The gods and deities all blinked in confusion at Classic, who had started walking towards the city. It was still two miles away, yet he did not move any faster than a relaxed stride. Every breath was a visible blue cloud, no longer a constant stream.

TK soon perked up, tears in his sockets as he glanced back at what had been a rift to the Multiverse- a place that had simply ceased to be just minutes ago. Gone. Their home was gone.
Fate was also gone.
Balance was gone.
Yet Time and Destiny remained.

SoulAbyss soon backed away and to the side, footsteps thundering as they got out of Classic's way, growing nervous.
"What will you do?" Evolution asked.
TK jogged to catch up with Classic as he replied in a quiet voice.
"What we have to."

"Are you sure?" TK asked, knowing how loathe to act the other could be.
Classic regarded him with now permanently bluish eyelights.
"You heard what she said could happen. I've made my choice. Will you?"

TK slowed then, falling behind as Classic forged ahead, leaving the child to his thoughts.
After a moment, he seemed to reach a decision, eyelights flashing violet before he teleported to the original's side.
"I've chosen. Let's fix up our new home."

Classic nodded at that, and, ignoring the giants watching, squinted at the crumbling wall of Urû-baen. A pulse of cerulean rippled out from him across the ground in a shockwave, and with a clattering rumble, the vast 300 foot wall abruptly disassembled itself into massive chunks of stone that hovered with a glowing blue nimbus. The enormous gate floated free, the men that had been on the wall were adrift in the air as if gravity had ceased to exist.

The gods stared at the display of power, and the fighting within the city quickly fell silent.
The unsettling quiet would not last long, but for now, only the rumbling of Destruction sifting deeper into the citadel and the echoes of the battle remained.

And Classic continued to walk.

. • ° ° • .

Eragon and Murtagh circled one another, each sizing up the other. Both wore the same sort of armor, though Eragon's shield was wider and shorter than Murtagh's. Alternatively, Murtagh had a shorter and wider blade than Eragon. They neared each other, and by listening through the boy's mind Blue could hear them whispering to each other.

"What are you doing?" Demanded Murtagh.
"Buying time." Eragon replied lowly.
"You're a fool. He'll watch us cut each other to shreds, and what will it change? Nothing."
Eragon twitched his sword arm, startling a flinch out of the elder Rider.

"Blast you." Murtagh cursed. "If you had waited just one more day, I could have freed Nasuada."
Bewildered, Eragon questioned. "Why should I believe you?"
Furious, Murtagh moved faster, forcing Eragon to match his speed. Speaking louder, he asked.
"So, you finally found a proper sword for yourself. The elves made it for you, didn't they?"
"You know they d-" Murtagh lunged with a swing, forcing Eragon to scramble away with a parry before swinging Brisingr over his head.

Murtagh ducked out of the way and they both eyed each other. When neither attacked, the circling resumed.
Blue was worried. He hadn't known as much of Murtagh as he would have liked, but he had known that the human was full of hate over the circumstances that he could not control. Wyrda had forced him into a role he despised, made him just like his father- and it disgusted him.
Blue couldn't help but feel regret that he could not save Murtagh from his fate.

He watched as Eragon knocked aside a swing at his neck and struck Murtagh's wrist over the gauntlet, opening up his chest for attack- though Murtagh already had his shield blocking the attempted stab.

Thrice more did Eragon attempt to stab, and thrice more did Murtagh stop him. The younger was about to try again when he was interrupted by a swing at the knee, forcing him to counter again. They fell into a rhythm of exchanging blows, neither able to gain the upper hand, though Eragon seemed to end up on the defensive more often than not. Blue had a sinking feeling as he watched.

Eventually, Murtagh paused, Zar'roc lowered as he faced Galbatorix. Eragon hesitated in confusion, only for the older Rider to lunge. Eragon swung, but Murtagh blocked it with his shield, shoving at him.
The younger attempted to push back, but was struggling not to slide across the floor as Murtagh pressed at him.

Suddenly, he yelled and shoved at Eragon, sending him off balance and stumbling as the crimson blade flew at his neck.
"Letta!" Galbatorix boomed.
The razor edge stopped less than an inch away from Eragon's neck and he froze in bewilderment.
"Restrain yourself, Murtagh, or I shall do it for you." The king warned.
"I dislike having to repeat myself. You are not to kill Eragon, nor is he to kill you…. Now, continue."

Blue could feel Eragon's utter astonishment as they slowly resumed circling. If he were able, Murtagh would have decapitated him right then and there.

It was Arya who spoke.
Eragon, do not dwell on it. You had no reason to suspect he would try to kill you. Nor were you trying to kill him. If you had, the fight would have gone differently, and Murtagh would never have had the chance to attack you as he did.
The boy glanced uncertainly at their group and Saphira added her thoughts.
If he wishes to rip out your throat, then cut his hamstrings and make sure that he cannot do it again.

With a nod, Eragon took up his position across from Murtagh once again. Blue frowned thoughtfully at Unity. The deity was focused on something else entirely- something not even in Urû-baen from what he could tell- and it filled Unity with great excitement and awe.
Yet he refused to explain just what it was about.

. • ° ° • .

With a low rumble like an earthquake, the tremendous floating mass of rubble piled itself on the ground, setting soldiers delicately on top of the pile, where they forgot their fight and stared at the gigantic beings that were gods and deities, all standing and staring at the miniscule figures now entering the city.

A lone soldier rushed at them, shouting a war cry before he simply cut short, frozen in place with an aura of violet.
"Don't." TK warned as they strode by, releasing the man and leaving him to gasp in shock.

It was then that a soft, watery glow shone around Classic, rippling with each step he took as it expanded.
Warriors, human, elf, werecat, dwarf, and Urgal alike all began to freeze in place where the light touched them, regardless of what they were doing.

More still turned and fled at the sight, broken structures floating upward with a violet glow as they reassembled into their undamaged forms, fires dying and the ashen remains returning to their pre-burnt selves. The city was being repaired with each step the pair took, anyone and everyone being frozen as they passed, heading towards the castle.

A bone dragon screeched and dove down, only to be stopped short by the wall of blue, eyelights flickering in terror.
A furious Lust swung around, blood dripping off the blade in his hands before he paused at the wall of light, long enough to question its existence before it passed over and froze him in place as well.

And still, Classic walked.

. • ° ° • .

Eragon was wearing down. That much was obvious. His strength was waning and Murtagh was still just a hint better than he. The floor was slippery with their blood, both having broken their shields some time ago. The boy was growing increasingly aware of his disadvantages, seeing that Murtagh was fighting for something with enough motivation that he was willing to kill.

Their Rider kept analyzing and trying to figure out a way to win, but kept failing. The others as well, were struggling vainly for a way Eragon could win without their direct influence, but there was nothing.
Except.. Eragon was forming an idea. A terrible, awful idea, but an idea.
To let Murtagh win without letting him win.

No, Eragon. There must be another way. Saphira pleaded.
Then tell me what it is, for I cannot see it. Eragon argued. Saphira snarled at that, Thorn growling in response from across the spotlight.
Blue cringed at this. Don't get too badly wounded. I will try to heal you when it's done. He advised reluctantly.
Choose wisely. Was all Arya said.

The pair of Riders met once again, swords clanging like bells before they split apart again. Blue grimaced as he watched Eragon drift Brisingr slightly away from his side out of what seemed like weariness.

Through the opening, Murtagh lunged, and Eragon twisted away so that the blade did not pierce his stomach but his side, scraping against the broken chainmail until it stabbed through his other side. The older Rider stared in shock before Eragon stabbed him as well, right in the middle of his abdomen.

He tugged his blue blade out, stained in crimson as Murtagh collapsed to his knees and went slack, Zar'roc slipping out of Eragon's own flesh as well. Thorn bellowed in pain and fury.

Murtagh's fingers finally weakened to the point of dropping his red blade, grasping at his middle and bowing until his head met the floor. Eragon stared blankly, blood seeping into his eye from a cut on his face.
"Naina." Said the king, light flaring once more in the hall, and Eragon stumbled to a kneel beside Murtagh.
"And to Eragon goes the victory." Galbatorix boomed.

Murtagh looked up at his counterpart with his face in a pained grimace, growling. "You couldn't just let me win, could you?" He spat. "You can't beat Galbatorix, but you still had to prove that you are better than me…. Ah!" He shivered, rocking on his shins. Eragon put a hand on his shoulder.
"Why?"

The reply was only a whisper.
"Because I hoped to gain his favor so that I could save her." He teared up and averted his gaze.
Galbatorix's gaze burned into them as Murtagh found it in himself to speak again.
"You tricked me."
"It was the only way."

He grunted. "That was always the difference between you and me. You were willing to sacrifice yourself. I wasn't…. Not then."
"But now you are."
"I'm not the person I once was. I have Thorn now, and…" He hesitated, shrugging weakly.
"I'm not fighting for myself anymore…. It makes a difference."

With a quick inhale and wince, he went on. "I used to think you were a fool to keep risking your life as you have…. I know better now. I understand… why. I understand…." His eyes went wide, grimace fading.
"I understand- we understand." He whispered.
Thorn made a strange, whimper-growl, and Galbatorix shifted uneasily. He spoke in a commanding tone.
"Enough of this talk. Your duel is over, and Eragon has won. Now the time has arrived for our guests to bend their knees and give to me their oaths of fealty…. Come closer, the both of you, and I shall heal your wounds, and then we shall proceed."

Eragon began to struggle to his feet, but Murtagh gripped his arm.
"Now! Or I will leave you to suffer from your wounds until we are finished."
Murtagh mouthed something, Eragon relaying in confusion to the others.
Ready yourself.

The older of the pair then pushed Eragon away, turning on his knees and facing the king. Suddenly, he shouted the Name, to which they all flinched, Galbatorix raising a hand as if to protect himself as Murtagh added more words in such rapid fire they were incomprehensible.

Around Galbatorix was a flash of black and red light like colored flames, the sound of a strong breeze over a leafy forest and shrieks as twelve lights shot outward from his head and passed through the walls. Thorn then spun and leapt on Shruikan's neck.

The giant boomed with a growl and scooted backwards, the kids screaming and covering their heads while Shruikan frantically shook his head. The ground jumped from the weight of the dragons. The rest of the group then stumbled as Galbatorix's magic released.

Immediately, GB and Draco teleported themselves and Saphira to help Thorn, Arya charging the king as Blue popped over to Eragon, hands alight with green as he healed the gash in his side with the most familiar magic he knew, throwing his free hand out so that Unity could flare up and materialize into a gorilla of all things, looming over Murtagh.

Yet in that moment, Galbatorix cried out the Word, then letta, to which all movement stopped and the vast room echoed into silence.
They all scowled with frustration until Eragon hollered with all of his anger, all of his frustration.
"Get him!"

They all launched their minds at the king, raging as his imprisoned, wailing Eldunarí again besieged them, driving them back. Elva began to speak, but his terrible voice crowed. "Theyna!"
And she cut off with a pained gurgling.
"I stripped him of his wards!" Murtagh hollered.
"He's-" He said no more as Galbatorix spoke so fast and deep to be understood, Murtagh collapsing painfully.

"I have plenty of wards." Growled the king as he stepped down from his throne.
"You cannot harm me." His cape swung heavily at his feet as he approached.
Blue blinked as Unity suddenly pushed back the Eldunarí from him.
Dҽʂƚιɳყ αρρɾσαƈԋҽʂ. He finally whispered in his mind as Galbatorix forced Eragon to his feet, jaws clenched in rage as Blue was left reeling from the sudden knowledge.

"Think you to challenge me, boy? That you could lay me low and steal my throne?" He grabbed his cape briefly. "I cut this mantle from the wings of Belgabad himself, and my gloves too." He then held Vrangr to the boy's eyes, making sure Blue saw too.
"I took this sword from Vrael's hand, and I took this crown from the head of the mewling wretch who wore it before me. And yet you think to outwit me? Me? You come to my castle, and you kill my men, and you act as if you are better than I. As if you are more noble or virtuous."

He cruelly smacked Eragon upside the head with the pommel of his sword.
Leaning closer, he growled venomously. "You need to be taught a lesson in humility, boy." He said from inches away, then smacked his other cheek, bloodying it as well. "I shall enjoy having you in my service. Gánga." Blue saw a hint of clarity return to the boy, knowing the dragons had left him.

Then Eragon recoiled again, a savage grin on Galbatorix's face as the boy teared up, eyes misty.
"Wait! Please, he's just a bo-" Blue tried to call, but received an excruciating crack to the skull with the flat of the pale blade.
Eragon screamed as Blue gasped through clenched teeth, Unity healing him.

Again, the boy wrecked his vocal chords, grimacing until he fell limp in the spell holding him in place as his eyes went misty.
Blue could do nothing but watch, fighting the magic holding him in place until it mysteriously loosened.
"Submit." Galbatorix crooned. "You have nowhere to go, nowhere to hide…. This life is at an end for you, Eragon Shadeslayer, but a new one awaits. Submit, and all shall be forgiven."

Eragon whimpered, writhing as best as he could beneath the driving, viscous blade of Galbatorix's mind.
"Submit." He whispered. Still, Eragon held despite his agony. Blue grimaced and shifted a little more, Unity unnervingly eager in his mind.
"Submit!" Galbatorix bellowed.

Eragon again yelped, tears streaming down his face and Blue felt the boy's mind touch his, yanking energy away in a mindless, desperate spell based on a desperate, unconscious cry. Blue gasped as he felt the channels of thought, swirling without words, only unbridled emotion and pain and longing. The boy had essentially given up, but he also wanted the king to understand.
To know how he had hurt him. To comprehend the injustice, the suffering he had caused.

In moments as the spell kicked in, Blue realized the Eldunarí were tuning in, Loyalty rapidly enveloping their minds to protect against the maddened dragons as they altered the magic and poured power into it. Now it wouldn't just make the king understand the cruelty of his actions but to also feel everything, all the experiences caused by him since his birth. To feel all the suffering of others brought by his hand, all the joys caused by him, everything felt by every life that had interacted with him or known of him.

Unity then latched onto them, drawing them together and bringing in the pained dragons imprisoned by Galbatorix, only thinly separated by Loyalty as their wild, miserable thoughts added to the spell. The strength of two deities, the Eldunarí and the living dragons rushed through Eragon, and Blue suddenly found himself stumbling free, gasping as he watched the spell take effect.

The lanterns around them flickered and gleamed blue, and what seemed like a thousand voices hummed, cried, laughed and sang in their minds, called forth by memories and the spell.

The ground shook as Galbatorix stumbled back, eyes wide as he pressed his hands to his temples. The air began to tremble, wisps of blue light radiating around them.
"What have you done?" He demanded hollowly, the slight wrinkles of his face deepening as if he were aging before their eyes and lights.
"What have you done?!"

Blue jumped and dragged Eragon further away, surprised that he was even able to as the boy shuddered and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Made you understand."

Galbatorix stared in horror, and in the background Elva let out an agonizing scream, collapsing out of the magic in a flash of purple and teal, writhing on the floor as the golden doors behind them blew open, in flowing a royal blue light.

Galbatorix twitched, but otherwise didn't seem to notice as he began trembling violently.
He bared his teeth. "You will not get the better of me, boy. You… will… not…." He staggered with a groan, and suddenly everyone else was free of the spell, Eragon collapsing and forcing Blue to a kneel with him in his lap.

Suddenly a tremendous roar rang through the vast hall, leaving a ringing behind as Thorn was thrown to the floor halfway across the room, snapping all the bones of his left wing. His shriek sounded muted amidst the noise.
"I… shall… not… give… in." Galbatorix strained.

Blue simply resumed healing the boy, grimacing at the noise as a vaguely familiar voice shouted in the distance, Arya pausing behind them before taking off towards Shruikan, Saphira beside her as Thorn found his footing and joined them.

Gripped with insanity, Galbatorix marched over and swung. Blue whipped out his hammer to counter the strike, Vrangr clanging off the weapon as Eragon rolled out of his lap and away from the danger.

Ignoring Blue, Galbatorix swept to the side, his focus on Eragon alone as the boy fumbled to his feet and managed to block the next blow. The dragons battled together against Shruikan as the king and young Rider also battled. GB shrieked as a claw smashed into his side, cracking his pelvis and several ribs as well as snapping a femur. Blue choked at the sight, finally surging to his feet before GB snarled, Loyalty already healing the wounds as he returned to the fight.

He lifted Fyrnhamarr then, unsure of what to do. In a moment he spotted Chaos and Fresh, still chained, then Murtagh on the floor. He and Unity reached a mental agreement, Blue charging towards the monster and godling as Unity addressed the unconscious Rider.

Dragons bellowed and swords clanged as Blue studied the chains frantically. Chaos shouted into her gag and he snatched it away.
"Jail man! Bad jail man had the keys, you- you need to find-"
"There's no time!" Blue cried in dismay and Chaos abruptly fell silent, red eyes wide and staring behind him.
Alarmed, he spun, only to find another skeleton there.
Blinking, Blue slowly identified who was standing before him.
"... Classic?"

"That's what they call me, don't wear it out." The other huffed, eyelights blazing with blue as silvery lights danced around him. Blue hesitated, watching as the other reached forward, vines flashing briefly into existence before the dark blue strings holding Fresh in place withered away.
"Fate's dead, by the way." He stated indifferently.
"What?" Chaos questioned as Blue stared incredulously.
"They're dead. Multiverse is gone. It's just this place now." He wrenched at the air and it rippled, then the chains began snapping apart.

Fresh barked as he came free, shaking himself and glaring at Shruikan. Chaos was freed next, collapsing against Blue as he held her up and glanced around, seeing Murtagh lifting Nasuada off the block she had been chained to.

They all winced then at a particularly violent yowl from Shruikan, thrashing with Saphira and Draco hanging off his neck.
There was a shout, and they both spun to see Galbatorix spinning, a pink slipper bouncing off his cape. Blue was astonished, watching Classic hold up his other shoe.
"Hey Tall, Dark and Ugly, what the hell are you doing?"

In the pause as Galbatorix blinked and swayed, seemingly processing what he just heard through everything else he was experiencing, there was a snarl and the chamber flared to life as Shruikan spat flames. Blue glanced back to see Arya ducking underneath them, charging with her spear as Elva screamed somewhere nearby, aglow in purple, silver-white and teal.

Arya then leapt up Shruikan's forearm and hollered through the din of the chamber, throwing the Dauthdaert into the massive dragon's wintry eye, whereupon it buried itself. With a choking roar, he twitched and began to tilt to the side.

All the dragons either teleported off or leapt out of the way before he crashed into the earth, sending fissures radiating through the floor and rocks falling from the ceiling, lanterns shattering and oozing molten fluid on the floor.

"Hey kid get down!" Blue heard Classic shout, spinning to see Eragon duck under the whistling white blade of Vrangr before jumping up and impaling the king on his blue blade. It was the same way he'd stabbed Murtagh, said human staring several feet away in shock.

With a grunt, the man tugged himself off, shakily touching the gaping wound with his unoccupied hand and staring almost uncomprehendingly at the blood. His vague, absent gaze then lifted to regard Eragon hollowly, and in the ringing silence they all could hear his weak voice.
"The voices… the voices are terrible. I can't bear it…." Tears dampened his cheeks as his eyes slid shut, rasping.
"Pain… so much pain. So much grief…. Make it stop! Make it stop!" His wheezing voice cracked as he swung side to side.

"No." Eragon stated levelly, Murtagh standing by his side with Nasuada, Blue slowly joining as GB, Draco, Fresh, Chaos and Classic joined, the last seeming somewhat puzzled yet intrigued, being the first to speak.
"These are the consequences you have to face."

The king's eyes snapped open then, rimmed with too much white as he stared off at nothing in particular. Blue felt tense, Saphira approaching as he rested a hand on Chaos and another on Eragon's shoulder.
"Brace." He warned, though for what he didn't yet know.

Then there were two things- Elva emitting a guttering wail from her place behind Galbatorix and the other being the king shouting two words.
"Waíse néiat!"
Reaper's warning from not so long ago rang in their minds and Blue snapped Elva over to their group with blue magic even as GB did the same with himself and the rest of the dragons.

At the last second he felt Eragon cast another wordless spell meant to protect them and Galbatorix vanished in light brighter than the sun until all went dark as the spell enveloped them.