Just a Guy and a Gate to the Multiverse - Chapter 27 (Patreon)

Chapter 27 - The Burning Plains

Sitting behind the controls of the cockpit of my mobile home, I began starting up the engines, and a bit of guilt settled in my chest. I may have left letters for everyone, but disappearing like that in the middle of the night wasn’t exactly the finest style.

Unfortunately, I had no idea if the elves would actually let me leave if I asked them. I may be considered an Elven-friend, but at the same time, I had a lot of dangerous information inmy mind and now knew magic in a depth that even Galbatorix didn’t.

I was a risk to them, too. One they would probably prefer to keep an eye on until they had dealt with Galbatorix. That didn’t fit into my plans at all. It was time for the next phase.

And my time was running out. Everyone was getting ready for war. The elves, the dwarves, and the Varden were preparing an attack on the Empire from two sides. The elves would strike from the north, while the Varden and the dwarves would attack from the south. Effectively capturing the Empire in an two front war.

With the war gearing up, the canonical downfall of Galbatorix was just a few months away. I needed to act before that if I want the chance to fullfill all my goals in this world, but first I had to get some things ready, which I just couldn’t do with the elves around.

Well, I guess Master Oromis had already been expecting something like this. His words had sounded strangely like parting words over the last few days.

Eragon and Saphira, too, were about to leave Ellesméra after finally realizing that the war with the Empire was truly starting. They had been kept in the dark for as long as possible, so they could focus on their training with Oromis and Glaedr.

Especially since Eragon had learned earlier today that Galbatorix was planning to attack the Varden first. This would be the upcoming Battle of the Burning Plains. A battle where Eragon and Saphira would show of their progress, only to immediately get humbled. The battle where they would have their first encounter with another Dragon Rider, Eragon’s half-brother Murtagh, and lose even after all their training.

I had already made my preparations for that, having secretly placed another bug into the hilt of Zar’roc. No one would discover it, since I had transmuted it directly into the inside of the metal. The blood-red sword Eragon was currently using had once belonged to Murtagh’s father, Morzan.

Once Murtagh won against Eragon, he would take that sword from him. And with it, I would always know what Murtagh was up to. Just in case, I would also know if anything went wrong from my predicitons. Murtagh and Galbatorix were the biggest variables in my plans.

To be honest, I had no interest in directly interfering in a war. This was, after all, not my war. But I was still going to help them. I owe them that much. Although I was more the type to aim for one decisive strike at the enemy’s weakness. I was preparing for that too, but it needed the perfect moment. Well, saving innocent people until then helped too, I guess.

Yet there was still the possibility that my existence had derailed things from their original timeline, so it was better to be safe than sorry. So far, everything looked like it would have in canon, just with me there. I still preferred to be prepared.

Eragon was about to depart with Saphira and the dwarf Orik, heading back to the Varden to fight in the war. Arya had left months ago after the Blood Oath Celebration in order to avoid Eragon.

There was a bit of love drama going on between the two of them. Apparently, Eragon was into older women. After all, Arya was 103 years old. As far as I understood her, she was actually into Eragon too, but the guy had a big duty and massive expectations on him. The last thing he needed right now was romance too.

She saw the greater good instead and decided to keep her distance from him for the good of the entire continent. Well, Eragon was just seventeen. He didn’t really see it that way, and he wouldn’t forget it.

It was drama. I never liked that part of the original story. If you are so obviously into each other, just confess. There is no need to waste your time and regret the missed chance if something happens. They were fighting in a war, after all. Admittedly, I was not an expert in romance.

Well, in the end, it was not my business. Even if I had befriended them, I kept my opinion to myself unless one of them asked me.

As my mobile home began to move, I immediately teleported away with it, vanishing from the center of Du Weldenvarden without anyone knowing better. I loved that ability. Being able to teleport, even with moving objects, was just an amazing trump card.

I was keeping it a secret for a reason.

In the very same moment, my entire home and I appeared in a vast landscape of sand, the hot sun burning high above me in the sky. Man, I was glad that I had built air conditioning into my house. It would have sucked without it.

It was the Hadarac Desert, a nice, empty stretch of land only inhabited by a few scattered nomadic clans.

Pulling the box with the Philosopher’s Stone out of its hiding place, I opened it, revealing the blood-red stone I had hidden there for almost a year. It had been a while, old friend. Let’s get started.

———

— The Burning Plains, 8000 AC —

Eragon POV

Finally! Reinforcements are here! This battle has been going on for far too long!

Ecstatic with relief, Eragon stood in his stirrups and shouted, “Take heart! King Hrothgar is here! And it looks like every single dwarf is behind him! We’ll crush the Empire!” After the men stopped cheering, he added, “Now take your swords and remind these flea-bitten cowards why they should fear us. Charge!”

Just as Saphira leaped toward the soldiers, Eragon heard a second cry, this one from the west. “A ship! A ship is coming up the Jiet River!”

What? A ship? Eragon couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

First, those blasted magicians of Du Vrangr Gata had refused to follow his orders. He would have a serious word with Trianna once the battle was over. But now, just as things were turning in their favor, just as they had received reinforcements, the Empire had done the same.

They couldn’t let that ship land! He immediately contacted Trianna with his mind. Tell Nasuada that Saphira and I will take care of this. We’ll sink the ship if it’s from Galbatorix. And we two will have serious words after this battle. You haven’t reported a single magician to me since the first ones!

It wasn’t you? came the immediate, confused reply.

What wasn’t me?

Something has been taking out the Empire’s magicians the moment we find them. Before we can even report them, their heads explode. We thought this was some kind of magic from you. All we have done is immediately crush the minds of the unprotected troops, Trianna quickly explained in complete confusion.

And Eragon could understand her. Something had been exploding the heads of the Empire’s magicians the moment they were discovered? At first, it sounded like some form of magic.

But if one truly understood magic, it simply didn’t make any sense. It was far too wasteful of energy. No proper magician would do that when there were far more efficient methods. No one in Du Vrangr Gata had the energy reserves to repeatedly use such a spell for the duration of the entire battle. And Eragon doubted there was anyone among them with the proper vocabulary for it.

The magicians of the Varden had a very limited understanding of magic some outright believing in religion and superstition. After his training with Oromis, their most powerful feats seemed rather basic to him.

A third party with too much magic to spare? At least it wasn’t a foe.

Fine. Leave it be for now and keep doing what you are doing. Whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to be a foe. I will head for the ship.

As you wish, Argetlam, replied the sorceress.

Without hesitation, Eragon and Saphira took flight, the clamor of continuous combat fading from his ears as they flew over the smoking plain. Both armies grew smaller beneath them.

Taking a deep breath, Eragon enjoyed the short break and the fresh air. It was a welcome change from all the bloodshed. He soon lost sight of the battle as Saphira soared through the clouds in the direction of the Jiet River.

A gust of wind blew the peat smoke out of their way and unveiled a large three-masted ship riding upon the orange water, rowing against the current with two banks of oars. The ship was scarred and damaged, and it flew no colors to declare its allegiance. Nevertheless, Eragon readied himself to destroy the vessel. As Saphira dove toward it, he lifted Zar’roc overhead and loosed a savage war cry.

Yet what he sensed made him and Saphira freeze in midair. Roran?

What was he doing here? Not only him, but the entirety of Carvahall. Everyone from home was here in Surda.

“Aye,” came the reply, sounding just as shocked as he was.

Think your answers, and I’ll hear them. Is everyone from Carvahall with you?

Just about.

How did you … No, we can’t go into it. There’s no time. Stay where you are until the battle is decided. Better yet, go farther back down the river, where the Empire can’t attack you.

We have to talk, Eragon. You have much to answer for.

That made Eragon hesitate. Uncle Garrow’s death was his fault, and he knew that Roran knew it too. If he had not become a Rider, the Empire would not have sent those monsters after him, and his uncle would not have died.

It isn’t the right time, I know. But not now. Later.

With that, Saphira took to the air again, flying toward the battlefield. People were relying on him, and he could not afford to be distracted. It took him a moment to clear his emotions before he contacted Trianna again. No one on that ship is an enemy. Spread the word that they are not to be attacked. Ask Nasuada if, as a favor to us, she can send a herald to explain the situation to them and make sure they stay away from the fighting.

As you wish, Argetlam.

At the same time, Saphira was already heading toward the incoming host of dwarves led by King Hrothgar. She stopped right in front of the dwarven king and his army, and Eragon dismounted.

They had come to the Varden’s aid, and he had to greet them personally. After all, the king had adopted him into his clan.

With the dwarves joining them, the tide of the battle would finally turn.

And the day passed into late afternoon.

Eragon was in the middle of battle when horns sounded from the rear of the Empire’s army, and someone began to pound a loud drum. The entire battle paused as everyone started searching for the source.

An ominous figure appeared on the horizon. At first, Eragon thought it was one of those monstrous Lethrblaka, with one of the Ra’zac riding upon it. Maybe he could take revenge for his uncle and Brom sooner than expected.

Then a ray of light escaped the clouds and struck the figure, revealing its true form. A red dragon soared through the sky, with a man in polished armor riding on its back and carrying a hand-and-a-half sword.

Dread spread through Eragon.

Galbatorix had managed to hatch another one of those eggs in his possession. He had another rider under his command!

Everything happened so quickly. The man on the back of the red dragon raised his left hand, and a shaft of ruby-red energy sprang from his palm, flying straight toward King Hrothgar.

Yet out of nowhere, someones voice pierced trough the Battlefield, “I don’t think so!”

A massive feat of magic followed, too powerful for a single regular magician. Even an elf would have had a hard time casting such a spell. It simply did not fit the rules of magic.

Yet Eragon could clearly see that only one man had been fast enough to react. He placed his hands on the ground and brought it to life, creating a thick wall of earth between Hrothgar and the deadly ruby-red spell.

With a loud explosion, the wall shattered, but the spell had been blocked. By then, rows of dwarven soldiers had already formed a protective shield wall in front of their king.

But Eragon’s eyes fell on the figure that had appeared as if from nowhere. One moment, he had not been there, and the next, he was. Eragon had not sensed him before.

Yet, strangely, his mind told him this was not an enemy.

Matt? What is he doing here? Saphira’s voice resounded in his mind, pulling Eragon out of his confusion.

Only then did Eragon recognize that unique armor. It was thicker than normal armor, yet thinner than the previous versions. It had a unique style that resembled elven craftsmanship.

Eragon had seen how it had been made.

What are you doing here? No, how did you get here so fast? he could not help but ask. Matt had been on the other side of the continent, still in Du Weldenvarden. He had no dragon to carry him here so quickly.

I believe this is not the time for that, came the calm, familiar reply in his mind. There is a foe waiting for you. And from the way he is glaring at me, he could jump at me at any moment. Is handling enemy Dragon Riders not your job? I will keep helping out like I have during the entire battle.

That was him? Matt had been taking out the enemy magicians one after another. But how? He knew better than to waste his energy like that. And that wall had been beyond his capacity. What was going on with him? How was he doing it?

And what was that strange sensation he got from Matt's mind? It's as if he wasn't alone in there, thousands of other smaller presences were with him. Just what was happening?

But Matt was right. Eragon had to handle the unknown Rider. That was his priority. Anything else could wait until after the battle.

Glancing around, Eragon spotted a horse lying in the mud, a spear through its side. The stallion was still alive. Eragon put his hand on its neck and murmured, Sleep, brother. Then he transferred the horse’s remaining vitality into himself and Saphira. It was not enough energy to restore all their strength, but it soothed their aching muscles and stopped their limbs from shaking.

Suddenly, he felt Matt’s strange presence in his mind again. I believe you can take some more. Better to have you in top shape.

In that moment, he felt his and Saphira’s energy reserves fill completely.

Rejuvenated, Eragon leaped onto Saphira and shouted, “Thanks! I will do my best! Orik, protect Hrothgar with your kinsmen!”

Across the field, he saw Arya gazing at him with concern. He put her out of his mind as he tightened the saddle straps around his legs. Then Saphira launched herself toward the red dragon, pumping her wings at a furious rate to gain the necessary speed.

It was not the time for hesitation or worry. They had to put their minds fully into the battle and remember their lessons. It was time to show what they had learned and take care of that hostile Dragon Rider.

The free people of Alagaësia were counting on them. This was only the first step toward one day facing Galbatorix, someone far more powerful than the unknown red Dragon Rider.

[ End of the Chapter ]