“My parents would be thrilled,” Aurora mused, “all ten were willing to take me...”
Kheeta’s brows raised in surprise, “wow even the death guy, what’s his name…uhm…?”
“Windingan,” Bartlebee finished for her, giving a surprised look as well.
“Yea well…swamp Necromancers can make great minions, and the death god knows it.” She stared off into distant memories, unease filling her eyes before coming back to them, “I’ve told you that story though, there’s no way I could become one after that.”
Kheeta slipped from Golluk’s grasp and stumbled to Aurora, “but-, that also means you were picked by Petorii, and if the Goddess of Life and Love wants you, then you must be the best of the best.” She hugged her friend and stuck her tongue out at Tarek. “You know what, I bet she’s even a little disappointed she doesn’t get to have you as her Cleric.”
Tarek jumped from his chair, “I’m going to get food now. I’ll see you during tomorrow’s test,” he declared, brushing Golluk out of his way to walk out the door, slamming it behind him.
“Whoops,” Bartlebee covered Kheeta’s mouth with a tentacle, “you accidently brought out his…” Bartlebee gulped, “emotions.” They chuckled as he handed Kheeta her food. “So you kept holding onto the orb huh? How’d that go,” he gave her a quizzical look.
“Well at first it wasn’t too bad, it kind of tickled, but like all the way to the bone, and it made my legs give out, but I kept holding on.”
Aurora laughed as she sat at the table, “so you just sat there clinging to it and being tickled?”
“No,” the Kitsune chuckled, “I talked to them too, you know, in case they were offended I didn’t know about them before. Then the second wave of energy came and made every inch of my body vibrate. I almost blacked out, it felt like I was about to spilt apart. The third one did make me pass out though, that one was like being on fire inside and out, it was hotter than anything I’ve ever felt.” She shuddered, the memories of the pain flooding back. “Then I woke up in the field and Golluk brought me here… by the way Golluk, you never said how your test went.”
He shrugged as he looked through the bookcase, “constructs will not be taken in by the Gods as we are not of their creation... The moment I touched the Anima orb I was transported back here.” He looked over to see Kheeta’s troubled expression, “it doesn’t bother me,” he assured, “besides we have much more important work to do.” The three continued to look at him with confusion, “she needs learning to use magic for the Mage test in two days does she not?”
Aurora hit palm to her forehead, “Gods, I completely forgot! I know some, but I’ve never tried teaching before, can either of you do any spells?”
Bartlebee shook his head, “nah, unfortunately Bard ‘Magic’ is all I can do… But,” he said shoving his last bite into his mouth, “I’m still more than happy to help,”
Golluk turned to the hallway, “I think I might actually have something that may be of assistance as well,” he said walking into his room.
Bartlebee continued to search the cabin for more help and books, while the girls worked together to control and channel Kheeta’s abilities. She held a steady ball of light the size of helmet when Golluk returned to the common room. “You seem to be learning quickly,” he observed holding a large book in his hands.
“What’s that?” Kheeta asked the orb of light fading out as her concentration broke.
“Master Tarek has a rather large collection of spells that his father gave him,” Golluk explained. “I’m sure he’d be upset if he knew I took it… so I was thinking, maybe Bartlebee could just copy down a page or two.”
“Oh I can definitely do that!” The Bard responded happily, pulling out his sketch book and using his ink to record the first few spells. After a few minutes he handed the book back to Golluk, who snuck it back under Tarek’s bed.
The party once again spent a large portion of the evening laughing, bonding, and helping Kheeta prepare for her test.
8 Carnivorous Plants
Kheeta groaned as she opened her eyes, the sunlight peering in through her curtains duller than usual, oh great, where are we now? She thought as she sat up. Wherever they were the air was thick and stuck to her, making her fur feel like a wet garment. “Eww, no” she clawed at the blanket trying to unravel herself from it only managing to land in a crumpled pile on the floor. She cringed, looking towards her roommate only to find Aurora missing from her bed, by the Gods when does that flower wake up? She thought with a chuckle noting that Aurora had been the first up every day so far.
As she opened the door from the bedroom to the living room area she saw Golluk peering out the window. “Hello Miss Kheeta,” he greeted in his usual cheery manner.
“Hey Golluk, how’d you sleep?” She asked stretching and letting out a long yawn, the humidity making her want to go back to bed.
A chuckle rolled out of the mist in his visor as he replied, “I don’t have to sleep Miss, I’m not a physical being, so I don’t get tired.” He beckoned her to where he stood, “care to see where we’ve landed today?”.
“I didn’t realize that,” Kheeta replied as she took the spot next to him, looking out to see a colorful jungle.
“It’s so hot!” Bartlebee’s voice rang out from down the boy’s hall, “where are we?”
“It would appear we are in a jungle of sorts this time,” Golluk observed.
“What! I can’t wait to see what’s out there!” he yelled across the quiet cabin, tearing through the sitting area moments later to pull open the front door.
walking outside Kheeta’s breath was taken away; before her was the most beautiful jungle she had ever seen. Thick vines hung down from the trees like ropes in a ship’s rigging while flower blossoms as big as her hung off branches above their heads. Beside their cabin wove a stream filled with fish, and on the shore Aurora sat humming extensively to a wispy red and purple sapling. Kheeta waited for her to finish her tune before announcing their presence, "Whatcha doing? Talking to the baby tree?"
She turned, giving them a large smile, "Yup! This is Hmmnium" she said humming out what they assumed was a name. "He says that a lot of trampers come through here, and his mom told him that they travel to a green temple that sits with the rising suns."
"Wait," Bartlebee interjected, "what are trampers?"
Aurora laughed, "right sorry, that would be you guys, non-plant creatures. You know, cause most don't think about watching for the things underfoot."
"Well little tree, thank you for the information," Golluk said as he awkwardly bowed to the small plant in front of them.
Aurora chuckled as she saw the six foot metal man attempt communication and Tarek shot him a disdainful glare. "Plants don't speak common Golluk, you dumb construct."
The Golem rose slowly, his blue glow dimming with embarrassment. "Well I speak Forristian and don't worry Golluk, he may have not understood your words but he understood your actions." Aurora assured him placing a flowered hand on the giant's shoulder, causing him to let out a small sigh.
"Thank you Miss Aurora," Golluk replied, placing his large iron hand on hers for a brief moment, choosing to ignore his master. "We should go look for this temple then," he finally suggested as they started off to their right, Tarek bringing up the rear; complaining about the heat and humidity the whole time.
The jungle was like nothing Kheeta had ever seen before, unlike The Den the plant life here was bright and vibrantly colored, instead of dark greens and browns. Her nose twitched as they continued through the tall grass, giant pink petals the size of Bartlebee lining the path and giving it a sweet aroma; that when mixed with the hot humid air, was almost sickly.
"Ah," Aurora sighed deeply as she stuck her face into a bright orange flower and inhaled. "This makes me think of home," the flower girl was smiling and looking happier than Kheeta had ever seen her.
Hopping into view before her was a peculiar green creature; it was only a few inches big,
had bumpy leathery skin, two strong legs in back and two smaller ones in front. It let out a deep croak and Kheeta could see that it had a row of sharp teeth in its narrow snout. “That’s an Allog,” Aurora said as she shoed the creature across the path to the lily pads in the creek, “they’re friendly but their bite can still really hurt.”
“There’s so much amazing wildlife here,” Kheeta marveled as she looked around at the treetops. The caws of large birds rang out through the air, joined by the screeches of various primates and slithering of jungle snakes.
"Wait!" Aurora called out as she rose high into the air on her roots. For the first time Kheeta was able to see exactly what resided below the leafy skirt that Aurora wore; sharp thorn-like teeth curled into a large mouth like those of the carnivorous plant.
"Whoa!" Bartlebee exclaimed as he stared up at the now seven foot tall rogue.
"There's a trap," she explained lowering herself back down to her normal height, before kneeling down and inspecting the jungle floor before them.
"yeah, under your skirt!" Bartlebee exclaimed with a loud chuckle.
"I don't see anything." Tarek snapped as he pushed past Bartlebee to stand next to the kneeling girl. "It's hot and this horrid jungle is literally the worst place I have ever been, let's go." Tarek took two steps forward and suddenly the ground gave out below his feet, and he began falling with a loud scream.
"I got you!" Aurora yelled as two vines shot out from under her skirt and wrapped themselves tightly around Tarek's waist.
"Oh my gods!" Tarek wailed as he looked down, large bamboo spikes mere inches below his feet. "Get me out of here!" He commanded shrilly as Aurora began to lift him out of the spike trap. As he neared the top Golluk's large iron hands reached out and grabbed Tarek's arm, pulling him to safety as Aurora released her vine grip.
"Next time maybe you should listen to the party rogue Tarek." Bartlebee said, somehow managing to keep his composure; a feat Kheeta knew she would have failed.
"We should really be..." Aurora began before the Sylphyte pushed past them to take the lead.
"I don't need any of you!" He looked around before choosing the path to his left, "Now follow me to the temp..." It was Tarek's turn to be cut off now as a large log, big enough to knock down a house, swung down, connecting squarely with his chin.
"...Careful." Aurora finished with an annoyed tone as Tarek’s body disappeared with a flash of blue light, leaving his party staring on in horror.
"It looks like there were traps in front of us and to the left, but the right path appears to be clear." Aurora surmised as she finished her investigation of the paths. Kheeta followed closely behind the Rogue now, still trying to shake what had happened to Tarek from her mind. I know he’s not really dead but… he still felt that. She shuddered at the thought and kept walking, Bartlebee whistling behind her and Golluk pulling up the rear.
“Wait,” Aurora whispered forcefully as she raised up her hand. The Party listened immediately and looked the direction she was pointing. Two animals the size of The Den’s grizzly bears sat lazily in the foliage. They had faces similar to the sloths that Kheeta and Celia would watch back home but their long fur was bright orange and shaggy. They had large stomachs, four extremely long arms, and a large shell on their back. “Those are Korlax… they’re very slow and dumb but they’ve got the biggest temper in the jungle.” Aurora whispered as they all gathered in close to hear.
“Do you think we can sneak past them?” Bartlebee asked eyeing the creatures.
“It’s our only play,” the Florae agreed as she stood and surveyed the area.
"Do you hear that?" Kheeta asked as her ears perked up, a distant rushing sound filling them.
“It sounds like a river,” Golluk remarked as he turned his head to their left.
“Okay, let’s start heading that direction then.” Aurora planned as they began to follow her, careful not to alert the Korlax to their location.
After a few minutes of nail-biting tension, they were past the creatures and out of harms way. Kheeta took a deep breath, letting go of the anxiety sneaking had caused. “That was really impressive Aurora,” Bartlebee complimented as Kheeta walked to the river’s edge.
"How are we supposed to get across that?" She asked, perplexion spreading across her face and her two tails drooping.
"It'll be easy for me! I can breathe water," the Meripint reminded them with a smile.
"You might want to reconsider that Master Bard…" Golluk replied gesturing to the deep green water. Just below the surface Kheeta could make sparkling gold flecks swirling in every direction.
"Those are Skinsnappers," Aurora identified looking at the river as well. "They are vicious, blood-thirsty, creatures that hunt in large swarms. They have transparent skin and gold colored organs to lure in their prey… they’d kill us in seconds."
Bartlebee gulped as he pulled his foot out of the water, "never mind. Does anyone else have any ideas?" The group shook their heads in reply and then took their seats on the river bank to brainstorm a way across.
"Maybe we could swing across on the vines?" Kheeta proposed reaching above her and wrapping a hand around a thick rope-like plant.
"I'm sorry to be difficult Miss Kheeta but I don't think one of those vines would hold me..." Golluk said turning his misty visor to the ground and shifting from side to side.
He's right, there's no way they would support his iron weight. Kheeta thought to herself as her eyes scanned the river bank for another solution. After another few ideas were suggested and denied the group finally decided on a course of action.
"Okay Golluk, you push the tree over, and that should make a bridge that we all can pass over." Aurora surmised as they all walked over to a large dead tree, blackened from both fire and age. "It should be super easy, it's been an empty shell for a long while."
Kheeta looked at the charred trunk, a knot forming in her stomach. "Are you sure it will hold us? What if the fire made it too weak?" Her tails flicked back and forth, bopping Bartlebee on the head. "Sorry," she whispered, grabbing each tail and draping them over her arms.
Golluk placed his large hand on her shoulder reassuringly, "Do not worry, we will cross one at a time smallest to biggest, so you will be going second." He turned to the tree and braced himself against it, digging his feet into the ground. "If you would all be so kind as to move back, I would hate to injure any of you," he asked waiting patiently until they reached a distance he deemed acceptable. Squatting he began pushing with all his strength, the tree creaking where his shoulder and hand met trunk. The bottom shattered with a thundering crack, echoing through the jungle canopy and sending dirt flying high into the air.
Coughing and waving dust away Kheeta sneezed as she saw Bartlebee climbed up the roots and onto the tree that was now laying across the river. "I'll over and then you follow, okay Kheeta?"
She watched as the nimble Meripint made his way across the large black tree to the other side within moments. "Oh... I guess it's my turn huh?" She said as she sneezed again, the dust in the air still agitating her delicate senses. She gulped deeply as she slowly climbed onto the makeshift bridge, looking down to see the blue water quickly fade to black, the roaring river almost drowning out Golluk's words.
"Don't worry miss Kheeta, I will hold it steady as you cross," he assured as stood locked in place.
I know you’re going to hold it, I just wish I had someone to hold me.” A half hearted chuckle turned into a sneeze and the Warrior caught her just before she splashed into the water.
Aurora ripped a branch off the tree and held it out toward the Kitsune, “here, to help yourself balance.”
"Just don't look at the Skinsnappers " Bartlebee exclaimed as Kheeta began her trek across, "they give you major dinner eyes."
"Yes," Aurora interjected, I'm sure that's helpful for her to hear right now B!"
Kheeta tried hard to ignore her friends chatter as she crossed the log, terrified to make any missteps. As she neared the end
she heard a splash and felt a sharp tug on her stick. Looking for the source revealed a terrifying eyeless creature; its curved body wrapped around the stick, while its barbed tail stabbed and latched into the wood. The monstrosities’ razor-like claws sliced off pieces of her staff, causing her to drop it on the log at her feet. The Skinsnapper quickly anchored its barb and began ripping at the log with stubby arms, shoveling the pieces into its razor sharp mouth and devouring them. The bridge will splinter in half if it loses too much more, Kheeta thought as she reeled back and kicked the creature back into the water. She sprinted the rest of the way across and jumped down next to Bartlebee, her tails poofed up in distress, but otherwise fine.
"Those creatures are servants of Windiigan himself!" Kheeta insisted, trying to still her trembling heart. I hate, hate, hate Skinsnappers, she thought to herself as she watched Aurora rise up on her roots and confidently cross the log in three movements, the aquatic creatures giving her no pause.
"Okay Golluk its your turn," Bartlebee said anxiously watching as the golem climbed onto the trunk, causing it to groan. "That's a little concerning," he whispered to the girls, worry filling his face.
The Golem continued across as though the fallen tree had not just loudly protested his excursion over it. As he neared the middle several snaps filled the air, everything went completely still for a moment, no one daring to speak.
"I-" Golluk began as the log beneath his feet splintered into a thousand pieces, cutting him off and dumping him in the river.
They watched in horror as the Skinsnappers moved beneath the water towards where Golluk had fallen in. The iron-man let out a scream as several of the creatures jumped out of the water and sunk their barbed tails into his shoulder; slashing at him with their claws and biting him relentlessly. Within moments Golluk sparkled gold from the transparent monsters enveloping him and he fell backwards, submerging himself in the water before a blinding blue light signaled the end of his test.
"That was awful," Kheeta murmured, tears filling her eyes as she hugged her tail. “I didn’t think Golluk could feel pain.”
Dauntless Dungeon Page 11