This is probably the longest chapter I will ever write for this story. Legit, this is 7,310 words and I have never written something else willing this long before lol. But yay! Finally got to the part I wanted to!

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this! Much love to all of you!

I bit the inner side of my cheek slightly as I felt my right leg bounce anxiously as I cut through my steak. With a simple glance up, I could see the sly smile that Strickler had as she conversed lightly with my mother. Their voices faded in and out as I looked back down to my plate. The man in front of me had only arrived a few minutes prior, yet I was already itching to force the broad-shouldered being out of my house as soon as he had stepped within it.

At least I have an ace up my sleeve if he tries anything.

I smiled to myself as I outstretched my anxious limb to lay my foot flat against the floor.

Just two stomps and a troll will be up here faster than you think, Mr. Strickler.

"This is absolutely wonderful, Barbara." Strickler gave my mother a sickenly sweet smile as he continued. "My compliments to the chief." My mom only shook her head as she pointed over to me with a small gesture of her fork.

"I don't do the cooking around here. That's all Jim." I gave my mom a sweet smile as I looked back at my plate.

"Well, it seems we all have our own little secrets, now don't we?" I forced myself not to glare up at the changeling as I could tell there was a knowing smirk upon the man's face.

"I guess so." The familiar tone of my moms rang before I heard my mom's chair squeak lightly on the floor as she stood. "Sorry, it's the hospital. Just give me a moment."

"Oh don't worry. I'm sure Jim and I can keep each other company in your absence." I heard my mom walk behind me, placing a quick kiss to the top of my head before going upstairs to make sure her call was private. I looked up to Strickler after I knew my mom was out of earshot.

"Why are you here, Strickler?"

"That's no way to talk to your teacher, Jim. I believe from your mother's manners, you were taught better than that." He gave me a sly smile as he placed a piece of his steak into his mouth before placing his fork on the table and eyeing the knife in his right hand. "Children these days." He looked back up to me as he leaned back in his chair. "You know exactly what I am, don't you? Just as I know of you?"

"That you're a changeling with a fixation to bring this world into an apocalyptic state for just the chance of being seen as an equal?" I leaned back in my own chair as I placed my fork down on the table as well. But I kept my knife tight within my right hand. "Yes. Rather well, actually. Well enough to know you and your people sent that thing after me."

"We just want something specific from you, Trollhunter."

"The amulet." Strickler gave me a knowing smile as he flipped the knife around in his hands.

"Color me surprised. It seems we're on the same page."

"We might be on the same page, but we're in different narratives." I narrowed my eyes at the taller man as I continued. "I'm not giving you the amulet. I'm not letting you open the bridge." Strickler gave me an amused grin as he chuckled lightly at my serious expression.

"Oh, Young Atlas, you believe you have a choice." His eyes glowed a bright yellow as he flung out his arm towards me, his knife in hand. I blocked his onslaught with my own knife as a satisfying cling filled the now silent air. We stayed there for a moment, pushing against each other's hold as the blades started to slip against the other's teeth. I pushed back, causing my chair to fall backward before I rolled away from the changeling's leap that followed me. I swung the knife around lightly as I tried my best to loosen the tension I had in my shoulder from the impact of the ground.

Didn't quite think that one through now did I?

He lunged at me once more as he swept the knife at my chest, but I was able to push myself just barely out of the knife's graze. I gave him a smirk as I held my own blade before me.

"A little stupid to be attacking a doctor's child in their own home, don't you think?"

"Only if we get caught. But I made sure that won't be a problem. Her call is going to last a little longer." He held out his empty hand out toward me as he loomed over me with ease. "Now, the amulet." I gave him a smirk as I pulled out what he wanted from my pocket.

"You want it? Come get it." I smiled as I held the amulet tight in my hand and dashed into the kitchen.

Seems Blinky was right. The changelings had no clue of the amulet's change. Even with him witnessing the armor during auditions, it seemed it slipped him that the piece within my chest was a crystal instead of an amulet.

I leaped over the counter as the changeling made chase after me. I ducked under the island as he swung after me once more. I was thankful that even though the man was much larger and had a longer reach than me, the counter gave me just enough space to get away from the knife's toothed blade. We ran after one another for a second with him chasing me around the island for a slip moment before we both stopped suddenly at the sound of footsteps upstairs. We gave each other an angered glance, but it was obvious that the other was done with this game of cat and mouse due to my mother's movements. We rushed back to our original spots with me putting my chair back into place as he adjusted his brown blazer.

"Sorry about that. I have no clue why they were insistent on me giving them clearance for a patient's file when I'm not their main doctor, but I guess all is well." She gave both of us a wide smile as she sat back down in her chair as she put her napkin in her lap. "What did I miss?"

"Nothing much." I gave Strickler a knowing smile as I brought my fork into my left hand once more. "Right, Mr. Strickler?" He matched mine as she turned his face towards my mother.

"Yes. Nothing at all. Just a small chat." He looked back at me with a twisted smile upon the left side of his lips as I knew that he thought he had won.

I know the fake amulet isn't in my hand. He thinks he has the upper hand now. He thinks he has won. But there was something you miscalculated, Strickler.

I put a piece of my steak in my mouth as I leaned back in my chair.

You messed with the wrong Trollhunter when you decided to bring his mother into it.

"So, they have the fake, huh?" Not Enrique chewed on his sock with a lopsided grin as he continued to speak. "I guess that means they're holding the opening ceremony soon then."

"Opening ceremony?" The changeling sat on the grass as he pointed toward Toby.

"Yeah. Didn't I explain this to you before? Once they think they have the amulet, they'll open Killahead. I'm surprised though. Strickler seemed like the one to think he's the smartest one in the room but he got played by two fleshlings and their troll friends." I gave the changeling a large grin as I leaned my shoulder against the tree next to me.

"Thanks to you stating that they had to have the myth of the Eclipse explained to them by Bular, Blinky came up with the idea that they might not know that it changed form." I pulled out my necklace and patted the crystal with my right hand. "The real 'amulet'," I raised my hands up with air quotes as I continued with my statement. "Is safe from Strickler and the Janus Order."

"Yeah, yeah, don't remind me that I'm risking my everything within this moment." The smaller being used his fists to stand back up as he continued. "I should get back into my crib. Don't need anyone getting suspicious."

"Alright. Goodnight."

"Night, Trollhunter. You too Tons-of-Fun."

"What did I tell you about calling me that?" The changeling adjusted his diaper with a wide grin as he had an amused look on his face.

"To not. But have you noticed I don't quite care, mate?" This caused Toby to sigh heavily as I chuckled at the interaction.

"Come on Tobes, don't fight with the poopling." I gave Not Enrique a smirk as I patted on Toby's shoulder. "Thanks again, buddy."

"Don't question it. Seriously. Don't question it. I'm still unsure why I'm doing all of this myself." I shook my head as I went with Toby to grab our bikes from the usual spot we had them hidden now. But before we got too far away, I turned around once more.

"Hey, NotEnrique." The changeling turned around to us once more. "Are you going to this ceremony?"

"They'll have to come get me." The little green troll crossed his arms over his chest as he stood proudly. "My job is to act like a normal infant. Including mid-night crying and the works. If not, these people will start thinking something's up with me." He pointed his thumb back to the house behind him before dropping his hands to his sides. "So if they want my company bad enough for it, they can pick my ass up themselves." I flashed the changeling a smile before putting my helmet on my head since I grabbed that before grabbing his attention.

"Well, let us know if anything happens. Alright?" The changeling gave a nod.

"You got it, Skinny Legs."

"Night, Poopling."

As the morning sun rose, I kept myself still within my crib. I felt myself groan as I started to get angsty to move.

Just a few more hours. Let the fleshbags do their morning routine and then I can do as I please. Suck it up. You got this.

The creaking sound of movement caused me to instinctively close my eyes for a moment as I waited to hear footsteps come across the floor.

Yet they never came.

"Waka Chaka."

Oh, not these slime balls again! They can't keep their damn hands to themselves!

I changed back to my trollish form as I brought myself up to my feet to see Fragwa come through the window they slid open. The red-eyed and green-skinned moveable snot rag jumped over to my crib with a wide smile as their awkwardly lengthed limbs caused its knees to bend to their chest as they sat on the crib's siding. With an open hand being brought out toward me, I snarled at the goblin as I smacked his hand away from me.

"Do you know what time it is, you walking slime ball? If I'm not found in here, all hell is gonna break loose!"

"Waka. Chaka."

"I freaking get it. I'm wanted. Tell them I can't. Unless they want me to not have as much freedom here." The goblin reached out and tried to grab my arm with a snarl but I jumped back instinctively. "Hey! Hands off the merchandise." The goblin leaped forward but I jumped up onto the side of my crib and used it to get up on top of the cabinet beside it. The longer limbed creature decided that instead of following me up the cabinet that it was going to cut me off by climbing up by the two bookshelves to my right. I leaped and landed on the top shelf and I thought I had made it with ease.

But then the shelf gave away due to my weight.

I came tumbling down as the first shelf went down and placed its weight on the one under it. This caused the one under me to slant and had a few of the books fall off a fit with a satisfying splat.

Oh, that can't be good.

I leaned over the side of the shelf. To see a shattered picture frame, a few books, and the iconic green essence of a goblin stuck under both the books as well as pieces of glass from the picture mixed in within the small murder scene.

Death by nursery rhymes. Never thought of that one before.

"Waka chaka." I froze for a second at the sound of the Fragwa's little posy coming near.

I can't let those snot wads see me! If they do, they'll think I killed him.

Well, they wouldn't be wrong, but I don't want to be a goblin snack!

I flung open the long cabinet's door and hid within it with ease as I kept it a creak open to watch for when the other goblins leave. The two of them investigated the scene like educated detectives as they searched for clues for who they believed caused the problem. Yet, like normal goblins, instead of looking through the room they only kept to the crime scene itself as they lifted the picture frame with a growl. One of them grabbed the marker the old Fragwa was carrying and marked a mustache to their lips.

"Waka chaka." The other goblin nodded to their new leader as they leaped out the window on the hunt for who I guess was their new prey. I sighed with relief as I opened the cabinet and walked over to the picture that they left.

At least it's not me. I wonder what sucker is stuck with their wrath though.

I felt my eyes widen as I stared at the picture within my hands. It was of my 'sister' and the Trollhunter's favorite interest.

This isn't gonna end well, isn't it?

"You're meaning to say that there are goblins going after Claire?" I snarled at the changeling as he seemed to coward slightly under my gaze.

"Hey! You're acting as if I was trying to make this happen! Do you think I knew there was a picture there, meat sack? I can't even get out of those damn high chairs without assistance in my infant form!"

"But you thought fighting back a goblin was a good idea?!" I ran a hand through my hair as I tried my best to calm myself within that moment.

I knew something off was going on. I saw a goblin throw itself into a trashcan thinking I didn't catch sight of it at school. Another was running around on the powerlines as if he was looking for something in particular. A shadow of one was dancing around the backside of theater practice. No one else saw them, so I didn't bother causing a scene. If I knew it was Claire they were going after though, I would have ended them right then and there. But I guess nothing goes to plan very easily.

"We need to get her out of there."

"And how do we go about that?" I looked over to Toby as I reached out and began to drum my fingers against the island in Blinky's library. This was the first time we have ever brought NotEnrique with us to Troll Market, but he was insistent that he needed to tell us something before his family realized that he was missing. So we took him to the safest place we know of by hiding him in my bag on the way in.

"There are only two options I see. Take her here to Troll Market or to kill the goblins following her." I leaned forward to place my weight onto the counter as I spoke my thoughts out loud. "But there's so much that can go wrong with the second one. We could miss one that's already got to her or one in the pack we found which then gives us two hordes to deal with instead of the one."

"But if we take her here then she'll be stuck in the rest of this."

"Do we really have a choice, Tobes? What else can we do? If we don't try to get her to safety, she'll get harmed. If we do, there's a possibility of them finding us anyway so she'll witness them or the fact that we get her to Troll Market where she'll meet trolls instead. No matter what, it seems I have to come clean to her about everything." I looked over to NotEnrique as I took a deep breath to calm my shaking nerves. "Can I ask you to do something for me?" The changeling nodded his head once in reply. "I need you to find out if the Janus Order found out if the amulet I let them have is a fact yet."

"You can count on me, Skinny Legs." I felt the corner of my mouth turn up just the slightest at his response. "Tobes?" I turned my attention to my friend completely before pulling out my phone to see the time. "If I'm not back in thirty minutes, come find me. Bring AAARRRGGHH with you just in case. I know her house isn't far from here but it'll take a little bit to convince her to come with me." I then turned my attention to Blinky. "And Blinky?"

"Yes, Master Jim?"

"Can you make sure everything goes smoothly with NotEnrique? With the goblins running around, we have no clue what else they have up their sleeve at this moment. You don't have to go in with him. Just stick to the shadows from a distance and let me know if anything goes down."

"I can positively do that. Of course!" I felt a smile appear on my face as I pulled my necklace out from under my shirt.

"Then let's get started."

I climbed up the side of Claire's house as I had once before.

You know, when I saw all of those old movies mom used to watch with those guys sneaking into a girl's house to talk her into leaving in the middle of the night, I never thought it would end up being my reality.

But I also used to think goblins were just beings used in fantasy games to be annoying assholes while trolls were just from folk stories as bridge guardians.

At least the stereotypes weren't too far off of the truth. Or at least from what I understand at this point.

I looked through Claire's window to see she was laying on her bed with the lights off as she was laughing at something on her phone. I swallowed hard as I released a shaky breath.

Sorry for this, Claire. But it's for your own good.

I tapped two of my fingers against the glass which almost instantly got her attention. She gave me a confused look as she walked towards the window.

"Jim? What are you doing here?" I rubbed the back of my neck nervously as I replied.

"Well. I have a lot to explain, but I need you to trust me alright?" The confusion in her eyes only deepened as she leaned forward, placing her hands on the windowsill.

"What are you talking about? You're acting frantic."

"I kind of have a reason, but it's hard to explain." She stood back up straight as she lent out a hand to me.

"Then come on in and explain." She gave me a soft smile as she continued. "I'm not going to judge you, remember." I looked away from the soft look in her dark brown eyes.

Those eyes have trusted me. Those eyes that will witness soon the effects of even being near me. I could never say no to them before, but right now, I can't let them soften my guard. I need to keep her safe. Even if it means causing pain within them for this moment.

"Claire, I would love to. But I can't. Not right now at least." I took a deep breath as I tried to ease my mind for a moment. "I need you to trust me when I say this though, okay?" She nodded her head once in reply before I decided to continue. "You're in danger right now. I know a place where you can be safe but we have to hurry."

"Danger? What do you mean?"

"Let's just say there's some," I hesitated for a second as I tried to find the right word but none seemed to fit right. "Things, I guess, that are after you. If you don't believe me, check on your brother. I promise you, something is amiss here but I think I know how to fix it." She looked as if she was torn for a second while also trying to understand what I was saying. She glanced down at the floor for a moment before looking back up to me.

"There was a mess in my brother's room this morning. This weird green stuff with one of the pictures in his room shattered." She placed a hand on her chin as she went seemingly further into her thoughts before looking back to me with her eyebrows knitting together in concern. "Does that have something to do with it?"

"Yes." I turned my head away from her as I heard a shuffling not too far in the distance.

Aw, man! They're already here? You gotta be kidding me!

"Claire, we don't have much time." I reached out my hand to her with a weak smile. "I know this is weird and I know how sketchy this looks, but I really need you to come with me." I looked her right in the eye as my mouth continued on without a single thought. "I don't want anything to happen to you and if I can do anything about it, I will." I watched as my last set of words seemed to strike home to her as she grabbed something suddenly from her left before taking my hand with her free hand.

"Lead the way." I smiled at her as I helped her out of the window and onto the roof. I led the way over to the siding we have been meeting NotEnrique over by and jumped onto the ground with ease. Claire followed as she landed on her feet but stumbled slightly. I reached out and placed a hand on her back to steady her which rewarded me with a soft smile before I then lent out the same hand so she could take it if she wished.

"Ready?" She placed her hand in mine almost instantly as she gave a nod.

"Let's go." I smiled widely as I started dashing off with her in tow towards the forestry. I was going to bring my bike to take her faster to Troll Market, but I wasn't sure if that was going to be necessary.

It seems I highly underestimated the speed of an angry horde of goblins looking for revenge.

Suddenly, she stopped and tugged on my hand just strong enough to stop me in my tracks as well. I looked back to her with a concerned look in my eyes as it was obvious she was stuck within her thoughts.

"Jim," She looked up to me with a tint of worry in her voice. "What in God's name is going on here? I know I said I wouldn't judge you, but I'm a little worried. It's almost midnight, you came to my house dressed in black," She gestured to my attire which is the same from my adventure with Toby to the museum but without the mask. "And you're saying something is after me." She looked like she was about to snap from the stress within that moment as she continued. "Also, not to add in the fact that this all revolved around my brother for some reason?" I reached out and placed my hand on her shoulders.

"I know it's a lot, but there's so much more I have left to explain." I chuckled nervously as I shook my head lightly. "Just, I really need you to trust me though."

"I do trust you. I really do." She rubbed her left elbow with her right hand as she glanced at the ground as a small laugh came from her. "Like, I wouldn't just sneak out my window in the middle of the night with just anyone." I felt my face burn slightly as a blush painted my cheeks while the necklace decided to cement the feeling against my skin. "But can you understand why I'm hesitant? Can you at least tell me what is-?" Just as suddenly as we stopped, the shaking of the bushes behind Claire told me enough that the goblins were much closer than they were before. "What was-?"

"Get behind me." I pulled the necklace out from under my shirt as I took a step forward.

"What are you doing?" I gave her a smile as I placed a hand on my necklace.

"Trust me. I've got this." She looked at me for a second as if she was assessing the look in my eyes before she took a step behind me. I pulled my attention away from her as I put my focus forward to where the rustling came from. "For all that daylight protects, with all of Merlin's magic within me, I will protect and defeat as the sun will let me." A sudden flash of light told me enough that I had a change in attire. I pulled out my sword and readied myself as I felt a hand place itself on my shoulder. I fought myself from looking back to her as I got into a basic battle stance as I heard a goblin's iconic growl as one of them launched out from the bushes.

"Waka-!" I sliced through the goblin as if it was butter.

"Watch out!" I turned my head to see Claire picked up a stick she found randomly as she whacked at a goblin that tried to attack me from behind. I smiled as I steadied my sword once more while I felt her back soon press itself lightly against mine.

Maybe I was a little too worried cause it seems I forgot how independent she is.

My smile deepened as we took on the rest of the goblins together. Once I sliced through the last one, I put my sword away after flicking some of the goblin's slime-like essence off the blade.

"Goblins. Annoying little things, aren't they?" I gave her a weak smile as I laughed nervously to myself. I made it so I was facing her completely as I reached out and flicked some of the green slime off of her shoulder. "Are you doing alright?" I watched her take a deep breath with her eyes closed for a second. It was as if she was trying to calm what was more than likely a thundering heartbeat before she allowed herself to speak, so I stood there patiently.

"Do you want to know the only thing that is running through my mind right now?"

"Sure." She reached out and placed a hand over where the crystal had stored itself over my heart. The metal turned a majestic hue of purple as she did so with a slight tint of faded pink at the edges.

"This is not a costume." I found myself chuckling lightly at her reaction as I felt a relieved smile plaster itself across my face.

"To be honest, I thought your reaction to this would have been a lot worse."

"Oh no, I'm absolutely terrified. You have no clue." She lifted up her left hand showing that it was shaking lightly before dropping it down to her side once more. "But I think the adrenaline and the shock are keeping my mind from showcasing it."

"Trust me. I understand it more than you would think." We stood there for a moment as we shared a soft smile to one another, but the silence of the moment was shattered due to a distant whistle.

"Were the goblins the only things after us?" I gave a concerned look to Claire as I placed my hand on the handle of my sword.

"Last I knew." I stepped back from her and pulled my sword out. "But that is no goblin, I can tell you that." I listened closely to the sound as I felt a chill crawl down my spine.

Isn't that-? Who would whistle In the Hall of the Mountain King at this night? Unless-.

Unless they found out the amulet was a fake.

I turned to Claire instantly as I heard the whistle fasten it's pace just the slightest. "You need to get out of here."

"And leave you with whatever that thing is? Fat chance."

"Claire." I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder as my sword weighed in my right hand. "Please. Goblins are one thing, but if my assumption is right on what this thing is, it's a completely different ball game."

"Which only gives me more of a reason to stay."

"Claire, please. Listen to me. I need you to run. Do you know where we are?" She nodded her head slightly.

"Not too far from Delancey. Why?"

"Good. Go get help then. Anyone. Knowing what this is, they won't risk being seen by anyone else. Now please, run. I don't want you getting hurt in all of this."

"But what about you?" I gave her a large smile as I knocked my left knuckles against the armor on my chest.

"I got this handled. But please, get to safety, alright? I promise I'll be alright." She looked like she was about to argue against it, but I believe she saw how worried I was as I heard the song come closer.

"Alright. Just, be careful, right?"

"I promise. Now go. I got your back." She nodded her head once before running off towards her house as I readied my sword. I saw a flash of purple try to dive after her, but I kicked at the figure that tried to pass me. I landed it into the changeling's back leg as I watched her stumble to the ground before giving me a wide yet twisted smile. Her troll form was looming over me with her light purple skin and bright green eyes that mimicked those of a cat's. I swallowed hard as I noticed the two glowing blades she had within her hands.

If I was any later in my reaction time, Claire would have been done for.

"You rather die yourself first, huh?" The changeling's smile only spread further into her cheeks as I felt a twist in my stomach with how menacing she made a simple action seem. "Let's dance then, Trollhunter." She slashed with both swords at once in an 'x' formation but I luckily had just enough strength within my legs to push myself far enough out of her attack. I brought my blade up as she slammed her right blade down toward me. I pushed back against her action which caused her arm to fling back slightly as the left went in for a side attack. I ducked under the blade, being thankful that due to our height difference, it wasn't too difficult to accomplish.

Stay light on your feet, Lake. Keep her distracted.

I felt a sudden weight hit the back of my leg which caused me to fall down onto my right knee as the changeling tried to strike me with both her blades onto my right side, but I was able to bring my blade up fast enough to block the onslaught. Yet, I wasn't fast enough to block the swift kick she landed into my chest that threw me backward a good foot. I groaned as I got back up onto my feet.

Note to self. Don't give yourself mental commentary ever again. It might kill you next time.

I readied my sword before me as the changeling gave an oddly airy laugh from such a terrifying figure.

"You know, I'm having just the slightest amount of fun with you, fleshbag, but this is going to have to end soon. I need that crystal of yours," She pointed her right curved blade toward my chest as she took a single step closer. "And I'll rip it off your cold body after I'm done with you." I narrowed my eyes at her as I saw her ready herself for a lunge. She came straight forward as I dashed off to my left. She swung with her right arm and I tried my best to brace for the attack, but I didn't have my blade steady enough as her pure force against mine caused me to fly sideways away from her. I landed on my side with my sword nearly forgotten as I scrambled to grab it once more. I didn't have enough time to get to my feet when the changeling suddenly had it so her two red glowing curved swords pushed against mine in an 'x' formation. I tried my best to keep her up off my chest but it was obvious after a few seconds that pure strength wasn't going to get me out of this situation. The changeling had more mass to her advantage as well as strength, so me pushing as much as I could against her was only causing it so that her swords were a mere three or so inches from my face.

"Any last words, fleshling?" I groaned as she pushed ever so slightly against the hold she had while I tried my best to not let her gain too much of an advantage.

"Yeah. One thing." I felt myself smile widely as I looked the green-eyed creature in the eyes. "Rule number three."

"What?" I used her confusion against her as I pushed my blade up completely which caused her to lose her stance and open her wide for an attack. I pushed myself onto the top of my back as I put my feet together to kick her right in the stomach. This caused her to go back a few feet as well as give me a moment to ready myself once more.

Not exactly what Blinky taught me. But close enough.

I smiled to myself even though I could feel my muscles burning from the extortion I put them through.

Come on. I need back-up right now. Anything would be great.

"You little brat!" I tightened my grip on my sword's handle as the changeling came dashing right toward me. I was getting too tired to dodge, but I had just enough strength to take the swipes of her blades. This ended with me getting kicked right into my side though and caused me to end up on the grass with a stinging feeling in my ribs. I tried myself to push myself up, but the sudden flash of light told me that even the crystal knew I didn't have enough energy to continue. I found myself trying to pick myself up anyway, but I felt myself fall right back onto the ground as I heard the soft whistle of the changeling once more as she took slow steps towards me. She gave me a swift kick to my side. I groaned at the motion that caused me to lay on my back as I watched through my fading vision the wicked grin of the purple-skinned troll.

"Good night, Eclipse."

I felt my eyes become heavy as my mind screamed for me to fight back as the sword in the woman's right hand was raised high above her, but I felt my body reject my mind's wishes as I succumbed to the tiredness within my body.

At least I got one thing right. At least Claire is safe.

And with that, I drifted off to darkness.

Slowly but surely, I felt my eyelids twitch as I tried to peel them open. I scrunched my face as I was welcomed to the bright white light that seemed to assault my sight with ease. I pushed through though as I blinked rapidly for a second as I tried to grow accustomed to the sheer brightness of the room. Two figures loomed over me. One in white, green, and red as the other was yellow, red, and orange. I felt cold. Like a piece of me was missing within that moment as Toby's voice broke the eerie silence.

"Hey! He's awake!"

"Toby, please calm down. Too much noise can cause him to be disoriented in his state." I heard Toby mumble as my eyes adjusted slowly. Toby was to my right with my mom close beside him. Both of them had a worried look on their face as my mom's hand seemed to grip at Toby's shoulder as if it was her lifeline within that moment. Makes sense. She has no clue what had really happened. Even if she did, I believe she would be even more worried due to how just purely insane the whole situation seemed. "I should go tell Dr. Troy of Jim's state. Keep an eye on him, will you?" Toby gave her a nod as I tried to push myself up into a sitting position while mom fled the room with an obviously calm facade. I felt a hand place itself on my shoulder as it tried to stop me from bringing myself up.

"Tobes, I'm fine."

"Bro, you fought a changeling with weird freaking sickle blades! Don't forget slaughtering a horde of goblins right beforehand." I gave him a wide smile even though my cheek ached.

Huh, must have bruised it. When? I have no clue.

"Here, by the way." Toby extended his closed fist to me. "I took it before anyone else could." I gave him a weird look for a second before he took my hand and placed the crystal into my hand. As his hands retreated, I clutched my grip onto the crystal with a satisfied feeling running through my system. That void I felt had vanished as the crystal gave a loving warmth within my palm. I took the crystal's chain and placed it over my head as it then dangled right above my chest like it always had. It was as if I was suddenly whole again as I placed a hand over the crystal. I was pushing it lightly against my chest as I did so.

"Thanks, Tobes." I gave my best friend an easy smile even though a hardened one still graced his features.

"I got your back, Jimbo. But please, don't fight off changelings on your own again." He reached out and placed a hand on my right shoulder. "You had me worried when we found you like that." I nodded my head as I tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"I promise."

"Toby," We looked over to the door to see my mother leaning against the hospital room's doorway with her hands in her white coat. "Can I have a word with Jim?"

"Totally." He patted my shoulder once as he got to his feet. "I'll check with you later, alright?" I gave him a simple nod before he made his way out of the room. Mom watched him leave for a second before she turned her attention to me. I could tell she was battling between her doctor persona as well as her motherly one as she stepped across the room to stop to my right almost exactly where Toby once was.

"Well. You have no broken bones or fractions. Just deep bruising and some scraps that were treated rather easily." I watched as a small smile graced her lips as she put her left hand on my head to toy with some of my hair as her motherly side was winning the internal battle she was having. "You're lucky, kiddo. Not just for the minimal injuries, but also because of the friends you have. One of them even refused to leave your side." I smiled as my fingers wrapped around the crystal around my neck.

"Yeah. I know. Toby's a blessing."

"I was actually speaking of that Claire girl." I looked up to her with wide eyes.

"Claire was here?" She gave me a small laugh as she toyed with my hair a little more.

"Yes. Toby and I finally convinced her to go home and get some rest after we saw her dozing off in that chair over there." She pointed over to the chain I knew was over by my left but my mind was still trying to wrap around the situation as I looked down at the hospital gown I was in and the IV in my right hand.

So she really is safe. Thank God.

"She was the one that called me, actually."

And she saved me.

I felt myself smile slightly at the thought as I looked back up toward my mom. "Jim," I could tell by how her eyebrows bridged together in concern that she was about to ask me about what happened. "What truly happened? Claire said it was something she couldn't get herself to explain without you. I want to know why you're here. Why were you in the forest? Why were you so bloodied and bruised when we found you?"

"Um," I hesitated for a second as I took a deep breath to ease my shaky voice. "Claire said she heard something in the forest. She said it sounded like her brother." I put my hands down before me as I toyed with the hospital bed's blanket that was down by my waist. "So I offered to come over and check it out with her. Next thing you know, there were these coyote things. I didn't get a really good glimpse of them, but I told Claire to run off and get help if she could while I held them off."

"Jim," She placed her hand now on my shoulder which caused me to look back up to her. "You can tell me the truth. I won't be angry with you or anything. I rather you told me you snuck out to see a girl than lie to me."

"I promise, mom. If there is anything I need to tell you, I will." I smiled up to her but I had an internal battle raging within my mind.

But if only you knew what I feared. If only I could tell you.

But I'm not risking you too.

Not if I can help it.