This will be the start of a new chapter - I've planned out Destiny so that there will be ten chapters in every volume (not including the prologue nor epilogue), and five volumes in all. This first volume shall be named "Shur'tugalar (Riders)", and then the book shall be marked as complete. The second volume, entitled "Indlvarn (Bond)", will be an entirely new book, since I want the transition to be as smooth as possible.

So, each volume will be a new book, though the chapters' numbers will continue in order. In order to differentiate between the volumes, there will be a different cover for each one. The old cover of Destiny will be for the complete, edited version of the book. It shall remain a side picture on the author's notes for each volume (probably going to change the ToC, too).

I hope this isn't too confusing! :3 Also, shout-out to IvettBodi for becoming my seventy-fifth fan! If you want a chance to earn prizes, vote to become the 250th voter or become my eightieth fan. The dedication for this chapter goes to lockleyking, an enthusiastic voter and a great fan who even earned himself a prize! Thanks for your support. :D

Alright, my lovelies, here you go: the beginning of chapter eight and the conclusion to The Reminiscence arc! <3

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Chapter 8

The boy stood there in momentary shock, unable to process the events that had just occurred. It wasn't until the voices of the others had almost faded that Nathan snapped out of it. He ran to catch up, and upon arrival grabbed Rose's shoulder and spun her around none too gently.

"What in the name of Hades are you doing?!" she spit vehemently, trying to pull free of Nat's grasp.

He did not relinquish her. "That's my line. There's something wrong with you, Rosaminda."

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though remorse welled within the blue eyes; however, it was quickly replaced by the more familiar anger. "You're acting like a brute, Nathan."

"And you're acting like a harpy," he countered, and the present day version explained, "The repulsive true form of sirens."

In the image Rose's beautiful face twisted into an ugly snarl. "Then why bother to be around me? Aphrodite knows I have no desire to be near you."

Nat stared deep into her eyes, but there was nothing but hatred to greet him. His face hardened as he thrust her away. "If that's they way you want it, then fine!"

From the sidelines a guffaw sounded, and the mirror revealed the other three watching the scene in amusement. "Just what I expected from my big brother," Nicholas jeered. "Giving into his anger and then giving up."

"Never was much of a fighter," Niaomi scoffed, her violet eyes shimmering with malice. "Too weak minded."

"Too weak everything," Ren corrected, making her beau and twin crack up. Nathan and his sister were not amused.

"You've always been so snooty," the girl complained as her brother's knuckles whitened. "My insults don't need correcting."

Renata merely gave a haughty flick of her hair and replied, "Of course you wouldn't think so, or else they really wouldn't need correcting."

"Like you are sooo perfect. Flouncing about with that stuck-up attitude and those hideously dull gray eyes."

"And you're one to talk with those freaky irises of yours. You look like a goddamn freak of nature."

"Oh, they WERE from a god, but they're not a damnation - I believe the term you're searching for is a 'blessing.'"

"Blessed with what? Ugliness?"

"Calm down," Nat tried to intervene, but both girls heedlessly continued their heated argument.

"It was power, actually." Niaomi raised her left hand as the green gem on her bracelet glowed. "Here's a little demonstration for you. Deloi!"

Thick vines shot out of the ground, wrapping around Ren's boots and climbing upwards along her breeches. Scowling, she began to mutter a counter spell when the tendrils tightened but stopped their growth.

The scene refocused on Niaomi, who was bent over at the waist, clutching the charm that was slowly turning from emerald to obsidian. Laughing cruelly, Renata freed herself with a whispered spell. "Now that was pitiful!"

Niaomi lifted her head to glare as Ren slowly approached. "I'm quaking in my boots," she taunted the blonde before standing straight once more. "You forget that I have five elements left to choose from."

At those words Renata halted, eyeing the other girl warily as Niaomi said, "Now, let's see - how about a little taste of fire?", and flames sprung from her fingertips.

"STOP THIS MADNESS!" Nathan roared, making his triplet lose her concentration as the fire flickered out. "You all are acting as if you've been struck by Dionysus himself! Where have your senses gone? Where has your love gone?"

"Love?" Ren gaped.

"Are you sure you aren't mad, brother dear?" Niaomi frowned.

"No I most certainly am not!" His fierceness made everyone take a step back. "You two love each other like sisters! You always have, and you always will - no matter what."

Turning to his brother, Nat continued, "And you! What in the name of all that is godly do you think you're doing there, smiling gleefully in the corner while your sister tries to kill the girl you love? It should concern you, godsdammit, and it DOES!"

Nick's face barely had time to register surprise when Nathan turned his anger on the last of them. "Don't think you're free of guilt, Rosaminda. You're acting as vicious as the rest of them, but I know it's not you. Not the girl I'm in love with."

Nose scrunched, Rose said in a confused voice, "I-I don't...understand..."

“I love you, Rosa, but not when you’re like this,” Nat explained as he walked over to her. “It’s like all the parts about you that I love aren’t there anymore.” Gripping her shoulders, he whispered, “But I refuse to accept that this is going to last forever,” before bringing his lips down on hers.

Rosaminda slowly wrapped her arms around Nathan’s waist, holding him closer as a swirl of dark energy began to leak from her body. Nicholas and Renata were staring at each in shock, while Niaomi looked at the two beaus and smiled softly. The same stuff that was leaking out of Rose now began to dispel from her.

Eragon could see the change as Niaomi’s eyes brightened, clearing the shadow’s cast they’d been under. She shook her head before turning to look at the other two who had yet to shake free of the dark magic’s grip. Putting a hand on each of their backs, she murmured, “Myrkr.”

The caption “Darkness” appeared as it leaked from Nick and Ren, and the onyx charm on Niaomi’s wrist flared before dulling to obsidian. Both blinked spasmodically once they were returned to their normal selves.

“W-what happened?” asked Renata, rubbing her forehead.

“I-I can’t really remember much...” Nicholas muttered, beginning to pace the width of the tunnel.

Niaomi looked over to Nat, who was still holding Rosaminda. Grinning widely, she whistled and yelled, “You don’t stop till ya drop, right Nat?”

He pulled back abruptly, gaping at the sight of the three of them all back to normal. “B-but, you were just, I mean you all were...what is going on?”

“It was dark, really dark,” Renata mumbled to herself, studying the luminous walls of the cavern. “But then why is it so bright now?”

“Because of Nat,” her twin answered, smiling joyously at the boy she loved. “He helped bring us back into the light.”

“I can remember some things, now,” Nick spoke up, coming to a still and facing the group. “It felt like all this venom and hatred was pouring into me, overflowing from my mouth into cruel remarks.”

Nathan nodded, curling an arm around Rose. “That’s exactly what happened to you and the others. I tried to snap you out of it, and almost gave up when my first attempts didn’t work.”

“But you didn’t give up,” his sister added, moving forward to give him a warm hug. “You made me see what love was, and that is what enabled me to purge Nick and Ren of the poison.”

“But not soon enough,” was the morose reply. “Not before you wasted one of your elements.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Niaomi stepped back to give her brother a wily grin. “You forget that I have four elements left to choose from. Now, let’s see - "

“No, thank you!” Nat yelped, shuddering as he remembered her issuing the same challenge to Ren.

Niaomi laughed, and the twins soon joined in. Nicholas rolled his eyes at their silliness before looking towards his brother and asking, “Well, did your trial go as smoothly as expected?”

“Are you joking?” Nathan shook his head, his mouth upturned at the ends. “I’m fearless, remember?”

“I could never forget,” Nick replied, and both brothers started chuckling until all five were howling, laughter and love having once more regained its place in their souls.