The ship arched gracefully over the water, past the bend in the river. Arya had left and the shore was empty. Eragon stared out unblinkingly at Alagaesia, knowing it was the last time he would ever see his home land. No matter how much he had prepared for their departure, sadness swept through him with its reality. But it's right choice. Eragon, resolved yet desolate, stood at the brow accepting the inevitable. Overhead Saphira howled over the loss of Fírnen. Eragon left her alone, knowing her pain and not wanting a reminder of his own. Arya.. we were so close. Somehow it seemed fitting to Eragon that he accomplished everything he wanted to, except that which mattered most. So that's how Brom felt, Eragon thought.

Pulling himself together, Eragon walked over to Blödhgarm. "How long until we reach our new home?"

"A few days Shadeslayer," Blödhgarm responded. "We have to cross the eastern sea first." Eragon nodded and, emotionally exhausted, told Blödhgarm he was going below deck to catch some sleep.

Good night, Saphira. Eragon directed the thought toward her and while she acknowledged it, he knew that she needed time to be alone in the sky. Stripping off his sword and cloak, Eragon climbed into the small cot wedged in front of the barrels of supplies. The seamless Elvin barrels were stocked with food and water for the voyage ahead. The thought depressed him for it reminded him that there was no going back. I can't, my place is with the new riders, and I won't become what I just destroyed. Clinging to this thought, Eragon descended into his waking dreams.

I really needed this, Eragon thought as he and Saphira shot into the sky. Breathing deeply, Eragon leaned his head back and closed his eyes, just feeling the rush of air on his face. Saphira's ascension ended when she reached an altitude where the Elvin ship became a barely distinguishable dot on the ocean beneath her. Looking down through Saphira's eyes, Eragon saw what she saw – the future of her race. No, not just hers, mine. The riders were driven to extinction as much as the dragons.

Eragon, Saphira spoke in his mind, are we ready for this? Eragon knew exactly what she was asking. Were they ready to be the teachers? Were they ready to take responsibility for an entire order? Despite their increased confidence and abilities, they both still had doubts about dealing with what they would find across the sea. This new part of their life was going to challenge them in completely new ways and they would need to change with it.

I think we have to be. We need a change. After spending so long planning to kill Galbatorix, we need this. I'm not upset that our lives have come to this. We're a rider and dragon, this is our real duty. Besides, the Eldunari will help us. Eragon felt the truth of his words and took comfort from them. However much he missed his land and his family, he knew that he was going to where he belonged. He was meant to build and learn not to live merely as an assassin or warrior. A sense of rightness settled over Eragon and Saphira and they left their grief behind for the moment. Saphira rose higher and flew faster, eager to begin their new life.

Eragon smiled with exhilaration. Higher, Saphira! Saphira roared and soared above the clouds. Although Eragon could still breathe, he knew that the air would soon become thin and cast a spell to provide air for him and Saphira. Through their connection Eragon knew that Saphira was going as high as they had during the storm on their way to Vroengard. The sun blazed even brighter this far above the clouds. Eragon rejoiced with Saphira while they watched the Earth turn beneath them. The curve of the horizon reaffirmed Eragon's discovery that the earth was round, a sphere. The proportions of the land made them feel less important. They were simply a rider and a dragon and their past meant nothing.

Hanging tightly onto the spike in front of him, Eragon tried to lean over Saphira's shoulder for a better view. Saphira's flight jostled him, ending the attempt. Eragon, hold on tight, there's an updraft. Saphira only seemed slightly worried about it and Eragon knew he could use magic in an emergency. Eragon began to feel lighter on the saddle, though, and the land too far down. Saphira… Eragon began nervous.

I'm trying, my wings aren't catching anything, except this one updraft. She responded frustrated. Eragon began to design a spell to transport them back to the surface, when suddenly there was a significant drop in his energy level. The spell to provide them with air took up more energy the higher they ascended. The heat made it apparent that Eragon needed to cast a spell to protect them both from the sun's rays and that took up even more of his energy. Soon they were stuck up there. Eragon, beyond contact with the Eldunari, was too weak to do anything besides maintain the spells that were keeping them alive. Saphira, you need to get down! Eragon shouted with his mind.

I'm trying, the updraft is gone but now I have nothing to fill my wings. Saphira growled and struggled to descend. Eragon kept loosing strength and panic started to fill his mind. Saphira I'm going to try to push you down. "Atra Saphira gangr din" (May Saphira go down), Eragon said, his gedwëy ignasia glowing. The land became slightly closer, but the energy left Eragon so rapidly he had to end the spell or risk falling unconscious. Panting, Eragon recovered himself, while Saphira struggled to descend harder than before.

Thoughts of his own mortality filled Eragon's mind. I'll never see Arya again or train the new riders. I knew a relationship with her would never work, but I still expected to talk to her, write to her. Maybe someday she would have joined me, her duty to her people fulfilled. Why do we always get in these situations? We never got our chance.

Desperate to save Saphira and himself and to someday see Arya and Fírnen again, Eragon spoke the name of the ancient language, longing for that chance. The world spun and Eragon saw himself and Saphira stranded above the clouds before the world became a whirlwind of colors and everything turned black.