Chapter 30. End Game
Galbatorix's army had suffred many losses and desertions. Army moral was at an all time low and many whispered that the end had finally come for Galbatorix. He sat alone his tent desprately searching for the true name to the ancient language. If he found it he would have the power he needed to subdue Eragon, the Varden, Surda, the Dwarves, all of Alagaesia. Galbatorix was even toying with the idea of creating a name for the ancient language.
"My lord!" Galbatorix slammed his fist breaking the table and stormed out of the tent. "I said that I was not to be disturbed…" He yelled grabbing Rang by the throat.
"My… Lord… look…"
Galbatorix dropped him as he looked south across the plains. Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Urgals were running at an impossible speed towards his army. Those on foot were keeping pace with those on horse back. In the sky flying towards them was Saphira and the green dragon.
"Sound the alarm…" He ordered to Rang.
As the horn sounded Galbatorix went back into his tent to get his sword Avaless. Then he made his way to Shruiken who was chewing on the carcass of a cow. Thorn was there as well chewing on a goat.
("Where is Murtagh?") Galbatorix asked.
("He is on the way… He went to get more arrows for his bow…")
As Galbatorix climbed into the saddle Murtagh came running up, "Remember capture the girl and her dragon, but be careful… It is a possibility Jaerden gave them the spells of power…" Shruiken leapt into the air and climbed high as he could, then the black dragon looped around and dove towards Saphira.
Muratgh jumped onto Thorn's back and they flew low to the ground towards the green dragon. ("Galbatorix should have retreated to Uru'baen…") Thorn said. ("…We are out numbered and facing appoinents more powerful than us…")
("I think Shruiken has something to do with that…")
As they got closer Elva pointed a clawed hand at Murtagh and cried; "Letta Heval…" Her spell immobilized both Thorn and Murtagh.
He sneered and tried to counter her magic, but Elva's power was greater.
("She has Eldunari as well…") Thorn screamed with his mind. Murtagh whispered the spells of power, which granted him magical strength equal to that of Elva's. Once empowered Murtagh broke her hold over him.
Galmore looped around as they struggled with magic, he slammed into Thorn bitting and clawing at him. The claws produced horrible screeches as they plummeted to the ground. Thorn's back was facing the ground as they fell. When they were a hundred feet Galmore released the dragon pushing him, but Thorn twisted around and opened his wings.
General Rang and the Empire was greatly out numbered and slowly the Varden and their allies surrounded the troops. It was a desperate battle for the General and his men, but they held their ground at all costs. It was Roran who road up on Snowfire and beheaded Rang, when his head hit the gorund dozens of troops surrendered as others tried to retreat, but were killed by Elven archers or magic.
The battle was over before it began and the allied forces turned their eyes skyward to watch Galbatorix fall.
"My lady…" Jarsha cried galloping up on a horse.
"Yes what is it…"
"Reserve forces are marching on our position… they are conscripts…"
"How many…" Orrin asked.
"I don't know your majesty… they are heading back north… retreating…"
"Report to Roran and tell him to send scouts and have Trianna send some spellcasters with them as well…"
"Aye my lady…"
As Jarsha rode off Orrin urged his horse forward; "Is that wise… Shouldn't we try to over take them?"
"No Eragon or Elva may need our help…"
Nausada looked up and watched as Saphira and Shruiken flew at each other, but instead of ramming each other they turned their backs and allowed their riders to swing at each other with their swords.
("Dam it I forgot…") Eragon said to himself, "Brisinger!" He shouted and his sword burst into flames. When he passed Galbatorix this time Eragon leaned to the side swinging for the saddle. He cut all the straps and left a deep cut in Shruiken that couldn't be healed.
Both Galbatorix and Shruiken roared in pain. "Blast you Eragon… Sadar Skulbulba Garjla Brisinger Dathka…" It was the buring curse spell and not even the wards Elva got from Jaerden could stop it. At the last minute Eragon stuck brisinger in the path of the cursed flames the heat was so intense he had to release the sword or lose his hand to the burning curse.
Angry Eragon pointed his hand at Galbatorix and Shruiken combining seven of the death words and released his magic in the form of a crackling ball of blue light. The blast didn't kill Galbatorix, but it did throw Shruiken to the ground. As they were falling Saphira dove after them and tackled Shruiken when he hit the ground. Galbatorix jumped out of the saddle when he was three feet from the ground.
"Ethel ven Brisinger Sadar Skulbulba Garjla Brisinger Dathka…" Eragon yelled. When the burning curse hit the sword it mingled with the fire on the blade so Eragon's spell released the fire on the blade and sent it hurdling at Galbatorix. The cursed fire was six feet from Galbatorix when he used the jewel in the pummel of Avaless to absorb the curse. The spell shattered the jewel and threw Galbatorix to the ground. He quickly removed his breast plate because the curse was eating through his armor. He breathed a sigh of relief because his skin was unharmed.
Eragon leapt over fifty feet to where Galbatorix was standing. As he was flying through the air, he swung brisinger at Galbatorix's arm severing it at the elbow. As Eragon went into a role Galbatorix charged him from behind, but Eragon spun around blocking his attack.
Elves, humans, dwarves, and urgals scurried out of the way as Saphira and Shruiken wrestled across the ground. They scratched and clawed at one another and because of her link with Eragon she was able to hold her own against Shruiken. Her size allowed her to cause more damage to Shruiken and she was able to strike like a snake staying low to the ground when they separated. It was when they locked up that Shruiken was able to inflict pain on her. He tackled Saphira and held her to the ground. The nearby elves cast their magic at Shruiken but their spells just dissappated against the wards erected around him. Saphira inhaled a deep breath and blasted Shruiken with her own magic. The attack sent Shruiken sixteen feet across the plains and he struck a bolder. When he looked up Saphira was flying low across the ground at him. Shruiken inhaled a deep breath of his own and released it, but instead of fire, he blew a large puff of black smoke at Saphira. When she hit the smoke cloud it engulfed her and she began to choke and suffocate; she thrashed about on the ground when she fell.
When Saphira hit the ground Eragon felt it he spun around again brandishing his sword and slashed Galbatorix on the chest. He responded by stabbing his sword into the ground and with one arm he stuck his feet out and kicked Eragon in the chest, leaning all his weight on one arm. When Eragon hit the ground Galbatorix pulled his sword out of the ground and stabbed Eragon in the shoulder.
"You have failed boy… Like Vrael, Oromis Jaerden, and the entire order of Riders… You have failed…" Eragon howled in pain as Galbatorix twisted the sword in his shoulder. "…Like your father you will die… Saphira is mine!"
Eragon stuck his leg up and kicked Galbatorix in between his legs again. Then he kicked Galbatorix in the face and stabbed him in his side. As Galbatorix stumbled backwards, Eragon got to his feet healing his shoulder. Then he lifted his sword above his head and screamed; "Brisinger!" The sword burst into flames as he brought it down on Avaless with all his might.
"No!" Galbatorix screamed as Eragon broke the sword in two.
"No Galbatorix you have failed… Like your Dragon Jornunvosk… Avaless is broken… Broken because of your pride…"
"How dare you speak to me like that… Now you shall know why they fear me… This is my power…" Galbatorix's eyes became black as tar as he spoke in the ancient language. A red Eldunari separated itself from his body and materialized in front of his hand. It was suspended in the air and when Galbatorix finished his spell it flew at Eragon and shattered one inch in front of Eragon. The blast ripped up the ground and threw several people standing nearby to the ground. Eragon lay on his back with small fragments of the Eldunari in his face arms and chest. He spit up blood and sat up as Galbatorix grabbed a sword off the ground.
"As I said I am the greatest spell caster to ever live… and there is no one who can compete with me…"
Eragon sucked in his breath and whispered in the ancient language; "Antielth Langammar Runsala…" Eragon's eyes and body glowed blue, his wounds healed and he levitated into the air. With a wave of his hand Galbatorix was thrown across the field.
"What manner of sorcery is this?"
"Your power is great Galbatorix but you are a fool and you have been a fool all your life…" Galbatorix tried to speak, but when Eragon closed his hand his mouth shut tight. Eragon raised his hands and Galbatorix was levitated into the air. He brought his hands together and then he slowly pulled them apart, as he did the Eldunari bonded to Galbatorix was separated from him. All two hundred plus Eldunari cried out for Eragon to kill him. He pointed his finger at Galbatorix who gritted his teeth as his body burst into flames. When the flames extinguished all that was left was his bones. As Eragon ended the magic Galbatorix's bones hit the ground. Eragon breathed heavily as Shruiken and Saphira cast their shadows over him.
("Eragon…") It was Shruiken, who called out to Eragon with his mind. ("It isn't over… You must kill me and smash my Eldunari…")
Eragon turned to face the black dragon; ("You cannot ask that of me…")
(But I must…") Shruiken seemed like he was in pain; ("Galbatorix placed a spell on my Eldunari… his mind is there inside me taking control… I can't hold him for long… You must kill me and destroy my Eldunari…")
"I cannot!" Eragon yelled.
("Saphira is the future of my race and she cannot taint her claws with the blood of another dragon… Please Eragon…")
Eragon twisted his face gritted his teeth, and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. "Brisinger…" He whispered, as his sword burst into flames Eragon put one foot in front of the other, walked up to Shruiken and took a deep breath as he plunged his sword into the dragon's heart.
Shruiken went down on his side; ("Thank you for freeing me…") He exhaled his last breath and closed his eyes.
Eragon cut open Shruiken's chest ad removed his Eldunari. The moment he touched it he could feel Galbatorix's foul mind from within. "Vel Su Tenas lin Gotha Alaheisa en velum et woel Neath…" With the strength of the Eldunari his mind resided in Galbatorix cursed Eragon in the ancient language. His curse translated May you never find peace in the lands of Alagaesia and wonder the world alone.
As the spell rested on Eragon he remembered Angela's prophecy, he snarled at the black Eldunari raising his sword and brought it down on the on the oblong orb and it was over.
Elva and Muratgh were locked in a battle of magic with both sides trying to over power the other. It was Murtagh, who stopped the attack. Both dragons were in the air; "Galbatorix is dead… and I no longer wish to carry on his evil… Thorn and I are free… Tell Eragon…" He hesitated. "Tell Eragon…"
"I know what to say Murtagh go in peace and know that no one will hunt you or Thorn…"
Murtagh smiled and urged Thorn to fly north, but before he flew away Thorn asked a question. ("Green one… What is your name?")
("My name is Galmore…")
("Farewell Galmore pink eye and Elva witch child… Perhaps we can fight side by side when next we meet…")
("You are a fearsome fighter Thorn… I hope so as well…")
Elva watched as the two flew off to the north and when they were out of sight she and Galore landed. Galbatorix was dead and the Varden and their allies spent the rest of the day gathering up the dead and tending the wounded. Eragon and Saphira stood over Shruiken's body and Eragon buried him with magic. "He too was a victum in this…" Elva said. "He helped me and Solembum when we were in Uru'baen… He wanted to die Eragon so do not blame yourself…"
He sighed and smiled at Elva; "Thank you…"
The next day the Varden had a celebration and their spies spread the word throughout Alagaesia that Galbatorix was dead. Songs were song, feets of strength performed and Roran to Katrina's disapproval wrestled five urgals one after the other. He beat three of them but lost to the last two; the gathered allies were also treated to displays of swordmanship between the Elves. Both Elven and Dwarven poems were read to the crowds. Saphira and Galmore spent their time together and away from the celebration. Eragon tried to be sociable but for the most part he wanted to be alone.
"Do you want to talk?" Arya asked walking up a hill Eragon stood on.
He smiled at her; "Not really…"
"If you keep it bottled inside you stand a chance of becoming the very thing you killed…"
Eragon sighed; "Ever since I became a dragon rider I have been told that it was up to me to kill Galbatorix… My adventures started out with getting revenge on the Razac then I was burndened with the task of killing Galbatorix… Now he is dead and I ask myself what is next…"
"Rebuilding the order of riders and the race of dragons of course…"
"I am cursed Arya… You remember what I told you about Angela's prophecy…" She nodded yes, "…Galbatorix cursed me before I destroyed Shruiken's Eldunari… His spell went like this… Vel Su Tenas lin Gotha Alaheisa en velum et woel Neath…" Arya gasped. "I can feel the spell working its way through my mind and body… One day I will leave Alagaesia and never return…"
"Maybe we can counter it…"
He looked at her and smiled, "I have tried… Whatever Galbatorix did it is unbreakable…" He sighed, "I still have time though to help rebuild the dragon rider's order… With Saphira's help…"
"Whatever happens I am your friend…" Arya patted him on the sholder and left him alone with his thoughts. After the celebrations Nausada and the allied leaders turned their attention to the rest of the empire.