Jim stood next to the wall that held all of the weapons used in the Hero's Forge. He looked at the dozens of crudely sharpened blades and tarnished blunt ends of others. It was, truly, an incredible collection of weapons, all made for the sole purpose of being wielded by trolls. Which meant that the weapons were very big, very heavy, and very deadly.
Jim felt that on any other day he would have enjoyed learning about each weapon, what it was used for and how to wield it. Not like he could, but still. He didn't feel so excited about the former-after all, one of them would be used on him by what was the biggest troll he had ever seen. And that included Bular.
He leaned against the wall, grimacing as sharp rocks dug into his back. He could feel a headache forming, the image of an approaching storm seeming like an accurate comparison. It was far too easy to imagine dark clouds crawling forward, thunderous and threatening, flashes of lightning shooting dull sparks of stabbing pain behind his eyes.
He groaned and massaged his temples with shaking fingers. He needed to focus. But his mind was a hurricane of panic and confusion, his thoughts scrambling for purchase, desperate to cling onto something, anything.
Come on, focus. Clear your head.
Jim closed his eyes, willing the storm to end. He exhaled as rays of sunshine peeked through the rapidly dispersing clouds, bringing clear skies and a tranquility that soothed his head and calmed his chaotic mind.
Jim opened his eyes and mentally high-fived himself.
Ok. I'm in a crap-ton of trouble right now, I need...I need Blinky. He'll know what to do. I hope.
He looked at Draal and Aarrrgh and gave them a shaky thumbs up, trying to lift their spirits. It most likely wouldn't be very effective, but it was worth a shot. They responded by frowning.
Well, that didn't work.
He thumped his head against the wall and winced when the rocks dug into his scalp. It was hopeless. In a few minutes he'd be fighting against a trained champion. In less than half an hour he'd be dead. It was a sobering thought, the knowledge that his chance of surviving was practically non-existent.
What he needed was a way to increase his odds of survival. And for that he needed…
Duh, of course! I'm an idiot!
Jim reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, nearing dropping the device in his excitement. A second later he was calling Toby.
"Come on, Tobes. Please, please pick up the phone, ok? I really need you and Claire right now so pick up the phone I'm begging you-" Jim said, crying out in frustration when Toby didn't answer. He called again.
Toby didn't answer. Not the first, second, third, or fourth time.
Jim was ready to throw his phone onto the ground with as much force as he could muster. His grip on the phone tightened and for a split second he seriously considered it. The idea of watching the device shatter into a million pieces seemed satisfying. He scowled and called again, glancing at the troll who was impatiently pacing on the other side of the forge. The troll slammed his weapon against the ground and resumed his pacing, dragging the giant mace behind him. The friction of metal against stone left a trail of sparks.
Jim gulped and looked away, calling Toby for the sixth time.
Sixth time's the charm, I guess.
Toby wasn't picking up and the seconds ticked by, each unanswered ring sending Jim's hopes further and further into a dark abyss of despair.
"Tobes, please, pick up. Please, please, please, please, please!" Jim said, holding the phone millimeters away from his face, as if the closer it was to his face the more likely Toby would hear him.
And then the most amazing thing happened. Toby answered. Jim was nearly brought to tears.
"Tobes, I ne-"
"Jim, now's not really a good time!" Toby said, shouting over the phone.
"What, why? Is something wrong?" Jim said.
"Thats-that's an understatement!"
Jim opened his mouth to respond but didn't, closing his mouth as the sound of fighting erupted in the background. It seemed like Toby was struggling-against whom, Jim didn't know-and two more voices appeared, shouting and yelling and-wait. One of the voices seemed...familiar.
He frowned and tried to place where he heard that particular voice before. It was definitely someone he met, whether at school or-
Oh.
Oh, no.
He finally remembered who that voice belonged to and it didn't exactly make him feel better. It made him feel worse, actually. He didn't know that that was possible, given his current situation.
It belonged to Claire.
Toby and Claire were caught up in something bad, and by the sound of it they were losing.
"Tobes, is that Claire? What's going on-are you guys ok? Say something!" Jim said. He was clenching the phone, his voice steadily growing louder the longer Toby remained silent.
"Goblins! There's so many Goblins! So many, Jimbo, so many!" Toby said. He was practically screaming into the phone. "We're at-ah! Shit!-there's millions of them! Claire's being a boss as usual and NotEnrique is helping but we're getting our asses kicked!"
"I-" Jim said, unable to promise Toby that he'd help out. He looked for Vendel, and, finding the old troll, ran to him.
"Vendel, my friends are in danger, I need to help them! Please, I can train another time!" Jim said, staring into Vendel's eyes, not bothering to mask the worry in his gaze.
Vendel nodded. Jim felt relief wash over him. He turned towards the exit, ready to sprint all the way to-
Crap! I didn't get a location from Toby!
A heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder, stopping his train of thoughts. Jim's gut twisted.
"I know that your friends are in trouble, Trollhunter, but your training comes first." Vendel said. His voice was steady, sympathetic but firm. "Draal and Aarrrgh will go and help them. You will remain here and train."
Jim whirled around, scowling at the old troll. "There is no way I'm staying here when Toby and-and Claire are in trouble! I can't-I need to help them."
Vendel looked at him with pity, his expression sorrowful. Jim was taken aback, surprised at the old troll's emotional response. He didn't know that Vendel was capable of looking so...honest.
"Listen carefully, Trollhunter. I have seen your predecessors despair over similar situations such as this. I am sure that Kanjigar has told you about the sacrifice he made to protect his son?"
Jim nodded.
Vendel cleared his throat and looked at Draal and Aarrrgh. "Go, help the boy's friends."
Draal and Aarrrgh ran towards the exit, disappearing through the tunnel.