Anyways the next chapter is up! I saw your reviews and decided that its time to update the next chapter. I hope that you enjoyed the last chapter but from what I read you all seem to be dying from suspense and my cliffhanger twice was somewhat cruel. I hope that this chapter shall make up for it! Please read and don't forget to review.

No one spoke. No one moved.

Vaguely, she felt the hold on her disappear as the dirt fell to the ground, the magic binding it together gone as Asura had fallen. Without a second thought, she stood running towards where Eragon laid, Tamerlein scratching against the ground in her lax grip. When she neared him, a cry fought its way forth as she took in his appearance. He was lying in a large pool of blood that was soaking the ground a crimson red. Zar'roc was lodged firmly in his chest, the iridescent red blade gleaming. His face was uninjured but it was coated in blood and a small line was trickling down his chin. His eyes, she saw, was the soft brown that she had grown to adore. They were clear and lucid. And when they found her, she blinked her own eyes itching.

Falling to her knees by his side, she laid Tamerlein down against the ground as her hands moved towards Zar'roc. If she pulled out the blade, he was going to bleed to death. His wound was just too great. Was it possible? Could she save him? Of course, she could save him. She had to. Hearing Blodhgarm's approached she lifted her head, "No, go see to the dragons," she ordered her voice strained against the wave of emotions she was trying to hold at bay. If she lost it now, she wouldn't be able to help Eragon.

They stared at her for a moment before assenting, acknowledging her silent request. Murtagh hesitated slightly, but at her expression he turned to continue in the direction where Thorn laid. She turned her attention back to Eragon and reached out to touch his wound, the one on his shoulder and healed it before moving her attention to his forearm, healing it as well. By the time she was done, her hands were coated in his blood.

When she returned to the fatal injury caused by Zar'roc, she hesitated. There was no way to save someone from such an injury. His injury was far worse than Ajihad's back in Tronjheim. The sword had pierced his internal organs to the point that it was impossible to heal. The itching in her eyes increased and she felt an overwhelming amount of pain batter her heart.

A warm and sticky hand reached up to still her shaking hands. She glanced down to find Eragon's pale hand, gripping hers, his eyes staring intently at her. His lips parted but as he tried to speak, a choking sound reached her ears. He coughed before trying again, "I heard you," he said it as if he was unaware of the red blade that impaled him.

"You fought him off," she said, her voice thick. She blinked and found herself gripping Eragon's hands desperately.

"Just for the moment," he spoke and more blood came pouring from his lips. She watched as he took in a deep breath, wincing slightly when it caused Zar'roc to move slightly.

"Does it hurt, Eragon?" very softly, she rested her hands atop of his chest. His heartbeat was weak. Her own heart began to pound in her chest. It felt as if she was drowning and there was no way to the surface for air. Eragon was dying. There wasn't a way to save him despite the hope that she'd held that they would come across a cure for him. But he was too ill for her to be able to do so. She felt the corner of her lips curl downwards as she tried to prevent a cry from escaping.

If she lost it now, it would alarm Eragon and she would be too far gone to do anything of use. He didn't answer her but instead turned his head upwards as if there was something in the sky that seemed to interest him. Brushing his hair from his eyes, she spoke softly, "What is it Eragon?"

"The sky…" he blinked, turning back to her. "It's…beautiful."

She nodded, "It is."

He took in another breath, his chest heaving as his lungs fought to draw in air. He winced again, his eyes moving to Zar'roc. After a moment, he spoke again his voice soft but clear, "Arya…Zar'roc… remove Zar'roc."

Arya stared at him. Remove Zar'roc? If she did than he was going to bleed to his death. "I will not," she said, her voice pained. She wasn't going to quicken his death. Never. His brows furrowed lightly as he stared at her causing her to avert her gaze. His hands tightened as they held hers.

"Please."

His quiet request spoke volumes to her and she felt her own mind agree with him. It was his choice, his decision. Like when he had lied to her about the degree of his illness. She shook her head lightly. Now was not the time to think about it. Not staring at Eragon, she nodded slowly, releasing his hand to place it down beside his side.

Reaching out with her right hand, she gripped the pommel of Zar'roc, taking a deep breath. Then with a quick flick of her wrist, drew Zar'roc out of his chest. She heard his body move as the blade made its way out and a cry of agony met her ears followed by a squelch as the red liquid sprayed itself on her, coating her neck, arms, and hands in his blood. Sick to the stomach, she tossed the red blade to the side. It was a sign of her own misery.

Her hands immediately move to his chest to staunch the bleeding but the liquid was escaping through her fingers and coating the ground beneath him red. The puddle had grown drenching her knees in the dark liquid. Staining Tamerlein as well as it lay beside her. His breathing had grown ragged and his chest heaved frantically for air.

As she kneeled beside him, hovering over him, she felt something within her break. Her eyes stung with a film of tears and against her will, one leaked from the corner of her eyes and fell onto his damaged chest. His face was pale underneath the coat of blood it was drenched in as he stared up at her. His expression was no longer pained but at peace…almost accepting.

"Arya…"

She shook her head. It hurt, she thought, it hurt so much. Never did she think that she would lose another person dear to her to Galbatorix. First Glenwing and Faolin. Now, she was going to lose Eragon too. The agony of war, she was yet facing it another time.

She blinked when she felt his right hand, now growing cold; reach up to caress her cheek. Don't go, Eragon. She thought as she stared down at him. "I'm sorry." No, she didn't want to hear it. The goodbye that he wanted to say. As she tried to focus that was when she realized the warmth pressing against her side. Glancing down at the mirror that she'd slipped within her belt, she was surprised to find that it was glowing, the surface a beautiful blue.

Slipping it out of her belt, she gasped when it burned her lightly. Dropping the mirror, her hand which was drenched in Eragon's blood, had smeared the mirror with the crimson liquid. And to her surprise, the mirror seemed to glow even stronger as the glass surface seemed to react to the blood, absorbing it. What is it?

Eragon's sudden gasp drew her attention away from the mirror. She turned to him, his hand was clutching at his chest, over his heart, as if he was intent on clawing it out. His eyes, she saw flashed from brown to a purple and blue before back. "Eragon!" she reached out to him. What was happening to him? What more could hurt him?

While she tried to calm him, the mirror which lay on the ground began to glow uncontrollably as the puddle of Eragon's blood had finally reached it, drenching the beautiful object in red.

Break it open.

What? Where had that presence come from? That voice. Her eyes moved back and forth as she searched for the presence in her mind. But she wasn't able to pinpoint it. Then she felt it again, a vast and overwhelming power that held a multitude of voices and thoughts grasp at her mind, forcing her to their will.

She felt her hand move to grip Tamerlein. She felt her arm brought up in the air and arched down as the emerald blade sliced the mirror in half releasing a force so great that it was enough to knock Tamerlein from her hand. As soon as the mirror broke, the presence was gone. A loud screeching wind burst forth from the tiny object shooting into the air with tongues of blue flames. Without a second thought, she moved to cover Eragon who seemed to have fallen unconscious. What was going on? Straining her neck to watch the azure flames shoot into the sky a hundred feet into the air, she watched as it arched downwards before flying straight towards her and Eragon.

Closing her eyes as she expected the flames to burn her, she gasped when it passed through her, her vision fading into black as she toppled over and to the ground.

Falling…

She was falling. Where was she? As she thought, she felt her heart jump in her chest. Eragon! Where was Eragon? Her eyes flew open as she gasped, her panic gripping her at the heart. Arya found herself staring at the withered stalks of rain lilies. This field of flowers…she'd seen it before. Moving to her feet, she frowned when she found that she was alone in a field of dead rain lilies.

Was she in Eragon's mind? Was this the same field as she'd walked in with him? It seemed highly unlikely seeing that the field was dead and dry. The flowers were wilted and withered as far as she could see. "Eragon?" she called into the void.

There was no reply. This had to be his mind, but the state of it alarmed her. Was this Asura's doing? Hesitantly moving forward, she frowned when she heard the flowers crunched underneath her boots. It was a most saddening sight to behold.

Pushing forward, she thought back to the mirror. What was stored in it? It was so powerful and warm, those blue flames. And though it was the first time that she'd seen that object, it held an oddly familiar sense to it. Like she'd known what it was all this time. And what was that presence in her mind? It was so strong and powerful, it made her pause. But whoever it was, that person was gone now and it didn't matter if she pondered about the fact anymore.

She had to focus on finding Eragon and saving him. If she didn't, she was going to lose him, this she knew with a certainty. As she walked, she felt herself grow lost. There was no other way, for however long she continued the field of flowers continued. After what seemed like a good deal of time, did she stop unsure of whether or not to continue.

Where are you Eragon?

That was when she heard a small cry, whirling about, she tried to find the source of the crying. There was no one in sight but she was positive that it was towards her right. After a brief contemplation, she moved forward towards the sound. It didn't take her long until she came upon a young boy barely eleven or twelve crouched in the field sniffling.

His brown hair was a mess but his fine clothes struck a chord in her. She had seen this boy before. In Eragon's memories. She was positive of it. Reaching out to him, she gently laid her hand on his shoulder, "Eragon?"

He lifted his head, his tears abating as he saw her. It truly was Eragon, though younger. She stumbled slightly when he launched himself at her legs, his arms wrapping themselves around her as if he didn't want to let go. "Don't leave me!"

Bewildered, she stared down at him. "Leave you?"

He nodded, the movement causing his head to rub against her leg. "I've been alone for so long," he murmured miserably. Arya stared down at him. Was he truly Eragon or a figment of Eragon's memories? But how could that be? Pulling away from him slightly, she knelt so that she was eye level with him, staring into his lost brown eyes.

"Alone?" asked Arya softly.

He nodded, his bottom lip trembling, "It was all dark and scary," his voice shook, "I couldn't escape."

Her heart tightened at his revelation before her mind registered what it was that he'd said. Escape? Glancing back at him, she felt her eyes widened. Was this the other half of Eragon's soul? That would make sense, when he was twelve, Saphira had hatched for him and that was when Asura was bound to his body. That meant that Jeremiah had half of his soul and heart all of this time. He was using its magic!

Eyes returning to the Eragon that stood before her, she reached out to caress his cheek which was damp from his tears, "It must have been terribly frightening for you."

His brown eyes stared at her, on the brink of tearing up again. A passion like never before seemed to consume her as she pulled Eragon to her hugging him. "I won't leave you," said Arya determined, "You won't be alone ever again."

She felt his breathing hitch against her shoulder before his hands came up to wrap around her neck, crying in earnest. For a child to feel so alone…She felt her anger grow and her eyes sting as she held him as he cried. After a moment he seemed to quiet and was merely intent on holding onto her. Seeing as he'd calmed down significantly, she made to pull away stopping when he shook his head against her shoulder. With a small smile, she bent down to pick him up and cradled him against her. Her supernatural strength made him feel as light as a feather.

"Let's go find your other half," she said to Eragon.

He peeked up at her, his eyes were red but he nodded. Glancing about her, she frowned when the situation at hand was brought forth. How was she going to leave Eragon's mind? As she stood there a thought, a strange movement caught her eye. A hundred yards away, the wilted flowers began to crumble into black dust, the surrounding slowly fading away into a white void.

Her grip on Eragon tightened. What was happening? As it seemed to make its way towards them, she turned and with long strides began to run. His mind was falling apart. There was no doubt about it. As she ran with Eragon in her arms, she saw it a strange shift in the air before them and without thinking, she dove into it.

Stumbling slightly with the extra weight in her arms, she straightened herself when she saw that she was standing in a rather strange place. A vast red ocean stretched as far as she could see and the gray sky made her cautious. Ignoring the ominous feeling that she was getting, she stared at the odd ebony tentacles that protruded from the surface of the red ocean. Where was she? Off in the distance a figure straightened from its crouched position causing her to mistake it at first as a tentacle. The figure moved towards them slightly stumbling, its gait uneven as if one of its legs was broken or strained.

As it moved closer, she saw the familiar chestnut hair but as he lifted his head, she was met with blue and purple eyes. Her lips thinned as she watched Asura move forward, injured she realized from the battle earlier. Her grip on Eragon tightened. "Welcome to my mind, Arya," when he spoke it was unnatural. His voice was strained and it gurgled every once and a while as his breath hitched.

She tensed, "Where is Eragon?"

He stared at her for a moment his eyes wide and dilated as he laughed. It was grating on her nerves to hear his demented laugh. After a while he pointed down towards the red liquid that they stood on, "Consumed by my madness, by my soul."

Her eyes darted to the surface of the red liquid unable to make anything out before returning to Asura. She didn't trust him enough to take her eyes off of him. "He's too far gone to save." Asura grinned, "And even if you did, his body is too damaged. If only you knew what he'd planned, Arya. You might have been able to save him."

Her eyes narrowed as she regarded him, but she kept her mouth firmly shut refusing to give into his taunting and remarks. "What will you do if you did save him?" Asura asked, with a grin as he bent down to twist his leg into place making a noise that made her frown.

She didn't reply to his question but instead stared at him. She wasn't going to let her anger be drawn out. It was true that she was beyond frustration when it came to the fact that Eragon had lied to her but she wasn't going to let that blind her. Not when his existence was at stake. "That feels much better," Asura said as his eyes traveled to Eragon who was clinging to her. "I have to thank you for bringing his other half here for me, it makes things much easier."

She took a step back, "What are you talking about?"

Asura stared at her for a moment before shrugging, "Seeing as you'll not make it out of my mind alive, I don't see the harm in telling you. You see, his other half is still young and as such a vibrant energy source," he pointed to the child in her arms, "If I can consume him than I could easily repair the damage those wretched servants of his did."

If he thought that she was simply going to hand over the other half of Eragon, he was wrong. Asura held his hands up to her, "May I have him?" his smile made her even more cautious.

"Never," came her reply.

He wasn't fazed but laughed, shaking his head, "You've forgotten how the game works, Arya. Now that you're in my mind, you'll have to play by my rules." He grinned and whistled lightly.

A movement from the corner of her eyes caught her attention. She jumped backwards, dodging the grab of a black tentacle as it fought to enclose around her feet. With Eragon in her hands it was difficult for her to fight him, leaving the only optional available to her: run. Dodging another tentacle, she turned to put as much distance as she could between her and Asura.

She didn't get far however when a barrier of tentacles began to ring them in. An image flashed in her mind and for a moment she saw a ring of fire surrounding her as she fought to escape Durza's grasp. She heard his approach rather than saw him. "Running won't help you, Arya."

Turning to face him, she felt Eragon's grip on her tightened as he beheld the Asura. Then he glanced back at her. Whatever he seemed to see in her expression had strengthened his resolve to carry out his next action. "I trust you," he said with a small smile.

What? Arya watched as he began to slowly fade away, his physical body disappearing leaving a glowing azure orb of light. This was the true appearance of the other half of Eragon's soul. Before Asura could make a grab for it, the orb of light flew towards her before disappearing into her chest. Gasping at the suddenness of it, she felt a slight presence cocooned in her mind, waiting for the moment to leave.

"I didn't know a soul was that clever," Asura growled, staring at her. "No matter, I will have the other half even if that means I have to consume yours as well!"

With that he lunged at her, his teeth bared in a rather feral smile. Her hands free to do what she wished, she rushed at him. The energy of the half of Eragon's soul was pulsing through her mind and veins; it was more than enough to defeat Asura.

Dodging a swipe to her head, she brought her hand up to slam it into the bottom of his chin roughly. The impact of her blow sent him flying backwards but he didn't wait to land on his back to continue his assault but rather flipped to land evenly on his feet, snapping his neck back and forth.

He smiled at her.

Not letting him unsettle her, she moved forward only to be stopped when she felt a violent tug on her ankles. She had let her guard down for a mere second and that was all he needed to put her at a disadvantage. With a violent tug, she tried to pull herself free of the tentacles. But they didn't budge. Before she could do anything she felt a hard blow to her shoulder.

As she was trying to regain her bearings, the tentacles gave another tug throwing her thirty yards. Landing her feet, she skidded to a halt just barely bringing her hands up in time to deflect another blow. Seeing an opening she brought up her leg to kick him, effectively hitting him in the gut. But it wasn't enough to kill him. How was she supposed to kill a spirit? The only way she could do so was to force it from Eragon's body.

Rushing forward, she brought up her hand and to say bluntly, punched him roughly in the jaw, her lips forming words in the ancient language. She didn't know what she said but she felt it again, the strong presence in her mind, forming the words on her lips. Three words came out that she couldn't comprehend but it worked for Asura gave a loud scream before disappearing.

Was it over? Her energy rapidly declining, she frowned when she felt herself sink into the red sea. What was going on? Then it came back to her. Eragon was underneath the surface consumed by Asura's soul and though he may be gone, his presence was still great enough to keep a hold on Eragon's soul. Ignoring the danger, she readily dove under the crimson sea.

For some reason, there was no need to hold in her breath underneath the water and her eyes didn't sting. Continuing downward, she felt a warm tug in her heart; his soul must be realizing the other's proximity. Using her hands and feet to propel her deeper, she casted her mind out for Eragon in the darkness. Faintly, she felt him deep below her.

She didn't how long it was that she swam but after what seemed to be an eternity did she finally see him. He was falling downward unconscious to his surroundings. She swam towards him and as she reached him, extended her arms outwards to wrap them about his neck, hugging his head towards her shoulder.

Eragon, you have to wake up.

She gently nudged his thoughts willing him to open his eyes and break through the madness about them. There was a faint response but otherwise his consciousness remained in its deep slumber. Her grip on him tightened as they fell.

Open your eyes, Eragon; she called out to him as the warmth in her grew stronger trying to help her draw him out. Her own mind was beginning to succumb to the enveloping darkness as they fell. She felt him stir against her.

Just a little more and he would be awake and able to break free. Lowering every barrier to her mind she allowed theirs to intertwine into such a degree that it felt like she was exposing herself inside out. She heard the faint music of his own mind which seemed to grown stronger as hers tried to awaken him. Their feelings became mixed, swirling about each other, encompassing one another.

Eragon…her heart spoke volumes compared to the words that her mind was trying to form. The tender feelings that she'd come to harbor for him, the pain at his deception, the grief at his situation, and the vast affection she felt for him. I love you.

She blinked trying fight against the heaviness in her eyelids as they continued to fall. That was when she felt him move. His arms came up to wrap themselves about her waist. And she felt him turn them about swimming towards the surface of the water. The warmth in her grew to an insurmountable heat suffusing her entire being.

Falling against the surface of the water, she frowned when her eyes became clear and focused. Where was she? Getting to her feet, her head turned to take in her surroundings. She was in the same place as before. But it was different. The water was a tranquil sapphire that sparkled and sprinkled over its surface were white rose petals. The sky wasn't gray anymore but instead a warm blue. This was Eragon's mind.

Turning about, she found Eragon collapsed on the surface of the water and beside him was his younger self, the other half of his heart. She moved towards the boy tentatively. He was hovering over Eragon with an expression of curiosity. When he heard her approach, he glanced up, "He's sleeping."

She nodded, glancing at Eragon for a moment longer before returning to the younger version of him. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she crouched before him.

"Confused," he said with a slightly embarrassed expression. "But I'm not alone."

"Yes, you're not alone," agreed Arya. Then she glanced back at Eragon. What was she supposed to do now? How was she supposed to reunite his soul with his other half? You must be the bridge to connect them.

She flinched as the multitude of minds entered her own once more. But she was not foolish enough to try to attack the person head on. However it was, she had to trust that they didn't mean her any harm seeing as they hadn't made any attempt to do so. I do not understand.

The presence paused before continuing, his soul has been apart from its original body for too long now. So long that the soul is still that of a child while the body is that of an adult. There must be a bridge to connect the two without permanently harming Eragon.

How?

If your feelings for him are strong enough, than your soul can bridge that connection between the two. But I warn you, Arya Drottningu that it is irreversible if you attempt to do so.

She blinked as she stared down at Eragon, what do you mean?

To bridge a connection between both halves, it will use your own soul as the building block and if it works than your soul will also be connected to his, the presence paused in its explanation before continuing, your soul will be the one to help chain his own soul to this reality. If you don't than his body will die and his soul will disappear.

Disappear?

Two halves of one soul cannot transcend the boundaries between the living and the dead. The gates to heaven will be closed to him and he will disappear from this world in its entirety.

She blinked; never would she allow that to happen. Glancing at Eragon for one more time, she nodded to herself. Let us do it.

Are you sure? If your soul becomes connected to him than you will be unable to separate it.

If that's what it takes to rid him of Asura and save him then I will do it, she said with determination. She was willing to do anything if that was what it took to save Eragon.

Very well, the presence didn't leave her but had quieted allowing her a moment to speak to the younger Eragon. Reaching out with her hand, she laid it atop of his head with a small smile, "Do you know who he is?" she gestured to the older Eragon.

He nodded, "My other half,"

"He's been waiting a long time for you to return to him," Arya said quietly as she watched the younger boy. He nodded again, his eyes bright as he regarded her with a curious expression.

"Am I going to disappear?" his questions was faint but in it she hear the fear in his tone. He was afraid, she knew, of being alone again of disappearing into Eragon completely and losing himself.

She reached out to brush her lips gently against his brow, "No, you will not disappear but you will be whole again and never alone," she answered, her voice soft.

Eragon stared at her, his eyes watering, "I'm ready."

As am I, she spoke directly to the presence in her mind. She felt it stir reaching forward into the deepest reach of her heart and mind and unlocking the door that held her essence. It was an experience she'd never felt before. She felt like she was floating from her body into a warmth that was familiar and welcoming.

No one else was there but Eragon. She felt his soul wrap about hers, intertwining with a part of her own soul as it reached out towards the other half of his soul. When the two came together, it nearly made her implode. Part of her soul was wrapped deep within Eragon's, now a part of him and she could feel a small part of him wrapped within her own soul.

Together they spun about one another, their souls dancing in and out of the other, chaining each other down to one another. The fiery dance continued taking them to a new level of intimacy that they'd yet to achieve.

Then they began to slow until she felt her soul return to her own body, safe in the physical vessel that sheltered it. But as her soul parted from Eragon's she heard a soft murmur of words that was undoubtedly his, ring in her mind and soul.

I love you, Arya.

So this is the ending. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. I absolutely loved this! Anyways, this conflict is resolved but the explanations will have to wait until the next chapter. I know, I'm cruel but I love it. The suspense that I can put you guys in! I can't promise an update tomorrow but there will be one this week.