As distant echoes of roars faded behind them, the team of infiltrators- if they could even be called that- arrived before tremendous gold doors, displaying a full-size oak tree upon them, leaves arching until they conjoined with their roots. It was uncannily familiar, closely resembling a celtic rune of the World Tree. The main difference were two branches in the middle of the trunk that divided the circle into four quadrants.

The top left displayed elves marching through a forest, the right showing humans building castles and weapons while the bottom left had Urgals burning and slaughtering a village, the bottom right had dwarves mining caves. Scattered throughout the tree itself were a variety of unknown creatures and more familiar ones such as werecats and Ra'zac. The middle beheld a dragon with its tail clamped in its jaws, reminiscent of an ouroboros. This grand door was all that was left between them and Galbatorix.

"Now what?" Eragon asked. Blue huffed in a mixture of thrill, fear and amusement.
"I suppose we open the door."
"We can't knock?" Unity spoke up suddenly, only a voice.
"First, let's see if it's open." Arya pointed out.

So, they all prepared themselves for what lay on the other side, Arya and Elva gripping the handle of the left door- only for everything around the elven spellcasters with them to freeze, unmoving. It was as if they had been frozen in time.
With a dull clank, a door to the left slid open and they delicately floated towards it. Arya lunged with the Dauthdaert, but to no avail. They escaped ahead of her and the door thudded shut before she could follow.
Even after slamming the spear into the crack, the door remained unyielding.

Spinning, Arya faced them and cast out with her thoughts. Umaroth, I need your help to open this wall.
"They are alive and safe." Unity noted before the white dragon spoke.
No, Galbatorix is sure to have hidden your companions well. Trying to find them will only waste energy and place us in even greater danger.

Her scowl deepened. Then we play into his hand, Umaroth-elda. He wants to divide us and make us weaker. If we continue without them, it will be that much easier for Galbatorix to defeat us.
Yes, little one. But think you not also that the Egg-breaker might want us to pursue them? He might want us to forget him in our anger and concern, and rush blindly into another of his traps.

Why would he go through so much trouble? He could have captured Eragon, Saphira, Eldgath, Dauthíblaka, Istalrífreohr, and the rest of the Eldunarí even as he captured Blödhgarm and the others, but he didn't. She pointed out. Internally, both Unity and Loyalty doubted their Voices could be so easily bound as Umaroth suggested something else.

Perhaps he wants us to exhaust ourselves before we confront him or before he attempts to break us.
At that, Arya looked down, composing herself before lifting her eyes again with a mask of calm.
What, then, should we do, Ebrithil?
We hope that Galbatorix will not kill Blödhgarm or the others- not immediately, at least- and we continue on until we find the king.

Perturbed, Arya accepted that answer, moving on to open the door, Elva standing with her, small hand also on the spear. She struggled slightly, face revealing strain as the massive door opened. Blue grimaced in sympathy, waving a hand and nudging it along with the magic that shared his name, GB pawing the right side open hesitantly.

Beyond the doorway was a tremendous chamber of shadows. On either side of the entrance, a row of erisdar- flameless lanterns- hung from iron poles, illuminating the path and little else. Nearly a full 500 feet away they ended at the bottom of a platform in which upon sat a throne. On said seat was a single, shadowed figure. The only one there.

ɪ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ʜɪꜱ ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ.. Loyalty noted faintly, cautious. The man held a sword in his lap, a pale, unnaturally white thing, gleaming coldly in the dark space. Without a word, the five of them started forward.

As soon as the last inch of Draco's tail slid past the threshold, the doors swung shut with a boom. The man in the throne lifted his head then, regarding them and speaking in a silky, entrancing voice that sounded hauntingly similar to Loyalty.. though lacking the ethereal whispers and sense of power deities had.

"Ah, I have been expecting you. Welcome to my abode. And welcome to you in particular, Eragon Shadeslayer, and to you, Saphira Brightscales. And of course, Uniter Shadeslayer, Flamedeath Brighteyes, and Deathwing Brightscales: you lot have intrigued me. But I am also glad to see you, Arya- daughter of Islanzadí- and you as well, Elva, she of the Shining Brow. And of course, Unity, Loyalty, Glaedr, Umaroth, Valdr, and those others who travel with you unseen. I had long believed the dragons to be dead, and am most glad to learn otherwise. Welcome, all! We have much to talk about."

His voice echoed slightly in the vast room, leaving them slightly cold as they understood all possibilities of surprise had been dashed. With nothing else to do, the group hesitantly strode forward, regarding the shadows in suspicion.
I ϝҽҽʅ ʂҽʋҽɾαʅ σƚԋҽɾʂ αɾσυɳԃ υʂ. Unity noted nervously.
"I do not." Elva noted suspiciously.
Tԋҽყ αɾҽ ԋιԃԃҽɳ.

"Where is Shruikan?" Eragon quested under his breath.
Loyalty answered in thought even as Saphira was still sniffing.
ᴀɴ ᴀᴛᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴛᴏ ꜱʜʀᴏᴜᴅ ʜɪꜱ ᴍɪɴᴅ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴡᴇ ꜰᴇᴇʟ ʜɪᴍ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜʀᴏɴᴇ.
Hҽ ιʂ ʂσ ʋҽɾყ αɳɠɾყ. Unity added uneasily.
I can smell him, but not hear him. Saphira noted.
Unity guided Blue's lights up behind the throne.
The black curtains. He realized with a start.
Those are skin! That means…
That he is right in front of us. Draco finished for him, squinting slightly.

Their meager team finally stopped thirty feet before the dias, whereupon they stared at Galbatorix distrustfully. The man studied them for a brief span, face hidden in the shadows of his throne until he leaned forward, revealing himself.

The first thing they noticed was his sharp nose and drawn face, appearing oddly gaunt despite his broad shoulders. His crown was old, made of reddened gold and gems. The sword in his lap was unnaturally pale, hard to look away from as he studied each of them individually, blinking perhaps once throughout the examination.

"So." He finally spoke, voice loud amid the hushed silence. "You have come to kill me. Well then, shall we begin?" He raised the blade and his arms wide, as if to greet them all.
For a tense moment, no one moved.

Then Elva took a step forward, hand on the Dauthdaert as she made to speak- except there was nothing. She was mute. She glanced at the others with wide eyes, and a thought cast in her direction felt as though she was not even there.

Galbatorix chuckled, setting the sword back down and leaning back again. "Did you truly believe that I was ignorant of your ability, child? Did you really think you could render me helpless with such a petty, transparent trick? Oh, I have no doubt your words could harm me, but only if I can hear them." He smiled, but there was no kindness there, only something hard and cold.

"Such folly. This is the extent of your plan? A girl who cannot speak unless I grant her leave, a spear more suited for hanging on a wall than carrying into battle, and a collection of Eldunarí half out of their minds with age? Tut-tut. I had thought better of you, Blue, Arya. And you, GB, Draco, and Glaedr, though I suppose your emotions have clouded your reason since I used Murtagh to slay Oromis."

There was an echo of discontent from the elf's mind in Draco's inventory, the gold dragon addressing the princess and students with a restrained rage so great he sounded serene.
Kill him.

With that, the group started forward and attacked his mind with theirs. Yet they only made it three steps forward before Galbatorix stood in his seat and shouted a single word. Something powerful, ringing in their minds as it sent a pulse throughout them all. He said more, but it was lost on them as they found themselves frozen in place.

There should have been wards in place against such a simple attack, but of course there was nothing. They lashed out with thought again as a new force welled up to fight them. A collection of minds, all hysterical, twisted, raving and wailing as they clawed and raged.

It forced the mortals to deal with them instead of attacking the king, though the deities burst into a quick argument, mentioning morality and youths in their bickering as Galbatorix crooned.
"Come out, my dears, and meet our guests."

A pair of siblings stepped out from behind the seat of power, a boy about eight years old with a sister around two years younger cowering behind him. The others continued to struggle against the broken Eldunarí as Galbatorix lifted the girl's chin.
"Isn't she charming? Such large eyes and such pretty hair. And isn't he a handsome young lad?" He rested a hand on the other's shoulder.

"Children, it is said, are a blessing to us all. I do not happen to share that belief. It has been my experience that children are every bit as cruel and vindictive as adults. They only lack the strength to subjugate others to their will." He began.

Regarding them without a care to the battles they were facing on the planes of the mind, Galbatorix continued.
"Perhaps you agree with me, perhaps you don't. Regardless, I know that you of the Varden pride yourselves on your virtue. You see yourselves as upholders of justice, defenders of the innocent- as if any are truly innocent- and as noble warriors fighting to right an ancient wrong. Very well, then; let us test your convictions and see if you are what you claim to be. Unless you stop your attack, I shall kill these two-" he playfully rocked the boy's shoulder- "and I shall kill them if you dare attack me again…. In fact, if you displease me excessively, I shall kill them anyway, so I advise you to be courteous."

Blue had already drawn back into himself, Unity shielding him from the maddening storm of unstable dragons. His eyelights burned coldly, a wintry blue-white that bore into the king with such hostility and disgust he almost looked like an entirely different person. Eragon and Arya were next to retreat, stricken with utter dismay as GB snarled.

You have to stop. Blue pressed, the skeleblaster yearning fervently towards Galbatorix in small, spastic twitches, held captive by the spell.
They are kids. Draco reminded cautiously with a whine.
Umaroth! The elf and human were begging the Eldunarí.

Enough! There are hatchlings in danger! Glaedr bellowed, the force of it turning Draco's eyelights more bronze than his usual yellow-gold. GB recoiled into himself then, seething.
And more hatchlings will be in danger if we do not kill the Egg-breaker. Umaroth snapped.
Yes, but now is the wrong time to try. Arya advised.
Wait a little while, and perhaps we can find a way to attack him without risking the lives of the children.

And if not? The white one questioned.
Then we will do what we must. Saphira answered as the others fell silent.
Slowly, angrily, the Eldunarí retreated.
Galbatorix grinned, the edges of his teeth freakishly translucent.
"There, that's better. Now we may speak as civilized beings, without worrying about who is trying to kill whom."

With a pat to the boy's head, he pointed at the bottom of the dias. "Sit."
They obeyed, taking the bottom step and leaning somewhat away from him. Galbatorix then waved at their group. "Kuasta." He said, and they all slid across the floor to stop before the platform. It was jarring how easily the king simply dragged them around like dolls.

Regarding Eragon with intrigue, Galbatorix spoke.
"So you are the one who has given me so much trouble, Eragon, son of Morzan…. You and I should have met long ago. Had your mother not been so foolish as to hide you in Carvahall, you would have grown up here, in Urû-baen, as a child of nobility, with all the riches and responsibilities that entails, instead of whiling away your days grubbing in the dirt."

The boy squinted, but said nothing as the king went on.
"Be that as it may, you are here now, and those things shall at last be yours. They are your birthright, your inheritance, and I shall see to it that you receive them."

Blue cast a glance towards Eragon in concern, but the human did not meet his gaze, simply locking eyes with the king that studied him as one might a bug.
"You look more like your mother than your father." Galbatorix noted.
"With Murtagh, the opposite holds true. Still, it matters little. Whichever one you resemble most, it is only right that you and your brother should serve me, even as did your parents."
"Never." Eragon growled out.

The king gave a thin smile at that. "Never? We shall see." He commented, a hint of cruel glee in his words as he peered at Saphira.
"And you, Saphira. Of all my guests today, I am gladdest to see you. You have grown into a fine adulthood. Do you remember this place? Do you remember the sound of my voice? I spent many a night talking to you and the other eggs in my charge during the years when I was securing my rule over the Empire."

I… I remember a little. She admitted, Eragon echoing her words to the king, who nodded.
"And I am sure you will remember more the longer you stay within these walls. You may not have been fully aware of it at the time, but you spent most of your life in a room not far from here. This is your home, Saphira. It is where you belong. And it is where you will build your nest and lay your eggs."

She squinted at that as Galbatorix peered at Blue, who stiffened.
"My, my, what an illustrious path you have taken, Uniter Blue, or perhaps I should say Sans? Is a life of strife truly what you want? I dare say that you have caused much mischief for me in your journey across Alagaësia. Have you not had your fill of violence? You could stop this charade and join me. We could unite the world under one banner, and you would never have to lift your hammer against another person again, be it man, Urgal, dwarf, or even elf."
There was a pause as Blue mulled over the offer.

Then he spoke politely, as if the king before them was not their enemy- let alone being the greatest adversary Alagaësia had ever faced before.
"Forgive my confusion, but I cannot tell if you mean to beguile myself or Unity. It is true that I do not wish to harm any more innocents, but neither can I stand idle amidst oppression. My preferred methods do not involve so much death and destruction, but neither can I make use of them here. I suppose we are alike in the sense that we prefer to fight with our minds and our words. We do not have the same intentions though, and in that, we will always be different."

At this, Galbatorix seemed greatly amused and intrigued. "And so mean to say that your intentions are to kill me, and me alone, and no one else? Such a violent path you have taken in order to strike at me, and for what? To hinder the unification of the land? To right a wrong that is not even yours to correct?"

"A wrong is still a wrong, no matter my personal connection to it. And my motivations are not the same as Unity's. Similar, yes, but not the same. I don't even want to kill you. I know it is not my fate to do so. I am here to protect Eragon. I am sure you know his age just as well as I do, and I am also aware that he is considered grown by the standards of Alagaësia, but he is still only a boy. He's only 16 and is saddled with the fate of killing you. That is far from an easy task."

One of his brow's lifted in intrigue.
"You would insist upon being the guardian of a Rider, only to allow the impossible task to fall to his shoulders? That does not speak well of your oh so very virtuous morals. In fact, I dare say that it paints you as shallow and conceited. Are you just as false as your claim as a Rider?"

At that, Blue paused. He would have pointed out that he had no choice in the matter, but he had a different thought.
"...You have other monsters in your service. Surely you have been told- at least heard- of our feelings of wyrda? We feel the tides of Fate. We sense the coming of major events and are unable to prevent them, not even speak of them at times. I'm surprised I can even tell you that you are about to die. Perhaps that is so because you cannot believe it."

Galbatorix hummed thoughtfully at that. "You mean to tell me that you will leave Eragon to somehow kill me because you feel he is destined to?"
"If I were ab-""Destined? Destined?" Unity interrupted in bewilderment.
"This has nothing to do with Destiny. No, no, this is to do with the fate of your world! Mindless though as it is, it is still infinitely more forgiving and kind than our own! Now our Fate, they are the reason our Multiverse is collapsing in the first place! But to bring Destiny's name into this is just slander! Destiny is of choice and consequence, not inevitable, unchangeable paths like Fate! Destiny is in Blue becoming a Rider, a choice, whereas Eragon was fated through the inexorable path laid before him without his knowing- the path that we can discern ahead involves him killing you! Perhaps indirectly. Death will then take your broken Soul when you have departed, though I do believe you will be spiteful about it. That's my opinion, though!"

Blue sighed, wishing he could at least facepalm at the deity. Even in the dire situation they were in now, Unity was open and exuberant, as if among friends. Surprisingly, Galbatorix seemed rather unaffected by the jarring interruption, regarding Blue as if expecting him to continue. It made sense, the king had Madness to contend with.

Blue spoke calmly, much softer than the deity had been. "As Unity made clear, we have no choice in the matter. If I were able, I would have done my best to kill you myself- if only to protect those I care for. Killing you would not even have been my first thought, as you…" He paused thoughtfully.

"You remind me of what Nightmare had been. There are some differences, of course, but the similarities are uncanny. Your goals are very much unlike his, though, and that leads you to try winning us over with your silver tongue. You want to appear as a grand, glorious, even magnanimous to us as possible so that we will please you and subm-"
"Theyna." Be silent.

Galbatorix interrupted with that single word, and suddenly Blue couldn't speak. He frowned, but did not fight it. There was no use.
"You presume to know what I want?" The king questioned him. Of course, Blue was unable to reply.
"You think you know what my plans are, do you? You know nothing. I will forgive you this time, as you have only seen my actions through the lense of the Varden and thus have been biased. Do not assume my motivations again."

It was Unity who spoke then, unhindered by the spell cast upon Blue.
"With all due respect, he was only doing what you did to him. If this is a civilized conversation- as civil as one can be when the lives of newly formed mortals are at stake- then there is going to be some going back and forth now, isn't there? And since you've muted my Voice, I would like to say that I rather agree. You can hide behind the dragons you've broken, that's alright, I don't mind, but you can't change the fact that actions speak louder than words. That's all I have to say about that. Unless you would let me say more, but I don't want to be the guinea pig of how Alagaësian magic reacts when directly interacting with us deities!"

"Oh, by all means! Go ahead and speak. I've not interacted with your kind enough, and you are correct: this is to be a civilized discussion. You seem to be quite the friendly sort." There was laughter in his voice, and it was as though he had all the time in the world.

Blue cringed, and Unity seemed delighted.
"Why, Galbatorix, I admire you! Never in the history of the Multiverse had there been any who could unite different races and peoples together as you have done in Alagaësia! It's inspiring! Sure, everyone has come together in order to defeat you, but the fact that it has happened at all is incredible! So many differences begrudgingly set aside so all the peoples you have wronged can have a chance to see you dead. I would thank you if it weren't for the abhorrent tactics you used to do so- everyone's together in order to better kill you, after all. But bravo, human, you've achieved the impossible. I appreciate that!"
Now Blue cringed even harder, Eragon regarding him in bewilderment.

It was then that a new disembodied voice spoke, strikingly similar to the king himself- so much so that Galbatorix blinked in faint surprise.
"While you have impressed Unity, I myself am indifferent. Yours is a misbegotten power, stolen from a race of grandeur and strength and attained through lies and manipulation. You breed dissent, violence and backstabbing amid your ranks just as much as hatred. You relish in your strength and control, but it does not belong to you. Make no mistake, regardless of all you have attained, you are still just a man." Loyalty stated coldly, GB glancing about in alarm, afraid of the king's wrath.

Instead, Galbatorix leaned his head on one hand, elbow propped up on the throne.
"Indeed, I have slacked in my watch over my army. That is true. And how could I not, when I have been so distracted by the inner politics of the Empire and the training of my subordinates? When I have rid the land of the Varden and united Alagaësia under the same banner, then shall I educate my ranks over their behavior. Not before. Now."

He sat up again, threading his fingers together with his arms resting on the bare flat blade of the sword in his lap. "This little discussion has gone on without direction long enough. This distraction shall not continue."

Eyeing GB and Draco, he went on. "I must say it is an immense pleasure to have not one, but two proper dragons of the Multiverse standing before me. What fine specimens the two of you are. I must say that I regret the mistreatment that Shade, Durza, had put you through, GB. It is most unbecoming to allow such cruelty within my own kingdom. In my service, you would never be caged again. None would dare raise a hand against you, and the children you should have would never know a harsh word or pain. They will be free to stretch their wings in the sun."

GB scowled, Draco growling faintly as Galbatorix regarded the elf in their midst.
"Arya Dröttningu. Fate, it seems, has a sense of humor, for here you are, even as I ordered you to be brought so long ago. Your path is a roundabout one, but you still have come, and of your own accord. I find that rather amusing. Don't you?"

Her lips thinned as she remained silent. The king chuckled at that.
"I admit you have been a thorn in my side for quite some time now. You've not caused as much mischief as that bumbling meddler Brom, but neither have you been idle. One might even say this whole situation is your fault, as it was you who sent Saphira's egg to Eragon. However, I hold no enmity toward you. If not for you, Saphira might not have hatched and I might never have been able to flush the last of my enemies from hiding. For that, I thank you."

He turned to the starchild.
"And then there is you, Elva. The girl with the sigil of a Rider upon her brow. Dragon-marked and blessed with the wherewithal to perceive all that pains a person and all that will pain them. How you must have suffered these past months. How you must despise those around you for their weaknesses, even as you are forced to share in their misery. The Varden have used you poorly. Today I shall end the battles that have so tormented you, and you shall no longer have to endure the mistakes and misfortunes of others. That I promise. On occasion, I may have need of your skill, but in the main, you may live as you please, and peace shall be yours."
Elva frowned thoughtfully, visibly considering the option.

It was then that he wrapped his hand around the hilt of the pale sword, peering at them before looking up at the point in which the Eldunarí hung in the pseudo-inventory. "Convey my words to Umaroth as I speak them." He ordered before calling out with anger.

"Umaroth! We are ill met once again. I thought I killed you on Vroengard."
Blue began to echo the white dragon's words. "He says-" "That you only killed his body." Arya cut in.
"That much is obvious." Galbatorix remarked.
"Where did the Riders hide you and those with you? On Vroengard? Or was it elsewhere? My servants and I searched the ruins of Doru Araeba most closely."

"He says…" Eragon hesitated, Blue finishing for him.
"He says he will never share that information with you of his own free will."
The king's brows met. "Does he now? Well, he'll tell me soon enough, whether he wishes to or not." He then tapped the pommel of his sword.
"I took this blade from his Rider, you know, when I killed him- when I killed Vrael- in the watchtower that overlooks Palancar Valley. Vrael had his own name for the sword. He called it Islingr, 'Light-Bringer'. I thought Vrangr was more… appropriate."
Given that Vrangr meant awry, it certainly was fitting of the bleached blade.

There was a boom behind them, though none of them could turn to see the cause of it.
"Ah, good. Murtagh and Thorn shall be joining us shortly, and then we can begin properly."
At that, there was a sound of rushing air around them, the king glancing over his shoulder as Blue inhaled sharply in realization.
"It was inconsiderate of you to attack so early in the morning." Galbatorix noted, the velvet behind him rising.

"I was already awake- I rise well before dawn- but you woke Shruikan. He gets rather irritated when he's tired, and when he's irritated, he tends to eat people. My guards learned long ago not to disturb him when he's resting. You would have done well to follow their example."
The curtains finally revealed the vast dragon behind the throne, curled up with his head close to the seat of power.

He was a wall of dark scales, glittering coldly. There was no easy comparison for the vastness of the reptile before them- Shruikan was most comparable to a god, the spikes of his back as thick as ancient oaks. The dragon was as tall as a small skyscraper, and he had yet to rise to his feet. His eye opened then, jarringly ice blue, more white than anything else and full of rage, an incomprehensible hatred.

The burning malevolence glared at them and Saphira dared to growl, scales rising on her back.
Shruikan growled back, loud as an avalanche as flames shot from his nostrils, the kids squealing and covering their heads.
"Peace, Shruikan." Galbatorix crooned, the great eyelid falling until the frozen, maddening eye was largely covered.
"He does not like you." The king noted. "But then, he does not like anyone… do you now, Shruikan?"
The giant snorted like a freight train.

Struggling against the spell holding him, Eragon shouted. "How is it you can do this?!"
Arya replied in a more controlled tone. "I would like to know as well."
There was a dark gleam in Galbatorix's eyes.
"Can you not guess, elfling?"
"I would prefer an answer to a guess."

"Very well." He leaned back somewhat. "But first you must do something so that you may know that what I say is the truth. You must try to cast a spell, all three of you, and then I shall tell you."
They all stared at him, distrustful. The king waved his hand, and Blue blinked as he realized he was able to speak again.
"Go on; I promise that I will not punish you for it. Now try…. I insist."

Arya made her attempt, speaking in a low voice.
"Thrautha." Throw. She must have been trying to fire the spear towards the king, but nothing happened. Eragon went next, shouting. "Brisingr!" And regarding his sword desperately. It did nothing but shiver and gleam a hint bluer for a moment before going still. Blue saw all this and sighed.

"Risa." He stated, phalanges twitching with a hint of his namesake. He did not target Galbatorix, instead directing it to the young boy. He watched the child gasp with a faint cerulean hue as he lifted an inch into the air. The king's smile twitched and he immediately shut it off.
He did not smile, he did not react, he simply locked his lights with Galbatorix's eyes.
The man tutted. "Clever. But if you think that will be effective against me, then put the thought out of your mind."
"I hadn't thought it would be." Blue admitted.

The king's smile grew sharp as he took note of Arya's drawn face.
"Oh yes, the answer must be obvious to you now, elfling. It has taken me most of the past century, but at long last I have found what I was searching for: a means of governing the spellcasters of Alagaësia. The search was not easy; most men would have given up in frustration or, if they had the required patience, fear. But not I. I persisted. And through my study, I discovered what I had for so long desired: a tablet written in another land and another age, by hands that were neither elf nor dwarf nor human nor Urgal. And upon that tablet, there was scribed a certain Word- a name that magicians throughout the ages have hunted for with nothing but bitter disappointment as their reward."
A finger lifted. "The name of all names. The name of the ancient language."

Eragon choked briefly on his words as Arya scowled, but Blue hummed.
"There are surviving physical works of the Grey Folk?" He felt little fear, oddly enough. Perhaps that was Unity's influence. He knew that this Word may be able to control all spoken spells, but it couldn't control the inherent magic of monsters, couldn't stop a spell cast without words. He hesitated at that thought.
…No words.
They could not use words, then, but what could they do that could circumvent Galbatorix's wards? That was the question.

Galbatorix continued to gloat.
"With this Word, I can reshape spells as easily as another magician might command the elements. All spells shall be subject to me, but I am subject to none, except for those of my choosing."
Blue glanced at Eragon, the human seemingly caught with a hint of hope amidst despair.

The monologue continued.
"I shall use the name of names to bring every magician in Alagaësia to heel, and no one shall cast a spell without my blessing, not even the elves. At this very moment, the magicians of your army are discovering the truth of this. Once they venture a certain distance into Urû-baen, past the front gate, their spells cease to work as they should. Some of their enchantments fail outright, while others twist and end up affecting your troops instead of mine."
His head tilted and he stared blankly to the side for a moment.
"It has caused much confusion among their ranks."

"It doesn't matter." Eragon spat out. "We'll still find a way to stop you."
This seemed to entertain the king.
"Is that so. How? And why? Think what you are saying. You would stop the first opportunity that Alagaësia has had for true peace in order to sate your overdeveloped sense of vengeance? You would allow magicians everywhere to continue to have their way, regardless of the harm they cause others? That seems far worse than anything I have done. But this is idle speculation. The finest warriors of the Riders could not defeat me, and you are far from their equal. You never had any hope of overthrowing me. None of you did."

"I killed Durza, and I killed the Ra'zac. Why not you?" Eragon demanded.
"I am not as weak as those who serve me. You could not even trounce Murtagh, and he is but a shadow of a shadow. Your father, Morzan, was far more powerful than either of you, and even he could not withstand my might. Besides." Here a hint of his true nature revealed itself, vicious and vindictive.

"You are mistaken if you think you destroyed the Ra'zac. The eggs in Dras-Leona weren't the only ones I took from the Lethrblaka. I have others, hidden elsewhere. Soon they will hatch, and soon the Ra'zac shall once more roam the earth to do my bidding. As for Durza, Shades are easy to make, and they are often more trouble than they are worth. So you see, you have won nothing, boy- nothing but false victories."

Blue glanced as best he could at everyone present, fighting to resist the feeling of despair welling up from inside. He knew the man was going to die- he was supposed to! Every other premonition had come true, as much as he desperately wished they wouldn't, and now the single one that he had always taken comfort in happening seemed to be what would not pass. Was it the king's knowledge of the Name? Could it somehow alter Wyrda? It shouldn't be. It couldn't.

Do you have any ideas? Eragon asked them all as the sides glared at one another, one smug, the other enraged.
No. Saphira replied angrily.
Only that we should attack while we still can. Umaroth answered.
We need to find a spell without words. He can only defend against words, so.. Blue hesitated.
ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ʙᴇʏᴏɴᴅ ᴡᴏʀᴅꜱ. ᴏᴜᴛꜱɪᴅᴇ ᴏꜰ ʟᴀɴɢᴜᴀɢᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ꜱᴏ ᴛɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ. Loyalty finished.
But how? Eragon questioned.

It was Unity who answered.
Tԋιɳƙ αႦσυƚ ɯԋαƚ ყσυ ϝҽҽʅ. Tԋαƚ ιʂ ყσυɾ ƈσɳɳҽƈƚισɳ ƚσ ƚԋҽ Ⴆҽყσɳԃ, ƚσ υʂ ԃҽιƚιҽʂ, ƚσ ɠσԃʂ. Iƚ ιʂ ιɳ ƚԋσυɠԋƚ ƚԋαƚ Ⴆɾιɳɠʂ ყσυ ƈʅσʂҽɾ, αɳԃ ιƚ ιʂ ɯιƚԋ ƚԋσυɠԋƚ ƚԋαƚ ყσυ υʂҽ ɱαɠιƈ.
There was the sound of the gate behind them opening, then sliding shut with a small boom. The sound of boots and heavy talons echoed behind them and Unity added.
Yσυ ɯιʅʅ ƙɳσɯ ɯԋҽɳ ყσυ ϝιɳԃ ƚԋҽ ʂρҽʅʅ.

Eventually the red dragon and his Rider appeared beside Eragon and Saphira, human bowing.
"Sir."
Galbatorix waved vaguely, and Murtagh went to stand to the right of the throne, sneering briefly at Eragon before glaring ahead with his hands behind him.

"You took longer than I expected." The king noted in a false mild tone.
Still staring ahead, he replied. "The gate was more damaged than I originally thought, sir, and the spells you placed on it made it difficult to repair."
"Do you mean that it's my fault you are tardy?"
"No, sir. I only mean to explain. Also, part of the hallway was rather… messy, and that slowed us."
"I see. We shall speak of this later, but for now, there are other matters we must attend to. For one, it is time our guests meet the final members of our party. Moreover, it is high time we had some proper light in here."
Smacking the flat of Vrangr against the arm of his seat, Galbatorix bellowed. "Naina!"

All at once, several hundred lanterns blazed to life from the walls of the enormous space as they revealed the room. Ornate pillars and doorways lined the walls, all the space taken up by exquisite paintings, scrollwork and sculptures, silver, gold and jewels glittering about the place.

In seconds, they gasped at several jarring shapes that had been previously concealed in shadow. First was an enormous slab of rock on their right, upon which Nasuada was chained, dressed in a meager tunic. On the left was a strange, furry creature the size of a dragon, held tight by chains as it strained to crouch over another block in which lay Chaos, bruised with her injured ear bleeding, wearing an identical tunic.

As Eragon shouted to Nasuada, Blue stared at the sandy brown creature, it's face an exposed skull with pink eyelights.
"...Fresh?"
The strange beast hesitantly nodded, Chaos nodding frantically, tears in her red eyes.
"Fuck, what did they do to you?" GB questioned in shock. Fresh only shivered, the chains somehow silent.
"Have you been forced to swear fealty?" Blue echoed Eragon's question to Nasuada.
Chaos shook her head in terror as Fresh snarled.

"Do you think I would let them tell you if I had?" Galbatorix asked.
"Well, have you?" Eragon challenged.
"As it so happens, no. I decided to wait until I had gathered all of you together. Now that I have, none shall leave until you have pledged yourselves in service to me, nor shall you leave until I have learned the true name of each and every one of you. That is why you are here. Not to kill me, but to bow down before me and to finally put an end to this noisome rebellion."

Several dragons growled at that, Eragon defiant.
"We won't give in."
Lazily pointing at the children, Galbatorix stated.
"Then they will die. And in the end, your defiance will change nothing. You do not seem to understand; you have already lost. Outside, the battle fares badly for your friends. Soon my men will force them to surrender, and this war will arrive at it's destined conclusion. Fight if you wish. Deny what is before you if it comforts you. But nothing you do can change your fate, or that of Alagaësia."

Blue glanced fretfully at Fresh, who was somehow a creature of what seemed to be four wings, shuddering before the king. What had been done to the child? To Chaos?
Eragon was just as furious, spitting.
"Vae weohnata ono vergarí, eka thaët otherúm."
We will kill you, I swear it.

There was a hint of frustration in the king and he spoke the Name alongside some other words, ringing in their minds as the promise seemed to fall flat and dead. He then sneered at them.
"Swear all the oaths you want. They shall not bind you, not unless I allow them to."
"I'll still kill you." Eragon replied weakly.

A moment later and Umaroth suggested.
Do not hesitate. Now is the time to strike.
So Eragon then raised his voice.
"Why won't you fight me? Are you a coward? Or are you too weak to match yourself against me? Is that why you hide behind these children like a frightened old woman?"
Eragon… Arya warned.

"I am not the only one who brought a child here today." Galbatorix warned.
"There is a difference: Elva agreed to come. But you didn't answer the question. Why won't you fight? Is it that you've spent so long sitting on your throne and eating sweets that you've forgotten how to swing a sword?"
"You do not want to fight me, youngling." Galbatorix rumbled.

"Prove it, then. Release me and meet me in honest battle. Show me that you are a warrior to be reckoned with. Or live with the knowledge that you are a sniveling coward who dares not face even a single opponent without the help of your Eldunarí. You killed Vrael himself! Why should you fear me? Why should-"
"Enough!" Cried the king, cheeks red.

A moment later he recomposed himself, baring his teeth as he knocked on the throne. "I did not gain this throne by accepting every challenge put to me. Nor have I held it by meeting my foes in 'honest battle'. What you have yet to learn, youngling, is that it does not matter how you achieve victory, only that you achieve it."

"You're wrong. It does matter."
"I will remind you of that when you are sworn to me. However…" He tapped his pommel.
"Since you wish so badly to fight, I will grant your request. But not with me. With Murtagh."
At that, Murtagh shot a withering look towards Eragon.

Rubbing his beard, Galbatorix mused.
"I would like to know, once and for all, which of you is the better warrior. You will fight as you are, without magic or Eldunarí, until one of you is unable to continue. You may not kill each other- that I forbid- but short of death, I will allow most anything. It will be rather entertaining, I think, to watch brother fight brother."

"No, not brothers. Half brothers. Brom was my father, not Morzan."
For once, the king seemed surprised, smiling faintly. "Of course. I should have seen it; the truth is in your face for any who know what to look for. This duel will be all the more fitting, then. The son of Brom pitted against the son of Morzan. Fate indeed has a sense of humor."

He then waved his hand. "Letta." Eragon stumbled as he regained control of his body. Galbatorix then regarded the others.
"Gánga aptr." He stated, the group sliding backwards until Eragon was left alone. Mumbling, the king dimmed the lights dramatically before addressing Murtagh.
"Come now. Join Eragon, and let us see which of you is the more skilled."

With a viscous scowl, Murtagh strode down across from Eragon, sliding Zar'roc from it's sheath and crouching.
The boy glanced at his allies for a hint of support, then mirrored his halfbrother.

They readied themselves.
Blue felt utter dismay at the ridiculous situation.
Yet inside, he felt Unity lighting up in wonderous glee. The deity knew something that he did not.