Reb felt like she was floating. Her body was gone, and she saw hundreds to thousands of souls floating there. She held her hand up to the light and saw that she was but a strand of glittering light. She could feel all around her, and some how she was being drawn to someone. And she soon found herself right next to Galbortrix. Her body restored, but she was still only a bit of light, no matter how she looked. " I know you all are here for this special prize, but of course I am not sure I want to give it back." He said lifting Reb's chin and examining her. " You see she has the princess of all dragons in her power and her body holds the princess of the race of shades. If I wanted to give her up, it would be after she was dead. And all of her powers were mine, but until then, I have to find a way to keep her dragon alive when I kill her." He said then Reb disapeared again. Back into the vault.
Wil looked at Galbatorix with pure rage. "You...you senile, insane, power hungry...beast!" Wil shouted. As he leapt toward the throne, he thought, Kagraign, now! and heard the entire ceiling collapse behind him. He barely heard the screams of soldiers as they were crushed under the enormous chunks of ceiling. Wil flipped and lightly landed on the raised platform. He drew Mor'ranr as he walked slowly toward Galbatorix. A few soldiers that were on the still-ceilinged platform rushed at him. Wil didn't even look their ways as they flew back and necks snapped against walls. Wil stuck the point of his sword on Galbatorix' throat. A small trickle of dark blood seeped out. "You bring her back! She didn't deserve to die to be part of your sick plan, you worm! Cassiopeia, search the castle! He might be strong, but he doesn't have the power to reach into the nothingness to pull a soul from the afterlife. The true Vault has to be here somewhere. If you find anyone, kill them." he said. He tightened his grip on his sword. Then, Galbatorix laughed. He raised his hand and grabbed the sword on it's sharpest part. Blood oozed between his gloved fingers. "You honestly think that this can hurt me?" Wil pulled the blade out of Galbatorix' grip and made a quick downward slash. He severed Galbatorix' hand. Galbatorix looked at his bloody stump with a mixture of wrath and surprise. Then, Wil saw something that made him back up a step. Galbatorix' hand started crawling back up his leg. It sent a shiver down Wil's spine, but he quickly kicked the hand off of Galbatorix' leg and stomped on it. He stomped until he was sure the hand was almost flat. He looked at Galbatorix maliciously. Then he noticed that Cassiopeia was still standing there. "Well, are you going to find the Vault or would you like to take care of the old man here?" he asked. He kicked the crumpled hand into the air and Kagraign swooped down and crunched it in his jaws.
Cassiopeia finished her spell and sent the magic at the wall, it crumbled in front of her and she headed towards it "We aren't all dragon-riders Wil! I haven't got any-one to fall back on if my strength starts to fail!"
She ran through the hole and started running, she bumped into an old lady who wore too many amulets.
"Most of those are fake you know" She said
"Real magic is hard to come by these days" The old lady smiled revealing many missing teeth.
Cassiopeia swallowed the urge to slink away and asked "Do you know where the vault of souls is?"
"I know, but why should I tell you?" Cassiopeia raised her eyebrows and the woman said "Follow me"
She didn't know if she trusted her but she was in a hurry.
"Okay"
Cassiopeia finished her spell and sent the magic at the wall, it crumbled in front of her and she headed towards it "We aren't all dragon-riders Wil! I haven't got any-one to fall back on if my strength starts to fail!"
She ran through the hole and started running, she bumped into an old lady who wore too many amulets.
"Most of those are fake you know" She said
"Real magic is hard to come by these days" The old lady smiled revealing many missing teeth.
Cassiopeia swallowed the urge to slink away and asked "Do you know where the vault of souls is?"
"I know, but why should I tell you?" Cassiopeia raised her eyebrows and the woman said "Follow me"
She didn't know if she trusted her but she was in a hurry.
"Okay"
There was a flash of light and behind Leth appeared an elf with a bow, an arrow fitted to the string, and a dragon. The elf aimed an arrow at Leth's leg and let it fly. The arrow embeded itself deep in Leth's thigh and pinned her to the ground. She quickly used magic to teleport Will and herself to a room containing a vault. She laid him on the ground and quickly used magic to heal his wounds. "What are you doing Eriel? Who is this guy?" "Emrhyst, didn't you hear them just now? He seemed to need to get here and i helped him to." As she finished, she heard a click and knew that his wound was completely healed."Besides, he should be on our side, since he did cut Galbatorix's hand off" Suddenly, her ears picked up the clank of armoured boots, she quickly used magic and turned all three of them invisible. "Shh.... Be still young one"
Simoro walked in the air above the empire's land. It was an ability he hadn't thought of untill recently, and he enjoyed it. It reminded him of his dragon, even though it wasn't close to the thrill of flight. He coughed as a cloud passed too close to him, and moved out of its path. The wind was strong up this high, though he didn't notice it. It was still nothing to the wind on a dragon's back... He sighed. Then, suddenly, he sensed a flicker of movement below. He quickly uttered a phrase in the ancient language, and closed his eyes, only to see with a clarity that his eyes never should have. He observed the scene unfolding below, and had to stop in his mind to praise the rider who had just appeared. He almost laughed, considering how much the world relied on magic now. He pondered leaving the scene alone for a while, then saw someone prepare a fatal blow... "Letta!" The word almost flew from his mouth before he realized it. But as usual, the effect was instantaneous. He calmly walked into the now frozen scene and adjusted the person's weapon so that it would miss horribly. He then prepared another spell in his head, and let time resume its course. He recognized several of the people, but he didn't stop to talk. He watched the attack miss, and readied himself for whatever might come next.
Cassiopeia was glad that Zantya was by her side, she followed the old lady silently and found herself in front of Wil and a stranger.
"Do you know these people?" she asked he was lying down but he seemed unhurt.
She drew her sword just in case and studied the room for any sign of a vault.
"Yes, I'm fine. This woman came and teleported me here. I'm guessing the Vault is somewhere around here." Wil said, getting up and brushing himself off. He looked to the far wall. There was a glowing portal floating in the center of the wall. He saw Reb on the other side of the mirror-like portal. He walked toward it and held his hand up. A mysterious glowing power emanated from it. He cautiously put his hand closer to the Vault. It went clear through. He tried to move his fingers and found that nothing was really different, except for the ghostly aura that surrounded his hand. He saw Reb's soul and met her eyes. He motioned her toward him. "Zantya, come here. Reb can only re-join the mortal world if her soul is joined with it's old body." He said.
Eriel and Emrhyst had been watching Zantya caustiously. As she drew her sword, all the muscles in her body tensed, she could also feel Emrhyst's nervousness across their mental link. The feeling however, subsided when she realised that Will and the woman beside him were friends. "So that's why you wanted to come here, it'll take a very strong spell to merge miss whatshername's soul with her body. It would take all of our energy to perform that spell and even then i'm not sure if we would join her in the-" She stopped as she heard a blade being unsheathed.
Simoro wanted to learn a little more about the people before he revealed himself - if he did so at all. Sadly, the rider hadn't considered just how easy his spell had been to follow, though, so he devoted his time to Leth and Gallabatorix. He knew from experience that he couldn't harm Gallabatorix. But the tyrant would remember him, and know that he had rage. And on top of that, he was probably still slightly unnerved. He could only hope... He spoke aloud, though he himself reamained hidden. "Gallabatorix..." The king jerked his head up. Good. He was surprised, at least. "King of this Land, you still say? And yet, this land.. its people.. it is those with whom you now wage war." In his mind he started preparing the spells. First, he started making himself fade in, but still transparent. "You have seen that this land does not accept you as you are. Why do you still attempt to take it?" The younger man had now drawn his sword, and was approaching him. He looked at Leth and smiled. He spoke fully in the ancient language now; "You do not know me, or what I am, fool. Put away your blade." Gallabatorix hadn't moved. He hoped it was out of fear, though he could see that it was more arrogance. The king nodded towards Leth. Leth swung. Simoro didn't move.. Please work, he thought desperately. It did. He felt the blade fade out, and replaced it with an illusion, which appeared to pass right through him. The boy jumped back, and Gallabatorix stood. He made a point not to make the sword whole again. "Stop," he said, still in the ancient language. "I can no more harm you than you me." He hoped that was as true as it sounded. He knew that at least the first half was; to him, the king was practically invincible. "I only ask this of you." He layered his voice with several magics. "Today, you have seen that though you may not die easily, you may be harmed. The tides may turn. But should you go after them, I personally, and the rest whom you have slain, will revolt, and you will find that if you live, it will be in misery. Such is the power of the enemy that you would invoke by following them. And not just us riders, but our dragons. And see now the power that killing my dragon has given to me." The first thing he did was purely for show. The room flashed white, so that none could see it. Then he cast three spells to move himself; two just to throw the king off should he try to follow him anyway, and one to take himself somewhere. He aimed right, and landed where he intended. But in his haste, he was still partially visible. Cursing ,he drew his sword loudly, scaring several of the room's members as he did, and cut through the air of illusion around him. It peeled off like a fruit's skin, and he further decimated it with his blade. He looked up at the people now, some simply surprised, others looking scared by the sound of a sword.The illusion removed, he looked into the face of the one he had seen walk in unexpectedly and save the life of another, and then at the rest of the shocked, unfamiliar faces in turn. He just said, "Hi," and then muttered to himself with a chuckle, "I need to get out more." Then something caught his eyes... The vault... He looked in, and saw something he had never thought to see again: His dragon.
Reb sensed Zantya and was intantly pulled into her own body again, and was back. " Did you miss me?" She asked then saw everyone around her, She also spotted other souls. " Sorry, I have to go again." She said then her body floated away again. Zantya tried with all her might to keep her there, and failed.
"Should we try keeping her here for awhile? And maybe merge her soul with her body?" "I don't know, would you want to try?' "Sure" Instantly, Eriel felt her mind and Emrhyst's merging into one, she could feel her dragon's mental energies mingling with her own. It was the first time she had ever been this close to her dragon and was getting nervous. Using the ancient language, she roared, "Come back to this world, merge with your body, come back to your friends. Do not go back to where the shades or men and all dead creatures dwell, come back, come back to the realm of elves, men, dwarves and dragons, come back!" The result was amazing, Reb's soul started floating back, and unexpectedly, so did the soul of her father. Her eyes started to water, she could almost feel her eyes getting flooded, all of it would have streamed down her face if she had not have to let go of the magic supporting the spell. Her father started to float back into the vault, Reb's soul started to merge with her body. Eriel waited until she finally merged with her body before releasing the magic and leaned on her dragon. "You did well young one" There was no reply as as soon as Eriel leaned on Emrhyst, her eyelids started to close. Emrhyst was startled at her reaction and started laughing when she saw the faces of the rest of the people in the room: fear, surprise and shock. "Don't worry, this always happens when she performs a powerful spell. She'll come to in a few hours, just you wait."
Cassiopeia was surrounded by too many people and was starting to get uncomfortable.
"I"m glad you're back Reb" was all she could think of to say before she ran out the room, she would go and battle Galbatorix before he caught her by surprise. She ran quickly and soon found herself in sight of Leth and Galbatorix, another stranger was there but he was not her concern, he seemed familiar but she had too much on her mind to figure out who he was.
Eriel's ears picked up the sound of someone leaving the room. She roused herself and looked around the room wildly, "Wow young one, You came to your senses earlier than usual, the only time u did this is when, Emrhyst slowed her speech as she realized the imminent danger, Galbatorix used that spell!" "Where's Re-"She was cut off my swords being drawn. "Oh great, c'mon guys we better follow her." With this said, she took a few arrows from a nearby weapon rack and proceeded to join Reb.
Zantya would let them fight. Star Gazer and Reb were her primary concern. She ran up the stairs further, and found the vault. She pulled it open and a rush of souls came at her. She slammed it back shut. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.
Talais, on his own mission nearby, was startled by all of the commotion from the nearby city. As soon as he climbed on top of the wall an arrow whizzed past his head. In reaction he drew his bow and got a arrow ready. As he scanned the area another arrow hit the wall. Now knowing he was under attack he located were the shot came from and fired a direct hit on the soldier. He jumped over the wall to get a closer look at what was happening.
She drew her sword and took a defensive stance, she whistled and the wind picked up. The fires started to flicker and dance scaring the soldiers, some of them fled but others came towards her. She took her strongest stance and waited as a few became thirty she became nervous.
You can handle it she whispered to herself hoping it was true.
An arrow whizzed pass Cassiopeia's head, embedding itself in the chest of an unlucky soldier. Under her, Emrhyst released a great jet of flame, incinerating all in her path. They landed near her and stood back to back, readying themselves for the inevitable. Then, a great rain of arrows passed overhead. Slicing the air into tiny little pieces, Eriel countered with a spell she had once seen her master do, "Letta orya thorna!" Even with her dragon's and her strength merged, it was not enough to stop all and an arrow embedded itself deep in her shoulder, causing her to cry out in agony. As all turned black before her eyes she could vaguely see The soldiers rushing at her, Emrhyst steadily releasing torrents of flame, striking with claw and teeth, Cassiopeia using her sword skillfully, thrusting, cleaving, thrusting, and a stranger who had just killed a man. She had thought of muttering a counter-spell but knowing the risk and energy cost, she thought better of it and decided to let the blackness overwhelm her. She knew not where or when she would awaken but she dearly hoped it would be in a friendly camp but too far into the future.
There were still too many soldiers. She desperately needed help and knew of only one way to get it. She was embarrassed to rely on such immature and weak magic but it would have to do. She stepped behind Eriel's dragon and started to concentrate.
She sent out this message into the minds of all those pure and strong enough to help her.
There is a battle against Galbatorix in the main hall but the few warriors are failing. I ask you to help us restore the land to a time of peace and join the battle. Help us defeat Galbatorix and his soldiers.
Talias heard a voice in his head. There is a battle against Galbatorix in the main hall but the few warriors are failing. I ask you to help us restore the land to a time of peace and join the battle. Help us defeat Galbatorix and his soldiers. Not knowing what to expect, either a trap or a plea for help, he tried to find out were this was coming from. He found a place and tried to see what was going on then he heard a burst of clashing swords and fighting. He rushed inside and found hundreds of troops fighting only few enemies. He knew this wasnt the best place for a bow he drew his sword and joined the fray.
Emrhyst grew mad with rage as she saw her rider fall. She used tooth, claw and tail to fend off the enemies, while contacting Eriel with her mind. Eriel heard it in deep in her own defences, coupled with the wounds her dragon was sustaining, she awoke from her slumber. As her eyes opened, she noticed a stranger fighting along side them, she saw a soldier slash at Cassiopeia's shoulder and wound her, knocking her to the ground and her dragon wounded by a spear. The sight of her dragon's and friend's blood made her blood boil, "Adurna!" The water rushed into her wound, driving the arrowhead out and cleansing it, then, she muttered, "Waise Heill." She stopped for awhile to regain lost energy and to allow the wound to mend itself before roaring out, "Draumr brisingr!" In front of her, the first rank of the soldiers collapsed to the ground, writhing in the pain caused by the illusion before they suffered a mental breakdown and lay there, never to awake. "Wow young one, you invented yet another spell!" "Nothing big, used up quite a lot of energy though." They spied the captain commanding the soldiers." Shall we dance?" "We shall" With that, she drew her sword, admiring the workmanship and the time put into making it. She merged her mind with Emrhyst even more than when she drew Reb out of the vault of souls, soon, they could not tell whose arm was it that swung Du vranga Evarinya in an arc that slash through the plate mail of a soldier, ending his pitiful life, whose maw was it that opened and allowed a great jet of flame to pour out of it, whose mouth was it that muttered words of power that killed and wrecked havoc. As they stormed into the host of enemies, the first thing they noticed was a massive dragon, fighting with tooth and claw and the occasional torrent of flames. Then they noticed the fearsome yet beautiful elf, thrusting and cleaving with inhuman speed with a wondrous blade and a runed dagger along with words of power coming from her mouth. Before they reached the captain though, they were surrounded in a sea of enemies and forced to retreat back to the stranger and Cassiopeia. "Well that was fun, we should do it again sometime right Eriel?" You should not jest in a time like this Emrhyst. "While parrying an axe blow and ending the soldiers life with a powerful swing that beheaded him. Soon, the captain realized that the battle was not turning out in favor of his army and suggested a duel with Eriel, without her dragon. "It may be a trap" warned Cassiopeia. "I know but if I don’t do this, we might all get killed. Say bye for me to my queen if he gets me, and if he tries any treachery, come at him with full force or we shall surely die." Eriel said this while looking at the man. The combatants faced each other fearlessly, the two sides arrayed behind them. The captain looked at Eriel mockingly; those soldiers that did not see her fighting just now started jeering at her. The noise died down as they engaged each other, blades flying so fast they looked like three swords and two axes, then, loud cheering from the soldiers as they saw they captain wound her in the thigh. She staggered to her feet, not using the ancient language so as not to disadvantage him. "Does she have to be as 'honorable' as that? He most likely would've done the same thing anyway, then again it comes with being a rider and all." Emrhyst commented, projecting her thoughts so that all near her could hear. "Be quiet Emrhyst." Everyone there replied. Then a loud 'Boo' from the soldiers as Eriel tripped him. "Treachery! The elf has stabbed him while he lay helpless! To arms all you soldiers of Galbatorix! Kill her!" Cried a soldier from the ranks. Like lighting, the soldiers rushed forward, seeking to kill the elf. "Treachery! Friends, take up your arms and fight for the freedom of Alagaesia! Charge!"