Chapter 6: Markets & Hunters
[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 2: Becoming, Part 2, and Episode 3: Wherefore Art Thou, Trollhunter?, from Trollhunters]
Taking a breath as he landed on the other side of the portal, Jim reached up and took the amulet away from his chest, doffing the armor in the process as Toby was quick to tackle him with a hug.
"Jim! Oh my gosh! You okay dude?" Toby checked him up and down for injuries. "That was crazy!"
"I'm fine, Tobes. I'm fine." Jim calmed his friend down before turning to Blinky.
"More than fine I would say, Master Jim. You fared masterfully against Bular! As if you were already a seasoned Trollhunter!" Blinky applauded and Jim had to force himself to hold back a chuckle. "Now, this was masters, this way."
"Woah! Are you sure we're safe in here?" Toby scrambled after Blinky as he started descending a crystalline staircase that delved deep into the earth, shards of glass-like stone glowing faintly around them.
"Indeed the incantation forbids entry to Heartstone Trollmarket by Gumm-Gumms, such as Bular. They are the most fearsome of trolls." Blinky announced as they walked, taking the large steps down as AAARRRGGHH followed behind them, still warily glancing over his shoulder towards the entrance.
"Gumm-Gumms?" Toby asked, looking confused.
"Scary ones." AAARRRGGHH stated simply.
Soon enough the four of them reached the bottom of the crystalline steps and walked through a short tunnel before emerging out into the open. The massive cavern sprawled out as far as their eyes could see, jutting, crystal structures emerging from the walls and floor, bathing the cave in a myriad of deep blues and purples. Roads carved from the stone and small buildings littered the streets and several raised walkways allowed for passage into the higher levels of the marketplace. However, at the very center of the caverns, standing proud and tall as its many spires reached up towards the stone ceiling above like a jeweled stalagmite, sat the glowing amber Heartstone. The center of Trollmarket.
Toby's jaw hit the ground as he gasped in awe and Jim couldn't help but feel the wonder wash over him as he once again saw Heartstone Trollmarket in its prime. It was always such a beautiful place. When the trolls had to abandon it after the battle with Gunmar and the subsequent release of Morgana from her crystalline prison, it was a hard decision. However, he would do all he could to make sure it didn't come to that this time around.
"This is the world you are bound to protect!" Blinky gestured to the magnificent bustling marketplace surrounding the amber crystal at its center. "This is Heartstone Trollmarket!"
"This is so cool!" Toby gasped. "Woah! WOAH!"
"Yes, 'woah'." Blinky chuckled. "Trollmarket is home, and heart, and sanctuary for all good trolls. This way my friends, there is much to see."
Blinky walked down the steps into the marketplace and Jim and Toby followed close behind, the chubby boy still gasping in awe at his surroundings.
"Dang! And here I thought the only thing underneath our town was dirt and plumbing." He chuckled and Jim laughed with him.
"Stay close. Human feet have never graced the ground of Trollmarket before." Blinky smiled broadly but there were already plenty of other trolls taking notice of the newcomers, whispering under their breath as their eyes followed Jim and Toby through the streets.
Toby didn't seem to notice though. Instead he was busy taking pictures with his phone, excitedly calling out the names of stones and crystals. He looked like a kid in a candy store. Then again, he was usually this excited when they went to a candy store, so it checked out.
They continued to walk for a while, Blinky explaining things without either Jim or Toby asking, filling them in on everything Jim learned the first time he came to Trollmarket. From different shops and remedies to the infestation of gnomes and other troll vermin. Eventually they reached the road leading to the Heartstone itself but that was when a crowd had finally gathered, calling out the presence of humans in Trollmarket.
Several trolls called out, voicing their disdain of humans and pointing thick, rocky fingers at the two boys. A low murmur spread throughout the entire market, attracting more and more trolls as Toby laughed nervously.
"I think we've attracted the paparazzi."
"Friends, there is no need to be afraid, he is the Trollhunte–"
"What is this?!"
Jim felt his heart leap into his throat as he heard a familiar voice roar out in anger. He had to bite his lip as he watched the massive blue troll shove his way through the crowd, a thick nose ring swaying as he aggressively approached.
"I was just getting to that, Draal." Blinky cleared his throat, looking warily at the warrior troll.
"Human feet have never sullied the ground of Trollmarket before. Who are these fleshbags?" Drall snarled, turning to stare at Jim and Toby.
Jim bit his lip harder and had to look up to keep tears from welling up in his eyes. He couldn't help but think back to Draal's companionship. His training. His brotherhood. They spent so much time together and Jim had learned so much. When Draal had fallen under the control of Gunmar's Decimaar Blade and been forced to serve him, he was ready to do anything he could to save the troll. However, once again, Jim was saved instead. Draal falling to Angor Rot's blade as he protected him.
He wouldn't let that happen this time.
"Believe it or not, he is… um. How do I put this?" Blinky stumbled over his words, unsure of how to break the earth shattering news. "Our new Trollhunter!"
Immediate disbelief and panic spread throughout the crowd and Draal roared, slamming his fists into the ground in protest. "He can't be the Trollhunter! He's not a troll!"
Despite his aggressive display, Jim held his ground, finally looking into the mismatched orange and green eyes of the troll who had once been his brother and friend.
"Amulet chose." AAARRRGGHH stated matter-of-factly, taking up his stance behind Jim, supporting him stoically.
"Try to remain calm! Destiny is just–"
"Show him Jimbo!" Toby shouted out, cutting Blinky off.
Pulling out Merlin's amulet, Jim held it aloft, showing it to the crowd of trolls and Draal. He took a deep breath and pressed the amulet to his chest, not even uttering the incantation and simply donning the armor as he had done so many times before.
His mastery over Merlin's amulet surprised even Blinky as the six-eyed troll stared along with the rest of the crowd as the silvery armor of daylight donned itself around Jim's form. It was enough to silence the crowd, but Draal, like the first time, wouldn't stand for it.
"Bushagal! I am Draal, son of Kanjigar, and the amulet's rightful heir!" The blue troll roared as he pounded his chest. "When my father fell, the honor should've passed to me!"
"Amulet chose!" AAARRRGGHH reiterated, stepping forward as Draal reached out for the amulet affixed to Jim's chest.
However, Jim was the one to reach out and stop him. Holding his hand firmly, keeping it from grasping the amulet.
"The amulet chose me, Draal." Jim stated firmly. "This is my sacred responsibility. I can't give it to you, or anyone else. Not if I'm going to protect everyone."
Drall snarled, huffing heavily as he glared at both Jim and AAARRRGGHH before turning around in a huff. "Arrogant fleshbag. We'll see what Vendel has to say about this."
"Feel free to fetch him. In the meanwhile, lots of Trollhunter business to be done! Draal, wonderful to see you as always." Blinky called after the aggressive troll as he stormed off, growling over his shoulder at their group.
Jim couldn't help but watch as Draal disappeared amongst the crowd though. Whenever he saw someone he wasn't able to save the first time around, it only strengthened his conviction to do better this time.
After their confrontation with Draal and the other trolls, they made their way into the Hero's Forge. The massive stone arena with pews in the upper levels and statues of the numerous previous Trollhunters circling them and a sheer drop into the dark pits below on all sides truly felt like a Roman colosseum. The number of battles Jim fought there, for training or against invading forces, had honed his skills as the Trollhunter. It was a place of many memories yet to be made.
Toby seemed to enjoy the forge just as much, oohing and ahhing at his surroundings as he snapped pictures left and right with his phone. Blinky was quick to answer his questions and give a brief summary of the many Trollhunter's statues lining the walls. It was fun to see Toby so into it all and Jim also had a new appreciation for just how much effort Blinky had put in to educate him during his early days.
They continued to talk until Jim heard the steady tapping of a staff behind him and an old, wisened voice called out with thinly veiled irritation.
"Blinkous Galadrigal." They all turned around and saw an old, pale troll walking towards them, an amber staff in hand as he once again called out. "Blinkous Galadrigal. I wish to meet the fleshbag supposedly chosen by the amulet."
As Vendel approached them, Jim took the initiative and stepped forward, producing the amulet before the elderly pale troll could ask.
"That would be me." Jim raised the glowing blue amulet up so Vendel's old, milky eyes could observe it closer and verify its validity.
"Amulet chose!" AAARRRGGHH insisted.
"Hmmm, so Draal tells me, ridiculous! However the amulet has been known to make ill-fated choices." Vendel glanced over at Blinky but Jim cut him off.
"If you need to know if I'm supposed to be the Trollhunter or not, the Soothscryer can tell you, right." Jim looked up at Vendel confidently, remembering the wise council of the old troll and his untimely death at the traitorous hands of the troll Usurna.
"Curious. How do you know of the Soothscryer?" Vendel stroked his thin beard, leaning in close to stare at Jim with his milky eyes.
"Blinky told me about it earlier." He shrugged, glancing back at the six-eyed troll who looked confused before playing along.
"Yes. Yes! Indeed. It was I who informed Master Jim– Wait! No, Master Jim, you haven had even an hour's training!" Blinky stopped himself, suddenly looking supremely concerned. However, Jim was already walking past Vendel and standing in the place where the footprints of past Trollhunters had been.
As he did, a large platform rose up from the center of the arena, a hideous, fanged mouth opening up as the visage of trolls decorated its stone surface. A faint light pulsated through the stone and whirring blades turned within its gaping maw. The Soothscryer was rather intimidating, even after seeing it many times. Jim wondered how he ever worked up the courage to put his arm inside the thing's mouth the first time. However, he stood firm.
Behold, the Soothscryer!" Vendel announced, his wisened voice echoing across the walls of the Hero's Forge. "It will judge your true spirit! Insert your right hand, Trollhunter."
"Um, he's gonna get it back, right?" Toby nervously chuckled, walking over to Vendel.
"That is part of the test." The pale troll looked down at Toby then back to Jim. "Surely, you knew that if you knew of the Soothscryer."
"I do." Jim nodded before motioning for Toby to come and help him up.
"Okay, Jimbo." Toby sighed. "But I am not sticking my hand in there."
"Don't worry. You won't have to." Jim chuckled to himself, stepping into Toby's hands as he helped lift him up.
The blades of the Soothscryer continued to whirl, causing a loud clattering noise as the gaping maw of the troll-like face carved into the stone stared at Jim. He could feel the Trollhunters of times past looking at him through its eyes. Judging him. He didn't know if they knew he returned to the past from a terrifying, desolate future, but that wouldn't change his plans. Biting his lip and leaning forward, Jim placed his arm into the mouth of the Soothscryer. As soon as he did, the mouth of the massive stone statue slammed shut, trapping him in.
Toby shouted in surprise, terrified and looking up as Jim took a deep breath, his arm trapped up to his shoulder. However, before anyone could do anything else, the eyes of the Soothscryer glowed a brilliant blue. The same silvery blue daylight that beat inside Merlin's amulet.
For a moment Jim could make out the faces of the other Trollhunters like Deya and Kanjigar. However, they didn't stay for long, quickly disappearing into the ether once more before the Soothscryer opened its mouth, emitting a powerful beam of blue light that filled the forge for a moment before it fell silent.
"What was that?!" Toby exclaimed, stepping back as Jim hopped down. "It was all bright, and blue, what happened? What's it mean?"
Vendel, Blinky and AAARRRGGHH stood there, staring at Jim with some awe. The three trolls looked at each other before Vendel cleared his throat and took a step towards Jim.
"Well, it seems the Soothscryer has judged you worthy of the amulet, Trollhunter." Vendel spoke with a little apprehension. "Though there's never been a human to bear the mantle before. I doubt the others will be convinced so readily."
"Of course Master Jim is worthy! Afterall, he held off Bular just earlier this night!" Blinky gathered himself, grinning ear to ear as he rushed over and patted Jim on the back, causing him to stumble a little as he regained his balance. "Vendel, I assure you, Master Jim shall prove himself to all the trolls of Trollmarket. You'll see. Without a doubt."
"Let us hope the Trollhunter continues to prove himself then." Vendel looked at Jim for a long moment before turning around and leaving the four of them in the Hero's Forge as the Soothscryer retreated into the floor once more.