AO3 Link Phase 2 Chapter 20
Spirit rallies lead by Coach Lawrence were something else. Jim, Toby, Eemeli, and I sat near the back of the bleachers as Coach tried to spell out ‘Arcadia’ as our Mole mascot ran around him.
Toby was entranced by the mascot while Jim was going over his latest Gunmar themed nightmare. “And his eye is glowing. And then, the dream just keeps reminding me that I’m completely way out of my league,” Jim exclaimed, trying to explain why he was freaking out to Toby and Eemeli since I heard everything earlier this morning. “Right? Tobes,” Jim huffed, realizing Toby was intently staring at the mascot.
I snickered at the boys, knowing the look toby was giving the mole mascot. I nudged Eemeli, nodding towards the mascot. “Here we go.”
“Who is that masked mole?” Toby asked, “You ever wonder?” He directed to Jim, eyes never leaving the dancing mole.
Jim rolled his eyes, turning to face Toby. “You didn’t a word I said just then, did you?”
Toby nodded with a grin, “Sure, I did. You had no problems sneaking into the Darklands when it was to save Claire’s brother,” Jim nodded along, as Toby recounted everything he was freaking out over, “but now that Kanjigar says you’ve got to face Gunmar, you’re having nightmares about him and are freaking out that you’re way out of your league.” Toby threw his hands up before punching Jim’s arm lightly. “I can multi-task, Jimbo.”
Jim smiled, shaking his head as he looked at the mole again. “It’s Bill Aronstein.”
“Bill moved to Wisconsin.” Toby huffed out, gesturing as the mole ran from one side of the basketball court to the other. “This is someone else’s artistry.” Leaning forward as he mused, “Someone with feminine wiles.”
Jim groaned, throwing his hands out, clipping my head in the process. “Sorry River. What feminine wiles, Tobes? How do you even know that it’s a girl under there?”
I rolled my eyes, rubbing the back of my head as Eemeli and I turned to face the boys. “It could be anyone Tobes.”
“Uh, trust me, dudes. I know women, and that is all woman under there.” Toby huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
My right brow rose in disbelief as I eyed Toby, “Really?”
“You don’t count,” Toby glared, waving a finger in my face, “When it comes to HUMAN women, I know women.”
I raised my hands in defeat as Eemeli fought to contain his laughter, shoulders shaking as we turned back to focus on the announcements. Coach Lawrence dismissing the mole mascot as they trip, knocking into him. He announced that the principle was out with the flu and that Spring Fling was coming up.
I groaned at the mention of the dance, “Good thing we don’t have to do anything. The last thing any of us need is another distraction.” I huffed out, leaning back against Jim’s knees.
“School dance? Not excited to go?” Eemeli teased, enjoying normal school activities now that the school was mostly changeling free.
“River’s never been to one, apparently social settings that require human interaction are a cause to hide at home playing video games. Doesn’t even give anyone a chance to ask her.” Toby snickered, remembering last year’s Spring Fling disaster.
“We don’t talk about that,” I growled out, whacking his shin. As Coach announced the girls nominated by the staff for Spring Fling Queen. Looks like it was Shannon, Darci, and Mary this year. I was surprised Claire was listed, but at least she’d be able to focus on possibly going to the Darklands.
Steve was announced as the first candidate for Spring Fling King. I rolled my eyes as he was Coach’s pick. Sitting up as Eli’s name was called, I whistled, cheering for my friend while the other students tried to tease him. Glaring down the students that tried to bully him.
The last name sent our little group into shock as Coach announced, “and finally, Jim Lake Junior!”
Toby had stopped dead in his tracts as he was reassuring Jim that we’d all be able to focus a hundred percent on training. Jim’s face fell in horror as his name was called. “What?” He cried out, not wanting anything to do with Spring Fling.
“So much for a hundred percent,” Eemeli chuckled, sitting back as the students launched out of their seats while cheering.
I groaned, leaning my head back on Jim’s lap, staring up at him, “You’re screwed,” I smirked, teasing him. “You could always drop out.” My head snapped to Steve as I heard him insulting Eli. glaring down at him, I leaned over to Eemeli, “How bad would it be if I blasted him with daylight?” I asked irritated.
“You’d risk exposing magic and Troll-kind to humans, but I’d be down to hide a body.” A feral grin split his face, like the one he had at the battle for the Bridge.
“Good to know,” I huffed, barely paying attention to Coach’s explanation about themes and contests.
“How am I going to find time to,” Jim began to panic as Toby grabbed him by the jacket.
“That’s not what’s important, Jimbo!” He grinned, bouncing with excitement. “Here’s what is: You’ve got a chance to be king of the school!” He raised Jim’s arm in mock victory before gasping out, “You know what that means? That would make me a duke.” Toby jumped up as the gym had cleared, now chanting “Jim Lake for Spring King!”
The rest of the school day went by without incident, Jim trying to block the thought of having to compete for Spring King. During chemistry and trig I helped Eli design a theme for his campaign, he wanted something fun and high energy, so we came up with the 1980s. All I could think of was neon, big hair, and loud music when I thought about the 80s.s
I split off from Eli as the boys, Claire, and I headed to Trollmarket, Jim, and I had to be in the forge together so he could train in the void. I refused to go one time and had to awkwardly explain to Stuart that I was Narcoleptic since I had been ripped out of my body in the middle of his store.
I sat down in the forge as Jim and I were pulled into the void. Ignoring Kanjigar and the other Trollhunters I flashed up to Deya’s statue. She hasn’t spoken since the first time we were pulled in here, but she was comforting to be around. The other Trollhunters insisted on pretending I wasn’t in the void while they trained Jim. Kanjigar and I still seemed to be at odds, whether it was due to my outburst, being involved with Draal, or my blood, he didn’t seem to keen on my constant presence.
“Bets on how long Jim’s going to take this round of beatings?” I asked Deya’s statue, nodding to myself as I watched Kanjigar and the spirit orbs bash into Jim as he tried to defend himself. “I give 2 hours, 3 tops.”
Deya’s eyes glowed, letting me know she heard and was watching over the sparring.
I sighed leaning back as the sparring continued, glaring daggers as Kanjigar began to fight dirty. My magic flared up, causing Deya to let out a laugh as Jim was knocked over well into their training.
Kanjigar leaned over Jim, sword held to his throat. “Blinkous and my son have trained you well, in the art of single combat” He sighed, as the spirit orbs continue to pelt Jim while he was down. “But rarely will your enemies do the courtesy of striking one at a time.”
I flicked my wrist out, sending a small blast of Daylight for Kanjigar, causing him to jump back from Jim as I flashed from perch to his side. “You think Jim’s allies will just stand to the side?” I snarled, pulling Midnight into the void.
Kanjigar snarled, swinging Daylight for my head. I stared him down as the blade stopped before cutting through me, refusing to move further. I smirked, activating Midnight quickly. I hooked the blade on Kanjigar’s horn, pumping as much magic as I could in the void into the lance, throwing Kanjigar across the arena similar to when Draal and I sparred.
Jim groaned, sitting up as I offered my hand. Helping him to his feet quickly as Kanjigar recovered. He paused to look over Daylight before turning to Jim and me both. “It seems the impure has decided to join your training.”
I growled, Midnight glowing brightly as my irritation slipped into the weapon. Jim put an arm in front of me, keeping me back. “You made your point. We’re not exactly ready to face Gunmar. Even with my friends, I’m not strong enough.” I opened my mouth to argue with Jim, but he cut me off quickly. “You’re still recovering. The only reason you can use this much magic here is that your body is in the forge.” Jim reasoned. Wincing, I allowed Midnight to disappear. Gritting my teeth tight, I knew Jim was right. I couldn’t fight like this outside of the Void, not yet.
Kanjigar watched the exchange, letting out a sigh, he turned to Deya’s statue, her eyes glowing softly, letting us know she was watching. “You must be prepared to face Gunmar. We needed to be hard on you because neither of you would listen to us. You had to see for yourselves.” Kanjigar turned to Jim. “You hold back when you know your opponent, and thus I can’t gauge your abilities until you learn to stop pulling your punches.”
Turning to me, Kanjigar sighed softly, a glint of guilt flashed across his eyes. “You are too willing to jump into a fight, even at the cost of your own life.” He pulled the memory of me pushing Toby in front of me the first night Bular chased us down, shifting to the first time I used magic to protect Jim. Blasting myself of the Forge wall when I though Draal would drop Jim into the Abyss. Each reckless decision, every injury that should have killed me. The woods when Nomura attacked. My fight with Eemeli, overloading my magic to knock Nomura off Draal, almost getting pulled into the Darklands, spending the last of my energy to heal Draal. “If not for my son, and your friends, you wouldn’t be standing here now, Merlin’s heir or not.”
I frowned watching as the memories surround us, magic flaring more and more as each one passed by. Frowning at my lack of reaction, Kanjigar dismissed the memories. “If you continue to act recklessly, there will come a day when they won’t be able to save you. What will Draal do then?” He asked causing me to flinch back, snapping my head to look up at him.
“River,” This was the first time he called me by my name, “you are Merlin’s heir, and even as a trained wizard, Merlin is not invincible.” Kanjigar turned, looking over the statues. “Gunmar is death, and if you face him in the Darklands, you both must be prepared, your friends included if you drag them into your fight.”
“There’s no way to kill Gunmar!” The other Trollhunter statues hissed out, the only quiet statue being Deya. The voices began to argue on whether Gunmar was invincible or not.
Jim frowned looking over the statues, “What do they mean?” He asked Kanjigar, knowing that only he would give us a straight answer.
Kanjigar held up his spirit version of Daylight, letting it float between him and us. “That sword of yours has fought him many times but has never killed him.” He supplied, “Your weapon and armor were created with a singular purpose in mind,” he sighed, gesturing to Jim “to protect your world,” he then held his out to me, “and ours.” Turning from us as the Void slowly began to fade, Kanjigar left us with a final thought, “Don’t forsake that solemn mission to save one human child and lose your lives in the process.”
We returned to the Forge, Draal keeping an eye on my body while I was away. “Jim,” He spoke, making sure I was fine as he helped me up. “Did you see my father?”
Jim sighed as the armor fell, “I did,” he began walking past Draal and me, not hearing the hidden question.
Draal sighed, following Jim’s movements, “Did he speak of me?”
Jim flinched, thinking over what Kanjigar hold told me. “Yeah. He wished the Soothscryer could let you in, but, you know, the rules are the rules.”
Draal shook his head, blowing steam from his nose at Jim’s obvious lie. “It’s alright, Trollhunter.” I winced, thinking back to the memory of Kanjigar pushing Draal away. “You do not have to lie to protect my feelings.”
I grasped Draal’s arms, nuzzling under his chin in comfort, “He did speak of you, but it was more of a warning.”
Draal returned the gesture, frowning as I mentioned a warning, “What is it with elders warning you?” He asked, referring to Ms. Kamaria’s warning on my birthing day.
“He said my recklessness would get me killed one day. My friends wouldn’t be able to save me, and that he didn’t know what you would do if that happened. I think he’s been goading me into fights this entire time.” I huffed, taking this warning to heart.
Draal hummed, unused to his father caring showing that he cared. “Any other news?”
Jim sighed approaching us, “He said we can’t kill Gunmar. I would only be leading my friends to their deaths.”
Draal snarled, “Too bad. I was looking forward to proving him wrong.” He nuzzled his nose against my cheek, smiling. “About more than Gunmar.”
Jim smiled at Draal’s declaration. He had been having issues with how the Trollhunter council had been treating me since his Void training started. “So was I.”
Arrrgh came running into the Forge, stopping short as he saw that Jim and I were no longer in the Void.
“What’s going Arrrgh?” I asked, worried about his panic.
“Blinky,” was all he got out as he turned, running back to Trollmarket.
Jim, Draal, and I took off running after him quickly, worried about could happen to Blinky that would cause Arrrgh to panic.
“Of course, it’s there!” Blinky cheered as we entered the library. Books were scattered from one endo the library to the other. Claire, Toby, and Eemeli sitting awkwardly on piles of books as they watched Blinky pace back and forth. “It’s true!” He grinned, running further into the library.
“How long has he been like this?” Jim asked Arrrgh, watching anxiously as Blinky began pacing again.
“Long time,” Arrrgh sighed, following the six-eyed troll.
“Decaf?” I asked Jim, noticing the stone mugs littering the room along with the books.
“Yeah,” Jim nodded, eyeing the number of caffeinated drinks, “may you should switch to decaf.”
Blinky rushed over to us, reading through an ancient book, “According to legend, only one scholar, the Dishonorable Bodus, uncovered a method of wound Gunmar.” He informed us, heading further into the library again, peering through piles and shelves.
Jim and exchanged a confused glance, the words of the elder Trollhunters racing through our minds. “The Trollhunters just told us there wasn’t any way to kill him,” Jim spoke, following Blinky as Arrrgh, Draal, and I began sifting through the scattered books. “How do you do it?”
Blinky turned, walking backward as he spoke to Jim. “No one knows. Gunmar had Bodus and his students hunted down and dispatched in a most unpleasant manner.”
Eemeli winced at the mention of hunting, raising his hand slightly, “Yeah, my bad.”
I sighed, lightly whacking his head with a book I picked up to skim. “You do know you don’t have to tell us about every job?”
Eemeli shrugged, “And have it come back to bite me in the ass? No thanks.” He pouted, snatching the book before I could whack him again.
“Yes,” Blinky cleared his throat, gaining our attention again. “Here in this book, ‘The Final Testament of Bodus’ – the last surviving copy of his work!” He cried out, waving said book around. “This is the key!”
Slamming the book down, he gave us all a blank stare, “And I’m going to burn it.”
We all jolted forward, Arrrgh dropping the book he was looking at, “Long time!” He cried out as we sprung into action, trying to stop Blinky from destroying our only lead to defeating Gunmar.
Blinky quickly set the book ablaze, causing Jim to rush for it, “Blinky, no! What are you doing?!” He cried out, trying to grab the burning book, “That book might tell us the” Blinky held us back, using all four-arms as he interrupted Jim.
“Bodus was being hunted! He knew he had to keep it secret!” He explained quickly, trying to stop us from putting out the fire.
Toby tried to throw water on the fired but couldn’t get past Blinky’s arms. Eemeli stopped trying to get past Blinky, understanding his explanation.
I paused, watching the burning book, “It’s not written in the book, it’s IN the book.” I said, grasping why Blinky needed to burn it. Draal looked at me confused, my explanation giving no more clues than Blinky.
“Burn, baby! Burn!” Blinky yelled, cackling as the book turned to ash.
“No!” Claire yelled, throwing a tarp over the fire, putting out the flame.
Toby ran to the pile of ash in disbelief, “Did Blinky just destroy our only chance at getting Gunmar?”
“Or my baby brother!” Claire frowned, staring at the ashes.
Blinky quickly approached, “You don’t understand.” He stated, pulling Claire and Toby from the ashes so he could deal with them. “Bodus hid the secret WITHIN the book.” He sighed, as other than Eemeli and I, the others thought blinky was off his rocker.
He blew the ashes from the table, script now etched where the book had been. “It’s a message!” Claire grinned, leaning over to get a better view.
Blinky cheered as we piled closer to see the message, “I’m so glad that worked.”
“What does it say?” Jim asked, unable to read Trollish.
Blinky began reading off the hidden words. “In darkest tide, when Daylight darest wane, the Myrddin Wylt obscured a Shadow’s bane.”
“Wylt? Like River?” Toby asked, referring to my last name, given by my mother.
“It’s an ancient name of Merlin.” Claire chimed in, the obviousness of my name causing Eemeli to snicker. “Shouldn’t someone be taking a picture of this or something?” She asked, causing Toby to pull out his phone.
“Three forces elemental thou must seek.” Blinky continued, reading the script carefully. “In marshland, caverns deep, and mountain’s peak. Where worthy perish, ye will prevail in night and eclipse all who quarry with thy might.” He finished reading off.
Toby grunted, looking around the group, “Anyone else freaked out a little bit by this evil perish poem?
Jim shook his head quickly, looking over the etching, “No. It said we can prevail! We can win!”
“Merlin hid a Shadow’s bane.” I spoke up, “Does that mean Gunmar’s bane?”
“It’s referencing a weapon in insurmountable power,” Blinky explained, heading over to the furthest shelves in his library. “Formed by three forces unhallowed,” He trailed off, pulling three books from the shelves. “Of course! It must be the Triumbric Stones!” He grinned, rushing back with the books he pulled. “Three shards of legend tied to Gunmar’s lifeblood, lost to the age.”
Jim and I grinned, both thinking the same thing, “If we seek out these stones,” He began.
“We kill Gunmar,” I finished, grinning.
“Blinky, you mad man, you did it!” Jim cried, hope returning now that we had a lead on how to defeat Gunmar.
Toby jumped up, excited, “We make the weapon and wham! Gunmar is done-mar!” He laughed with Jim.
Arrrgh frowned warning Toby as he ran off to inspect the books. “Caution.”
“Indeed!” Blinky grinned as we drew closer, looking over the pictures of the stones. “The Triumbric Stones have been hidden for centuries, but if I can decipher this text, Master Jim, then you shall,”
“Eclipse all who quarry with thy might,” Clair recited.
We now had a lead, one Gunmar had tried to destroy. That alone gave us hope that finding these stones was the key to defeating him.
I met with the Changeling, Stricklander, at a cliffside overlooking a village that appeared to be set aflame.
“This is what the world has become, Angor Rot.” The Changeling smirked as I drew closer.
“This village,” I began to ask.
“It’s called ‘Arcadia Oaks’.” The Changeling interrupted.
“It’s on fire?” I finally got out, confused as to why the humans weren’t trampling through the forest in a panic.
“No. Those are called lights.” Stricklander explained, “Something known as electricity. You’ll come to enjoy it, along with indoor plumbing.” He smirked, holding out a cup similar to the one he was drinking from. “So many advances since you’ve been away.”
I sneered at the cup, looking over the village again. “The bridge to Gunmar is under this, Arcadia?”
Stricklander growled at the mention of Killahead Bridge. “The Bridge will be spoken of no longer. Gunmar had his chance to rule. Now it’s my turn.” He smirked, heading to the edge of the cliff.
I leaned against the ‘car’ the Changeling arrived in, “Your turn for what?” I asked, annoyed.
“Revenge and insurance.” He stated, explaining further after a moment, “In this town, there is a boy and this boy fancies a girl, a girl whose brother is being held in the Darklands. If the boy saved the child from the changeling nursery, he’ll want to save them all. And it is my job to watch over my half-breed brethren, and not let that happen.” He turned, determined to keep he changelings safe.
I rolled my eyes, watching the lights in the village, “But how could a fleshbag even contemplate such a feat?” I asked, starting to thing this Changeling was mad.
Stricklander smirked, “This boy is the Trollhunter.” At my shocked expression, his smirk grew, “It’s a long story. However, you should know he is related to Merlin’s heir, she resides in Arcadia as well.”
My eyes widened; Merlin’s heir could only mean one person.
“The moral of the story is that you should never underestimate them.” Strickler snarled, “They already managed to kill the son of Gunmar.” He smirked, brushing his coat off, “Obviously, I could deal with him myself, but a man of my esteemed stature in this community can’t do anything without arousing unwanted suspicion.”
“You’re afraid of fleshbag children,” I sneered, stalking towards the changeling.
“I am not!” He defended, “I’m merely,” the end of the shadow staff cut him off as I drew close.
“He bested Bular and you are afraid,” I stated, “That is why you require Angor Rot.” I grinned, backing him to the edge of the cliffs.
Glaring, the changeling shoved the Inferna Copula in my face, causing to back up a step. “Just remember who’s in charge here.” He snarled, “I bear the ring. You answer to me. When the children are finished, you will have your freedom.”
“A human Trollhunter, I have never hunted such game,” I smirked, circling Stricklander, “And Merlin’ heir? You protect your Changeling brothers and sisters, yet you would have me dispatch of her?” I sneered; it was obvious this Changeling had no idea what he was truly dealing with.
Stricklander’s eyes grew wide at the new information as I neared the cliff edge. “I will kill them, but I will do it on my own terms.” I snarled, leaping from the edge and into the village of lights below. Might as well let the Pale Lady’s child dwell on this startling information.
I quickly followed the scent of the amulet to a group of buildings near the woods. Two building reeked of its stench, but the scent of magic was stronger in the one where a lone adult female took residence. I perched atop the second building to watch the house, pulling flesh from my body to carve while I waited.
The female was pacing the house for hours when two fleshbags rode up on a smaller ‘car.’ The female smelled strongly of magic, Daylight to be precise. So, this was Lady Ganieda’s offspring. From what the Eldritch Queen had spoken, I expected her to be less, fleshy.
I examined the male fleshbag as they entered the house. Both teens quickly getting into an argument with the female adult. She didn’t know. I sneered; this could be useful for the hunt.
The Trollhunter head up the stairs with Merlin’s heir, however when they reached their quarters, Merlin’s heir vanished.
Standing quickly, I surveyed the area, checking to see if she had somehow spotted me. I caught sight of movement in the windows near the ground. It seemed this is where Merlin’s heir truly resided. Fitting she would be drawn underground.
Grinning as the house settled down for the night, I blew off the final shavings from the stone flesh I had been carving. It was time to see just how these two defeated the Son of Gunmar.
Arguing with mom had just felt wrong. Draal had heard the entire argument from the basement and set up the nest for a movie night, something we occasionally did when I couldn’t leave the house due to mom and I could sleep. So far, Draal had found talking llamas and space pirates to be his favorite animated movie subjects.
We stayed curled up in the nest into the early hours of the morning. When I finally decided to head up to get ready, mom continued her silent treatment, ignoring Jim and me as best as she could while she left.
“This isn’t going well.” Jim sighed as Draal came up, seeing us off in the garages for school, Eemeli picking us up for the day.
“Dr. Lake still not talking to you?” Eemeli asked, seeing mine and Jim’s expressions as Toby slide into the back seat with Jim.
“Worse,” I groaned, waving to Draal as Eemeli took off. “We got in a fight last night, neither of us could come up with a new alibi, she’s so mad.”
“There’s not much we can do about it, she’ll be in more danger if we tell her anything,” Jim frowned, staring out the window.
“With Strickler gone, that’s one less threat to her that we have to deal with.” I perked up slightly, thankful we would have to get rid of mom’s changeling boyfriend.
Eemeli tried to crack a joke about Dr. Lake and Ganieda both having a thing for Changelings, though it only received a snort from me and a huff swallowed chuckle from Tobes. Today was not going very well, and it was only the beginning of school.
The students we quickly filed into the auditorium as Coach Lawrence called for Spring Fling Announcements.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” Toby asked Jim as we entered.
“I wear this every day, Tobes. What else would I be wearing?” Jim asked, not seeing the problem.
“Theme announcements,” I stated as we looked for seats in the bleachers.
“In a few minutes, you’re selling everyone your theme for the school dance,” Toby explained, heading back to our usual area.
“Tobes, look, I’d love to be Spring King. Who wouldn’t?” Jim said, gesturing to the students slowly entering the gym, glaring at me when I raised my hand, opting out of his statement. “I’m just a little preoccupied right now with not getting killed!” He exclaimed, trying to get it through Toby’s head.
“There are fates worse than death, Jimbo,” Toby argued, slipping towards the break in the bleachers, letting out a yelp of panic. Jim grabbed his collar, pulling him back to our seats quickly. “In high school, anyway.” He continued without issue.
“Is he always like this?” Eemeli asked, confused by how bothered Toby was to almost falling off of the bleachers.
“In a word? Yes,” I stated, crossing my arms, completely disagreeing with Toby on this one.
Toby jumped onto the seat of the bleacher, grinning wide as he gestured over the room. “This is our chance to get the school to finally recognize how cool we are.”
“We?” Jim asked, not keeping up with Toby’s brain.
“If you become Spring King, it’ll open a whole new bracket of women.” Toby continued his explanation causing me to roll my eyes. This was not going to end well. “I’m talking cheerleaders, senior cheerleaders. Dare I dream? Community college dropouts!”
“Who tend to be over 18, therefore, not in your current age bracket,” I tried to reason, knowing it would go in one ear and out the other.
Toby rolled his eyes, jumping over to the next set of bleachers, “If you don’t want to do it for us, Jimbo, do it for me.” He requested, switching on his best puppy eyes. “I’ve always felt like I was destined to be a duke.
“He’s serious, isn’t he?” Eemeli asked, astonish at Toby’s train of thought.
“Fine,” Jim rolled his eyes, giving in to Toby. “I’ll try to throw some kind of costume together, okay?” Toby cheered in excitement, finally taking his seat. “River? Think you could help?”
“Hang with an over-excited Tobes or watch your train wreck front row?” I smirked, following Jim out, “I’ll go with the train wreck.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence. You helped Eli, right? What’s he doing?” Jim asked as we headed into the history classroom.
“Roaring 80s,” I chuckled, looking over the posters and books stashed in the class, “Ren fair?” I asked, holding up an old poster of Camelot.
“Ironic, but no.” He huffed “Ugh! The things I do for Toby. Where am I supposed to find a costume?”
“Just saying, you could pull a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ audition with your armor again,” shrugged, leaning against the windows.
“Maybe I should just be stapler-man,” Jim joked, pausing next to me as something outside caught his attention. “What is that?”
I turned quickly, catching sight of shadows moving across the soccer field, something walking into the shade of the trees. “If it’s a weird thing, it’s a Troll thing.” I sighed.
We ignored Coach Lawrence’s announcement as we quickly ran outside to find whatever we had seen from the classroom.
Surveying the field, Jim and I cautiously approached center the center where a fresh pile of dirt was patted down. Jim glanced over it, deciding to pay it no mind as we drew closer to the trees. The ground began to shake snapping our attention back to the center of the field as rock, grass, and mud combined into a large creature.
The creature attacked, slamming its fist into the ground where Jim had stood. We ran to the trees trying to gain some sort of cover. Eri popping her head out of my hoodie to see what the noise was all about. “I think now would be a good time for armor!” She hissed to Jim and me.
Nodding, I pushed as little magic as possible into the belt, my armor taking form quickly. Jim, still panicking over almost getting crushed, tried talking to the creature first. “Um, hi. I know we just met, but what are you?” He called out from behind a tree.
The creature swung, tossing Jim from the trees to the opposite side of the field.
“Jim!” I yelled, eyes glowing as I flashed to him, checking him over for injuries. “I don’t think it wants to talk.” I scolded, helping him up from the mud.
“It can’t think for itself, let alone talk!” Eri snapped,’ curling around my bicep, using her ice breath to spray the creature. “It’s a golem! Someone had to put it here!”
“Alright! I get it. Strong, silent type.” Jim huffed out, quickly donning his armor, Daylight at the ready.
Ran in different directions, letting the golem chase one of us, then the other, watching its movements carefully as we tore across the soccer field.
The golem clipped Jim, sending him face-first into the dirt. “Alright,” Jim ground out, spitting up grass. “You wanna fight dirty?” He summoned Daylight, standing off with the golem for as he looked for an opening.
I caught sighed of a Troll in the tree line watching us, he seemed to be amused at our struggle with the golem. His smirk grew as his eyes locked with mine, nodding back to Jim and Golem.
I turned to see that each limb Jim cut off grew back quickly using the field to generate its limbs. The golem grabbed Jim, tossing him into the air and kicking him into the goal net. Snarling I took off after the golem, flashing above it, I activated Midnight, concentrating on only using small bursts of magic, I quickly shot off a blast of blue fire, taking out part of its torso, revealing a small stone doll.
Jim untangled himself from the net as I landed behind the golem, watching it regenerate, “My sword and your magic isn’t working. Any ideas?” He asked as we dodged a muddy fist.
“There’s some kind of idol hidden in its chest,” I called to Jim.
“Go high!” He directed, rushing the Golem.
I smirked, flashing up to its fast, eyes and sclera glowing bright blue as I unleased a larger blast of magic, revealing the stone doll. Jim used the momentum of the golems last swing to propel himself to the totem, cutting swiftly and destroying it.
Once the totem was destroyed, the golem exploded, knocking Jim and I back, dousing us from head to toe in mud.
“So much for a costume,” Jim wheezed, catching his breath as his and my armor deactivated.
“I hate golems.” Eri sneered, slithering back into the pocked of my mud-covered hoodie, absorbing the left-over energy from my last attack.
A quick laugh left my lungs as observed the tree line, “Did you see the troll?” I asked, unable to spot him in the shadows.
“Yeah, I did.” He groaned, standing up, helping me to my feet. “We gotta go, I think I’m going to just drop from the contest.”
“Good idea,” I sighed, trying to wipe the mud off of myself as we headed into the gym, tracking it in with us as we gained everyone’s attention.
“What’s going on here?” Coached asked, disgusted by the mud we were tracking in.
“Looks like you’ve been digging in the dirt, Lakes. What the heck is that supposed to be?” Steve sneered, backing down as I got in his face, wiping the mud from my hand on her Hawaiian shirt.
“Look at that, now we match.” I huffed, staying behind with Eli and Steve as Jim headed to Coach.
“He looks like a mole!” Eli cheered out; this caused the students to collectively lose it in the bleachers. Everyone freaking out over ‘Mole Mania,’ as Toby declared it. Our mole mascot breaking out in dance, excited that our school would be represented in Jim’s theme.
“Mole mania isn’t even a theme!” Steve complained, snapping his jaw as I raised my other mud-covered hand. Eri decided to pop her tiny head out, flicking her tongue in annoyance at Steve. Upon seeing her, Steve took off towards the bleachers, trying to get away from the ‘Danger Noodle!’
Eli paused in his cheering to marvel over Eri, completely calm about the little snake as Jim joined us. “Mole Mania! Great idea Jim!” He congratulated Jim.
Jim laughed, poking the top of Eri’s head, “Had a little surprise help. River said you were doing the 1980s?” He asked as Coach began to announce that we had a temporary replacement for the Principal.
“Please welcome Principal Strickler!” Coach turned, motioning behind the boys and me.
I quickly pulled away from Eli, feeling my eyes burn at the shock of Coach’s announcement. I carefully pulled my hood up, watching as Strickler walked past us, pausing briefly at the sight of my hood before taking the mic from Coach Lawrence.
“What is he doing here?” Jim asked, glaring art Strickler’s back.
Strickler glanced back to our group, allowing eyes to shift before turning to address the students. “I’m very glad to be back and excited to get started. But let it be known, with me in charge, things are going to change.”
When Deya said 'change was coming,' I don’t think she meant this.
