Chapter Twenty-Two: Choosing

The palace is falling apart. The cracks in the walls are stemming from the destroyed portal. Black draconium flows around everywhere, seeping through as fog and crystal. There is no saving the foundation... The level above collapses as a few guards fall onto crates to their death.

Aaron is groaning in agony as Iolene tries her hardest to tend to him. But there is no time. The palace is falling around the group.

Iolene asks him kindly to carry the others. He reluctantly agrees...

The slave wanted to leave the general behind. But Iolene convinces her that he would have information. He is worth more alive than dead.

Aaron however could not run. He is too injured. He tries to stand to regain the energy as he did with pushing Ironclad. But it took it all out of him. His adrenaline has ceased... He collapses to the floor.

He has no choice but to ride Beau.

Aaron swallows hard. This is the first time in his life that he has ever ridden a dragon. Beau lowers himself so everyone can get on his back.

Iolene holds Aaron to balance, he goes on first. Aaron uses all his strength to raise his leg over Beau into a riding position.

Aaron steadies himself. Once he balances himself, Beau and he felt something. Beau roars in pain and bucks, Aaron holding on as he is struggling to stay on Beau's back. Iolene steps a few feet back trying to calm him.

In Beau's mind eye he is experiencing his family's memories. He had no idea how far back his bloodline went... This must be what Iolene sees when she sleeps. Beau sees the meteor that crashed onto the planet. His ancestors at the dragon ruling seat of the Gold City. Thousands of years of his heritage. It was so much to take in his body almost collapsed. But then he saw his great, great grandmother Queen Estrela, her evil deeds. The memories stopped at his father... Even though it was so much information it was only a moment like a dream. His mind's eye went black... Then another life began to show memories. But they weren't his, or his family.

He was in a shabby room, it was small and dark. Seeing a human woman screaming her lungs out while clenching her small bed. Sweat covers her brows and black hair as she rubs her large belly. Her nightgown is wet from blood and fluid. Beau has never seen a human act like this before. Unknown to him that it is a woman giving birth. The woman squats as a small baby falls out of her. She grabs the infant and holds it tightly to her chest. She sighs relief as the newborn begins to cry. The woman smiles as she rocks back and forth. Having a quick look at his genitalia. It is a boy...

Beau didn't understand... He felt disturbed seeing how humans breed. But why is he seeing this? But at that moment the woman said a few words.

"Aaron... My little Aaron..." She says lovingly as she kisses Aaron's soft cheek.

What? Beau thinks to himself. Aaron was so... Tiny...

Beau was experiencing Aaron's life. Little realise Aaron is seeing Beaus' life at this same moment.

Aaron's mind eye was a little different than Beau's. Aaron's ancestors of the Caspian family varied in the grandeur of Iolenes or Beaus. Aaron didn't know that his father's ancestor's side of the family were once shipbuilders. However, those memories faded as he saw three eggs in a nest. All black draconium ones, large as footballs. The environment where the eggs were laid, is far from civilization as no buildings or human life can be seen. It was the valley of the north where the herd lived.

They shook as the first two hatched a large dragon cub, he looked like Beau. However, his markings were darker and looked vicious with spikes all over his body. Beau was born much later... Aaron couldn't help but admit how cute he was. He is the runt of the family... Aaron witnessed the hard life of a wild dragon. Beaus' herd was starving... Then Beau was captured. But surprisingly Aaron didn't recognise Ironlad in the memories. Ironclad has changed into such a monster from what Beau remembers.

They both synchronised as they saw each other's lives. But they didn't see all of it as many memories remained blank. As a part of history has been forgotten.

Beau physically stirred as Aaron held on to him. Then it happened... A curved five-pointed star manifested on Beaus' forehead. The room glowed brightly as gold power lit up the room. A light so powerful it reached the higher levels of the palace. Getting the attention of a certain small man.

The light ceased as Beau shakes his head. Iolene looks at him with shock then smiles. Beaus disguised faded as his gold scale markings look brighter and more beautiful than ever. But the moment quickly ended as they had to leave. The palace is collapsing, they all get onto Beau. Iolene holding onto Aaron trying to hold him steady.

Aaron loses consciousness struggling to comprehend what is happening.

Beau begins to run as he dodges debris. Running as fast as he could and jumping over wooden beams and furniture. Making his way back to the throne room. Lei and Okimi are not there.

"Where could they have gone?" Iolene asks.

"Never mind them! I will find them!" An all to familiar voice is heard. He sounded frustrated.

The group look down and see a small man looking up at them. It was Mali Piccolo. Folding his arms and sighs with annoyance.

"Uh..." Is all Iolene can say.

The palace jolts as the foundation on one side of Heiwa palace begin to collapse.

"GO!" Mali demands as he races further into the palace.

Beau bolts forward as everyone holds on to him. Aaron wakes up as he doesn't realise he is transferring his energy to Beau. Beau begins to move faster as he receives Aaron's energy. He bashes through the wooden walls until they reach the palace gardens. Beau then collapses from exhaustion throwing everyone off him.

Iolene, the slave and the general race to Aaron and Beau. Aaron has lost complete consciousness as he struggles to breathe. Iolene uses her gold energy to help heal his injuries. But Aaron remains still. She leans onto his chest as his heart still beats. She sighs with relief as she continues to heal him.

The general stares at the golden three from a distance. A face of disbelief amongst his pain. A gold dragon... A gold dragon lives... Gold draconium coming from that girl... The slave also looks on with disbelief. She looks up at the general as she raises her gauntlets to him. The glow light green as she prepares to shoot.

"Tell anyone you will die at this moment!" She shouts.

The general remains silent. Conflicted...

To the luck of the group, many soldiers and people raced to the palace. As it collapses and begins to slide down the cliff. A castle that has stood for thousands of years. It Falls within minutes...