A/N : Hey guys, before you start reading these new chapters of 'A God in Alagaësia', I have some things to tell you.
-First of all, thank you for the people who recently commented on my story and I also want to thank you for following and/or favoring it. It warm my heart to see that you are liking it.
-Secondly, sorry if I take some times between chapters : work is a really hard… and I have many personal problems to deal with.
-Thirdly, if you don't like my story then don't read it !
Now that everything was said, I will leave you alone so you can read this story in peace. GOOD EVERYONE AND ENJOY THE STORY !
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Locked in a cell, Eragon was thinking : ever since he woke up after being knocked down, he had to deal with lack of water because he forced himself not to drink. Why ? Because of the drugs his gaolers put in it. He also discovered that he was in the prison of his dream… after he had seen two soldiers dragging the elf he saw in his dreams down the hallway.
She was even better to look at in real life than in his dream : she was a stunningly beautiful elf with almond-shaped green eyes, long raven-black hair and tawny skin… even despite the numerous wounds and injuries on her body.
Apart of this, he also met a Shade !
The crimson haired thing had come to gloat to him for his victory over capturing him… but thankfully, was forced to go to attend something important. However, before leaving, the Shade had told the guard to make sure Eragon would drink… while promising the boy to return the next day.
But the young Rider will not give him that satisfaction.
Right now, he was waiting for the perfect opportunity to escape… while wondering if Saphira and the others were alright. However, he quickly dismissed his doubts : his friends were strong… they can take of themselves.
Soon, Eragon noticed that his cell was plunged in the darkness and he understood its meaning : the night must have fell in Gil'ead and by now, the young rider could feel that his magic was back ! For hours, he had tried to use it but to no avail… look like Luck was with him again !
Slowly, he got back on his legs, which were weak from hunger, but his excitement overcame his hunger and once he was standing straight, Eragon reached out with his mind and soon, he felt the lock on the door. Silently, he pushed its internal mechanism into the unlocked position… and with a click, the door opened.
As he stepped out of his cell, his mind was focused on two tasks : finding Zar'roc and the Elf. Both tasks will be difficult as the sword was surely with that Shade while the Elf was in one of the countless of cells composing this large prison. But then he realized that he won't be able to do that alone… he was not strong enough to take on a Shade on his current state… or even the many soldiers guarding the area.
If only Valhir or Saphira were here…
Wait a minute !
How could he be so stupid ?!
'Saphira ! Where are you? I need your help !' he called out for his dragon while cursing himself for almost forgetting the fact he could have called her sooner.
Much to his joy, his beloved Dragon answered him after a moment of silence 'Eragon ! Don't move ! Me, Murtagh and Brom are on the way to get you !'
'What about Valhir ?' he asked her with a frown once he noticed the fact she hadn't mentioned him.
This time, his answer came in a different way : outside, a thunderous roar echoed in the air.
A roar he was familiar with …
VALHIR !
Soon enough, Eragon was forced to spin around, crouching as a squad of six soldiers marched into the hall… only to stop abruptly as their eyes flicked back and forth between him and the open cell door. For a minute, the soldiers looked deadly pale… as if they had seen a ghost.
"CHARGE !" one of the soldiers cried out and soon, the squad charged him with their weapons draw.
Eragon was about to defend himself by using magic… when one of the men crashed to the floor with a cry of pain and surprise as an arrow struck him in the back. Then, before anyone could move, two more soldiers were struck… one with an arrow and the other with a knife.
The remaining soldiers and Eragon turned their ends to see where were the attackers… and they saw them. At the end of the hall, where the soldiers had entered, stood two figures : a ragged, bearded man with a bow and a very familiar old man.
"Brom !" Eragon silently cried out in his head with joy and happiness.
"But who is that man ? Could it be…" he wondered to himself but was forced to stop as the remaining soldiers turned around to deal with the newcomers.
Using this momentum as an opportunity, Eragon struck "Thrysta!"
One of the soldiers suddenly clutched his chest before falling and Eragon staggered as his use of magic was making him weaker. At th same time, the others soldiers were deal with as one fell with the neck pierced by an arrow.
There was only one soldier left… and he was pinned down by Brom who looked ready to kill him.
"Don't kill him!" Eragon cried out to his mentor… but it seemed that it was unnecessary as Brom only pressed the blade against the man's neck.
"Where is the elf ? We know you have her, so speak ! Unless you want my sword to pass through your body !" the storyteller roared at the soldier who looked pale and scared for his life.
"The elf is in the last cell ! To the left !" the soldier quickly answered, hoping to be sparred.
"Where is my sword ?" Eragon harshly asked the man as he was being helped by the ragged looking old man.
"I don't know about your sword, but it's probably in the guardroom upstairs ! All the weapons are there !" was his answer.
"Thank you for your cooperation… Slytha !" Eragon whispered the last part and his word caused the soldier's eyes to roll up his head before collapsing.
"Did you kill him ?" the ragged old man asked him.
"Murtagh ? Is that you ?" Eragon asked him with wide eyes.
"Yes ! I don't want my face to be seen… and you didn't answer my question..."
Eragon opened his mouth to answer but Brom was quicker "He didn't… he is asleep…"
"Good to see you alive, Eragon !" the old man said to the rider with a tiny smile.
"Its good to see you two again !" the young rider answered to his mentor with a wide smile.
"Sadly, there is no time for reunion...We have an elf to save and a sword to retrieve !" Brom said in a hurried tone.
Just as those words escaped his mouth, another thunderous roar echoed in the air.
"What's going on out there ?" Eragon asked his companions as they walked away from their previous spot.
"Valhir is luring all the soldiers to him… Saphira is waiting for our call… she is our ticket to escape..." Brom answered his student in a grave tone.
"Do you think he will be okay ?" Murtagh asked them with a curious raised eyebrow.
A thunderous roar echoed in the air just as he finished talking along with cries of alarm and fear.
"I think he will be fine..." Brom answered with a chuckle and a smirk.
The two young men chuckled alongside him before they left to find the elf. As they walked, Eragon couldn't help but smirking as he knew the soldiers outside were surely suffering casualties under his white friend's claws.
And he was right…
Outside, in the courtyard of the prison, Erik released another roar as he swiped at the soldiers around him, sending them flying in all directions. Unlike Urgals, humans were easier to deal with as Erik swatted at them like flies, no matter how many charged at him.
A few minutes earlier, he had been hiding in the forest near the entrance of Gil'ead, waiting for Brom's call. Him and Murtagh would enter the city to infiltrate the prison and once they were there, they would call him out to act as distraction.
At first, they had wanted to use Saphira as bait but Erik had refused, stating that he was not going to stay back and let them risk their lives. Brom had warned that, if he did this, then the King and the entire Empire would know of his existence but Erik didn't care.
In the end, they all accepted to have Erik acting as the distraction.
After moments of waiting, Brom gave him the call and, releasing an almighty roar, eyes blazing in fury, the Massive WHite Bear charged out of his hiding place making for the gates. The soldiers who were guarding it tried to stop him but he quickly killed them before destroying the destroyed gates with a thunderous roar.
He could hear screams of fear or cries of alarm echoing throughout the city due to the noise he made and his roar but he didn't care as he rushed straight toward the prison, killing any guards standing in his path. Soon he heard screams and alarm bells coming from the fortress.
Good, that mean more soldiers were heading toward him and deserting the fortress.
Which meant less trouble for his companions.
Ignoring the people scrambling for cover, fleeing for their lives, the White Bear kept running toward the fortress. He could feel the arrows landing on him but they didn't hurt...to him, the arrows were similar to bee stings.
Soon enough, Erik saw the gates of the fortress standing a few feet away before him… and of course, they were closed.
However, that will not stop him !
With a deep grow, the White Bear bowed his head before ramming into the gates, destroying them with his supernatural strength. Standing above the remains of the gates, Erik took a moment to regain his senses as the gates were tougher than he thought they were. After shaking his head a few times, the White Bear then looked up and saw dozens of platoons of soldiers and archers in front of him with their weapons at the ready.
Smirking darkly, Erik went to stand on his hind-legs, towering over the lines of soldiers in front of him who whimpering slightly at the sight of how tall he was. Without warning, he pounded his chest with a fist before opening his jaws to release a mighty roar.
The soldiers and archers all took a step back in fear, momentarily to scared to move but soon, they regained their senses when Erik's large form charged at them with another powerful roar, throwing them everywhere while slashing and tearing them apart with his sharp fangs and claws. Arrows fell on him like rain but it did nothing to deter his rage or stop his moves.
Usually, he would say something as he killed enemies but he didn't want the enemy to know he could talk… let them think he is just a strange White Bear.
Erik didn't know how long he had been killing soldiers but it felt like an eternity.
But, for some reason, he wasn't bothered by the fact he was killing HUMANS… members of a specie he once belonged to.
Was he loosing himself ? Or was he becoming more and more like the very creature he had resurrected into ?
For months, he had lived as a bear not as a human… so he had no reason to see himself in them anymore.
Anyway, at some point, Erik destroyed a building which was probably an armory or something similar because dozens of destroyed weapons (bows, spears, swords…) laid on the ground around him . In addition, there were burlap bags and barrels of oil laying alongside the weapons.
However, the White Bear's main attention was on the battle as soon, mages joined the fray as, in the air, echoed the screams of terror and cries for help from villagers all around the city.
Yeah, he was making quite a mess !
However, despite his current state, Erik noticed something: until now, he had only seen soldiers, whether they were archers, common soldiers or mages, but he did not see Durza once.
Where was this damn Shade ?!
A sense of dread passed through his body for a moment : if the Shade wasn't out there with the soldiers then that's means…
He was at the fortress !
Quickly, he tried to rush to the fortress but something strong crashed against his side, causing him to grunt in annoyance as he was pushed a few feet away from his previous spot… while still standing on his four legs. Raising his head, his blue eyes glared at a group of mages who came out of the shadows and was now facing him.
"Fine… I will deal with you first… then that master of yours !" he roared internally to himself before charging the mages with a roar of fury.
They tried to attack him but quickly, they were teared apart by an enraged White Bear who easily destroyed them. Erik took a moment to glare down at the mangled corpses on the ground before snorting in disgust as he made his way toward the fortress…
… only to be stopped by a call from Saphira.
'Valhir !' there was a hint of horror and alarm in her tone, which put him on edge.
'What is it ?' he asked her telepathically, wondering what had happened to make her like this.
'We are leaving the city ! We saved the elf !' Saphira answered him.
'That's good ! But why do you sound to alarmed ?' he asked her in confusion.
If they saved the elf and Eragon, then why does the young Dragoness sound to panicked ?
The answer he got was not what he expected…
'Brom ! He is gravely wounded ! The Shade… it tried to kill Eragon but Brom saved him by jumping in front of him ! The wound is too important to be healed… '
At those words, Erik stiffened as he froze, shocked beyond anything as his eyes widened in horror, surprise and shock. For a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped: the cries and screams of the soldiers or the frightened inhabitants of Gil'ead disappeared and the movements around him became blurred.
In the middle of this strange atmosphere, our hero stood there, motionless, with an expression of pure shock on his face while his mind was nothing but chaos as a myriad of questions passed through his head.
How could this happen ?
He had prevented Brom's original death at Dras-Leona !
How could this possible ?!
His heart ached immensely as memories of all the good times he had with Brom passed through his mind.
A part of him felt responsible for this : if he hadn't allowed Eragon to be capture, they wouldn't have been there in the first place and Brom would be fine !
Erik felt like he was back in time when his beloved father, his hero, was terribly ill... and close to death. Ever since he joined his friends in this quest, he had swore to protect them from harm… and yet, Brom was hurt.
And he might not survive this…
Clenching his fists, Erik closed his eyes as he felt like a heavy weight was falling on his shoulders : it was his fault… but there was another one responsible for this.
Durza.
The Shade did this… and he will pay… him, the King and those soldiers…
They… Will... All… PAY !
Back in the courtyard, the soldiers, seeing that their enemy was no longer moving, moved closer to attack him... but they soon froze when the polar bear let out a growl so deep that the earth itself shook. But then, they backed away in fear when Erik re-opened his eyes, which were shining in a bright blue light, while lightnings could be seen forming around his massive form.
At the same time, the ground shook as the sky filled itself with dark clouds and thunder. Erik ignored all of this, as his attention was on the soldiers before he opened his mouth for the first time to speak in a deep tone that sounded like the rumble of thunder.
"To hell with secrecy… to hell with the Empire… To hell with Galbatorix... Tonight, I hide no more... Tonight... this wretched city will be no more !" With every word coming out of his mouth, thunder rumbled violently above the place, scaring the soldiers even more.
But when the last word was said, a gigantic lightning bolt struck our hero as he released a thunderous roar.
At the same time, on a cliff overlooking the city and well out of sight, Saphira was standing with her rider and Murtagh who were making sure Brom and the Elf were comfortable.
"Where is Valhir ?" Brom asked them weakly as he glanced around but not seeing their white friend among the people around him.
"He is still in the city, fighting..." Murtagh answered him while sitting next to Eragon.
"You have to call him ! He can't keep fighting like this all night !" the wounded storyteller told them before coughing some blood.
"Saphira had tried to call him… but so far, he is not answering..." Eragon explained with pain at seeing his mentor in such a state.
"Tell her to try again !" Brom said in a loud tone before coughing again.
"Stay still !" Murtagh ordered him sternly while Eragon looked at Saphira.
'Saphira ! Call Valhir again !' he ordered her in a hurried tone.
'I'm on it !' she answered him before going silent for a moment.
However, the Blue Dragoness soon released a roar of surprise… and fear ?
"Saphira ? What is it ?" Eragon asked her in concern once he noticed it.
At his side, Murtagh and Brom both looked intrigued.
However, before Saphira could respond, a loud bang rang through the air, coming from Gil'ead, and after turning their heads to find out what had caused the explosion, the group was left speechless by what they saw.
In the middle of the city, in front of the partially destroyed fortress, stood a GIGANTIC silhouette that seemed to touch the sky.
The figure belonged to a massive 393-foot tall creature with glowing blue eyes, a body covered in shaggy white fur (with dark gray hands and feet), dark blue claws. There were also runic inscriptions embedded in its upper arms and over its left eye, along with lightning bolt patterns on its torso. In addition, the fur on its head and neck looked like a loose ponytail in the back and they could see two long braids draped in front of his shoulders and decorated with ornaments featuring glowing blue runes.
At the sight of the creature, they all recognized it.
"VALHIR ?!" Murtagh and Eragon cried out in shock and amazement while Saphira and Brom looked speechless.
However, apart of the size, he looked completely like a different creature : large jagged, icy spikes protruded from his back while the blue ice on his body glowed white with power. In addition, he was surrounded by dark storm clouds and crackling blue lightnings.
He looked a lot more intimidating.
"What happened to him ?" Murtagh wondered out-loud while looking at the scene in shock.
"I don't know..." Eragon whispered in equal shock as he couldn't look away from the terrifying form of Erik.
'What happened to you, brother ?' Saphira asked to herself in amazement and shock.
"Who are you truly, Valhir ?" Brom thought to himself as he also stared at what their white furry friend became in shock.
Back to Erik, he stared down at the city around him and he could see people looking up at him in fear, shock and awe. For a moment, nothing happened but then, he opened his jaws to speak. His voice was deep and resonant like the rumble of thunder.
"I AM VALHIR ! THE VOLIBEAR ! GOD OF STORMS AND WAR ! PROTECTOR OF THE WILD ! FOR TOO LONG, I HAVE BEEN HIDING IN THE SHADOWS… BUT NO MORE !"
"HE IS A GOD ?!" Murtagh and Eragon shouted at the same time in disbelief while Saphira reared her head back in shock. Brom, him, was staring at Erik's titanic form with wide eyes of shock and awe.
"Why didn't he told us ?!" Eragon spluttered in indignation and shock and Murtagh turned his head to look at him in shock
"You mean you didn't know ?!"
"No, we didn't !" the rider answered him.
Saphira, her, was not listening to her rider's words, as she was focused on Erik's form… especially as he spoke again.
"… FROM THIS DAY ON, I STOP HIDING AND I WILL SHOW EVERYONE THE POWER OF A GOD !"
Once those words were said, The White God reared his head back before roaring toward the heavens. The sound echoed throughout the land, touching the soul of every living creature in Alagaësia.
Across the Beor Mountains, packs of Shrrgs and wolves threw back their heads and howled loudly, echoing the White God's cry. Many Urzhads came out of their caves to roar loudly to the sky, also echoing their voices to Erik's. The same could be said to the Fanghurs.
All around Alagaësia, animals of any kinds added their voices with Erik's.
Not only the animals were affected by this : beneath the mountains, the dwarves fell silent, hearts suddenly thundering, while they all wondered what was causing this… along with the roar.
From their homeland and out, the Urgals all roared in response to Erik's cry.
Humans felt the same way as dwarves, whether from Surda or the Empire.
In the elven kingdom, shining emerald green eyes opened with shock before staring at the horizon. But soon, the owner of those eyes roared loudly in response of whatever was roaring in the distance, scaring the Elves around it as they were all also staring at where the roar came from, wondering what it was.
At the center of the elven kingdom, a gigantic tree listened to the roar before internally smirking "Look like things will be interesting in the future..."
In the northern forest of the elven kingdom, two beings, a Golden Dragon and a disabled Elf were discussing about the roar and what it could mean for the future of Alagaësia.
Somewhere else, hidden, a massive black dragon turned its head toward where the roar came from with narrowed eyes as a deep growl escaped its throat. Clearly, it sensed a powerful foe. Not far from it, a tall and well built man with shoulder-length dark hair, dark eyes and a worn cloak was also looking at the distance but with a calculative gleam in his eyes.
"Interesting… I wonder what that is..." he said to himself with contemplation while his dragon growled deeply.
After what seemed like an eternity, Erik stopped roaring and glared down at the city around him, ignoring the looks of fear from the citizens of Gil'ead. Durza, who was standing in the fortress, stared up in fear at the beast and knew that he was no match for it so he fled the area, choosing to abandon his men to their fate.
"AND I WILL START BY DESTROYING THIS WRETCHED CITY !" he declared in a tone that echoed like rumble in the air.
Hearing, many citizens and soldiers started to plea for their lives but he ignored them as he raised a hand in the air before opening his jaws to say
"STORM UNLEASHED !"
At those words, lightnings bolts descended from the sky before striking the city, destroying everything in their paths. Some people had the misfortune of being at the wrong place and were annihilated. One again, cries of alarm and fear echoed throughout the city and some soldiers tried to flee the scene, knowing that it would be futile to fight against such a being… but there were a few people who could be seen on their knees, pleading and praying for mercy.
"He is attacking the city !" Murtagh remarked loudly in disbelief to his companions.
Eragon and Saphira were in shock by what their white friend was doing… but also greatly afraid. They had seen him angry before, but this…this was on a whole new level.
"You must… stop him…" Brom began to say to his companions before coughing blood again.
Instantly, the two younger men rushed to help him.
"But how are we supposed to stop a God ?!" Eragon asked with despair while pointing at Erik who was now using his claws to destroy some buildings while shouting loudly
"BENEATH THIS STONE I SENSE NO WILD !"
"You HAVE to try, Eragon ! Innocents are dying as we speak..." Brom said in a despaired weak tone while gripping Eragon's arm tightly.
The young Rider looked hesitant for a moment and shot a look toward Saphira who turned her head to look away from the devastation to look back at him.
'Its up to you, little one…' she told him gently while glancing at Erik when he released another roar while sending a lightning bolt at a large building.
"Go, Eragon… I will take care of them..." Murtagh encouraged the young Rider with a fierce look on his face while trying his best not to look at the city.
Eragon looked at his companion for a moment before firmly nodding his head
"Let's go, Saphira !" he said to his dragon who roared in agreement as she crouched down to allow him to ride her.
'Yes !' she cried out to him with determination as he climbed on her.
Once he was secure, she took off toward Erik's massive form, hoping to able to stop this rampage.
Back to Erik, he was roaring to the sky as all around him, lightnings struck the nearest buildings or struck the fleeing people, sending charred bodies flying around. Then, he growled as he destroyed the fortress with his bare hands. Soon enough,the once great fortress was no more and he looked at what remained of it with satisfaction.
"NOTHING BUT RUBBLE !"
Then, the White Bear turned his head to look around at the devastation he caused : none of the buildings survived his lightnings and claws, and the smell of blood and charred corpses radiated in the air. However, he quickly narrowed his eyes when he saw tiny figures running around there and there. Readying his lightnings, he was about to strike when…
"VALHIR STOP !"
Blinking in surprise, the 393-foot White Bear turned his large head to look at where this call was coming from... and was surprised to see Eragon and Saphira just a few meters from his snout. However, he was still filled with rage so he quickly growled deeply at them.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY, CHILD ! YOU AS WELL, DRAGON !"
Saphira was a bit hurt by the fact he didn't called her by name but remained strong while her rider decided to speak what both of them, along with their other companions, had in mind.
"Valhir, you have to stop ! There are innocent people there !" Eragon said while pointing at the remains of the once great city.
"THEY ARE NO INNOCENTS !"
Erik's roar pushed Eragon and Saphira back a little, but fortunately, they managed to stay at their post.
"I know you are angry, Valhir… but those people aren't responsible for Brom's wounds..." Eragon began to say to the giant White Bear.
'… and this is not who you are, brother… You are no monster…' Saphira added in a soft tone while looking at him dead in the eyes.
Erik went silent for a moment as he thought about their words : they were right.
He was better than this.
After a long time, the White Bear threw his head up before roaring mightily to the sky, scaring his two friends in the process. However, they watched in amazement as Erik began to shrink, soon returning to the size they were used to seeing him in.
Once they were sure he was back to normal, they landed beside him and they were both happy to see that, not only was he now back to 'normal size', but he also lost his scary look : the spikes on his back had disappeared into his fur and the clouds and lightnings on him were no more there.
'Brother ?' Saphira called out to him in a cautious tone while approaching him slowly.
"Are you okay, Valhir ?" Eragon asked him a few seconds later with a look of caution and concern on his face.
"I… I am okay..." Erik answered in a deep tone as he looked at them before looking around with an emotionless expression on his face.
"We should go..." he said simply before going back on all four and walking away.
Saphira and Eragon glanced at one another but did followed him all the way out of the rumbles and all the way to where Murtagh, Brom and Arya were.
When they arrived, Murtagh greeted them but was a bit cautious around Erik who didn't care in the slightest as his blue eyes landed on Brom's wounded form.
"Are you okay, old man ?" he asked the storyteller in a worried tone.
"I'm fine, Valhir..." Brom answered weakly before coughing.
"You don't look like it..." the Bear retorted curtly.
"So it seems..."
Turning his head away from the storyteller, Erik then looked at Arya "What about her ?"
"She is unconscious… and badly wounded… and we think she had been poisoned..." Murtagh answered in a grim tone.
The White Bear nodded before looking at everyone "We should put some distance between us and this place… you can ask me anything once we are far enough..."
They all nodded before preparing themselves. Arya was tightly strapped into Saphira's saddle while Eragon and Murtagh helped Brom to mount Snowfire. Soon enough, they rode their own horses and together, they all left the area, leaving nothing but rumbles behind.
(To be continue…)