QUICK UPDATE BECAUSE IT'S 1:55 IN THE MORNING AND FUCK MY SLEEP SCHEDULE!

Hope you guys enjoy! Much love, mates!

I swallowed dryly as I idly rubbed small circles into my girlfriend's hand. Our friends unknowingly lying to our Spanish teacher about the dented in lockers while Claire and I knew all too well who the actual accomplice was.

Well, even if we were honest, I don't think anyone here would believe the two of us. Other than Toby, that is. Even then though, it would only be because he's witnessed trolls himself and not just because of him believing us.

All of us started filing our way out of the school building as I just kept my hand in Claire's. My thumb still anxiously rubbing small circles into hers even with every bumpy step we took down the staircase.

"Draal's being controlled by Gunmar? Shit's getting real, dude." I nodded my head solemnly as I felt Claire tighten her grip on my hand.

"I don't think that's the best way of describing it, but yeah. I guess so." I glanced over toward her as she suddenly slipped her hand out of mine to see she was staring over toward a familiar yellow car that belonged to her parents. She muttered a small sorry as she slipped her hands into her blazer pockets instead.

"It's alright, Claire." I gave her a small smile as she turned her head toward me. "I just gotta prove myself to them. At least get them to see I'm not only just a truck stealer." I watched as a bright smile took over Claire's face. A small flutter taking over my chest as we reached the bottom of the staircase.

"You do know you've got some big expectation set in front of you, right?"

"I'm already a prophet. What's the difference between my girlfriend's parent's expectations to the world's?"

"The fact that being prosecuted by a councilwoman might come sooner than the end of the world." I felt a nervous smile take over my face as Toby just patted my shoulder.

"Don't put any more anxiety in our boy here, Claire. He might not be able to function at this point."

"Just stating the obvious." I watched Claire cringe a little as a car horn honked itself. "I'll text you later, I guess?"

"I'll be waiting." I gave her a small salute as she just giggled in reply.

"I hope I don't keep you waiting too long then. See you two around." She gave us a small wave before turning and heading off toward her mom's car.

"Enjoying your girlfriend anxiety? Is it any better than the Eclipse anxiety you're used to?"

"No," I watched from a distance as Claire gave me a quick glance and wave before getting into the passenger side of her mom's car. "But it's worth it."

"You're such a freaking simp, Jimbo." I gave my best friend a small shrug as I saw my mom pull into the parking lot from the corner of my eye.

"At least it's working out for me though. Until the dread sets in. But I rather wait for that one as long as I can."

"Understood buddy." We started walking toward my mom's car together as he just placed his hand on my shoulder once more. "Completely understood."


I swallowed hard as I slipped my hands into the black jeans my mom was able to help me find as I stood on the porch anxiously. I had an open blue button-down over one of my normal white t-shirts. Claire told me that it wasn't something to overly dress up for, but it would be nice to make myself presentable at the very least. So I tried to go with this groomed but not trying idea, but I don't think that went well. My short-sleeve button-down made me look more like a beach bum more than anything, honestly. I think I'll make it work though. Hopefully.

"I got it!" I heard Claire's voice on the other side of the door before it opened to show her in a simple purple blouse and some blue jeans. The way she smiled toward me almost made me melt on the spot before "You look great." I felt my cheeks burn a little bit as I gave her a bashful smile in return.

"Thanks. You do too."

"I wouldn't call this dressing up." She gestured to her outfit as I noticed she was somehow able to keep her normal boots on and still made herself seem like it was the most casual thing in the world. "But you definitely fit the bill for this. Ready to deal with stubborn adults that think they're better than everyone else here?"

"As ready as I could ever be." She gave me a nearly blinding smile as she moved away from the door to allow me access into her house. I made my way instantly as she closed the door behind me. I felt a sudden ping of anxiety spread across my chest.

What do I even do? How am I supposed to act? Are they all politicians here or just random people from around the town? Do I take off my shoes as she told me her mom wanted before?

Before I could fall further into my anxiety hole, I felt Claire take my hand into hers as her voice came closer to me.

"You're stressed about nothing." I felt her lips press themselves softly to my cheek before she squeezed my hand gently. "Just be yourself. Mamá liked you before. Just, try your best to not end up doing anything Eclipse related." I turned my head to give her a nervous grin as I adjusted my hand to interlock our fingers together.

"I'll try my best." I felt my crystal burn gently against my skin as Claire just giggled before placing her free hand on top of where the crystal was on my chest.

"You never did tell me what purple meant." I smiled toward her as I placed my right hand on top of hers that was on my chest.

"I'm surprised you never figured it out yet."

"Oh, I know what it is." I felt my cheeks burn like hell as a soft gleam took over her hazel eyes. "I just think I'll like it better if I hear you say it." A dopey smile took over my face as my heart felt like it was going to bound out of my chest.

Lord have mercy.

I swallowed hard for a second as my brain panicked a little.

Can she feel my heartbeat? I don't doubt it, honestly.

I tighten my hold on her hands as I noticed her smile widen just the slightest.

When was the last time I had the nerve to kiss her? I think it was the day after I returned from the Darklands. The morning we woke up together before heading off to school.

I felt the urge to pull her closer to me as I realized how long it truly has been.

What could go wrong with me doing so now? I know she wouldn't be against it.

"Claire? ¿Hija?" I nearly jumped as I heard Councilwoman Nuñez call out from the back yard.

Parents. That's what.

I gave Claire a bashful look as she just giggled once more before calling back toward her mom.

"Be right there!" She leaned in quickly and placed a kiss on my cheek once more. "Let's go. The food should be ready soon." She slipped out of most of the hold I had on her except my left hand that was still entangled with hers. She pulled me gently toward the backyard and I allowed her to do so. But before we got to the screen door, she brought herself beside me. "Get my parents to like you again," Her voice was in a soft whisper as she brought herself closer to me. "And you'll get that kiss you wanted." My face must have been as red as a tomato while she just gave me a triumphant smile in reply.

Mission acquired, Eclipse.

I smiled as she opened the screen door and we made our way into the backyard festivities.

Now to accomplish it.


"I need you to find which person killed Vendel. If they have the ability to do that and get away with it, then we must have more than just one imposter among us. I need you to sniff them out and find out whatever you can on them. Also, do me a favor and try to keep the mayhem to a minimum? I don't need running away from a barbeque in a panic on a list of things Claire's parents can hold against me."

I heard Jim's voice echoing in my mind as I was looking through the notes I made on Bork and Queen Usurna

Bork is from the Gen'rik Guild Troll Market. A place that is renowned for both their hate and fear of Gunmar. The more I look into her place of origin, the more I doubt she would ever be in cahoots with Gunmar himself.

Usurna on the other hand has come to power over the Krubera tribe within the last hundreds of years. She and her tribe were once guardians of the Eye of Gunmar, one of his stones tied to his lifeblood. However, the Gumm-Gumms stole it from the Krubera centuries ago. Shortly after she became queen. Could it be a coincidence? Maybe? Could it be that the Gum-Gums were just able to get it due to how young and inexperienced she was? I think Jim's and I history could showcase enough what kind of bullshit you can get away with when you're opponent is green as fucking grass.

I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.

"But coloration does not mean causation. We need more evidence than something that could be on the fence in any form."

Claire's voice this time echoed through my mind as I continued to look over my notes.

A handful of young whelps were taken from the Krubera around the same time that the Eye of Gunmar was taken. Each becoming major members of the Gum-Gum army over time. AAARRRGGHH being a major showcase of this. Somehow the Gum-Gums took some of the greatest future warriors the Krubera would ever have. Did Usurna know what potential these whelps have or were just taken by coincidence once again?

I grabbed my pen that was laying on the table as I noted the fact that this was the second coincidence I've thought of on Urusana.

One was fine. But two? Two was something that made me start feeling as if there is something more going on with this chick.

Who was even the ruler before her? Why was she still here if the Tribunal hasn't even met since Vendel died? Bork and the others were at least overheard talking about just making sure Troll Market is stable before they leave. Usurna though? No one has heard her speak outside of confidential meetings with her people. Why is she here then? I doubt with all these other coincidences that it's for the same reasoning.

But if she's working for Gunmar, then what is she doing here besides killing Vendel? What else could there-.

I dropped my pen as I suddenly remembered Usurna's reaction to knowing that Jim and Claire were in the Darklands together.

"Destroy the bridge!"

"But the Eclipse is in there! Same with the Shadowmancer! We cannot mess with the prophecy, Usurna. The effects would be worse than us letting out Gunmar being released right this moment."

"It would be better than running the risk of him actually escaping the Darklands, Bork."

"She wanted to disturb the prophecy," I spoke to myself softly as I scribbled quickly on my notes. "Even I knew the effects of what that would bring, but she is a Tribunal member. Someone that would know that we should let destiny run its course, but she refused to listen to anyone but herself." I finished scribbling out my notes as I wrote in large letters 'SPY' were under my entries on Usurna.

She's the spy. At least the main one.

I rose to my feet frantically as I grabbed my notes up and ran toward where I knew Blinky and AAARRGGHH were in the forge.

And she's the one trying to toy with the prophecy so that the only person that can kill Gunmar may never be able to see the light of day again.


I tried my best to listen to Coach Lawerance as I held the can of whatever soda was handed to me tight within my right hand.

Honestly, I much rather be anywhere else at this moment. Hearing Coach Lawerance go on and on about the basketball season and how to take care of my body properly was making me lose more brain cells than I can count.

I glanced up toward the man across from me to see it was a smiling Javier Nuñez who, I could tell by the dead look in his eyes, was just as bored as I was in this moment.

But at least I wasn't the only one.

I took a sip out of my can as my eyes glanced over toward where Claire was. To anyone else, it wouldn't be obvious that Claire was just as bored as I was, but I got rather good at reading the actress's body language. Her shoulders were stiffer than normal and her smile was lacking as she just simply nodded along to whatever the woman before her was saying. Normally if she was invested in a conversation, you could see a curious twinkle in her eyes as she looked toward you like you were the most interesting thing in the world. But you couldn't even see a trace of this in the girl's face.

The difference is though,

I took another sip out of my drink as I brought my attention toward the men before me once more.

My girlfriend has had years of practice on these things.

"So what do you think, Mr. Lake?" I snapped my attention toward Coach Lawerance as he gave me a curious look. I felt an embarrassed smile take over my lips as I knew I was caught hiding away in my thoughts.

"Sorry, I didn't catch the question. I'm still trying to get used to everything here." My teacher gave me a pitied look as I knew my mom explained sensory issues were an effect from my "abduction" I experience a little over two weeks ago.

"My apologies. Still trying to get over everything, right? How's that going for you?"

"Well." I let out the white lie as if it was the easiest thing in the world to me before taking another sip of my drink. "It was hard at first. Bright lights were something I had to adjust to with so much time spent in the dark and loud noises are still overwhelming, but I guess I'm adapting."

"If you don't mind me asking then, why did you come? Barbeques aren't really the smallest or quietest places to be when you're still adjusting to the norms." I gave a small shrug as I glanced out of the corner of my eyes to see Claire still standing where she was before. A small smile on her lips as she was listening to the woman beside her.

"Claire asked me to come." I pulled my attention away from her as brought my eyes back up toward the two men before me. A soft look took over Javier's face as it was probably the nicest gaze he was ever presented toward me. "She's been helping me through it all. I honestly think I would be still hiding out in my room if it wasn't for her."

"Having people like that is a greater gift than anyone could ask for. Those are the kind of people you want to keep around as long as you can. Right, Javier?" I kept my eyes on Claire's dad as he gave Mr. Lawerance a simple nod.

"I agree." Her father kept his eyes on me as he continued. "Claire wasn't herself when she came back. It took a while for her to get back to herself. Probably weeks for her to even be out of her room for more than the few hours of school she was able to handle." He glanced away from me for a moment before shaking his head a little. "I hate to admit it, but once you were able to escape, she came back around. Even though you did get mi hija in some trouble as of late," I swallowed dryly as I noted the darker tone in his voice. "I can say that you also had a positive impact on her life as well. Especially after the hell you two must have endured. So I must thank you for that." I gave him a simple nod which made it obvious to the two men that I didn't really want to speak on the subject anymore.

You have no clue what we've seen, Mr. Nuñez.

I took another sip from my drink as my thoughts continued.

Not a single fucking clue.

I was pulled out of my thoughts though as I felt my pocket vibrate gently. I put my can into my right hand as I used my left hand to fish out of my phone from my jeans pocket. Toby's name was appearing on the screen as Coach Lawerance's voice made itself known one more.

"Is it your mom? Dr. Lake must be worried sick about how'd you react to this all. Being a doctor and everything, she must know how this must be for you right now." I jumped at the idea of a clean lie as I gave Lawerance a simple nod.

"Yeah. She must be worried about me. If you don't mind, I'm going to take this before she ends up driving over here in a panic." The men both chuckled a little before giving me a nod in reply. I stepped away from them and walked toward the house as I brought my phone up to my ear after pressing the accept button. "Hello?"

"Jim. I know who killed Vendel. The same one that has been trying to mess with the prophecy since you and Claire were in the Darklands. The same one that's watching Troll Market like a fucking hawk."

"Whoa whoa whoa. Calm down there, Tobes." I whispered into the receiver as I glanced around where I was standing on the back porch to see if anyone was listening in on the conversation. "Just cut the bullshit, alright? You'll give yourself a panic attack otherwise. Who is it?"

"Usurna. Usurna is the fucking mole and she's hiding something. She's planning something, Jim. Something is going to go sideways here. We need to figure this out and figure this out fast." I glanced toward Claire who was now giving me a curious look from where she was standing. The women around her seemingly not acknowledging her as she then started making her way toward me.

"I'll be there in a few. We'll figure this out, Tobes. We've figured out more with less."

"I hope you're right, Jimbo. I'll keep an eye on things around here until then. See you soon."

"See ya Tobes." I pulled the phone away from my face as Claire stepped up beside me.

"Toby called you? Did he figure it out?"

"It's Usurna and she's watching Troll Market like a hawk, I guess. That's what Toby said at least. She seems to be planning something and whatever it is, it can't be good."

"I guess we need to get to Troll Market then."

"It'll be easier for me to slip away than you."

"I'm not letting you go down to Troll Market where a crazy troll lady is setting up hell to break loose."

"Claire, we might not have a choice right now." She gave me a sad look as I pocketed my phone. "I promise that if anything goes wrong, I'll let you know as soon as possible."

"Promise?"

"I swear." She let out a soft breath.

"Be safe alright?"

"When am I not?" I gave her a cheeky grin as she just nudged me in the shoulder.

"Don't make me prove you wrong, Lake. You still have a color to tell me about." I smiled as I slipped into the house.

"I'll tell you once we deal with Usurna."

"Promise?"

"I double swear."

"Good." My smile widened as I made my way through the house and out the front so I could start my way toward Troll Market. A simple thought echoing through my mind.

So much for wanting a simple day with trying to impress my girlfriend's parents.