(A/N: OK, I guess I lied a little when I said Updates Soon. But between vacation, the start of the school year, and coming down a little sick last week...I haven't had much time for this. But all 3 of the final chaps are done, and I'm putting them all up at once.

Now, to my loyal followers - Thank you so so so so so much for sticking to this thing until the end. I just want to say - if not-so-happy endings aren't your thing, feel free to drop out now. Seriously. I won't be offended. Thank you all for giving me your time.)

Eragon had just time to draw his longer sword, the sword named Brisingr, and block Ialana's attack. "Ialana!", he screamed at her through a flurry of blows, "Stop this! You know you can!"

"You are a fool, Eragon Shur'tugal!", she screamed back. "You call yourself Shadeslayer, and yet you cannot even injure me!" She twisted around, coming very close to knocking Eragon to the ground. "Shur'tugal, in any conflict between positive and negative, the negative will prevail in the end!" She laughed. "It is what your...what-do-you-call-them, your Varden, do not understand. They cannot win! You cannot win! Look at me, Shur'tugal. Do you honestly think you can destroy..."

Her voice seemed to catch in her throat and turned into a strangled cry as Eragon spun his sword around, knocking the smaller weapon out of her hand and causing her to fall. "I will not destroy you, Ialana."

"No." Something came into her eyes, a sort of confusion, like she didn't know where she was, then was gone just as quickly as it had appeared. "Eragon...Eragon. Listen to me, Eragon, while I still have control - listen. You know my true name. Edoc'sil. It means Unconquerable. And I believe I can be unconquerable. I will not allow myself to be corrupted, controlled, any longer. Eragon..." She stopped momentarily as a wave of pain swept over her body and rage over her heart, then, struggling, continued. "Eragon, I love you. Do you hear that? I love you. I know you do not love me in return, but if you did - would you not wish to keep me from becoming a monster? To stop me from taking innocent lives?"

"Yes, Ialana. Wholeheartedly. I wish the same whether I love you the way you are thinking or not!"

"You tried, Master Eragon. Magic...it failed. There is only one thing left for me. It would have to happen anyway. Shadeslayer..." Ialana tore open her tunic, exposing her chest where her heart would be. "It is time for you to live up to your name, your legend, once again."

"I will not kill you, Ialana!"

"Then give me your sword!"

"No.", he said. "There must be another way. There has to be. There always is." Eragon reached down to help her stand up. With Brisingr still in hand. Ialana took advantage of that, grabbing and twisting his sword-arm...

...sending the great sword's blade directly into her heart.