There is an extremely important author's note at the end of this chapter. Do not rush through this chapter though, as there is a lot to cover.
I made a promise to you guys last chapter after all, and I intend to fulfill it.
Enjoy.
Chapter Fifteen
You are being incredibly dense here, Saphira.
"I hate to admit it, but you are."
I don't care. I want my Eragon back!
Rolling his eyes, Stargazer huffed in annoyance. They had been discussing the "plan" for the last half hour and the sapphire dragoness had been adamant on taking part in the "diversionary" role the crystal dragon had set up for himself.
Females. The sky high dragon scoffed while turning and stalking to her left. This caused Saphira's narrowed sapphire colored eyes to lock onto his form as she began to circle to her right, matching his slow, methodical pace.
What was that?
Murtagh backed away as the two dragons began circling in their argument. He valued living far too much to die by being crushed beneath a pair of dragons over some simple stubbornness.
Allow me to paint you a picture, dragoness, since you seem to fail to be able to grasp the bigger picture. The male began, keeping his eyes locked onto the female. I volunteered myself as a diversion to allow Murtagh over there- the dragon jerked his head in the human's direction -to sneak in and set your Rider free from his cell. You are meant to fill the role of the evacuation method. You would collect Eragon and Murtagh from the roof while I do some damage on the Empire's numbers within the city. I have a relatively decent control on my element and power to unleash upon that accursed city. You, on the other hand, Saphira, don't even have fire at your disposal yet. You want to help? Saphira's glare only intensified before the male continued, a snarl fixed on his muzzle. Then play the role I saw best to fit you with so you won't run the risk of losing your life! The dragon darted his head forward and physically snapped his teeth next to the blue female's face on the last word, causing her to flinch. You are no good to anyone dead, Saphira. Especially Eragon. Think of how he would feel if you died.
Murtagh then stepped forward, the crystal dragon framing him between his two forelegs. "We do not mean to portray you as weak, Saphira. We, especially Stargazer, know that you are a force to be reckoned with, but he is correct. You cannot breathe fire yet and until that happens, it is better to circle above the city until the signal is given."
Saphira mulled over their reasons, which seemed sensible the longer she thought them over, before caving. Alright fine. I will defer to your judgement, Star.
With the female now in agreement, the trio turned and faced the city looming in the open plain…
-x-
Eragon was lying on the slab of stone that served as his 'mattress' when he heard commotion outside of his cell.
What in the blazes is going on out there? The boy wondered to himself as he stood up… just as his cell door was flung open and a violent tremor shook the entire building.
A hooded figure wielding a sword stood before him before pulling down his hood, revealing himself to be–
"Murtagh?!"
"Not just me." The young man grinned, tossing Eragon his ruby-red sword and dashing away. "Come on Eragon! We need to leave!"
Eragon stumbled as he belted on Zar'roc. When he caught up to his friend, he grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. "Wait! We cannot leave yet!"
"Why?" Murtagh demanded, impatient and wanting to get out.
"There is an elf here! We must free her!"
Staring into the Rider's eyes, the boy saw the conviction and dedication burning within, so he nodded and motioned for Eragon to lead the pair to the elf's cell.
-x-
YOU. WILL. DIE.
A massive ten foot wide white hot lightning bolt dropped from the sky right on top of a clump of a dozen soldiers just then, immediately frying them to charred remains within their armor as their corpses clattered to ground.
As much as he wanted a snack, the dragon had standards, and those standards crossed humans off the menu for him.
Stargazer then grunted in surprise as he stumbled slightly when a force struck his left shoulder. Snapping his head up to the fortress city's inner walls, the dragon's blood ran cold as he beheld Durza, the infamous Shade of the first book, standing with a proud, twisted grin on his face.
"So you're the boy's dragon?" The Shade mused aloud to himself, his maroon eyes raking over the crystal dragon's form. "A fine specimen you are. Worthy of becoming– AAAHHHHHHH!"
The pale skinned Shade's monologue was cut off into a scream as a vibrant purple lightning bolt dropped from the black storm clouds above the city and struck him. Thousands of volts of electricity coursing through him caused his body to collapse onto the ground, sporadically convulsing, while he writhed in pain from the intense heat.
That'll teach him to stop yapping. Prideful bastard. The crystal dragon thought to himself, physically smirking as he and the surrounding soldiers watched the figure garbed in black jerking around at random on the ground.
A familiar presence, Saphira's, touched his mind then. We're out! Eragon and Murtagh also freed an elf that was imprisoned alongside him. I cannot carry the three of them far.
I will be at the rendezvous point shortly. Stargazer acknowledged, lightning surging over his form as Durza began to struggle to his feet. I have to leave this Shade with a… parting gift.
He could feel the sapphire dragoness wanted to ask what he meant by that, but she must've been watching as he leaped into the sky, encased within an electric blue sphere. The large pulsing orb hovered over the city for a few seconds, tendrils of blue-ish purple lightning dancing around the outer edge, before screaming back down to the ground.
Ba-BOOOOOOOM!
The ground shook upon impact as a large dome of the brightest blue lit up the night at the city of Gil'ead, momentarily turning it to daytime for everything within two miles. The secondary walls that separated the central compound and the rest of the city were blown outward, flinging stones into the nearby residential homes. Dust and debris from what was once the central fortress floated in the air, and then the sight of Stargazer taking to the sky could be seen from the ground below.
That was when some dirtbag manning a ballista got a lucky shot off on the crystal dragon, even if it was a glancing hit.
As the male dragon ascended, he heard a slight whistling noise and glanced over to his left, just in time to see the tree sized bolt strike him across the chest.
Pain. That was all he felt. Burning, blistering, mind shattering pain. And rage. He was angry. Not at the archer, for he could only hold grudging respect for that human to hit that shot on him, but at himself for becoming complacent and lowering his guard.
Have to… get to… them. The dragon chanted to himself, feeling his energy ebbing as his blood seeped from the gash across his chest. Spotting a flash of blue in the distance, the male picked up his speed, desperate to reunite with them again. To complete their little group.
As he grew closer, he noticed he didn't have the strength to slow himself in time, so Stargazer aimed himself at the trees directly behind Saphira, seeing her blue eyes widen in confusion… and then fear when he knew she could see his injury.
Flaring his wings to at least slow himself somewhat, the crystal dragon closed his eyes and braced for impact.
The last things Stargazer heard before losing consciousness were the sounds of shattering glass, the snapping of trees, the shouting of humans and a female voice crying out his name in despair.
Then everything went black and he knew no more.
-x-
Hello everyone, this is the author speaking.
I first want to apologize for not getting this chapter out sooner, but the other day, March 25th, I had to put down my dog. He wasn't even seven years old yet, but with what he was going through… I didn't think it was right for him to suffer. I had planned on releasing this chapter that night, but then everything happened and I just… couldn't. I'm literally forcing myself to write this right now when all I want to do is either cry, sleep or do something else.
The second thing I wanted to cover, and originally the only thing, is to let you all know that I have a discord server set up! It is, unfortunately, paywalled via a Ko-Fi membership, but I don't want scammers being able to ruin my community. The subscription is 100% optional, you don't have to go through with it, it's just there to be there for those who want to interact with me in a more direct way. The 'link' is on my FFN profile for those who are interested.
I cannot thank you all enough for the growing support on not only this story, but my other one as well. To see each of my stories soaring over six thousand views and continuing to climb is almost enough to bring me to tears. Thank you all so much. Twisted Realities: Part One is approaching seven thousand views, and with this chapter going up, I have no doubt it'll pass that number within a week or two. You guys and girls reading my stories, leaving your thoughts/comments in the reviews and thoroughly enjoying what I manage to concoct brings me so much happiness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You guys and girls are truly the best.
Answers to reviews:
Bladewolf101- Yes, I am sure she enjoyed that. ;3
TOGDESTROYER- I have a foundation in the works, and I am gearing myself up to type up the battle under Farthen Dûr correctly. I want to properly portray it as an epic clash where the Varden are tested through a trial by combat to see if they are ready to march forth. I see you have a keen eye and I love that. Kudos to you.
I hope everyone has a good day, and I'll catch you in the next chapter.
May the stars shine upon you.