Chapter Text
Eragon really had no idea what to make of Shulk.
He’d seen many, many things. Unspeakable monstrosities and awe-inspiring beauties. Humanity at its worst and best. Workings of magic that even the oldest dragons couldn’t explain, and simple truths of the world that could astound the greatest minds. And yet, to meet what seemed to be an individual from, by all means, another world entirely… He supposed he simply had to conclude that he would never know everything there was to know, in his world or any other.
Not to mention his appearance. He was, in everything but name as far as Eragon could tell, a human, yet he had vibrant blue eyes like Saphira and platinum blond hair like the elves, albeit styled much shorter. His clothing was bizarre, vest and shorts made of cloth decorated with metal bits seemingly just for show , and boots with odd, disconnected ankle straps that seemed entirely impractical to the Rider. And THEN there was the matter of his… ‘sword’, if it could be called that. It was modeled in a somewhat similar style as a sword, and wielded in a similar manner with its long handle, but the ‘blade’ was larger than any weapon Eragon had seen, large enough to seem incredibly heavy, though Shulk held it with ease (so it was either lightweight or Shulk was stronger than he looked). Then it had split open down the middle and light had poured out like a piece of pure magic unlike anything Eragon or Saphira had ever seen. Yet Shulk hadn’t even flinched, even turning it off somehow like a lantern and putting the blasted thing on his back like just another piece of equipment.
The two of them were currently seated on Saphira flying back to the keep in silence (thankfully). After several moments of panic on Shulk’s end over the sheer amount of continuous land around them (apparently the ‘Bionis’ that the boy came from was, quite literally, man-shaped and the only source of solid land for as far as the eye could see), he’d settled down and was content to observe his surroundings with no small amount of awe. Eragon still intended to question the boy about his past and goals but he was content to leave that be for now.
Which let him clear his mind and properly scold Saphira.
You shouldn’t have invaded his mind like that, he said rather pointedly to the dragon.
Saphira sniffed derisively. Your dithering was going nowhere. We knew something was different about him - I simply found the proof.
You violated his privacy! he cried. That’s one of the top rules of being a Rider and dragon! What would Glaedr think?
Saphira’s indifference dropped into a slight shame at the mention of the elder dragon she respected. I did what had to be done , she stated, though a tiny bit of regret tinged her words.
Eragon could only shake his head. A dragon, especially one as prideful as Saphira, was not so easily humbled. But what he got was better than nothing. He let their words hang between them for a moment or two longer as she continued to fly before changing the topic. So when we get to the keep, should we take Shulk straight to the Eldunarí or should we let him settle in first?
I see no reason to wait, she replied. The sooner we find out where he is from and why he is here, the better, and I think the elders have the best chance of figuring that out if Shulk himself cannot. He had been thinking the same thing, but he wanted to confirm the idea with Saphira first. Is Angela still visiting?
That took Eragon by surprise. I think so, he said. Why do you ask?
Saphira twisted her head slightly to look back towards him, a playful glint in her eyes. She has travelled far and wide, and may know more about our strange visitor. Even if not, I am sure she would appreciate the unique chance to… interact with such an individual.
Eragon had to resist the urge to bark out a laugh. That she would.
Who is Angela? a third party inquired innocently.
It took Eragon’s startled mind a moment to recognize the voice as Shulk’s, and another moment to realize he’d just responded with his mind to a conversation that he thought the other was not a part of.
You were listening to that? he said somewhat angrily, twisting around in the saddle to look at the blond.
Shulk stared back blankly, blinking once. Was I not supposed to? he replied. Sorry, still new to the whole telepathy thing .
Eragon’s brow furrowed incredulously. ‘Telepathy’? What on earth…?
I’ve been keeping a slight contact with him since I interrogated him , Saphira cut in sheepishly (as sheepish as a dragon could sound). I didn’t realize he was listening in on us still .
I think it’s really cool you can do this! Shulk spoke up again excitedly, smiling brightly. To be able to communicate with just your thoughts and feelings… There’s endless potential! Though it’s at least certainly helpful way up here where the wind is so loud .
He was right, of course, it was incredibly handy, especially with a dragon who couldn’t physically speak, but that wasn’t the point . However, they had more pressing issues to deal with and Shulk seemed to physically be at least in his teens, so Eragon wasn’t about to lecture him like he was the other’s father.
Let’s get back to the point at hand , Eragon continued, allowing Shulk to continue listening a bit begrudgingly. Once we get to the keep, we’ll have you talk to the elders and Angela if she’s still there, and go from there. Sound reasonable? Both Saphira and Shulk agreed, so he took a deep breath and got to the hard part. Now, Shulk, before we get there, tell Saphira and I everything you can about your world and everything leading up to before you got here, so we can more easily explain things in case you can’t .
Shulk agreed easily enough and launched into a tale of titans and wars, describing the Bionis and the Mechonis, how the colossal beings battled countless ages ago and struck mortal blows to each other, leaving only their lifeless corpses behind - the bodies that the Homs and Mechon now respectively called home. Mechon were set on destroying Homs for reasons Shulk couldn’t explain, and couldn’t be damaged by normal weapons. However, he said, only a special weapon called the Monado could naturally damage the Mechon and was even super effective against them. The catch, of course, was that few people could control once it was ‘activated’ (Eragon assumed he meant what the glowing ‘sword’ did earlier), limited mostly to Shulk himself and a friend of his named Dunban. (Apparently it had cost this Dunban his right arm, though. Eragon made a note to ask more questions about whatever that meant later, since Shulk just kept talking before he could inquire.)
We found out I could control the Monado by accident, actually , Shulk said. Mechon attacked Colony 9 directly for the first time since the Battle of Sword Valley and Dunban hadn’t recovered enough to use the Monado again, so I picked it up out of desperation. I was able to fight off the Mechon. His mood soured. Although… then Metal Face showed up.
Metal Face? Eragon asked.
Shulk nodded, though Eragon wasn’t looking directly at him anymore and felt it more than he saw it. A… different Mechon. A Mechon with a face. An impression came through their mental connection of an enormous contraption made of sharp, shining metal and, sure enough, a stark white humanoid face.
The Monado couldn’t hurt Faced Mechon, for some reason , Shulk explained. So we were back at square one. And… that was how we lost Fiora.
You mentioned her earlier, Eragon remembered. A friend of yours?
Childhood friend. I’ve known her most my life. She found the mobile artillery to protect us like she promised she would but even that didn’t stand a chance against that bastard. Eragon was slightly shocked at the sudden harsh language, Shulk seemed very mild-mannered, but the Homs barreled on. She was taken by Mechon and we assumed her dead. No one taken by Mechon comes back. Shulk paused, the silence heavy. At least, that’s what we thought. Then we saw another Face Mechon at Prison Island and… it was her. It was piloted by Fiora. An impression of another memory drifted across the mental link: another humanoid metal contraption, mostly gold and white this time, with long feminine features and a skirt-like decoration. The chest compartment slid open to reveal a human (Homs?) girl seated within, short golden blonde hair and bright green eyes standing out against the metal. A sharp pang of hurt echoed through Shulk as he said, It seemed like she didn’t recognize us. Not even Dunban, her own brother. Her voice didn’t quite sound like her, either, although… that might have been my imagination… The blond trailed off, uncertain. She definitely didn’t recognize us, though - we confirmed that when we saw her again on Valak Mountain. Yet another memory: a vast, snow-covered plain with gray rock walls off in the distance. The same white contraption stood in the snow while the girl within stared down, looking almost upset yet uncertain. Shulk’s mood soured again. Then Metal Face came back and we learned he was actually Mumkhar.
Mumkhar? Eragon repeated, thinking the name was new but uncertain due to all the information Shulk was loading onto him.
Oh, right, I forgot to mention him. So, a year ago, when Dunban fought in the Battle of Sword Valley, he was accompanied by a friend, another Homs named Mumkhar. When things turned bleak, however, Mumkhar abandoned the fight and ended up running straight into enemy lines. He was captured and we never saw him again.
Except he was actually Metal Face? Eragon asked. He sensed Saphira listening half-heartedly, intrigued by the new information but bored by the complexities.
Shulk nodded again. He was so bitter about Dunban being able to use the Monado while he couldn’t that he turned against us when he was transformed into a Mechon and has since killed… I don’t even know how many of us. Too many.
Eragon tried to absorb all this information as best he could. So, let me get this straight , he said. You Homs are fighting against Mechon to defend yourselves. Should Mechon win, they take whoever they can and turn them into Mechon themselves?
Not quite. There are only a few Face units, Shulk clarified. Everyone else just gets… eaten.
Eragon could feel his own horror reflected in Shulk, although the blond’s was muted and more simply grim acceptance. And that’s just your lives?
Pretty much. It was better in the year following the Battle of Sword Valley, but then they attacked Colony 9 directly not long ago and it was just… too much. I said ‘no more’. Being able to wield the Monado with ease helps, Shulk admitted.
So then… you’re on a quest to destroy all Mechon?
Shulk hesitated. At first, yes. Reyn and I set out to avenge Fiora and everyone whose lives were taken during the attack by destroying every last one of them. Now, though… Eragon, still facing away from Shulk, mentally received the distinct impression of chewing one’s bottom lip nervously. Knowing that Face units are piloted by Homs, especially people we once knew… It complicates things. Part of me knows this is just a tactic by that Egil to throw us off, try and dissuade us from our fight, but… I still can’t help feeling uncertain.
The conversation lapsed into silence again, both men taking time to process the information shared. It seemed to Eragon like Shulk was on a grand adventure much like he himself had been back in Alagaësia, although the Homs' journey was still happening. The Rider desperately wanted to discuss the turn of events with Saphira but he wondered if it would be rude to cut Shulk off from the mental link at this point and decided to wait until he and Saphira had some more privacy.
Well, I've told you my story as best I can right now, Shulk spoke up. What's yours? I'll admit, I'm dying to find out how you befriended a dragon! And this world! Eragon sensed Shulk looking around again in wonder. So big! How was it made? Who lives here?
Eragon allowed himself a small, bemused smirk at Shulk's eagerness before taking a deep breath to gather his thoughts. His own story… he'd told it several times recently, specifically to the wandering tribes that occasionally passed through, but always an abbreviated, simplified version. The last time he'd told his actual life story was… to Oromis? When he first started training in Du Weldenvarden? Gods, that felt like a lifetime ago.
I can't say I know exactly HOW the land was formed, nor too much of its history aside from what I've been told by other races, but I can certainly tell you Saphira and I's story, Eragon said. Shulk waited for him to continue.
And so, with a steadying breath, the Rider launched into his own tale of a continent blessed by the protection of the noble Dragon Riders, protectors and gatherers of knowledge. Until it became a kingdom trapped under the rule of one Galbatorix, its heritage of dragons, elves, Urgals, and dwarves once among humans lost to a terrible war led by the tyrant king. He talked about the secret resistance of the Varden, and their desperate struggle to reclaim the three surviving dragon eggs after the massacre of the species, how one thing led to another and a poor young farm boy found one in his possession without knowing that's what it was. Until it hatched, at least.
You just found it by accident? Shulk asked, sounding astonished.
In a sense. An elf named Arya, whom I am now acquainted with, was tasked with protecting it as it was ferried between the elves and Varden in hopes of finding its Rider. But she was attacked by a despicable monster called a Shade that worked for the king and sent it far away in desperation. It was meant to end up in the hands of Brom, an undercover Varden agent living at the village near my family's farm, but it ended up with me instead.
And it hatched for you?
Yes. One could argue it was fate.
Like me and picking up the Monado… Shulk murmured, half to himself. Fascinating. Then what?
Then the simple farm boy's life was turned upside down and thrust into a realm of magic danger previously invisible to him. Eragon talked about the Ra'zac sent for the now-hatched egg, the death of his uncle, and escaping Carvahall with Brom himself to kill them himself. However, one thing led to another, and soon Brom was dead and he and Saphira were at the mercy of the Varden, housed by the dwarves in their great mountains. He glossed over the politics and other boring details aside from befriending Murtagh and discovering his heritage as the only son of Morzan, the last of Galbatorix's Forsworn. The Battle of Farthen Dûr and Arya leading him to Du Weldenvarden where the elves hid went by quickly and he mentioned learning under Oromis, the last living Rider and his dragon Glaedr, while they were both still alive.
I learned many great secrets there with the elves, many which I will take to my grave, he told Shulk. But it was a necessary part of our training as dragon and Rider.
That sounds amazing! I wish I could meet an elf and dwarf, they seem very peculiar.
They are indeed.
Eragon mentioned fighting in innumerable wars for the Varden, their coming out of hiding and declaring war on Galbatorix, and the betrayal at the hands of Murtagh, who turned out to be the Rider of the second dragon egg.
Unfortunately, he'd been under Galbatorix's control when Thorn hatched and swore them to his loyalty in magic. We were bitter enemies with no chance of changing that unless Saphira and I were captured, Eragon said somewhat bitterly.
How terrible.
Much time passed with many bitter wars and lives lost until one day, when all seemed lost, the werecat Solembum advised them to visit a place long thought desolate.
Werecat? Shulk interrupted. What's that?
A cat that can take the form of a man.
Ah. A pause. What's a cat?
Eragon was briefly at a loss for words. How… did he not know what a cat was? Eragon could understand not having seen one, they didn't always live in plain sight, but to not know what one was at all? He showed Shulk an image of one in his mind.
Oh I see! We don't have those on Bionis, the Homs said cheerfully.
What a strange place.
So, with the help of Glaedr, Saphira and Eragon flew out to the abandoned home of the Riders and discovered a deeply hidden stash of dragon secrets and eggs. He couldn't help mentioning the sheer joy and elation they felt at discovering that dragons as a race were not doomed, but were forced to forget the knowledge until after Galbatorix's defeat, lest they should lose and Galbatorix find the eggs.
You can force someone to forget something? Shulk exclaimed. That's amazing!
It's considered unethical, for the most part, Eragon explained. But yes, with the right wording and enough power, one's own mind and memories can be altered.
But in that instance, it was necessary?
Extremely, Saphira growled, speaking up for the first time in a while. Every possible precaution had to be taken to protect my kind from the Mad King. It was a small price to pay, in the end.
I see… But you remember now, Shulk pointed out. Does that mean you won?
Eragon smiled ruefully. Indeed we did. It took much struggle and every ounce of our combined power and knowledge, but we succeeded. We freed Alagaësia from Galbatorix and set Nasuada as its new queen, until the land could find its own balance again.
Shulk was quiet for a moment, pondering the story, before he spoke up again. But you mentioned earlier that where we are right now ISN'T Alagaësia. Why are you out here?
The new generation of dragons and Riders needed someplace open and uninhabited to grow, Eragon said. There was no place in Alagaësia that would work, so we brought everything out here, in the east. We've been living here since. Eragon withheld from mentioning his immense workload that came from it, thinking that Shulk didn't need to know about it.
And then somehow, I ended up here, too. I hope my friends are okay, Shulk said.
I hope so, too.
After that, the pair fell into discussing the different races of their worlds, comparing elves to something called 'High Entia' and learning about Nopon. Shulk seemed utterly fascinated by the idea of dwarves, elves, and Urgals, wishing desperately to meet them and learn about their cultures, to which Eragon assured him there were several working at the keep who would be happy to talk to him.
They were so caught up in chatting that Eragon missed someone trying to get his attention several times. First, he thought it was just Saphira trying to interject but as time passed, the voice grew more and more insistent until it finally roared in his ear. ERAGON!!
Eragon flinched from the force of the sound and had to take a second to identify the voice as Glaedr. Ebrithil! he exclaimed. I'm so sorry, I didn't realize it was you.
If you're quite done chit-chatting, the elder dragon snarled angrily, we need you back at the keep this instant. It's been overwhelmed by strange creatures that seem impervious to any weapons used against them.
Eragon's blood ran cold. Is the Hall of Colors in danger?
Not at the moment, but we have no idea what their intentions could be and must stop them soon. Magic seems to work but you know the Eldunari and I are limited in what we can do here. Hurry!
Yes, Ebrithil, Eragon and Saphira said simultaneously and Eragon hunkered down in the saddle as Saphira picked up speed.
Whoa, what's going on? Shulk asked.
Our keep is in danger and we're needed back to protect it, Eragon said.
Suddenly, Shulk's mind was completely cut off from the Rider's and Eragon turned around, confused, to look at him. Shulk?
The Homs' face had gone slack and his eyes unfocused, staring off somewhere at Eragon's back. What worried Eragon the most, though, was that Shulk's eyes almost seemed to be glowing .
After only a moment of this, Shulk jerked in place and gasped, as if reemerging from a deep pool of water. "Mechon!" he shouted aloud.
Eragon attempted reconnecting with Shulk's mind, partly relieved to find that he could. Shulk, what was that? You just blanked out for a second.
I had a vision! he cried. I saw a hoard of Mechon attacking a huge building, and Reyn and Sharla were there!
Eragon was taken aback. You had a what?
A vision of the future! I know this will sound crazy, but with the power of the Monado, I can see visions of the future.
Eragon stared at Shulk, hard. That's impossible.
It's true! I know how hard it is to believe, but-
No, no, no, Eragon cut in. It's IMPOSSIBLE. When I studied under Oromis, I asked him if it was possible to glean the future. He said, of all recorded magic, there was one notable attempt that ended in disaster and nothing was learned from it. No one dared try it again.
I KNOW it was a vision, Shulk said firmly. I've saved people with this power. What does your keep look like?
Eragon narrowed his eyes at Shulk but showed him a picture of the general area.
On the inside, does it look like this?
Eragon received a somewhat fuzzy image of what was still unmistakably the main hall of the keep, albeit full of shining metal things, like Metal Face but much smaller.
Eragon had to admit, he was shocked. How do you know that? I thought you said you hadn't been.
I haven't, Shulk agreed. My visions show me places I haven't been to yet, often without even telling me where they are. But it can't be a coincidence that you were just warned of danger and I had a vision of this.
Eragon was deeply unsettled by the implications of their current situation. Someone who could predict the future? See things and places they hadn't yet seen? By all means, it should be impossible. It went against everything he knew of magic.
Perhaps the elders will know more, Saphira spoke gently. As you thought before, it is impossible to know everything about everything, and there are always exceptions to rules. Also, remember Shulk comes from somewhere very different. Perhaps things just work differently there.
I sure hope so, Eragon muttered.