Aaron: Chapter Fifty-Two

The dragon roars at me in excitement as I shake in my rags. My hands covered in blood as I hold an axe with my right hand. Fresh tears falling down my face. My throat is sore from screaming. I am only sixteen and have seen so much… But my age never mattered to them… I am a slave to them and nothing more. Training day and night! My worst nightmare had recently come to fruition. I cannot live with myself for what I have done… My mind being frozen by guilt and despair. Now Master Isil wants to make even more useful for me… The secret as to what makes Iqosha soldiers so powerful.

Master Isil walks over to me with his sharp toothy grin. His human slave on his saddle wearing the mind control gear. It's like he is a human statue… It will never stop freaking me out.

Master Isil talking in dragon language to his fellow dragon associates. What is next for me now? I've done what I had to do… It destroyed me… Isn't that enough?

Little did I realise what he had in store for me. A test of me living in the desert for two weeks without aid. The one after that… I barely remember. But I don't want to… I am having a hard enough time with things I do remember. Seven long years of living in Dominus Sahara, plenty of horrible things to think about on repeat.

I have spoken to Mali with some experiences. As he has seen when he was there, and it makes me feel better. But I believe there are some things meant to be left unsaid.

I snap out of it as I see Azalea walking over to the unconscious dragon. "He is still breathing!" She says as she looks up at us wondering what to do next.

Mali walks over to him and gently strokes his face. "Interesting... I never would have thought..." He then looks at every inch of the dragon's body.

"Are you thinking the same thing I am Mali?" Kenneth asks.

What are they talking about? I'm looking at Murray, Lei, and Lexi as they also look confused.

Mali realises our confusion and walks over to us. "You all know how each colour empire has differently designed dragons? He may be from the north. But his long chin, fins, claws, and even his markings are very reminiscent of the gold dragon species."

"Gold dragons? Mali weren't they all killed?" Lexi asks urgently. "How is that possible?"

"We need to ask him where Iolene is and find out!" Murray says as he walks to the dead looking dragon. He then tries to shake him awake with all his effort. The dragon is not budging as he is too heavy for Murray.

I walk over and shake the dragon with more force multiple times with no answer. Mali then walks over and sighs. I see gold draconium flow from his hands as he places them on the dragon's chest. With a few moments of silence, the dragon immediately rises in shock! Taking a huge breath in while looking around his surroundings.

The first person he saw was me and without a second thought, he lunged at me. I was not prepared! With a quick mag push, he slams into a nearby dead tree! Snapping it in half! I get up and unsheathe my sword and without hesitation, I jump in front of him preparing to slash at him. With my determination of survival instinct of fighting back, I can hear Mali's voice getting my attention. Demanding that I will not fight him. I look to my right and see Mali nod to not attack him.

I don't move and keep my sword at the ready. I will not make that mistake again! I have been beaten and tortured by dragons too many times to let this happen. I have a job to protect my friends, from danger and this rogue dragon clearly is one.

The dragon roars at me in preparation to fight when Iymp interrupts. He walks between me and the newly awoken dragon. I can hear dragon talk and murmuring, I keep my feet planted on the ground in a fighting position.

"Alright!" Iymp says enthusiastically. "We can relax now... He will not attack us! Aaron drop your sword!" Iymp turns around and faces me.

I really didn't want to! This dragon just attacked me. Dragons always push me around and always managed to get away with it! Master Isil when he first bought me used to lunge at the children's slaves. From the dark of night or times when he was sleeping in his mansion... Once even biting a child's arm off. He was lucky to have survived that encounter but was quickly sold off. Flashbacks of my life in Dominus Sahara is now re-occurring. I shake my head to try and make it all go away! I thought I was doing better! Clearly, I am not...

"Aaron?" I hear Lexi and Lei talking to me. It sounded so muffled and I had no idea why. It was until Kenneth tried to forcefully get my sword from my grip, I gained sense. I loosened by accident as Kenneth takes my sword and chucks it to Mali who caught with mag abilities.

Murray walks over to me. "What kind of soldier doesn't immediately follow orders?" That was rather snide. I thought that I didn't have to anymore... I thought Mali allowed me to be free. I feel regressing again… I look down and feel defeated.

"Boy... Come here..." Mali asks, and I do as ask, and I stand next to the small man.

We all face the dragon who just attacked me. He is a unique dragon that's for sure. Mali was not lying... And with that mag push, he did. He has immense power! After all, he did cause the shallow crater, we are standing in.

Mali and Kenneth tried to talk to the dragon, but he has no interest in speaking to random humans. I can tell from some of his dragonsspeak that he is not used to speaking to people. But he has a complex that I am very familiar with... He hates humans.

After much convincing Iymp manages to get through to him for us to ask him questions. He stands next to the mysterious dragon and proceeds to translate for us. "His name is Beau. He is from the north, He was captured by the Inclementian dragon hunters and used as a slave. He managed to escape their grasp after a battle with a group bandits."

"Did you happen to be with a girl? We were told a dragon with your description was with a girl." Lexi asks Beau.

Murry quickly adding on. "Blonde haired, pale white skin, around this tall, naïve?" As Murray gestures her height. He sounded like he had hope in his voice.

And for her sake, I hope Beau knows her.

He nods yes and speaks dragon to Iymp. Mali and Kenneth seem more involved in listening as they can understand dragons fluently.

Iymp then talks to the rest of us. "Iolene was with him. Sly, a creepy human from Inclementia followed them here. They dressed up as the red soldiers and took Iolene away. I'm betting they're taking her back to their home."

We all look at each other! We need to go now!

"She could have been in one of those Inclementian caravans! We went past and asked so many!" Lei says in desperation.

"Can you run?" Mali asks.

Beau looks down at his feet. They look blistered and sore. I've seen dragon slaves with feet like that. I know that it's painful.

"Oh…" Mali looks at Beau's whole body. He tries to touch some of the stitching on his body. Beau snaps back at him. I jump forward at Beau weaponless since Mali is holding my sword. But I am not afraid I can wrestle dragons to the ground. Mali however just lifts his left-hand glowing gold energy. He is not even scared.

"You need help, Beau," Mali says calmly. "You obviously had a human treat you. Look at the stitching and medicine used. Looks like it's healing well."

Beau speaks to Mali.

"Well..." Mali smiles. "Was not expecting that... Murray was Iolene trained as a healer?"

Murray smiles. "Well yes. She kept trying to run away from the temple. So as a compromise from both parties of the royal family and priesthood. She worked as an apprentice nurse at the Aquarius City hospital for a few years until now. That way she could leave the temple and learn something different."

"Well, that's a useful skill," Lexi says as she chuckles. "I'm terrible at healing."

Beau continues speaking to Mali as Iymp nods in understanding.

Iymp translating. "Beau only wants Iolene to treat him. As he knows she is very kind and went out of her way to help him."

"We could use your help, Beau... Iolene needs your help as well. Please come with us." Lei says with sincerity. "We're going to rescue her!"

Beau speaks to Iymp again. "He agrees to help!" Iymp smiles and everyone does except me. Did everyone forget he attacked me then tried to attack Mali just a few minutes ago? I certainly haven't and he is from Inclementia. Nastiest form of dragon... I have seen my fair share of them treating their slaves like nothing. He says, he was a slave himself but looking at him and the power he wields I highly doubt it. He must have had communication with a dragon with immense power to get this privilege. He is hiding something... As I was thinking though he did not harm Iolene and he tried to protect her. Unless he is lying to her for long term gain.

After some convincing from Iymp, Azalea bandages Beau's feet for temporary relief. As she knows how to bandage best amongst us. Beau then immediately mag pushes Azalea away as he did with me earlier. He laughed and thought it was funny. I will be keeping an eye on him...

And like that we all race off in the pursuit of Iolene! She cannot be that far from us! She can't be! I run first with everyone following close behind me.

As I was running I realise Beau is catching up right next to me. He is side-eyeing me and I don't think he knows that I notice. It's unsettling... It's like he is measuring me up like how master Isil used to. I deliberately slow down and run next to Mali and his dragon. Mali looks at me worryingly.

"We will talk later Mali!" I shout to him.

"Alright then!" He says. As Mali's dragon mags my sword back to me.

We continue running into the night. Trying to avoid those little creatures we had to fight the night before. We stuck to the main path as Beau mentioned they have carriages and had quite the entourage. They would have no choice but to use a clear path.

I can easily keep up the same momentum however everyone else is starting to feel it. The dragons were becoming exhausted after not eating for most of the day.

"Aaron stop!" Mali shouts at me. I look back and the dragons look like they're on the brink of collapse. I rush back to them. The dragons can't run anymore. They have no choice but to eat and rest.

As everyone makes camp and getting comfortable. Mali guides me away from camp. "It's time Aaron. Go forth! Do what you must! Try and find Iolene. We will meet in the village. Here is some money."

I nod in agreement. I grab a bag from one of the dragons and put food inside. Having a quick goodbye to the group. In a way, I felt sad to leave them behind. It took me so long to enjoy the company. Now I will be back into the alone territory. I won't even have a master to guide me. I'm beginning to feel scared…

Lei and Lexi smile at me. Seeing that boosted my confidence. Lexi gives me a quick hug and Lei bows to me. Apparently, a sign of respect from his country. I try to bow as he does.

"Good luck Aaron! We will see you soon." Lei steps back.

What if I make a mistake? What if I fail? So many questions going through my mind. I will be alone in this… I sigh as I try my hardest to hide my uncertainty.

And like that, I am off! Running at full speed. It must be the middle of the night and I don't even feel tired.

As I ran, I can hear a dragon running next to me it's Beau! I slid to an immediate halt.I slide to an immediate halt.

"What are you doing dragon!?" I shout at him as he runs off into the distance. He didn't even stop! What in the Magna Draconis?! This dragon is a psycho.

I run off at full speed again. The dragon's feet are still injured as I notice he isn't running as fast he could. Maybe he should stay back... Or is he running away? Who knows?

It was silence between us for a long time. I can tell Beau is fighting the pain. I wish I can have a pain threshold like that.

As I kept running, I hear a dragon shriek. I turn around and see Beau slowing down. I look at him as he tries to walk forward. His feet bandages have come undone. I roll my eyes at him and cross my arms. He should have remained at the camp. But instead, he runs off... Mali gave me his orders and looking after an Inclementian dragon is not one of them...

I run back to him. It's still dark so I light up a small fire torch to look at his feet. Some blisters have burst... Looked disgusting with the puss. I try to grab the loose bandages and tie them back up again. But as soon as I try, he mags me high up into the sky. In a similar fashion, he did to Azalea earlier. However, with my reflexes, I land on my two feet.

"I'm trying to help you!" I shout to him as Beau growls at me. I shut my mouth as his growl went through me. I felt frightened as he sounded like he was going to punish me. As I froze for that moment I shake my head to stop thinking of Dominus Sahara… Master Isil is not here! I have to keep telling myself this.

"What are you doing? You're exhausted. Go back to the others!" I make sure that I keep my distance from him. He eventually stops growling. I slowly step forward… Making sure he cannot tell my nervousness.

I have no time for this. Though regardless he needs my help. It's taking everything in my will to try. But he wants to help Iolene too…

I managed to edge close enough to him. He is staring at me with his glowing purple eyes.

"Look! It's obvious you hate humans! I am familiar with your kind! But you seem to like Iolene. And right now she needs our help!"

It's not much to say… It's either that or I just flat out abandon him. I cannot do that. As much as I have hated dragons for how they have treated me for years. I have seen them being treated the same way as I have…

Beau looks at me and looks down. He stretches his injured paws out. I kneel to quickly tie them up. It's far from perfect but it's the best I can do. Not much I can do for the pain.

As we stood still, I hear shrieking and groaning in the distance. Oh no... I think to myself it's Tatzelwurms. We cannot stay here for long! He tries to mag me away, but I quickly use my sword and deflect it.

"We have to go! The tatzelwurms are coming! We don't have time for this!" I look around trying to see of any of the little beady eyes are glowing in the distance. Beau tilts his head in confusion. I won't lie it was rather cute! But frustrating.

But it was too late as the little tatzelwurms come into view with rushing huddles. I have my sword prepared to fight and I look to my right I see Beau's teeth bared and growling. However, to my surprise the tatzelwurms ignored us. They just rush past us without a second thought. This only heightened my concern! Tatzelwurms are annoying! They will do anything for food.

I hear a low guttural groan as I hear large footsteps approach. "What is THAT?!" I shout out. Is that a troll? Like from the Sabrael tales? I remember mother and Iolene talk of them. Two large oversized feet and hands, scaled skin, fat-bellied, tiny head, small horns, large pointy ears, with a large ass nose! Not only that in one of his giant hands is a dead tree trunk, that is bigger than Beau!

With a large groan, the troll raises the tree trunk and tries to smash it onto me! I flipped backward dodging it. The troll smashing the trunk to pieces, Beau gets pushed back by the force of impact falling again. I have my sword at the ready! I have never gone against this creature before! Certainly not a normal creature you come across.

The troll looking at the remains of his trunk screams in annoyance. He then runs at me at full speed! SHIT! I think to myself as I need to find a way to kill it and fast! I run in circles at full speed using my jumping abilities bouncing off trees to avoid him as he tries to hit me! I could count the few times he almost succeeded with hitting me.

The troll in frustration then stops following me. I quickly sigh with relief. But it was short-lived as the troll now aims for Beau. He has gotten up and started moving! He is trying to do the same thing I was doing only a bit slower due to his feet and other injuries. The troll now angrier than ever glows green as his body is transforming. His teeth grew larger, his scales getting more pointed and thicker with his muscles growing double the size.

As a quick jab to distract I swiped my sword at his back. NOT EVEN A SCRATCH! SHIT! I keep thinking on repeat to myself. I have to be careful to not break my sword! The troll didn't even notice me hitting him.

Beau tries to mag push him away, but this green glowing aura has seemed to have made the troll immune. The troll laughs as he punches the ground which causes a slithering quake around us causing Beau to lose his footing. He trips and slips over!

Without hesitation, the troll aims to punch Beau in plans of squashing him. I wasn't thinking when I jumped in-between him and Beau! I hold my arms out bracing for impact! And CRASH! Everything in my body pained! But I managed to stand my ground! Using all my strength! Screaming as I tried to push away the troll's power punch.

It lasted a minute as I thought I was going to lose this when I felt a strange sensation over me! What is this? It felt like something was giving me power! A weird warmth I have never felt before. I have a quick glance behind me, and I see Beau mag pushing onto me. But not to push me away, but to give me more power! I felt this new energy burst rise inside of me! It was like a huge adrenaline rush! I face forward and focus all my strength on pushing this beast away. I felt the mag power cease as I see Beau run past me and he slams right into the troll's gut! The troll gasps for air as he softens his grip and I slam him onto the ground!

CRASH!

The troll lies in a crater that is in the shape of him. Beau jumps off him, I could tell he had no idea what to do with him. As the glowing green aura of the troll dissipates. His transformation must have only been temporary! But he is not dead as he is up for more fighting. He charges at us once again.

"Beau, can you distract him?" I ask him. He looks at me and nods yes. He makes a loud and mighty roar that I am sure can be heard from far away! This certainly got the troll's attention as he starts chasing Beau! The dragon being careful not to be too fast for the troll to get bored. But not too close to get hurt.

I run in the other direction trying to plan. I must take a shot and soon! I need to aim at the back as I did with the Zimadu! I launch myself of a tree and land on him back at full speed! Hopefully, he is weaker! And he is! With success, I stabbed him right in the middle of the back! The troll screaming in pain and collapsing dead.

Beau walks over to the corpse he pushes it with his paws. I'm betting to make sure it is dead. I pull my sword out. Looking at it as it is covered in dark green blood. I jump off the troll's body and sigh with complete relief. My body is in pain and is now so tense I have to shake myself to loosen up. With a quick sword clean, I walk over to Beau.

His bandages are loosened again. I bend down and fix them up. Beau didn't even flinch or act he just let me do it. He gets back up and starts running. Not even a thank you… But then I am used to doing things without thanks. I then take a deep breath in and I race after him.

I notice the sun is beginning to rise as the sky turns into a beautiful pink and purple. If the trees in this country weren't dead, it would be such a beautiful place! Maybe even fewer trolls and tatzelwurms would be great!

But don't worry Iolene we will find you! Just hang in there!

I manage to catch up to Beau as we run side by side. I could see for a glimpse that he was smiling at me.