Nightmare growled at the persistent knocking on his door, wishing whoever it was would leave him alone, panicked aura or not. He wanted to sleep, and he didn't care for the dwarvish voice calling out "Carkna bragha!". It stopped. He settled back down to rest.

Then he was abruptly lifted off his bed. "WHAT THE-!" He started cursing, going so far as to slip into multiple different languages to get creative. Of course, the object in question holding him in the air was fire. "Arucane, there better be a good reason you woke me in this fashion." He snarled. Sinead gave him a worried look, unfazed by the voice.

"I'm sorry, Alalëa. You were sleeping in when we are needed. Verrunsmal. Fyrn. The Urgals are approaching Farthen Dûr, coming to take the helm of giants. You are needed, Daéda Dwerva." He stared at her. Then scoffed. "Put me down, you oversized candlelight."

She smirked as she set him on his feet. "That's actually kinda funny. But seriously, hurry. Me and the others will be waiting. Don't delay, for the Varden are in need of the haldthin. I sense that the Urgals are not alone." She stared at him seriously. "Ajihad's study is where we are meeting." Then vanished into a wisp of fire and embers.

Nightmare groaned into his hand. It was early, he could tell. He despised waking early, but if there was danger for his family, friends, and allies, then he will wake. He changed into his cleaner clothes and rolled his shoulders before teleporting where he needed to go.

Ajihad was behind his desk, studying a map whilest worry lines etched into his graven face. Arya and a wiry-armed human stood with him, Error, Geno, Cross and Dust also present. They glanced over, skeletons waving the Lord of Darkness to come. "Thank you for arriving on such short notice, Lord Nightmare. This is Jörmundur, my second in command."

Nightmare approached, dipping his skull at the new face and studying the map with the others. "Where are they coming from?" He asked, earning a few surprised looks from the rest. At that moment, Eragon and the rest of the Wyrdaí Islingrya entered the room via the door. Chaos ran over to hug Error, scared and confused. "Daddy, what's happening?" She questioned as Ajihad introduced Jörmundur to the new arrivals.

Then he addressed everyone. "I aroused the 16 of you because we are all in grave danger. About half an hour ago a dwarf ran out of an abandoned tunnel under Tronjhiem. He was bleeding and nearly incoherent, but he had enough sense left to tell the dwarves what was pursuing him: an army of Urgals, maybe a day's march from here."

Everyone fell dead silent in shock. Then Red, Dust, Killer, Error and Jörmundur swore horrendously as everyone began asking questions. Arya, Nightmare and Horror said nothing. Chaos closed her eyes for a few seconds, but when she opened them again, they were filled with determination.

Ajihad raised his hands to shut them up. "Quiet! There is more. The Urgals aren't approaching over land, but under it. They're in the tunnels… we're going to be attacked from below."
"How the fuck are we supposed to fight 'em in the tunnels?!" Red yelled through the noise of the others.

Eragon called out a question. "Why didn't the dwarves know about this sooner? How did the Urgals find the tunnels?"
"We're lucky to know about it this early!" Orik shouted back. Everyone quieted to hear him. "There are hundreds of tunnels throughout the Beor Mountains, uninhabited since the day they were mined. The only dwarves who go in them are eccentrics who don't want contact with anyone. We could have just as easily received no warning at all."

"Shit." Killer whispered as Ajihad gestured at the map, the others gathering closer. It was the southern part of Alagaësia, except the Beor Mountains were in detail rather than vague. Ajihad pointed at something touching Surda's eastern border. "This is where the dwarf claimed to have come from."
"Orthíad!" Orik gasped.

"What's Orthíad?" Error inquired. "It's an ancient dwelling of ours that we deserted when Tronjhiem was completed. During its time it was the greatest of our cities. But no one's lived there for centuries."
"And it's old enough for some of the tunnels to have collapsed." Ajihad elaborated. "That's how we surmise it was discovered from the surface. I suspect Orthíad is now being called Ithrö Zhâda. That's where the Urgal column that was chasing Eragon, Saphira, and most of the Wyrdaí Islingrya was supposed to go, and I'm sure it's where the Urgals have been migrating all year. From Ithrö Zhâda they can travel anywhere they want in the Beor Mountains. They have the power to destroy both the Varden and the dwarves."

Nightmare spoke as Jörmundur, Cross, Geno and Error studied the map, others swearing. "Any idea as to how many Urgals there are? Could Galbatorix's Royal Army be with them? Without that information we cannot plan defenses."
"Stole the words right from me." Jörmundur muttered as Ajihad shook his head.

"We're unsure about both those things, yet our survival rests on that last question. If Galbatorix has augmented the Urgal's ranks with his own men, we don't stand a chance. But if he hasn't- because he still doesn't want his alliance with the Urgals revealed, or some other reason- it's possible we can win. Neither Orrin not the elves can help us at this late hour. Even so, I sent runners to both of them with news of our plight. At the very least they won't be caught by surprise if we fall."

He wiped his forehead, stressed. "I've already talked with Hrothgar, and we've decided on a course of action. Our only hope is to contain the Urgals in three of the larger tunnels and channel them into Farthen Dûr so they don't swarm inside Tronjhiem like locusts." He addressed a number of them.

"I need you, Eragon, Arya, Nightmare and Error to help the dwarves collapse extraneous tunnels. The job is too big for normal means. Two groups of dwarves are already working on it: one outside Tronjhiem, the other beneath it. Eragon and Error, you're to work with the group outside. Arya and Nightmare, you'll be with the one underground; Orik will guide you to them."

They all nodded, though Eragon had a question. "Why not collapse all the tunnels instead of leaving the large ones untouched?"
Error scoffed, Nightmare turning to him in bewilderment.

"That's a bad idea." Chaos said. "This place is covered in a network of tunnels and if we collapsed all of them, then this entire place could fall down on us."
"That, and it'd force the Urgals to dig. They could go any direction they want that is dangerous for us." Error explained.
"And if we cut ourselves off, they could attack other cities- which we wouldn't be able to assist in time." Orik finished.
"So we can't risk that." Ajihad told him.

"So there won't be any fighting inside Tronjhiem?" Jörmundur asked. "You said the Urgals would be channeled outside the city, into Farthen Dûr."
Ajihad answered immediately. "That's right. We can't defend Tronjhiem's entire perimeter- it's too big for our forces- so we're going to seal all the passageways and gates leading into it. That will force the Urgals out onto the flats surrounding Tronjhiem, where there's plenty of manuvering room for our armies. Since the Urgals have access to the tunnels, we cannot risk an extended battle. As long as they are here, we will be in constant danger of them quarrying up through Tronjhiem's floor. If that happens, we'll be trapped, attacked from both outside and inside. We have to prevent the Urgals from taking Tronjhiem. If they secure it, it's doubtful we will have the strength to roust them."

"And what of our families?" Jörmundur asked. "I won't see my wife and son murdered by Urgals."
Ajihad looked grave. "All the women and children are being evacuated into the surrounding valleys. If we are defeated, they have guides who will take them to Surda. That's all I can do, given the circumstances."
Jörmundur hid his relief as he questioned further. "Sir, is Nasuada going as well?"
"She is not pleased, but yes."

Ajihad squared his shoulders and gazed at everyone in the room. "The Urgals will arrive in a matter of hours. We know their numbers are great, but we must hold Farthen Dûr. Failure will mean the dwarves' downfall, death to the Varden- and eventual defeat for Surda and the elves. This is one battle we cannot lose. Now go and complete your tasks! Jörmundur, ready our men to fight. Lord Nightmare, Lord Error, you may use your men as you wish."

They all scattered, exiting the room. Nightmare ordered his boys. "Wyrdvrangr, go with Eragon and help him and Error. Except Cross. Go with Arya. I'll join you two momentarily, I have something to do first."
They nodded, Nightmare teleporting away before Error could call his orders to his team.

He arrived in the room of darkness, seeing Greta bustling about as a few helpers assisted her in packing up to flee. They all froze upon seeing him, then dropped to curtsey.
"Go back to what you were doing, we don't have time for this." They quickly responded, showing Nightmare unwavering respect that he wasn't used to. He heard the child crying.

The Lord of Darkness swept over, seeing the writhing, sobbing child that looked even older than last time. Greta approached him. "She's been like this for an hour, I don't know what's wrong with her." She fretted. Nightmare glanced over at the caretaker before picking up the baby, awkwardly shushing her.

"You sense agony coming soon, don't you?" He murmured to the child as she calmed, whimpering and gazing into his sockets with her huge, red-rimmed purple eyes. He gritted his teeth, seeing how much more broken she was. He felt the pain on the horizon as well, but it did not hurt him at all. It was cruel, seeing this tormented babe.

"I can't take it away, Evarína." He whispered softly, his Soul aching for the child that was like him. "But I can make you sleep through it." He continued in that same quiet voice. She cooed softly, like asking a question. "You won't be aware of the pain, starchild." He explained, ignoring Greta as she appeared ready to ask a hundred questions.

A few tears marred Elva's pure face as she reached for his. He took her tiny hands in one of his own, holding it softly.
"You know we won't see each other again for some time, huh?" He asked her, chuckling sadly. She just looked at him with wide eyes. The magic within her pulsed, and he felt his own self react to it. A single tear dripped from his right eyesocket, landing on Elva's mark. He knew now that his presence took her pain away, and the knowledge that they weren't going to see one another for a while was made all the more painful. He gripped her tiny hands, reaching for her brow.

"Sleep now, Evarína. We will meet again soon." The star flared up, glowing silver and purple as his hand glowed the latter. Her eyes drooped. Nightmare pulled her closer, whispering so only she could hear. "Remember me, Evarína. I am Alalëa Äfdraumr, or more importantly, Zíllandr Cicállaé. Don't forget." The last, he added in Wingdings, despite the fact she would never understand that.

Elva fell asleep, limp in his arms. He faced Greta. "I will see you again. Do not forget that, caretaker. It will not be in the immediate future, maybe not even in Farthen Dûr, but I will come back. Now take her. She is asleep, and will continue to be until you are out of Farthen Dûr. Understand, Greta?"
She nodded, curtseying before taking the child. "Thank you, Lord Nightmare."

"It is nothing. She was suffering." He lingered over the girl's face mournfully. Then straightened. "I need to go, I am needed elsewhere. Take care of her, human." He spoke with tenderness, pausing before teleporting away.

He found Cross and Arya underground, busily using their unique magics to collapse tunnels with Geno, Fresh and Chaos. Nightmare glared at Fresh, who was confused. "What, brah?"

Loud cracks echoed from the ceiling behind him as the others backed away. Nightmare grabbed Fresh by the arm. "Why are you helping?" Fresh stared at him, his sunglasses showing question marks. "Cuz I wanna?"
"You're exhausted." Nightmare lied.
"No, I ain't. What's got in ya skull there, Nighty brah?"
"Yes, you are. You didn't sleep." He gave the pastel rainbow skeleton a look, the other's sunglasses going blank as he realized what the Lord of Darkness was reminding him of.

Geno came up, looking worried and confused. "Fresh, you didn't sleep last night? Why?" The room behind them caved in with a loud report. The rest of them began heading for the next tunnel, Nightmare, Geno and Fresh in the back.

Fresh shrugged, covering Nightmare's lie. "I dunno, broski. Got busy doin' rad stuff." Geno frowned. "You should get some rest. We can take care of this." Fresh started to complain, but the bloody glitch cut him off. "No, Fresh. You need to regain your energy. We're about to go into a huge battle in a few hours, I'm not having you run on no sleep and weak from something as easy as this. Sleep, bro. Nightmare can watch over you."

Fresh stared at the two of them for a long moment. Then he shrugged and sighed. "Okay, brotato chip. Y'know I can't argue with ya." He said with a grin. Geno smiled warmly, then shot Nightmare a look before joining the others.

"Thanks, brah." Fresh muttered to Nightmare. "You're only weakening yourself further by doing menial labor like this. Let us take care of it. Listen to your brother. Sleep." "Yeah. Sure, brah." He faced the parasite. "Sleep, Fresh. Otherwise I will force you to." He said sternly. The 90's reject put up his hands in surrender." "Okay, okay. No need to get up on me 'bout it. I'll sleep."

He sat down on the floor by a wall, leaning back and glancing at the new tunnel they'd stopped at to cave in. Nightmare subtly using his magic to force the parasite to sleep. It worked, Fresh raising a magic eyebrow at him (why does he have those) before passing out. He knew exactly what the King of Negativity was doing.

As the new passageway creaked, cracks forming along the top, Nightmare changed into his Corrupted form while their backs were turned, terrifying some of the dwarves behind him. He shushed them, shooting a look before facing the sleeping one.

Cross noticed his king and gave a confused look. Nightmare put a phalange to his teeth as he winced, producing one of the apples that made up this form. Cross's eyesockets widened as his boss gave him a look that told him everything.
Don't speak of this to anyone.

The monochrome skeleton nodded obediently as Nightmare removed Fresh's sunglasses and forced one eyesocket open. The parasite shifted in his sleep, the Soul he fed on exposed and half-dead. He gently suffused the breaking, inverted heart with his energy while pushing the incorporeal apple into the socket.

Fresh writhed, unable to wake as Nightmare held him with his goop coming off in clumps. The Soul slowly accepted the foreign magic, regenerating somewhat as a translucent apple covered it. The parasite adjusted its grip on it unconsciously, settling back down as it received a burst of energy and sustenance. The cave started collapsing as Nightmare returned the sunglasses, watching the purple tentacles of Fresh's true self reattach and hold them in place.

They moved on to the next tunnel, Cross keeping silent about what he witnessed as the King of Negativity carried Fresh the parasite in its host. They worked for about an hour or so, before they were informed that they'd collapsed all the tunnels and could enter Farthen Dûr now.

Upon exiting Tronjhiem, Geno and Chaos came up to Nightmare. "I was thinking Fresh could stay inside, protect Tronjhiem in case the Urgals get inside. I'll stay with him, too." He paused. "I don't want to, but I know Error and Chaos can handle themselves, as well as Blue. Though I'd prefer Berry to stay inside with us." "Yep!" Chaos chirped.

"Very well. Chaos can explain to Error, I will wake Fresh. Can you find Eragon for me?" "Yeah, I don't mind. But be gentle with my brother." Geno ordered him, receiving a dry chuckle. "Of course, Äfbaní." Nightmare muttered. The bloody glitch regarded him. "Why are you calling me that?" The Lord of Darkness shrugged. "It feels right, doesn't it?"
"Just like Äfdraumr feels right for you?"
"... Yes."
"You're not the only one… Somehow, I keep on calling myself Äfmanin in my head." Chaos said.

"And…" they all looked at Fresh as he woke up, Geno trailing as he spoke. Nightmare finished for him. "Fresh is Bjartmïnen."
"Yeah, that does feel right." Chaos muttered as said parasite looked up with blank sunglasses.
He stared at Nightmare, who just returned the gaze knowingly.

"Aight," Fresh started suddenly. "Whadda we doin'?"
"You," Geno pointed at him. "Are going inside with me. Chaos, go on ahead and find your father, I'm taking your uncle into Tronjhiem, alright?"
"Okay!" She jumped up and ran away, as if she already knew where Error was. Nightmare raised a non-existent eyebrow at Geno.
"They're right over there. I'm surprised you haven't noticed them yet." The bloody glitch pointed off in the distance behind him.

Nightmare turned, seeing Saphira a little ways off from the dwarven army, Chaos speeding towards them, as the figures of his team and Error could be seen with the dragon. "Thank you. Honestly, I was lazy." He admitted about not finding them. "I didn't feel like searching for them, with magic or otherwise."
Geno smirked, helping his parasite brother to his feet. "Such a lazybones." He chuckled. Nightmare glanced back at him. "Are you channeling your inner Papyrus?" Fresh snickered at the comment. Geno gave a mock gasp. "Me? Act like Papy? That's unheard of!"

The three of them shared a laugh before bading each other goodbye and heading their separate ways. Arya had already disappeared, much to Nightmare's disappointment, but Cross was waiting patiently for his king to give him an order.
"Come on, Cross." He waved at his most loyal subject.
"Boss, wait."

Nightmare faced him. "What is it?" Cross fiddled with the ends of his coat sleeves, glancing back the way Geno and Fresh had gone. "What you did with Fresh.." The Lord of Darkness waited expectantly. Cross stammered. "Is.. Fresh dying?" The King of Negativity sighed. "No. He is halfway through his host, but he is not dying. I'll keep him alive until we can find something for him. But even if he does go through that current host, I remember that Error once said he had a plan for if there were no available replacements for a while back in the Multiverse. I have the feeling it still qualifies here. So don't let it bother you, Cross."
… "Alright, Boss. I trust you."

He smiled at the monochrome. "When have you ever not trusted me?" Cross smirked. "You got me there, Boss." Nightmare held out his hand. "Come." Cross blinked, then took it, the pair teleporting. As soon as they arrived, Dust spotted them and smirked. Cross let go, looking flustered. "I'm not gay." He growled at the maniac. Nightmare rolled his eyelights and scoffed as Dust argued with Cross, turning to face Saphira.

"My, you look terrifying in that armor." She gave a dragon smile, humming her approval. Thank you. She spoke to him, earning a hum from the skeleton as well. Orik came over with a group of his kin, all carrying armor. "It was very difficult finding the right size for some of you, we almost couldn't find any at all."

Nightmare shook his skull, seeing Error and Cross do the same. "When I fight, armor is useless on me. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but my men will find more use of it than me and Error."
A few dwarves grumbled, but gave the rest to the team, most of which started arguing with the idea.

"Wear it. This isn't like fighting the Stars. You won't have the time to heal yourselves and each other, and we cannot waste our healing items or energy. Wear them."
Error stood behind him, glaring just as sternly as Nightmare. Red and Killer cursed a few times as Dust growled irritably, Cross frowning while removing his ridiculous layers. Eragon was already wearing what he was given, and Blue was showing off his battle body, Horror glaring at his set of armor. Chaos was by Error, listening intently as he described something he had made for her already.

A sort of impenetrable cloth armor he'd weaved, completely black and looking rather like a ninja outfit, much to the Temmie's joy. She wrapped herself up in the new 'armor' and squealed. "I LOVE IT, DADDY!!"
The others eventually started chuckling or giggling at her exuberance, until everyone present was laughing, even the dwarves. Chaos pranced around, imitating a ninja as she karate kicked and hiya-ed.

They calmed down, getting in their own sets and grumbling again. Then Dust brought up the fatefull topic. "Hey Boss, since we gotta wear this crap, why don't you go Corrupt? You sure as hell aren't fighting in your Passive form." He blinked at the murderer. "Yeah, Orik's friends haven't seen you like normal yet!" Killer agreed.
"Are you sure?" He asked. "I don't want to deal with unreasonably frightened dwarves."
"Please, they're curious about this other form of yours." Orik insisted lightly.

Nightmare gave him a look, then shrugged. Black goop started pouring out of his sockets. "I suppose they should see me. I wouldn't want to be attacked by my allies by mistake." He went on, the dark liquid dripping from his mouth as it spread over his limbs. His voice went deeper, to the voice of the Nightmare the Wyrdvrangr were more accustomed to. Red popped up from around Saphira to stare, wearing his own armor under his jacket.

Nightmare's tentacles slowly emerged from his backside as he grinned, his right eyesocket vanishing under the slime as the left eyelight turned into his signature ice blue circle.
When he was done, he flicked his tentacles and grinned wider.
"There's the Boss we know and love!" Error waved his hands at him as he gestured. Nightmare scoffed. "Enough with your shenanigans." He playfully slapped the glitch with a tendril, moving closer to Saphira.

He faced the dwarves, enjoying their slack-jawed awe and disbelief. "This is my preferred form." He informed them, spreading his arms and tentacles in a wide gesture. "I am unkillable."
"Oh, save the theatrics for the enemy!" Error complained. Nightmare spun, lashing out irritably as the glitch laughed and ran away. The dark King chased him, causing the rest of the team to burst out laughing themselves at the sight.

When Nightmare gave up, both returned to the Wyrdaí Islingrya and Dragon Rider. The three battalions that had formed in the distance started marching into position, drawing their attention.
"We should join them, right?" Error eventually asked.
"I suppose we should." Orik answered, eyeing Nightmare curiously.

They followed, the soldiers soon stopping before one of the collapsed tunnels, rocks inside piled so one could easily scale them. Dozens upon dozens of lanterns attached to poles were stuck in the ground, lighting up the place like the evening sun. Fire burned along the rim of the tunnel, cauldrons boiling pitch above them.
"Oof, that's gruesome." Dust muttered, aware of their purpose.
"Why are they boiling something right there?" Blue asked innocently. Everyone froze.
"Don't ask. Seriously, don't ask." Red told him, sockets wide. Blueberry stared at him in concern, then glanced back at the pitch.

They relaxed when he didn't pursue it further, but then Nightmare sensed the horror rise from him as he came to his own conclusions. Some of the others went to help with the stakes being planted around the entrance as Nightmare approached Berry. "Are you alright?"

"They're gonna pour it on them!" Blue squeaked in dispair. Nightmare hesitated. ".... Yes. They are." A few tears watered in the other's sockets. "That's abominable!"
"I know."
"They can't do that! There's.. no honor!"
"This isn't about honor, Blueberry. It's survival. There are too many of them to win without using tricks, based on eyewitness accounts. We can't afford to exhaust ourselves 'fighting honorably'."
The Swap Sans stared hard at Nightmare, like he'd been betrayed.
"I.. really don't like this."
Nightmare sighed. "I know. Just try not to think about it. I'm not a fan of it, either. I hate fighting with tricks like this; I only use them if I deem it necessary. And unfortunately, Blue, it is necessary."

Blue stared at the pitch-fires, his eyelights glazed as it sunk in. "Can we.." His voice died. Then Blue closed his sockets and spoke tensely. "Can I just stay here a minute?" Nightmare patted his spine with a tentacle. "It's fine, Blue. Do you want me to stay with you?"
"Uh.. yeah. Yes, I do."
Nightmare sat down, pulling the smaller one with him. "Let's sit. We have a little while."

They sat on the ground, Nightmare talking about random things, like their adventure to reach the Varden, the beauties of Tronjhiem and the size of Farthen Dûr. Eventually Blue joined him, beginning to smile as the morbid pitch-fires drifted from his mind. Soon enough, the others returned and happily took part in the conversation, fully aware that it was a distraction for the energetic skeleton.

Suddenly, Orik let out a curse and leapt to his feet, drawing everyone's attention to what he saw. It was Murtaugh, riding Tornac with his sword and a dwarven shield. "It's all right; Ajihad released me."
"Why would he do that?" Orik growled, causing the rest of the group to glare at him, save for Eragon.
"He said this was an opportunity to prove my good intentions. Apparently, he doesn't think I would be able to do much damage even if I did turn on the Varden."

A few of them scoffed, knowing Murtaugh was as much a fighter as they while Orik shot back. "How do we know you're not lying?"
"Because I say so." Ajihad appeared, clad in a breastplate and an ivory-handled sword. He gestured at Nightmare and Error as he led Eragon away. The pair of skeletons followed.

"It seems Orik couldn't outfit you all." He began.
"No, we refused. The two of us cannot fight wearing armor, we automatically regenerate anyway." Error explained as Ajihad studied Nightmare. The King of Negativity crossed his arms and inquired. "How did you recognize me, Ajihad?"
"The Twins gave me a description of you before we met; it resembled what you currently look like. I must say, you do look.. intimidating."
Nightmare grinned. "It's always a pleasure to hear those words."
"You are welcome, Lord Nightmare."
"Has anything been seen in the tunnels?" Eragon changed the subject.

Ajihad leaned on his sword, shaking his head. "Nothing. But one of the Twins is staying in Tronjhiem. He's going to watch the battle from the dragonhold and relay information through his brother to me. I know all three of you can speak with your mind, but Eragon, I need you to tell the Twins anything, anything, unusual that you see fighting. Also, I'll relay orders to you through them. Lord Nightmare, Lord Error, you may relay whatever you wish to me through Eragon should you decide to. Are we in understanding and agreement?"

Nightmare glanced at Eragon, sensing the loathing in him as Error agreed. The Rider also agreed, so Nightmare did as well. Ajihad nodded, pausing. "None of you are foot soldiers or horsemen, nor any type of warrior I'm used to commanding or even heard of. Battle may prove differently, but I think all of you are safer on the ground. In the air, you'll be a choice target for Urgal archers. Eragon, will you fight from Saphira's back?"

Eragon thought to himself. "I'm not sure what I'll do. When I'm on Saphira, I'm up too high to fight off all but a Kull."
"There will be plenty of Kull, I'm afraid." Ajihad spoke grimly. He stood straight, tugging his blade from the earth as he told them. "The only advice I can give you and the Wyrdaí Islingrya is to avoid unnecessary risks. The Varden cannot afford to lose you. Any of you."
He bowed to Error and Nightmare, then left. The trio returned to the others, skeletons discussing tactics with one another as the rest remained silent.

Within a few minutes, Nightmare saw Eragon take notice of Arya in the distance, the boy scrambling to his feet and heading over. The King of Negativity watched the ensuing conversation silently, his single eyelight impassive and all-knowing in it's gaze, hearing everything they said. It ended quickly, Eragon retreating to his dragon.

They lapsed into silence, waiting for something to happen. Hours went by, skeletons shifting uncomfortably in the armor they'd been outfitted in, Chaos falling asleep with her head in Error's lap, the glitch stroking it absentmindedly. Occasionally, they stirred when the battalion jumped up at the sight of the messengers, but it was always a false alarm.

After a while, Nightmare spoke. "You should sleep. Those of you who are tired, rest. Me and Error will wake you when it's time."
"Oeí, the dark Lord is right. It's late." Orik agreed. The team drifted off with little complaint. Nightmare and Error watched over them like sentries, one protecting their minds from his namesake so they'd rest easy.

But not one of them was slow to wake when the time came.