Epilogue
By the time that the sun had risen, many people knew about Finca and Tamli' death. She had sacrificed herself to save her master and through saving him, saving all of Alagaesia. Shruikan watched the rising sun and carefully removed Tamli' pack from around the three remaining eggs.
Her final wish, he thinks.
***
Can you be saved? He asks.
No but watch over our children. Guide them and teach them about the mother they never met, Finca says before she closes her eyes and draws her final breath in Alagaesia.
***
I must carry out her final wish, he thinks as he crawls toward the Varden' camp.
When he arrived, Shruikan finds that many sat together. Some cried. Others sat in silence.
Finca meant a lot to this people, Shruikan releases as he watches the people of the Varden come together to mourn her and Tamli' death.
Shruikan finally meets with Eragon and Saphira.
Have you heard? He asks.
"We know," Eragon says as Saphira looks away.
To think that I treated her so badly, Saphira says to no one in particular.
Shruikan says nothing as he spends time with Eragon and Saphira. He wonders what her final thoughts were as she released that this would destroy her.
If only I knew, he thinks as he lifts his head to the slowly fading stars.
You wish to know.
Shruikan startles. Could this be Finca' voice?
You want to know my thoughts before I died?
Shruikan says nothing and Finca asks again.
I do want to know, her growls but not if it causes you any pain.
Finca chuckles and Shruikan growls, not sure why she was chuckled.
I cannot be harmed anymore Shruikan so it won't hurt me, she says softly.
Shruikan nods as he feels her warming presence enfold him. When he opens his eyes, Shruikan finds himself watching the events that occurred the night before. Finca stands up ad stares at Tamli, who looks different then what he has seen from her memories.
A demonic spirit known as Nira had taken control of him and I released that I had two options. One, let Nira kill me and then probably kill you. And two, I killed Nira and he still killed me but at least he would be out of the way and Alagaesia would be safe. I chose option two, Finca explains as the dragons watch the sene unfold.
Destroy us both! Tamli groans as he slips backwards slightly.
But Tamli . . .
Do it! He cries. And hurry up, I can't hold this up for much longer!
Being reluctant I did it but I wasn't for Tamli to live. He needed to be here and yet I felt like I had served my purpose already, Finca says as the two dragons watch what happens next.
Finca looks around for some other way but she sees none.
If I must, she growls before roaring and letting loose a torrent of Shadow toward Tamli and Nira.
The flames slam into the two and Tamli screams.
My Shadow did nothing to Nira. He negated my Shadow attacks by using Tamli as a shield, Finca mutters in agony as she closes her eyes and looks away, while Shruikan continues to watch.
Once more!
But . . .
Hurry! Tamli shouts as he slips even more.
Finca lowers her head for a moment, closing her eyes. She raises her head and opens her eyes.
This must be done, she growls. Even if we die together!
I knew that Tamli and I would perish eventually but I never dreamed it would be like this, Finca says as she opens her eyes and looks into Shruikan' face.
With that she screams and loosens another blast of Shadow. This blast slams into the two again and Tamli slides back farther.
Nira isn't being affected! He shouts.
Finca growls and takes to the air, her wings drawn to her side to allow for the fastest movement she can get. Nira smirks and attempts to move one arm. Tamli struggles to keep a firm lock on Nira' arms.
Hurry Finca! Tamli growls as he slides backwards even farther.
I am coming, she growls as she strains herself to get through the air and reach Tamli and Nira before it is too late.
She roars and awakens Shruikan who is confused by this.
I had to make you not come after me. I knew if you did then you might suffer the same fate, Finca moans as the two watch.
What is going on Finca? He asks.
No time to explain! Finca answers as she speeds up.
Nira releases what she plans to do. She plans to run straight into him, ploughing into his sword and killing herself as well as him, thus killing Tamli.
This is your end! Finca screams as she ploughs into his sword and her tail pierces him through the heart, thus killing him and Tamli.
She falls to the ground and Shruikan rushes over.
With my last breath, I told you to watch over our offspring and to teach them what you knew of me, the mother that this dragons would never know, Finca says as the last few moments are shown.
Can you be saved? He asks.
No but watch over our children. Guide them and teach them about the mother they never met, Finca says before she closes her eyes and draws her final breath in Alagaesia.
Once the sene fades away, Shruikan looks at Finca.
You meant very much to the Varden, to all of us, he growls, beginning to choke up with emotion.
I did and I did what I had to in order to keep Alagaesia safe from Nira, Finca says as she begins to fade.
Don't leave! Shruikan growls.
I must, my time here is up. Fair well Shruikan, Finca growls before she fully vanishes.
Shruikan is left there standing. He is alone. The one dragon that wished to save him from Galbatorix is dead and gone. The only thing he has left from her is her offspring and their memories together.
We will be together always, Finca' sweet voice echoes across the wind.
We will be together always, Shruikan thinks as he prepares to tell the Varden about Finca' last night here and the sacrifice she made to save everyone.