HELLO MY CHILDREN!
I'm still in a hella good writing mood so I have a LOT of updates I'm going to be wheeling out these next couple of days for my stories. I really hope you guys enjoy this update! I did a couple of things that I wasn't sure if I wanted to at first, but I ended up going through with them anyway.
ALSO! Shout out to bryar6 on Archive of Our Own because I tried to come up with another last name for Zoe but I just kept coming back to the name they gave her in their story Saudade! Go give it a read if you haven't. It's an AWESOME story.
ANYWAY! Much love to all of you! Stay safe, everyone!
Throughout rehearsal, the aura of the Gootslang was still following me through each scene. It got to the point where I even completely forgot what scene I was in because of the immense feeling the creature was exhuming. It got to the point that in-between scenes, Claire would rub my shoulders to try to relieve some of the stress that the aura was giving me.
"Feeling any better?" She whispered to me as we exited the gym and started heading toward the front of the school building. Her hand rubbing gently into my back now instead of my shoulders this time around.
"It feels dreadful. It's like all the negative emotions a person can feel is being forced into my mind. I can feel it slithering around. It's close. Really close." I brought my hand up to clutch my head. My fingers tugging at the root of my hair gently as I glanced over toward her. "It feels as if they're no longer satisfied. That what they found wasn't what it wanted."
"Can you tell what it's looking for?"
"Not without doing an aura spell. I would have to do an lettura dell'aura specifically. But if I do that-."
"It could read you back?" I nodded my head as I dropped my hand to my side.
"Yup and whatever it's looking for has something to do with prey. I can sense that enough. Like it's hunting for something or someone. Each second it gets closer."
"Do you think it has anything to do with the threats from the Janus Order?" I gave her a shocked look in reply.
"You've gotten threats from the Janus Order? The same bastards that decided to start the hell between humans and wizards, right? The same ones that used hysteria to control the humans around them? That same Janus Order?"
"I thought you knew of them being in Arcadia. The changelings and everything in the museum, they're apart of it all." I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Christ." I pulled my eyes away from her while running a hand through my hair. "Makes sense though. Only they would have the ability to get something like a fucking Gootslang to come after you. Probably their way of getting the amulet while making it seem like some kind of weird mauling." I brought my attention back toward her as I felt a sudden need to protect the Trollhunter fill my chest. "But if it is, I swear I'll kill the thing myself."
"If it is, I don't want you getting yourself hurt." She gave me a soft look while her hand now rested at the top of my back just below where my neck met my spine. "If this Gootslang creature is as dangerous as you described, then I don't need anyone else getting stuck in the crosshairs."
"Did you forget you gave me this today," I brought my left hand to my chest so I could grab the pendant that she had given me. "Or was today really that stressful?"
"You put a lot of faith into this." She took her hand that placed on my back and reached out to touch the pendant instead. "Why is that?"
"The witch that made it still has magic within it. The ruin that created this is still active." I smiled at the feeling of her fingertip grazing mine as I allowed her to grasp the necklace instead. "Meaning that it's still capable of its original job to protect the wearer." We came to a stop to turn toward each other. Her eyes were still scanning the pendant she had given me with a skeptical look within her hazel eyes. I just chuckled at her worry while a blush appeared on my cheeks.
She really is worried for me, isn't she?
"Trust me, it'll keep me safe."
"And what if the magic runs out? You said it yourself that magic is like a well full of water that needs to be replenished from time to time. What if it runs out while this thing is attacking us? What if-?" She cut herself off as she pulled her eyes from the necklace. I reached up to take her hand that was still wrapped around the pendant into my own. The action causing her to snap her attention back toward me as I knew all too well what the Trollhunter was worried about.
"I can protect myself, Claire. I fought Bular the Butcher, for Merlin's sake." I gave a small chuckle at the end of that. "And I won't leave you alone in this." I squeezed her hand slightly as I knew a soft look was taking over my face. "Your battles are mine, remember?"
"I know. I just don't want you getting hurt."
"I don't want you hurt either, you know." She gave me a gentle smile as she dropped the pendant and intertwined our fingers together instead.
"So both of us are too stubborn to let the other fight alone."
"Oh most definitely, Nuñez." She gave a small laugh to me in reply as she gave me a determined look.
"Then let's kick some Gootslang ass." I chuckled before squeezing her hand gently.
"There's the Trollhunter I know." I felt a buzz come from my jeans pocket as I used my empty hand to grab it from my jeans only to be welcomed to the sight of Douxie's name glaring up at me. I opened the message without hesitation as Claire's voice spoke to me once more.
"What is it?"
"Douxie said he's got someone that's willing to help us."
"I can tell by the look in your eye that there's something else."
"He said that knows my aura already. That something of hers is mine now." I glanced down at the pendant as it all started to connect for me.
Unless she has met me before or is as in-depth with aura reading as I am, there is only one way for her to know mine.
The pendant was her creation.
"She's a witch."
"The more the merry, I suppose." I couldn't help but smile at that as a car horn could be heard in the distance. "I guess we'll be meeting up at the cafe?"
"Probably best. We were already pushing the envelope when it came to Tobes, Doux, and I going to Troll Market the other day. Might as well not push Vendel or Draal further than what we already have." She gave a simple nod in reply before looking down at our intertwined fingers.
You don't want to leave just as much as I do, huh?
I smiled at the thought as I brought her hand up to my lips. Placing a single kiss on her knuckles as if to say that I wasn't going to disappear after she left with her parents.
Don't worry, Claire. I won't leave you. Not yet.
The sound of the second car horn was enough for us at that point to separate as soft smiles were still being shared between us.
"Text me if anything changes, alright?"
"I wouldn't imagine doing anything else, honestly."
"Good." She stepped forward once more and pressed a quick peck to my cheek. "Stay safe." The words were a soft whisper but held a rather demanding tone to them.
"As the Trollhunter desires." After she flashed me another soft smile, she slipped away from me and headed toward her parent's vehicle. A blush appearing on my face as I watched her walk away.
That girl will seriously be the end of me, isn't she?
I chuckled at the thought as I watched her safely enter the car before it started making its way down the street.
I don't mind it though. Not when the end looks that beautiful.
When we all gathered at the cafe, it was a little after midnight. The moon was high and the rest of the town of Arcadia Oaks was dreadfully silent.
All while the beast that lurked within the nearby shadows was more awake than ever before.
I didn't quite understand the aura reading stuff or how it worked just yet but seeing how weighted it made Jim look and feel was enough for me to know that it was draining.
"How does all of this even work?" I whispered to him in the wings of the stage as I rubbed his shoulders to try to relieve whatever I could from the halfling. It seemed to help for the most part, but it didn't take the knitted worry from his brows or the dreadful look within his normally sparking ocean eyes.
"It's like focusing a part of your soul into something while the rest of you is trying to keep your composure. It takes only small amounts of magic to keep an eye on where the aura is stemming from or how far away it is, but it's draining all the same." He placed a hand on top of one of mine before turning his head toward me. "Imagine if you will a loose string to a t-shirt or something. When you pull on it, it doesn't cause much damage at first. But you forget to pinch the thread and you just keep pulling and pulling, it could cause a hole to appear."
"So it doesn't affect you much now, but if you keep having to seek it out and read where it's at-."
"It'll leave me drained not just emotionally, but magically." I swallowed dryly at the darkness that filled his normally gentle voice.
I never witnessed yet the effects of overexerting one's magic, but from how Douxie and Jim spoke about it, it's more painful than anything I think I have ever endured. I remember the most vivid description given to me was from Douxie on how he stated that it's like not just your body being exhausted but your whole being and soul feeling as if it can't even breathe without using too much energy while your entire essence feels like it's being ripped out from within you.
I felt my grip tightened on Jim's shoulders as I fought against my instinct to pull him close against me. Mainly due to how I knew if I did, I wouldn't let go even if the next scene was his and his alone.
I don't think I would handle witnessing such a scene. Not with Douxie and sure as hell not with Jim.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Trollhunters and my fellow wizard, I would like to introduce to you Zoe Raiden. A near dear friend of mine for the last nine hundred or so years." The pink hair woman crossed her arms over her chest as she shot Douxie a half-hearted glare.
"Nice of you to give my age away so easily, Casperan." A slight blush appeared on the older boy's face as he seemed to want to dispute the accusation from his fellow spell caster, but couldn't bring himself to actually do so. "Anyway," She turned her attention toward the rest of us as a smile appeared on her face. "Nice to meet all of you. Sorry that this is all tied to a rather dangerous endeavor, but we'll make the best of this situation, won't we?" It was then that I noted that the witch and I weren't very different in terms of taste. She wore an oversized black and grey skull shirt that hung off her right shoulder that was matched with torn up skinny jeans, black combat boots, and an array of concert wristbands. A few of the names I recognize, but quite a few of them seemed to be too faded to even read. I smiled at our similarities as I glanced toward Darci and Mary to see what they thought of the new addition to our little ragtag team of misfit guardians of Arcadia. They were looking back toward me with the same amused look as we all seemed to mutually agree on the unspoken subject.
Despite our differences in nature and age, she's just like us. With that, we welcome her in with open arms.
"You must be the Trollhunter." I snapped my attention back toward Zoe as she took a step forward to greet me. "It's wonderful to meet you. I'm sure you know already the history of your title so I won't go into detail of how in awe I am to be standing before you, but know that if you need anything outside of this little journey of ours, you can call upon me." The two of us shared a friendly smile as she glanced down at my Papa Skull shirt I was wearing. "Also, nice taste."
"Thank you. Back at ya, though. I noticed the Ashes To New bracelet you have. Kind of jealous, honestly." Zoe looked back toward Douxie for a moment as she pointed her thumb toward me.
"I like this one. Can I keep her? She's one of my people." I couldn't help but laugh at that as Douxie just shook his head a little.
"How did I know you two would get along?" He rolled his eyes jokingly as he crossed his arms over his chest. As he did so, Zoe seemed to take the opportunity as a way to introduce herself personally to the rest of the team.
"Mary and Darci, I suppose?"
"Yup! I guess Douxie spoke about all of us to a certain degree?" The witch gave a small smile to them as she shrugged her shoulders a little.
"He gave me a small rundown on each of you. Names including a small description of who you are. Nothing more than that though." As she made her way down the line, Jim moved so that he was beside me. His hand slipping into mine as she came up to him after introducing herself to Toby. "And you must be Jim. Last son of the line of witches from the Lady of the Lake. Wonderful to meet you."
"You as well." I glanced over toward Jim as it was obvious he was nervous to be before Zoe. A confused look took over my face as I just gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
No wonder why he moved to join my side though. He looks like he's already overstepped his boundaries and he's only met the woman for not even five minutes.
"Don't be so nervous, young one. I know that you feel as if you've disrespected me wearing my old pendant, but I promise you there are no ill feelings between us." I gave her a wide-eyed look as I glanced back toward Jim who seemed a lot more at ease after she spoke.
"The necklace is yours? I didn't know." Zoe turned her attention toward me as she just gave a soft smile toward me.
"Oh, don't worry about it. I was told that you gave it to him as a gift. Well," She brought her eyes back toward Jim as she gave him a smirk. "More like this one's aura told me that enough. You gave it to him for the same reason I made the little jewel. To protect the wearer from harm. So in my eyes," She looked back toward me as a smile took over her face once more. "The pendant is fulfilling its purpose and doing so out of one of the purest of emotions that I made it from." A blush took over my cheeks as I understood exactly what she meant from the softness that took over her voice. I just rubbed mindless circles into the back of Jim's hand as I could tell both of us were quite bashful at her statement. She turned her attention back toward Douxie though as a smirk reappeared on her features. "Still don't understand how someone lost the damn thing though."
"I told you the last hundreds of years, Zoe, it was an accident."
"Must have been one hell of an accident for it to end up in the hands of a troll shop owner."
"ANYWAY!" Douxie let out a dramatic sigh as he decided he had enough of his friend's teasing. "We've got a Gootslang to slay."
"Of course." Zoe moved to join Douxie's side before giving the rest of us her full attention. "I was able to find the creature not too far away from the heart of Arcadia. A few miles north of here, ironically, in a small cave-like structure."
"Like any other Gootslang, really."
"But it's an older one. Probably one of the first offsprings to the original. It has deep dark tough skin so only the sharpest of blades would be able to cut through it. Daylight might just be the only one to do so, actually, since it's able to strike through stone." I nodded along to what Zoe was stating as she now looked at Jim directly. "But there's a soft spot within the creature's mouth. I believe that a direct hit within there would cause its death to be swift and easy."
"What kind of magic you suggest?"
"That's the problem, honestly." Zoe crossed her arms over her chest as she nulled over Jim's question. "I have no clue. Light magic might affect it since it's a creature stemming from dark magic but I've also witnessed moments when it takes dark spells to land a killing blow to such creatures." She dropped her arms to her sides once more as she looked over all of us. "But one this is for certain. The cave it's residing in is too small for more than two fighters to attack it. If not, well, I hope you enjoy stray lightning bolts." She held up her right hand as a wave of electricity reached her palms.
"So Zoe and I concluded that Claire and Jim should be the ones to go after the creature with us residing outside as support just in case of anything going awry."
"So send our wizard and the huntress here in to fight against an ancient creature by themselves?"
"It's the best option unless someone wants to die from close proximity to magic casting. Claire's armor will keep her safe from any backlash and Jim is the only one that can cast both dark and light magic. It's the only way. Even then, they won't be by themselves. I'll be keeping an eye on their auras and if anything goes wrong, we'll be there in a heartbeat. Nothing more, nothing less." I looked over toward Jim who was looking right back toward me. Our friends were obviously against the idea, but the two of us seemed to understand that there truly was no other way around the situation.
"Do you have any other ideas?" He just gave me a soft chuckle as his hand's grip tightened around mine.
"Why are you asking me? You're the smart one out of the two of us." I smiled at his statement as I tabbed the back of his hand gently with my thumb.
"We can handle it though."
"As long as we're together," He whispered out toward me as he leaned so I was the only one to hear him. "I think we can do anything. Ancient being or not."
What would I do without you? Probably be an anxious mess over the fact of fighting a fucking elephant serpent, honestly.
But he's right.
I looked over toward Zoe to give her a simple nod of agreeance.
He and I can do anything as long as we're together. Ancient beings or not.
I thought we were going to be fine when we first entered the Gootslang's cave.
But as we were fighting back against the being, I felt helpless as my light attacks merely bounced off the creature's tough exterior.
"CLAIRE!" I pushed myself up off the ground from where the being smacked me down into only to watch as she struggled against the Gootslang's tail that held her arms down to her sides.
"GOD DAMN YOU, YOU FUCKING LEATHER SKINNED-!" Her words were cut off as the near midnight colored serpent squeezed the words out of her. A sharp screaming coming from her as I felt newfound anger fill my system. I pushed myself up to a standing position as I felt my hands ball into a fist on both sides of me.
I won't let this being get the best of us. I won't let them win.
I clenched my teeth together as I felt my magic dip into the deepest darkest bits within me as I brought my hand up toward the sharp-toothed serpent.
I most definitely won't lose Claire.
"Let. Her. Go!" I yelled out the last bit as I watched a black and purple orb swirl within my right hand. I used my left to keep my shaking limb steady as I narrowed my eyes at the beast. "Purpura lumen inspiratione!" My voice grew dark as the serpent reared its head toward me. A large hiss coming from its mouth as I just smirked at the beast in reply.
Thanks for exposing yourself, asshole.
I let out a low growl as I forced the electric pulse of pure magic straight toward the beast. The energy bursting from my hand like a cannon as it hit the Gootslang right in the mouth. Instantly, it dropped Claire as it screamed in reply.
"Unus est magister vester unus est maxime momenti visa est ut obliviscatur praecepta societatis in veneficus." I hissed out the last word as I stepped forward. Another spell swirling around before my right hand as I targeted the already dying creature. "Numquam irrumabo cum veneficus scriptor Misericordiam consecuta." I felt my jacket whip around me as the pendant around my neck started to glow a deep vibrant purple in the corner of my eye. The sudden gust of wind around me carrying up as it tossled around my clothing. "Abi in malam pestem, ya bastardis." Another ball of black and purple shot out toward it as I growled out the statement. The blast from my hand hitting the creature in its head once more as it's already stone turning skin caused it to shatter on impact. My anger started to subside as the pieces fell to the ground with a large thud.
No one hurts Claire and gets away with it.
I dropped to my knees as I felt a sudden sense of weakness take over my system.
Even if it takes all of me to make sure of it.
"JIM!" I collapsed forward as her frantic voice echoed within my mind. Sleep suddenly taking over my being even if my body felt as if it was being torn apart from the inside out.
Even if it means losing myself.
I paced back and forth within the Lake residence's living room as Douxie, Zoe, and Jim's mother were upstairs taking care of the passed out wizard. Anxiety swelling in my chest as my mind couldn't shake the glimpses of Jim's limp body on the dirty ground as I held onto him like a lifeline.
"Claire, I know you're worried but for us to get him to someone that can help him, you need to let go." I buried my face into Jim's hair as his head laid limp within my lap.
"I-I-."
"Love, you need to let me take him." I pulled my head back to look over the sickly pale features that replaced the gentle smile and loving blue-eyes I loved more than anything. He looked so small within my arms. His breathing was steady and it was the only thing that kept me from losing myself, but I couldn't get myself to let go of him. The need to protect drained being taking over me more than anything within that moment. "Claire, please. We need to get him to his mom so she can heal him. She's the only one that knows how." I nodded as I slowly unwrapped my arms from around his neck. Even if it killed me slowly to do so.
I shook my head as I brought myself out of the memory.
He just overworked himself. He was breathing. He'll be fine, Claire. Just calm down. He's in good hands.
I felt two different hands engulf my shoulders as I nearly started to cry as I looked between my two best friends. Standing before me was a worried Toby as he looked at me with a heartbroken gleam in his eyes.
You've got to be strong. You're not the only one affected by this. You're not the only one that loves him.
"S-Sorry." I let out a breath I was holding as I placed a hand on each of Darci's and Mary's that were still sitting on my shoulders.
"You're fine, Claire. You're allowed to be choked up right now. I think anyone else in your position would most definitely be."
"But I'm acting as if I'm the only one that cares and I'm not."
"But you're the one that loves him. Not as a brother and much more than just a friend." Toby spoke gently toward me as he took a step closer. "You're allowed to be this way. You have every right. But I've seen Jim go through this before. Not as terrible as this time around, but he's gone through this before. He's a tough cookie. He'll be fine."
"I sure hope so."
"He is." I turned my head toward the staircase to see a soft smiling Douxie standing there with Zoe by his side. "Ready to see him? I suggest one at a time though. He's a little out of it." I felt all their eyes land on me as I already knew what they were going to say. Instead of letting them ask it though, I started making my way toward Douxie who just pointed up the staircase. "First door to your left."
"Thanks." I gave him a soft smile as I made my way past him and Zoe. But before I could completely, Douxie reached out and placed a hand onto my shoulder just as Mary and Darci had done.
"There's one more thing, Claire." I gave the wizard a confused look as he continued. "This wasn't an ordinary magic drainage. The magic he used seemed to backfire against him. Eating slightly at him as he cast it. Do you remember at all what he did?"
"It was a black and purple spell. Something inspiratione? Sorry, I speak Spanish. Not Latin."
"No, thank you. It helps. It seemed his light magic went against him."
"His light magic?" Zoe spoke this time as she answered the question I presented to them.
"Light magic is just as dangerous as dark magic. Even more so within a wizard that can wield both light and dark magic. Especially when dark emotions charged his light attacks." I swallowed dryly as I looked up toward where they told me Jim was resting.
"Is he going to be alright? Can this happen again?"
"He'll be fine. I don't doubt that this will happen once again. His magic is charged by his emotions. He just needs to learn which magic styles to use when which emotion is taking over him. It'll take time though." I gave a simple nod as I let his words seep into my skin. "But go ahead." He gave me a soft smile as he took back his hand and gestured toward the upstairs once more. "He's waiting for ya."
Without a second thought, I made my way up the rest of the staircase and slipped into the room to be welcomed by a soft giggling voice that I knew all too well.
"Claire?" He let out a soft laugh once more as he perked up at the sight of me. "Claire!" He gave me a childish grin as I just smiled back toward him. "I kept telling Douxie I wanted to see you but he kept telling me that I need to rest but I told him no cause fuck that." I couldn't help but laugh at him as I reached his bedside. I reached out to take his right hand as I sat down onto the small space open next to him on the bed.
"Yeah? And how are you feeling?" He looked down toward our joint hand as he messed with my fingertips with a goofy smile on his face.
"Tired. But I'm better now. Especially since you're here." I couldn't help but blush at his words as I tried to remind myself that he wasn't himself due to whatever it was that his mom had to give him.
"I'm happy you're okay." He gave me a sloppy smile as he took my hand into both of his.
"I'm happy you're okay." He brought my hand up to his cheek so he could lean his head against the back of it. "I was so worried about you when I hear you scream. It echoed within my head. Like a sorrowful choir ringing within my being." He looked up toward me with a sad smile as he rubbed his cheek against my hand. "I just wanted to make sure you were safe."
"I'm safe, Jim. I'm okay."
"I know." He gave me a sweet smile as he whispered to me in the sweetest tone. "I did good, didn't I?" I laughed at the childish tone returning to his voice as he brought our hands back down.
"The best." I gave him a sweet smile in return. "The best I've ever seen."
"You're always so nice to me." His smile grew as he continued. "So pretty too. I'm so happy I met you." The blush that was still on my cheeks deepened as I let out a small laugh to try to calm my nerves.
"I'm happy I met you too, Jim."
"Lay down with me? I'm tired but I really don't want you to leave." He spoke like a five-year-old as he scooted a little to his left to give me a bit more space beside him. "Please~?" He elongated the word as he looked up toward me with the brightest pair of puppy dog eyes that I couldn't even say a yes to as I laid down beside him. "Yay!" I giggled at his goofiness as he buried his face into my shoulder. His hand engulfing mine once more as I became his pillow.
"Happy?" He hummed in content in reply as he nuzzled a little bit more into my neck.
"The happiest. More than I could ever be." I smiled as I leaned my head against the top of his. His breath suddenly becoming steady as sleep took over him with ease.
To say I had feelings for the boy before today was true.
I felt my smile widen on my face as I clutched his hand gently in mine.
But there was something more than just a feeling that was spreading across my chest and engulfing my heart in the lightest more purest fashion.
I turned my head to press a kiss to the top of his head as he just nuzzled closer into my neck and murmur sweetly in his sleep. Tiredness taking over me as well as a single thought echoed through my mind.
And I guess that's this is what love feels like.
Latin to English translations:
Unus est magister vester unus est maxime momenti visa est ut obliviscatur praecepta societatis in veneficus. -Your master forgot one major rule when it comes to wizards.
Numquam irrumabo cum veneficus scriptor Misericordiam consecuta- You never fuck with a wizard's loved ones.
Abi in malam pestem, ya bastardis- Go to hell, ya bastard.
Purpura lumen inspiratione- Purple light blast