Hey guys! I finally have an update! YAY! This took a while. A LONG WHILE! I've been kind of fighting to try to write this and I kept going like "I don't like this... REDO!" Repeatedly. But I'm happy so far, as I am writing this author's note, with what I have been coming up with so far. I'm kind of losing my thrill with this story, I might write some small stories on the side for a little bit and come back, but I promise I will try to keep writing for this! To be honest, if you guys have any suggestions on what I should write (one-shots, small stories, other stories ideas) message me! I am welcome to ideas, always!
Thank you for being patient, and I hope you enjoy!
"So, how long have you been doing this?" I looked over to my side to see Claire in a baggy black hoodie and black spandex walking close beside me. I've gotten so used to the silence over the years that it startles me now and then when she decided to announce her presence. Even if it's in a light whisper within a quiet forest. But the reality hits me even harder as I see the compacted bow staff that she has in her hand and the smile dancing across her face.
"Keep your body low and your feet apart. You're small, which means you're faster but that's only possible if you keep yourself light on your toes. Speed is most effective when battling against things like trolls and changelings. They have more strength and they will be at least double your size, so use your size to your advantage." I put myself in a battle stance before her. I watched as she gave me a quick nod as I noticed the concentrated crinkle between her eyebrows and the determination that shimmered in her eyes. "When you move back, don't take your eyes off your enemy. Always try to anticipate the next move."
"A long while. I believe I was almost eleven when I first found the amulet. It's hard to tell really. Time kind of become redundant after something like that. I started my training for Trollhunter soon after. I rather forget those days though. My trainers weren't the nicest." I watched as she had a slight frown on her face until she quickly replaced it with a smile.
"Is that why you were able to train me on a weapon so quickly?" I nodded without a second thought. It also helps that she was very committed to learning. It was obvious that she was practicing outside of training hours. It was outstanding to the point that I would believe if she said she was practicing lines while doing weapon training techniques. I figured she would be one that would be dedicated to the idea after she stated she wanted to be trained but I wasn't expecting her to treat it with seemingly the same amount of time as she would everything else.
That or I'm falling for someone that is literally fucking perfect but I'll just keep that thought to myself.
"A bow staff? That's you're choice?" I gave her a questionable look as she grabbed a hold of the compact staff and pressed the button to release the rest of the weapon with ease. I wouldn't let it show, but I was impressed due to how when I first used one, I was frightened by it.
"Yeah. I don't know why, but it just feels right." I watched her weigh it in her hands and then did a light spin with it back and worth.
"You've chosen your weapon." I stepped back with a smile and got in a battle stance. "Now to see if you can use it."
I watched a smirk appear on her face as she got into the stance that I've taught her. "Let's go!"
I smiled at the memory of training her with her bow staff for the first time. It doesn't feel like I've been training her for a month. It also doesn't feel like the play's opening night should be in three weeks, but it seems that time flies when things aren't out of the usual or at least when you make a new usual. Every day it's wake up, get to school, go to play practice, go home, do homework, have dinner, 'sleep', sneak out, train Claire, do a nightly sweep, and then go home to actually sleep. Unless it's the weekend when I come up with some excuse to go out and meet up with Claire by the bridge to train for an extra set of hours, or just hang out with Toby. It's tough doing all of it with maybe five hours of sleep if I'm lucky but at least when I do go to sleep, I'm out like a light.
It helps though that Claire picks up on things quickly. I had her start 'Classes' with Blinky while I was training in the Hero's Forge with AAARRRGGHH where he would teach her about all the different creatures she would encounter. To my surprise though, she herself was insisting on learning more about the history of trolls and started even picking up on the language.
Hell, I think if Vendel meets her any time soon, he would like her more than me. I can hear him now. "Why can't this fine specimen be our Trollhunter?"
Besides the fact of thinking that she wasn't joking about taking this training her stuff seriously, it has been fun to have someone to talk to about all of the weight that comes with being the Trollhunter. Once when she was waiting for a ride from play practice, she noticed I was a bit more tired than usual and asked what was wrong. For once in my life, I didn't have to lie about it. I was actually able to speak about how I felt and what was going on. It felt amazing to actually share everything to someone and to be honest. I also think it made us closer than ever. I actually feel terrible for ever thinking that training her wouldn't be a good idea.
I looked up to the stairs to see the moon was high in the sky with little to no clouds to cover. It was as if even the sky knew that everything seemed to be at ease within this moment of time. I looked back to Claire to see was doing the same. The moonlight graced her face in such a way that it seemed like it glowed upon her skin. I felt my heart just into my throat at the sight.
Oh yeah. I remember my reasons why I thought it wasn't a good idea. First one, I like her and if she gets hurt I'll probably destroy the whole forest, all of the creatures within it, and then myself, but I can't for the life of me remember what the second one was.
I watched as she looks over to me and presents me with a wide smile as the moonlight still shone in her eyes which made them sparkle like the stars above her. I almost completely lost my train of thought due to the sight until she decided to look before her with the smile still present on her face.
Oh yeah. Distractions. She's definitely a distraction.
"Dude, what's up with you and Claire? You guys are always hanging out. Wait! Did you grow some balls and ask her out?" Toby laughed as I punched him lightly on the shoulder. "What was that for?!" I gave him a devious smile as I started to walk ahead of him as we headed to history.
"I didn't ask her out and don't yell it so loud." I saw a smirk appear on Toby's face as we walked down the crowded hall. "What is that face for? I know it's not for anything good." He just kept the devilish grin upon his face as he pointed in front of us. I looking over to see that Claire was talking to two of her friends that I remember her talking about. Darci and Mary. I remember then vaguely from before I left Arcadia but it was only a sliver of a memory.
"You know, it's weird. I thought if anyone was going to be in on this 'Atlas Lake the Trollhunter' stuff it would be Colby. Oh, his name is Toby? My bad. But seriously he's like your best friend, right? Why haven't you told him any of this? If I was you, I would have told someone I trust by now. Personally, it would probably be Darci or Mary. More Darci now that I think about it."
"Why don't you go talk to her dude? You come back to Arcadia Oaks all dark and mysterious anyway." He started doing this weird body movement where he fluttered his fingers with his arms up at an angle by his head. "Chicks love that kind of stuff." I rolled my eyes at his comment as he tried to lean back with his arms crossed over his chest to try to act cool.
"Toby is my best friend, yeah. But being the Trollhunter isn't all fun and games. It's tough stuff. Right now, it's calm but trust me, when the storm comes it's heavy. I've fought changelings. I've fought Gum-Gums. I've stopped the Janus Order from opening the Darklands more than once. Toby is my best friend and all and I trust him, but this is dangerous. I would hate for him to be pulled into it."
"What makes him and me any different?"
"To be honest, I had no right to deny you knowing after everything. There was going to be a risk no matter what in your case. The enemies that I have were targeting you. You had every right."
I watched as Darci closed her locker while Mary and she were talking which gave Claire a moment to glance my way and give quick wave before walking with her friends. "Man, you've got it bad." I gave him a stern look before walking ahead without him. "Hey, all you gotta do is admit it! To her. Like soon. Before you both die from anticipation."
Watching the clock tick with dread is something you grow accustomed to when the mand that used to be your step-father teaches your history class. You've already known every little thing he goes on about and you already know his whole act is a show for the humans among you, so he grows to be quiet distasteful to you over time. When the bell rings, it's like a sound of freedom that you've longed to hear for centuries. Until your teacher then decides to pull the classic 'Before-You-Go' speech.
"Before you all leave, we will be taking a field trip to the museum this coming Tuesday! So before you go, please grab one of these permission sheets and have them filled out by a parent and or guardian. For some of you, this is your first field trip through Arcadia Oaks High so this will be put on your file for trips to come. So please, be hasty with their return." I looked Strickler in the eye as I grabbed a form as he gave me one of his famous false smiles before I left the room.
A trip with the man that used to be my father and my whole class for a day? In a museum? That mom will more than likely encourage so I spend more time with my friends? Great. Just wonderful.
"Fair Claire has made wonderful advancements when it comes to her knowledge of creatures. How has she been, Master Atlas, on her nightly patrols with you?" I gave Blinky a smile as I placed a shield back with the rest of the weapons upon the wall.
"She's been doing well. I can't say anything about her in battle readiness yet since thankfully it's been quiet, but I think that is doomed to change at some point. The Janus Order is oddly quiet for once. I was going to look into at some point." I watched as Blinky came closer to me and then patted me on the back with his upper left hand.
"At this point, Master Atlas, I might as well call you Atlas the Cautious!" He gave himself a hardy laugh as I just smiled and chuckled beside him. It was weird having a trainer that actually, well, cared for once. Blinky quickly became someone I cared about. Same with AAARRRGGHH. They both became friends to me and something that I wished the younger naive me had when I first found the amulet. They always encourage and strive for me to do better. Blinky specifically always has something uplifting to say before I leave or even before he tells me something meaningless. He even went on about how he had a whole speech written out for when he was going to be able to meet me the first time. But finding the Trollhunter that you're supposed to be training already fairly well equipped for the job and knowledge of its risk is something he was not expecting.
I also don't think he was expecting to see said Trollhunter also almost be run down by a group of goblins and then save the Trollhunter by pulling him from behind into the Troll Market. But that's something I think no one would expect out of someone that supposed to know what they're doing.
"So how have the simplistic parts of your life been, Master Atlas?" I gave him a shrug. "The play's coming up soon. I have a field trip to a museum next week, I guess. Not the most thrilled with the last one."
"Learning about one's history and kind is always a good practice for a young warrior. You of all people should know that, Master Atlas." I gave him a smile as we both started going toward his library. "It's not that Blinky. The teacher leading it is kind of my ex step-father. I already have to deal with him an hour every day as a teacher, I don't think I can keep calm for a whole day." I felt Blinky put an arm around my back and place a hand on my shoulder.
"Each person as to face fear when they exit out into the world. To each one it is different. But each time you come to the encounter, it makes you stronger the more you able to handle it."
"I really needed that. Thank you, Blinky." He patted my shoulder once more as we continued our walk.
"Anytime, Master Atlas."
A week later and my head rushed with a million thoughts as I watch the heads rollback of my classmates while I watched Nomura greet us at the steps of the museum. I watched her eyes as they scanned repeatedly over the group of bored teenagers. I watched as when she met my gaze, her eyes instantly grew double in size but then instantly went back to normal to act like she didn't realize who I was.
What is she doing here? Why is she working for a museum? What is up with these freaking changelings and enjoying history too much?! Probably because most live for centuries. Why is she here? Most importantly, what are these two planning? It's obvious Strickler knows she's been here. He wouldn't be nodding along with her so easily if he didn't.
"So today we will be taking a guide around the museum and be learning a lot more about you're history. We have showcases of everything from the arts and cultures to the showings of battles. To start our tour, I will guide-" I watched Strickler give Nomura a smile but cut her off with a pat on the shoulder. "Ms. Nomura, why don't we have the children explore the museum on their own? Try to give them a spark to start to actually pay attention to my class." I heard a chuckle come from Nomura as she gave him back a smile.
"Of course. I hope you all enjoy the exhibits and please if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach any of us of the staff." I went with the flow of the class as most of them raced into the museum to try to escape the torture of talking adults. I decided to try to ease my rushing thoughts, I tried my best to seem like nothing was wrong and stick to Toby's side like glue.
"Dude! This place is actually kind of cool? Is that weird to say?" I followed him as we reached the stairs while going pass a giant curtain covering half of the museum.
That is definitely hiding something or am I being too cautious? Is Blinky right?
I watched as Nomura and Strickler go behind the curtains as they watched the teens nearest to them to see if they would be distracted. I knew the action very well as I grew up knowing their body language like the back of my hand.
Nope. Definitely something. Not just me being overboard.
"Nothing wrong with that Tobes," I said before I turned myself back to looking forward as we climbed the stairs. I took a deep breathe as we reached the top and I felt Toby nudge me in the side. "Atlas, you seem stressed. You need to relax man. This is a break from school for a little bit! Treat this like a mini boring vacation." I gave him a small smile as we started walking past some of the major paintings of the upper floor. I stopped by myself as we reached where a renaissance like dress within a case was not too far from us. If I was honest with myself, it wouldn't have been because of the dress, but because of the being before it.
Yet when have I ever been completely honest with myself? Never. I can already answer that right now. Never.
"Great, what is Steve doing now?" I looked over to Tobes and gave him a questionable look before I looked back over to Claire to see Steve leaning against the cabinet beside the dress's showcase. I could feel a growl fill my throat as we came closer to hear what he was saying.
"You know, I'm sorry that I yelled at you when Lake and I got into that fight. It was wrong of me and I deeply apologize." I watched as Claire gave him a quick glance and then went back to looking at the dress. "I know apologies mean nothing, but I know I was a jerk and you didn't deserve that."
"Apology accepted, and you were a jerk." I watched as she gave him a small nod and then went right back to the dress in such a way that it was like she was giving him the allowance to leave her alone. I smiled as he awkwardly left her there alone and walked away like a defeated animal. Without a second thought, I walked right up to her with my hands behind my back.
"It would be amazing if our show had costumes like that wouldn't it?" I watched her turn to me with shock at first but then a genuine smile grew in its place soon after. "Absolutely! But at this point, with the show coming up soon, I might as well do the balcony scene in my bathrobe." We shared a laugh as turned away from the dress's showcase and then look at a battlefield painting behind us.
"With how you act, I don't think it would phase anyone if you did." I received a small laugh in return as she looked over to me with her arms crossed in front of her as she used it to lean her weight against the little divider between us at the distance between the painting. I joined her as a subtle silence filled in. I coughed before I decided to try to replace the silence. "How's everything going with the new schedule anyway?" She gave me a shrug as I watched her stare before her.
"It's been decent. It's hard trying to juggle homework, late nights, and rehearsals but I'm making do. I think as long as I don't drop below a certain grade average and my parents won't notice." I watched her lean back to her full height before leaning against the small wall partial beside her. "I have a question for you actually. How do you keep up with all of this? It's draining isn't it?" I leaned back to meet her gaze, forgetting the battle portrait that is now beside us.
"I remember what I'm fighting for." I looked back at the portrait. The scene depicted was that of a knight on top of a bridge with his sword held high above his head in what I couldn't decide what either pride or honor as there is a ground ridden with enemies around him. After all, there is a difference between pride and honor. One is a toxic emotion a warrior might hold that makes them belittle their enemies and believe they are much more powerful than what they are, and the other is the understanding that he is doing what is right within his own believes and stature.
"Take that knight as an example. There can be many reasons why he had done what he has. May it be to prove his strength, protect his land, or in the name of a king, he has his reasons. For me, I fight for the people I care for. Whenever it got difficult, whenever I felt like I could carry on, I remembered who I was wearing the armor for. I would think of my mom, Tobes, Blinky, AAARRRGGHH... And I would then find the courage to stand back up and keep on fighting." I looked over to her to see she had a small smile on her face which I then almost instantly matched. "I fight to keep those I care for safe. Once you find your reason, whatever that is, you'll keep it in your heart. It'll be with you always. Especially in the darkest of moments." There was another floating silence until I heard Claire start to laugh lightly.
"Wow, can't tell that you've been spending a lot of time with Blinky." She said through small amounts of laughter. "You sound just like him. Encouraging speech and all." I felt my face drop a little as she said that and she immediately reacted with her laughter still filling the air. "No! Don't take that the wrong way! You just sounded like a sage for a second there." She tried grabbing my arm as she was still laughing at herself but I pulled it away with a chuckle.
"How dare you compare me to an old man!" I made my voice sound a little older which caused her to continue to burst out laughing. "Kids these days. I swear!"
"Grandpa, I'm sorry!"
"You're gonna be!" We both just started laughing hysterically at each other as we started to walk away from the portrait and back down the stairs where Toby and I originally came from. Ironically, I didn't see him anywhere in sight. I thought he would of stayed around at some point or be near at the very least to make fun of me for ditching him in such a way but he was no where in sight. I decided to shrug it off for the moment as she continued down the stairs.
He must have gotten bored or something. I would too if your best friend ditches you out of no where.
"I swear I saw it! You have to believe me!" I gave Claire a look as the voice of Eli rung out to us like a plead for help from across the museum.
"Oh yeah, and what next? You're gonna claim that dinosaurs are still alive? What about leprechauns? Do they really hide gold?" I rolled my eyes as we approached the scene while Steve's mocking voice irritated every bone in my body. I watched as Eli stomped his foot, clearly irritated, and then proceed to still pronounce his claim.
"But I saw it! They were small and green and they were after something! Or someone! I know it! Here, I have proof!" I watched as he stumbled to pull out his phone and proceed to try to show Steve what I could assume was a photo. "See!" I watched as Steve rolled his eyes and then shove Eli back a couple spaces with one hand.
"Whatever! You could have just edited it. There is no such thing as goblins, Pepperjack. God and people claim you're smart. Why don't you use that little imagination of your's and find a way to get out of my face, dweeb." I looked over to Claire before stepping forward and intervening.
"Hey Eli, may I see it?" Eli gave me a smile before handing his phone over to me with pride. At first glance, it was obvious what it was. He actually caught a photo of a goblin. It was a little blurry, yes, but the likeness was still present. But what caught my attention the most was the idea that it seemed that there was remains of goblin in front of the house that the picture was taken which means that they were trying to do something before one of their kind was killed. More than likely by accident. I contemplated for a quick second if I should 'accidentally' delete the image but the actual evidence piece of the photo was poorly shot. No one would believe it if he shown it to someone that didn't know the truth.
"That interesting, to say the least. Whatever it is though, I doubt it was a goblin. Probably a dog? I'm sorry Eli." I watch his shoulders deflate as I handed him back his phone. I instantly turned back around to Claire and pulled her lightly so that we walked in the same direction. "I hope you don't have major plans tonight. We're going on an adventure." I watched a smile appear on her face almost instantly.
"After becoming friends with you? I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my night."