The Rise: Eldunari

Chapter 34- Reality

Eragon was awake. His eyes were clamped shut, tight against the white, bright light penetrating his eyelids. It took a moment to adjust to the green plains he found his body in. Rolling green hills, a mild gust of wind and a cloudless sky. The sort of fields he use to spend hours in, back before his life took a turn for the century. Each blade of grass waved and danced, carefree in varying directions as the winds cascaded over the trough and peak of each hill. The hills stretched for miles in every direction. Endless. Ethereal. The sun bore down on Eragon's exposed neck. He soaked it in.

In this reality, time had no meaning. Space had no meaning. It was endless yet non-existent. It was tangible, yet could not be touched.

Brom's voice spoke:
My Son. My son.

Father. It has been a long time.

Indeed. I have been watching you from the heavens. Never in all my years could I have imagined you to be as you are now.

I owe it to you. All those years ago. It feels like an eternity ago when we lived in Carvahall.

We were built for change. Not Riders exclusively, but living creatures. By the One. He created us in his image, to do as we please, while within the parameters the One has laid out.

I would love to meet him one day.

The One looks down at you everyday with the same intrigue and care a father would to his son.

Eragon stayed silent. He had only delved into this world a handful of times- each with a specific reason and with great urgency.

Father, you know my plight.

Yes, my son.

And you know what is to come.

Correct again.

And you know what I must do.

I do.

Then, if you know all this, I must ask why? Why can't I leave this place. Leave Alagaesia behind into the far south, far east or far west. Away from this life and away from such responsibility.

It was Brom's turn to be silent.

And what if this threat abates? What then? Do we live? Do we die? Do we wait for the next battle? The next usurper? We weren't built for this kind of power. We weren't built for this. I tell you, father, there is nothing I love more than Saphira, and we may be an odd exception to the rule, but the wider world isn't ready for this kind of power.

We live as we do. We die by our actions. The One allows us to make our own choices. To forge our own destiny. But he is all knowing. And anything thing that transpires, does so by his will and his will alone.

And what of Ava? You've seen what she can do. There will come a time when I can no longer control her, and she will have to make the choice for herself. Which path will she follow. And it's a devil's choice. Let us hope she makes the right one.

The girl is special. She holds the Power unlike any other that I've seen. Galbatorix would never have stood a chance. She alone can level forests. Her and her Dragon... would be a force this world has never seen. You must influence her. There is only so much a mentor can teach. I taught you all I could in my time. But in the end, you had to make the choice. To join Galbatorix or die trying to stop him.

Eragon stayed quiet. He understood.

What do you know of The Joining of The Minds, father?

Brom had already left. Eragon understood.

Oromis-elda.

Eragon-Shadeslayer, my, my, it has been awhile.

Forgive me, Master. It is a lot of work to live at the moment.

Do not be sorry. Your priorities in your reality far surpasses the one's you have here. Here you may address me as Oromis. You have earned that right.

Thank-you for that honour, Oromis-elda.

Silent understanding.

Elda, you have seen my plight, my troubles-

I know all, and have seen all. I can tell you everything you have already heard, or I can tell you this: We are lost sometimes, trying to make the right decision. We feel the weight of the sky on our shoulders all over a single decision. Sometimes it is better to live. If death has taught me anything, it's that I should have spent more time alive. Not alive in the living sense, but alive in the sense of being free. That is all I can tell you.

Silence.

Queen Islanzadi.

Eragon.

I am sure you have heard all, and I am sure you know all. Before I leave this reality, there is only one ask I have of you.

I am aware.

Do I have your blessing to be with Arya?

The Queen stayed silent.

There have been others before you. And there will be many others after you. It is known that a marriage between races is risky. When you were still a hatchling, I would have scoffed at the idea.

But your time, in your 22 years have not been easy. Too much has been asked of you, and too much will still be asked of you in the future. There will be no one else by your side who will offer you such companionship except Arya. I know your feelings for her, but your race is fickle. Should anything happen to her, unless it is the will of The One, you will have me to answer to. Leave this world with my blessing.
Tell her, tell her I watch her day, and night. The Queen's voice had undertaken a softer tone. If Eragon was not listening intently, he would have missed the crack in her voice.

Now go.