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They made their way through winding pathways until they came to a clearing where a giant vine sprouted from the towering beanstalk, its thick trunk anchoring itself deep into the clouds. Barrett watched, mesmerized, as a pod at the top bloomed open and closed shut like a mouth, revealing that it was indeed a living creature. It seemed to sense them below, because it began to descend slowly. Its leaves rustled gently in the wind, almost like whispering secrets as it crept closer.
Barrett inhaled deeply, smelling scents of lavender and honey mixed with ozone and something else - magic. A sweet symphony of distant melodies carried on the wind too, each one more enchanting than the last. The beanstalk swayed gently back and forth as if dancing with excitement for its new arrivals.
Jackson dropped Barrett's hand and turned to face the king.
"This. This stalk is how I came here."
"You are no human," the giant sneered.
"No, these were gifted to me. I grew these with beans from another farmer. But this is how I came here and how we will leave and return."
Barrett's chest constricted at the false promise.
"Do not try to jump. Even a creature your size would fracture every bone or die trying. It took me over five hours to climb up - we need more time or this will not work."
The giant was quiet. His eyes narrowed into tiny slits and he lowered his face until it was level with Jackson. Still, the farmer didn't flinch.
The giant's breath was putrid and foul, like a mixture of decaying flesh and spoiled food. The air around them grew thick with the stench, intensifying as the giant spoke.
"How long?"
"Four days."
The giant scoffed. "Not a moment longer or we will risk your so-called weapons."
The giant rose back, the wind from the motion nearly pulling Barrett forward.
"You are as useful as I knew you would be the day I stole you." That giant whispered with a sickening grin. "Now climb."
Jackson took Barrett's hand again, squeezing tightly this time. This time he knew he heard Lark and Thorne's footsteps as they walked through the clouds until all four stood at the rim of the cloud where the beanstalk broke through.
"We need to jump," Jackson said with a hint of dismay before dropping Barrett's hand and leaping at the vine.
Without pausing, Barrett threw himself toward the vine, slamming into it and begging his hands to wrap around a notch in the thick vine. Gripping onto the rough bark, Barrett held tight and watched as Jackson began to climb down.
He looked down, watching as Jackson's muscular form seemed to move with a practiced ease until he disappeared below the clouds. Barrett couldn't see Lark or Thorne as they were on the other side, but he knew he needed to climb down to keep the balance.
Or at least you have to make it seem like you believe Jackson's lie.
The muscles in his arms burned as he pulled himself hand-over-hand down the vine, the rough bark biting into his palms. The thick stalk somehow swayed under his grip, the leaves rustling like a living thing trying to avoid his grasp.
The air was crisp, cold, and filled with the scent of celestial flowers that emanated from the fantastical world above. He hadn't smelled them before, but somehow the honey-sweet scent tickled his nose as if trying to take residence.
With each handhold and foothold, he could feel the beanstalk tremble beneath him—alive with magic. He swallowed hard against the acidic taste of fear in his mouth and pushed downward, foot by foot. The clouds parted to reveal an endless expanse of sky gradually turning purple beneath him—a stark contrast to the bright light of early morning surrounding him a moment ago.
Barrett's heart pounded in his ears as he dangled over this new world - a world filled with impossible possibilities but also unknown dangers lurking in every shadow.
The wind whipped against him as they made their way down, threatening to pull Barrett away from his hold on the vine at every turn. His knuckles went white from gripping so tightly, but he refused to let go. He could feel Jackson's solid presence just below him, urging him on with gentle words and reassuring touches whenever they reached sturdy ground again. Lark and Thorne followed close behind, their grunts echoing through their newfound bond created by a shared experience neither would forget anytime soon.
Mardoc's call was the only warning before it dove past Barrett, seemingly delighting in the ability to stretch its wings once again.
They were all moving together now, and trust was imperative if they were going to survive this journey home together.
Pressure began to build between his shoulder blades as they descended faster than he would have liked. Sweat trickled down his spine despite the cold air nipping at his cheeks and nose. One misstep here would mean certain death below.
The wind howled around them, whipping against their bodies as they made their way down, threatening to pull them away with every gust. It was all Barrett could do to keep his footing on the vine as he climbed down toward Jackson.
Barrett steeled his mind off, focused only on the sensation of the knobby stalk beneath his foot when it searched for a foothold to lower him down.
