Chapter Twenty: The Teleportation Gate

Iolene, Aaron and Beau hide behind barrels and crates. The place almost looks like a warehouse maze as Sazan Jona has been getting a massive amount of supplies from Inclementia. The smells of rotting food and alcohol are all they could smell. The place looked so dank and dreary compared to the rest of the palace.

Looking up they see the gate on top of the stairs. The stairs aren't high, only having six steps to them. The pillars of the portal is two massive spikes that look like Inclementia towers connected by black draconium magic beams. The gate is massive and is no surprise it is placed in the largest room on the lowest level. Made from pure black draconium metal they glow with so much power, you think you are in Inclementia than Unmei...

Iolene's body felt strange as she can feel the toxic power flowing around her. She has never seen technology like that used before. She knew her fathers' side of the family had gates all over the world they could use. However, according to Stein many of their technology and relics were destroyed to replace with their own.

The man they followed from the throne room is walking at an even pace. A fellow soldier from Inclementia names him general. The three can hear the general say that Jona is fighting against his own people. The soldier suggested that they send his soldiers in. An idea that the general agreed. The gate vibrates with power as it is being prepared for use.

Aaron grabs Iolene's arm gently and pulls her down. "Iolene... Beau and I are going to destroy the gate. Stay here out of everyone's sight..." He whispers to her.

Aaron begins to move away as Iolene crawls after him. "I'm coming!" Iolene whispers intensely.

"What part of stay here do you not get?" He whispers back with as much intensity. She is so stubborn, that she is going to get herself killed.

They begin to bicker as Beau rolls his eyes and gently taps both of their heads to get their attention. They look at Beau as his face said it all. For a dragon his facial expressions can easily mimic a human, his annoyance is clear.

Iolene sighs, "It's just us three... Against all of them..." as she points up. The three look above the crates and see a large number of warriors and dragons walk out the portal. Prepared and ready to battle... Making it obvious they are joining the war.

For a moment of staring they lower themselves. "Okay... So we are greatly outnumbered..." Aarons whispers non-chalant.

"Maybe if there is a bomb or something we can use to destroy the gate?" Iolene whispers as soldiers begin to walk closer to the crates. The three of them shuffle around away from their view. Their hearts beating fast, and once out of view they sit still. Beau trying his hardest to move around like a low-bellied lizard.

Iolene glances around the corner to her right. The group of soldiers leave the warehouse as she sees a small group of Suravi men and women walk out of the portal. Slaves... They are all smaller than the average-sized human. Looking filthy and beaten, they stumble down the stairs from the portal. Joined together by chains wrapped around their wrists.

Soon after their group arrives the small Light Green draconium dragons appear. Beau looks at all of them as best as he could. Myshka... He thought to himself. He misses her... He hopes that she is surviving and is okay.

He looks behind the small herd of dragons. The whip bearers are close behind. Beau growls with anger. His father has told him of such weapons against dragons. Cruelty, human inventions to keep our kind submissive.

Iolenes heart sank, she wanted to cry. No one should live their life like this... She then has a glance at Aaron who is looking in the opposite direction. She pokes his shoulder as he leans over behind her seeing the slaves.

"We can't use a bomb... Those poor souls will be killed." Aaron whispers.

"I agree there must be another way..." Iolene continues to look at the slaves. Iolene taking note of each of their faces. They lined up in a straight line. They must be doing number and identity details as the general looks down on them all. The general reminded her of Lord Sly as his long white hair flowed behind him. His decorated armour glowed with black draconium-like veins. He is degrading the poor people. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but the Suravi citizens reacted with defeat as he walked back and forth.

"If we manage to talk to a slave. Will they help us?" Iolene whispers to Aaron.

"No..." Aaron mutters quickly.

"Why?" She whispers desperately. "I have counted that there are twenty of them. Some are much older than others. But this is their chance for freedom!" She grabs Aaron's bicep and squeezes.

"You won't understand..." Aaron looks into her gold eyes. Grabbing both her hands and squeezed them gently. "The relationship of a master and slave is compli-" Aaron is disrupted as noise can be heard. The three sneak behind another set of barrels. Aaron sniffs it as it is clearly sake.

Beau trying his hardest to crawl on the floor, accidentally knocking over a barrel. Causing a loud crash as the sake spills onto the floor. Beau signals with his tail for Aaron and Iolene to move quickly. A group of soldiers and stewards run in their direction. Aaron grabs Iolene's waist and pulls her away from Beau. She struggles, not wanting to leave the dragon.

"What is this?" The general says. Looking at Beau who quickly stands up, revealing himself to everyone.

"What kind of Blue dragon is that?" A male soldier asks laughing.

"What a freaky looking Blue dragon!" Another laughs. "He has such a large head, how does he keep balanced?"

Aaron overhears this as he and Iolene crawled away. "Now that's just mean..." Aaron whispers.

Beau remains still as all the Black Empire soldiers mocked him. At least they are only mocking him and not noticing that he is actually a gold dragon in disguise.

Beau restrains himself emotionally not to attack them and tries to walk away. Facing his back away from them, he is keeping them busy.

"Where do you think your going you freakish blue creature?" The general asks. Beau turns and faces the general again. He didn't know how to react. He shifts his glance up a little as Iolene and Aaron manage to sneak behind the desk near the portal.

Aaron and Iolene glance up as they heard a psst near them. They look to their left a young woman around Aaron's age gets their attention.

"You here to help?" The girl whispers. She is small but taller than Mali. She is filthy, covered with dirt and fleas. wearing rags that can just cover her breasts and private parts. However, she is no petite girl. She has large muscles that are distinctive, she is trained... But for what?

"We are making a plan," Iolene whispers back. She and Aaron shift closer to the girl in chains. She is standing at the end of the line. The other slaves remain silent without saying a word. Iolene and Aaron make sure they cannot be seen behind the desk. Beau keeps the soldiers busy by letting them touch him and scope over his body. A prospect everyone knew he wouldn't like... It's only a matter of time before he snaps.

"Help me get out of these chains I will help. I can't stand being in them any longer." The woman looks down at her chains and sighs. Aaron's Great sword would have been great however it is so large that the soldiers can easily notice the large weapon.

Iolene begins to pull out her dagger that is hiding in a sheath in her pants. Awkward as it was for Aaron to watch her take it out. He tries his hardest not to look at her.

"Now would be a good time... " Aaron whispers in a small panic. Iolene stretches her hand down her pants to her thigh. Taking out her mermaid dagger. "It's easier to do that with a dress okay..." She says as Aaron grabs it.

He looks at the dagger and smiles. The fishtail designs is intricate and beautiful. The scales reflect almost like a rainbow. The enslaved woman subtlety moves her hands to Aaron he begins to try and cut the metal between her cuffs. However they are no ordinary cuffs, the black draconium metal is spiked and have power energy rings, as Aaron notices they can burn through skin. He has a quick glimpse of the woman's wrist. Her skin underneath the cuff is black... He cannot imagine the pain she is in.

The woman tries her hardest not to squirm, tears fall down her face from the pain.

"Aaron, your hurting her..." Iolene stretches out her hands placing her right hand on the girl's wrist. Iolenes places her left onto the daggers hilt. Without a thought she pulses gold draconium energy into the blade. The blade changes into gold and snaps the tether that connected the cuffs together.

The slave woman gasps with shock as she looks at Iolene. "There was no more of your kind..." After saying that she smiles.

Time is up as the general and the soldiers try to kick Beau out of the room. Beau stood his ground and roared. One of the soldiers unsheathes their whip and cracks it on the ground. The whips chord like many gears is made from rubberised black draconium. The power of the whip can be seen pulsing inside. The handle is made perfect for the wielder's hands. The part of the whip that stood out is at the end it had a rectangular spiked latch. The whip glows as the soldier walks forward cracking the whip.

Beau tries his hardest to stand firm. It's thin and small... How can that possibly hurt? In that moment the soldier cracks the whip onto Beau. Not only causing part of his scales to be sliced open the end of the whip attached itself to him. WHAT!? He looks at his rump. He cries out in agony. The whip begins to pulsate Beaus' energy. Beau pulls back trying to drag the soldier, however for a human he has a tight grip. He starts to get dragged but remains composed.

Aaron, Iolene and the stranger look at Beau struggling. Beau's energy is being drained from him. Aaron and Iolene rush over to him. Iolene had no idea of what to do. The slave woman sneaks behind the desk.

"Hey! LEAVE MY DRAGON ALONE!" Aaron shouts. Iolene hides behind Aaron, trying her hardest to look small.

The general turns around and faces Aaron. The decorated soldier smirks as he looks up at Aaron's face. He is a clear foot shorter than Aaron. But Aaron knows better... Mali has always been the perfect example of never judging someone's height.

"Your dragon?" The general asks. "You are all trespassing... Emperor Sazan will not be impressed." He says slyly. "Your leader has given orders... You disobeyed."

The soldier who is attached to Beau tightens his grip on the whip. As Beaus' energy is still being drained. Weakened Beau begins to collapse, trying to keep his disguise as long as he can. But he will not be able to hold much longer.

Aaron had no choice he has to act quickly, unsheathing his sword and cutting the whip. Instantly breaking the connection, Beau collapses to the ground.

The general with a wave of his hand magically conjures his helmet over his face. Leaping toward Aaron punching him in the face. Aaron hits the ground hard, but with quick reflexes, he flips back onto his feet and tries to Hit back. However, the general using his mag powers pushes him away.

A soldier grabs Iolene by the waist as she struggles to be free of him. His assault was short-lived as he gets shot in the back. Iolene looks behind her seeing the dead soldier. She stumbles as she looks up and sees the freed slave with a strange-looking weapon in her hands. She then wraps it around her wrist. Large light green and pink bracelet with an opening that shoots mag light green bolts. The crate next to her is opened, her small smile turns into a massive grin.

The slave begins to shoot at all of the enemy soldiers. Iolene ducks for cover with Beau as she leads him behind crates. Beau sounding woozy as he clumsily walks with Iolene.

The slaves are still standing in a line as they remain unfazed. They are watching the fight from the sidelines.

Iolene uses her powers to heal Beaus' deep cut. Beau shakes him as he felt dizzy. Iolene then breathes in as she attempts something she hasn't done before. Placing both her hands on Beau she begins to glow gold. She transfers some of her energy to Beau. He feels immensely better, he stands up and looks down at Iolene. She is exhausted as she sits down, breathing heavily. Beau recounts how much she has improved... He hasn't seen her this exhausted using her powers for a long time. But this means he will have to protect her.

Beau glances up and sees Aaron fighting the general. For a man who doesn't know draconium skills. Aaron can stand up to them. Aaron uses his sword to reflect the generals' mag bolts.

As they fight Beau looks at the other soldiers, they're racing to the gate!

"Go!" Iolene says out of breath. "Stop them! They will get reinforcements." She trembles as she tries to remain conscious.

Beau follows her orders and races after the soldiers knocking them over with his clumsy mag abilities. He is still getting used to such a thing...

The slaves remain quiet as the stranger begins shouting at them to move. The small herd of dragons walk away and exit the warehouse as the fighting scared them. The human slaves look up at the stranger as they move away from the scene following the dragons path. Remaining chained together and silent as they fled.

The stranger sighs and rolls her eyes. She keeps on shooting the other soldiers. Aiming to kill... The general remains the only survivor left. However every time she shoots he easily absorbs or blocks it.

"Impressive..." He tells Aaron. "I've seen your fighting style Iqosha no? Where is your master?" The generals' smile can be seen. However, the rest of his face is covered. Aaron couldn't help but love the large feather connected to the helmet.

"You are impressive as well..." Aaron smiles holding his giant sword as a shield against his powers. Ignoring the master question. He glance to his left and sees Iolene weakened and struggling to stay up. He slowly takes a few steps opposite to her making sure the general doesn't notice her.

The stranger shuts the main warehouse door and then runs to Iolene as Aaron and the General begin to fight again. The general notices "WHAT ARE YOU DOING SLAVE!?" He shouts maliciously. Immediately chasing after the small slave.

"DON'T COME NEAR ME YOU PRICK!" She shouts as she shoots energy bolts from her gear. It was useless as he shoots at her using a beam to slam her into the wall.

Iolene slowly regains composure she stands up and looks at the pillars of the portal. It is still activated.. She manages to wake up and stumble towards it. The gate begins to hum again as it sounds like something is going to go through.

Iolene gets to the desk and sees a console of buttons. Her vision is blurry as the blinking lights cause her to feel even dizzier. Breathing heavily she notices the large red button she presses it hoping for the best. However, before full shut down a large dragon manages to pass through.

Jumping into the scene with great force in between Aaron and General. Causing both to fly backwards. The dragon looks at the gate shut down and roars with anger causing the room to shake. Beau stops everything as he knows who exactly that is...

It is Ironclad...