Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Twelve: Luminescent

Archers brought back their arms, preparing to let a stream of arrows at the incoming Urgals. At a command, the archers let loose their arrows. I let some arrow's fly as well. There was too many of them pouring from the tunnels, at least I didn't see any of Galbatorix's troops. We ducked behind our shields as a wave arrows flew towards us.

Eragon and Saphira took to the air and started picking off the Urgals, several in one go. I ran out of arrows and drew my sword before leaping forward, into the masses of Urgals. I kept fighting for what felt like an eternity, and soon, we were outnumbered. A deep, loud horn was sound, and I saw a black mass shoot out from the tunnels and head for the middle of the battlefield.

I ran up a downed archers station and saw Eragon facing off with the Shade. I shoved Alethea into a hiding spot much to her displeasure. I quickly returned to the fight around me, twirling around as fast as I could, taking out as many Urgals as I could while trying to get to where Eragon was dealing with the Shade. I burst into the circle of Urgals right as they closed around Eragon and me, we were barricaded in with a fuming shade.

"So, my young Rider, we meet again. You were foolish to escape from me in Gil'ead. It will only make things worse for you in the end."

"You'll never capture me alive," Eragon growled.

"Is that so?" Shade asked, raising an eyebrow. "And who is this? I don't believe we have met."

I shifted on my feet, twirling my sword in my hand and glaring at the Shade, darkness oozed from his whole body.

"Well, well, well, I haven't seen a face like yours in eighteen years." I narrowed my eyes at him. He knew exactly who I was.

"Back off." Eragon hissed, stepping in front of me to obstruct the shades view.

"I don't see your 'friend' Murtagh around to help you. You can't stop me now. No one can!" I saw fear lance through Eragon's body.

"How did you like being shot?" Eragon retorted. The Shade's face tightened.

"I will be repaid in blood for that. Now tell me where your dragon is hiding."

"Never."

"Then I will force it from you!" The Shade threw his sword at Eragon, Eragon deflected it and stumbled a bit, the Shade had to be going through his memories. I lunged forward to distract the Shade from getting into Eragon's head. The Shade stepped back at my swing before using his magic to throw me across the floor.

I rolled on the floor, wincing the pain in my body away while Eragon started to fight the Shade. I quickly got to my feet when the Shade shouted something at the Urgals, I was pushed down, and a spear was sent through my right shoulder, pinning me to rock floor. I let out a shriek but quickly silenced it.

"Now, if you would kindly wait there for me we will be on our way shortly, your highness." The Shade hissed before swinging his sword at Eragon. Eragon parried the swing, and the two began to duel moving around the circle while kicking and stabbing at one another. I tried to wiggle my left arm to reach the dagger at my leg, but as soon as the Urgal caught on to what I was doing the spear was pushed farther into my shoulder.

I screamed as pain radiated through my whole body this time. My back twitched against the rough stone before I stopped moving entirely and tilted my head to the side in exhaustion, letting my face rest on the cold rock while I watched the battle. My heart dropped when Eragon screamed as the Shade's sword cut through his chain mail and sliced Eragon's back, sending him to his knees.

Eragon looked up at the shining jewel about his head. I saw the look of defeat on his face. Before I even comprehended what happened, shards of gems rained down, creating an opportunity for Eragon to run his sword through the heart of the Shade.

"Brisingr!" Zar'roc blazed with bloody light, heatless flames running along the blade as it burned the Shade. The Shade looked down at the sword sticking out of his chest before he started to howl, his skin turned transparent before black swirled surrounded the Shade and three dark clouds left the body of the Shade and flew out of Tronjheim. The Urgals stumbled around as if they were under a spell and started to retreat into the tunnels in which they had come from.

Eragon was sprawled out on his back, dark red blood pooling beneath him. I sighed, breathing heavily, he did it. I winced and brought my arms up to grasp the shaft of the spear. I got a firm grip before taking a deep breath and yanking the spear out of my shoulder. I screamed as the metal dislodged from my shoulder. I laid still on the floor of the large cavern and panted, trying to get a deep breath through my whimpers.

"Mal?"