Disclaimer: If you've seen it somewhere else, I don't own it.

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Pain…

Mind numbing pain…

That was all that existed to Ryan as his mind felt as if it was trying to tear itself to pieces. Fire coursed through his veins as the magic of the bond followed through him. He couldn't move. He felt as if he could barely breathe. His heart raced as if he just finished a marathon.

Then there was nothing. The pain disappeared. The fire in his limbs cooled. He felt as if he could breathe again. His pulse calmed. Silence was all that surrounded him. Darkness consumed every part of his being as the effects of the bonding began to wear off. A small tendril of feeling passed through him, a feeling of sheer relief. Another small strand of feeling passed by him. This feeling, however, seemed to belong to another.

How did this get in here? Nothing should have passed my barriers without my knowing it. Ryan thought quizzically. Curiosity seized Ryan as he latched onto the strand and touched it. A feeling of relief similar to his own emitted from the thought, but it quickly passed. A feeling of hunger…almost insatiable hunger seemed to consume the tendril, which confused Ryan even more.

Why would someone try to tell me they're hungry? I certainly can't do much for them in this state. Who or what would do such a thing? Certainly not anyone fully grown, perhaps a child…yes…that's what it must be…but where's that child's parents? Where am I? The last thing I remember is the trial…the egg…wait…it hatched…and I touched it…

Ryan's mind stumbled at the thought. Suddenly the memories of what occurred returned to him. He recalled everything. It…It must be my dragon. Man that sounds odd…my dragon…my dragon, hmm… Well, I better introduce myself to my new guest.

Ryan returned to where he had found the strange tendril and enveloped it with his mind. Something seemed to click in his consciousness and suddenly he could feel her, her mind, her thoughts, her wants. A massive hunger swept over him once more as he returned to himself. He pushed against the darkness, trying to break free and return to the world outside. After a few tries the barrier cracked and split, white light spilled from the holes in it. One last push and he felt the familiar falling sensation that marked his return to the real world.

Ryan took a deep breath as he shot up off the ground. He glanced around to find the elves surrounding him, with the other candidates standing behind them. Their eyes bored in on the new Rider. He felt two small patches of pressure on his leg. Ryan looked down to find his dragon standing with her forepaws resting on him. He smiled at her as an insistent squeak sounded from her.

"Alright, alright, I get the message," Ryan chuckled as he turned to ask of the elves, "Anyone have any food by chance?"

Saphira's voice answered him, Blödhgarm left to find some food for her the moment you both touched. How do you feel?

"I feel odd…as I'm sure Eragon first did after you first hatched, Saphira. It feels strange to be able to feel another mind like this." Ryan shook his head as he tried to clear the slight fog that seemed to still cloud his thoughts.

As it should be, you will grow used to it after a day or two, amusement crept into Saphira's tone as the hatchling tried to nuzzle her way into Ryan's lap, where she promptly curled up and stared at the others around her, but it seems that she's already enjoying it.

"I sure she is. After all, she'd better be, she's the cause of all this. If she didn't enjoy it, I'd be concerned.", Ryan responded as he looked over his new partner of heart and mind. She looked much like she did before she hatched with one exception. A small steel grey colored symbol lied on the center of her chest. The coloration of the green scales giving way to whatever had caused the change.

Do you have any ideas for a name, Fire-Eyes?

"Yes, I do. Can she understand what I'm trying to ask her though?"

Of course she can. Dragons are a lot more intelligent at birth than a simple human child. She will understand what you are trying to do. Go on…give it a try.

Ryan sighed, "Very well then". Ryan looked down at the hatchling curled up against him and rubbed his fingers against her head. Her head rose and turned into his action, purring all the while.

Do you understand me?, Ryan asked, the existence of his new mental link not lost on him. A small sense of acknowledgement returned through it as the dragon's head faced him, her emerald eyes staring at him expectantly.

Ryan's smile grew bigger at her answer, "Good, that will make this easier then. Do you understand what a name is young one"? An unspoken question flowed to him through their link. "I thought that might be the case.", Ryan sighed, then he hit upon an idea. He stretched out his mind, surrounding the hatchlings mind with his own. He sent her images of objects and people, as he called each of them by name. The hatchling seemed lost at first, but gradually she began to understand the idea and she even sent him a picture of herself and a questioning feeling. She wanted to know what her name was. Another grin met her question, "That is for you to decide, I'll give you some suggestions and you choose which one you keep". An agreement flowed through their bond as she stared up at him expectantly.

"Are you Miramel?", silence met his suggestion.

"Are you Jura?", again silence. Ryan continued with several others until he could recall no others from the books. Well, perhaps I shall give you one that has meaning where I'm from.

Ryan sat for a moment thinking about a name that fit the dragon on his lap. Silence reigned for a few minutes until Ryan remembered a name that fit the hatchling's situation perfectly.

"Are you Samanya?", he asked. She seemed to mull over the name for a moment before chirping and pouncing on his chest. Laughter overcame Ryan as he watched her antics, "I'll take that as a yes.".

Samanya…hmm…that is an interesting name. Saphira said as her head pushed forward to examine the hatchling on Ryan's chest, who chirped happily as she bounced up and down off her forepaws.

"It is and it fits her too."

How so?

"Samanya means 'the unknown one'".

Saphira chuckled at the revelation, Aye, it certainly does fit. A rustle from the tent flap announced Blödhgarm's return, a small pail of meat in his hand. He walked over to the new pair and set the pail next to Ryan, who promptly got Samanya's attention with the promise of food.

Blödhgarm addressed the other elves, "Inform Nasuada of what has occurred, and dismiss the candidates if you would." The elves moved as one to follow his order, one dashing outside while the others began to lead the candidates outside. Meanwhile, Samanya was greedily swallowing any scrap of food that lay in front of her snout. Ryan's hands almost seemed incapable of keeping up with the demand of the ravenous hatchling. Once the last scrap of meat disappeared from the pail, and her belly bulged with all she had eaten, Samanya curled back up in his lap and promptly fell asleep. Ryan almost couldn't restrain a chuckle from the youngling's actions, almost hyper in one instant and asleep the next.

"Have you found a name for her?", it was Blödhgarm who spoke, his voice still retaining some of the reverence it contained earlier.

"Samanya," Ryan replied, his eyes meeting the elf's as they seemed to shine in the light.

"An odd name isn't it? I have never heard of such a word or name in my time."

"I'm not surprised, the language I took the name from is not widely known. Not many people know of its existence let alone some of the words from it. Samanya is actually the only word from it that I know the meaning of.", the elf nodded at Ryan's words.

"Well, it appears that there is even more to you than I previously realized," Blödhgarm added with a chuckle as he looked over both the new Rider and his dragon, "now if only Galbatorix just happened to fall over and die in the next couple of days."

"I think that is a bit beyond my luck, master elf." Ryan added with a smirk.

It seems you are as much of a lodestone for uncommon events as my Eragon! Saphira laughed.

"Hey! I'm not that bad!", Ryan added, exasperation in his voice.

We shall see Fire-Eyes, we shall see.

"By the way…why do you call me Fire-Eyes, Saphira?"

Because whenever you speak of your purpose or something you hold dear, your eyes look as if there is a fire raging within them.

"Huh, never would have thought…", Ryan's words stopped as Nasuada barged in surrounded by Nighthawks and the elf sent for her, who glared at Ryan as she passed.

"Lady Nasuada," Blödhgarm began, "It appears that Arya Drottningu will not have to make that trip to Ellesméra after all."

Nasuada looked at the boy sitting on the ground, the dragon in his lap, and the elves around him…and smiled, "It certainly appears that way, master elf". She turned her gaze back to Ryan, "Well, it seems like I will not have to find a job for you after all," she added with a smirk, "and Angela was already giving me suggestions too…"

Ryan blanched in horror, "Uhh…my Lady, I don't think that would have been the best idea."

She smiled back, "Angela told me of your little conversation yesterday and you must have really piqued her interest. I fear you may have woken something you cannot handle, Ryan Williamsson."

"Great…" As if I need something else to worry about. "I'll be sure to watch my back then."

"I'm sure you will, however there is one thing I wish to give you before departing," Nasuada held out her hands to one of guards, who handed her a dark green colored sword and scabbard, she held it out to him, "I believe this should belong to you. You are a Rider after all and it was found inside your bag anyway. Besides, you will have far more need of it than I will, Ryan."

Ryan gently grabbed the blade from her hand, careful not to wake the hatchling in his lap, "Thank you, my Lady. What is its name?"

"Garjzla, it means light in the ancient language. May it serve you well.", She turned her attention back to Blödhgarm, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

"This is all we have to report, Lady Nasuada. We will be in the training areas to test his proficiency in swordplay and magic if you wish to find us."

"Very well, I wish you all luck.", with that, Nasuada left as quickly as she entered as Ryan looked over the sword given to him.

"Hand me your sword," came Bodhgarm's voice, "we shall be heading to the training fields and I don't think that you wish to wake your dragon." Ryan quietly handed the elf his sword and stood as they all turned to leave. "Stay with us, we shall protect you." Ryan nodded at the order and followed as they exited the tent and headed for the training fields. They arrived at their destination in short order, luckily without waking the hatchling in Ryan's arms. Blodgharm left for a moment to speak to the training master, so they could use a clear space, and he returned shortly afterword.

"They have a spare field for us to use, follow me". The group fell in behind him and skirted around to far side of the fields, where a partially obscure training area rested. Blödhgarm addressed Ryan, "Leave your dragon with Saphira and meet me in the center of the circle."

Ryan looked over to Saphira questioningly, You can place her in the hollow of my back. She will be confortable there. Saphira responded, sensing his unspoken question. She laid down and allowed Ryan to climb up and place Samanya on her back.

"Thanks," Ryan added after jumping back off.

It is my pleasure, Fire-Eyes.

Ryan turned back towards the circle and stopped in front of Blödhgarm, with the other elves making a circle around the arena. He held out Ryan's sword, who promptly grabbed it and strapped it onto his belt. "Draw your sword," came the order. Ryan did so and waited for Blödhgarm to explain, "We will be testing your competence with a sword. I have already blocked the blades with magic and Nasuada informed me of your inexperience with swords, however, we need to see how you do in order to know what we have to primarily work with you on. Understood?"

"Aye,"

"Then prepare yourself." Ryan held his sword in front of him, bending his knees and placing his weight on the balls of his feet as he prepared to move.

Yeah…let's see how badly I can screw up in the first five minutes, he thought as he waited for Blodgharm's first attack. That attack wasn't long in coming, it was a slow stab to his midsection, which Ryan quickly deflected and shifted out of the way. Another strike came, this one much faster and aimed at his head. Ryan brought his sword up and barely caught it before it struck him. Ryan shifted backwards, trying to gain some space as to have more time to react to Blödhgarm's strikes.

"Good, you at least know how to move your feet. Let's see how quick you can move".

Ah, crap, Ryan thought as several strikes in quick succession flew towards him. Most of the blows found their targets, leaving the first of many bruises to come. The few others he avoided, however, were mostly attributed to his movement as Ryan tried to deflect and step outside the blows.

I can't match an elf's strength anyway, he thought, besides this is practice, I've got to figure out what is the easiest way to block these things if I'm going to survive. Suddenly an unexpected blow landed on his sword, knocking it away. Ryan almost instinctively spun outside the strike, as he grabbed Blödhgarm's arm and twisted his wrist, breaking the elf's hold on his blade and it fell to the ground. Ryan dove for the sword and rolled as he grabbed it, standing only to find Blödhgarm only a few feet away with Garjzla in his hand.

"That was a good idea, young one, however, never try that when you are fighting more than one person unless you are significantly faster, otherwise, your opponent's partners will cut you to pieces.", Blödhgarm tossed back Ryan's sword as Ryan returned his own. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"I had a friend who taught me some self defense when I was younger. All no-weapon hand-to-hand style fighting, I'm not an expert, but I know enough to put it to the occasional good use.", Ryan said, as Blödhgarm noticed how he dodged the question.

"Very well, let us continue then," and so they did for over two hours. Blödhgarm would attack Ryan with the same speed and intensity until Ryan would be able to reliably avoid it through blocking or dodging, only to start the whole process again the second Ryan succeeded. Ryan's arms felt as if they would fall off the second they stopped. His blocks grew slower and weaker with each passing moment. His dodging, however, kept up with the passing time.

Thank you Lord for soccer putting me into such good shape! Ryan thought as he continued to try to time and avoid the elf's assaults. Most of Blödhgarm's blows, however, continued to find their marks, leaving Ryan with the thought that his entire body would be black and blue the next morning. It was to his great relief when Blödhgarm ended the lesson only a few minutes later.

He spoke as they both sheathed their swords, "For a first time, it certainly could have been worse. Your ability to move and the self defense that you know makes this a bit easier, but we still have a long ways to go before I would consider you ready for any fighting". The elf smiled as Ryan he watched Ryan try to control the panting from exerting himself for so long. "Since you have no training in magic, we cannot test you in that, however, Lady Nasuada informed me that you are competent in the art of protecting your mind. We shall now test this, Yamula, could you please do this, I shall supervise." The elf in question nodded and walked over to them. Ryan recognized her as the elf that had scowled at him earlier.

I have a bad feeling about this, but had no time for any other thought as the elf began her mental assault.

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Sirens wailed throughout the city as Hope's garrison equipped themselves and ran to their posts. Hope's defenses were commanded by Barricade, whose twelve-foot height, large shield, and heavy cannon paused any sensible warrior by sight alone. His natural armor was thick and durable and could withstand anything short of magic or very heavy firepower. His personal division specialized in heavy defense, as their commander's name implied. They were equipped with heavy armor and powerful stationary weapons…at least, that's what they would have had if Ryan hadn't chosen to conceal his true potential and thus, his origins. Ryan's army looked like the Roman legions at the height of their glory. Archers covered the walls, along with ballistae mounted inside the towers. Even without the use of modern weapons, Hope was an extremely hard city to overcome.

Unless you were an elf with several centuries of experience in mental warfare, I think this human should be taken down a notch. Their race has no right to be dragon riders. It was we elves that created the bond with dragons! We made this possible! Then the human Galbatorix gets power hungry and decides to kill so many in pursuit of this goal. This is the human's fault! They should not have been granted acceptance into the Riders to begin with! We elves possess a much greater chance of destroying Galbatorix! Not these insolent, prideful younglings! It is time they learned this lesson! Yamula fumed. She looked around at her army, a truly impressive elven army, fully equipped and ready with siege equipment. With a wave of her hand she sent them forward towards the city.

Catapults loosed their payload towards the city walls, answered by others mounted on top of the city's walls. The massive stones flew across the sky, hitting wall and men alike, or, in the case of Ryan's catapults, shattering on the elves command. Siege towers moved forward as the archers and ballistae on the walls desperately tried to bring them down.

Barricade's vibrating voice could be heard among the defenders, "The towers! Knock down the towers! Without them they have no chance"! The defenders redoubled their efforts, succeeding in destroying over a quarter of them. They failed, however, to prevent the elves from reaching the walls, where, even with the defender's superior position and discipline, their superior strength, speed, and use of magic began to systematically clear the outer walls.

Meanwhile, Ryan stood on the observation area atop the capital building, watching the battle play out, Wolf and Rapier stood beside him. "Tell Barricade to fall back to the second level and blow the wall's connections between the first and second after he's through.", Ryan ordered.

"Sir.", Rapier ran inside, where the command center lay, protected by heavy metal shielding and automated defenses.

Ryan surveyed the fighting with his binoculars, This is going worse than I thought. I knew the elves were faster and stronger than humans but I didn't think that they would cut through my first line this easily. Ryan thought. Ryan activated the radio in his ear, "Reaper, this is Command, what's your status over". Reaper stood with his men, preparing to defend the city's main memory database placed between the second and third levels of the city inside a large reinforced concrete bunker.

"This is Reaper, my brothers are in position and await the enemy onslaught, over."

"Roger that Reaper, if this goes south, you have authorization to issue order Dynamic, over.", order Dynamic is what signaled Ryan's army to reveal their true colors, swords would instantly change to M4 carbines, steel armor to Kevlar, cavalry to M1 Abrams tanks, and would cause Commanche attack helicopters and jets reveal their existence. Conventional and rocket artillery stood outside the city, waiting for the order to strike.

"Copy that Command, Reaper out."

Meanwhile, Barricade, with reinforcements from Striker, was barely holding onto the second wall. The elves assault was ferocious and casualties skyrocketed. The invaders were simply too fast, strong, and experienced. Yamula even led her elite bodyguards to breach a small hole in the defensive line, allowing her forces to flow through the gap. Perhaps I shall just find him and end this. This is a truly pathetic resistance, even elven children could put up a better fight! She thought as she ran through the city, with herself and her bodyguards killing any of Ryan's soldiers they came across. The city grew denser and quieter as they moved further in; an impenetrable fog surrounded the group. The soldiers accompanying her began to slow down, wary of any traps the youngling might try to spring. They continued onward, turning onto a street larger than the rest. What they saw surprised them. A single figure stood in front of them, cloaked in the mist. The being looked different than all the other soldiers they had slain. It stood taller than them; its shape obviously giving it a serpentine appearance.

"Step aside or die, child!" Yamula yelled, a smirk growing on her face. Nothing this young one has can stand against me! This is why we should have been chosen. Not one of these weaklings! Yamula scoffed.

The figure stepped forward, revealing itself to be covered in steel grey armor and shouldering many weapons. "You have no business here, elf. I have been tasked with keeping this area secure against any who try to enter without permission. The things stored here are for none but ourselves and those we trust,", a deep voice said, undoubtedly from the being in front of them, "and you are not one of them."

Yamula laughed at the being, "Hahaha! You think you could stand against me? None of your pathetic defenses can! I could easily take this place with the flick of a finger! I shall not be fooled by your deception. I know your master is behind you, let him come out and face me so I can finish this."

"You are a fool. You think this is all we can do? Do you think us weak? Do you think us worthless? No…we are not. There is much more to us than meets the eye, elf. I warn you, leave now or face our wrath.", the figure's voice dripped with barely suppressed rage.

It appears that these illusions are as foolish as their master. Yamula thought. "Very well then, if your master will not come to me, then I must go to him". She motioned to two of her bodyguards and they advanced on the creature, who stood passively as they approached. Ha! This shall be easy. Yamula thought.

The first soldier swung his sword…only to have the creature twirl to the side almost faster than the eye could follow. A crack could be heard as the creature broke the elf's arm and thrust the sword back in its wielder's chest. It pulled a knife from its belt and threw it at the other soldier. The blade sunk into his neck, and he fell with a barely a gurgle.

"I warned you, elf, that we are not to be trifled with. Now you must pay the consequences.", the figure reached over its shoulder, pulling a black sword from its sheath. The name Dauth was inscribed on the blade. The blade seemed to possess a menacing air about it as the creature spoke once more, "This is Reaper, calling all units, Dynamic, I repeat Dynamic!" The mist cleared as hundreds of other of the creatures appeared with strange weapons in their hands. A vengeful roar erupted from them as they stood behind their leader.

"What are you?", Yamula asked, her voice gaining a little uncertainty in its tone.

"We are your worst nighmare. Welcome to our world, child!", the figures charged as a great roar could be heard overhead.

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Dauth: Death

Let's see how an elf can handle a modern battlefield, eh?