Chapter 31: Galbatorix's Wrath
Murtagh appeared back at Uru'baen, weak and wounded. He could still feel Thorn's cries of agony a few minutes before he died through the mental link. Tears came to his eyes and he screamed in frustration, agony and pain. His dragon was dead, killed by that damned Sonic! He fell to his knees and clutched his head, feeling the last of the mental bond fade away. Now, he had nothing. Without a dragon, he could feel an empty space in his mind, and wondered if this was what every Rider had to go through if they'd lose their dragons and continue living without one because Dragon Riders were immortal too. He stood up and pushed the pain away for now; he had to report to Galbatorix.
The former Rider walked into the castle and saw the king with Shadow standing near him. He bowed on one knee. Galbatorix noticed something was wrong but ignored it and stood up.
"Rise," Galbatorix said, and Murtagh did so. "What have you to report, Murtagh?"
"My Lord...my mission has failed. The three dragons were waiting for me and attacked. Sonic killed Thorn, and I barely escaped with my life."
The king said nothing and walked up to Murtagh, looking him in the eyes. "So, you have failed me. Tell me, how did Sonic, Saphira, and the other two dragons learn of this attack?"
"I...I saw them in the Hadarac Desert searching for a Chaos Emerald as I was flying by," Murtagh said. "They asked me where I was headed so I told them, thinking that they would not make it in time. When I got to the Varden encampment in Surda, however, they were already there. I have no idea how, though."
Sonic must have used Chaos Control, Shadow said. Both Murtagh and Galbatorix looked at him, and the dragon continued. It is an ability used to manipulate the fabric of time and space. This ability allows you to teleport and travel through time, among other things. You must have a Chaos Emerald to perform it, though.
Galbatorix turned around and glared at Murtagh. "How could you not know that the Chaos Emeralds had this ability?"
Murtagh gulped. "I...I had no idea. Please, let me go back and try again. I am sure that I can beat them this time!"
The king said nothing. He advanced towards Murtagh until he was right in front of him, pulled his sword out from its sheath on his belt and plunged it straight into Murtagh's chest. Murtagh's eyes widened and he gasped. Galbatorix pulled the sword out and Murtagh fell to the ground as blood pooled out from his wound, soaking the ground. He looked up at Galbatorix with a sad, betrayed look on his face.
"W...why?" Murtagh choked out.
Galbatorix looked down at him, still holding his sword. "You have failed me for the last time, Murtagh. Now you have paid the price and have outlived your usefulness. You and Thorn were good servants but I have no more use for you; you have told me everything I need to hear. Farewell."
He brought his sword down and severed Murtagh's head, decapitating him instantly. The head rolled on the floor as Murtagh's corpse lay on the ground. Galbatorix sheathed his sword, not bothering to clean it, and looked at Shadow.
"It is time to end this! You must go to Vroengard and wait for them; I will show up there shortly. When Sonic and the other dragons, along with Eragon, show up there to collect the last Chaos Emerald, we will kill them instantly and take it for ourselves! Do you understand me, Shadow?"
The dragon nodded. He held the two Chaos Emeralds in his paws and teleported off. After he left, Galbatorix went downstairs to the dungeon and saw Angela still in her cell. He walked past her and opened a door leading down to a large basement. Inside was a large velvet curtain draped across the room. He took his sword and yelled, slashing the curtain in half.
It is time, Shruikan, Galbatorix said mentally.
Something moved in the dark behind the curtain. A loud roar echoed throughout the entire room and two gleaming yellow eyes appeared, narrowing into slits.