thing…… before she entered the realm of the dead or whatever. "
Arkarian's P.O.V
What! This cannot be happening! Lady Arabella's dead! How? Why would she do such a thing? I must inform everyone. Where would her body be? We will have to search the chambers in Athens. I knew Arabella was depressed but not this much.
Arkarian and Isabel set off towards Athens.
Three confused faces greeted Arkarian and Isabel when they arrived at Athens. Matt's brown hair fell tousled all over his distraught features. His black eyes were filled with worry.
"What happened Isabel? Are you hurt? Arkarian…." he said warningly, clearly agitated. Neriah placed a soothing hand on his shoulder, her long brown curls framing her delicate features; the petite girl was also worried.
"Yes… tell us what happened Arkarian… Isabel", said Ethan. A month of mourning had changed him. His golden curls fell a tad long on his forehead. His usually jovial and open face seemed suddenly more mature and rugged. His sea blue eyes had lost their spark since Rochelle had died and were now clouded with worry.
Isabel explained everything to them as they rushed through the massive courtyard. Matt immediately took charge.
"Ethan you can check the left wing, Isabel and Arkarian the right, Neriah and I shall search the top floor."
Ethan's P.O.V
I walk down the deserted aisle, just my luck to have to search the very wing I have been avoiding. Rochelle's quarters were here. Her name was like a fist, clenching my heart. I check all the ancient rooms. Running my hands through my hair agitatedly, I stare at the door that belonged to the love of my life.
I take a deep breath and open the door. The first thing I see is Lady Arabella lying on … Rochelle's… bed. Everything was dark save a beam of moonlight on Lady Arabella's face. I silently call out to Matt and Arkarian and then turn to leave. I am not staying in this room any longer than required. I turn and the sight that faces me makes me gasp.
A cliffy… whoops…... sorry!
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, review. The 'Go' button beckons………………
