Chapter Twenty-Five: Awakening

Everything felt cold unlike before... It was so warm and soothing... Even though being surrounded by darkness it was comforting. I couldn't feel the burning pain anymore... The biggest relief I ever had. Ever since leaving the herd, the world has been so different. Nothing but misfortune and curses abound has plagued me. I am so very tired, of everything... I am weak. My father is right... I am weak… I will never be like my brother.

Beau opens his eyes as he sees Iymp staring right at his face. Both him and Iymp scream at each other in complete fear. Tails and claws flailing Beau and Iymp destroy half of the study.

"YOU WERE DEAD!" Iymp roars at him in dragon tongue.

"WHAT?" Beau roars back. "AS YOU CAN TELL I AM VERY MUCH ALIVE!" As he yells at close proximity to Iymp.

"Unbelievable!"Iymp gasps. "You were lucky to awaken! Those silent freaks were planning to cut you open and put seeds inside you!"

"What?" Beau asks as he raises his right eyebrow.

"Yes, I was going to watch... Sounds fascinating and disgusting!" Iymp laughs so hard he bends his head back.

"Yes, that does sound disgusting... And horrifying..." Beau says as he felt a chill going down his spine. "How long was I out?" He quickly changes the subject.

"A week." Iymp quickly replies. "You have no dragon friends or family in this country. I paid your respects as a dragon. Even though technically I am not supposed to be here... They have strange rules regarding the dead here."

"Why... What does your kind do?"

"We throw the body into a volcano. Like... May the phoenix be with you... HAPPY TRAILS! And just chuck them of the cliff." Iymp jests and he tries to explain with body language. Although limited since he is a dragon and his limb movements are limited.

Beau remains silent to that answer.

"Thanks for paying me respect, I never thought I would get that at all. As a dragon I am very grateful." Beau says as he nods his head.

"Don't get all soft on me... It doesn't look good on you. Would have been strange with you being a separatist and having only humans to attend your funeral." Iymp says as he stretches.

Beau looks to his right and sees Aarons body lying on a table, on the other side of the room. His hands placed on his chest with his greatsword in his grasp. He is still unconscious, maybe even dead...

As Beau stared at Aaron intently. For a split second he saw Aaron's fingers twitch. Beau sighs with relief, now he must find Iolene. However, he quickly notices that he doesn't feel any more pain. He looks back to Iymp with this sudden thought.

"I'm not in pain anymore!" Beau roars happily to Iymp.

"Thats fantastic!" Iymp says as he replicates Beau's happiness.

Beau takes a deep breath and stands with complete ease. He tiptoes on his claws and does a long forward stretch. Even trotting in a tiny circle. He has never felt so much happiness!

Beau jumps around the room in joy until he hears Aaron coughing. He is overwhelmed with the smell of incense as he tries to wave the smoke away. He lets go of his sword and leans on his side. His sword making a loud crash sound as it hits the floor.

"Aaron you, okay?" Iymp asks in human tongue as he sees Aaron trying to sit up.

Aaron looks around the destroyed room and sees the two dragons looking at him. Iymp pushes Beau out of the way and stares into Aaron's eyes. "Incredible..." He whispers.

"What?" Aaron says as he tries to get up but collapses onto the floor.

"Oh, nothing..." Iymp humanly says as he flicks his forward right claws.

Aaron looks down at his sword and sees a folded-up parchment next to it. Aaron opens it up intently.

"What's that?" Iymp asks.

"Mali's proof of purchase of me... Did... Did we die?" Aaron asks worryingly. His vision becomes blurry as Aaron wipes his eyes continuously.

"Yes..." Iymp says as he nods. "We thought you were dead. I was just saying to Beau here. The seeding ceremony would have taken place. Cut open, planted seeds, and die to become a tree..." Iymp says excitedly.

"Well... That beats being abandoned in the middle of the desert to die..." Aaron says depressingly as he picks up his sword and sheathes it.

"Sounds wonderful..." Beau roars sarcastically to Iymp. Knowing that Aaron wouldn't understand him anymore, now that they are out of the ether.

Aaron sighs as he wipes his eyes. "We should get out of here. We need to find Iolene and make sure that she is okay... My eyes feel so strange."

"Um... I highly suggest not to leave this room. Like at all..." Iymp says seriously changing his tone.

"Why?" Beau roars at him. "What are you hiding?"

"Stay here as I get a mirror!" Iymp demands and leaves the room, both of them hear the door locking.

Aaron keeps on wiping his eyes.

Beau gently roars and walks over to him. Aaron looks up at him as he stops rubbing his eyes. Beau's eyes widen as he stumbles backward slamming into the wall making a huge dent.

"What's wrong Beau?" Aaron asks as he tries to stop the itchiness in his eyes.

Beau uses his tail to point to Aaron's eyes. Seeing his own tail in close range he stops breathing for a moment. Beau looks down at his tail. It's no longer spiked, coloured with black and a glowing dark purple streak. The streak is now gold...

Beau's heart stops as he looks down at his claws. His long-extended claws are gone, now replaced with smaller gold ones. The markings that were once dark glowing purple are now gold. Beau begins to panic as he scratches his feet.

Aaron runs up to him pulling his chin forward. "Don't panic..." Aaron says softly.

"What happened to me?" Beau moans to himself as he shakes his head. He wanted to see if Iolene was okay and then make his way home. But if he looks like this... There will be no chance he will be able to make it to head north.

Iymp unlocks the door with his mag abilities and walks inside. He manages to grab Iolenes small personal mirror. He mags it over to Aaron.

He grabs it to look at himself, confused as to what is happening. He stares into the mirror as shock sets in. His tanned skin turning pale as he looks himself in the mirror. His eyes are golden... He drops the mirror as Iymp mags it then faces the mirror to Beau.

Beau then sees himself... He is no longer a black draconium dragon... No longer cursed... He is now a gold dragon.