Mild swearing and violence.

A/N: Due to a new rule, Gereth and Roslyn's conversations will not only be in italics, but rather italics and apostrophe's to make it less taxing on the judges.

Prompt: Eragon has summoned you, you and only you for a mission. This mission involves flying to Vroengard, the old training island of the Riders, to retrieve an item located in the Vault of Souls that is greatly needed by Eragon. He entrusts this to you and your dragon, sharing with you the way to open the Vault of Souls: Saying your true name. He grants you the companionship of a single Eldunari to help guide you, and warns you that if you have already discovered your true name (this is mainly for Elves who are born with this knowledge) will be snatched from your memory by the poisonous gases of the island. You may bring no other characters with your characters to Vroengard, although they may be mentioned.

Characters: Belle Liressdaughter(Nikkisha16), Reona(LydiaGiVi), Murtagh and Thorn(Christopher Paolini), Blödhgarm(Christopher Paolini), Elva(Christopher Paolini), Angela(Christopher Paolini), Jeod(Christopher Paolini), and Trianna(Christopher Paolini) Some of the characters beyond and in this entry may have been eliminated from the competition.

Score: 10/12

Location: Oromis Isle as featured in A Young Rider's Story; Vroengard.

My Entry:

I submerged my hands into the earnest white foam of the river, sighing with relief as the cool water cleansed the nooks of my palms. Cupping the water, I swiftly brought the crisp life-source to my face, droplets flowing down my cheeks. As the water cascaded down over my lips I lapped out my tongue, catching the water and dampening my lips.

I opened my stormy eyes again, drying my palms and face with the hem of my emerald tunic as stray drops slid from my face and down under my tunic onto my torso. I flung my sorrel hair over my shoulders and crouched by the riverbank for a few more moments before extending my legs and standing with an emphatic groan.

'Roslyn,' Gereth entered my mind, 'The hearing with the flame-haired-elf will be taking place here in less than one hour. It would be wise of you if you headed back to the Main Hall.'

I said nothing to my emerald beast, but I acknowledged his counsel. I groaned as I made my way back to the main mountain palisades, I had tried to prolong this hearing for as long as was within my strength, but the dreaded day had finally arrived.

Tíasa had insisted my rebellious act would and should not go unpunished by the High Council. Eragon had not listened to Tíasa's pleas for punishment but had rather counter insisted that she file for a hearing with the council so that he could hear the proper recollection of the event.

Though much complaint and strife had been returned, the Master of Sword reluctantly settled for filing for a hearing. This was to take place this afternoon, much to my dislike.

I gripped the leather and iron pommel of Feahthum as I solemnly walked along the riverbank.

'Reona will be there,' I thought to myself. 'As a witness. I wonder how she'll side.' The more I thought about the elf, the more I realized there was an equally likely chance she'd side with Tíasa or myself.

Given the way Reona had reacted to defeat, my jumping into the heat of the sparring to save her had probably injured her pride greatly, possibly worse than the original defeat.

Then again, Reona had expressed a loathing towards the Master of Sword as well, so not all hope was lost. Sighing heavily, I continued, my eyes scanning the ground rather than where I would be walking.

'After all these dreams, mysterious events, and betrayals, I'm starting to wish I hadn't become a Rider at all.' My night terrors had continued, despite me not being in Alagaesia. There was something in Alagaesia, back home, that I couldn't stop, not being here. The unnerving nightmares had drastically added to my stress, along with Belle, Lyn, Tíasa, and everything that had happened before coming to Oromis Isle. The only aspect that I did not regret was Gereth, he was the only reason I did not regret becoming a Rider.

'It's not like you had a choice,' he reminded me. 'Lynran threatened to sell River.'

That he did, I agreed. My heart ached for the horse, I missed River and my special mornings with the stallion. I would not see him for a long time, I knew. This was all possible because of my mother and father, the good and bad. Ryla and Lynran had been watching over me, I knew, tempting me to get out into the world rather than sulk in my own dwelling, threatening to kill myself.

The more I thought about home the more my thoughts drifted to Lyn, my younger sister. Another thing I knew that had satisfied me, however small, was that I had been superior to the beautiful elf in one way; I had been accepted by a dragon.

Guilt still hung over me, like a storm cloud, however, because of how rude and condescending I had been towards my sister, because of my low self-esteem.

'It is easier for Lyn to forgive you than it is for you to forgive yourself,' Gereth said, measuring my every thought. 'And now that she has, you must not linger or delay. Forgive, although you do not have to forget.'

Like most of his wisdom, his words were greeted with silence, but accompanied with understanding.

'Thank you,' was all I said, my eyes becoming hazy and clouded with tears.

As I exited the canopy of trees I was greeted by the perturbing sound of writhing leaves and wind. My sorrel hair was disturbed and began to slash at my face as Gereth landed in front of my on the cobblestone. I shielded my eyes from the wind as Gereth settled, folding his wings to his sides.

I tried to comb the tangles from my hair with my fingers to no avail; I huffed a sigh, acknowledging that I indeed would have to attend the hearing with messy hair. After my failed attempt, I looked on to Gereth who stood in front of me, his head lowered to my height.

I walked to him, out stretching my hands and caressing his head. I pressed my left cheek to his muzzle, his scales warm from the radiating sun. He sighed heavily, smoke erupting from his nostrils, clouding around my face.

'We must go,' he said, pulling away from me and turning towards the mountain palisade. Oromis Isle had a larger courtyard than the dirt glade back in Ellesméra, it was composed of cobblestone and its capacity could contain well over forty dragons. This courtyard was surrounded by three mountain palisades, the base of the center mountain containing the Main Hall for indoor training and the dining hall. The other two mountains contained cave dwellings for the recruits, containing anything and everything dragon and Rider could ever need. I preferred my tree dwelling to the cave, but I kept this between Gereth and I.

The caves were connected by a carved stone pathway with an iron railing for easy access for both dragon and Rider.

I began to walk towards the Main Hall, striding equal with Gereth's shoulder. To my shock and delight, the courtyard was eerily vacant, but it was an off day, no training for any recruit. No one saw us enter the Main Hall through the dark cherry oaken doors, although many had heard of my defiant acts towards Tíasa. My name could be heard throughout the island, much to my dismay. This could have stirred up other conversations, my mind twisting this possibility into assuming that every time my name was said, people were expressing their opinions on my appearance.

'Why must you always question my wisdom?' Gereth had asked. 'You are beautiful. No one is speaking of your complexion, and if they are, more likely than not they believe you're as beautiful as I take you to be. Negative opinions matter not to me, and they should mean nothing to you. See yourself through my eyes.'

'I'd wind up crying myself to bed again,' I had said. Gereth had said nothing more, his temper and annoyance towards me rising.

We entered the Main Hall, the sentries at the oak doors propping them open for Gereth and I. The Hall was basically a single long corridor with long arches high above our heads. It was composed of light pigmented stone slabs with torches lining the walls in iron casks, casting a warm glow over the Hall.

The inside training consisted of the studies of Alagaësia, Magical Arts and the Ancient Language, Archery, and Dragon Health. The Hall contained classrooms for these training courses as well as the dining hall and the Council Court. It was also relatively known the Oromis Isle had an Eldunarí chamber of its own, beneath the Main Hall.

Gereth and I strode down the corridor in silence, passing the open classrooms and the dining hall, finally arriving at the doors of the Council Court. My heart began to beat faster in my chest, my breath becoming increasingly more rapid.

'Everything will be alright, Roslyn. Try to calm down, I'll be there with you. Reona and everyone is waiting on you, everything will be fine.'

'That totally helps Gereth,' I retorted, sarcasm in my tone. I nodded to the second pair of sentries stationed at the entrance to the Council Court, the doors pushing inward with a groan. Daylight was strewn across the floor, there were windows within the Council Court to my immediate relief. There was a long wooden desk raised on a platform of marble, seven seats behind the desk sitting the council.

The members of the council were legends here on Oromis Isle and back home, for they had all been heroes in the Rider War. Eragon himself was on the council, as well as his half-brother Murtagh. Murtagh had come out of his hiding which had lasted for thirteen years. He accepted Eragon's invitation to join the council shortly after arriving back in Alagaësia. Murtagh sat tall next to his brother, his nails drumming against the wood of the desk. His dark brown-black hair was shaggy and unkempt, covering half of his face. He was no less ominous than his legends, much to my dismay.

Blödhgarm sat next to Murtagh, I had only seen the blue furred elf once before in my life. His eyes were a piercing yellow, his torso and the rest of his body concealed by a blue wolf-like furry hide. His nails were long and dark, almost black. He was muscular, some of his fur had been braided, black feathers tangled into the braids. He smiled, his sharp teeth sparkling. I smiled back, his strong musky scent entering my nostrils, my heart fluttering. I knew it was a spell, but it made him alluring.

Next to Blödhgarm sat Elva, still appearing as a child. Although the girl resented and accepted Eragon, she would never have joined the council at his request, it had been Saphira's pleads, who Elva had sworn fealty to that had persuaded her to join. Her hair was dark, her violet eyes observing all she saw. As she perceived me, she stiffened although I had no idea why. I knew of her abilities, maybe she could feel someone's pain at this moment.

'She feels your pain, my love. It is not only physical pain she feels, also emotional.' With a sudden realization I avoided her gaze, looking to the seat next to her. She sat next to Trianna, the former commander of Du Vrangr Gata. The stout black haired-blue eyed sorceress sat in her chair, a cool demeanor sprawled across her face. Wrapped around her wrist was her golden snake bracelet, her familiar Lorga disguised as a bracelet. Lorga had large ruby eyes, they followed me around the corridor.

Next to the sorceress sat Jeod, Brom's old companion and friend. Brom, Eragon's first teacher and father had been in the Varden with Jeod who possessed wisdom beyond his years.

'I wonder how Helen is with the whole Council member thing,' I told Gereth after hearing how Helen had reacted at her husband moving to Surda. I moved onto the next and final chair.

The occupant of the final chair was Angela the Herbalist. Bouncy brown curls surrounded a round rosy face and exuberant eyes. The witch had been a figure of skepticism since the War had ended. Many things were unknown about the woman, her age being one factor. She smiled, I quickly smiled back, the witch made me nervous.

Across the corridor facing the desk, sitting on a bench was Reona. Her legs were crossed as well as her arms, her platinum hair flat across her chest. Her blue eyes stared intensely ahead, she did not acknowledge my presence. I didn't know what she was staring at, but her eyes never wavered. She wore blue breeches and black combat boots. A sky blue and white hemmed tunic was on her back, tight against her skin and showing her figure.

On a bench parallel to where Reona sat was Tíasa, her flaming hair curled and hanging loose past her shoulders. As Gereth and I entered the corridor she grimaced at my presence, her gaze followed me to the bench where Reona sat.

The doors boomed shut, the sound resonating off of the marble columns in the corners of the corridor. I sat next to Reona, her gaze snapping away from whatever it had been that she had been staring at. She looked me up and down, her eyes making me stiff. Her cool demeanor and impermeable armor not wavering. She turned her gaze to the council leaders and stood.

"Eragon-elda, I hate to be rude, but can we get this moving? Etyer and I have some important business to take care of by the orders of an instructor," Reona announced, cracking the silence.

"Of course Reona," Eragon replied. "It will be a short hearing. I heard of the 'duties' you were assigned." Tíasa gasped inwardly when Eragon announced the length of the hearing.

"After all the trouble I went to to get this scheduled you're telling me this won't drag into a little bit longer of a time?"

"I'm afraid not Tíasa," he replied. "Reona please recall the events, I've already heard enough from Tíasa." The instructor said nothing, but crossed her arms and her eyebrows became slanted.

"Well," Reona began coolly, "it happened rather quick. I suppose you could say I'm really the defiant one, I started another sparring match after I was defeated. My temper became rather overbearing and I attacked Tíasa after her victory, Roslyn saved my ass back there. I'm sure she would've killed me."

Eragon crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair and pursing his lips.

"Well, it definitely shouldn't have happened. I have however received quite a few complaints about Tíasa from new and old students, even some other instructors. Most of them are complaining about bad sportsmanship, an overconfident demeanor and rudeness." The instructor shrugged, she didn't disagree. "I will let Roslyn off with a warning," his gaze flipped to me. "If you become insubordinate again I'll have to punish you, but you are still only a recruit."

Eragon winked at me and grinned, leaning back on his elbows across the desk. "Is there anyone on the council who disagrees with my ruling?" Heads shook, everyone agreed. Tíasa had a scowl on her face but again said nothing as she exited the corridor without a comment.

Reona slapped me on the back and grinned towards me as she exited. I returned her gesture with a weak grin, I felt like a child beneath her when in actuality I was much older than the girl. I sat back on the bench, Gereth collapsed in the corner of the room.

"Thank you Ebrithil Eragon, very much," I said, smiling.

"It was my pleasure. Tíasa is still young at heart, and very insubordinate herself. However much she annoys me I can't deny that her skills as a swordsman are exceptional and beyond even my talents." He paused. "Something has been troubling me," he continued. "Those creatures, in the forest. I have had scholars search for means of an explanation. Nothing of their existence is known but my scholars stumbled upon something; there are still records, although very few, recalling the events of the First Voyage in which the elves traveled across the sea from Alalea.

"Alalea was taken hostage by disease and the animals were poisoned and I believe these creatures are the reason the elves fled. I think they're here now to poison the new continent. Even after all this time."

I gawked at the Kingkiller, it made sense, but it was a stretch.

"Not to be rude Eragon, but why are you sharing this information with me?" A deep feminine voice answered, "Is Gereth Swiftwing not the fastest dragon of his age?" Elva spoke to me, her voice sounding too old for her size.

"Y-Yes," I stammered surprised by her question.

"I have a task for you and Gereth, and the two of you only. Because of Gereth's speed, and this dire situation, I have chosen you as my champion. I believe the only way to defeat these creatures is to get an ancient weapon I did not believe I would need, until now. You have heard of the Vault of Souls before correct?"

"Of course."

"Within the Vault of Souls resides the Staff of Vrael. This Staff is the most powerful and essential weapon as of now and I have not needed it until now. It has gained its power and legends from one event, the final battle of the Dragon War and the beginning of the Fall. As Vrael died and his Riders died, he sensed his failure and in the gem of this staff he encased the life sources of all of the Riders before the Forsworn, including his own. Because of this it is the most powerful weapon of its age and the only thing that can defeat this shrouded force."

"I take it you want me to retrieve it?" I asked, standing from the bench as Eragon nodded.

"To open the Vault of Souls you must speak your true name at the entrance-"

"Easy enough, I already possess this knowledge." Eragon laughed and shook his head.

"I have some bittersweet information, the toxic gases on Vroengard will strip this information from your memory. You will have to find it yourself, as do all humans." I sighed with dread.

'It's never easy is it?' I asked my dragon. I sensed his amusement, 'You're correct my love, you're correct.'

"You shall leave tonight at dusk and will have three days to complete the task upon your arrival," he continued. "If you return in the correct time frame I will give you leave from Tíasa's teachings to more private lessons. If you do not, we shall have a feast in your honor, as we would if you returned in the correct time frame, however you will still spar under Tíasa. Is this understood?"

'He was correct about needing it fast,' I said. 'He felt the need to bribe me so I wouldn't delay. How long does he think it will take to find my true name?'

'I don't know,' Gereth responded. 'But you'll need to quickly.' I stiffened, prying over every detail and solution in my mind. The difficult task was not retrieving the Staff, it was discovering my true name.

"Yes Shadeslayer," I finally answered. Eragon sighed and grinned, leaning back onto his velvet cushions.

"Very well, Stormbringer."

~ ~ ~ ~

Gereth exited the tree line as he made his way back onto the cobblestone courtyard, his emerald scales glistening against pigments of pink, orange, and red. Saddle bags hung from the Front Ring Dee, Saddle Skirt, and the Back Jockey of the saddle, laced on metal ringlets.

A long wool coat hung from my shoulders, I wasn't very familiar with Vroengard, but I presumed it would be chillier. Gereth ambled to the oaken doors of the Main Hall, the sentries opening them for us. I had no need to duck my head, for the way the Hall has been constructed had been constructed for the leisure of both Rider and dragon. I tightened the leather fastening of Feahthum, my palms beginning to perspire.

The Hall and courtyard were even more vacant then the afternoon before, much to my disbelief.

Eragon and the council were waiting for me in the Hall, smiles on most of their faces. The only exception to the friendly gestures was Elva. As before, when I entered she stiffened and her face grew pale rapidly.

Eragon sported the same attire he had worn the eve we had departed, his blue iron embossed cape on his shoulder. He clasped his hands together loudly, the sound resonating off of the stone. His lips were parted with a grin as I entered and he began to take long strides towards Gereth and I.

"Stormbringer! You are as swift as your dragon! We have come to wish you farewell, as the message inclined." Eragon had sent a messenger shortly after we returned to the cave dwelling to ready myself and Gereth, the parchment containing words asking us to meet again with the council before our departure.

I grinned, "Yes, I see."

"Well that is not the only reason we have invited you, we have something for you," Eragon turned gesturing towards Angela. The Herbalist carried something in her forearms, the object was rectangular and was concealed by a ruby tapestry. She ambled towards Gereth's shoulder until she stood right below me. Her white teeth flashed with a smile.

"I know we said it would be you alone with just your dragon," Angela whispered. "But we thought that was a little too harsh." She let the ruby tapestry flutter to the stone, revealing a ruby Eldunarí. "Aedrylon," she said brushing the smooth surface of the gem with her finger tips. "He has agreed to accompany you to Vroengard."

I stiffened, recoiling away from the Eldunarí.

'I don't trust myself around them, after Glaedr,' I said. 'I don't wish to hurt him.'

'It is in the past my love. I'm sure Aedrylon was informed of Glaedr's death. He volunteered did he not?'

'I suppose,' I replied. I faked a smile for Angela who lifted Aedrylon's Eldunarí up to me. I gingerly reached down and caressed the gem. Suddenly, as soon as my skin came in contact with the gem a deep husky voice demolished my mind barriers.

'Fear not Stormbringer, you shall not hurt me,' Aedrylon said. I was neither shocked nor surprised. I acknowledged his words before tucking him into a padded saddle bag.

"He was retrieved from the Vault of Souls so he will be able to guide you correctly," Eragon said. "We're keeping you from your duties, just remember, you may not share this with anyone. Remember our time frame." I nodded.

"Yes, Shadeslayer."

"Best of luck to you, Stormbringer. You will need it." I nodded to council as Gereth turned from the council, I flashed a final smile to the seven as we exited the Hall."

'Best of luck, Stormbringer, Swiftwing. The finest dragon and Rider of your age,' Saphira's voice said, although she was not in sight, her melodic female voice sent a chill down my spine. I thanked her with enthusiasm as Gereth bolted forward across the cobblestone courtyard. I grabbed hold of the front of the saddle as well as the saddle bag containing Aedrylon. Gereth's wings expanded, and with a powerful thrust, we were launched into the now obsidian sky.

~ ~ ~ ~

Time Skip: Gereth and Roslyn reach Vroengard the next morning due to Gereth's speed, they are now in sight of the island at dawn.

The mist was thick and cloudy, fear clouded my mind and constricted my throat as we approached the shore. I was determined that the haze would not snatch my true name from me. I said it over and over in my mind, positive it would make it less traumatic after I lost it.

The mountains and trees were almost completely obscured by the fog, only snippets of green and sometimes brown emerging from the thick clouds. Gereth shielded my mind, hoping that it would help against the powers of the fog to steal my true name. He leaned diagonally to the left slightly closing his right wing as he descended towards the compacted beach below.

I fortified my impermeable mind barriers as he touched down, burying his hind claws in the sand.

To my disbelief and horror, I tried to recollect my true name, and I found that I knew it, but as soon as I comprehended it, it would slip from my mind again. I grumbled in frustration and decided to ignore it.

'I'm sorry Roslyn, I tried to shield your mind, I can't even recollect my true name,' Gereth said, guilt dripping from his tone.

'It's alright,' I told him, unbuckling my leg straps. 'There's nothing either of us could've done.' My consolation eased some of his guilt, but I could still sense a few traces of the emotion.

Gereth bent his forelegs low to the ground for me to dismount. I swung over my right leg, using his leg as a step to aid me to the ground. I jumped from his leg, landing on the wet, compacted sand. The damp sand was difficult to impress on, my jump only make small depressions. On the shores of Alagaesia the sand was only this wet where the tide overlapped it.

'I wonder why it's so wet,' I thought to myself, excluding the thought from Gereth. I was surprised when my thought was answered.

'The mist is so heavy and thick here that it dampens even the earth. The mist on Vroengard was a result of Thuviel's actions at the time of his death. The invisble explosion causes memory loss and the lungs to fill with fluid. This is another reason Eragon wishes you to return as quickly as possible,' Aedrylon's voice soothes my thoughts. I had learned something socking of the once proud Rider's Island, something terrible.

I thanked Aedrylon before starting up the beach, my ankles sliding in the sand.

'We should set up camp by the Rock of Kuthian,' Gereth said to me as well as Aedrylon, 'It will allow Roslyn to discover her true name without being pre-occupied with the duty of finding the Vault of Souls.' I sensed Aedrylon's agreement and shared mine with him as well, it would make the task much easier.

'If this is the case I suggest flying to Moraeta's Spire, it is not near,' Aedrylon informed us from his saddle bag. 'We must go to Mount Erolas, it is only a few miles from here, but it is not a good walking distance.'

I re-mounted Gereth, securing my legs as well as the saddle bags. Once secure, Gereth bounded forward, his ivory claws churning up the drenched sand beneath them. He thrust his wings downward, launching us into the chilly, misty sky above.

The wind was cold and uncomfortable against my skin as Gereth received directions from Aedrylon on how to get to the Rock of Kuthian. My teeth were chattering as I released my grip on the front of the saddle to rub my arms and embrace myself in an attempt to warm myself. I rubbed my palms against my arms and shoulders hurriedly, hoping the friction would warm my skin.

My hair began to freeze as Gereth continued to push us upward, the terrain so unlike Oromis Isle; it was more mountainous and uneven, causing him to have to re-route and change his position.

I was relieved when Gereth began his descent down the large pillar that was Mount Erolas. The descending wind was even more vicious than the gliding wind, but I braced myself for it, I knew that upon reaching the ground I would be warm once again.

I grabbed the front of the saddle as well as the ivory neck spike as the ground neared us, Gereth opening his wings for the short glide to the earth below. We descended rapidly for a glide, Gereth back-winging for a softer landing.

I did not look at my surroundings as Gereth landed, nor did I wait for my dragon to bend his forelegs for me. I dropped the ground, my knee buckling and colliding with the dirt, pain shooting up my tibia. I recovered quickly, bounding to the back of my saddle and hurrying to unbuckle a saddle bag. I dug into the dark, wool-stuffed, leather satchel and pulled out my wool cloak, scurrying to wrap it around my shoulders. I wrapped myself tightly in my layers, sighing with relief as warmth seeped back into my skin.

'Roslyn,' Gereth snapped me back to reality. 'I think you may want to see this.' I looked up from my wool, the base of Mount Erolas in front of us. A large, gray boulder could be seen, to the normal eyes it would've been nothing spectacular. Had I not known better myself I would've overlooked it. But to my knowledge and eyes, it was the most beautiful thing I had seen in a long time. We had found Moraeta's Spire, we had found the Rock of Kuthian.

~ ~ ~ ~

"I'm going exploring!" I called back to Gereth who looked up from his nap around the fire. His emerald scales appeared ready in the light of the flames, his green eyes appearing amber, almost as brilliant as Fírnen's. A long rumble came from his throat as he returned my glance, wisps of smoke escaping from his nostrils.

'Be careful,' he warned. 'Burrow Grubs, Sundavrblaka, and the Snalglí can harm unprepared elves and humans.'

'Worry not Swiftwing, Stormbringer, the Burrow Grubs are the most deadly. They reside closer to Doru Araeba than here.' I thanked the dragons, heading away into the forest, away from our camp at the base of the Rock of Kuthian. Feahthum was unsheathed in my palm as I began to take in my surroundings.

The sun had set on Vroengard, but I could still see with my enhanced eyesight with ease. The temperature had chilled even from the already cold temperature that had hung over the island during the day. I had kept my wool cloak around my shoulders, which had kept me warm thus far.

I heard crickets around me as I bounded through the dense foliage and around trees, enjoying myself for once since everything had happened. I had been missing my beloved horse recently, River had been my only friend back in Kirtan. My thoughts sometimes even wandered to Belle. The girl had almost completely ignored me since she had invaded my mind, but I wished to approach her. I wanted to discover how deep her knowledge of me had become.

I continued to trudge forward until I heard frogs in the distance. The tone was familiar to me, there was a pond or lake near by. I struggled to locate the source of the frogs, rummaging through thick vines that had grown between trees. I wished so badly to swim, the urge building inside me, becoming almost like an instinctive craving. My skin began to crawl as I slashed through the last, dense curtain of vines, Feathum's blade greased with the juices within the vines.

The vines revealed a sparking pool resting in a moonlit glade. The moon shone upon the surface which was completely still and undisturbed. The moon lit the already bustling clearing, fireflies and frogs filling the area with sounds and light. I gasped in awe as I began to strip into my undergarments, regardless of the temperature of the water or air.

The mist seemed to diminish over the pool, causing the temperature to be warmer than that of the area around the Rock of Kuthian. My skin was ridden with goosebumps as the final layer of my outer clothing fell from my shoulders. I grimaced at my body's appearance.

I caressed my thin stomach, the points of my ribs beginning to appearing against my skin. My skin was gaunt and white, baby soft in texture. I giggled as I poked a small freckle to the left of my bellybutton, replaying a saying my mother used to use, 'Poke the mole on whole, tickle and ye shall receive a nickle.' I hadn't known what it had meant as a child, and to this day I did not either. A nickle, my mother had explained, was a form of foreign currency that she had assumed been used by the Grey Folk.

I walked forward, the dark depths of the pool were frightening, but it seemed to be calling me to the water. The soles of my feet were cushioned by the edges' damp mud as I began to penetrate the water's surface. I sighed with relief as I found the water to be warm against my skin. Small ripples disturbed the water, traveling away from my body.

I walked no further than I could reach in the water, afraid of the creatures that may reside beneath the surface. I closed my eyes, letting myself float on top of the surface, my sorrel hair fanned away from my scalp. I rested in this same position for a few moments before paddling myself under the surface, plugging my nose from the pond's water. Sudden relief washed over me; I opened my eyes beneath the surface to reveal nothing but blackness around me. Suddenly I was afraid, terror rising in my chest. Adrenalin began to fill my ears as I began to paddle and claw to the surface, my lungs suddenly screeching for relief.

I burst through the surface, tossing my hair backwards. My burdens suddenly were lifted, my heart was whole. My true name had returned, or rather a new name. I could recollect my elder true name, the one I had received before my arrival on Vroengard, but it was now changed, somehow. I knew few's true names had changed in history, and I had just become one. My stormy eyes grew wide as I thought and re-analyzed my new name. Something had been missing from my previous name, something important: my cure.

~ ~ ~ ~

I gasped as the last syllable rolled off my tongue, my very essence dripping from the word. A shiver went up my spine as it was spoken aloud, at the Rock of Kuthian. Gereth stood at my side, his chest bloated in pride. He gazed down on me, affection in his intelligent green eyes. Aedrylon was in my arms, he would guide us through the Vault of Souls. The Rock seemed to diminish before my eyes, revealing a dark descending hall. I mounted Gereth, the trip would be shorter on his back, for I had heard the Vault was extremely far beneath the Mountain. Gereth set forth, padding into the ominous hallway.

As soon as we were completely encased in the hall, the Rock reappeared, encasing us in complete darkness.

'This will be a long, long walk,' Gereth commented.

'Yes indeed,' I agreed. 'Yes indeed.'

~ ~ ~ ~

Glittering gems replaced my dark-accustomed eyes, sending painful pangs into my skull. I blinked repetitively, attempting to clear my eyesight. The walls of the Vault of Souls were glittery, smooth and shiny. Gereth was just as mesmerized as I, tilting his head in every direction. I saw multiple Eldunarí of all hues, as well as eggs. Sadly I did not attempt to contact them, I regrettably had little time to spare, I needed to find the Staff of Vrael.

Find it I did, with the help of Aedrylon. Gazing upon the Staff had been literally breathtaking. The staff was composed of solid gold, with black iron 'vines' cascading up to the top. The top of the staff resembled the pommel of Feahthum, a golden crystal on the crest. At the base of the gem were golden 'fans' depicting waves dispersing away from the crystal. The crystal itself seemed to be swimming with silver, and I couldn't help imagine it was the result of all the life energy trapped inside one gem.

'Why is there a wave carving?' I asked both Gereth and Aedrylon.

Aedrylon answered, 'It was crafted by magic after the Fall, it is depicting the Pool of Thuviel.' I smiled, after consulting with Gereth and Aedrylon I had discovered that I had discovered my name at the Pool of Thuviel. The Pool was a magical pond that exempted Thuviel's curse of Vroengard, a safehaven for visitors. The Pool was never in the same spot, or it was and upon departure the true whereabouts of the Pool were stolen, much like my true name had been. Aedrylon had shared that Pool possessed magical entities which had led many to their true names.

When the iron and gold had touched my fingers all I could feel was relief. I would arrive back on Oromis Isle within my deadline, I had discovered and changed my true name, the creatures of black would be defeated by this magical weapon, and it was all my doing. I grinned a devilishly happy smile and carried the spear gingerly in my arms, re-mounting Gereth.

'Spin the staff above your head rapidly,' Aedrylon instructed me. I did as I was told and lifted the staff above my head and began to spin it between the two of my hands. I was socked to find the staff tranformed into an ordinary, bronze dagger. I swiftly and carefully placed it in a saddle bag along with Aedrylon.

Gereth began to move away, towards the exit before pausing, 'You never did tell us what was missing from your original true name.'

I sighed and uttered one, small word, "Beauty."