Chapter 26: Du Ebrithil Skulblaka

Disclaimer: There is a scene in this chapter where both Vanilor and Saphira fly straight through the rock in Helgrind, as it is an illusion. I do not claim the idea as mine, Christopher Paolini does. I read it in an excerpt from the third book.

Link woke up instantly remembering the events of the previous night. Everything had happened so quickly, it was hard for him to wrap his brain around all of it. He could remember a couple times in his adventures when beings spoke to him from beyond the mortal coil, but it had never been someone he knew in life, much less a father figure.

Link saw that Eragon was already awake, and most of his things were packed.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Link asked.

"I thought you might enjoy a bit of extra sleep after what just happened last night," said Eragon. "As well as Vanilor. I was a bit inconsiderate of his needs."

"It's fine," said Link. "Although we may have made a mistake by stopping. Now that there is daylight, both Vanilor and Saphira will be easy to spot from Dras-Leona."

"That is fine," said Eragon. "By the time they send soldiers over to stop us, we will have removed Galbatorix's power from him and the Varden will be attacking Urû'baen. We will ignore any soldiers sent from Dras-Leona."

"Unless we can see the whites of their eyes, right?" Link asked.

Eragon chuckled. "I suppose so."

Link then packed up his bedroll and some of his weapons that had fallen out of his travel pack. He strapped the pack and the bedroll onto Vanilor's saddle and climbed on.

How are you feeling now, Vanilor? Link asked.

I am replenished and ready to destroy Galbatorix and any else who stand in our way, said Vanilor.

As are we all, said Link.

Saphira launched off the ground, and Vanilor followed suit. They got higher and higher into the air with each flap of the dragons' wings, and the landscape below them got smaller and smaller.

Helgrind was already within plain sight, and, judging by the distance and how quickly they were approaching, it would most likely be less than ten minutes before they arrived there.

Link looked down to the west at Dras-Leona, the sprawling city that worshipped the demonic Helgrind. He could see citizens scattering in plain fear, looking up into the sky.

Vanilor, they've spotted us, said Link. Tell Saphira to tell Eragon.

Vanilor nodded, and soon Eragon looked at Dras-Leona as well.

"We're almost there!" Eragon shouted. Link nodded. Helgrind now took up most of their vision. They had arrived. Saphira flew up to the top of Helgrind. Link was curious as to what they planned to do; he had been knocked unconscious and didn't know how to go inside Helgrind.

Apparently, Saphira and Eragon had done this before, because they plunged straight down toward the rock. Link almost screamed out to them, but Saphira flew straight through the rock as if it wasn't there.

The rock is an illusion, Vanilor said. Saphira has just told me.

Vanilor folded his wings inward and dived straight downward toward the rock. Link met the rock and went straight through it. It was a bit jarring, but he enjoyed it.

They were in the middle of a great tunnel, which looked very much like the inside of a volcano. Link looked back and saw that they were looking straight into the morning sky, like the top of Helgrind wasn't even there.

Link was puzzled by this. How could Eragon and Roran have fought the Ra'zac up there if the rock did not exist? He made a mental note to ask Eragon about it after they emptied the Vault of Souls.

The ground steadily rushed up to meet them. Vanilor flared his wings, and they were slowed instantly. They touched to the ground quietly and gently. Link looked around and saw that they were in the same room that Vanilor and Saphira had been held captive in. The great, enormous cells sat in front of them.

"The Vault should be right around here," said Eragon. "Come with me. Saphira, stay here and watch for any Imperial soldiers."

"You too, Vanilor," said Link. Link followed Eragon past the cells and through a great arch made of rock. They were in a small room with nothing on the walls except for a crude wooden door covering some kind of gap in the wall. Link knew instantly what it was.

Through the wooden slats, Link could see a blinding white light. He quickly shielded his eyes, but Eragon didn't. He expected that since Eragon was the only one who could empty the Vault, and now that he knew his true name, he would be immune to the light.

Eragon slowly stepped forward toward the door, his armor clanking slightly. Link continued to shield his eyes.

"Link," said Eragon. "You should probably go back."

Link shook his head. "I want to see this."

Eragon nodded. He reached out and took the edge of the door with his hand. He slowly pushed it open. The light shone forth fiercely, causing Link to shield his eyes so all he could see was the side of his arm. The light slowly dimmed, until it was no longer painful to look upon. Link lowered his arm and stood next to Eragon. He was astonished by what he saw.

It was an endless white room. Transparent human figures floated around inside, clearly in torment. The looks of anguish on their faces were unbearable to look upon.

"Eragon, hurry," said Link. "They've been suffering long enough."

Eragon nodded. He puffed out his chest and cried, "Du Ebrithil Skulblaka!" The Master of Dragons.

It was a moment before anything happened. All the souls inside seemed to stop. Their faces transitioned from anguish to bliss.

The white room exploded. The white light burst from the room, but it wasn't blinding this time. The walls around the door began to crack. Souls were already escaping through the door, but it wasn't enough room. It was beginning to bottleneck.

The cracking walls detonated, sending chunks of tan-colored rock flying everywhere. Miraculously, none of them landed on Link or Eragon. The entire wall was gone, and souls flew freely from it.

It was five minutes before the entire vault was empty, and souls were constantly flying through. It filled Link with hatred to know that all these people had been killed by Galbatorix, whether by his hand or by those of his servants.

The white room dimmed until it was nothing more than a black abyss. The Vault of Souls had been emptied. Solembum's prophecy had now been fulfilled.

"Hurry, we have to join the Varden!" cried Eragon. "It's doubtful that they've made it to Urû'baen yet. We can aid them in the entire battle!"

Link nodded and followed Eragon back to the dragons, who had been watching the spectacle from afar.

That was truly magnificent, said Vanilor. All those that have been killed by Galbatorix are now free to go to the other side.

Yes, but more importantly, Galbatorix has been weakened. He is likely still more powerful than I, but with the added skills of Eragon, we will stop him. Soon, the Empire will come crashing down, and the Varden will reign in its stead.

A/N: I would like to sincerely apologize, again, for the crazy-long update. It was roughly two weeks ago that I updated with Chapter 25. I have to say that I can obviously make no more promises on the quickness of my updates. But I can say that there are no more than four chapters left, but most likely three. I will try my hardest to update sooner, but again, I can't make any promises. I have no excuse.

I would also like to say that after this story has been finished, I'm going to take a break for a while. It's kind of hard to keep up with a story for a long time. To be honest, this break might not even happen, but those are my plans for now. I might get incredibly excited with Visions from the Dark and post the first chapter as soon as the last chapter of this story is finished, but whatever. Anyway, thanks to my faithful reviewers. R&R please!