Eragon! Saphira cried in his mind. Galbatorix! He's here!
He grimaced. Having wasted so much energy on Trianna had left him vulnerable for Galbatorix. The grip on his hilt tightened. He sprinted toward the entrance of the cave; there was no time to retrieve Elvira's body. Saphira, meet me at the entrance!
Already on my way, little one, she replied.
While he ran, he stored what energy he could spare into the jewel hilt, knowing that it would take everything he had to defeat Galbatorix—again. He grimaced at the thought.
Eragon glared up at Galbatorix. "Well, boy?" said the king, mocking him with his twisted, smug expression.
"You can burn in whatever Hell there is for all I care," snarled Eragon. He rolled out of the way of the sword's wrath and stood a few paces to the right. "Saphira and I will never join you!" He took up his sword and pointed it at Galbatorix; ready for whatever the king was about to do to him for his rudeness. "We would rather die then join you, and-I have an elf who would skin my hide if I ever so much as thought of joining a bastard such as yourself. You killed my father, my uncle, Gleadr, Oromis, and my brother—not to mention, you hurt Arya. For that, I cannot forgive you. For that—you will die!"
The blades clashed. Sparks showered down on them. Neither Rider gained the upper hand in their mêlée. Both dropped blood on the ground.
Galzra kicked Shruikan off of him and rolled over. He snapped his jaw threateningly at the older dragon. Both dragons battled with their flame.
Saphira dove beneath the clouds with Arya brandishing Zor'roc. The elf jumped and landed behind Eragon.
He took the opportunity to cut off Galbatorix's left hand. He battered away at the old man. With each swing, he cried out the names of everyone Galbatorix killed or tortured in his reign.
Asoroth stood on a hill and watched. He unsheathed his sword and charged into battle. Arya blocked his entrance and fought him viciously. They circled each other, occasionally, their swords would send down a shower of sparks.
The sounds of battle were loud, and rang in Eragon's ear. The young rider was battering away at the weakened Galbatorix; Arya fought for her life against the Shade; and Galzra and Saphira were busy slaughtering Shruikan.
Asoroth twirled his blade past Zar'roc and cut across Arya's side. The elf cried out in pain. He grabbed her arm and pulled her close, pressing his sword to her neck and watching the blade drink her blood. "You should never have challenged me, Shur'tugal," he sneered.
Eragon turned to the sound of Arya's scream. His eyes widened in horror. Galbatorix took this opportunity to stab him in the back. Eragon looked down and saw with faint horror at the blade sticking out from his gut. Saphira, help Arya! he cried desperately.
Saphira ran to Arya's aid obediently. She didn't have much time left. She stopped and watched Islanzadi run to her daughter's aid.
The elf didn't stand a chance. Asoroth threw Arya to the side. Saphira protectively wrapped around the elf. With two quick strikes of Asoroth's sword, Islanzadi lost her head and fell to her death. The Shade turned to Saphira and Arya. He smiled.
Shruikan broke free of his battle with Galzra. The emerald dragon fell to the ground, unable to move. The black dragon tackled Galbatorix. He pressed the king into the dirt. Stop this foolish act, he growled.
Eragon watched as Shruikan turned against his rider. He removed Galbatorix's sword and threw it into Asoroth's heart, killing the Shade instantly. Saphira, how is Arya? he asked. His vision began to blur.
She needs to be healed soon-or I fear that she won't last, answered Saphira. How are your wounds?
Eragon slowly walked up to his dragon where Arya laid unconscious. I'll be fine, he grunted. He kneeled down next to Arya. His eyes followed Saphira's gaze and he spotted Islanzadi, dead. Tears streamed down his face and mixed with the blood. He murmured the healing words and knew no more of the world, only hoping that he saved Arya's life.
Eragon squinted his eyes as he came to the entrance of the cave. He only had a brief moment to look down at the battle below. It was impossible to tell who belonged to which side. A few dragons were causing chaos for the foot soldiers.
Eragon! Saphira called as she dipped to the entrance of the cave.
Eragon sheathed his sword before he leapt into the air and landed in her saddle. He strapped his legs in while Saphira beat her wings to gain altitude. This ends now. The thought was a grim one. Last time he had faced Galbatorix, Shruikin had helped. He doubted that he would have that help this time around.
We will not lose, Eragon, Saphira told him confidently. She roared, challenging Galbatorix to meet them in single combat.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment, gathering up his courage to charge into battle for what he hoped to be the final time. He unsheathed his sword and brandished it over his head just as Shruikin came above the mountains.
"GALBATORIX!" he shouted with both his voice and mind. His voice rumbled deeper than it ever had before with such a force that his entire being vibrated with the raw emotion behind his voice.
He heard his laugh. It was a cold, chilling laugh, one that he had hoped nearly twenty years ago that he would never hear again. It sent chills down his spine. He clutched the hilt of his sword tightly, clinging to it like his life depended on it, which it did.
Shruikin dove toward them, a jet of flame erupting from his maw. Galbatorix was smiling maliciously as the flames from the black dragon drew ever nearer to Eragon and Saphira.
I can't dodge it, Eragon! Saphira cried out in despair.
Eragon did the only thing he could, summoning up every bit of willpower and energy he could and created a shield with magic by speaking the Ancient Language. Despite this effort, some bits of flame got through his defenses, but they weren't enough to do any serious damage.
Saphira, we need to get above them, he said, grimacing bitterly. He already decided that he was going to hate himself if he had to kill a dragon, especially since Shruikin had bonded with his daughter.
Shruikin would not want to go on living this way, said Saphira with a deep sadness in her voice.
I still despise this business of possibly having to end his life, replied Eragon grimly. He leaned with Saphira as Shruikin released another jet of flames. He could feel the heat radiating off them as they dodged.
"Feast off their flesh, Shruikin!" Galbatorix laughed in a magnified voice.
"Not this time, Galbatorix!" Eragon bellowed. He flattened himself against Saphira's saddle as she spiraled upward, leading Shruikin and Galbatorix on a chase.
Saphira, do you think you can remove Galbatorix from Shruikin?
What are you suggesting, little one?
Eragon showed her images of what he had in mind: rather than taking the time to explain everything to her. He felt her affirmative.
There was a split moment when they reached the apex of their climb that time seemed to stand still. In that moment, Eragon thought of all those who suffered because of Galbatorix. He allowed for the anguish and hatred well up inside him before Saphira dove nose first toward the battle below.
Shruikin was too large to dodge out of the way. He snapped at Saphira's underbelly as she dove past. A pained roar echoed across the mountains, but Eragon could not tell which dragon it came from. All he knew was that he felt Saphira grab Galbatorix, and that was all he needed to know.
Eragon melded minds with Saphira. He could feel the pain from the gash in her underbelly. It stung, but it was not life threatening. Galbatorix struggled in her talons. He drew in a breath to utter a spell, but Saphira tore into him. Blood smeared the dragon's maw before Galbatorix was a limp corpse.
Eragon separated his consciousness from Saphira just before she landed. He unstrapped his legs from the saddle before leaping to the ground, landing with catlike grace.
Eragon, look out!
He barely had time to look up before Saphira grabbed him in her mouth and leapt out of the way of Shruikin crashing where Eragon was standing just seconds before. He thanked her before running to the black dragon.
"Shruikin!" His eyes shone with pity and sadness as the dragon breathed laboriously.
I owe you once again, Eragon Shur'tugal, said Shruikin, his voice slowly ebbing away.
"You owe me nothing," replied Eragon. "Tell me, what can I do for you?"
Find Trinity.
"Will you live that long?" Eragon felt bile building up in his stomach as he said the words.
I am hardly dying, growled Shruikin. His upper lip curled upward into a snarl. But being under Galbatorix's power has left me weakened.
Eragon frowned. He nodded before turning to Saphira. He quickly healed her. Stay with him.
Be careful, little one.
I always am, he replied, hugging her snout.
A/N: I am sorry for leaving this story off for so long. Life has a tendency to get in the way, and then for a while there, I lost interest. But fear not, for I have returned. This story is nearing its completion.