Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own The Inheritance Cycle.

Author's Note: I had some time on my hands due to it being Saturday so I thought to put out a few more chapters while it was still fresh in my mind. Enjoy and don't forget to review!

Chapter 4: Translation

A sonic boom rattled Christopher's ears. His head felt like it was on fire and his whole body hurt like hell. An all-too familiar metallic whistling brought him back to the present and he leapt aside twisting his body as he did so to avoid being impaled by a javelin.

Letting his Author Powers take over, he flicked his fingers discreetly while waving his arm to the left. As he did so one hundred diamond daggers materialized out of nowhere and flew through the air in the direction his arm went.

A flare of anger hit him as they transformed into fire arrows before striking his opponent, only to turn around and zoom towards his direction. Concentrating on his magic, he brought his hands up and clapped emanating the sound of thunder. Instantly the fire arrows exploded and began to fall to the earth like a rocket breaking up.

Christopher's hand twirled at the speed of light in a peculiar fashion and a pale silver aura surrounded him, pulsating with sheer energy. Several exploding arrows hit him only to glance off the aura and tumble harmlessly to the ground where they dissolved with a crackling hiss. Christopher grinned smugly even though the aura took quite a few dents in it from the magical Dark Fire that fuelled the arrows.

Panting for breath, he failed to notice the stone wolf that charged at him out of nowhere and barely rolled away in time. The aura vanished with a loud crack as he hit the ground making him wince in pain. The wolf howled in triumph as he sensed its prey weakened and charged again. Groaning as the energy used to make the aura sapped out of him, he rolled onto his knee and made a curved short-sword appear in his hands.

Not knowing that the blade was invisible – for it actually was – the wolf leapt up at Christopher with a snarl even as the young warlock-in-training thrust his weapon upwards. The wolf howled in pain and the sound grated on Chris's enhanced hearing, but it was over soon as he plunged his blade into the stone wolf's heart. Not giving his real opponent a moment to react, he whirled about sending his dagger flying.

With a satisfying thud, it landed right next to his opponent's neck, burying itself into the pillar his opponent hid behind. For a moment, there was an uneasy silence as Christopher's eyes darted about furiously checking for any more assaults. Then the sound of normal clapping reached his ears and he heaved a grateful sigh, allowing a weak grin as his opponent – or rather trainer in magic – immerged from behind the pillar where she had stood.

Shay grinned widely at him while Christopher blushed furiously, ducking his head in acknowledgement and feeling very embarrassed but pleased at his new teacher's praise. Like his training with Brom, Christopher spent a seemingly endless amount of time learning how to use his Author Powers or in other words – magic. The good thing was that he did not need to use spells like Eragon and Arya did in the books. The bad thing was that his adversaries would be a lot tougher to kill due to being on the same level as him.

Since he was about to be sent to Alagaësia, Christopher had learnt from his new teacher that a new race of magic-casters had surfaced from hiding and had sworn allegiance to King Galbatorix. However, they were not under his command and were far more powerful than normal magicians and wizards. They were warlocks like Christopher who did not require the use of spells or potions or the Ancient Language. They also carried with them a couple dozen Spheres.

These Spheres were half the size of a soccer ball on Earth and were dark silver in colour. They were semi-translucent and contained a vast amount of magic much like Eragon's ring from Brom did. The warlocks guarded these orbs with their lives since they could draw massive amounts of energy from them making their small army of warlocks near invincible. The Varden had been hit hard by these devils who cared nothing for peace or freedom.

They were worse than Shades and lived for violence. Much like vampires, they ate magic or rather sucked it out of a magic caster. They had killed many elves in this fashion leaving their bodies broken and defeated. Eragon and Arya had a run-in with the Warlocks and barely escaped with their lives. Eragon had to use all the energy from his ring to fend them off but was horribly wounded and now hiding somewhere in the Spine with Arya and Roran.

The Varden was scattered and divided. The oppressed citizens of the Empire now hated Eragon believing that he had deserted him. Galbatorix imposed a harsher rule than ever before and the Warlocks used their magic to even bend the weather to their rule making things dark and stormy more often than not. Lady Nasuada was hiding with what remained of the elvish army who had escaped to an ancient but ruined stronghold.

Overall, things looked bleak for Alagaësia much more so than Christopher had ever imagined. The scary thing was that he did not ever plan on writing these Warlocks as it would do away with all he had worked on for the Ancient Language and to create a balance in magic and normality. This was what he had been dreading but it still happened. Just as the 'good' Higher Powers had sent him to Alagaësia as a Champion so had the 'evil' Higher Powers sent the Warlocks as their Champion.

If Christopher failed to defeat them and Galbatorix – or help Eragon to do so anyways – then all hope would be lost and he would never ever write Book IV. The laws of nature would unravel possibly destroying all traces of his written trilogy doing only god-knows-what to all the other novels both fiction and non-fiction on the market. It would be utter chaos and his name would be known in realms far and wide as the coward who failed them. Naturally, he could not let that happen.

He could not.

Of course you won't, Shay's voice said soothingly as she strode towards him.

Somehow, a wave of relief washed over him at the sound of her voice. During their time together, he had grown attached to her presence as if she was a second half of him. He did not know if she was real or not but he had grown to like her and wished he could take her with him during his quest to save Alagaësia. But he knew not to set his hopes too high for they would only be crushed.

Feeling uncomfortable around her just then, Christopher looked away, clasping his hands uneasily behind her back.

What ails you, Christopher? Shay asked, obvious concern in her voice. What troubles you so?

Christopher hesitated and then replied, You'd probably kick my butt if I tell you.

Perhaps, Shay said enigmatically. But then again, what good things are accomplished if not won after a difficult trial beforehand?

True, Christopher sighed.

Taking a deep breath, he let his shoulders sag and turned reluctantly to face her. As if sensing that this was something serious, Shay folded her arms beneath her breasts and looked him solemnly in the eye.

Speak, Champion, She commanded. I must know what is on your mind. You will not be able to save the world in a troubled state of being.

Yeah, I guess so, Chris said. Look, I know this sounds silly but...

But? Shay prompted, a small smile forming on the corner of her lips as an idea formed in her mind.

Christopher blushed.

I'm going to miss you like hell when I go and I want to take you with me, Christopher blurted out before he could stop himself.

Butterflies fluttered in his stomach and it felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulder for Shay suddenly smiled and wrapped her arms around him. Swallowing down a lump in his throat, Christopher hugged her back awkwardly admiring how the tantalizing mixture of muscle and softness.

I will always be with you, Shay whispered, brushing her fingertips across his neck.

And then she kissed him.

Christopher's eyes bulged in stunned surprise as her lips met his but he reacted feeling like Christmas had come early. His brain melted in his head and sweat beaded on his brow as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the kiss. He could have stood there forever, but Shay finally pulled back her cheeks tinged with pink and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Why would I want to leave you after that? She smirked, making Christopher blush furiously as she squeezed his bottom.

Christopher stifled a yelp resulting in a tinkle of laughter from her and the young author fell in love with the sound, and with her, wanting to hear it again and again.

So you'll come with me? Christopher asked hopefully, hating himself for ending the moment.

Shay just smiled mysteriously and stepped away from Christopher, making his heart shatter in a thousand pieces as she stepped backwards blowing a kiss to him. Then she vanished into thin air. A tug in his gut awakened him and Christopher's eyes fluttered open only to find himself lying on a rough and itchy cot.

His back hurt like hell and he felt as if he had been sleeping on nails. Groaning, he gulped up deep breaths and rolled over onto his knees. Rubbing his eyes of sleep, he paused and glanced about realising with some fright that he was not in the void-like place he had been anymore. Instead, he was inside a dark and dismal cave.

A drop of water splashed pitifully against a small pool and the smell of roasting deer wafted up his nostrils. His stomach rumbled with hunger forcing him to get a better glimpse of his surroundings. He did so reluctantly, dreading the site that awaited him and his suspicions were confirmed. He was no longer with Brom, Saphira, or Shay.

Instead, he stood in the back of a large cavern closed off to all sunlight and only illuminated by a few flickering torches. A cot lay beside him where his white cloak was folded. His staff and sword lay next to his bed and they glowed faintly. His heart pounding wildly in his chest as dread filled him, he looked about and his throat went dry as he realised that someone was watching him.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Cliff-hanger! I feel evil but I do enjoy writing cliffies and perhaps it'll get some more comments. I don't mean to sound rude or demanding, but I really enjoy your guy's comments and feedback so give as much as you can since it's what motivates me to continue.

And stay tuned!