Chapter 1

So first truly official chapter. Same as the prologue, Please if you find a misspelled word, inconsistency, or think there could be improvement do not be afraid to leave a review or PM, I'm not going to lash out for it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle

"What?" I was dreaming, I had to be! Yet, the pain I felt from pricking myself on my horns meant otherwise. Somehow I've been sucked? Transported? To my favorite story or was it the world? I sat heavily on my haunches, man was that a weird thing to think, as I desperately tried to make sense of how, and why I'm here and also when in the timeline am I. Obviously I'm before the final showdown with Galby but how far? As my mind raced I felt a slight pressure on my mind then a voice, deep and regal in my head.

"Greetings young one to our sanctuary, I am Umaroth, No one here means you harm so please calm yourself."

Swallowing nervously, I thought as hard as I could hoping he could hear.

"Why am I here? Wait.. U-Umaroth? As in… Vrael's dragon? Leader of the riders?This must be the Vault of Souls on Vroengard"

The Eldunarí went silent and the white dragon was shocked "Y-yes, you know of us? how? With the magic protecting this place it shouldn't be possible!"

I went to rub the back of my neck but felt the spiked boney crest and stopped. "Well.. um, I guess you know I'm not from here, seeing as I appeared here?" I felt acknowledgement from the various Eldunarí. "This might sound crazy, but in my world you, this world and the events that have or yet happened are just words in a collection of books." Skepticism was felt, but so was amusement.

"Fledgling" An Eldunarí spoke, this one sounding younger and feminine. "We had an ancient one appear before us, state there were other worlds and summoned you here as proof, we do not know what to believe anymore." As I listened to chuckles within my head I looked around and spied my bag just a foot away from where I first arrived and pointed to it.

"I do have those books in my bag, I uh, do not think it'd be a good idea for me to keep carrying them around though.."

With a grunt I rose shakily onto my feet then took a step, and promptly face-planted on the ground. Grumbling and swearing privately to myself, I tried again and actually reclaimed standing so was a win in my book. Staring at my bag, I made another attempt when I heard heavy footsteps coming closer from behind but when I turned to look, I ended up on my stomach again. When the sound came into view, I simply groaned at seeing Cuaroc making his way to the bag and picking it up to bring over to me.

"Argh, thank you, I completely forgot you were here, you're one quiet guy for being made of metal. And I still haven't heard why I got dragged here." Cuaroc clacked his teeth and a sense of amusement radiated from him and I could hear the others discussing how to answer. As I sat down and started to go through my bag, I somewhat listened to them while I ran my mind over recent events.I was a dragon, I was in Alagaësia, and this was all real. Slowly it began to sink in and honestly I had know idea what to feel. Happy? Sad? Angry? I snorted, wisps of smoke curling from my snout as I shook my head, pulling out my phone, Mp3 player with earbuds wrapped around it followed by the pill speaker and solar charger to check if anything got damaged or fried further. Thankfully everything was fine and was about to pull out all four hardbacks of the Inheritance Cycle when Umaroth mentally brushed against my mind for attention.

"The one who summoned you had a vision. There will be a new rider soon, but we feared they will be too vulnerable on their own and far from anyone of great help. Alas we couldn't trust anyone in these lands with this duty."

I paused and looked up and over to where the dragon was.

"Wait, wait, wait! You want me to be like a guard?! I don't know anything about combat, much less like a dragon!"

The Feminine voice from earlier chimed in.

"We intend to teach you how to be a dragon. Although, you are like no dragon to ever exist here before. You look as if you were born for combat, and we can sense your innate magic, it feels.. Tamed almost, and those runes on your scales isn't in any language we know"

Glancing at myself and the glowing markings, something about them seemed familiar then after several minutes it clicked. "It is Dovahzul, I think, it's a language from my world." Nodding to myself remembering the play through videos on youtube of Skyrim. "Makes no sense why it is though, the glow could be a problem, it make me-"

As I mentioned it, the glow lessened until only the symbols remained in a faded black almost as if each one was branded on my scales. ".. huh.., well I guess it's active with my subconscious?"

I shrugged, poking at one of the runes on my right shoulder.

Umaroth rumbled, catching my attention again and I glanced up over to him.

"Before we get too deep in our lessons, I believe you need a name, whether one you had before, or a new one, and we need a teacher to accompany you. This chamber isn't suited for most lessons and once you leave, you will not remember this place or its contents. You may stay until you feel comfortable moving about, but be warned, the surface is dangerous. And avoid the city, the air is deadly."

I thought about that, sure I could keep my birth name but 'Justin' didn't sound very dragon-like. Raking my mind for a good one, I turned to games and movies I heard of. Never got to play any myself but seen plenty of playthroughs on YouTube. A few came to mind and taking into account the dragon thought I looked born for war I felt only one name seemed to fit. Grinning, I nodded, not like I could be sued, being in another world and all. Clearing my throat with a cough growl and sitting up as straight as I could before speaking out to all.

"Jason Maxton was my name but I think with a new body, comes a new start so.. My new name will be Wrathion"

Eldunarí erupted in murmurs of approval and Umaroth rumbled "Wrathion it will be. Seems like a strong name."

I grinned reaching into my bag again pulling the books out and holding them up,

"Here are the books, mind keeping them safe for me? At least until everything is complete. If I'm leaving then I'd feel safe if they remained. The knowledge is far too dangerous for your world for now."

"Of course." Umaroth agreed, Cuaroc took the books and placed them on the alcove closest to his seat. While I began to put everything else back into the back, taking extra care not to rip it with my talons. Zipping it up I took a shoulder strap in my mouth and got back to my feet before slowly taking shaking, shuffling steps, my wings rustling where they hung limply from my side and dragging along the ground. Finally making it to the black arch, leading up, I sat my bag down then carefully turned to return to the center a bit more steady yet still almost tripping a few times. There I began taking my time to learn my body, I knew the dangers of the island and I for one refuse to be snail chow. With advice from the others I eventually got the hang of walking on all fours and could manage a light trot? Jog? Not quite a run. And I managed to keep my wings folded at my sides and was able to turn without stepping on my tail. The Female Unbonded that was as vocal as Umaroth had volunteered herself as my mentor for when I would leave and had introduced herself as Fiori. Her Eldunarí gleamed like a ruby and didn't seem as restrictive as Umaroth and others, who told me to refer to them as Ebrithilar during their instructions. With a tired groan I laid down on the warm stone,my wings drooping with fatigue but a grin remained on my maw as I listened to the various voices in my head murmur their encouragement and approval, Umaroth and Fiori the clearest.

"Well done fledgling, there is no doubt you learn quickly" Umaroth rumbled and I dipped my head respectfully towards his alcove. "Thank you ebrithil, thank you all of you for the help."

"Get some sleep young one, tomorrow we leave this chamber and truly enter the world. You need to learn how to fly as soon as possible and you will need to hunt for nourishment." Said Fiori then she started soothingly in my head. It had no actual tune, but my exhausted mind didn't care. Within moments I had curled up, tucking my head under a wing and drifted off to a deep dreamless sleep.

When I woke next, the chamber had the feeling it was early in the day, perhaps keeping track of time was another draconic instinct. Giving a wide yawn, quite aware of how wide it now opened, stood and stretched. After working the kinks in my wings, neck, and tail I looked around. Most of the Eldunarí looked dimmer, indicating they were in what they called sleep to them except for Umaroth, Fiori, a purple I didn't know, and it looked like Cuaroc never 'sleeps'. Sensing their attention on me, I dipped my head towards them in greeting. My attempt at staying quiet for the others however was ruined when my stomach rumbled loudly. Rubbing it, I looked around and gave a sheepish chuckle "Guess it is time to join the rest of the world, isn't it?

"Indeed it is Fledgling, I shall teach you to hunt like one of us foremost, lest you perish" Fiori responded with some amusement.

Cuaroc rose from his chair and made his way to her Eldunarí, sliding her into the thick, velvety pouch on which she rested to prepare her for travel.

While he worked Umaroth spoke up. "Be wary for there are many perils that lie above us and in the empire. You will be hunted, any sign of you will be noticed and remembered and you will inevitably have to kill. You must learn to protect yourself."

I frowned as I looked down at the floor. I didn't think I had it in me to take the life of a sentient being. Animals were one thing, I've hunted for food back in my world, but a thinking, speaking person? My stomach felt queasy and I was thankful it was empty at that moment. I also grew worried that If i did kill, that with being a predator with the instincts of one, I might grow to enjoy it and want to kill more like the stories of animals becoming man-eaters in my world. So I hesitantly mentioned it to them.

"We dragons," Umaroth responded after thinking it over. "Understand life should be respected and never taken needlessly. But should you ever feel that you revel in battle, do not worry youngling. Battles are our chance to prove our might, to punish those who dare challenge us and deem themselves our equals. Those you face want to kill you and your charges, they want to suppress the good in the world. It is good to think first before you do but do not hesitate for too long or it might endanger yourself or those you wish to protect. But if you ever have doubts then remember Fiori will be with you, she will be there whenever you feel lost."

I mulled it over then bowed my head towards him "Thank you for your words ebrithil, I shall endeavor to remember them" I heard his rumble of satisfaction in my head as i turned towards Cuaroc approaching with my bag, now looking full with Fiori's Heart of Hearts nestled within. Taking it from him, I dipped my head respectfully to him then turned to all the others to murmur. " Goodbye Ebrithilar, I shall see you again when the time is right."

With the various dragons murmuring their goodbyes, I turned and passed through the arch and up the stairway, keeping my wings tucked in to avoid raking them on the walls. Time seemed immaterial in the passage and all recent events racing in my mind, even as I reached the end, the stone door cracking open and swinging outward, did all of this didn't feel real but I knew it somehow was. 'Well' I thought to myself 'Let's face whatever that may with the courage of a dragon'.

I stepped out into the dawning light.