Replies from the old story.

RE: Eragon95159 - That would be interesting, but I already did something similar with Inheritance of Skyrim. As for the concept, only partially my thing. I had thought of Akatosh granting Thorn the ability to speak in that but realized it would make him far too powerful at the start. In Alagaesia, Dragons are magic incarnate; it would be like starting a level 1 character in Skyrim. All magic schools are 100, with every perk bought and every spell.

RE: Ghost Dragon Master - Thank you for your continued support. And yes, my Grammar was pretty bad, let's be honest (I know we are our worst critics too).

RE: Selet - You have all kinds of people when it comes to fans. At one extreme end, some adhere to strict canon. You should only have the cross-over character as a passenger who stays out of the way and never becomes more potent than the main characters. Has no effect on the plot or development of the characters, especially the outcome. On the other end, those who believe that such an inserted character should utterly dominate the story and control everything. I even stated that at the beginning, Leonde was at the height of his power. So, very few individuals could match him in terms of strength. The young riders have yet to get that power. You are very correct, especially on Alduin. You cannot harm Alduin without him being under the effect of the Dragonrend shout. If Alduin arrived in Alagaesia when Eragon found Saphira's Egg, Durza would be an Hors d'oeuvre (keep in mind, Alduin consumed souls in Sovengard). Durza wouldn't survive that. And a fight between Galbatorix/Shruiken and Alduin would last only so long as the fight amused Alduin. And Alduin would only be entertained for a short time.

Replies from Revised 2.0

RE: Guest - Well, considering that one of the loading screens of Skyrim says, "Agents of the high elven Aldmeri Dominion are known as Thalmor. They maintain an embassy in Skyrim, and have been known to secretly capture and imprison any Nords who question their doctrines or beliefs." The key word there is 'known,' a secret to everyone. "Add into the fact that many Thalmor patrols in Skyrim in combat will say. "You are but a dog, and I am your master." That and after fighting a war with eleven supremacists (Not unlike fighting a war against a group called the Nazis). I think, YES, he would reflexively distrust any elf who disagrees with him.

RE: Clown2107 - I intend to complete it. I need to adjust things in later chapters to avoid being written into a corner at the end. I wanted to make him a bit more diplomatic ( before I admit I was writing what seemed cool, not what made sense). Even if his only progress in speechcraft is to get the intimidation perk. They are four-legged dragons. I said I was never a fan of Wyvern-style dragons that holds true.

RE: XxKurouxX - Thank you. Now that my life has calmed down, I hope the writing bug will stay.

RE: Fyr RedNight - Thank you very much.

RE: IcelandicDragon217 - Thank you, that means a lot to me.

RE - Thank you.

And thank you to All who replied, and I may have missed some.

Notation.

Editing these chapters differs from writing the story in Grammarly from the beginning. I have to go line by line as I edit so that when I make changes, I will avoid making mistakes, such as rearranging words or selecting words that will throw off the entire story.

As I make adjustments, it often jerks around to different errors it detects and makes editing slow. For example, when I finished writing the previous sentence, it went down to the following error causing me to input text where it did not belong.

Rise of the Dragons

Chapter 3

Battle of Farthen Dur

by R. Reichelderfer

When Eragon fought a fight, it was sudden and short. Now that he had time to anticipate it, it filled him with dread. Beside him, clad in his dark armor, Leonde stood with his boot on a rock, looking out where they expected the Urgals to come from. Above the cave, several men were preparing boiling oils to pour into the mouth of the cave when the time came. Eragon was repulsed; it was a horrible way for anyone to die.

Looking at Leonde, he was amazed that Leonde was so composed and calm. Eragon had to admire his bravery. "I can feel your eyes boring into me, Eragon. What is it you wish to ask?"

"I was thinking about how composed you are. I wonder why you can't be scared of the coming battle?"

There was a roar of laughter that echoed from Leonde. "Not scared? Eragon, I may have incredible hard-earned power. But I assure you. I am as scared as any man here."

The admission startled Eragon. Even Saphira listened as Leonde explained. "Courage Eragon, true courage is not a lack of fear. True courage is being afraid yet standing tall, strong, and doing your job regardless of the fear you face. Any man who says he is not scared of this battle is lying to you or a fool you should be very wary of. When I faced down Alduin, Who was twice the size of Odahviing. I was terrified. And I fought and faced him twice."

Pushing off the rock as Leonde turned from the front line as Arya came closer, "I wanted to... apologize." Her tone halted when she said the last word. "My ancestors came to Alagaesia many thousands of years ago. It was foolish of me to assume that any kin my people had across the oceans would have a similar culture as mine. But I have a question for you."

Leonde had suppressed his emotions towards Arya. He could not afford to let his anger influence any action he took in the coming battle. "You may ask; I will answer as truthfully as our surroundings permit. But I may ask a question in return then." Turning to lift his helmet up, Leonde took his Wine Skin and took a drink from it, offering it to Eragon and motioning for him to pass it around."

"The spells you used against the Twins. Knocking them back, What manner of magic is this? It is unlike anything I have seen or heard of. It is like raw power unleashed."

Turning to face the cave again, Leonde said, "It is the language of Dragons, and the language is power. In mythic times, Dragons spoke only in true need, for their power could darken the sun and flood the lands. Thus, if you traveled to my lands and saw two dragons breathing fire and ice at each other," Arya said.

"They are engaging in a deadly verbal debate." Leonde smiled at her and nodded.

"But it is not like learning a language. You could pick up a scroll with all the words in the Dov Tongue, learn it and speak with a dragon in their language. But learning the dragon tongue and using the Thu'um are two very different things. You can understand the words, but to use them as a Shout, you must take their meaning into yourself and know the word as a dragon does."

As he listened, Murtagh asked, "Can you teach us this Magic?"

"I intend to teach you all, that includes you too, Arya, that and more. But for most, it takes long years of study, contemplation, and meditation on the Words of Power to truly comprehend their meaning. Your bonds with your dragons will likely speed the learning process up. But I don't know."

"Now you have mentioned this Ancient language; explain it to me, please?" Leonde

Arya gave him a summary, about as in-depth as he explained of the Thu'um. She explained that It was used to command and regulate magic. Each act of magic was linked to a specific word. Therefore, the more knowledge one had of the Ancient Language, the more magic one could perform. It was impossible to lie in the Ancient Language because the words spoken in it were unquestionably true. Because of the candid nature of the language, oaths of allegiance and similar contracts were usually conducted in it, ensuring they would not be broken. However, they could be twisted to be ineffective if the one who made the oath left enough loopholes in their wording.

Leonde was thinking about her words; he turned to Eragon and said, "If I harm you, Saphira may tear me to pieces. Repeat after me."

The statement made Eragon open his eyes and blink before looking at Saphira and Arya. Eragon agreed. Leonde spoke, "Dovahkiin, Un Vaat Wah Himi Mu Kos Aar Mahfaeraak." It took a little bit, but Eragon repeated it as Leonde had to coach him through it. It was at that point, Leonde said.

"Here is a rough translation of what you said. Dragonborn, We swear to serve you as slaves forever." The revelation of that trick had made Eragon shocked; even Saphira growled as he held his hand up. "I have proven my point. Suppose the dragon language was as binding as this ancient language. In that case, I assume even without knowing what he was saying, he would be bound to me in service, correct Arya?"

Realizing the point he was making, "Yes, speaking such an oath even without knowing what you are saying will bind you to it."

"In that case, you will teach us all about this language when traveling to your people. I will not have Eragon, Murtagh, nor myself be tricked into any oath. And I imagine there will be a number we must take while there. And I will not speak any unknown language that could have an oath of fealty slipped into it. Would you, Arya? Would it take much for an oath to have the five following words slipped in, and I will obey you."

Arya realized he had valid points, and closing her eyes, she said, "Very well, I will teach you all I know of the Ancient Language." Her desire to keep her temper made her ask. "You honestly do not trust any elf, do you?"

Turning his head suddenly, Leonde looked behind him to the Tunnel as Arya's attention was also diverted. "It has begun." She said with some sadness. Her eyes looked over at Ajihad's group, and she could see the massive form of Odahviing clawing and raking the ground despite the darkness. His massive jaws opened and snapped shut. He was eager to fight. This would be a slaughter unlike any here had seen. She actually pitied the Urgals and Kull.

As a runner came from the cave warning of the approaching hordes, It was at that point that Odahviing lifted his head and roared out, "Dovahkiin, what are your Orders?"

Lifting his voice so everyone could hear, Arya realized that he was giving Odahviing full free reign in this battle. And in her mind and deep in her soul, she was terrified. As he commanded, she pleaded, "Dragonheart, do not summon the Dragon."

But as he spoke the words of absolute coldness, he was going to do one thing. This was to prove his strength, his power, and his dominion. And the words spoken cold and harshly as he unshackles one dragon, the summoned forth the other. Even now, the terrible power, the scent of death, came through the air.

And with it, Saphira moved back; for once in her short life, she knew only fear as the words were spoken. Murtagh in the Saddle of Thorn felt the fear of his own dragon. All of them backstepping as he spoke cold and cruel words.

"Odahviing, Durnehviir, take heed; here are your orders. The Winged Snow Hunter shall stain the ground crimson. Cursed with Undeath, you shall stain the enemy scarlet. I would know my foes by the stains of red you leave upon their chests. Now search and destroy. SEARCH AND DESTROY! Run them down, do not let them leave the Caldera alive.

Then Odahviing lifted his head and, with a mighty roar, said, "Yes, Dovahkiin, it shall be done as you command!" The voice echoed throughout the Caldera.

"From the land of the dead, He who is Cursed with Undeath, I call upon you to fulfill your oath of service once more. Heed my call when I speak your name, rise from the land of the dead. RISE FROM THE SOUL CAIRN, DUR NEH VIIR!"

And then, as the Urgals advanced from the cave, A massive tear ripped open the ground of Farthen Dur, cutting across the path of the Urgals. Flames and hell fire spewed up, cutting the mass of Urgals and Kull off from Eragon, Saphira.

Everyone was aghast and horrified as a massive skull tore from the ground; only the tattered remains of scales and flesh hung from the boney face. The enormous tattered wings pulled out of the ground as the undead dragon opened his massive jaws, and a voice rang out, "I hear you, Qahnaarin; it shall be done!"

The Massive dragon roared out as he pulled himself from the Abyss. Two massive wings pulled out from the fissure. Tattered flesh remains hung between the wing bones as the enormous dragon was equal in size to Odahviing. The sound of bones clattering and scales scraping against each other as the dragon turned his head to the Urgals and Kull. Opening his mouth, the dragon roared out. As nearly as large as Odahviing, the Skeletal dragon roared out.

FO KRAH DIIN

And a massive sheet of ice and wind erupted from the undead dragon's empty maw, covering them in unrelenting sheets of ice and snow. Their charge slowed as they resumed their assault ice covered the battlefield before Eragon left the Urgals, and Kull froze in their place. With a massive swing of his tail, The Undead Dragon slashed through the Urgals, shattering the frozen Urgals and Kull the way Saphira would smashed trees with her own tail.

Looking to where Ajihad's ground was defending against the Urgal army with the aid of Odahviing. He watched as Odahviing tore through the ranks of Urgals and Kull, using streams of fire, ice, and cold, his tail.

"DURNEHVIIR, This field of battle is ours; aid the Dwarven King; protect him and his kin as you would protect my life!"

"I hear and obey Qahnarrin!" at that point, the massive undead dragon began to stomp off as he headed toward the battlefield led by King Hrothgar. Eragon and Murtagh watched as Leonde drew both swords and then charged at the Urgals and Kull. Leaving everyone on Leonde's side of the battle stunned into disbelief.

On the Field of Battle, Ajihad understood, at last, the full power of the man came before him. Dragonheart. Demon, Devil, God? What force had sent such a powerful individual to them in their darkest hour? And more so, what would his price be in the end. As the massive skeletal dragon leaped out from whatever void had claimed it and marched off to aid King Hrothgar, Ajihad looked to Odahviing. The sheer power the dragon unleashed.

Odahviing wasted little time marching his way into the heart of the Urgal and Kull onslaught. Slashing with claws, he watched as Urgals and Kull were torn in half. Blood splattering over the red scales, Odahviing lifted up one massive leg and brought it down hard, making the ground tremble as he crushed Urgals underfoot.

Readying his men as archer held their fire, Urgals streamed from the cave before Odahviing, a great host trying to Focus on the dragon. But many more pushed past the dragon to reach the Varden's forces behind him. Turning his head to spy on the troops that had gotten past him, the dragon lifted his tail, slammed it into the ground, and swept it across the land. The earth-shaking force as it battered down the Urgals and Kull. Spreading his wings high, and with a massive flap came a gust of wind that knocked many more off guard.

Opening his mouth, Odahviing roared out.

YOL TOOR SHUL

And fire erupted from his jaws hotter than any Ajihad had expected as the rocks around the Urgals. They were engulfed in flames that glowed orange hot from the magical fire that tore across the battlefield, destroying their enemies. Ajihad wondered as Odahviing tore apart the Urgal army, /What kind of man is Dragonheart? How could he stand against such power?/

As the Urgals and Kull swung swords and axes. Very few of those weapons found a way through his hard scales. The Urgals and Kull had been unprepared to deal with such a giant dragon. As a result, their armor and weapons had been designed to kill men, not hurt dragons. They could have been sharper than they were. The dragon pointed his head and muzzle at the cave and unleashed a new power.

FUS RO DAH

Watching as columns of Urgals collapsed. Knocked aside as quickly as he had once hit some chess pieces from his chess board in anger. How could anyone stand against this level of power? Much less kill a Dragon. Ajihad knew that Dragons like Saphira and Thorn could not use their magic consciously, thanks to Arya. And if Leonde could stand against this... how much stronger could he be. What was his full power? For once, Ajihad had hope, hope against Galbatorix. Hope that the King and his Dragon could be faced and defeated. And as Odahviing flapped his wings to the air, he could only hope that Leonde, when and if he met Galbatorix, would destroy each other, as would Shruikan and Odahviing. But if he was not, could he take the risk of Leonde assuming the Throne in Uru'Baen?

Such an abomination, King Hrothgar and his Dwarves were horrified as the massive skeletal dragon marched on their position. Despite the objections of the Dwarven King, Leonde had summoned the creature. Fears came that the beast would tear through the Dwarven forces as it Roared out.

"Stay your weapons, Dwemer; the Dovahkiin's command is my bond!" And the undead dragon strode past the Dwarves, who were in shock and awe. As the dragon unleashed his voice, he roared out.

FUS RO DAH

The wave of force knocked the Urgals and Kull backward as the dragon unleashed a swing of his tail. Unlike Odahviing, Durnehviir was more agile. One of the benefits of being composed chiefly of bone. His tail spun around as he lashed out with it, as the bone spikes and ribs made to support his tail made a deadly weapon. The tail swept through, slashing and impaling many of the enemies. The Undead dragon felt the enemy's weapons upon his body as they hacked and smashed upon his boney form. Durnehviir was not worried. If he was killed, he would simply reform in the Soul cairn. Slashing with his claws, he tore through a number of the Urgals, who roared and screamed in pain.

Durnehviir lifted his head and roared out,

DIIL QOTH ZAAM

And at that, dozens of forms tore out of the ground; black skeletons with weapons ranging from swords to bows began to appear. Skeleton-like figures whose lower extremities were nothing more than a cloud of Mist with a dark blue-black vapor. Finally, Armored skeletons with weapons came out of the ground, advancing on the Urgals and Kull. With no fear of death, the undead forces at the command of Durnehviir began to attack. There was no quarter shown, none asked. Slashing out with jagged bone claws, Durnehviir tore into the forces attacking. Once the shock had worn off of the Dwarves, they surged into battle. Greeting the Urgals and Kull that escaped through the line of undead soldiers. Those that escaped the Wrath of Durnehviir passed through his undead forces. Met an end on the spears, swords, and axes of the dwarves.

At first, Leonde was the only one fighting the Urgals and Kull. Leonde experienced a thousand battles, was fully armed and armored and knew how to conserve his energy and magicka. In one hand, he held a blade, Yol-Strun. Fire Storm. Enchanted with a deadly fire and shock enchantment, he struck the Kull with the supernatural sharpness of the Daedric blade. No fear, no anger, no hatred.

His right hand struck with the force of superhuman strength. That was because of his armor. For many years after personally forging his Daedric Armor, he had labored to produce a powerful enchanting potion. Each piece of his armor held two enchantments. His boots increased his speed and muffled any sound from walking. His speed was three times faster with them than an average human. His gauntlets held two enchantments each. The right gauntlet increased his strength and stamina regeneration. Making him three or four times stronger than any human.

His left gauntlet was enchanted to increase his Agility and Magicka Regeneration. His armor was his greatest strength. It was also his greatest weakness. Without it... while he was hard as hell to put down. He had power, speed, and agility equal to any human in peak conditions.

Watching the Urgals and Kull, he slashed across one Urgal's belly, and it cut through the armor, and the skin as Leonde watched his insides spill out. Turning the Daedric blade over, he spun his sword to take his head off, watching as his horned head fell from his shoulders.

Leonde kept moving through the Urgal ranks as he watched a Kull Lunge at him. Leonde lifted his left hand as lightning crackled along his hand. He charged the magic in his fist and unleashed the chain lightning spell. It tore into the Kull, making him scream out as the bolt tore through his chest, into his heart, stopping it, and then jumped from him into an Urgal, staggering him, as it leaped to two more Urgals.

As he fell to the ground, the Kull began to transform into white ash as the other Urgals staggered around. After the first jolt, after it jumped from each new victim, the spell lost power. Chain lightning was not the most powerful spell he knew, but the ability to attack multiple enemies made it potent. Also, it allowed him to use it much more often.

His magical energy was fully restored in the time it took to just charge the spell and breath deeply. His thunderbolt, ice spear, or incinerate were more powerful, but they consumed more energy and only hit one target. Slashing his sword across the knees of one of the Kull, he watched the being drop to those bloody knees as Leonde continued to lash out, spinning around as he took the Kull's head off.

Finally, a Dragon's roar behind him caused Leonde to look behind him as he watched Saphira eventually charge into battle. Unleashing her flame to protect Leonde from his rear attackers as he unleashed a more focused spell. Evening Thorn and Murtagh Lunged into action, ignoring the directions that Leonde had given them. Still, to him, it was pleasing that the two brothers found side by side. Watching the young Dragons fight as well for the future of their race. Saphira Leonde noticed she was fighting with the power of a rabid animal. Lashing out with tail, wings, and claws. Her jaws Snapped and bit as she tore through the enemy with sheer savagery. As if she was attempting to match the fury of Odahviing.

The fury made her blind-sighted as Leonde watched a Kull rush up on her with a massive axe, and as she turned her head to try and deflect the blow, she was caught off guard by the Kull as Leonde unleashed an Ice Spear. The spear of ice flew from his hand, plunging into the back and out the chest of the Kull. Making him roar and scream in pain as he gripped the bloody spear protruding from his chest. Eragon was surprised as Saphira used her new fire and unleashed her full rage burning the Kull to Death.

"SAPHIRA!" Leonde bellowed, getting her attention as he grabbed an Urgal from behind. He plunged his blade into the creature's back and out through his chest, instantly killing him. As the sword was removed, he roared out now that he had her attention.

"Control yourself. This is no time to give into blood lust or bravado! You Must Focus!" As Leonde yelled, a Kull hit Leonde from behind with his massive war hammer, knocking him through the air and landing on his back. Thorn jumped through the air to the offending Kull and clawed at him, biting and raking with his talons. An Arrow fired from behind pierced the Kull's head killing him as Leonde recovered.

At this point, Saphira focused more and clear-minded as Leonde once more resumed battle, rushing headlong into the Urgals and Kull. This time wielding two blades. And with Leonde, he performed a deadly dance of death. For Eragon was amazed and left in awe of Leonde, he moved with skill and grace. Speed and effectiveness. Seeing him plunge his swords into the stomach of an Urgal that rushed upon him and withdrew the blades. Eragon looked around at the sea of Urgals and Kull wondering where the Urgal commander was. Eragon signaled to Saphira mentally, then he signaled to Murtagh and Thorn as the pair took to the air.

Saphira took off; she spread her wings and took to the Skies. Speaking with Murtagh, Eragon's mind touched Murtagh's mind and said. /We need to find the Urgal Commander so we can kill him./

Murtagh understood as Arya was on the back of Thorn. Eragon was amazed that Thorn could carry Arya. He was roughly the same size as Saphira when the pair left home to hunt the Raz'ac. She had struggled to fly with Eragon and Garrow. /Remember Thorn had been forced to flee and fly fast for many months. I spent several weeks able to rest and lounge growing up. He's spent all that time on the run./ Saphira told Eragon. Explaining why Thorn was so strong and tough for his young age.

From the air, they could see the battle on all three fronts Odahviing was slaughtering the Urgals. Recalling the directions Ajihad had given him to communicate with Triana to relate the instructions Leonde gave her. As he shared this with her, she understood and said the battle was going well. Ajihad and Hrothgar were doing well cleaning up the Urgals escaping from Odahviing and Durnehviir. Turning his eyes to Hrothgar's battlefield, he could see the skeletal dragon tearing apart the Urgals and Kull.

Enjoying the slaughter as his boney talons rent the Kull. Arrows and spears did little good against his boney frame, but he roared in anger as suddenly he collapsed. As his bones crumbled into Dust, a massive dark purple light shimmered around him.

With a mighty mental shout, he told Leonde, /Dragonheart, Durnehviir!/ Leonde responded...

/Don't worry; he has simply returned to the Soul Cairn. He's fine./

/Can't you re-summon him?/ Arya asked

/Not for a full day, aid Hrothgar. That is an order./

Saphira and Thorn swooped down to aid Hrothgar as Saphira dived down. When she was in range, she unleashed a stream of blue fire; it produced a barrier between the Urgals and Hrothgar's men, giving them the breathing room to pull back and regroup. A massive roar of pain drew Eragon's attention, looking over at Odahviing as the dragon took to the air. This caused winds to whip up strong enough to equal the strength of the storm he had faced on the Plains when he left Carvahal. Even in the darkness, he could see blood dripping from many wounds.

The Might dragon flapped his wings, gaining altitude as he soared around the battlefield to catch his breath and rest. Perhaps even heal as well. He had no idea how strong Odahviing was or how much he could take. The Massive dragon turned around and unleashed a mighty gout of flame. The dragon's fire was drawn out and long, near the opening of the caves producing a firewall barrier as the ground ignited in flames.

At that point, Saphira and Thorn came crashing down on some Urgals, crushing them as they aided Hrothgar. At that point, a massive Kull had managed to run up and, with a mighty hammer, smash the armor of Saphira, crumpling and deforming the plates and making her roar out as Eragon defended Saphira.

"Jerida!" And with that, the Kull's neck was broken as Saphira took off again. Thorn joined them with Murtagh and Arya. The group headed to the Dragonhold to help Saphira.

Leonde's stamina was doing well despite the frenzy. Trianna's voice rang out in his mind to tell him Saphira had been hurt and that a terrible sound was coming from beneath Tronjheim.

Looking at the massive fortress, he unleashed his Thu'um to Summon Odahviing. The enormous dragon roared pure rage as the gigantic dragon landed with an earth-shaking thud.

Crushing almost a Legion of Urgals underfoot, Odahviing lowered his body and head as he came to jump onto the Neck of Odahviing. The massive dragon took to the Sky and angled to the Mighty Fortress, as Leonde said. "Odahviing, You must aid the Varden on the field of battle. I must take the battle to Durza!"

"The Enemy will learn true fear and terror this day Dovahkiin!" His massive jaws were foaming with nearly uncontrolled blood lust as he said. For Odahviing, this was pure ecstasy unleashing his primal instincts, instincts to Conquer and destroy. In ancient times, he served Alduin Faithfully and enjoyed ruling over the masses of mortals and elves as slaves.

After his defeat at the hands of the Dovahkiin, Odahviing's own defeat, then the death of Alduin, Odahviing may have been headstrong. Still, he knew that with the power the mortals had developed in their long absence. The reign of dragons was truly over. Never again would they be masters of Nirn.

The massive wings carried Odahviing aloft up to the roof of the Dragon's Roost as he sailed into the roost. As the enormous dragon landed on the star sapphire, it sent a shutter and tremor, sending an echoing boom throughout the massive fortress to its foundation. Arya and Eragon struggled to get Saphira out of her armor. Arya came up to ask, "What is Wrong?"

"Invaders are tunneling into Tronjheim. Stay here to protect the Dragons and two riders. I will deal with the Invaders." Looking around, he asked, "How do I get down quickly?"

Eragon said, "There's a slide the Dwarves use!" He pointed his way as Leonde ran off as fast as he could. Odahviing began to take to the air; his wings carried him vertically and back to battle. Looking at the slide, he also saw a collection of blankets that he could use to provide some protection.

His path took him in a long spiral past several levels. Leonde needed to stay as flat as possible to avoid being thrown out off the slide. Finally clearing his mind, Leonde hit bottom as he slid across the floor, and, reaching down to grab hold of the floor, he was sent spinning across the smooth stone floor. Making him impact the wall.

Leonde may have been a mighty warrior and highly skilled magic user. But that spin made him dizzy as he started to get up. He felt like he had been drinking without the pleasure of enjoying the Ale or Mead. Finally collecting himself, Leonde stood up, drawing his sword. He could hear a thumping sound, and after looking around, he could see he was in a chamber of some sort; two great doors stood outside. As Leonde felt a surge of magic, the room's ground exploded upwards, showering the place with stone.

As the shower of stone rained, Leonde stood in his dark armor, holding his arm over to shield his eyes. He could see the Urgals pouring out and then. His eyes laid on a being that he instantly identified as Durza; he was wearing a snakeskin cloak. It would make a nice Trophy.

Along with his sword, The Urgals began to spread out as Leonde took a battle stance. He wore black and red armor and carried a shield on his arm; Leonde could see the scratch running down the length of the blade. Ajihad must be a powerful man, he thought, scratching a sword.

His maroon eyes and nearly translucent skin marked him as an abomination. Leonde could feel the evil rolling off this man as Durza had the Urgals fan out and surround Leonde. And with an arrogant hiss, he said, "You have been a horrible inconvenience to me."

Leonde listened to the shade's words, and Leonde could not believe the arrogance of this being.

"You would make me a very powerful servant, with me as your master. I can teach you secrets of darkness no men have ever heard. You power will be second only to mine when my plans are complete. This is your only chance for a surrender. Submit to me as your master!" Durza commanded. "Your powers are no match for me. Drop your weapons, order your dragon to slaughter the Varden. Or I will show you the true meaning of power! Submit to true power, or die."

The next sound Leonde gave was a chuckle before he burst out into a full-on menacing laugh. "Power you? HA! I sundered the barrier between the land of the living and the land of the dead, summoning an undead dragon to do my bidding. You dare consider yourself my superior, much less my equal? HA!"

The sheer audacity of this being, this creature. To even think that Durza could match his power. Summoning the Thu'um, Leonde roared out, unleashing his shout. Three words left his throat as Durza attempted to cast a spell to stop Leonde. He had underestimated the strength of the enchantments on Leonde's armor as Leonde unleashed his power.

MUL QAH DIIV

And an explosion of power from Leonde erupted from him as the energy swirled around him, wrapping about him in the form of Eldrich armor on top of his own Daedric armor. Durza opened his eyes wide and felt something he had rarely felt before as the sheer level of power radiated over Leonde's Form. Only in the presence of Galbatorix had Durza felt this feeling. Fear. He was afraid.

Arms and legs clad in glowing dragon-like scales. His chest held an Arua of a massive cuirass combined with a helm forged of pure magic, a dragon's head clearly seen with all the details. Jaws held in a vicious snarl, and two massive draconic wings were from his back. And the energy felt so familiar to the shade. And it took only a brief moment for Durza to realize it. It was soul energy; when Durza summoned spirits, it had the same feeling; this being was not mortal; no, he held the soul of a dragon! And it made Durza step back once as he heard the deep, growling voice.

"POWER?! YOU, HAH! YOUR POWER? I AM POWER!" He roared at the top of his lungs, shaking the room.

And at that point, Durza felt more power as the words reached his ears.

HUN KAAL ZOOR

And behind, Leonde shimmered into three ghost-like beings, each like humans. One held a man in full plate armor held, a massive great sword, A woman had a great axe, and the old man in robes held a single blade. It was the woman who said. "Once more, we three fight at your side Dragonborn as we did in Sovengard; once more, we are honored to draw our blades in your defense!"

Able to feel the energy, Durza realized that these three spirits were very strong and powerful, each as strong as the three spirits inside him. And to Durza's horror, Leonde was not excreting any active control over them. And just before he could process how to handle the situation, the four of them launched themselves into battle. Leonde's speed, strength, and agility took Durza by surprise. Barely about to avoid a blow that was intended to pierce his heart. He used his shield and sword to clash with his enemy as the three spirits took to battling the Urgals and Kull providing protection from attacks.