Chapter 22: Retrieving Another Emerald
The next day, everyone was ready to go. Eragon and Tails stood by Knuckles, Saphira and Sonic, eager to find the next Chaos Emerald. The Dragon Rider smiled and got on Saphira's back and Tails looked at Sonic with excitement. Sonic saw his friend's expression and a grin appeared on his snout.
Would you like to ride on my back? Sonic asked.
Tails grinned and nodded. "Yeah! That would be awesome, Sonic!"
The dragon lay down, allowing Tails to sit on his back. Tails grabbed hold of Sonic's neck and waited. Suddenly, Sonic let out a loud roar and took off into the air along with Saphira and Knuckles. Tails laughed in astonishment and looked down, seeing the scenery fly by. He grabbed Sonic's neck tighter and held on as the dragon angled his wings and flew lower. The three dragons flew for hours until they saw the outline of the Beor Mountains and started to descend.
"Hey Sonic," Tails said. "Can I ask you something?"
Go ahead, Sonic replied.
"What's it like being a dragon?"
It's awesome, Sonic told him. The ability to fly, breathe fire, immortality...
Tails' eyes widened. "Immortality?"
Dragons are immortal; didn't you know that? They can still be killed but don't age. That's what Glaedr told me, anyway. He also said that a Dragon Rider can live on if their dragon is killed but if a Rider dies, then so does their dragon.
"That's very interesting," Tails said.
Sonic nodded, and continued to descend. Once the three dragons had landed, Eragon and Tails jumped to the ground and looked at them.
"So where is the Chaos Emerald?" Eragon asked Knuckles.
Follow me, Knuckles said. He walked down the valley, followed by Sonic, Saphira, Eragon, and Tails. A few minutes later they saw something glowing and Tails picked it up, seeing that it was a red Chaos Emerald. He grinned and held it up so that everyone could see.
"I found it!" Tails yelled. "Let's head back!"
Sonic nodded and Tails got on his back again. They flexed their wings and flew into the air, heading back to Ellesmera.
Meanwhile in Uru'baen, Shadow had sensed another Chaos Emerald. He walked up to Galbatorix and told him about it. The king was excited but at the same time unhappy because he had not been told sooner.
"Where is the emerald?" Galbatorix asked.
Sonic and his friends have it and are heading back to Ellesmera, Shadow told him.
Galbatorix looked angry. "Then go to Ellesmera, take the emerald, and kill them if you have to!" he yelled.
Shadow nodded, and flew off to Ellesmera to confront Sonic and his friends.
Once Tails, Eragon, and the three dragons got back to Ellesmera, they saw Oromis and Glaedr waiting for them. The elf bowed and walked up to Sonic.
"Did you get the emerald?" he asked.
Tails jumped down from the dragon's back and showed it to him. Oromis's eyes gleamed with interest and examined it. He nodded in satisfaction and looked back at Sonic.
Glaedr wanted to speak to you, the elf told Sonic and Knuckles. It is very important.
Sonic nodded and the two dragons walked over to Glaedr, bowing their heads in respect. The golden dragon growled and looked at him. I have something to tell you, Glaedr said. Consider this another lesson.
What is it? Sonic asked.
A smirk appeared on Glaedr's face. It is time you two learned about Eldunari.