Blinky decided that it would be better to focus on sparring against multiple opponents rather than dodging giant blades and flaming stone dummies. Jim was half relieved and half annoyed. Because while sparring could be much easier than going through the obstacle course of death, it was still pretty damn hard.
Especially since he was not just sparring with Draal, but with Aarrrgh as well. Which kind of surprised Jim, since Aarrrgh was a pacifist. Although, to be fair, Aarrrgh hadn't really been outright attacking him, just flanking him towards Draal.
Aarrrgh held no weapon but still posed a pretty big threat just by his massive size alone. Draal had chosen to wield a large sword not unlike Daylight. It was larger and heavier than Jim's sword. If he was ever hit directly with it, without any armor or amulet to protect him, he was fairly certain the force of the blow would cleave him in half. Or break his spine.
Jim and Draal faced each other, rotating counter-clockwise, their weapons firmly gripped and ready to strike. They weren't even an hour into the sparring session and Jim was more than ready to collapse onto the floor from sheer exhaustion. Draal looked the same as when they started sparring.
Jim risked a quick glance behind him, trying to spot Aarrrgh. The friendly troll hung back, shadowing his movements, keeping him from retreating. Draal took advantage of his distraction and charged forward. Jim's head jerked back towards Draal. He stood his ground, trying to still the tremors shaking his arms.
When Draal was within a troll's arm's reach of him, he released his physical and mental hold on Daylight. The sword dissipated in a flash of blue flames.
Jim, now defenseless, rolled to the side, narrowly dodging Draal's sword as it buried itself in the ground a foot from where he had been standing seconds before.
From his position behind Draal, Jim gulped. His eyes widened at how easily the sword penetrated the rocky floor. He was up and running in the opposite direction a second later. And most definitely not screaming his head off.
Aarrrgh ran to cut off his escape route, trying to herd him back to Draal, eerily similar to a border collie herding sheep. The comparison was even more fitting since border collies are famously known for not physically attacking the sheep.
Wait.
Jim could have laughed but, as he was out of breath at the moment, didn't. He changed direction and made a beeline for Aarrrgh, feeling somewhat amused at the confused expression on the troll's face.
He couldn't stop the smug grin stretching across his face when he dodged Aarrrgh and grabbed hold of the troll's back hair. Jim struggled to pull himself up onto Aarrrgh's back. Tapping into his last reserve's reserves and yelling the entire time, he climbed upward, finally reaching the top of Aarrrgh's back. He wrapped his hands in the troll's thick green fur and made sure his grip was as tight as possible.
Aarrrgh stopped suddenly and Jim was almost thrown forward off of the troll. He braced himself and dug his feet into Aarrrgh's back, feeling a pang of guilt for any discomfort he caused his friend.
"Yes! Yes, take that Draal, Aarrrgh!" Jim said. He had to resist the urge to throw his hands in the air. Seeing that Aarrrgh was trying to reach back and grab him, Jim dodged the troll's stone fists, moving nimbly from one side to the other. "You can't touch me! Ha! Ha ha!" Jim was grinning from ear to ear.
His grin fell from his face in an instant when Aarrrgh decided to roll onto his back. Jim jumped off of Aarrrgh's back and stumbled, grunting when his knees collided with the ground. Before he could run away, Aarrrgh reached out and grabbed him as gently as possible.
Jim cried out and struggled in Aarrrgh's slightly less than crushing grip. He knew the troll was trying to be gentle, knew that he would never hurt him on purpose. He still felt a flash of fear when his supply of oxygen was cut off. He gasped and struggled even harder against Aarrrgh's grip.
A moment later Aarrrgh set him down, patting him on the shoulder as if to apologize for nearly crushing him. Jim tried not to wince as his knees almost buckled from the force of the pat.
"Heh, tha-thanks big guh-guy." Jim said. He coughed, waving off Aarrrgh's concern and smiled, trying to put the troll at ease. " 'M alright."
"Taking advantage of your enemy's weakness! Great thinking Trollhunter!" Draal said, slowly making his way towards Jim and Aarrrgh.
"Yeah." Jim glanced over to the side, feeling a pang of disappointment when the spot that Blinky and his friends usually occupied was empty. Blinky was holed up in his library, Toby was taking care of his Nana, and Claire was stuck babysitting NotEnrique.
His thoughts were interrupted when Draal patted him on the same shoulder as Aarrrgh did. Ouch. Jim rubbed the sore spot on his shoulder.
"Let us spar again! This time you will be on the offensive, while Aarrrgh and me, on the defensive!"
Jim was unable to bite back a loud groan. The idea of sparring again was enough to make him want to be in detention with Ms. Janeth.
"What if, and I'm just spitballing here, we don't spar again. Or ever. Ever would be nice." Jim said.
"Don't be silly! Come, let's spar!" Draal laughed.
"Yes, let's spar. Again!" Aarrrgh said. He slammed fist on the ground. Jim was thrown off balance. He flailed his arms, breathing a sigh of relief when remained upright.
"No, let's not." Jim said. "Besides, I need to go. My mom's gonna be home from work in less than an hour and I have to be there or I'll be in a world of trouble."
"...Fine." Draal said, crossing his arms. Aarrrgh sighed. Jim tried not to change his mind when Aarrrgh looked at him with a sad expression. Oh my god, Aarrrgh has puppy eyes.
"Well! I'll-uh-see you guys tomorrow. After school." Jim said. He smiled, hoping his positive attitude would cheer the two trolls up, even if it was a bit forced. It didn't. His shoulders sagged and the smile faded from his face.
A few minutes later Jim was ready to leave, his amulet tucked safely into his back pocket, his bag slung over his shoulder. He was standing in the entrance and turned and waved at Draal and Aarrrgh. They waved back, somewhat less enthusiastic. He shrugged it off and made his way down the steps of the entrance of the Hero's Forge, humming a song he heard on the radio earlier that morning.
He was gonna be home in time to make dinner for his mother and finish the mountain of schoolwork on his desk. He smiled. Finally, things were going right for a change.
Until he walked right into a troll.
Jim fell backwards, his butt colliding with the very cold, very hard stone steps. He looked up, ready to yell at whoever bumped into him, only to bite the inside of his cheek. Vendel was looking down at him disapprovingly, his face set in a scowl. Jim gulped.
Where was Blinky when he needed him?