The Tale of Zerno

The sky is grey. The wind, piercing cold. Zerno is perched atop Mount Finte. His eyes, fixed forward, onto the land below him. The beautiful lands of Gabarog. The beauty escaped him, however. Many times he had been here, but this was the first time he came alone. Alone. That's all he felt. In a land teeming with life and beauty, he felt alone. For he had lost his companion in life. His rider, Kino. A pain no being should ever feel.

"Yet this pain belongs to me now. Why me?" Zerno asks. "Why should I be the one to lose everything? I've lost my way, my purpose." Zerno slowly lifts his head and looks to the skies. "Oh, what I would give to fly with you just once more. To fight alongside you....just once more."

Yet no more. No more will Zerno see his rider. Yet a dragon must protect. As a dragon he must teach, and pass along his wisdom. To the next riders.

"The next riders!" Zerno scoffs. "Why should I help them? Why help them achieve the greatness, the happiness that was robbed from me!? No, I had a purpose, now I don't. Now I don't want one. Without Kino," Zerno can barely collect his thoughts. "Without Kino, I am nothing. I can't my friend," Zerno says as he looks up to the heavens, "I can't do this without you."

Zerno lets his head fall as a wave of grief washes over him, "It should've been me. I don't deserve to live. A dragon who cannot protect his rider, doesn't deserve life."

The grief turns to rage and hatred as Zerno's head rises and he unleashes a visceral roar. Followed by a torrent of bright red fire. Fire that shot so far and so strongly ahead, that from a distance, the top of Mount Finte looked like it was wearing a bright red crown.

"No! How could I have protected him?" Zerno wonders angrily. "I can't protect him from what I don't see coming. The Elders. It's their fault...."

Zerno remembers the day like it was yesterday. The day that led to the worst moment of his life. He remembered being in Skulblaka Lotha. A place founded by the riders. This was a magnificent mountain range all connected. Within the range, were many villages and plains. Forming, essentially, one magnificent city. Zerno and Kino were in the The Stronghold, in the Hall of Riders. The very center and highest point of Skulblaka Lotha. He was approaching the door to the Elder Chambers, with Kino. "Oh, my Kino." Zerno says with a renewed wave of grief.

Kino and Zerno had just finished training a group of young riders. Happiness, that's all Zerno remembered feeling. He remembered feeling so much life and optimism in Skulblaka Lotha every time he extended his consciousness outwards. The greatest place in all the land. Rivaled only by Farthen Dur for its sheer magnificence. A new haven for all riders. Riders of all species, all clans, and all peoples. Come together to share their stories. To strengthen their bond with their life partner. To come and train. To learn all the responsibilities that come with being a rider. That come with wielding magic. A modern day Vroengard.

The hall they walked in was lined with many fairths. Fairths that depicted some history since the fall of Galbatorix. There was Orgol and his rider Vozgoz, the first Urgal dragon rider. They had actually met them earlier that day. Teaching a class together. Then there was Emero and her rider Feldur, the first dwarven dragon rider, who were also members of the Elders. Zerno felt the joy and pride of Kino every time they walked down this hall. Feelings that came from the admiration he had for Zerno's beauty. Feelings that came from seeing the history of the riders, now realizing they were apart of that history. "Oh my Kino, So happy you were, to be a rider. And I as well." Zerno remembers.

Finally, the doors opened, and in they walked. In front of them lie the Elder Chambers. A magnificent room. Oval Shaped with a gigantic glass ceiling. The room was the highest point of Skulblaka Lotha. A place where the Elders watched over the city. A place where the Elders received all sorts of information via scrying, so that the neighboring lands could be protected as well. Ten Elder Riders sat in the room. There was Lefeg and his dragon Gildon. Moldon and his rider Moran. Neres and her dragon Omael. Anely and her rider Aelod. Pesulta and her dragon Degen. Liyare and her rider Ruyanda. Bemend and his dragon Sutaire. Emero and his rider Feldur, the first Dwarven rider, whose fairth Zerno and Kino had seen in the hall. Finally, in the middle the Founders sat. The greatest and oldest of them all, Eragon and Saphira. Seeing them always brought so much joy to their hearts, especially Zerno. They approached the middle of the room and stopped.

"Good morning Masters." Zerno and Kino said simultaneously.

"Good morning, Zerno. Good morning, Kino." The Elders responded

Eragon laughs, "Why must both of you always be so nervous when meeting us?"

Saphira, also with a sense of amusement, "Surely riders as old and accomplished as you two would feel like more our equals."

"Never, master." Zerno says joyously. "We've learned everything we know from all of you--"

"And we have much more to learn." Kino says proudly.

Eragon shrugs and then smiles. "As you wish, but just know, the day is fast approaching when--"

"You two will join us on the council." Saphira finishes. "For there is not much more we have to teach you."

Zerno and Kino beam at the news. Zerno, looking at Saphira, "Oh Master I--"

Saphira interrupts with smoke seething from her nostrils. "Oh stop with the formalities Zerno. You are my kin. My grandson, and I your grand dam. How many times must we go over this?"

"Apologies grandmother. Mother always taught me to respect my elders.." Zerno says cheekily. Surprisingly, the Elders burst into laughter. Zerno and Kino both laugh as they feel the amusement from the room. Saphira, irritated, looks at Eragon who shrugs once more laughing. Saphira lets the joy overtake her and laughs along.

"Ok ok you little runt. Always clever with the puns you were." Saphira says. "Time for business."

"We have a task for the both of you." The Elder at the right of Eragon and Saphira says. Lefeg was his name. Gildon, his dragon, sat next to him.

"A small party of bandits, known as the Marauders, have been seen just outside the foothills of our mountains." Eragon explains. "According to our intelligence they wish to infiltrate our city, posing as nomads, and steal dragon eggs."

Kino and Zerno feel each other's anger.

"Yes, we understand the anger, but do not let your emotions get the better of you. Do not underestimate this enemy. They are only human yes, but--" Saphira hesitates.

Kino looks confused, "What is it Master Saphira?"

The Elder on the left of Eragon and Saphira spoke now, "They were traveling with a Shade." Moran said. His dragon, Moldon, agreed with concern.

"A shade!?" Zerno asks, looking at Kino with worry. A desire to protect his rider overwhelmed him.

"Yes." Omael responds.

"You needn't worry." Eragon says. "We handled the Shade. However, the very fact that the Marauders were traveling with a Shade has us worried. For a Shade to work with humans, willingly, would mean they more than likely offered him something."

"Dragon eggs?" Kino suggested.

"Very good." Saphira said approvingly. "They still, however, plan to move forward with their plan. We are not sure where their confidence comes from, now that they lost the Shade, but we need you two to stop them. Figure out what they want to do with these eggs."

"Break their bodies, then their minds." Eragon commands. "Don't underestimate them. Any threat to the eggs, large or small, will be taken seriously. Saphira and I know better than anyone the dangers that come with dragon eggs falling into the wrong hands. Do you understand?"

"Yes Masters!" Kino and Zerno respond.

"Good, now go and put an end to this threat!" Saphira commands.

"Remember your training, Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass!" Eragon concludes.

"Sé onr sverdar sitja hvass!" Zerno and Kino respond. Kino climbs up onto Zerno and fastens himself into the saddle. Zerno leaps across the large room to an opening, far to their right. An opening only accessible on dragon back. As Zerno was getting ready to leap, he felt Saphira brushing his consciousness.

"Be careful my kin." Saphira warns.

"I will Grandmother." Zerno replies. Then he leapt, leaving behind the cheers and war cries of the Elders.

This. This was the last time Zerno felt happy. Zerno hated remembering what happened next....

All he remembered was wind howling past his face, Kino tucked closely on his back. They cleared the cloud cover Kino had given them with magic. Within a few seconds they were on top of the Marauders. "Fire!" Kino shouted. Zerno obliged and let loose a powerful streak of flames onto the wagons and supplies of the Marauders. Zerno pulled up. Kino looked down and saw the Marauders scatter like ants. Horns began to be blown. Zerno was confused at this. "I wonder who they are calling?" Kino asked.

"Stay close to me." Zerno demanded as he dove again. This time landing in front of a group of Marauders. Zerno let a roar out. The power of the roar sent the Marauders flying. Kino hopped off, sword drawn.

"You lot, The Marauders, will be tried for treason against the riders! Your intentions have been found out. Your Shade has been eradicated and now so are you. Surrender or face me and Zerno and die!" Kino says as Zerno's head hovers above him, mouth open, waiting for any sudden movements. The leader Kendrig was interrogated.

Kino extracted a shocking detail from Kendrig's mind.

"No," Kino said. "Zerno it's the Ra'zac. They work with the Marauders. Be careful we cannot sense their minds they are--"

"Yes, I know, the Ra'zac are secretive creatures. Undetectable by magic and mind readers." Zerno said as he keeps his head on a swivel.

Kino sifted some more and found a conversation Kendrig had with a Ra'zac. "---so they will send help. A dragon rider most likely." Kino sifted a little more "--a distraction. Then we will do the rest. Get the dragon's attention. Then we strike."

Just then one of the Marauders throws a spear straight at Zerno's head. However, Zerno's training kicked in, as he caught the spear and snapped it effortlessly. Kino took down many men. So did Zerno. As Kino turned to help Zerno however, he caught movement just above him. A Ra'zac dropped mere inches from his face. With precision and speed, Kino beheaded the Ra'zac. Suddenly he felt pain. He looked down only to see a sword protruding from his stomach. Struck by a second Ra'zac that dropped behind Kino. Two giant Lethrblaka drop next to the Ra'zac.

Zerno roared in agony and fear for his rider. Just when Zerno was about to leap to Kino's aide, the Marauders fired two giant nets onto Zerno. This bought them more time.

Kino uses magic to break all four of one Lethrblaka's legs. The pain slowed him however and Kino received several more strikes. Kino roared and sent a concussive force of magic straight into his enemies. "Oh my Kino, how mighty you were." Zerno remembers solemnly.

Zerno remembered breaking free of the nets. Leaping to Kino's aide he unleashed a torrent of flames. Every dragon has magical abilities they cannot control. The fire that surrounded the Ra'zac and the Lethrblaka did not harm Kino. Zerno's involuntary magic would not allow for his flames to harm his rider. No not in this time of need.

Kino took one last strike at the Ra'zac and finished him off, then Kino fell. Kino saw flashes, a singed Lethrblaka fighting Zerno. Zerno launching the body of the Ra'zac into the side of a mountain. Finally Zerno ripping apart the Lethrblaka, then nothing.

"Wake up my rider, wake up!" Zerno said despairingly. Kino's eyes moved. "Yes, I'm here. We're safe now Kino." Kino's eyes slowly opened. His wounds were grave. The sword still protruding from his stomach. "I can remove the sword Kino, but you must cast a spell to heal yourself." Kino doesn't respond. "Do..Do you have the energy needed to heal such a wound?" Zerno asks. Kino cannot answer. Panic, for the first time in his life, panic enveloped Zerno. Kino is fading. Without hesitation Zerno removes the sword from Kino's body, and that same feeling engulfed him again. That connection dragons have with magic was coming out. Without thinking Zerno breathed hot steam over the wounds, watching them close. Kino's body was soon back to normal, yet to no avail. Kino had lost too much blood. "Kino, little one, please. I've fixed you. Please wake up!"

Kino smiles. "Oh, friend of mine heart. I couldn't....I couldn't have asked for a better life partner. For a better life. This is the end," Kino struggles to continue, "this is the end for me."

"No, Kino. Please! No! I can't do this without you."

"You can, and you will. My memory stays with you. Draw upon it when you need strength, and I will be there."

Zerno lifts his head up and unleashes a roar of anguish. Followed by a torrent of flames. "Without you, I am nothing. Only half of existence." Zerno says solemnly.

"Without me you are a mighty dragon. Zerno, the protector of his kind. The teacher of the future. Stay strong my companion." Kino begins to fade. "Stay strong...I love you."

"I love you, more than you can imagine." Zerno replies. Kino's eyes close as he gives his life. Zerno stares at Kino, as he feels his presence slowly vanish. For a long while he sat there staring. No longer feeling their bond he felt so vulnerable. Small for the first time in his life. "No! No! NO! NO! NO! NO!" Zerno's rage grows into almost madness. He scoops up Kino's body and flies.

Zerno remembers flying to the Elders. Who most of them had intercepted him when he was halfway to the city. For Saphira had felt his pain and rage. The Elders did everything but, Eragon looked up at Zerno, tears in his eyes. "I'm..I'm sorry Zerno." Eragon said.

Zerno let out one final roar of anger, sadness, and pity. Then flew away.

That was all he remembered. Now he sits atop Mount Finte. Gabarog was many leagues from Skulblaka Lotha. Seeing no purpose to Life anymore, he dove. The speed of the dive turned him into a bluish-green blur. The ground was fast approaching, but he would not stop. Moments before impact, he heard it. A faint cry. A child? Zerno extended his wings and landed very roughly but safely. Zerno listened again, and again he heard it. The cry of a newborn. Zeroing in on the sound he found the source. A baby. Alone in the woods. Zerno stepped forward and examined the child. With a closer look he realized the child was of elven nature. "Curious." Zerno thought. "A babe, alone in the woods." Which was exactly how he felt ironically. "Yes well, this world is evil. I know better than anyone." Zerno turns around and begins to walk away. He stops. An opportunity this is. His rage displaces his grief, a fire raged in his stomach. A fire of drive and purpose. "The Elders, this is all their fault. They should have known about the Ra'zac and their Lethrblaka. We could have seen the attack coming! The Elders have lost their way. Their power!"

Zerno begins pacing back and forth. "Why should I suffer for their lack of vision?! Why should babies suffer alone in the woods because of their lack of vision?!" Zerno asks furiously. "No, if you ask me, they are unfit to sit on top. To watch and protect. They've lost their ability to do so." Anger builds and builds in Zerno until he explodes, letting out a massive stream of fire straight into the forest. Burning everything in its path. The fire spreads. "They will be destroyed. They will pay for their crimes against all sentient beings. NO MORE WILL BABIES BE LEFT ALONE IN THE WOODS! NO MORE WILL DRAGONS LOSE THEIR RIDERS! And to think, that these mewling cowards will train the next generation of riders makes me sick. No, I will stop them." Zerno turns to face the child. "And you will help me do it." Zerno turns and faces the lands of Gabarog. "Six different lords in Gabarog. Each with a sizeable army. They will serve me. Serve me to destroy the Elders. They will serve me or burn." Zerno looks at the child again as the fire rages around them.

Ten years have passed now, and ten years Zerno has spent training Fyrn. Fyrn now stands amongst five men who he has just defeated in battle effortlessly. His Elvish nature a huge advantage even at ten years of age. Next came his toughest test. Twenty magicians step forward. Fyrn struggles as he defends his mind against the invaders. Fyrn holds his walls. Now he attacks the minds of five magicians. He breaks through.

"Slytha." Fyrn says. The five magicians fall to sleep. This brief laps in defense however render Fyrn vulnerable. He falls as he loses control of his body. The other magicians have broken him.

Zerno walks over to Fyrn disappointed. " Enough! If you do not improve, and improve quickly, our chances of victory dwindle. You are the key. The Elders will not have expected me to have found...." Zerno hesitates. The pain could not bring him to finish the sentence. "To have found...someone else."

"Master, I cannot become as strong as a rider. If the bond between a rider and a dragon is as strong as you say it is, then I will never attain that." Fyrn protests.

"You will do fine! Enough of this cowardice. You will do as I ask! Remember what I told you. The Elders must die. All of them! They're the reason I lost my rider! You getting stronger is key to their downfall."

"But master, if you replace the Elders, how will you see everything and know everything? You only have two eyes? Kino would not have wanted this." Fyrn says.

Zerno sighs. For a moment a part of him agreed. That anger, however, that madness came out. "Kino is dead. Zerno died with him. The Elders must die. No more will anyone suffer the way I have. The way you have." Zerno takes a moment. "Little one, no I wouldn't be able to see everything or know everything, but The Elders are the cause of much strife and pain whilst they dine atop the world. At least with them gone people will suffer because of their own mistakes, AND NOT AT THE LACK OF VISION OF THE ELDERS!! THEIR BLINDNESS AND ARROGANCE WILL NOT HURT ANYONE ELSE!!" Zerno booms. "Now, back to training." Fyrn leaves to train whilst Zerno waits.

Corzon, the lord of Cinte, steps forward as requested. He, of all the lords Zerno has met, has been the most cooperative. "Has your battalion been readied?" Zerno asks.

"As you have demanded, yes master." Corzon replies.

"Good. Keep training the boy. We attack in a week."

One week later, Fyrn and Zerno fly together. Hovering above the final Domain of Masca. "Master, why can't we just fly together? Enough of this war and pain." Fyrn says gently, measuring his tone very carefully.

"We will all the time in the world to fly together little one. After we relieve The Elders of their position, however." Zerno says sincerely. He grew to care for Fyrn. It hurts him deeply to raise the boy in such a manner, but Zerno's anger and pain always came back in waves, trumping all else.

"But--"

"Enough! We dive now. Get ready and strike with hurtful intentions. No mercy." Zerno demands.

On the ground the commander of Cinte's forces walks up to his men. "Listen lads, we do not know what Lord Corzon's intentions are here, but we will defend our home. We will--" The commander is cut off. In a second, the row of soldiers in front of him were on fire. He had to blink to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. "What magic is this!?" He screams in horror.

"No magic, just me." Zerno says coldly to all that he can contact. "Ally or not you will slay these men until surrender!" Zerno commands his troops as they begin to charge.

Much blood. Many times Fyrn jumped from his back and defeated many enemies. His elven nature helped him immensely in battle. Yet he never killed. "Little one, they will not share your mercy." Zerno would tell him.

"We are the aggressors here master." Fyrn would reply.

The day was long. For the men of Masca were brave, noble, and above all else selfless. They were not going down easy. But they were defeated, and Zerno stood as the victor ready to receive the lord of Masca. Mor stepped forward. "Why?" Is all he could ask. Zerno explained the need he had for them. For all the domains in Gabarog.

"What hypocrisy is this!? The Elders and the Riders of Skulblaka Lotha keep the lands safe. They harm no one, yet they protect everyone. They--" Mor was interrupted by a deafening roar from Zerno.

"EVERYONE?!" Zerno boomed. "They protect themselves. I am not asking for your services. I demand. Otherwise, you and your people will burn." Mor looked horrified. "Everyone must serve or burn. Send for help or alert the Elders and you will burn."

Mor falls to his knees. Just like that, after ten years of work Zerno has amassed the largest army anyone has ever had. Fyrn lowers his head in shame.

Ten more years pass. Ten years each lord has served Zerno with fear and loyalty. The people of Gabarog don't mind because Zerno doesn't oppress them, as long as the lords get the message that's all he needed.

Fyrn, now twenty and much more powerful, rides Zerno. The armies below move ever so quietly to Skulblaka Lotha.

Zerno lands to speak to Corzon and the other lords. "The path I told you about is a secret only riders know about. Narrow, but we can fit the army across. We will be spread thin, so we'll have to wait on the other side until the entire army makes it across. Once we do we will have flanked the Elders; only leagues away from the stronghold itself. On my signal you fire. I cannot overpower the Elders alone, but they cannot defend against what the don't see coming.." Zerno states. "Fitting they die the same way Kino did." Zerno flies off.

Corzon looks at his men. "Remember what I've promised you. Zerno won't live. The Elders will at least take him down. With our forces we can steal at least a handful of eggs. I was able to slyly figure out where the vault is with casual and careful conversation with Zerno. Whoever is guarding the vault will put up a fight, but we have numbers. Zerno's plan might be our perfect cover. To kill two birds with one stone." The men cheer. Looking at the other lords Corzon states, "We've lived in fear for twenty years because of Zerno. Now we take. Ready your men, do as I command and we all get eggs."

The next few days went slow. Through the pass. Now they stand before Skulblaka Lotha itself. "My salvation awaits just in that spire. On my signal we crush the Elders. Hit the ceiling, using the ballistas, there, there and there." Zerno said mentally pointing in a way the others will understand. "I will rain fire upon them as I make my escape, and Fyrn will attempt to penetrate their minds. My fire and Fyrn's penetration will serve as a distraction to keep them preoccupied. To prevent them from saving themselves from the falling debris with magic or any other means. Once the Elders fall the rest of the city will stand no chance against the might and size of our army."

Zerno lands in the opening in the Elder chamber. Fyrn on his back. The Elders looked very grimly at him.

Saphira stands. "Zerno. We know."

Zerno steps backwards with confusion. His anger seething. Smoke tendrils rise from his nostrils. "What?".

"Oh my kin. We know. We can only imagine the pain you are in. No rider or dragon should go through what you went through. We had scouts up the path you made your way through."

Zerno can only stare.

"How long have you been planning this?" Eragon asked.

"Too long." Zerno replies coldly.

"My kin, please. Don't go down this road. Others have been in your place and have come out safely. They came out teachers and leaders. You can too. You know the story of Glaedr. Please, you've avoided all our efforts of contact the past twenty years, but allow us to help you now." Saphira pleads.

"We're sorry." Eragon exclaims. "We should have investigated the Marauders more thoroughly. The Ra'zac should have been discovered. Please Zerno, we ask your forgiveness."

"Master, they seem ready to help. If we can have a peaceful resolution we should take it." Fyrn says.

"My Kino is dead. Yet you ask forgiveness." Zerno says. He plants himself firmly in between them. "Listen well. You underestimate my power. Step down as Elders or be put down. This place belongs to no one now."

"I'm sorry my kin. But that is not an option." Saphira says solemnly.

"I've been waiting years to hear you say that. Fyrn get ready!" Zerno lets out a deafening roar. This signals the men to storm the Stronghold.

Corzon orders his men to charge. "Men! Fire the ballistas straight into the ceiling." As the men outside fire the ballistas into the base of the glass ceiling, Corzon and several men storm the stronghold and make their way to the vault.

The glass begins to break above them. Zerno fires a massive torrent of fire straight at the Elders. Fyrn threatens their minds. The Elders throw up their defenses, all while engaging in offense. Yet the constant barrage of fire and the raining glass from the ceiling made it easier for Zerno and Fyrn to remain unharmed.

Zerno's eyes glance to his left. Corzon and his men enter the chamber. However, Corzon and many others continue down the hall, while the rest begin firing at the Elders. "Where are they going?" Zerno wonders, never once breaking the stream of fire. The Elders throw up more defenses. "This is it. Too much for them to focus on. Death! Death to you power mongers!" Zerno shouts at the Elders. Right on cue, the constant barrage of ballista fire caused pieces of the ceiling to break and fall. Many Elders were overwhelmed. The ones that weren't were protecting their fellow Elders who were struggling. Debris larger and thicker than Saphira rained down onto the defending Elders. The Elders now had to hold the ceiling together, guard against Zerno's flames, Fyrn's mind attacks, and the archers firing at them all at once.

Fyrn, struggling through his concentration, "Master, we should leave now."

"Not yet boy." Zerno responds, never once relenting his fire, which The Elders were also guarding against.

Fyrn looked to the hallway. Shocked he yelled, "Master!" Zerno was directed mentally by Fyrn. What he saw horrified him. Corzon and many of his men were leaving now, but with many sacks of eggs. "Master enough of this. Those eggs belong here. You told me they're the riders' legacy. This is what you and Kino fought to protect!"

Zerno didn't know how to respond. The Elders were in trouble. The plan was working, but the eggs. "No Kino comes first." Zerno says, battling his inner struggle.

Corzon instructed his archers to leave the Elders. "No!" Zerno thought. With one less obstacle the Elders began to regroup.

"Master I'm getting overwhelmed." Fyrn pleads.

The eggs, our future, in the hands of those traitors. "No." Zerno thought. "The eggs... are in danger because of me." The ceiling began breaking much faster. Zerno beamed at the sight, it bought him more time for offense. "No! We can win! The Elders can die here and now. When that ceiling falls; they will too." Zerno says to Fyrn, much to Fyrn's disappointment. "They're still focusing on me and Fyrn, as well as the debris, but the eggs." Zerno thought to himself.

Zerno's thought's were interrupted by Omael's roar of pain. One of the debris had crushed his wing. Neres screamed in pain. "Omael!" she cried. Now more and more debris were striking the Elders.

Everything slowed down for Zerno. The screams of the civilians in the lower parts of the city reverberated throughout the shattering chamber. Hearing this and seeing the Elders cry for each other, for their life partners, was too much for Zerno. "I know this pain. What kind of monster have I become to inflict it upon others?" Zerno asks himself. "Kino and I once stood here as protectors of society, of the eggs. Now all of it, being destroyed. Because of me."

"You see master." Fyrn says. Through the chaos Zerno hadn't realized Fyrn was feeling his guilt and regret. "You are a Dragon. This is what Kino told you. You claim you have no purpose. You're wrong. Protecting this place, the eggs, and serving Kino's memory. That's your purpose You found me and protected me. Now find yourself again and do what's right. Now I cannot engage anymore master without being overwhelmed."

"Stop!" Zerno commands.

"But master, their strength, even whilst focused elsewhere, is still too great. I cannot--"

"No, I mean don't engage. Go help them!"

"Master?"

Zerno stops firing his flames. Eragon and Saphira immediately penetrate their minds, as if this one less obstacle was all they needed to completely take control. Their power was truly untouchable.

"I could use The Word you know. I could stop all of this in a second, but I cannot risk anyone having knowledge of it. We should end you for your treason." Eragon threatens.

"Kill me after. The eggs; they're in trouble." Zerno says hastily.

"Eggs!?" Saphira asked shocked.

"They took the eggs." Zerno says. "Eragon, Saphira. The Elders need you to stop the ceiling. I will stop Corzon. Search my intentions if you must but they are escaping, and you're needed here."

Eragon and Saphira withdraw from their minds. Zerno looks at them and they at him. Immediately they retreat to their fellow Elders. Tending to the wounded whilst keeping the ceiling up.

"Fyrn go help them. They have a few Elders that're injured. They need any help they can get." Zerno says.

Fyrn sensed Zerno wanted him to stay for another reason. "We can go together. This doesn't have to happen."

"Oh little one. But it does. These are my mistakes. I alone should suffer the consequences. No one else. The eggs and the people are in danger because of me." Zerno prepares to take off. Fyrn hugs his leg. "Thank you little one, for always showing me my errors. You stuck by me and reminded me of what Kino and I fought for, regardless of whether I chose to see it or not. You...you remind me of him.

With tears in his eyes Fyrn says, "This is who you always were Zerno. I felt it."

"Go, little one, they need you." Before Zerno took off he and Saphira exchanged glances. "I'm sorry."

"So are we, my kin." She replies.

Zerno leaves. "My mistakes, all of them, end today."

Kino's words echoed through his mind now. "Without me you are a mighty dragon. Zerno, the protector of his kind. The teacher of the future. Stay strong my companion." Kino said.

Moments later Corzon and the other lords halt as Zerno lands in front of them. Zerno stands now, before the very army he assembled, who have now retreated from the city at the order of their lords.

"The eggs! Drop them!" Zerno commands.

"No, this is our payment for twenty years of fear. These eggs will make all the domains in Gabarog rich." Corzon replies. The army almost collectively cheers.

"You'll be compensated in another way. Now drop the eggs, return to your land, or fight me and burn."

Corzon turns and sees the ceiling still intact far away. "Change of heart, I see? Can't imagine the Elders would just let you leave if they weren't convinced you'd bring the eggs back. Well you will return to them empty handed. Fire!"

"As you wish!" Zerno booms. Zerno dashes forward and with the snap of his jaws, takes Corzon out.

Zerno leaps into the air. In the fighting that ensued, fire and blood is all there was. Many ballista struck Zerno. Injured and growing weaker he remains vigilant. Memories of Kino come forward as the world blends into the fighting. Half the army the mighty Zerno slayed. A feat never been done by a lone dragon. The other half retreated with their lords.

All that remained was ash. Amongst the ash sat mutiple piles of dragon eggs. Zerno gathered them. Too injured to fly, he laid there, covering the eggs protectively. "Let me do this one last good deed. I'm coming my Kino."

Zerno looked up at the sky as the world began to fade. Through his blurred vision he could see the Elders landing around him. Many crying as they felt and his pain. "My companions, forgive me. I lost my way."

"But you found it again." Eragon stated as he and Saphira walk forward. "We couldn't save Kino, for it was too late--"

"But we can save you." Saphira finished.

Eragon and the Elders used magic to carefully remove bolts from Zerno's body, and to fix the wounds.

"We ask your forgiveness my grand son." Saphira states. The Elders share her compassion.

"Oh...oh my Kino. You all made a mistake, but so did I for the past twenty years. I forgive you.." Zerno says.

"Your story will reach every land. Your bravery and sacrifice today will be hailed. Hailed because the pain that losing a bond with your life partner brings cannot be described. For yours is a tale of redemption and nobility. Redemption that came from your love for your fellow dragons, riders, people, and Kino." Eragon states clearly. The Elders agree with full conviction.

"And Fyrn, the child who helped show me the way." Zerno stated. "Now my next phase of life begins. Like Kino said, I will go on and lead. Teach the next generation of riders. Hopefully you Fyrn. You'll make a great Rider one day."

Fyrn smiles. "Until then, we ride together."

Looking around Zerno felt happy. For the first time in twenty years he felt happy. Saphira privately tells Zerno. "Do not judge yourself my grand son. I love you, you have come a long way. Proud you have made me today. very proud.

Months pass.

The Tale of Zerno is now one many know in the lands of Gabarog and even Alagaesia. The tale of tragedy and redemption. Sadness and hope. The tale of how the Mighty Zerno took on an army and slayed half in his pursuit to protect the land.

"Kino's wisdom and hope reach far now." Zerno would often think.

Zerno and Fyrn would fly together many times in the lands of Gabarog and Alagaesia. Ready to help anyone who should need it. They flew as the Mighty Zerno and the Adopted Rider both serving in the memory of Kino.

Zerno was granted the eleventh Elder position. Fyrn stayed in Skulblaka Lotha for most of his time.

The children of Skulblaka Lotha would revel in the days with Fyrn. "Fyrn, Fyrn, can you tell us the Tale of Zerno?" They would ask.

Fyrn would well up with tears, remembering the day Zerno found him in the woods. "Of course I can." Fyrn would reply with a huge smile.