Author's Note: I do not own anything that has to do with The Inheritance Cycle. However, any alterations and OC's are of my own making and thus under my possession. In addition, this fanfic is set after the first three books and is my version of Inheritance – the long awaited and yet to be released Book 4. Let's see if I can finish this before CP releases the real one. *grins* By the way, this prologue is inspired by a certain part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows but the rest is unique and different, trust me.

So let the race begin!

Prologue: The Burning Blade

All was dark and silent.

It was well past midnight and only one lone figure stood - silhouetted against the cloudy, starless sky, in the rough - mountainous landscape. Due to the inky-black cloak he wore with an upturned hood that billowed all about him, none knew who he really was at first glance.

Even so, one could still make out that the figure held himself tall and proud with the air of a warrior. He stood strong, with his hands clasped at his waist, as one used to being in a position of authority and knowing how to get it.

At the same time, his back was hunched like one who had carried many weights there, the weight of the world it seemed. He was not all-together a pleasant person to look upon though for an eerie feeling surrounded him, like an aura of pure darkness, for this man was none other than King Galbatorix.

Bane of the Dragon Riders and King of the Empire, Galbatorix stood silent and alone before the grave of, perhaps, his worst enemy: Brom. Only his dragon stood guard as the ancient figure of malice, vengefulness and evil stood. It was as if he was watching and waiting for something important to happen.

Whatever the case, he did something a moment later that would change the fate of the world forever.

It was a simple act, but Galbatorix paced both hands upon the crystal tomb. He could feel the magic alive and withering, beneath his palms. The tomb stank of magic. Worse yet, it was Dragon Magic.

A low snarl escaped his lips as the king could not suppress a shudder of revulsion.

It was the thing he hated most – the thing he tried to stamp out during The Fall, the thing he nearly succeeded in. And yet, he – King Galbatorix the Great – had failed.

He had failed to kill the three most important dragons in all of Alageasia: Saphira, Thorn, and the last unnamed dragon, a green one to be exact. Saphira had chosen a dull and dim-witted farm-boy, a nobody, who was easy to manipulate and control.

Thorn had chosen Galbatorix's name slave – Murtagh – who was so broken that he was ready to do just about anything to tip the scales in his favour. The last dragon had, as of yet, not hatched but the king knew in his gut that it would chose someone just as stupid if not more so.

It was a cyclical thing it seemed with these dragons: Chose someone dumb enough or needy enough to believe themself to be 'special' or a 'Chosen One' and then twist them towards their will, binding them to their command.

Had Jarnunvösk, his first and true dragon, done that with him? No matter. Galbatorix restrained a flash of guttural anger and instead concentrated on what he had come to do or rather for.

Sneering with contempt, he scrutinized the still form of Brom – the only Dragon Rider to survive his hand of justice. And yet, he had failed in the end just as his pathetic apprentice would. That was why he had come here in the first place: For the one thing that would ensure his reign of freedom and justice from the corruption and malice of the Riders.

Taking a deep breath, he began to murmur a series of complex spells that would draw power from the Eldunarya he had on his person. It would deplete much of his energy he had slaved away for, but it would be well worth it. The object he had come here today for was a talisman of raw power, far stronger than any Eldunarya would ever be.

Several hours passed and his spell was finally starting to take effect. Faint cracks were splitting the smooth surface of the crystal tomb. It drained much energy from Galbatorix and he had to pull energy from other Eldunarya to sustain him but it was soon paying off. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his hands trembled but it would soon be over with.

The cracks on the tomb were getting larger, more irregular, and deeper. An aggravating grinding sound hurt his advanced hearing but he persisted. At last, there was a thunderous roar and the crystal tomb split in twain. Shards of diamonds flew everywhere in a wide radius around the tomb. A number of them sliced past or into Galbatorix's skin, splashing him with fresh blood.

He winced in pain but healed his wounds swiftly. A short while later, there was an utter, eerie silence. The king could not even hear the heart-beat of his dragon that stood guard nearby. It was an apocalyptic moment.

His heart pounded in his chest as Galbatorix took a step closer to his triumph. Reaching out a trembling hand, he unsheathed the sword of Brom or, what was interpreted from the Ancient Language, the Burning Blade.

Grinning from ear to ear, Galbatorix allowed himself to bask in his moment of glory as he held the powerful weapon in his hands. It was a simple thing to look upon on the outside, but Galbatorix new full and well that it was a blade of great power.

He had studied Ancient Objects made by the Grey Folk, a long lost race, for centuries and had finally found one of their last devices. Now he had something that would surely defeat Eragon and Saphira, bringing all of the resistance to its knees.

It was only a matter of time. Now, all he had to do was wait. And so he did as he made his way in glee towards his waiting dragon. Unbeknownst to him, another silent figure stood a few feet away from the tomb to the north – shaking with fury.

He wore an Amulet of Invisibility, one of the last of its kind, so Galbatorix had not seen him. But he would soon come out of hiding for he had found his answer. All he needed was for someone to fulfil it, and that person – the only one who could – currently resided with the Varden.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Well there you have it! The Prologue of my new story is up. I have some really cool and hopefully different ideas up. This may seem like a rip-off of Harry Potter but nothing much is after this. It was only this first chapter since it was crucial to the plot-line.

I hope you like it!