Jim almost dropped the Chronosphere. "That's—that's wrong. Nari's dead. This thing is supposed to show the future, not the past."

"Or perhaps the Chronosphere has its own idea of time," said Blinky. "I too saw Nari in its depths, but only for a moment. AAARRRGGHH!, my friend, the lights."

The Chronosphere's vibrant glow returned, and it swirled with images of things Jim didn't dare hope to be true. He tried to look away, but when an image of Toby and Jim riding their bikes through the center of town flashed by, he couldn't turn away. That happened in the past. He repeated it several times before the image reappeared, this time for an instant longer than the first. Toby was slightly thinner, and Jim a bit thicker—but not much. Both were taller and the bikes new. It's my imagination.

Another image.

Claire held a little blonde boy's hand and walked him through her parents' front yard, but instead of the mess of cracked earth and broken fence posts, everything was repaired, the lawn green. "Careful, mijo. Papi moved the sprinklers."

Jim wrenched his eyes from the sphere. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what, Master Jim?" said Blinky.

"Claire. She was talking to her little brother, and—"

"Now the Trollhunter's hearing voices," Dictatious said from the corner. "Perhaps all this trauma has taken his mind as well as his will to fight."

"I'm not afraid to fight," Jim snapped.

"Never said you were," said Dictatious. "Only that you lacked the motivation."

"Sphere want Jim's attention." AAARRRGGHH! pointed with one wide finger.

Instead of its usual green, the sphere alternated colors, moving from green to violet to crimson.

He missed the first few color rotations and only caught the barest glimpse of his mother in the green image. She wore her good white blouse—no glasses.

In the violet image, Nomura kneeled and embraced Nari and Douxie.

Then came crimson, and this time, Jim did drop the Chronosphere. It bounced and nearly leaped back into his hand, as if drawn there, but Jim shied from it. "This thing isn't just wrong. It's cruel!" The Chronosphere rolled toward Jim again, and he kicked it so hard it ricocheted off one wall and flew across the room into the entryway where it clanked off the closed door before rolling under Blinky's worktable in the middle of the room. "Didn't Zong Shi go crazy keeping this thing? I don't want it."

"As you wish." Blinky captured the sphere in all four hands. It bucked and struggled to escape as he locked it in a padded box. Faint thumping seeped from beneath the lid.

"Now I'll never be able to sleep," Dictatious grumbled. "Confounded magical objects. At least take that blasted sword with you. It mutters while I'm trying to think." With two hands he pointed to King Arthur's former sword, mounted on the wall opposite him. "Between it and that sphere, I can't get a moment's peace."

"Ironic you would accuse Master Jim of hearing things when it's you who's addled. Excalibur does not speak," said Blinky.

"And who has the better hearing? You, or I?" Dictatious shot back. "Legendary it may be, but that makes it no less irritating. Take it away." He made a shooing motion, this time with all four hands.

Blinky took Excalibur from its hooks and offered it to Jim. "I'll not insist, but will you consider carrying the blade again? It was destiny's gift to you."

Jim took the sword. Its hilt was still cool to the touch, but gripping it hurt. It was heavier than he remembered. "Do you have something I can wrap it in?"

Blinky seemed taken aback. "You've never hidden Excalibur before. It is a mark of honor to wield it."

"I'm not hiding it. I can't carry it without cutting myself." He held up his bandaged hands. "Burns. Remember?"

Blinky still seemed skeptical. "The sword does not wound its bearer, Master Jim, but I will fetch a covering." He rummaged in another room and emerged with a thick brown canvas bag. He secured the bag over the blade, tying it shut at the base of the hilt with a length of twine.

Jim tucked it under his arm, on his good side. "Is that what you wanted me to see?" He didn't want to seem eager to leave, but he had to get away from that sphere.

Blinky nodded. "That was all."

"Haven't seen Jim since Wingman's funeral," AAARRRGGHH! said. "Sad Jim stays away."

"I'm sorry." Jim inched toward the door. "There's been a lot going on."

Blinky followed Jim step for step. "You're not alone. Please, remember that."

Jim opened the door. "I will."

Outside Blinky's house, Trollmarket was eerily quiet.

Jim shuffled to the base of the stairs, dreading the climb. Instead of taking the first step upward, he sat on the crystal stair, Excalibur across his lap, ruined Trollmarket spread before him, empty and silent.