Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle or "Alice is Dead" The song is written by a wonderful singer named hania. She posts her music on Newgrounds. Please check it out she is amazing! 9r7g5h's "A Future of Possibilities" inspired this chapter.

Chapter 2: Temptation

Down, down, down. Why do ancient buildings have so many landings? The only light came from the guard's torches.

I want you to know

That you've fallen through a hole in the sky

They led him to a cell. Nothing special, just a dark room with nothing in it. He was pushed in, his body colliding with the far wall. The sound of ringing metal filled the room, as the heavy door was slammed shut. The noise of locks being engaged reached the young Rider's ears. 'Three sets of bolts, seems a little overkill,' he thought dryly, 'They already drugged me and chained my hands and legs, and these chains look like they could restrain a dragon, never mind a drugged human.'

The strangers welcome you (welcome you) As you lose your sanity, they touch your soul

The darkness embraced him. He did not know how long he sat there. There was no light or sound to indicate the passing of time. It was a strange feeling, to be denied your senses. Without outside stimuli, his mind started to paint pictures.

Let them into your mind Let them into, let me in you...

Such wonderful pictures too! He saw himself lording over the dead body on the king. The parties, the praise! Ayra cornering him during the celebrations, dragging him to some abandoned room. Proclaiming her repressed love, and pushing him onto the bed. Their passionate cries echoed through his mind...

I want you to know that the smoke bellows our the depths of the pipe

Caress you; it makes you believe anything, All the truths, all the lies

It could all be his. Just give in, and that future, or something similar to it, would become reality. The temptation was great, almost overwhelming.

Let them into your mind Let them into, let me in you...

Let them into your mind Let them in too, let me in you...

Lost in his thoughts, Eragon did not hear the bolts being drawn back. The door opened slowly, light creeping into the room. A figure stood upon the threshold. It looked at him for a long minute. Startled out of his daydreams, Eragon looked at the figure, squinting his eyes against the sudden light. It cocked its head slightly. A single word floated into the room. "Well?"

A small smirk slowly made its way across the Rider's face.

Magic potions, grinning fur It's all a blur, its all a blur Magic poisons, royal tea

There was a curious ringing in his ears. Where was it coming from? Wait, there were voices now. "...barely managed to keep him alive. Whatever he did, it was massive."

"I heard the spell actually hurt His Majesty!"

"It was a suicide spell. If His Majesty hadn't intervened, a good half of the castle would be gone. As it is, the lower levels had to be evacuated. The structure was severely damaged."

"Wonder what will happen to him?"

"Nothing. We used everything we had to keep him in one piece. He needs to rest or his body will give out."

Run screaming, run screaming to me

A new voice broke in, "Well played, young Rider. Well played. But now it's my turn."

I want you to know, I want you to know

"Let's start. Try to keep up."

Let them into your mind Let them in, too. Let me in you.