Chapter XXV
The Battle of Destiny
"What!" exclaimed Nasuada, Christal, and I at the same time jumping out of our chairs.
"T...the Shade was spotted,by our sentries, with the whole army at the transition from the desert to the mountains! We're doomed if our fate lies in their hands!" she said.
"Excu..." I stared.
"Marie, calm down!" Nasuada yelled.
"That was the bad news, but I also come barring good news."
"Well, what is it?" Nasuada asked urging her on.
"I have made the Rider's and their dragons' armor."
"Wonderful! Obviously just in time as well," said Nasuada.
"May we see them?" I asked.
"Of course," she said through gritted teeth, as if she only said it because Nasuada was there.
She lead us down another long corridor. She finally lead us to a door that led into a big room. In the middle of the room shone four full sets of armor, two for Christal and I and the other two for our dragons.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Christal in awe.
"They're outstanding, Marie," said Nasuada.
I said nothing because the armor of the dragons resembled Saphira's too closely.
Mine and Christal's armor consisted of a shirt of mail, and, unlike Eragon's armor, the woman's leg armor was a leather skirt that came down to the knees with pants under it. The dragons' armor was plates of metal that covered their heads, necks, bodies, and tails, but not their wings.
"Now, Amber, Christal, I want you and your dragons to have these on by tomorrow morning. It won't take long for the Shade and the army to get here, I fear," said Nasuada.
"We should get a good rest then, right?" I asked.
"Right, I nearly forgot!" Nasuada exclaimed.
I took one last glance at the armor as I followed Christal out the door.
"I'll lead you back to the dinning room, then, I presume you can find your way back?"
"Yes, I believe we can."
We soon arrived back at the oaken doors.
"When you wake up I want you outside through the same doors you came through this afternoon. If one of you happens to wake before the other, I want you to wake the one sleeping because it will not be long before Arilia gets here."
"Nasuada, how do you know the Shade's name?"
"What? You don't think she hasn't harassed the Varden with her powers, she was attacking us just a couple of weeks ago. Now, get some rest, and see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow!" Christal and I called walking towards our rooms.
I said good-night to Christal and she walked back to her room, I walked into my room and found Ellestygia asleep.
"Ellestygia," I said loud enough for her to hear.
She slowly lifted her head from her crossed claws, What?
"Arilia is here," I said casually.
WHAT! SHE'S WHERE! she said jumping up.
"Not here, but she is very close."
How long do we have?
"Tonight, so let's get some rest."
See you in the morning, young one.
I laid Akarclio beside my bed for safety and quickly fell asleep.
I normal dreams about the battle and sort. The next thing I knew I was slowly waking up. As soon as realized what day it was I jolted upward.
"Ellestygia! Wake up!"
Whaisit, she said slurred letting out a plume of smoke from her mouth.
"'WHAT IS IT!' WHAT DO YOU THINK!"
I dunno.
At that moment Christal walked in.
"You're up."
"Yes, can you help me wake Ellestygia?"
Do you think I could help? came Arnora's voice.
"Yes, you would be a big help."
She drew in a giant breath and drew her neck back.
"Christal, cover your ears!" I yelled.
We both covered our ears as Arnora let out a blasting roar barring all of her sharp, with teeth. Ellestygia jumped to her feet quickly in fear.
What-where-who! she yelped confused.
"You wouldn't get up so we took drastic measures," I said.
That's not fair!
"Arilia being here so soon, isn't fair either so deal with it."
Once I had grabbed Akarclio, Christal, the dragons, and I walked down the corridors to meet Nasuada. We soon saw her flanked tightly by her guards.
"Good-morning, we should go and get your armor now. And one thing I forgot to mention last night was that it is the start of winter, and it will be cold."
"Great more defects," I said.
"Amber, stop complaining," said Christal.
"I know, but it is true."
"It does help that the battle will occur somewhere around noon, so it will be as warm as it gets," said Nasuada.
"One thing that still might make it cold is the fact that we are flying on dragons!"
We walked into the room that held our armor.
"Now get dressed I'll meet you outside when you are done," said Nasuada leaving the room.
Christal and I helped each other get our armor on. Once we were in our armor we helped our dragons with their armor. When we were done with that I realized how much Ellestygia resembled Saphira. She looked so valiant and brave.
How do I look, young one? she asked.
"You look fierce and ready to take on all of Alagaësia."
You look it as well.
"Amber, are you ready?" asked Christal.
I looked at Ellestygia then replied, "Yes."
"Let's go then."
"No, you go I'll be there soon."
"Okay," she said and left.
"Ellestygia, why me?"
Pardon?
"Out of all the people in Alagaësia, why did you choose me?"
I...
A horn sounded three times fast interrupting Ellestygia. The horn was a warning that the enemy was close. Nasuada and Christal came back through the door to get me.
"It is time," said Nasuada.
My pulse was pounding as Nasuada separated Christal and I. Christal was going to attack from the air and I would help from the ground.
"Atra esterní ono thelduin," I said repeating the elven blessing.
Christal left with Arnora and Ellestygia who was going to wait for me. Nasuada lead me outside and up a battlement, then, all we could do was wait.
We waited for about fifteen minutes before anything happened. Then a messenger ran up to Nasuada.
"They're coming I saw them, they aren't far!" yelled the messenger.
The battle would most likely be like Eragon's first battle, but without the Urgals and with Arilia instead of Durza.
Again twenty or more minutes passed then there came a loud banging in the walls of rock surrounding the Varden.
"Prepare for battle, archers get ready! Everyone else to your stations!" yelled Nasuada.
"Amber, I want you to help the north section the one right in front of where we are standing," she told me.
"Atra esterní ono thelduin, Nasuada," I said.
"You as well, Amber, good luck."
I walked down and into my position. I thought maybe Nasuada would be the last good person I would talk to in my life. I was very, extremely nervous as I was all alone, surrounded by unknown people. Then I heard the loud bang...bang...bang. I felt like I had been poisoned all over again. My blood felt as if it had turned to ice and my heart was racing so fast that I felt disoriented. There was one last bang and the whole side of the rock wall crumbled. Two flashes of silver came from the hole as soon as it was made, then the whole Empire army poured from the gapping hole. The war had begun.
Our armies clashed with loud clatters of sword on sword. I quickly drew Akarclio and started to fight. I fought hard barely keeping up with any person who challenged me. I either froze them to death or stabbed them either way I was tired and hurting. In a second the sky lit up as a dragon let loose a column of flame. I realized Arnora hadn't done it because she couldn't breathe fire yet. I was scared for Christal. Before I could realize I hadn't been paying any attention to the battle a hilt of a sword hit me in the rib cage with so much force I was flung a few feet. I landed on the ground hard and it hurt to. I got up my side hurting and looked over to who had hit me. It was a regular man, but he looked happy at his attack. I quickly swung around and with one blow struck the man into death.
I continued to fight though I was tiring abnormally fast. Arilia must have had an effect on me, for I shouldn't have been tiring so fast. I didn't know how I was going to fight the army then go and fight her, but either way I wasn't going to let the Varden down. I fought and fought, getting more wounds by the minute. I almost slipped up in one fight, but then I came back strong. The wound on my side was holding me back so much I had almost forgotten to use magic.
After fighting so hard I desperately needed a rest, but kept going on adrenaline. I wanted this war over, however it wasn't going to be over until Arilia was dead. I soon got into another fight and being so tired I slipped ad fell. The person was going to kill me if it hadn't been for Arnora. She pulled the person right into the air and flung him at least a hundred feet while flying.
Thank you, Arnora, I said with my mind.
You are welcome, but concentrate on the battle.
I will.
I was ready to give in when I got into another fight. In seconds I was on the ground the man standing over me. He drew back his sword, but then he was plucked into the air and thrown. I recovered, but then a claw grabbed me and pulled me up into the air. It was Ellestygia, she had flown back and pulled me into the air. She held her claw close to her saddle, which I had put on earlier. I scrambled into the saddle just as she dodged a spear thrown at her. I knew I would have to talk to her with my mind.
Ellestygia, how did you know where I was?
You are my Rider I would know where you were half-way across Alagaësia.
You saved my life.
I know. Now we must fight Arilia.
Great.
Be positive, Amber.
I'm trying.
Anything else?
Yes.
"Ellestygia, FIRE!" I yelled.
She probably knew I was going to say that because she let forth a column offire right on the enemy army.The fire was a sudden blast of heat against the sunny, but cold, winter day.
She flew around helping our army by catching the enemy army on fire. I couldn't see Christal and Arnora anywhere, which worried me a whole lot.
Ellestygia, do you know where Christal and Arnora are?
Yes, unfortunately, they were attacked and Arnora's armor was dented in, so they are back in the dragon hold.
Alright, go there.
Ellestygia changed course and flew back to the dragon hold. Once she was there I saw the damage done to Arnora. Her shoulder was gashed multiple times by her armor, which Christal had taken off. She taken to licking the wound.
"Stop it, Arnora," said Christal," Oh, hello, Amber."
"What happened?"
"Turns out Thorn is here too, in addition to Cyindr, and we were taking on both of them."
"Why didn't you ask for my help?"
"How would I?"
"With your mind, by now you should have mastered it. Anyway, we need your help if we battle the Riders, can she battle?"
"She can, but her armor isn't going to fit without making her hurt."
I helped Christal heal Arnora, but her armor had no way to be fixed. Christal and I tried to come up with a spell that would fix it but nothing came to our minds.
"Why don't I let you use Ellestygia's armor?"
"That would work, but what about her?"
"I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt," I said taking off the breastplate of Ellestygia's armor off.
Christal and I fixed on Ellestygia's armor to Arnora's remaining armor. Then Christal and I mounted our dragons and flew back into the battle. My dark brown hair was whipping me in the face as Ellestygia went to speeds she had never gone. I hung on tightly to her saddle, so hard in fact my knuckles turned white. I now feared more for Ellestygia's life because of her lack of armor right in a vital spot, where her scales weren't as strong.
We flew on, but relentless was the cold and search for Thorn and Cyindr. There wasn't much ground to cover, but they could have been anywhere. Finally Christal's mind touched mine.
I found them! They are destroying our army! she said.
Good, go there now, I'm right behind you.
Arnora turned sharply and Ellestygia followed. I soon saw Thorn throwing fire at our army and Zoey throwing magic.
"Malthinae!" I heard Christal yell.
Thorn's previous fire turned into fire chains and wrapped aroundCyindr's neck, tail, and four legs. She struggled to free her self, but the chains had no intention of letting go.
While Cyindr was tied up with Arnora, Ellestygia and I went for Thorn and Murtagh. Ellestygia opened her bent wings and held her claws forward, ramming Thorn right in the side. I almost didn't have time to grab the front of the saddle before I was jerked as the dragons fought. Both of the dragons bit and clawed each other, Ellestygia ripped off part of Thorn's armor in complete,yet unknown, anger.
The dragons fought on and on before Ellestygia said anything to me.
Amber get back!
What?
Move further back on my back, quick!
I barely had enough time to get back before Thorn bit Ellestygia's back. Pain shot up my back because of our mental link. She let out a blood-curtailing scream as Thorn let go.
"Ellestygia!" I yelled starting to cry.
Ellestygia started to fight harder beating Thorn to every blow. Thorn soon became a mangled mess. Just as Ellestygia was about to send Thorn to the ground there was a big bang and we all turned. Fire was sprouting up from the ground and toward a clifftop. I then noticed that the fire was turning black at the top, then the flames burst black and a haze-covered creature burst out of the flames.
"She said she wouldn't conjure that thing!" Murtagh yelled to Thorn.
I knew "she" was Arilia and "that thing" was a sundablaka.
Both Murtagh and I had our attention directed to Arilia and the sundablaka as they reeked havoc on the Varden's army. I had to do something to distract Murtagh from me. When I made one slight move Thorn and Ellestygia got into fighting again.
"Gath un rísa du rakr eom Thorn!" I yelled.
Dark mist shrouded Thorn and Murtagh in complete darkness. Ellestygia took the opportunity to push away from Thorn. She flew back toward the dragon hold.
I need to rest, I'm sorry, Amber, she said.
It's alright, I understand.
She soon got to the dragon hold and I quickly got off of her. I healed the bite wound from Thorn and took her saddle off. There was a bare spot that had no armor under it, so I took to sitting there.
We have to return to the battle! she said.
"No, we won't return until you have rested."
She looked as if I had told her the battle was over, and she crouched down.
I won't take long.
"Okay."
I went to rest as well, but a surging pain filled my head as I tried to fight the invader. It was no doubt Arilia trying to hurt me. I fought her hard, but as soon as I jerked I fell off Ellestygia and nearly knocked myself unconscious on the stone floor. Ellestygia helped me fight off Arilia's mind and in seconds the pain receded.
"Ugh, what does she want!"
"Your life," said a cold voice.
I turned my heart pounding hard and fast. There standing in the opening of the dragon hold was Arilia.
I tried to run to Ellestygia, but Arilia used a spell first. She held her hand out and all my muscles contracted and I fell to the floor breathing heavily from pain. I quickly got to my feet and rushed at her with Akarclio, but she disappeared and reappeared on the sundablaka as it flew away.
I ran to Ellestygia and swung up on her back, forgetting to put the saddle on.
"After her, Ellestygia!"
Ellestygia jumped into the air and followed Arilia into the battle. She flew, weaving in and out, throwing me everywhere as she dodged spears and swords thrown at her. The sundablaka was out-flying Ellestygia, but she did her best to keep up.
"Ellestygia, what's wrong?"
It is effecting my ability, the sundablaka.
"Arilia is effecting me too."
Ellestygia flew on barely a match for the sundablaka that was five times her size and half of her weight. When Ellestygia finally caught up with the sundablaka she let fire loose from her jaws, but the fire went around the sundablaka because of Arilia.
What do I do now! Ellestygia yelled at me as they flew away.
Drive them to open air...over there! I said pointing to a space of air outside the battle, but still in the Varden.
Get ready, I said.
"Arilia!," I yelled," If it's me you want, then come and get me, or are you too cowardly to face a Rider!"
She looked furious and said something in Shade to the sundablaka, the sundablaka flew right to us.
GO, NOW! I yelled at Ellestygia.
Ellestygia gave one giant flap of her wings and flew even faster than I had ever known she could.
She bent her wings forward as the wind whipped my face and body. I tried to keep a tight grip on her, but I nearly broke my wrist trying. I ended up sliding off her back onto her tail, but she hadn't noticed. I grabbed the end of her tail before I came completely off her. It was even harder to stay on her tail than it was her back, but I pulled myself up on top of her tail. I still didn't have a good grip, for her armor was slick and straight.
Ellestygia!
What?
HELP!
Huh?
I'm on your tail!
WHAT!
After I said it she slowed down to let me on. I used my agile body to move up her body. I finally reached her back and held on to her neck spike. As the sundablaka was after us it kept flying straight up, driving Ellestygia further up every minute. I was afraid of what would happen if we went too far up, but I was soon distracted by Arilia trying to throw magic at Ellestygia. She jerked and moved unexpectedly throwing me from side to side trying to dodge Arilia's attempts.
We were soon, at least, a thousand or more feet in the air, and yet I still didn't feel like I was losing air. When Ellestygia got a few more hundred feet up all of a sudden I could only inhale because exhaling was short and was better than if I didn't. It didn't take long for my head to start spinning, and I soon was rocking back and forth.
Amber, what's wrong?
I can't breathe, we're too high!
I'll get down.
Ellestygia started to fly down, but as she did she was blocked by an invisible shield. Arilia had trapped us with her, and the only way out would kill me.
Ellestygia! I yelled.
Now my heart was starting to flutter like a frightened bird. I glanced down and saw Arilia smiling evilly, like she was waiting for me to pass out, which eventually I would.
Ellestygia, I said softly.
In seconds I saw red dots in front of my eyes, then another second and I had passed out.
When I regained consciousness I took a giant breath and found it didn't hurt, Ellestygia was also lower, which meant that she had broken the spell holding us.
Ellestygia fly lower, so she can't trap us again.
Alright, I'm on it.
Ellestygia turned into a steep dive, but quickly pulled back up as a structured tower came into view. It was getting harder to see for the sun was escaping behind the mountainside.
Ellestygia flew on, until she rammed into another invisible shield. Arilia caught up with us in seconds, and now I knew what was coming.
I have to fight her now.
Fine I'll be under you.
Okay, here goes nothing.
I jumped off Ellestygia's back and onto the sundablaka's back, which I would probably regret doing. Arilia hadn't noticed yet so I tried to sneak up on her. In one quick motion she knocked Akarclio from my grasp and grabbed my arm with a harsh grip.
"You thought I could be sneaked up on, Rider, however you will be the one to lose this battle," she said and out of thin air a jagged sword materialized in her open hand.
"I have never heard a dragon's scream as their Rider was killed, but I guess after today, I will."
With those words she brought the sword down to kill me, but just as the sword was about to collide with me it was ripped from her hand. Both Arilia and I looked back to see Ellestygia. For the hundredth time, she had saved my life. She was now snarling, barring all her sharp teeth at Arilia, and the sword lay in pieces next to Ellestygia.
"I don't think you will ever hear a dragon scream," I said.
I quickly picked up Akarclio and went to thrust it in Arilia, but she turned sharply around and grabbed the tip of Akarclio's blade. With me still hanging onto Akarclio she swung me over the side of the sundablaka, my feet dangling in the air. I was at least two-thousand feet above the ground, only alive by Akarclio's strength and Arilia's little, tiny bit of mercy in her.
"Now what were you saying Rider?"
"I was saying, you will never win," I said through gritted teeth.
"Do you still think that?"
"I most certainly do."
"I don't think so," she said letting go of Akarclio.
With nothing left to keep me up I fell through the air to the ground below. I was falling for just a moment and the ground was already in my sight, for my armor and sword were weighing me down. Then I saw Ellestygia fly under me, catching me while still flying.
What took you so long, I said.
Sorry, but the Shade was trying to kill me.
You saved my life, again, why is it I'm always in trouble.
I don't know, but I don't want you to die.
I don't want you to die either, but I couldn't do anything.
I figured that much myself.
That was too close, I could have killed her, but I need to get closer.
I have an idea, but you will have to listen to me, very carefully.
Ellestygia, when do I ever...
More than you think.
You will have to put all your trust in me as well, she said starting to circle slowly.
I already put all my trust in you.
Okay. You will have to put one arm around my neck and the other on Akarclio. While holding my neck you will have to hang over one side of me, don't worry I'll keep a for claw under you. I'll fly, very fast, toward the sundablaka, head on and you will fight Arilia.
Ellestygia, I have already fought her, you saw it she kept blocking my every move, and beat me.
I know, but there wasn't a distraction, was there.
What do you mean?
I mean I will fight the sundablaka, making it jerk and move, so she won't get the best of you.
Let's go.
Ellestygia stopped circling and flew upward to locate the evil duo.
"Garjzla letta!" I said turning us invisible as I started the plan.
I swung over Ellestygia's right side and held on tightly to her neck spike. She put her for claw under me and flew faster. I held tightly to Akarclio, getting ready to fight. She soon got so close to the sundablaka I could she Arilia atop it.
Get ready, young one.
She got right in the sundablaka's face and I jumped saying the reverse spell, making me visible. I swung at her with Akarclio, but she had another sword in hand and blocked it. We clashed and fought, then the sundablaka lurched under us. Ellestygia was now fighting it.
Arilia and I fought on and on, but neither of us could beat the other. There were muffled roars as the sundablaka and Ellestygia fought. I hadn't made one scratch on Arilia, but she had made many on me. What made that difference was she also had a dagger and was immune to magic, so I had both of those to deal with as for I could be hurt by magic. As we fought she finally made me turn my back to her and she cut my shoulder with the dagger. I cried out in pain, falling to my knees. Before Arilia got any closer there was a hiss from the sundablaka and then a roar. In seconds the roar was followed by a shrill scream. I was afraid of what I would see.
The sundablaka turned its head a little and in its crushing jaws was a flailing Ellestygia. She roared and kicked, but the sundablaka's jaws were relentless. I heard both metal and bone crushing under the force of its teeth. My whole body hurt as the mental link took effect, and Ellestygia screamed for relief. Ellestygia could not get out and I knew it. Just about her whole body was in the sundablaka's grasp, the only parts of her body that were out were her head, tail, legs and wings.
"Even if you win, you will still lose," Arilia said laughing.
Ellestygia was getting crushed, but held on, I could feel her doing it too. She took one big kick, then started to whack the sundablaka in the head with her giant wing. She hit and hit it, but got the same reaction as before, nothing. She was determined to win and started to bite, hit, and kick all at the same time.
Meanwhile, I had my own troubles to deal with. Arilia went to hit me with her sword, but I blocked. She was taking advantage of me being weak, but I was keeping up with her. I was doing it, at least until she hit me with the hilt of the sword and knocked me off the sundablaka. I scrambled with my hands trying to grasp something, anything, but nothing was there to grab.
I looked back to Ellestygia to seek help, but what I saw made me want to let go. She was hanging limply in the sundablaka's jaws now, every sign of life gone. My eyes told me she was dead, but our mental link said different. Arilia walked up to me standing in front of my sword.
In seconds I felt something under my dangling feet.
Amber, are you alright, came Ellestygia's faint voice.
You're alive!
I'm alive, but just barely. I held my breath and let my body go limp so it would think I was dead. It dropped me and I flew away.
I don't know if you can see this or not, but Arilia is right in front of my sword. When I say 'go' push up with all your strength.
Alright, on your signal.
"Well, Rider, it still looks as if I am going to win," said Arilia coming closer to my sword's path.
"Oh, really?"
Ellestygia, GO NOW! I yelled with my mind.
Below me, in the darkness of the night Ellestygia pulled back then pushed as hard as she could back up.
I stepped on the sundablaka with one foot, pulled back Akarclio and stabbed Arilia clear through the heart.
"That's for my brother!" I yelled.
"Yes, Eragon is my brother, surprised? So was I!"
With that I pulled Akarclio out of her. Her skin split turning transparent revealing the spirits controlling her, and she disappeared the spirits fleeing.
One thing frightened me, though. I could have sworn that she gave an evil grin as she disappeared, in one second I knew why. The sundablaka without its master kept flying straight up, giving me less time the breathe. As I had feared before, that if I had hit Arilia with my sword before and I had been too close to death to be scared, what would happen when I killed her would be much worse. I was completely right.
I felt like when I had killed her she had turned around and stabbed me as well, but I knew she hadn't because I was watching the whole time and the only blood coming from me was at my shoulder. The pain was taking over my whole body, but was far worse in my chest, where her curse was. Since Arilia had controlled the sundablaka it didn't last too long and burst into nothing below me. Now I was going to fall to my death.
I fell for at least two minutes before Ellestygia caught me in her claw, or at least I thought it was her, for it was dark and I couldn't see. In seconds I was reassured it was her.
Amber, what's wrong! she yelled.
"The Shade's curse...its...its killing me!"
Don't worry I'll keep you safe, the battle is over and Nasuada's healers will help you.
"Ellestygia, you are weak, and I might only last a minute or two."
Don't think like that you will...
Her words were cut off, and I realized why.
We both were up too high again and this time the invisible shield was right under us.
I will save you, even if I have to fly over the Beor Mountains.
I held my breath so I wouldn't use the last air I had to breathe with. Ellestygia flew on despite her injuries, I could see them now. Her armor was mangled and torn and her scales were bloody. She had multiple holes in her armor and scales because of the sundablaka's teeth.
"You're hurt, Ellestygia."
I know, but you are more important than I am.
As Ellestygia flew Arilia's words went through my head.
"Even if you win, you will still lose."
Now I knew what she meant. I could win in killing her, but I would still lose because her curse would kill me before I could be praised. Now the only thing I cared about was saving Ellestygia. I could feel her losing altitude as she struggled to breathe. I could only imagine her strength. She was valiantly using every last ounce of strength she had left to save me.
Once my mind was back on Arilia's curse there was no stopping the pain. The pain and my restricted breathing made it impossible to think straight. The curse erupted in my whole body making my body shake violently, threatening to throw me out of Ellestygia's grasp.
Hold on, Amber, I will get you to Nasuada's healers!
"I...can't take it...much longer," I said my words pained and slow.
You don't have to much longer, it won't be long I promise!
"I'm sorry, Ellestygia...I..." I could say no more.
Amber, AMBER! Please, Amber, don't! she yelled, and if I could see her she was probably crying.
The truth was I could hear her, feel things, and see, but I could no longer talk with my mind or my mouth. I had also lost all ability to move as well, giving Ellestygia the thought I was dead, but she was too confused to realizeshe would die the second I did. She kept flying despite me, probably on the thought she could still save me, but I had a very small chance of living.
This was not how I pictured dying, nor did I hope for it. I wished to die quickly and without pain, not slow and extremely painful. Ellestygia had lost a lot of altitude and most of her strength. I was slowly fading, if Ellestygia felt it I knew not, but I did know she was trying harder.
In one second Ellestygia collided with the ground head first, and immediately the force of gravity ripped me from Ellestygia's claw. Ellestygia tumbled head over tail, while I hit the ground rolling over and over in surprisingly soft grass. As I was slowing down I struck my head against a rock and blacked out, which was the worse thing I could have done.