Blinky didn't like to be near sunlight. He settled down in a drainage pipe, closer to the sunlight than he usually dared, but not close enough for it to touch him and turn him to stone. He just sat there, staring.
The pipe emptied into a large canal, with steep sides just slanted enough to go down and climb up. The canal was usually dry, so it was safe to sit there as long as no human spotted him. Blinky and his kind had lived down under the humans' city for centuries, in a place called Trollmarket. Trollmarket was safe. It hid them from humans, and sunlight, and, most importantly, Gumm-Gumms.
He sat there thinking, wondering and worrying about his friend Kanjigar. He had been waiting all day for him. Waiting and patience came naturally for most trolls, but not easily for Blinky, since he had such an active mind. Thoughts were always racing, questions zooming around, and worries pooling in his head.
Wanting to shake his thoughts before being driven mad, he turned around and started walking through the dark, empty sewers.
Where is Kanjigar? He is never this late! Oh, stop it, Blinkous, you're being paranoid again!
He paced for a while, getting closer to the canal each time as the sun set and the light slanting across the pipe's entrance retreated. And then, finally, he heard the deep rumble of Kanjigar's voice.
"Dang this blasted armor! Why does it have to be so loud?"
Kanjigar's voice was deep and had a gruff tinge in it. Upon hearing it, Blinky turned around with a wide smile spread across his face. He could see the Trollhunter's shiny silver armour, forged from daylight like his sword, glowing faintly outside the entrance of the pipe. With all four hands spread out, he ran and burst outside to give Kanjigar a hug. It was difficult with his armor, but Blinky didn't care.
"Umm, okay," said Kanjigar. He gently pried Blinky off of him. "So, umm, off to Trollmarket then! Right?"
"Oh, yes, I suppose we should get going," said Blinky. The drainage pipe where Blinky had been waiting was next to a tall bridge, which served as a way for humans and their vehicles to cross over the canal. But the bridge had another use. It also served as a gateway to Trollmarket, home and sanctuary for all good trolls.
They walked up to the wall under the bridge. Blinky took out a horngazel, the very key to Trollmarket. Without it, no one could get in. If it fell into the hands of their most vicious enemies, then Trollmarket would be in serious danger.
He traced a large semicircle, large enough for Kanjigar to enter, but not so large as it would need to be if their other friend Aaarrrgghh were with them. Blinky pressed his hand against the wall, and immediately the wall cracked, glowing blue. The archway he had drawn opened, and before them sat the crystal staircase.
Blinky turned around after they entered to make sure the wall closed, which it did. They walked down the staircase. It was a long way down. Kanjigar broke the silence.
"Why were you waiting for me, Blinky? You knew my mission would take much too long for you to just wait around."
"Yes, I know, but you are my friend. Besides, I was also keeping a lookout for any humans or enemies," Blinky said.
"Very well. But next time, please wait for me in Trollmarket."
"Alright, but next time don't take as long," Blinky retorted cheerfully.
"I'll try not to," Kanjigar muttered from under his breath.
As they reached the bottom of the staircase, all the luminescent colors from Heartstone Trollmarket flooded their eyes. A large portion of Trollmarket was visible from where they were standing. In the center, far back, sat the enormous Heartstone, estimated to be millions of years old, around which the market had been built. The orange iridescent glow of the Heartstone lit up all of Trollmarket, with other colours shining out from different types of gemstones and minerals.
Filling the streets and walkways of Trollmarket were shops and stands, with their vendors inside trying to sell their collections to other trolls. Apart from the stones and shops, what really made Trollmarket warm and lively were the trolls. Thousand were out and about doing their daily business. Trollmarket gave sanctuary to many different types of trolls, so rarely were there more than a handful of the same type of troll in close proximity.
It was a grand sight indeed. After taking a moment to gaze upon Trollmarket's colorful delight, Blinky and Kanjigar moved on to continue their walk to the Hero's Forge, a vast arena where the Trollhunter trained and practiced.
As they made their way down the final steps, Blinky happened to catch a look at Kanjigar's face. The Trollhunter's expression was uncharacteristically smug.
As they walked the streets of Trollmarket, Blinky considered how calm Kanjigar had been, coming back from his mission. Had perhaps he discovered something about their enemy, Bular the Vicious, the last Gumm-Gumm in this realm? Had he been triumphant in his quest and slayed Bular at last?
Kanjigar never bragged about anything. He accepted gifts from the residents of Trollmarket, but did not demand them as his due. Blinky couldn't figure out why Kanjigar was looking so pleased with himself, or so sly, but he couldn't help feeling that something was wrong.
He pushed that thought aside. He was clearly overthinking matters. He would not concentrate all his time and will on this one small feeling. Blinky loved to uncover mysteries and conspiracy theories, but if he claimed something seemed odd about Kanjigar … he worried that others would mock him for that, and also worried that Kanjigar would accuse him of not knowing his own friend.
They finally got through the enormous crowds of trolls, and reached the Hero's Forge.
This chapter has been edited by Forever-Furuba
Thanks to Forever-Furuba for editing these chapters. I am an amateur and they have really helped me out. They also wrote the fan fiction of Becoming the Mask, which I recommend. I suggest you reread with the corrections.