HEY GUYS! This has taken me forever you will never understand. :) I legit started this in December and it took me till now to finish it and it's not even four thousand words. I feel lazy as FUCK.
Anyway! I hope you guys are safe within these times! It seems like when one thing dies down, another appears, so keep your heads up high and enjoy your time with family and friends! If not, enjoy your time indulging in an unhealthy amount of fanfiction and anime as I have... I need help... And a life... Either or.
All in all, I hope you guys enjoy this update and stay safe y'all!
I slashed through the slim wooden pillars I had set up as enemies as I was dashes around the moving blades that followed me around the Hero's Forge. I skid to a stop as I knew I was getting too close to the edge of the major platform. I dodged one of the giant moving saw blades by pushing myself to my side as I tucked myself into a ball and rolled sideways to my left. Once I pushed my left foot out to skid me to a stop, I realized that I ended up next to the mechanism that was generating the platforms I was practicing with and decided to shut it off. I watched as the blades, saws, and wooden enemies were put away from view as I placed my sword back into its scaffold.
After all these years, it seemed as if nothing had changed within the forge itself. The high walls still loomed over me as the statues high above looked down on those who entered through the rather slim entry that was enormous to humans, but rather small to some of the troll kind that lived here. There was only one sight that I couldn't take my eyes off though, and that was the statue of Kanjigar.
"So you're the son of Merlin's warrior?" I swallowed hard as the troll leaned down to look me within my eyes. I almost felt myself shivering under the Trollhunter's gaze. This encounter was formidable, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't supposed to be in the presence of the looming giant.
"Yes sir," I answered as solidly as I could, thanking Deya that my voice was unwavering. As a smirk chiseled into the trolls face I felt a smack of my back by a hand larger than my father's who stood beside me.
"You've got a nice boy here, James."
"Thank you, Kanjigar."
I shook my head from the memory. To think such a powerful being that was so skilled in his way of battle would fall to one Gumm-Gumm. It terrified me who this Bular is and what makes him capable of such abilities.
Especially since the Trollhunter now stated she was looking for a weapon when we first met to defeat him. I hear of him when I was young. He was also the one who slaughtered Deya back in the 1600s. Or that's at least how my father explained it when I was young. This Bular is going to be a difficult opponent.
If only father was here. He would be able to tell me what to do.
I felt myself frown within that moment as my grip on the handle of my blade tightened. I shook my head and turned on my heel.
If father was here, he'd tell me that no matter what I have to protect the fragile barrier between mortal and the seemingly immortal. The line between our kinds needs to keep its hold. The lives of millions rely on it.
And if this Bular is going to cause more problems to that barrier, then it is my job to eradicate it. Especially since it seems that he's going to target the Trollhunters in any means necessary.
I picked up the shirt that I had forgotten was laying on the ground and put it on once again. I still wasn't accustomed to the styles of this era. Their shirts were a lot more, clingy, as one would say. I was used to a light little distance between my skin and the cloth that I had covered it, but the fabric of this time period is rather unique and hard to get used to. It's a lot more slick than soft. Specifically this shirt in particular. It was one of the ones that the girls had given me. They said it would make me seem more "regular" as they had put it. It was black and had a white weird "swish" symbol. Or at least that is what Mary called it. She said it was a certain brand that her ex wore but I cannot remember it on hand.
This millennium is quite unique, to say the least.
"Seems you beat us here." I turned to see that Claire was standing there with her amulet activated upon her chest. It has been many years since I have seen the armor of the Trollhunters. It was always a powerful sight to behold, but seeing the silver and blue armor upon Claire had a different feeling altogether that I couldn't name. It put a heavy feeling in my gut but a fluttering in my chest. It was as if two contrasting ideals were battling within my body as I forced a smile in her direction to not make the complication noticeable. It seemingly worked though as she gave me a smile in return.
"As my father would say, every moment wasted is a moment that held potential." I saw a smirk capture her face as she put a hand on my shoulder.
"Then show me the potential I've missed then." I matched her smirk and bowed slightly toward her once I pulled myself from her grasp.
"If you wish." Before anyone else knew it, the sound of clashing swords filled the air of the forge.
I closed my locker as I adjusted my shirt once more. I decided that these "swish" shirts were probably the one thing that I hated the most. The shirt would cling as if it was supposed to be attached to my skin and I hated every second of it. Mary kept fussing over me pulling at it with how it was "Made to be that way." but I still fidgeted with it whenever I had the chance. It made me feel as if I was suffocating under its compression. Now, don't get me wrong, I've worn vest jerkins that suffocated me by having buttons collapse up at my throat, but these styles of the shirt only reminded me of those and made me hate them even more.
If only I could get away with my tunics. But I was told that those would only prove any suspicions. Especially Stricklanders.
"Good morning, Mr. Lake."
Speaking of Stricklander.
"Good morning, Mr. Strickler. How are you?" I put a smile on my face as the teacher gave me one back. My mind was trying to put the human form and the changeling form in different folders within my mind, but it was rather difficult when the man that has almost killed you twelve times by the time you were fourteen is rather difficult.
"I'm rather well. I was wondering if I could ask you a question since you stated that your father is a historian. I'm planning on having us have a field trip to the local museum next week since they have a new exhibit opening up. Since you seem to be the most informed on the subject than most students, I was wondering if you could lend suggestions on what you personally think the students would enjoy, I would love to hear."
What are you playing at, changeling? Are you trying to test the waters and see where my knowledge lies? Seeing if I know my own age group well enough? Tempting me to result in somehow ratting myself out?
Or maybe I'm overthinking this and the old hunter just wants my opinion.
But when has my intuition been wrong?
"I would say for them to adventure off on their own. I personally think that the best way to get someone to learn something is to make them think they're doing it on their own choices." He looked at me rather complex with a knowing smirk on his face and a hand on his chin. "Take me as an example. My father would bring me to the museums that he would work at or frequent but never forced me to learn anything about the exhibits. But when I would ask questions, he would answer just enough to make me yearn for more. He made me challenge the knowledge he gave me and made it my own. He knew from experience that only one's interest can make them gain the knowledge he wanted them to understand. He did that with everyone within the museum. Even himself at times."
Strickler smile at me sweetly which only made me think of the twisted grin he would have after tearing someone limb by limb when I fought him in battle.
After all the humans that he had slain, yet he walks among them as if they were one of his own. It makes me sick.
"Your father is a wise man. You're quite the clever one as well, Mr. Lake." I smiled the best I could at the sheep that wore the human clothing and nodded my head.
"Thank you. If he were here still, he would gladly appreciate it."
"So we're going to the museum next week? I wonder why. I heard that the new exhibit isn't supposed to be finished until next fall. Why would we go now of all times while it's under construction?" I shrugged at Claire's question as we rounded the corner.
"That's why I figured it was something to talk about as a group. I believe they have an ulterior motive. I cannot fathom what though. I don't why he would ask me for my assistance on the idea though."
"Maybe he was trying to figure out a way to keep the students away from something? Keep them distracted perhaps?" I felt my mind swirl with all the ideas of which could be hiding behind the veil that most don't believe to be real as we continued our way to class. My head pounded a little at the overwhelming knowledge that flowed and rattled my skull.
Oh, how it was much simpler when all my life was running to survive and slaying creatures who attempted to take the lives of the innocent. All it was back then was to awake at dawn, train, slaughter, eat, sleep, and repeat. Now it's all facades and human displays that dance their waltz in the shadows once the normal is asleep and the darkness strives.
But a fool would think that facades weren't used since the dawn of time, may it be for good or evil, they are worn since a human could lie. No doubt about it.
"But hey, don't forget about tomorrow. You have a promise to keep." I looked at Claire with a confused expression. My mind still aching slightly from the battles that raged within them. "You forgot? That's understandable. You've been through a lot in the last few weeks. But the auditions for Romeo and Juliet are after school tomorrow and I was hoping you'll still be up for it. After seeing you now though, it's understandable if you don't show up." I shook my head at her.
"No. I'll be there. I promised you. I'm a man of my word. 'A knight who backs down from his word was one that would be not a knight, but a coward', as my father would say. You can expect my presence tomorrow. Don't worry about it." She looked at me with a soft look in her eyes.
"I understand, Jim, but you matter as well. If you already have a lot on your plate, don't worry about a small promise like this." A smile then randomly replaced the worried look on her face as she turned to me. "Better yet! I want you to give me your word on something else instead." I nodded my head, anticipating her replacement to my promise. "I want you to promise me you'll take care of yourself. I don't need you collapsing on me from exhaustion. Even before then, I would be too worried about you to focus myself and we can't both be too distracted right now."
I felt myself burn a little at her words. I swallowed hard and I gave her a nod. "You have my word, Claire." My natural accent rolled off my tongue as I made the promise. I would normally be ashamed of the sound, but how she smiled made it worth it. The tips of ears felt like they were on fire by the time we decided to continue our way to class.
I knew right then if she was to be the one to ever lie to me, I would probably die upon heartbreak. If she was to ever wear a facade towards me, it would ruin me for sure.
I walked into the gymnasium the next afternoon with a yellow field trip slip in one and and and an oversized duffle bag in the other. I decided to dress up for the audition in what I have seen those that performed as Romeo from my days as a child. A white oversized tunic covered my chest as a pair of black pair of riding tights covered my legs. There were heavy leather boots that I found in my mother's stash of my father's old things that surprising fit as one of my father's old blue jacket that tied in the front was over my shoulders on top of where the tunic layed. I had one of the old practice swords I had as a squire that was placed with me in my sleeping chambers in the cave were put in its scaffold that was tied around my waist. I should my head so my purposefully unkempt but rather tamed hair so that it flopped before my forehead.
Even though I was rather dressed questionably compared to how the other young men within the coward as saw Romeo to be clattered in armor and chainmail.
Haven't these people seen the play in action before coming here? Romeo wasn't a knight, but a young noble. Nobles did not have to place armor upon themselves. If he did, maybe his close friend Mercutio would have lived from that fatal wound he had acquired from Juliet's cousin.
"Jim!" I smiled as Claire gave me a hug once she found my presence beside her. "I'm happy to see you've made it. Amazing costume by the way. Much better than some I've seen." I smiled at the compliment and placed a hand on my chest to give her a small bow.
"Just some of my father's old things. I appreciate the kindness all the same." I could have sworn that I saw her face change color to the lightest of pinks, but I couldn't tell under the circumstances.
"Next!" A female voice boomed from where the audience was supposed to be.
"I guess that's me," Claire said with a smile. "Wish me luck, Jim." I gave her a nod and a smile as she made her way out onto the stage.
"Good afternoon Ms. Nuñez! What will you be doing as your audition?" I heard the unseeable voice ask Claire from the crowd.
"I will be doing lines 15-25 in act three scene two from Romeo and Juliet itself." I could tell by the look on Claire's face from my point of view, the woman in charge was pleased with that answer.
"Proving you already know your lines, huh Ms. Nuñez?"
"A good actress does her research."
"Very well Ms. Nuñez, you may begin when you're ready."
It only took Claire one deep breath and a change of a stance before she was already ready to play the part. Her face softened and a pleasant smile placed itself upon her face as she began. "With thy black mantle; till strange love, grown bold, think true love acted simple modesty." Her voice was soft and dripped with an emotion unknown to me. Instantly it was like she commanded the attention of all those that watched her, even as she was giving a soft and loving performance and words to the crowd.
"Come, night; come, Romeo; come, thou day in night; for thou wilt lie upon the wings of night whiter than new snow on a raven's back." She says as she gestures toward the crowd as if Romeo was coming from there to meet her and the night as before her. As if she was standing upon the balcony within the scene already.
"Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night, give me my Romeo; and, when he shall die," She paused to gestured toward the sky with a delicate seeming hand. It was strange to think that a sword and armor would be upon the young woman that took over the stage within this moment. No one would think such a loving actress performing love would slaughter monsters at night.
Neither would I if I was not a witness to it myself.
"Take him and cut him out in little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun." She ended the performance taking her hand into her chest with her eyes closed as she held it there as if the love would be lost if she were to let go. I didn't notice until now that my heart was bounding within my ears as I watched her. I could tell that the tips were reddened as well just by the feeling of the heat spreading across them and my cheeks.
Before I knew it though, the scene was over and she took her bow. The crowd clapping for her as if she had just performed the whole show on her own.
"Delightful performance Ms. Nuñez. I'm impressed. You can take a seat down here now if you may." I watched Claire give her a nod of thanks and make her way towards me.
Once she was behind the curtains she wrapped her arms around my neck in a hug that I was not expecting. "I did it!" She whispered yelled enthusiastically. I hugged her back with a smile.
"You did well, Claire. I wouldn't expect less." She pulled away from me with a smile. She placed a hand on my shoulder as the voice before called out for the next audition.
"Well, now it's your turn, Romeo. Break a leg." I gave her a nod before making my way on stage. I heard a pleasant 'Oh' come from the director who I noticed was my algebra teacher Miss Janeth.
"Mr. Lake! What a lovely and rather accurate costume you have! I must say I am impressed." I placed a hand on my chest and took a bow before her.
"Thank you, ma'am. It took a little bit to put together. I was lucky I still had some of my father's collectibles from this era." A smile appeared on the teacher's face as I spoke.
"Ah, yes, your father was the historian, correct?" I nodded with both hands behind my back in a formal noble stance that was proper for the decade.
The things you know and are aware of when you're from around that place in time. Who would have thought?
"Well, whenever you are ready, Mr. Lake." I gave her a small nod as I noticed Claire slip into the row behind her to watch me nearly front and center. I gave me a small smile before I took a deep breath.
Alright, James. You've got this. Just like your mother taught you.
Imagine myself back when I was a child when my father first taught me about what love would mean to me. Show them the words he taught me were the first he spoke to my mother when he wanted to expand their horizons with each other. These will be much more powerful than any child trying to recreate a flame from a performance.
My personal words will be much better.
"Lend me your heart and I shall fill it with every beautiful word that came to a mortal's ear." I looked out toward the coward, gesturing to all of them, and none of them all at the same time with my right hand as my other hand had itself placed on the belt that kept the scaffold in place. "For I, a simple man among many more like I can only give you these in comparison to the treasures you deserve." I took my right hand and placed it over my heart as I made my way slowly toward the front of the stage.
"If names truly mean nothing, then prove to me, my love, that in these times of torment and war that I will be the one that you would come to when the world is too much to bear or when the nights become too lonesome to not share." I looked down at the floor with a sorrowful look upon my face. "I know that the world is unkind, that life can be within it's fading moments like that of a summer sunset in June, but I swear to you," I brought my head up with a determined look in my eye. "That no matter what comes to slither in the night, I will be here for you to confide in."
I placed my hand on my heart and bowed slightly. "For a man is nothing if not the promise behind his word and the love that is promised within his heart. May the heavens be damned it they call upon me before then. I will rather be welcomed by Hades then leave your loving hand." I waited a moment, expecting no praise for the unknown words, but then a loud applause came my way. I stood straight with a surprised look on my face. I looked down toward Claire to see her smiling sweetly toward me.
"What a wonderful performance, Mr. Lake! It was as if the words came straight from your heart!"
I smiled toward her and thanked her happily.
If only she knew that these words came from love more true than any before. Romeo and Juliet be damned in comparison to love between kinds. A feeling only my mother and father could ever know.
I looked out to see Claire still smiling for me from her seat and I smiled back toward her.
Hopefully, I will as well.