Thud.
The dragon was gleaming like crystalized gold, scattering sunlight like a brilliant wildfire. It was massive, several times larger than Saphira, GB, and Draco. Definitely a few centuries old. It's Rider's white robes were a stark contrast from the gleaming scales.
Eragon fell to his knees in reverence. Blue clung to GB's foreleg in raging emotions.
This was what he'd been drawn into! This!
Who could imagine?
Not Papyrus.

The dragon turned to land, revealing his lack of a foreleg, a pale stump all that was left. It was awful.
Blue wished he could have been there, whenever this happened, to heal that gruesome injury.
The gold legend settled in the clover, debris flying in the wake of it's arrival. The Rider elegantly dismounted, climbing down the intact leg and approaching them. His hair was gleaming silver, eyes full of endless melancholy and wisdom.

Eragon suddenly greeted him. "Osthato Chetowä…. The Mourning Sage… As you asked, I have come." He blinked, then pressed his fingers to his lips. "Atra esterní ono thelduin."
"You know him?" Blueberry whispered.
The Rider merely smiled and pulled Eragon to his feet.
"Oromis is my proper name, Eragon Shadeslayer."

"You knew." Islanzadí whispered in dismay that turned to rage. "You knew of Eragon's existence and yet you did not tell me? Why have you betrayed me, Shur'tugal?"
The elf faced the queen. "I kept my peace because it was uncertain if Eragon or Arya would live long enough to come here; I had no wish to give you a fragile hope that might have been torn away at any moment."
"You had no right to withhold such information from me! I could have sent warriors to protect Arya, Eragon, Saphira and the skeletons in Farthen Dûr and to escort them safely here."
A sad smile spread across his face. "I hid nothing from you, Islanzadí, but what you had already chosen not to see. If you had scryed the land, as is your duty, you would have discerned the source of the chaos that has swept Alagaësia and learned the truth of Arya, Eragon, and the skeletons. That you might forget the Varden and the dwarves is understandable, but Brom? Vinr Älfakyn? The last of the Elf Friends? You have been blind to the world, Islanzadí, and lax upon your throne. I could not risk driving you further away by subjecting you to another loss."
Her shoulders dropped in despair. "I am diminished."

A wave of hot, damp air washed over them as the dragon bent over to study them.
We are well met, Eragon Shadeslayer and Eldgath Bjartauga. I am Glaedr.
"It's an honor!" Blue squeaked.
"I am honored." Eragon breathed.
His voice made Blue think of a mountain. He turned to Saphira and GB. Saphira went stone-still, neck arched back while Glaedr sniffed her cheek and wing.
You smell of humans, He informed her, and all you know of your own race is what your instincts have taught you, but you have the heart of a true dragon.

He paused before GB as Orik addressed Oromis. "Truly, this is beyond anything I dared hope or expect. You are a pleasant surprise in these dark times, Rider." He thudded his fist over his heart before continuing. "If it is not too presumptuous, I would ask a boon on behalf of my king and my clan, as was the custom between our people."
Oromis inclined his head. "And I will grant it if it is within my power."
"Then tell me: Why have you remained hidden for all these years? You are sorely needed, Argetlam."
"Ah. Many sorrows exist in this world, and one of the greatest is being unable to help those in pain. I could not risk leaving this sanctuary, for if I had died before one of Galbatorix's eggs had hatched, then there would have been no one to pass on our secrets to the new Rider, and it would have been even harder to defeat Galbatorix."

"That was your reason?" Orik demanded, appalled. "Those are the words of a coward! The eggs might have never hatched."
A deadly silence fell, only broken by a distant growl from Glaedr.

"If you were not my guest here, I would strike you down myself for that insult." Islanzadí spoke in a low voice.
Oromis displayed his hands. "Nay, I am not offended. It is an apt reaction. Understand, Orik, that Glaedr and I cannot fight. Glaedr has his disability, and I," he tapped his head. "I am also maimed. The Forsworn broke something within me when I was their captive, and while I can still teach and learn, I can no longer control magic, except for the smallest of spells. The power escapes me, no matter how much I struggle. I would be worse than useless in battle, I would be a weakness and a liability, one who can easily be captured and used against you. So I removed myself from Galbatorix's influence for the good of the many, even though I have yearned to openly oppose him."

"The Cripple Who is Whole." Eragon spoke quietly.
"Forgive me." Orik choked.
"It is of no consequence." Oromis placed a hand on Eragon's shoulder and Blue's, who tensed up and goggled at the hand. "Islanzadí Dröttning, by your leave?"
"Go." Her voice was tired. "Go and be done with you."

Glaedr crouched so Oromis could climb up his leg and seat himself in the saddle. "Come, young Riders and andlátkyn. We have much to talk about." His dragon pushed off the cliff, catching an updraft. Eragon and Orik grabbed each other's arms. "Bring honor to your clan." Orik bade him.

Nightmare and Dream smiled as Draco stared at GB. Holy crap. He said.
I know. GB mutely replied. He didn't say anything to me.
Reaper's wings jutted out from his sides, but then Nightmare called out to him.
"Reaper! Wait. We've delayed long enough."
The God of Death paused, turning back.
"It can't wait?"
"I don't think you'd want to." The Guardian of Negativity smiled knowingly.

Blueberry knew what was happening even before the glitchy portal opened. Islanzadí tensed, the elves behind her reaching for their weapons.
Error came through, looking bored as he glanced around.
"Looks like trees. And a cliff." He described flatly. "I miss Outertale.."
Reaper's sockets went wide as Nightmare crossed his arms. "Error, meet Queen Islanzadí." He indicated the royal elf and the glitch turned.

"Oh. I'm very blunt, so if I offend you, sorry. I'm just here because you." He pointed at Reaper, who leaned back. "Me?" "Yeah, you." He flinched as Red's voice sounded, as though through a wall, yelling incomprehensibly.
"Chaos, I told you not to prank Red!" He yelled into the portal.
"But Daddy!" Her voice rang out distantly. "Uncle Fresh-" "I don't care what Fresh said, we don't have time for this, it's too hot for this! Where's Geno?"
"Geno?!" Reaper choked.
"Whatever it is, it can wait! Red's tied up in the closet!"
Error ripped strings off his face and sent them through the portal, yanking out a bewildered Geno.
"Error, what heck?!" He glared as Error marched back through the portal.

"Geno?" Reaper whispered incredulously, processing what just happened. The bloody glitch spun, eyesocket dark. "REAPS!" He bellowed furiously. The God of Death froze, baffled. Geno charged at him, throwing himself into his arms.
"How dare you! I was worried sick; we couldn't find you no matter where we looked, I haven't seen your stupid face in months-" he continued berating his lover, much to the confusion of the elves. The sound of a door shattering emitted from the portal, the yelling becoming identifiable as horrible, censored curses.

"Brah ya didn't hafta break tha radical door, broski."
"You're next."
"NOPE." A poof could be heard amidst the yelling and chaotic laughter.
"What is the meaning of this?" Islanzadí demanded of Nightmare. The Guardian gestured at his armband. "We had an agreement to inform Error when we found the God of Death, for his brother is his lover. He has strings that are technically part of himself; he wove them into these bands you see on all of us now, to identify us as the individual sections of the Wyrdaí Islingrya."

"And I can teleport to wherever they are or have been." Error spoke, emerging from the portal again, peering at Islanzadí. "It's also a form of protection. If any of them are in trouble, they can call me and I will come. As for your secrets, I already know. If you think they'll be taken from me, then know this:" he switched to the Ancient Language.
"I will never reveal the elves' secret of the Rider and dragon to any other without permission from the Riders themselves or the queen of the elves and any in succession to the throne."

Islanzadí blinked, forming a response. Error grunted, noticing Blue and GB. "What are you wearing?"
Blue grinned. "A gift from the elves! Thank you, Queen Islanzadí! They're very nice!" He informed her excitedly.
"But what about what I made?" Error complained. Blueberry pouted. "I cannot wear it forever, Error. It was filthy!" The glitch frowned, reaching into his inventory.

"At least wear a scarf or something, you don't look right without your bandana." He muttered, tossing one over. Blue leapt to catch it, eyelights starring. "Thank you! I don't like being without it! Now I have three!"
Glaedr suddenly swooped down, passing over their skulls much too close for comfort as his voice rang in their minds.
Decide what you are to do, andlátkyn, for we needs must begin our duty.

Error stared after him, then glanced at Nightmare. They had a silent discussion before the glitch addressed Reaper and Geno. "I'll give you two a week here. In the meantime." He tossed something at them. Reaper caught it.
It was an armband.
"I already know what you'll do, so I went ahead and knitted that." He ignored Reaper's confusion and approached Dream, who looked to be caught between emotions. Friend or foe? Will he attack? Will he offer friendship? Blue remained silent as the glitch stopped before the God of Positivity.

He handed him a golden yellow armband with white cloud patterns and a yellow-orange sun on it. "Nightmare told me you'd start your own team, given the option. So you have it. You're Wyrdaí Islingrya, but a new faction. You're an ally now. So. That." He smirked, then handed over two other golden armbands. "I know their stance already; they won't trust neither me or your brother to listen to us. Pick your team name, I don't care. I gotta go deal with Red. Who's in your team, Nightmare."
Nightmare smirked at the glitch, who just sighed and went back to Blueberry.
"You okay?"

"Better than okay! It's so cool here! And I missed you!" Blue wrapped him in a hug, ignoring the increase in glitches from the contact. "Now go! We have stuff to do and Nasuada needs you!" He pushed Error into the portal. The glitch stared at him for a second when he could turn around, an unfamiliar room on the other side.
Then he smiled. "C'ya, Blue."
The portal winked out of existence.

A short roar shook the air from on high, reminding them to get a move on. After a moment of indecision, Eragon leapt onto Saphira and they took off. Draco followed suit, then Blue shared a look with GB.
"Shall we join them?" He asked formally. GB shivered down his length, eyesockets wide, staring after the dragons.
Yes, Blueberry. We should.
To secure monsterkind's future, we must.
"A critical role we play, don't we?" He continued, hopping onto GB's spine, the other's wings spreading out slowly.
We do…. And I can't be lazy about it anymore.
That is good. Blue finally spoke with his mind, the pair lunging forward into their new destiny.