Benotripia- The Complete Trilogy

by McKenzie Wagner

  A green tentacle sprang from the Falls and wrapped around Jessicana’s stomach, enfolding her in a slimy green weed and plunging her into the water. Were they being attacked by some sort of creature? Another green tentacle shot out to grab Astro, but he quickly jumped out of its reach and swung his sword at it, cutting off the very end. “Jessicana!” Roseabelle shouted, and she ran toward the water, just as something rose from the depths.

  It wasn’t a sea monster. It wasn’t even a Garaganta. It was a plant.

  It was poisonous green and had a long stem and a rounded head that looked oddly humanoid. Shiny green lips barely hid the rows of extremely sharp teeth, and many earthen tendrils were attached to the stem. And one of those tendrils had a struggling Jessicana within its grip.

  * * * * *

  JESSICANA HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THE CREATURE that was squeezing the breath out of her. Well, it wasn’t exactly a creature, she realized. It was a plant with wickedly sharp teeth that Jessicana really didn’t want to come across.

  She struggled to breathe as the plant flung her around like a noodle. I’m not going to faint, Jessicana thought. Jessicana, you are not fainting on me.

  Black spots danced before her eyes, but Jessicana managed to stay conscious even though the plant was strangling her. On the shore, Roseabelle was loading up a Flame-hurler, but as Jessicana watched, the plant took a breath and exhaled. A cloud of acid erupted from its mouth. She shouted, “Roseabelle! Astro!” just as the cloud descended over them.

  Roseabelle and Astro came coughing out of the cloud, and Jessicana fought to escape, squirming. Then she realized she had a throwing knife in her hand. Somehow she hadn’t dropped it when the plant had whisked her up. She twisted her body so the knife was pointed at the tentacle and leaned on the hilt.

  The plant let out an earsplitting screech as the knife plunged into it. A light green substance oozed from the wound. Jessicana’s years as a potion maker told her that it was poisonous and she needed to get out of there fast. She stabbed the plant’s meaty tentacle again, and it screeched once more, loosening its grip on Jessicana. Just as the green poison was about to reach her, she squirmed out of the plant’s hold and free-fell to the Falls below.

  Jessicana quickly pulled herself to shore and saw Roseabelle and Astro fighting to keep clear of the acid clouds that were constantly spilling from the carnivorous mouth of the plant. Jessicana scrambled along the beach, trying to find a weapon of some sort. Her backpack had fallen into the Falls, and they weren’t likely to find it anytime soon. She transformed into a parrot and swooped down to her friends, who were rolling and feinting to avoid the large acid clouds.

  “Jessicana!” Astro yelled. “Are you all right?”

  “I need a Fire-hurler,” she shouted back. “You guys keep dodging and distract it. I’ll fire at it and take it by surprise.”

  “Roseabelle’s backpack is over by the boulders!” Astro responded. “Hurry!”

  Jessicana quickly flew off, snatched her friend’s backpack, and flew to a large boulder where the monstrous plant couldn’t see her. She shape-shifted into a human, dragged the heavy iron Flame-hurler out of the pack, pointed it at the foul green head, loaded it with three iron balls, looked away, and pulled the lever.

  There was a loud pop as the ammo was released into the sky. Jessicana had pulled it with such force that she had to make an effort not to tumble down the side of the rocky boulder. That wasn’t exactly on her to-do list. Jessicana transformed into a parrot to use its sharp vision and watched as the tiny ammo balls came closer and closer to the plant.

  One of its tentacles lashed out, knocking an iron ball inside its mouth. It then opened its mouth and swallowed the other too.

  Jessicana gulped. It would take at least a few minutes for the balls to take effect. And they didn’t have that much time! The Darvonians could get here any minute. Jessicana dug through Roseabelle’s pack, and the Dragocone Ray caught her eye. A crazy plan hatched in her mind, and she grimaced. This was probably the only way to kill the creature.

  Jessicana slipped on Roseabelle’s silk gloves, seized the Dragocone Ray, and charged toward the plant, trying to run as quietly as possible. She kept the glow of the ray behind her.

  As she reached the Falls, Jessicana made sure the ray was concealed underwater and slowly crept around the massive plant. She took a deep breath, made sure the plant wasn’t facing her, and dove underwater. As she had suspected, the plant had earthen tendrils that were anchored to the bottom of the Falls. The Darvonians had to have planted it just like they had with the spikes. A chill ran up Jessicana’s spine. Did that mean the Darvonians were here? Now that she thought about it, it seemed like a sure possibility.

  Jessicana crept up to the tendrils, a stream of bubbles issuing from her mouth, and swung her Dragocone Ray at the vegetation. The vines instantly separated from each other, and Jessicana grinned. That should have killed it. But as she surfaced from the water she saw that the plant was shifting, moving, rising . . .

  And that’s when Jessicana realized she had just made it worse. A lot worse. The plant was standing. It could now move.

  * * * * *

  ROSEABELLE WATCHED IN HORROR AS STICKY EARTHEN tendrils planted themselves in the solid ground, the head and body of the plant bobbing along with it. She knew that this was a rare species called the “Broxlorthian,” and there were only supposed to be three of them in Darvonia. Apparently the Darvonians had brought another nice surprise with them.

  The Broxlorthian breathed out a cloud of acid but then coughed as though something was preventing it from breathing anymore. Roseabelle knew that Jessicana had shot iron ammo into the creature’s throat, which was due to explode any second. That would surely kill it.

  But how long until they exploded? She and Astro were weary from dodging the blows, and Roseabelle knew they couldn’t hold up much longer. And how could the Broxlorthian suddenly walk?

  Roseabelle looked up to see Jessicana drop out of the sky. “I’m sorry, Roseabelle,” she said. “I thought cutting its roots would kill it.”

  “It’s all right,” Roseabelle assured her. “It’s going to explode soon.”

  Roseabelle could see Astro shooting rapid lightning bolts, his face twisted with pain. “Are you all right?” she yelled to him, and he nodded, his face flushed.

  Roseabelle looked furiously at the Broxlorthian. “I think I have an idea,” she suggested.

  “What is it?” Jessicana asked.

  “Just before I graduated from the Academy, I got taught one last new power. I can Cloud Ride.”

  Jessicana cocked her head to the left. “Cloud Ride?”

  “I can ride on clouds,” Roseabelle explained. “Wait a second.” Cloud Riding was simple. All Roseabelle had to do was face a cloud, spread her arms out, and close her eyes, thinking all the while about the sky. This would cause the tips of her fingers to transform into a soft, almost transparent material that could hook onto a cloud. Then she imagined herself flying like a bird, and she would fly up and catch a cloud. She could take at least two passengers, but it took a lot of effort to do so.

  Jessicana backed away as Roseabelle spread her arms out with fingertips extended and closed her eyes. “The sky,” she muttered. “It’s all about the sky.”

  A cool feeling settled on her fingertips, and Roseabelle felt a wind swirl around her. “Jessicana, hold on to me,” she ordered, and she felt her friend’s fingers close around her arm. Suddenly, Roseabelle felt weightless and heard Jessicana gasp next to her. “Roseabelle, look,” she urged, but Roseabelle knew it wasn’t safe to open her eyes yet. If she did it too early, they could drop from the sky like a stone.

  “I’m as light as a bird,” she muttered, and she felt something catch on to her fingertips. When she opened her eyes, she was hanging from the underside of a cloud. “Get on top,” she told Jessicana. “It’s time to teach this plant a lesson.”

  Roseabelle could see the Broxlorthian advancing on Astro, who was still s
hooting bolts. Each one punctured a hole in the monster’s tentacle, and it began to slow down considerably, but Astro’s bolts weren’t enough to kill it. “Jessicana, do you have my pack?” she yelled over the carnivorous plant’s growling.

  “Yes!”

  “When we get close enough to the plant, I want you stab it in the head. Then I’ll reach for you and you grab on to me. Got it?”

  “Sure,” came Jessicana’s nervous reply.

  Roseabelle tilted the cloud downward. As it dipped toward the Broxlorthian, she could see Jessicana adjusting her silk gloves tightly. Roseabelle took a deep breath. “Everything’s going to work out,” she whispered to herself. The cloud wobbled, and Roseabelle straightened it so it soared over the Broxlorthian. “Now, Jessicana!” she shouted. Her blonde friend dropped onto the slimy green head below.

  Roseabelle watched as Jessicana plunged the Dragocone Ray into the monster’s head. The loudest screech of pain Roseabelle had heard yet echoed throughout the forest. She quickly extended her uninjured hand to Jessicana as the creature started to shake.

  “Hurry, Jessicana!” Roseabelle yelled. To her relief, just as the Broxlorthian began to topple over, her friend’s shaking pale hand appeared in hers. She quickly pulled her up onto the cloud and then dipped it down even further, sailing to Astro.

  “Grab on, Astro!” Jessicana yelled, and she pulled him up, pack and all. Roseabelle pushed the cloud upward. They all watched as the ammo finally exploded inside the giant beast, scattering its remains all over the lush and plentiful fields.

  THE THREE FRIENDS DESCENDED FROM THE CLOUD AND dropped to the ground. Roseabelle’s arm hurt badly, and she landed on her knees, letting out a cry of pain. “Roseabelle!” Jessicana exclaimed. “Are you all right?”

  She grimaced. “I’m fine. We need to get the Stones.”

  “Where’s the entrance?”

  They began to search behind boulders, alcoves, and tight spaces for trapdoors. “Wait!” Jessicana exclaimed. “What if the entrance is behind the waterfall? There might be a door embedded in the rock there.”

  “Good idea,” Roseabelle said. “I’ll go check.” She waded across the water, avoiding the disgusting remains of the Broxlorthian, until she was standing beside the rushing fall of water. “Here goes,” she muttered. She took a deep breath and ducked through the water.

  The water pressure was so great that Roseabelle felt as if she were being pelted by sledgehammers. Water enclosed around her, and Roseabelle finally found herself in a cave that smelled of sulfur. As she turned around, she realized that the water held an odd greenish glow. It quickly disappeared, though, and Roseabelle leaned against the dry cave wall to rest. Then she yelled, “Jessicana! Astro! In here!”

  She waited for her two friends to reach her and walk through the pool. Roseabelle gazed intently as they walked through the waterfall but saw no greenish glow. “We can’t get in!” came Jessicana’s voice. Roseabelle, puzzled, stepped out of the cave. Sunlight reached her eyes, and she found herself behind Jessicana and Astro, whose backs were visible as they tromped underneath the waterfall.

  “Guys! I’m over here!” she exclaimed, and her two friends walked to her.

  “Where did you go?” Astro asked.

  “For some reason I can get through and you can’t.” Roseabelle frowned. Then she grasped both of their hands. “Let’s try it together.”

  They walked underneath the center of the waterfall and once again Roseabelle winced at the pressure of the liquid. For a moment her vision became a bright green glow, but then it vanished, and she was in the dry cave again with her two friends.

  “Amazing,” Jessicana said. “It’s some kind of a portal.”

  Astro frowned. “How come only Roseabelle could get in here?”

  Jessicana’s eyes suddenly lit up. “I know. Toss me your pack, Roseabelle!” Roseabelle did, not following her friend at all. Jessicana pulled out a dingy black ribbon. “The ribbon we found in the book. I see now. The Darvonians must have left it there accidentally or—” Jessicana’s face practically glowed as she exclaimed, “What if it was Dastrock who snuck the ribbon inside the book? He knew it was a portal to Horsh’s Stones. Roseabelle, are you sure we can’t trust him?”

  Roseabelle sighed. She really did want to believe Dastrock. But at the same time memories of Sheklyth (aka Shelby) came rushing back to her. She had trained Roseabelle for three years, helping her grow and develop her powers. Roseabelle didn’t want to be betrayed again. She sighed. “Can we move on? We have to find an actual door to Horsh’s room.”

  “Already done,” Astro stated, and he pointed to a depiction of a man holding three jewels: one in his left hand, one in his right, and one on his head.

  Jessicana put her finger on one of the Stones, and it glowed brightly. Astro did the same with the Stone on the right. Roseabelle took a deep breath and placed her thumb on the Stone on Horsh’s head. All of the Stones glowed brightly, Roseabelle heard a sharp click, and a slab of stone thudded to the ground, almost crushing Jessicana’s foot.

  “Let’s go,” Astro said, and they entered the dark tunnel. Roseabelle found some stairs, and she went next. Jessicana went last and made one fatal mistake.

  She forgot to close the door.

  CHAPTER 12

  Caverns of Horsh

  ASTRO HAD NEVER FELT DARKNESS LIKE THIS BEFORE. He felt as if spiders were crawling up his arms, or as if black fog was encircling him, or as if he were falling into a bottomless pit. “It’s just an illusion,” he whispered, but that didn’t offer up much comfort.

  They continued down the winding staircase. Astro once knelt down to study the steps carefully. They were carved of stone with many cracks in the surface. A thin layer of dust covered the staircase, and as proof Astro wiped his finger on one of them. “Astro, come on,” Roseabelle commanded. He was about to stand up, when he shouted, “Wait! Stop!”

  The two peered curiously at him. “Do you have a light?” he asked.

  Both of them shook their heads, but then Roseabelle paused. “Of course!” She got out her Dragocone Ray and shone it on the spot where Astro was pointing.

  A collection of hieroglyphs ran down the steps. Astro started at the top of the stairs and slowly went down, pressing each picture. “What are you doing?” Jessicana asked.

  Astro shrugged. “I don’t get why Horsh would spend all this time decorating a stone stairway unless it’s a vital part of finding the Stones.”

  “Maybe he was into décor,” Jessicana suggested, and Astro rolled his eyes.

  “I doubt it.” As Astro pushed on the last hieroglyph that the girls could see, they heard a small click. Seven cannons suddenly burst out of the wall, illuminated by Roseabelle’s Dragocone Ray.

  “Well done, Astro,” Jessicana commented dryly. “Well done.” Then her eyes lit up. “Wait a second!” She ran to the cannons. “I don’t think these are cannons.”

  Astro looked at her curiously. “What do you mean? What else could they be?”

  “They’re entrances! And only one of them leads to the Stones of Horsh.” At her words, the room lit up and a piece of parchment fell from the ceiling. Jessicana snatched it up. Roseabelle gave her an appraising look.

  “Nice job, Jessicana,” she commented.

  Her friend scanned the paper and then gestured for Astro and Roseabelle to have a look. “Come here,” she urged. “Look.” Astro read:

  Seven doorways, a single choice

  Which one shall you take?

  One holds a monster under a lake,

  One has a griffin with a major toothache.

  The next three hold a fiery nightmare,

  Another contains a child’s worst fear

  But only one keeps what you seek

  And here are the clues of what you speak:

  The second doorway is hot with an ugly face inside

  The doorway to the left of the last holds a many lick of flame

  The three that hold the very same thing are neighbors
in space

  The first is not the best but better than the fourth

  And darkness be resting in the last.

  Jessicana paced the room muttering to herself. “It’s a puzzle. The ugly face . . . that has to be the monster under the lake . . . maybe it’s a lake of lava . . . The doorway to the left of the one that’s last is the sixth . . . That has to be a fiery nightmare . . . the fourth, fifth, and sixth are fiery nightmares . . . Darkness has to be a child’s worst fear. . .” Jessicana turned to her friends. “It’s the third. I’m positive.”

  As Astro stared at the cannons, he gulped. “You sure, Jessicana?”

  The blonde nodded and said in a clear voice, “We choose the third.” The other cannons slid back into the wall and Astro stepped into the third. “I’m going to regret this,” he muttered as he began to crawl through the darkness with Roseabelle right behind him.

  * * * * *

  ROSEABELLE WAS GLAD THAT JESSICANA WAS RIGHT. THE dank tunnel opened up to a bright empty room with nothing but a silver cage in the corner. As soon as the three friends stepped out, the tunnel closed behind them. There was no turning back now.

  “What do we do?” Astro whispered nervously.

  Roseabelle gestured to the cage and winced. Climbing through the tunnel hadn’t been kind to her arm. She’d been functioning fairly well, but the pain was becoming more unbearable. And Roseabelle had a feeling that things weren’t going to get much better.

  They walked slowly over to the cage. “There’s nothing in it.” Roseabelle sighed, peering inside.

  “How are we supposed to get out of this room then?” Astro asked.

  Roseabelle walked over to the cage and ran her hands over it. “It’s connected to something,” she said in surprise. She ran her hands up the small transparent twist of thread. “It hangs from the ceiling.”

  Jessicana stepped up to the cage. “It’s made of vegetation,” she stated. “And birdseed.” She leaned forward and ripped a piece from the cage triumphantly only to see it grow back.

  Roseabelle shook her head. “I really don’t get this . . .” She paused. “Wait a second. Jessicana, can you please turn into a bird and try to eat the cage?”