Morning could not come fast enough for Eragon and Arya, nor the soldiers waiting for battle. The two Riders, being as restless as they were moved two hours before the sun would rise and helped each other in their armor and strapped their dragons in armor. Eragon remained silent throughout their before battle ritual. He strapped his father's sword to the belt that Hrothgar had given to him before he set off for his training with the elves just as he mounted Saphira 2.

Eragon?

Drop it, Saphira…I know what must be done, growled Eragon.

Something is wrong…I fear that Shruikan has been separated from Trinity.

Eragon turned to Arya to see his mate strapping all her weapons to Galzra's saddle. Is that possible?

It is a dark magic…darker than anything I have ever seen, replied Arya solemnly. She walked up to her mate and looked deep into his eyes. "Do not let that get in the way of your job though. You have to destroy Galbatorix once and for all."

"What about Trinity? She's our daughter, Arya!" blundered Eragon, on the edge of hysteria.

"I realize this," said Arya gently. "But this is not just about any one person. This is about the greater good for all. She understood the risk when she became a soldier, as I did before her. I will mourn her loss if we should lose her, but I also understand that people must die in order to accomplish certain goals. If you are to let yourself go to your anger, make it happen when you face Galbatorix, just do not let it hinder your ability to kill him." She turned away and mounted Galzra. It is nearly sunrise, Shadeslayer.

The two dragons walked slowly toward Roran's tent where the other Shur'tugal were waiting; Riders mounted on their dragons. Even Elvira stood there amongst them. Roran stood in the middle.

"Eragon, you are to find Galbatorix and confront him," stated Roran. "Arya, you will fight Tasha. Brom, you will have to fight Morzan. Murtagh, you are going to fight Glonned. Elvira, you know what to do."

Elvira nodded. "Find Trianna and take her down."

"Vrael will fight alongside the human army, Irnstad will join the dwarves, and Anurin will help the elves," finished Roran. "I want you all to remain in contact with one another whenever possible so that we can have the best chances of victory. Your main goal will be to take out Galbatorix's magicians."

Eragon barely listened to his cousin. He knew the drill already. He had been through countless battles…killed many men…and seen things that no one alive could possibly imagine.

"Prepare for battle!" bellowed Roran.

The dragons let out horrendous roars that would send any sane enemy running. It even chilled Eragon's bones to hear it. He unsheathed Silbeana mor'ranr.

Roran mounted the horse that one of his squires brought him. He held his hammer up high and galloped to the front lines of his men. "Today we fight for everything that has ever mattered to us! Today, we shall fight for our freedom! We fight for peace! We fight for the right to raise our children without fear!" He reared his horse up as the opposing army came into view. "We do not fear death! The only thing we shall fear is the face of tyranny!"

The soldiers of all races brandished their weapons. They yelled out with such intensity as an army that knew the final battle was very near.

---

Deep within the mountains, Tasha heard the dragons roar. She stiffened. Eragon, she thought longingly.

Don't tell me that you still have feelings for him, chided Amestat, who was curled up in the chamber with her, licking his claws of the blood from his last kill—an unlucky dwarf who happened to stumble upon their lair.

Arya stole him from me, Amestat, snarled Tasha.

He was never yours to begin with, replied Amestat. Yet it seems that we are going to have to fight.

We are going to slaughter Arya and make Eragon mine…and then you can mate with Saphira, mused Tasha. "Get armor on my dragon!" she called out to the servant that Trianna had provided for her.

A frightened looking elderly man stumbled in and worked to strap armor onto Amestat. The purple dragon snapped his jaws several times just to frighten the man. When he was fully clad in armor, he shook himself.

Tasha strapped her own armor on quickly. She paused when Galbatorix stepped in and knelt before him obediently.

"Tasha," he said curtly.

"Master Galbatorix," replied Tasha. "Is something wrong, sir?"

"No, no, no, nothing is wrong. I want you out there leading my men. Do whatever necessary to keep those slime from reaching these walls while I resurrect the Shade and Raz'zac."

Tasha stiffened. No one in their right mind would trust such creatures…no one but Galbatorix. She nodded. "It will be done, King Galbatorix. Might I ask you what Glonned and Morzan will be doing?"

"Morzan will be taking Trinity to bed before he rides out to battle," answered Galbatorix. "And Glonned will be guarding Trianna."

"Pardon my intrusion, my lord," murmured Tasha.

"Do not fail me." Galbatorix strode out of the chamber.

Tasha stood and finished with her armor. She belted her sword and mounted Amestat. Let's destroy them! Make Arya know what it feels like to have her love taken away!

I sure hope that you know what you are doing, replied Amestat. He shot both of them out of the mountainside and spread his wings. He flew high above the army and circled around them. Should we give them a little fire power and make them know who they are dealing with?

Do whatever you like, Amestat, chuckled Tasha.

Wow, you are in the mood to let me have some fun, laughed Amestat. He flew toward the opposing army like a speeding bullet.

Just don't mess up our orders…Galbatorix wants the Shur'tugal alive so that he can kill them all himself, murmured Tasha.

Amestat released a jet of flame, taking out a quarter of the human flank.

---

Eragon watched, horrified as a quarter of the human flank were burned alive. He pulled his mind away from them to avoid feeling their demise. We have to do something!

Eragon…stay there! Brom ordered.

Galzra, see if you can take Amestat by surprise, ordered Braim.

Its unlikely, but I can try, replied Galzra. Arya?

Let's finish this for good, Arya said fiercely. She whipped out her sword just before Galzra shot them both up in the air.

Be careful, Arya, pleaded Eragon.

Aren't I always?

Galzra circled under Amestat, making certain that he kept out of eyesight. He came around and snapped at the purple dragon's tail.

Amestat whipped around and locked talons with Galzra. The two dragons fought for dominance in their aerial combat dance. They snapped at the other's neck while the Riders clashed swords whenever that option was available.

Galzra, we need to get this battle to the ground!

Amestat has gotten too strong to just control him like that, replied Galzra.

Well break free and lead him on!

You are the boss, replied Galzra. He broke free of Amestat's grasp and flew north of the battle. I just hope that you know what you are doing.

So do I.

Galzra landed in a small valley. He turned only to find Amestat landing several yards away from him.

"It seems that our dragons are evenly matched!" yelled Tasha as she jumped down from Amestat.

"Tasha," spat Arya. "Tell me, did you join Trianna so that you can destroy me and thus get me out of your way to pursue Eragon?"

"You elves are as smart as lore says," chuckled Tasha. She twisted her sword in her right hand.

"Do you really think that Eragon would have you if you killed me?" mocked Arya. "You haven't learnt a thing in the last twenty years, have you?"

"You took him from me!" snarled Tasha.

"I was his before you even came along!" replied Arya. "By the time we found you in Galbatorix's castle, I was already pregnant with Trinity." She watched Tasha pace back and forth in front of Amestat with narrowed eyes.

"Are you going to fight me or what?!" demanded Tasha, her face contorted with a crazed rage.

"I would prefer not to waste my time while my mate is risking his life," murmured Arya coldly.

Amestat snarled at Galzra, pulling his lips back to show off his sharp, white teeth. He arched his neck like a cat about ready to pounce on its prey.

"But seeing as how you insist on forfeiting your life," Arya continued. "I might as well oblige." She dismounted Galzra. Keep everyone updated, she ordered her dragon.

Be careful…undoubtedly, Galbatorix has trained his little pet, cautioned Galzra.

I have a hundred years worth of experience over this little girl, replied Arya. She held a low defensive stance. "If you want to kill me, come and get it over with," she taunted.

"Not until your dragon leaves you, Arya," spat Tasha. Amestat, slaughter her dragon before I spill her blood. I want her to beg me to end her life.

As you wish, murmured Amestat. He flew into the clouds, Galzra following close behind.

"You will die, Arya," chuckled Tasha.

"Death is not something to laugh about," whispered Arya.

"Only when it's you who's dying!" yelled Tasha as she launched herself at Arya. She slashed and stabbed at Arya. The elf parried each blow, slowly backing up.

Sparks showered down on them. Clouds began gathering overhead, bringing thunder, lightening, and rain. Both combatants were quickly soaked.

Tasha managed to back Arya into a cliff side. She attacked the elf with a barrage of fierce attacks that even an elf with quick reflexes had trouble keeping up with. "Give up! Your death is inevitable! You had your chance at love, and you failed to protect your lover."

Arya's upper lip curled up in a feral snarl as memories of Faolin came crashing down on her from their first meeting, when they first confessed their love for one another, the mating ritual, giving up her only family up in order to be with him, up to the night that Durza killed him and imprisoned her. She launched a combination of attacks fiercer than any she had ever done before. She gained the upper hand of their struggle and pushed Tasha back.

"Oh, did I hit a tender spot for you?" taunted Tasha menacingly. Her face twisted into a sneer grin. "At least it made you a more interesting kill."

"You shouldn't count your chickens before they are hatched," retorted Arya.

---

Galzra took the battle high above the clouds. He dodged several advancing attacks from Amestat, roaring loudly as he did so. He shot a stream of fire at the younger dragon, which was dodged. Amestat was much leaner than Galzra, which allowed for quicker maneuvers.

Amestat launched at Galzra repeatedly, snapping at the emerald dragon's flesh to make him go where the younger dragon desired. Amestat grabbed a chunk of flesh off Galzra's right wing, tearing the muscle to shreds.

The emerald dragon shrieked out in pain. It was a most terrible sound that vibrated through the air. Galzra tumbled out of the air, but not before Amestat completely destroying his armor. The older dragon landed and skidded to a halt.

Amestat landed several yards away, snarling at his victim.

Arya stopped suddenly, surprised that Tasha did not take the chance to kill her. The younger Rider smirked with grim satisfaction. Galzra! Arya cried. She ran to her dragon, stopping short to observe the damage that had been done. Her blood boiled as she took in his torn wing and gashes along his side and stomach. It also looked like his front left leg was broken.

You need to finish Tasha off, growled Galzra. He glared up at Arya.

Arya knelt down in front of him. I can't just leave you like this, she murmured.

"This is what happens to Shur'tugal who go against Galbatorix," laughed Tasha.

"You are by no means a Shur'tugal," snarled Arya, turning to glare at the human girl.

"I am just doing what is necessary to survive, Arya," Tasha retorted smugly. "You know…self preservation. Something you elves don't seem to understand and that will be your downfall."

Arya stood and faced Tasha with squared shoulders. She held her sword's hilt close to her side with the blade's tip pointing at Tasha and her feet shoulder width apart. "Just get whatever death that is coming to me over with," she growled.

"Are you surrendering then?" taunted Tasha. Amestat, feed on her dragon's flesh.

With pleasure.

---

Eragon watched as the two armies clashed in combat. Swords rang and clashed. Spears split against shields. Armor dented. Blood spilt on the ground.

"I'm sorry that you had to grow up in all this," Brom called out to Eragon.

"So am I," replied Eragon softly.

Brom's eyes softened. "Your mother would be proud of you."

Eragon stiffened. In the years that Eragon had known Brom to be his father and got to spend that quality time with his first mentor, he had rarely heard Selena mentioned. "What—that I have become a killer?" he retorted coldly.

"Not by choice though…that is the difference between you and Galbatorix," murmured Brom. "You have grown up to be a fine man. I cannot say that enough about you, Eragon."

"Keep your mind on your job," sighed Eragon. He did not want to be so cold and harsh with his father, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He worried about how Arya was fairing. He was also keeping his eyes open for any sign at all for Galbatorix.

He saw Amestat and Galzra shooting back into the clouds. He could definitely feel Tasha and Arya battling it out on the ground.

Several long and intensely loud moments passed by. Thunder and lightning brought rain. Eragon had to squint to see very far in front of him. This downpour is going to hinder our battle, he commented to Saphira 2.

It could also be to our advantage, replied Saphira 2.

Eragon cringed as he heard the most terrible screech in his life, and yet he recognized the sound as a dragon in pain. He cast out his senses to find the source. His heart skipped a beat. Galzra was injured. Arya!

---

Arya blocked Eragon's thoughts out of her mind. She focused primarily on her objective of killing Tasha and ridding the world of just one more threat.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Please review. I won't be able to write anything until the weekend is over. I'm going to be out of town for the rest of the week. State basketball for girls and I'm leaving in the morning for Yakima.