Hey! This is the sequel to my story "Empire". If you didn't read it, please do before you read this. Because you won't understand anything unless you do.

Enjoy beloved readers!

Phantom

Chapter 1- Broken

The sun was painfully bright, adding a stifling heat to the day, making Star's breath laboured. Her muscles screamed in protest, her nails biting into her palm as she fought on. She mustered some unknown strength in her, and shoved, driving him back a step. This surprised him, and he lost concentration briefly. She continued, driving forward, step by precarious step, trying to gain the upper hand before he regained composure. Slash. Slash. Cut. His breath and hers came in wild gasps. Sweat pouring down their skin, hair thrashing wildly.

They whirled around, crashing into a tree. A sharp pain smarted on Star's forehead, and she gasped in surprise, her senses becoming pin sharp, the world coming into strange focus. He brought his arm around, and she dodged the blow just barely, aiming a slash at his middle, which missed. Now she was off balance, and he took the advantage. Driving back up the hill, Star backed away from his furious slashing, desperately parrying. Little moans and growls emitted from them, the exhaustion dragging them down. Pure adrenaline was all that drove her.

"Ach!" she yelled in surprise as she lost her footing in a moment of fatigue, and fell to the forest floor. He pressed his stave to her throat, panting. Star slumped in final defeat, panting as well.

"Well…. done…. Eragon…" she gasped between gulps of air. He fell beside her, trying to slow his breathing, unsuccessfully. Sweat plastered their clothes to them, her arms and fingers felt cold. Star's golden-brown hair was frizzed in its braid, while his was a nightmarish tangle of brown. A rustling of cloth registered in her ears, and with monumental effort, moved her head to see Eragon with no tunic, his chest gleaming with sweat. Even now, as tired as she was, she felt a twinge of desire that gave her the energy to move and lay her head on him.

He stroked her tangled hair. "Five hours… that must be a record time for a fight." He said, still winded. Star nodded groggily, as he untied the chords on the side of her hunting tunic. She let him slide it off, and curled up next to him with just an undershirt on, cutting off right at the edge of her ribcage.

"I think we're… done for the day." She managed to groan, and found some incentive in her to push herself up on her elbows. This was the most tired she had ever felt. Five hours of nonstop battle, neck and neck. The must have traveled a mile, from running, rolling, and wrestling their way through the forest.

"Aye…" Eragon also pushed himself up, and managed to stumble to his feet. Star laid there, reluctant to move for a century. She felt his fingers lightly press her pressure points, and she yelped, jumping to her feet. The last of her energy spent with that simple action, she swayed on her feet, caught by Eragon.

Star ran a hand through his hair, sighing, "let's go back down to Isenstar… the Ninor is too far." He nodded, and they slowly trudged off, using the trees for support. They had started somewhere near Gil'ead, and worked their way north, skirting Lake Isenstar, and had entered the fringe of Du Weldenvarden, fighting the entire way.

They rested for nearly an hour, swimming lazily in the lake, often diving down to hang in virtually null gravity, forced to the surface only for a breath of air. They were laying on the beach, hands intertwined when they heard a dual roar on the horizon. One a deep base, and the other slightly higher. Both Eragon and Star perked up, and waited joyfully for Ice and Saphira to land.

Little one! Ice crowed joyfully, barely taking time to land to rush to Star.

I've missed you… how was traveling? I'm sorry we had to leave without you… but…

It's alright, I understand the circumstances weren't exactly… opportune. Ice said, but Star could feel his annoyance of having to be separated from her. She threw her arms around his scaly neck, ignoring the sharp edges. Eragon was doing much the same with Saphira, but she could tell by the intense silence that they were in deep discussion about something. Ice grumbled in agreement of something one of them said, and turned to Star.

Hatchling… are you and Eragon mates now? He asked once Star realized what he wanted to know and blocked off the memories with a crimson blush.

Um… er… yes. She mumbled, her face flushing even further when her eyes went unwillingly to Eragon, bringing back that night… she slammed away the thoughts, concentrating on a blade of grass until she was thoroughly distracted.

And you are happy with your decision? He inquired further.

Yes… Star mumbled, her face feeling hot.

You know that I am just as attached to the one you love as you are, now. He reminded her sternly.

Yes! Yes! Okay! I understand. Star tried to desperately change the subject How are you and Saphira? She said with a smug smile. It was his turn to be uncomfortable.

The matters of dragons do not need to be told… he started off evasively, which made Star laugh.

Yes, of course O Mighty Hunter of the Sky. She said mockingly, earning a nudge on the shoulder. Eragon walked over, his own face a slight shade of red.

"Um… we should be going now if we're to make it to Ellesméra before night fall." He mumbled. Both their faces were averted, their faces blushing crimson under their dragon's scrutinizing stares. Star agreed, and climbed onto Ice, slightly blocking their connection so he couldn't see what memories she was reliving. She could almost hear Eragon's thoughts the same as hers, and she glanced up at him, to see him glancing at her. They both turned away, their faces almost a steady red now.

This is so unnecessary. She growled at Ice.

--

Hours later, they had finally made it to the middle of Du Weldenvarden. Having had to enter the forest on foot, rather than air, it had been a difficult reentry. Finally, Ice and Saphira had taken flight out of a clearing they found, and circled over head, happy they could finally spread their wings.

They rested in a small clearing last night, more fitting for two elves than two elves and two dragons. Eragon and Star slept in each other's arms, sheltered by the two dragon's wings. Star had to bite her lip to keep from kissing Eragon too much, and she could tell that the restraint was difficult for him as well. Now that they were completely devoted to one another, it was hard to stay away.

The next morning, they arrived in Du Weldenvarden to the sounds of trumpets, drums, and cheers. Star was frozen with fright, and felt a little nauseous. When they lighted down, she was outright shaking, and small silver tears were beginning to spill over onto her pale cheeks. The Queen rushed up to them, and embraced them both.

"Eragon! Evarínya! May the stars bless you!" she cried, elated. Star hung her head, and Eragon slipped a comforting arm around her. A horrible silence settled suddenly in the clearing. The only thing that could be heard were Star's small whimpers while she tried to hold in her frightful sobs.

"Oh, my child." Islanzadí crooned, placing a hand on Star's shoulder. "We do not hold the crimes of the past against you. Your powers were unknown. How could any of us have known that you would become a Blood Elf?" she sighed as Star shook her head.

"I have… done the worst to my people, that I could have ever done." She whispered brokenly.

"No, you have done the best. By defeating Galbatorix, we are now free. Freedom is more important than past rivalries." Islanzadí said firmly. A great cheer rose up at her words, along with Star's head. She gazed up at the Queen, her eyes wide with wonder.

"You will not sentence me to zar'roc?" she asked, causing Eragon confusion. He then remembered that zar'roc meant misery. But he was further confused.

"What is a Blood elf?" he asked. Star sighed, biting her lip. She retold the entire tale that she told Morne in full. When she was done, everyone was watching her in silence.

"I am now that." Star finished, her stomach churning.

"But you are different than them. You can redeem the Blood elf's dark and horrible past with your own light and love." Eragon said quietly. Star nodded, her eyes gazing at him with gratitude and thanks.

"Let us not dwell on dark things of the past. It is a time for celebration! The Dark King is gone! And in its place, a new era will rise of peace and harmony!" Islanzadí declared, clapping her hands. Beautiful white lilies drifted down from the sky, and everyone cheered, breaking into groups to prepare the feast. Star laughed and joked and told great legends of Alalea that she remembered, gathering quite the audience. When she excused herself for a breath of fresh air and needing to stretch her limbs, she looked around for Eragon. She frowned, not sighting him. Ice suddenly growled. Low and deep. Saphira mimicked him, both of them staring at Star.

Little one! They both seemed to yell in her head at once, making her wince and scream,

"What?!" she growled to herself, walking hastily out of the clearing.

No! Star! Saphira yelled. A mourning, high keening sound erupted from Ice's chest, but before he could say anything, Star was already out of their sight. She rounded the corner, perplexed by their protesting and horrified behaviour, and stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart seemed to rip into six million tiny facets. She was frozen from shock, her world collapsing. Nothing could explain the numb pain she was feeling. Her hands trembled violently, and a violent sob ripped out of her chest.

Eragon whirled towards her, letting go of Arya, a horrified look on his face. Arya's serene smile was like a dagger, plunging through Star's heart. He had been kissing her. Kissing Arya. After all the promises. All the love. It was all lies... Unworthy, horrible, traitorous lies!

All lies.

Lies, lies, lies... Lies!

The pain in Star's chest was unbearable. She stumbled back a few paces, her muscles still refusing to work properly.

"Star! No! I…" Eragon yelled, reaching out as if he could stop her from running. That broke Star's immobilization.

"LIES!" She screamed, and sprinted off through the brush. She couldn't see where she was going. Branches cruelly lashed her face as she was blinded with tears. Ice roared in fury, springing after her. She could hear Eragon's footsteps chasing after her. He was calling her name. That traitor. She sobbed, the pain and heartbreak causing her balance to be off. She tripped on a treacherous root, falling. She lay there on her side, clutching her arms around her chest. Ice landed in a small clearing not far off, and shoved his head through the trees. Star picked herself up, feebly, and stumbled over to him. She collapsed in front of him, clutching his neck. Ice shared her pain, mourning her. She sobbed and sobbed, until Eragon came crashing in. Ice's roar barely made Star's spine tingle. Her ears felt strange. Like they were covered with pillows and she was hearing everything from far away. Eragon begged Ice, but he just roared, snapping his dagger-like teeth at him. Eragon called her name, begging her for forgiveness.

Ice snarled at Eragon, nudging Star. She weakly crawled onto Ice's back, her hair covering her face. Silver tears shone off of her cheeks as the moonlight hit them, when Ice shifted, preparing to take off. Saphira wheeled towards Eragon, her mental shouts almost audible to Star's lifeless form.

How could you Eragon? How? You're as good as a traitor… she was bellowing at him. Eragon was kneeling, his head bowed.

Little one, where shall we go?

Eka eddyr vrangr. She whispered. Ice roared once more, and lifted off into the night sky.

Then we shall wander back to the place that you went before. Ice sighed solemnly, comforting Star the entire flight to Urû'baen.