"Yeah," Bartlebee croaked, "Golems are created with a dulled pain response so that they can still be controlled." He looked at the girls and cleared his throat, "I’m sad that he’s gone too, but we need to keep moving…”
Aurora straightened up, "B is right, we'll see him at lunch, let's get going so he doesn't have to be alone with Tarek for too long." She led the way towards the temple, weaving them between traps and through the jungle until the trees receded; letting them out into the clearing of a large green temple.
The blocks seemed to be held together with gold as the space between each was a glimmering yellow, and the architecture of the temple was angular with stones stacked on one another; the largest on the bottom and a long staircase leading all the way up the middle to the top and smallest square.
“I guess that’s the temple we were told about,” Aurora said as they reached the bottom of the large staircase.
“Ugh, stairs…” Bartlebee complained as they began their long ascent.
“We’ve made it past spike traps, and Skinsnappers and the stairs are where you moan?” Kheeta asked with a chuckle, causing the Meripint’s blue cheeks to flush a deep purple.
As they reached the summit of the stone building Kheeta turned around to admire the view… for as far as she could see were trees and flowers, a group of Korlax beat on their chest and shells, whooping before jumping off through the canopy, it didn’t look like people had been here in hundreds of years. “It’s locked,” Aurora said with a grunt as she tried to pull open the door handle. “Though, after everything so far, I think I should have expected that.” Kheeta watched her vines snake their way out of the plant girls skirt and slide delicately into the opening of the lock. After a few moments of struggle Aurora let out a small cheer as a soft click freed her from her task. “Yes,” she muttered to herself as she stood to face what remained of her party, “it’s unlocked now.”
“I knew you could do it!” Bartlebee said encouragingly as Aurora slowly pulled open the massive stone door. “Wow, you must be really strong!”
“Actually the door is surprisingly light,” Aurora replied with a quizzical expression. “I guess they didn’t expect a lot of Warriors to make it this far into the Rogue’s test.”
Kheeta followed Aurora into the temple with Bartlebee close in tow and the inside was simply breathtaking. The gigantic temple was almost completely hollow on the inside, and being on the top floor, that meant a perilous trip for anyone who fell off the small bridge that led to a floating platform in the center of the room. “Well I don’t see anyone,” Kheeta remarked as they slowly began their walk across the bridge.
Mustering the courage as they reached the platform she looked over the edge and immediately wished she hadn’t. The floor looked up at her from dangerously far below and her stomach knotted instantly. “I don’t get it,” Kheeta said as Bartlebee and Aurora looked around the room, trying to figure out what the next objective could possibly be.
“Congrats to all of you!” A cheery voice echoed through the hollow structure, sounding easily ten times louder than it was. “We know that our test is rather hard to reach but we assure you…” The voice continued, seeming to grow louder by the second. “That was the easy part.” Kheeta looked up as the voice concluded, letting out a loud scream she fell down. Hanging upside down by a thick web, mere inches from her face was Morla, the neurotic Rogue Pro Quester. Now that she was significantly closer than she had been earlier Kheeta was able to get a good look at her. Her spider body and legs were a pearl white with rose pink designs and trim. Her skin was a dark greyish-blue, and she had four eyes, one on top of the other with two on either side of her nose.
“Thank you,” Aurora replied, being the first to regain her senses. “I had a great time exploring the jungle on the way here, and disarming the traps was amazing!” Her excitement had boiled over now and her pitch had risen a few octaves.
“She thinks they got them all. I know how silly. I guess I could tell them… You’re right I really should,” Morla chattered to herself as she began to turn in small tight circles, still hanging upside down.
Bartlebee coughed as he shifted from one foot to another awkwardly. As if broken out of a trance and remembering they were there Morla turned her attention to them, stopping herself mid-spin. “We appreciate your excitement but you’ve been mistaken… You didn’t disarm all of the traps.”
“What do you mean?” Aurora asked, a look of panic washing over her delicate face.
“Yeah, Aurora disarmed every trap we came across,” Kheeta supported before adding, “well her and Tarek’s face,” she added with a snicker.
“When you opened the door to this temple you triggered the deadliest trap in this jungle.” Morla continued to explain as a sadistic smile split her face and for a moment Kheeta was scared. “This temple has been slowly filling up with a clear poisonous gas that will dissolve you from the inside… unless you get the cure.” She explained as she dropped down off of her web landing with spider-like grace on the stone platform.
“What!” Bartlebee exclaimed, pulling on his tentacles in angst.
“Where’s the cure then?” Kheeta asked more than a little anxiety showing in her voice.
Morla swept her hand behind her in a grandiose gesture and before their eyes the air between the platform and the outer wall began to harden into three bridges. “At the end of these bridges you will find a door, beyond that is the cure. A true Rogue can adapt to any situation so that is all that we will tell you. As she finished three large doors materialized into existence.
“I guess this is where we split up again,” Kheeta said as she gave both of her companions a tight hug.
“Oh, and you might want to hurry, the poison has a one-hundred percent lethality rating and takes effect in fifteen minutes.” Morla warned them as they all scattered across the bridges as quickly as possible now.
Kheeta took a deep breath, her hand resting on the doorknob to her Rogue’s test. This is it Kheeta… you can do this, her thoughts were interrupted as a tight pain in her stomach almost forced her dinner out of her. Oh my Gods that hurts! Must be the poison, she reasoned with a grimace. All the more reason to get this done with then. She pulled on the door and stepped through, instantly being transported to a dark and damp cave.
Kheeta blinked as she tried to get her eyes to adjust to the sudden change in lighting. Where am I now? She thought to herself, with a hint of frustration. Looking around revealed slimy moss covered walls and damp musky air. Small puddles littered the floor and the sounds of squeaking could be heard from somewhere close by. “Well I guess I should get going then.” Kheeta said to no one in particular as a sharp pain shot through her arm and she let out a quiet yip. I don’t have much time…
The darkness was hard to penetrate even with her low-light vision, and the echo in the cave threw off her sense of sound. The tunnel that she had found herself in winded to the left turning twice before doubling back on itself and branching right. I’m never going to find it in time! Kheeta’s thoughts panicked as she began to quicken her step, the poison already having her nauseous and light-headed.
Large green mushroom caps littered a small corner of the hallway giving off a soft glow and Kheeta decided to take a moment to catch her breath. A loud squeaking split the air as she leaned against the wall her tails brushing over a hole. Movement from in the crevasse caused her to spin around and stare, eyes wide with fear. After a few moments she saw a lizard crawl to the edge of the hole and jump. Kheeta expected it to fall to the ground but the curious creature had leathery flaps of skin on its side that allowed it to glide through the air. I know I just read about these guys in that book at the cabin, what are they called? Kheeta thought to herself as she tried to remember the creature studies book. The sound of loud dripping sparked her memory, Piptriks! That’s right, she thought happily watching it soar across the hallway and let out a small squeak as it went over the mushrooms.
Just then a puff of green smoke er
upted from the top of the fungi, covering the lizard, who dropped out of the air instantly. As it hit the cave floor three of the mushrooms uprooted themselves, revealing long spider legs and several large bulbous eyes. They stabbed at the Piptrik with their sharp legs, ripping it into pieces and devouring them. Those must be the Fungrooms Aurora told be about last night. She said when they hunt they get ravenous so… I need to get moving, like now. She continued down the path until she could finally see a room in the distance.
Forcing her aching legs to trudge forward she entered the room and couldn’t help but gasp. It was large, easily fifteen feet by twelve feet if Kheeta had to take a guess, but what was in the center took up all but a few feet of the area. Large seven foot leaves, vines thicker than most ropes Kheeta had used, and three massive heads made up the largest carnivorous plant she had ever seen. A Venova Dente! How am I supposed to get past that? She thought to herself as one toothy mouth yawned, revealing row upon row of thorny spikes and a large red tongue that snaked on for almost a foot. Kheeta had heard stories about these things but hoped that she would never see one.
Scanning the room frantically for anything that the fox girl could use to her advantage she saw her goal… nestled behind the behemoth of a plant was a large treasure chest. The cure has to be in there! She assumed as she placed her back as tightly against the wall as she could, beginning to slowly shimmy her way around the room. Kheeta held her breath, her stomach a flurry of butterflies, and her throat knotted into a tight painful ball, as she prayed to whatever God was listening. As she finally reached the chest she knelt down before it, inspecting the lock.
“Drats! I don’t have any lock picks to even attempt this!” Kheeta exclaimed louder than she meant to as her hand bolted to cover her mouth. Almost too afraid, she slowly turned to peer at the sleeping monster with one eye, to find it still deep in its slumber. Letting out a sigh of relief Kheeta began to relax, her shoulders slumping, the tension in her stomach leaving, and her tails flopping downwards.
A deafening roar exploded through the cave causing Kheeta’s blood to run cold as she turned around much quicker this time. Her tails had bopped the monster on one of its snouts, waking and enraging it. The Venova Dente Looked at her hungrily as she raised her hands to shield herself. The seven foot mouth opened wide and for a split second, before a blinding flash of light, she could feel every thorny tooth piercing her skin.
“Ahhhhhh!” Kheeta screamed, her hands above her head to ward off an imaginary assailant. “Wait… what?” Kheeta said looking around, “oh yeah… dear Gods. It felt so real…”
“You’re telling me Miss.” Golluk chimed in as he walked up to join her.
“Oh poor Golluk, I’m sorry.” She sympathized remembering the poor Golem’s demise to Skinsnappers.
Golluk just shuddered and looked at the ground as a bright light next to them signaled the arrival of Aurora simply beaming with pride; followed shortly by Bartlebee who was chuckling heartily.
“So?” Kheeta asked turning to the newly arrived party members. “What happened?”
“I’ll tell you in the springs,… my roots are aching and I need a soak.” Aurora replied beginning to head towards the entrance of the women’s shower room.
The group spent the remainder of the evening in the springs where Aurora told them that there was no cure in the chest, simply a note that read:
‘Ha Ha! Got you! The poison isn’t lethal!’
After she picked up the note the Florae was finished with the test and transported back to the island.
“Well I think that either of you would be fantastic Rogues, and tomorrow we get to see who’s the best Bard.” Kheeta reminded them as she sank lower into the hot water her twin tails swishing beside her.
“I can’t wait!” Bartlebee squealed, diving under and bringing bouts of laughter from the Party.
9 Perform or Die
Kheeta poured over the copies of Tarek’s spells that Bartlebee and Golluk had made her; eyes darting frantically over the pages trying to absorb it all at once.
“You’re up early,” Aurora’s voice chimed through the early morning quiet, only a few Paloofs chirping outside. “I mean you even beat me.”
“I didn’t sleep last night,” Kheeta informed her without looking up from her page. She had spent all night practicing the light orb spell that was given to her and was finally to the point where she could begin to shape the light into more than just an orb.
“Well show me what you learned,” Aurora said excitedly jumping next to her on the bed; her vines still pulled back into her nightwear, revealing more of her green body than usual, causing Kheeta’s cheeks to heat up as she took note of the girl’s curves.
“Well… okay,” she replied shaking her head, to rid it of distracting thoughts. She raised her hands and began to chant the incantation repeating it over and over again. Within moments, a large ball of light had manifested between her palms. She concentrated as hard as she could, letting the room and Aurora melt away so she could be alone with her magic.
The Florae clapped as the orb of light began to constrict, shaping itself into a sharp shard, floating between the Kitsune’s furry hands. “That’s wonderful Kheeta!”
“The spell says that I should be able to launch it as a projectile,” she informed the Rogue as the orb flitted out, her concentration broken. “So far that’s all I can do…” Kheeta looked down at her bed spread, “I still have a lot of practice if I’m going to pass tomorrow.”
“Well don’t worry I’m sure you’ll be fine.” The last word of Aurora’s sentence was punctuated by a small knock at the door.
“Uhm, girls? Are you up yet?” It was Bartlebee’s voice and they could hear Golluk behind him, shushing him and insisting that he shouldn’t wake them up.
“Yes we are,” Aurora hollered back, “just let us finish getting dressed.” She shot Kheeta a wink, and the Kitsune’s cheeks burned even hotter, she noticed me staring, I know it!
The vines around Aurora’s body began to wiggle and writhe, covering her bosom and forming the floral attire she was known for. Once Aurora was done getting ‘dressed’ Kheeta opened the door to their room and saw Golluk standing behind a jumping Bartlebee.
“You will never believe where we are!” The small Bard squealed as he continued to jump up and down with excitement. “Come on, quick! Look outside!” He was pulling on the sleeve to Kheeta’s shirt now, as he ushered her over to the window.
Outside their cabin was a long cobblestone street with buildings on either side of the road and a few pedestrians scattered along it. “Are we in Dravenmoore?” Kheeta asked trying to place their location.
“No, we can’t be.” Golluk answered walking over to peer out the window as well. “The floating clock in the square is gone and the buildings here aren’t as tall.”
“Well wherever we are it’s a city and I’m excited!” Bartlebee yelled hopping up onto the table to get a better view out the window.
“I don’t care where we are, someone better tell me what all the noise is about!” Tarek yelled from the boy’s bedroom, and a pang of guilt hit Kheeta in the stomach as she realized she hadn’t noticed his absence.
“Sorry Tarek I just love towns! Plus, today is the Bard’s test and I know I’m gonna nail it!” Bartlebee had a look of determination on his face that made Kheeta believe there was nothing that would stop him from passing.
“Well since we’re all up we might as well head out,” Aurora suggested shooting Tarek a sarcastically sweet smile.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Bartlebee said as he threw open the door to the cabin, the sounds of the town almost overwhelming the small room.
As they walked out into the street they could smell fresh apple pie and black brewed ale coming from an inn, and see several merchants calling out their wares to passerby’s. “Hello sir, my name is Bartlebee,” the small Meripint said introducing himself to one of the townsfolk with his hand extended. The man just looked on as if Bartlebee hadn
’t spoken, or the man hadn’t heard him. Deciding it had to be the latter, he tried again, “hey, I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the town we’re in?” Again, only dead stares met his question in response.
They continued to the town’s center, walking past shops filled with sweets and supplies, as Bartlebee continued trying to get anyone’s attention to no avail. “Well, maybe since this is the Bard’s test, they wont respond until they’re entertained.” He mused aloud, jumping up onto the edge of a nearby fountain and beginning to sing and sway; but still their presence went ignored. “You know, it’s rude to ignore an entertainer!” Bartlebee yelled into the square only to be met with silence once again.
“The dumb squid botched his own test,” Tarek cackled, receiving a glare from the Meripint.
“You know what Tarek?” Bartlebee began, but paused when he saw Kheeta’s ears pivoting around. “What do you hear?”
“Footsteps,” she said pushing them down an alley, “coming fast, and a lot of them.” They dove behind several discarded barrels just in time to see a line of eight guards pass by. “I feel like we probably don’t want to be seen by them.”
Tarek stood, exasperated, “You can not honestly expect me to skulk around these smelly damp backways.”
“Hey, stop! There they are!” A large guard in full plate yelled as he gestured to Kheeta and party, several more guards cutting off any routes of escape.
“Wait! What have we done?” Kheeta exclaimed as two of the guards began moving closer to them.
“You’re under arrest for murder, conspiracy, and treason.” The first large man explained as his muscular hand grabbed Aurora by her arm.
“Wait there’s been a misunderstanding!” Tarek yelled insistently as he tried in vain to wrench himself free from a Berejorn’s grasp.
“No misunderstand, you come with us now,” The Berejorn replied tightening his grip on Tarek and pushing him forward at the same time, forcing him to walk.
Dauntless Dungeon Page 12