Crystal lights illuminate the cavern as Merlin sprinkles an unknown ingredient into the cauldron. "Every time, I trust you to make the right decision, you do this. Every single time." Jim fangs knaw away at the muzzle strapped to his jaw. Merlin rolls his eyes and rips it off. Jim gasps, able to properly breathe again. His remaining bindings rattle as he's yanked to his feet. "I only want what's best for you."
Claire's eyes flutter open and she shakes her head. She glances over at Toby and kicks him into consciousness. "What was that for?" He mumbles, rolling over. "Oh my gosh!" He yelps upon seeing Claire in chains. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" The panic increases as he realizes he too is chained up.
"Oh good. You're awake." The old wizard grumbles and leads Jim by the chains to a rune carved onto the stone floor.
"Leave him alone!" Toby cries and tries to wriggle free.
"Toby don't!" Claire begs, immediately recognizing the markings on his bounds. "They're enchanted. Struggling will make them burn you."
"Please, just let them go. They didn't do anything." Merlin ignores the trollhunter's pleas. He drops the metal leash and without a second thought, Jim lunges. He's thrown back by an invisible wall around the perimeter of the rune. "Oh, come on!" He rams his body into the wall again. And again.
"Would you stop that? You're going to dislocate something and I'll have that nonsense to deal with." Jim leans against the wall and sighs. His ears perk at the metallic ringing radiating from his chest. The amulet's glow dulls and the armor dissipates. Before Jim can catch it, the amulet rolls out of the rune. "Ah, here we go." The wizard picks it up and tosses it in the cauldron.
"What the heck, man!" He pauses." Listen, I promise I won't fight you anymore, I just want answers."
"I wish I could believe you, James. Merlin's iris's glow a vibrant red as his sclera fade into black. He lifts the staff and points it at Jim." Immanis cogitationes mean Arma Lucis." The emerald releases a small orb of light. It floats in the air for a moment before entering the hall-trolls chest where the amulet should be.
A bloodcurdling roar fills the cavern, causing even the spell caster to slam his hands over his ears. Blue light flashes from Jim's trollish markings. The light spreads across his body as it morphs. His arms and legs shorten, his horns retract into his skull, his fur sheds to reveal the pink skin underneath. His roar fades to a child's screams. The orb leaves his chest and Jim collapses to the ground.
"No no no!" Claire cries, seeing Jim limp on the floor. She gathers her wits and takes a deep breath. "Ad lunam quaeruntur mea comand!" The amethyst around her neck glows and purple fire climbs up arms. The chains explode into metal shards. She quickly blasts Toby free and they sprint to check on their friend.
The invisible wall falls as Claire blasts a crack into the floor, splitting the rune. "Come on, Jimbo. Wake up." Toby pulls the boy into his lap and brushes the raven hair from his forehead. "You're okay. You're okay."
"He's not breathing."
"Okay, okay, okay. I've got this." Toby lays the trollhunter back onto the ground and sits on his knees. He balls his fist and rhythmically pushes into the boy's chest. He breathes air into the lungs and continues trying to keep his heart pumping. He winces as one of Jim's ribs cracks. "Come on. Come on."
A cough erupts from Jim's throat and blood drains from his nostrils. His eyes are a sickly gray and his skin soaked with sweat, but he's alive. He's promptly dragged into a group hug of tears and relief. "Ow!" He yelps and clutches his broken rib.
"Good thing your mom's a doctor, huh?" Toby forces an apologetic smile. But Jim doesn't hear him as he examines his now five-fingered hand.
"You may want to stand back." Merlin blows out the fire under the cauldron."Evigilare faciatis."
Claire helps her boyfriend to his feet. "We've gotta get out of here."
"W-what did you do?" Jim stumbles forward. His friends catch him. "You said-!" He falls silent as a figure emerges from the cauldron, wearing his amulet.
Broad shoulders sprout long clawed arms. Followed by powerful legs and a lion-like tail extending from the spine. Curved horns erupt from the forms skull. The amulet embedded in its chest coats it's stony skin with the Eclipse armor. Slit red eyes gleam from beneath the creatures bangs.
"Ah, it's like looking in a mirror isn't it." Merlin chuckles and strokes his beard. The children's complexions drain into a ghostly white. "Oh, he won't hurt you." He pats the creature on the arm. "Would you, James?" It's tail twitches. "Come now, I know you can talk."
"Oh my god." Claire drags Jim back away from the creature. We have to go, now."