Things sure changed…. This was something Jim had started to accept.
The day he had found Merlins amulet… everything had changed. He had learned about the existence of trolls, and then slowly he had begun to understand all the layers to their century old struggles.
People he had considered friends had become his enemies… and people he had considered enemies had become friends.
And some people… he had first considered friends, then enemies… he now considered friends again, and more than ever.
Only a few months ago. Jim had been ready to swear that he would never ever trust Walt Strickler ever again.
The man had betrayed Jims trust, and even gone as far as to use Jims own mother against him! He had tried to kill Jim, and his friends to.
One of the few adults Jim had truly looked up to had turned to be a two faced, emotionless, lying troll. Whom had no problem murdering both trolls and humans to achieve his goals.
At least… That is how it had seemed at the time. Now though, as time had passed so much else had happened, Jim knew it was far more complicated than just that. Strickler was far more complicated…
And as such, as suddenly Strickler had appeared ones again in Jims house. With Nomura no less…. Jim was happy to see him! Just a few months back and he would have been furious. Now how-ever… at this time… Jim actually felt relief by the sight of them. Lord knew they needed all the help they could get! Things were difficult now. Gunmar were free, the trolls from troll marked had no home and was roaming about in the free. Which was ridicoulesly dangerous! They could not move by day time as sunlight was deadly to them, and at nighttime Gungmars men was out and about to.
The only thing the Trolls had been able to do for now was just to move from location to location, constantly. Until they could find a place to make their new stronghold.
As it turned out, it had become vital to have allies whom could tolerate sunlight and interact with humans to pull this off.
To scout ahead, to bring the trolls food, to locate the next area for the trolls to walk towards the next night, to keep a look out in day time.
Jim, Claire, Toby, Steve and Eli's big problem was they all went to school, and if they stopped coming adults would be suspicious. They came after school to help out, they brought the food and information. But that still meant in those vital hours between seven in the morning and until school rung out… If it hadn't been for Strickler and Nomura, there would have been no one to keep a look out and no one whom could be their eyes outside of their shadowy hiding spot.
Which was the only reason why the other trolls were accepting the two changelings.
Even so… Jim felt really bad about the constant judging eyes offered to the changelings. Even with all of Blinky's talk about how they were now in debt to the changelings and how everyone deserved a second chance with Argh standing behind him nodding solemnly.
At least… with everyone respecting and looking towards Blinky as their leader, his words carried much more weight and the changelings were treated with a decent amount of respect. Still it was no surprise that both Strickler and Nomura would ask to be allowed to retrieved when nighttime fell and their presence weren't that important.
And so, Jim allowed them inside his house… the days his mother was working night that is. Allowing them to relax in human like surroundings the way they had become accustomed to living as humans for so long.
They spend all the day hours scouting, so it was only fair to Jim they were allowed to rest doing night time while the trolls were moving location.
And as such as Jim entered his house the first thing he saw as he looked into the kitchen was Strickler sitting on a chair hanging over the counter.
He looked incredible tired, his back was hunched and there were deep circles under his eyes as he nearly laid down instead of sitting up. "You okay there Strickler?" Jim asked as he stepped inside.
"Huh?" Strickler asked. "Oh Jim, yes i'm fine." he stated rubbing his eyes. "I just think i'll go to bed early tonight. Gotta be ready for daybreak and all."
Jim nodded as he walked towards the electric kettle filling it with water intending to make tea. "You want a cup of tea too?" he asked Strickler. "It'll help you relax."
"Yes please. Thank you Jim." Strickler yawned.
"Nomura!" Jim shouted. "Do you want some tea?" he asked.
"Sure, thank you. Do you have some of those sweet biscuits to go with it?" Nomuras voice asked.
"Sure." Jim replied as he put on the kettle and then opened the cupboard that contained the promised biscuits.
Strickler smiled amused at Jim then shook his head. "You're being very kind Jim. Especially considering…" his words lingered in the air.
"Hey that's all in the past isn't it?" Jim asked. "I mean, as long as you stay away from my mom!" he demanded. "I swear, if I catch you talking to her it's out of this house!"
"I wont interact with her I swear." Strickler assured holding up a hand. "Beside I don't think i'll be able to go through that again." he fully admitted in a exhale.
"Well, no sweat then. You're really sticking out your necks to help us these days." Jim commented as he found a tea pot and a teabag with relaxing tea, decaf of course.
"Heh, we are dead meat anyway. Might as well go out with our heads raised high." Strickler rolled his eyes. "If Gunmar succeeded in taking over the world, i'm pretty sure he would make sure to make my demise as painful as possible."
"Well…. You did kind of betray him by trying to leave him in the dark lands to take over his order in this world yourself by the power of an ancient undead troll so." Jim commented and Strickler rolled his eyes.
"I know Jim, you don't have to remind me." Strickler commented in a tired voice just as the kettle finished boiling and Jim could pour the hot water into the kettle.
As the tea was drewing Jim arranged the biscuits on a platter and finally managed to get into the living room where he saw Nomura in her troll form laying on the couch. Both arms and legs were spread out as she was basically sprawled across the entire couch her long black hair fanned over the pilow and she yawned deeply as her left foot was resting on the table and the right one on the couch back.
Jim lifted an eyebrow at her appearance… It was an odd observation. But it seemed to Jim that Nomura preferred her troll form, it looked like that to her it was like taking off a tight fitting business suit to finally relax in her troll self. Strickler how-ever, had not turned into his troll form one single time since their reunion. It didn't seem like Strickler cared a lot for his troll form, or perhaps he just preferred to blend in as a human.
Strickler after all…. was the most changeling like changeling of them all. Not only could he change his appearance, but he was able to manipulate like no other and change his attitude on a whim. He seemed likable because he wanted to appear likable, but he could also look dangerous and threatening and he could change between the two in less than a second.
Jim had witnessed it himself, how the friendly facade had peeled away to reveal a dangerous monster lurking beneath. Only for this monster to be swept aside in favor of a calm socialised demeanor.
There was no denying… That Strickler was a changeling, in every last little way that there were. He changed sides depending on what fit him the best and he changed attitude depending on the situation.
Though even with all that… right now, in this moment. Jim was pretty sure he was seeing the real Strickler.
Just a person, whom was sitting there being incredible tired as Jim put a cup of hot tea in front of him and a second plate of sweet biscuits.
"Thank you young atlas." Strickler sighed taking the cup from the counter. Using the nick name which Jim had at first taken so much pride in… then he had ended up hating it. Now… he was oddly indifferent.
"You're welcome." Jim stated taking his own tea and took a sip.
"The trolls are moving to the old factory tonight right?" Strickler asked.
"Yes, I think they should be able to stay there for a few days. It's really bothersome though, we seriously need a more permanent solution." Jim sighed deeply.
"Indeed… not only could they all die if Gunmar finds them. But just think of the ramifications if humans stumbled upon them." Strickler commented holding the teacup with both hands. "How's school Jim?" he asked.
"What?" Jim asked surprised over the abrupt subject change.
"You're not lacking behind are you?" Strickler asked. "I know you are fighting a war right now, but education is also important. If you slack off now it'll be that much harder to catch up later."
And Jim groaned suddenly reminded it was his former teacher sitting in front of him. "I'm doing fine." he assured. "It helps that I am doing the homework together with Tobes, Claire, Steve and Eli. It's actually…. It's actually a lot quicker and easier to get homework done when we all work together like that. Hell… Steve just got the highest grades he ever had on his last exam. I know it's not saying much but still."
"I must admit I am still very surprised that that airhead turned out to be usefull." Strickler admitted. "Then again… people change I suppose."
"Yeah." Jim nodded as he glanced away then looked back up. "Urhm… Strickler."
"Yes Jim." Strickler glanced back at him.
"One thing I never understood.." Jim hesitated. "Mr. Strickler… You're one of the smartest people I have ever met. If not the smartest, the only one as smart as you whom I know would be Blinky."
At that Strickler lifted an eyebrow. "You're comparing me to that buffoon?" he asked.
"Strickler! Blinky is the smartest troll on troll marked, he knows spells and history from ancient past. Yes his social skills lack unlike yours, but he is smarter than anyone else I have ever met! All maybe except you." he stated.
"Oh." Strickler blinked then shook his head as he glanced down. "I had no idea you thought so highly of me."
"Didn't you?" Jim asked. "You know you're smarter than everyone else, that's how you can be so smuck but… You're also right about that. So I guess that's fine." he stated as he sat down and sighed.
Strickler silenced but then lifted his tea cup taking a drink.
"So here's what I don't understand." Jim then said. "Why would you even serve Gunmar in the first place?" he asked. "You must have known what he would do. In fact, I know you knew! That's why you tried to betray him and take his position, because you knew he would never give you the things he promised! And you thought you could get away with it because you know you're smarter than him. You are much smarter than him! So you must have known that…"
"Jim." Strickler hesitated. "I don't know if I fancy talking about this. I know what i've done, and I know most of it would be considered evil in your eyes." he stated. "And as for my origins? I do not desire your pity."
"Oh." Jim hesitated. "I'm sorry… I just thought. If I could understand what made you follow him like that… I could understand why the others would as well. Then maybe… I could talk to them."
"I see." Strickler smiled amused holding the cup. "That's very admirable… and very naive. Incredible optimistic and foolish. But that's just like you young Atlas…. and that has paid off in the past for you. All right… If it can save just one of my brothers or sisters. I'll tell you." he closed his eyes. "please don't patronize me though." he asked. "And don't talk to anyone else about what I am about to tell you."
"I wont." Jim assured looking at Strickler. "So…. why?" he asked.
"Jim…" Strickler hesitated. "I think, the first thing you have to understand is that… we changelings. We are not born the same way as other trolls. Trolls… They come from rock, they are children of the mountain. A troll is created, when the future parents infuse their own essence into a birthstone and that birth stone is planted into a mountain. In there… the new troll grows, for around a hundred years as its parents visists and take care of the birthstone, before he or she as a new child of the mountain emerges to greet the waiting parents. A changeling how-ever?" he asked. "We started out as ordinary trolls to, as one of those birth stones infused with our troll parents essence… While we develop inside of the mountain, we are indeed just like any other troll. Then… right before our birth. A familiar is chosen for us and through magic we are binded to this familiar… Then when the time comes for us to emerge... The very second we are able to step out, but also before we take our first step, our bodies is infused with some of the flesh from our familiar. Not a lot, just a little blood and skin will do, but it's enough. Enough to change us for life. From the moment we are born, from the first breath we breath. We are already different… Gunmar made us different. He made us... Impure" he stated. "We are told stories… about the trolls whom is never going to accept us for what we are. Trolls whom hates us for merely existing. Then we are send to the human world." Strickler sighed deeply. "And there… we spend a life time hiding from others." he informed. "We know we aren't our humans parents real baby, we know we can never reveal our true identity to these human parents, because if we did… They would hate us, throw us out. Even kills us." he admitted.
"Come on. Kill you?" Jim asked clearly not believing that last claim.
"Don't take it so lightly, it is in fact not to uncommon." Strickler stated lifting his tea cup. "That a young changeling truly love his human parents and can't bear to hide his or her true identity anymore… They reveal themselves and then…. The lucky ones are merely thrown out on the street. Many have been killed by the heart broken parents."
"Are you serious?" Jim asked in a disbelieving voice.
"It was of course much more common back in the middle ages than it is now. But i've seen to many young changelings whom was nearly killed by their human parents." Strickler sighed deeply.
"And your human parents?" Jim asked. "Did they…"
"I kept silent. They never figured my secret and died not knowing… centuries ago." Strickler sighed deeply. "Shortly after I had to leave, humans age and die. We changelings stay the same for centuries, so we cannot stay the same place for long. That's what it means to be a changeling."
Stunned Jim looked at Strickler but didn't dare to speak, allowing Strickler to continue.
"Jim. We changelings can never reveal our true nature to ordinary humans… And we can never talk to ordinary trolls." Strickler informed in a solemn voice. "If humans figured out we even existed, it would mean death. If a troll were to spot us and capture us... It would mean death. You've seen how troll kind are, their traditions are ancient. They are even willing to kill their own just to maintain their honor, how well do you think a changeling would phare?" he asked in a frustrated voice. "We spend our days in hiding, fearing for our lives, for our existence." he informed. "We go through school… education. Some even have relationships but we must always hide and never tell the truth. Not a day goes by when a changeling isn't afraid of being found out." he glanced down. "None of us asked to be born like this, none of us ever really wanted it. We are not humans… but we are not trolls either. We are nothing." he stated grimly. "Gunmar… Promised us a place in his new world he intends to create. He promised that we wouldn't have to hide anymore or live in fear. He gives changelings purpose… Hope." then he closed his eyes. "But it's all a lie… There is no place for changelings in this world, and there wont be a place in Gunmars world either. We are merely his tools to do with as he please, ones we are of no use to him. He will dispose of us… Every single one."
Jim closed his eyes as he tried to shut out the image he had seen at the Janus order when he had gone to face Gunmar. The floor had been littered with skeletons... Changeling skeletons. All whom had resided in that underground building... They were all dead! And then Jim had seen Otto, die right in front of him, killed by Gunmar. As if he was merely a dish rag to be disposed off and he swallowed, suddenly feeling the cold sweat running down his back.
"We are created by Gunmar, a mockery of nature. Tools to be used and then be disposed off when we are no longer any use." Strickler hissed, clinging his jaw clearly getting emotional. "If we make the smallest indication we do not wish to follow Gunmar we are dead. And even then if we somehow succeeded to leave the Janus order. Where would we go?" He stated. "Changelings… our first priority is just to survive. Other than that. What else are we supposed to do?" he asked. "We got no-where to go. So really... The reason why changelings follow Gunmar even if it's dangerous. It gives us hope... purpose. Just that little bit of hope, just that tiny chance that one day we'll be able to walk free and not be afraid. For a changeling... That's enough. In fact, it's all we got."
"So... When you tried to betray Gunmar?" Jim asked.
"As long as Bular resided in our world, it would be much to dangerous to revolt." Strickler stated with a clinged jaw. "He had to be disposed of for us to get a chance, you did it for me so I took my chance. Gunmar is a brute, he's strong but a brute. Changelings already had so many top positions across the world AND we have the advantage of an abnormally long life span. Just one hundred years, that's all! And the world could have been ours and we would never have to be afraid of humans again! With minimum casulties even."
"Oh... That was your goal?" Jim asked. "Yeah... I would have stopped you anyway." he pointed out. "That does not sound good for humanity."
Strickler shrugged. "Humans are driving their own world to the ground anyway, perhaps it would have been better. That's neither here or there now anyway." he rolled his eyes. "The oppertunity is gone, Gunmar is here now. And if he wins, there wont be a place to hide nor a place to be free for any changeling." he stated.
"I see." Jim glanced down. "Your real goal, is to not be afraid anymore. That's the only thing you're actually after. That's… horrible."
"Jim. You promised. No pity." Strickler stated in a stern tone.
"Sorry. I just never realized what it must mean to be a changeling." Jim then admitted.
"Indeed. But listen to me! And I mean it!" Strickler stated in a stern voice. "When you are out there fighting, remember you're fighting for your life! You cannot have pity towards the enemy at the tip of your sword. You must fight as if your life depends on it. Because the fact is, it does!"
Jim swallowed and then nodded. "Yes sir. I mean Strickler." he corrected himself. "But still, if there's a chance to talk. I mean, you two wouldn't even be here if I hadn't tried to talk to you."
"I realise that, and that's why I decided to tell you about changelings." Strickler fully admitted. "I don't know how many of us there are left, probably just a handful. Maybe Nomura and I are the only ones left, I don't know. But if there's someone... Just one single person whom can be saved."
"I get it." Jim nodded.
"How-ever Jim. If you need to choose, between this changelings life or your own. Do not let pity cloud your judgement! People whom are loyal to Gunmar is your enemy and they will kill you without a second thought! Your mercy is admirable, but it could so easily be the thing to end your life, do not let it be the thing that kills you! You got that?" Strickler asked and Jim nodded rather intimidated as he felt the cold going down his spine.
Then Jim hesitated as he looked away. Deep down he knew, Strickler had already over stepped his own boundaries quite a bit. Telling Jim things he probably never had told anyone else. Jim had no desire to test his luck and yet, he also knew this was his one oppertunity to ask questions. It would never come again. "Strickler… If you could decide for yourself. What would you rather want to be?" he asked. "Troll or human?"
"Well, Jim." Strickler looked at him with a slight yet sad smile. "I lived my entire life as a human. I grew up going to human school, I went to human university, several in fact. I went to human cities and ate human food. To be honest I… I feel more like a human than a troll." he admitted. "Even though… If it hadn't been for Gunmars interference, making me a changeling before my birth, I would have been fully troll. Yet now… I have a hard time seeing myself as a troll at all." he admitted. "But then again if I had been human I would have died centuries ago and we wouldn't even have this conversation." he commented in a slight shrug.
"And… most changelings feel like that?" Jim asked.
"That I don't know, I think the answer would be different depending on who you ask." Strickler admitted.
"Why do you think he maintains his human form at all times. Even now when it's dark and no one else is around?" Nomuras voice suddenly asked as she walked out in her troll form. "Our troll forms are stronger, more agile. Our troll eyes far superior to human eyes, our sense so much sharper. It's true, we changelings are not as big or strong as other trolls, our growth was stifled so our appearance would be closer to our familiars. But still then, to stay troll would be safer…. yet he maintains his human form. Why do you think that is?" she asked Jim.
"Nomura." Strickler shot back in a harsh tone, his normally green eyes for a minor second flashing yellow revealing Stricklers true nature for those who managed to catch that glimpse.
Nomura though took no notice as her eyes were fixated at Jim. "He despises his own troll form." she simply stated. "Isn't that true Stricklander?" she asked Strickler directly using his troll name.
That made Jims eyes widened and he turned to Strickler. "Is that… true?" he asked.
Strickler hissed annoyed as his fist clenched, but then finally he took a breath and spoke calmly. "I think that maybe… I spend to long a time in this form." Strickler admitted. "In my eyes… Trolls are quite ugly while humans are the normal ones. My troll form is so… brutal and." he wringed his face.
"I still don't understand how you can find female humans attractive!" Nomura stated clearly sounding kind of disgusted.
"Well maybe there are more to some women than just their looks." Strickler shot back and Jim held up his hands.
"Ooookay! Enough of that!" Jim exclaimed. He seriously had no desire to hear about Stricklers romantic preferences!
"Humans are ugly in my eyes." Nomura fully admitted. "A prober troll how-ever. Drall." she smiled sheepishly. "Now there's a troll."
And Strickler sighed deeply. "See, this is why I say I spend way to long as a human." he admitted. "I suppose trolls used to be appealing to me, but that's a very long time ago. Troll ways, they are not for me anymore."
"And... if I safe all the familiars." Jim swallowed.
"I'll be fully troll, like I was always supposed to be. Yes." Strickler nodded. "How-ever… I took the decision months ago. Back when we said goodbye at Troll marked. I decided that well…. I had many years as a human. I had many identities and even lived in many different countries. Perhaps it's time to let go." he exhaled deeply.
"It wont be easy." Nomura admitted as she stepped beside Strickler. "We wont be able to step outside in daylight, we wont be able to interact with humans. But trolls wont accept us either."
"You're wrong." Jim stated as he stood up. "Blinky is the new leader of troll marked. It was him whom was open to human and troll relationship from the start. He's seen how you helped us, and with time the rest of troll marked will to. And you'll be welcome among them, not as underlings but as their equals. I promise you."
"Well… That sure does sound nice." Nomura commented, even though it sounded like she didn't quite believe it.
Strickler smiled amused turning to her. "I think I learned by now, that what-ever Jim promises we ought to take seriously." he commented. "The more ridicules it sounds, the more likely it is to be true when it comes from Jim." he commented and then suddenly as he sat he changed form into the taller green troll form.
Questioning Jim looked at him.
"I ought to learn how to be more familiar with this form right?" Strickler asked. "This is my true form so… I need to become more used to it." he stated.
Jim looked at him, glancing at his horn and the green color of the rock that made out his body... Trolls entire bodies were made of hard rock, it was very different than humans. "I admit it, it's weird seeing you like this." he admitted. "inside of my head… You're still just." he smirked amused. "I don't think i'll ever learn to view you as anything else." he admitted.
Strickler smiled amused. "That does please me." he stated. "I'm glad, that even after all this. You can see me as civilized and not some brute."
"Strickler. Not all trolls are brutes, I know that." Jim assured. "Blinky is a man of knowledge and Argh is a pacifist, Vendel was a man of wisdom. I know you to, is a man of intelligence." he commented then looked at Strickler. "Why did you decide to become a teacher?" he then suddenly asked. "I mean... Changelings are supposed to infiltrate the human world in high ranking positions in society right? Highschool teacher hardly seems that important."
And Strickler smirked amused. "You got me, there's only one reason really. Why I became a teacher at that school."
"And that is?" Jim asked.
"Of all the roles I ever played, of all the jobs I ever had... teaching young people is what I enjoyed the most." Strickler admitted. "I liked being a teacher." he finally stated actually smiling as he looked very reminism, as if he was thinking back at fond memories.
"huh." Jim blinked, suddenly actually more surprised than he had been at any other point doing this whole conversation.
"Now I wont ever be a teacher again." Strickler sighed deeply looking at the cup.
"Trolls needs teachers to." Jim pointed out. "They have no idea how the human world works now, they could learn so much from you."
Strickler smiled amused then shook his head.
"You're going to be all right. I'll make sure of it." Jim assured.
"Well… coming from you. I must take that seriously." Strickler nodded. "Thank you young atlas."
And suddenly, that nickname actually felt kind of nice again and Jim smiled amused. "You're going to be fine. We'll beat Gunmar, and then you'll find your place among trolls. You wont have to be afraid anymore."
Strickler smiled then shook his head.
"Living a single day where I wont have to be afraid?" Nomura asked. "Heh, seems like a fairytale but… i'll look forward to it." she assured. "You're right Jim, we'll be fine." she assured. "I'll keep an eye on this drama queen when you're out." she promised hinting at Strickler.
And Strickler rolled his eyes, but smiled amused regardless. And Jim… he now understood these changelings a little bit better. That was quite nice actually.