Stuart answered on the second ring. His bushy brown hair spiked like a porcupine with bedhead, and he wore his ever-present terry-cloth house robe. "Stuart's Electronics. Sorry, but we're closed for renovations. Oh, it's you, Jim. Wha' da ya need? Can't promise much with the shop in a state, but I'll do what I can."

"I need a favor."

"Shoot."

"You said you've done almost every job on Earth, right?"

"Everything except plumbing."

"How about professional tag? There was a woman in town earlier today. We got her to leave, but she's going to be back. We need you to take Excalibur and get her to follow you while we take care of… something."

In a flash of green, Stuart adopted his four-eyed, green-skinned alien Durian appearance. "Can I swap in and out of my human disguise?"

"Sure. Just make sure she doesn't actually get a hold of this." Jim held Excalibur so Stuart could see it. "Up for it?"

"Sounds like fun. So, who's this woman?"

Douxie stepped into Stuart's line of sight. "She's a Legend Seeker."

"And you thought Excalibur would be good bait." Stuart changed back to his human appearance. "I haven't gotten El Guerito up and running just yet, but I think I can have it going by tonight if Krel helps."

"Call him," Jim said. "Tell him it's important."

"What're you trying to keep this Legend Seeker away from?"

"It's a long story," Jim said. "We'll tell you everything soon, I promise. For now, I need that taco truck running. Well, flying would be preferable since the roads are chopped onion."

Stuart sorted through a shelf of electronics, tossing aside odds and ends Jim was sure people stopped using twenty years before he was born. "I can arrange that. One flying taco truck, coming up." Stuart vanished.

Jim called Aja.

"Well, this is a surprise. Two calls from the Trollhunter in the same day." Aja held one of her daughters. The little girl was asleep, thumb wedged in her mouth.

Behind Aja, Steve sprawled in a recliner, head back, mouth open in a silent snore. The other six of their kids covered him like a glowing blue blanket. Each one was asleep.

"There's something I need to tell you," Jim said.

"It isn't another complaint about the internet being out, is it? If I get one more 'anonymous' note from Mary, I'll take all her phones and bury them."

Sweat dripped down the back of Jim's shirt. He'd told this story twice in the past two hours, but telling Aja felt like crossing a line. If he did this, there was no going back. "Nothing like that."

"Good. I was not looking forward to getting dirt under my fingernails." Aja's daughter stirred. "Taja won't sleep with the others." She combed the girl's hair out of her face. "If I don't keep her with me, none of them go to sleep, and then Steve gets no sleep either."

Aja passed through another room where Krel and Coach Lawrence leaned over a low table. Another two dozen strides took her onto the back patio, where she sat in the shade of a striped umbrella. "You are worried. I see the anxious look in your eyes. No one will hear you out here."

Jim gathered his nerves. "You remember the Chronosphere?"

"Uh huh. That glowing ball thing. You said it was useless."

His hands slicked with sweat, and he almost dropped Excalibur. "Turns out it gave me some… new information."

Jim finished recounting everything that had happened over the past few days as Aja finished her fifteenth circuit of Steve's backyard.

"We have to find out if this is possible," Aja said. "But I cannot abandon the people of Arcadia Oaks now. Your plan to deal with this Legend Seeker is dangerous, but with my brother's help, it will be a success. I wish to speak to the rest of your group there aboard Camelot."

NotEnrique moved out of the way as Jim set the communicator on the table in front of The Book of Ga-Huel, and it projected Aja's image so everyone could see her.

Aja began with Douxie. "You lost a dear friend. She has left you a piece of herself, but she is not here, and I am sorry for your grief. If these images you have seen inside the Chronosphere are true, you will one day embrace her again."

To Claire she said, "You know great love, and great hurt. You too have lost a friend, and though his memory lives in your heart, you would give much to have him stand beside you now."

"Changeling," she said to NotEnrique, "I do not know you well, but I understand what it is like to be one of only a few of your own kind. To lose even one of your number is a heavy burden. May that burden lift."

"Mother of Jim," Aja held her daughter closer, "I cannot imagine the serrator that pierced your heart when the one you loved fell in battle. He defended you, your son, and your world to the last, and though he was far from perfect, you loved him. I hope to Seklos he returns to you."

"And Trollhunter, you too have lost much—four friends, one dearer to you than a brother. I do not know what it is like to lose a friend like that, but I know what it is to lose family, and I cannot imagine losing Krel. Or Steve. Or one of our children." Aja soothed a fussy Taja. "Do not let fear guide you. The Chronosphere has led some astray, but I have faith in you, Trollhunter. You are pure of heart."

Kronisphere still hid in Jim's bag, but the orb's presence grew until Jim couldn't look away from the backpack.

"Each of you must decide to hope," said Aja. "Often hope ends in much pain. But sometimes it gives unspeakable joy."

Taja woke and fussed again, and Aja couldn't get her back to sleep. "Find the answers you need, and Seklos go with you."

The call ended.

Jim fumbled to put the communicator away.

As he tucked it in his pocket, the urge to open The Book of Ga-Huel moved him. He found the pages where his mom had seen the hidden message.

At first, nothing was there.

Then, four words appeared.

The sick of heart.

Jim's stomach vaulted into his throat, and he shut the book.

They had a mission—a battle—ahead, and he would fight to win.