Chapter 18; The Stone of Marshlands

The following day at school, Toby was asking Mary to the school dance. "Mary, can we be real for a moment? A woman like you deserves anything she wants. And what you want is me, as your date to the Spring Fling. It's okay, you don't have to ask."

"I'd rather choke to death" Mary said before leaving Toby behind. Toby didn't mind and then went over to Darcy. Darcy ignored Toby and walked away. As Toby walked and tried to talk to Darcy. Seth said to Noah as they were watching Toby. "You got to admit, it's impressive no matter how many Toby gets rejected he just gets up and tries again."

"Yeah, especially with 50 no's in a row."

"You could learn a thing about asking a girl out, Jim." Seth said before Jim said to them as he was putting things in his locker. "I don't need help asking a girl out."

"Well there's Claire. Go ask her out." Noah said, pointing to Claire. When Jim and Claire's eyes met, Jim laughed and closed his locker. But he was so nervous that he failed to close his locker on the first try. Claire laughed a little and then left with Mary. "Smooth Jim, smooth as sandpaper." Noah said as he and Seth were clapping their hands. They stopped when Toby walked up to them and put his face to a locker. "Well, I've asked out every single girl." Toby said and then Jim said to Toby. "They all said no?"

"Of course not. I got a few "as ifs". A couple "not in a million years". One actually gagged. I took that as "not interested." Toby said before Seth said. "Still, I can't believe you asked out every girl in school."

"I didn't Seth. I saved Claire for Jim. I didn't wanna promblock him." Toby said before Jim said. "Thanks, but you're cool with promblocking Noah and Seth?"

"Actually, we are going to the dance, but we aren't going to bring dates." Noah said and then Jim said. "You both aren't going to ask someone out?"

"Well, none of the girls are really our type." Noah said before Seth said. "Yeah, we don't like girls that are like background characters. We prefer leading ladies."

"Besides, you should be worried about yourself. You haven't asked Claire yet, and that's a problem."
"I'm working up to it, okay?" Jim said and then Toby said. "Oh, is that what they're calling "wussing out"?"

"Hey, I'm just waiting for my moment." Jim said before Noah said. "You had your moment back on the cliffside, but you wussed out."

"He's correct, Master Jim." Blinky said as he appeared before them. All of them gasp, jump back, and Seth said to Blinky. "Blinky!? What are you doing here?!"

"I spent the afternoon in the school library and Master Jim, apparently, a popular topic of gossip." Blinky said and then Seth said. "Ok, but why were you in the library?"

"Well, that's an interesting story." Blinky said, but Toby stopped him by saying. "Wait, you said people are gossiping about Jim?"

"I didn't hear much but the words "wussing" and "out" were frequently invoked." Blinky said before Jim said. "Why were you in the library of our school?"

"I exhausted all of Trollmarket's resources pertaining to the mysterious mark Angor Rot painted on Master Jim's forehead. Then a thought occurred to me… "What about the library in Arcadia Oaks High?"

"And?" Toby said and then Blinky said. "Sadly, all I learned was that Master Jim is a wuss when it comes to fairer sex."

"Oh, really?" Jim said before Toby noticed the school's mascot. "Look at that hypnotic, bewitching allure of that swaying mole. Excuse me, it seems I was wrong about asking out every non-Claire girl in school." Toby said before following the mascot. Blinky then said to the others. "Does he even know if a female is, in fact, beneath that costume?"

"I really don't think it matters." Jim said as they all saw the mascot go into the girls locker room, but didn't follow the mascot inside. "Yes! I knew it!" Toby said to the others. Then Coach Lawrance saw Blinky and said. "Hey, you! Do you have a visitor's pass?"

"My dear sir, I dare say, my humanity is my pass." Blinky said and then Noah said. "That's not the pass he is talking about."

"Yeah, that's not gonna work. You might wanna run." Jim said to Blinky and Blinky said to Jim. "Why on Earth would I…?" Then Coach Lawrance grabbed Blinky and forced him out of the school. Strickler saw Coach Lawrance getting rid of Blinky, but didn't pay any attention to it.

The following day in Trollmarket, Vendel had summoned Jim to his chamber, which was located inside a small hole that led into. "M-Master Vendel?" Jim said as he entered the room that had a desk and many stone cutting tools. Vendel was in the back next to the decks and said to Jim. "I am known to no troll as "Master."

"Oh. Okay. Well, Vendel–" Jim said as he walked to Vendel and stopped when Vendel said. "But I like the sound of it coming from you. The Birthstone you recovered from Gatto's Lair. It must be cleaved." Vendel then gave Jim some tools. As Vendel pulled out the Birthstone, Jim said to Vendel. "Cleaved?" Jim then tried to touch the Birthstone, it started to glow. Vendel then said to Jim. "You humans cut stones to unlock their beauty, but trolls cut stones to unlock their power."

"Like what Seth does with the Soul Jewels?"

"Yes, now. Chisel along the ridge, right over here." Vendel said and Jim followed Vendel's directions. "And along this facet." Vendel said and Jim followed Vendel's directions, again. After that cut, Jim said to Vendel. "Why are you helping me unlock the Birthstones power?"

"You might need it if you are going after the rest of the Triumbric stones."

"I thought you were against finding the Triumbric stones?"

"I am against you collecting the stones. If you were to fall into Gunmar's hands, he would use you to escape the bridge and unleash himself upon this world. Keep your eye on the stone and your hand steady. A little off, here!" Vendel said and Jim followed Vendel's directions, for a third time. This time the stone broke in two and out of the center was another crystal. As Vendel took the crystal and put it to the grindstone, Jim said to Vendel. "Then why are you helping?"

"You are determined to save Claire's brother?"

"I am."

"Then for everyone's sake, what choice have I but to do all within my power to make sure you are successful?" Vendel said as the crystal was finished and much smaller now. Jim then said to Vendel. "Is that?"

"Its pure form. Hand it over." Vendel said and then Jim gave Vendel his Amulet. Vendel then said to Jim as he placed the stone above the Amulet. "The power of a gem can alter your armor's ability."

"Like with Noah and Seth Driver?" Jim said as the Amulet other side opened and revealed six open slots. The Birthstone entered one of the slots and the Amulet started to float and glow pink. Vendel then said to Jim. "A combination of gems, like the Triumbric stones, can reap infinite rewards." Then the Amulet summoned the armor with a pink glow. Jim then said to Vendel as his armor was equipped and the pink glow disappeared. "Okay. So, what just happened?"

"I am unsure. Properly cut gemstones work in ways one never predict. Only discover."

"I wanna discover."

"Then maybe I should tell you where the Killstone is hidden." Vendel said to Jim. Meanwhile Strickler, who was in a storm drain and was in his troll form, was speaking with Angor Rot about Jim and the others next move. "They'll be going for the Killstone in the Swamps of the Quagawumps."

"The Killstone?"

"A remnant of Gunmar's first kill, where he shattered their beloved Quagawump King."

"Quagawumps. I have heard they are not friendly to outside. Especially the human kind."

"Recover the Killstone."

"And destroy the Hunter and Rider. Now that they are marked, I look forward to taking what is most dear from them."

"As you wish." Strickler said before turning back into his human form and leaving Angor Rot.

Back in Trollmarekt, as Aaarrrgghh was getting the gyre started, and everyone was given the same intel as Angor Rot, and Jim said to Blinky. "If Wumpas don't let outsiders into their camp, how do we get the stone?"

"Don't worry, Master Jim! I already have a plan! It's rudimentary. If Quagawumps are hostile to outsiders, we'll need an insider!"

"You have a friend on the inside?" Seth said to Blinky as everyone was in the gyre. Then Blinky said to everyone as they were taking a seat. "No, I don't. My plan is that Tobias is going to pretend to be the human reincarnation of the Shattered King! It's genius!"

"What? That's insane!" Jim said as Blinky released the gyre and they were on their way to the Swamps of the Quagawumps. The rider was much smoother then going to Gatto's Keep, so everyone was calm, and Noah said to Blinky. "So, why do you want Toby to pretend to be the human reincarnation of the Shattered King?"

"Tobias bears a most striking resemblance to their dead king."

"Me?" Toby said before Blinky said. "Yes. The Quagwumps are short and stout in stature. It'll be a role of a lifetime. Mostly because if they see past our little charade, the time of our lives will end." Then they reached their destination, and Blinky said to them. "Well, we better get a move on!" As they left the gyre station, they saw the swamp was like a normal swamp, but they had green crystals growing out of the trees. As they walked through the swamp, Claire said to Blinky. "This place is creepy. Where are we?"

"A place renowned for its vast swamps, theme parks and retirement communities. Florida!" Blinky said as they continued to walk deep into the swamp. As for Seth, he saw Toby falling behind, and said to him. "Toby, why are you walking behind us?"

"I'm not sure about this?" Toby said before Noah said. "It's just acting."

"I'm just saying… I'm built to be a sidekick, you know? I'm not… leading man material. I'm a wingman." Toby said before Jim said. "Don't be a wuss."

"And coming from Jim, that is saying something." Noah said as they all stopped for a second. Unknown the Quagwumps, which were about Toby shape, but had green skin and grass like hair, was watching them, and the moment they stopped the Quagwumps started chanting and appeared in front of them with spears drawn. The leader, a female Quagwump, said looking at them. "Mmm! Humans! A taste not common."

"Yes, Wumpa." Another female Quaqwump said to the leader. "Toby?" Claire said to Toby, who was in the back. "Okay." Toby said as he moved to the front. Once the Quagwumps saw Toby, they gasped and Toby said to them. "It is I, the Shower King!"

"Shattered." Blinky whispered to Toby, who then said to the Quagwumps. "The Shattered King! Reincarnated as a human." Then Toby made some ghost noise and Jim said. "You're not a ghost." Then Wumpa walked up to Toby and said while checking him out. "Gunmar kill you. You cannot be. Prove you are he. Show us great magics, god kind." The Quagwumps then did a chant and after Toby looked at everyone hoping for some help, but they didn't have anything. Toby came up with an idea and said. "Okay. All right, now. Stand back. This one's not for the faint of heart." The chanting stopped and Toby did his magic trick. Toby's magic trick was removing the thumb technique. The humans were worried, but to the Trolls it was amazing. Then one of the other female Quagwump said to Wumpa. "He dismembered his hand and then rejoined his flesh and bone!"

"His magic is so powerful!" Wumpa said before the Quagwumps chanted, picked Toby up and carried him to their home. "Nice work, Tobes. You are leading man material!" Jim said to Toby as he was getting carried away. The others follow the Quagwumps to their home, and Wumpa said to the other Quagwumps. "The lost king, returned!" The Quagwumps gassed, but then joined the chant as Toby was carried to a throne next to a statue of the Shattered King, who did look like Toby. "I don't believe it." Jim said before Claire said. "Neither do I."

"Ugh, I know, right? He doesn't even look anything like me." Toby said before the Quagwumps started to check Toby out. Then when one of the females said to Toby. "So handsome the king is!"

"That's what I keep telling the girls at school, but they weren't interested." Toby said and the Quagwumps dropped him. Then a few with spears and Wumpa said to Toby. "Who are these girls at school? We shall hunt them down, and make flutes out of their arms!"

"No, don't do that! That's very kind of you, but not necessary." Toby said, getting up in a panic. Then the Quagwumps let fires and started to sing and dance around Toby. Noah then said to Blinky. "What are they doing?"

"This is one of their songs. No outsider has ever heard such a rare delight." Blinky said as Aaarrrgghh liked the song. As Toby was very happy to be the center of the Quagwumps attention, Wumpa said to everyone. "Come. We feast."

"Oh! What's on the menu?" Jim said and Wumpa said. "Outsiders tried to sneak into camp last night. Tonight, we eat their hearts."

"Lovely." Seth said as Wumpa took them to a seat and the other Quagwumps got the feast ready. Back at the gyre station, Angor Rot arrived, but he was going to stay in the shadows until he was ready to strike.

Back with the others, the feast was under way. The Quagwumps had given them local swamp food and meat from the last outsiders, which was a group of Flamingos. After everyone had a little to eat, and Jim recovered from accidentally eating Fresh swamp maggots, because Claire caught him looking at him. Blinky said to Toby, who was on the throne. "Don't you think it's time to ask them for the you-know-what?"

"We just got here. We don't want to just exploit the situation, do we?" Toby said before Noah said to him. "But they are throwing a party for us? I think we have already exploited the situation."

"Are these servants bothering you? You want me kill them?" A female guard said and before she attacked them, Toby said to her, as the rush of power was going to his head. "No, no, no, they are fine. For now." Then as the guard took Noah and Blinky away, and Wumpa said to Toby. "It is you? Really you? Faith I kept. Others follow Blungo, the Pretend King."

"Pretend King"?"

"And now you stay and fight Blungo?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh, great king. Now is the time of telling. Why returned have you?" Another female Quagwumps said to Toby. Toby then said to the Quagwumps. "Uh, yeah. I have returned for one great purpose… ahem… to tell you of my grand adventures in a far-off mystic land called Arcadia!" The Quagwumps then listened to Toby, who made up stories about his glory in Arcadia. However, unknown to anyone, Angor Rot was in the tree's and was adding a green glowing liquid into his knives.

Hours later, everyone, but the Quagwumps, were getting tired of Toby's fake stories. So Jim walked up to Toby and said. "Excuse me, god king?"

"Please, kneel. It's protocol." Toby said and Jim kneeled. "What are you doing? I thought you were trying to get the stone." Jim said and then Toby said. "I'm their king, man. They wanna hear stories. We can't just lie to them and bounce."

"The longer we stay here, the more likely we'll end up on the dinner plate." Jim said and then the heads of the Flamingos were served. Toby then said to Jim. "Fine. I'll ask for the stone, after you ask Claire to dance!" Jim agreed and the Quagwumps started to make music, then Wumpa said to Toby. "My king? After journey, what is song you bring?"

"Hmm. Jim, song?" Toby said to Jim, but he was already back with the others. Toby didn't do anything at first, and that caused everyone to get ready for combat. But it wasn't needed. Toby made a quick song and beat, and while it did take the Quagwumps a few moments, they all started to sing and move along with Toby. A few moments later, everyone started to dance too, but not Jim. "Come on. It's catchy." Claire said to Jim, as she was inviting him to the dance floor. Jim didn't take her hand and said. "Oh, sure. In a minute. Ooh, I'm just digesting."

"Everyone right." Aaarrrgghh said to Jim, while dancing. Jim then said to Aaarrrgghh. "What?"

"Wuss. Wuss." Aaarrrgghh said to Jim before Blinky said to Jim. "He's correct, Master Jim. Wussing out."

"How many people did you tell?" Jim said moving over to Blinky and Blinky said to Jim. "Just Aaarrrgghh. Though, Master Jim, your wussiness is readily apparent to anyone. Epic, one might even say."

"It's not wussiness, It's– It's… I can't dance."

"You defeated Draal, battled Bular, and yet you fear dancing?"

"Pretty much. Yeah."

"Jim, dance like nobody's watching. And love like it's never going to hurt."

"Whoa. That's— that's profound."

"I know. I read it in a human phone booth 20 years ago and it has always stayed with me. In 600 years, I've seen many human dances and I've noticed one thing has always remained consistent."

"Yeah?"

"It's the females of your species who dance. Males merely move and sway." Blinky said as Aaarrrgghh appeared and overed a hand to Claire. Claire took it and as they were going to the dance floor, Aaarrrgghh said to Jim. "Can't go wrong."

"Indeed." Blinky said as Jim watched Claire move the dance floor. Jim sighed and said. "You're right." Jim then joined the dance floor. And while Jim was dancing, kind of lame, Claire took his hand and Jim followed her lead. After a few moments of dancing, Jim said to Claire. "Hey, cool music."

"Yeah. Isn't this amazing?"

"Sorry. I'm not much of a dancer."

"Hey, do you want to go to the Spring Fling?"

"Yeah, I'll probably go, but I… Oh, you mean with you?"

"I've been waiting for you to ask me but I'm afraid we'll both graduate by the time you get around to it. Graduate college, I mean."

"Yeah. I was… Yes! Definitely!" Jim said and before anything else could happen, a big green troll with a crown that had an aqua green glow and was in the shape of a trapezoid appeared. That killed the music and he said to everyone. "What manner mischief this be?!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who's this joker?" Toby said not seeing the danger like everyone else did. Wumpa then said to Toby. "It is Blungo, the pretend king. You fight him, eh?"

"Why human here?" Blungo said before Wumpa said. "He is our true king. Returned!"

"What?" Blungo said, looking at the statue then Toby. Toby was nervous and said. "Hi, Mr. Blungo." Blungo then picked Toby up and said. "Shattered King cannot be. King was shatter-ed. King am I!"

"My favorite musical!" Toby said and then Blungo said. "It's like a play with singing."

"Use your magic, my king. Cast Blungo away you will." Wumpa said and Toby did the same magic trick from before. Blungo laughed and said. "Dismemberment amuse Blungo. Now, I dismember you!"

"Oh, boy! Does anybody have a dove?" Toby said before Blungo started to shake Toby. Seth then said to Noah. "Should we save him?"

"Yeah." Noah said before placing his Driver on his waist. But before Noah could transform, Toby said to Blungo. "Hey, please don't kill me, Blungo. I'm not the king, okay?"

"Why you here?"

"I only made it up to get the stone." Toby said before Blungo started to shake him again. Wumpa then said to Toby. "But king you are not?"

"I'm sorry I lied to you. We only came here for the…" Toby said before to Wumpa as she was walking to walk away. "The Killstone!" Blinky said as he realized that the green jewel on Blungo's head was the Killstone. Jim then said to Blungo. "Put my friend down!"

"And give us the Killstone, before someone gets hurt." Noah said as he and Seth pulled out their Soul Jewel's, Jim pulled out his amulet, and Aaarrrgghh got ready to punch Blungo. Blungo laughed and that gave them his answer. "For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!" Jim said, equipping his armor. "Efreet! Fighter!" Noah's Driver said before Noah said. "Henshin!"

"Efreet Fighter!" Noah's Driver said as he became Soul and Seth's body being caught by his Spiderpack. Blungo still laughed, but Angor Rot was done waiting. Angor Rot jumped from the tree and used his Shadow Staff to appear on Blungo's back. Blungo then screamed and said to Angot Rot. "Who you now?"

"Death." Angor Rot said before plunging his knife into Blungo. Blungo then screamed as the green liquid turned Blungo to stone. Noah then said to Blinky. "What just happened?"

"His blade is poisoned with Creeper's Sun! One cut and you will be turned to stone!" Blinky said before Seth said. "Good to know!"

"Angor Rot!" Jim said, getting ready to fight him. Angor Rot then used a magic chant to make the marks on Jim and Seth's face appear. "Wait?! I have one too!?" Seth said as Jim blade flew out of Jim's hand and into Angor Rot's hand, and Jim's blade gained a fire effect. Jim then said to Angor Rot. "How did you do…?"

"Daylight and Soul is now mine to command!" Angor Rot said before he tried to remove the stone. Then Jim's armor started to glow and out came two small hook blades that connected together to make a disk. "That's new!" Aaarrrgghh said before Noah said to Blinky. "What just happened with Jim's armor?"

"The Birthstone, he's unlocked his armor!" Blinky said before Jim threw his disc at Angor Rot. It missed, but the disc had a boomerang trick, so it came back, but shattered Blungo's statue into a lot of pieces. Angor Rot didn't get the stone, and then Jim caught his disc and Noah said, pulling out his Blade Jewel. "I like the new weapon."

"Thanks." Jim said before Angor Rot attacked them. "Efreet Blade!" Soul's Driver said as Soul got his blade, but lost its fire effect. Then all of them started to class and Blinky said to the others. "Search for the stone!"

As the fight was going on, Seth swapped Efreet with Sylph. "Sylph Blade!" Soul's Driver said and while Soul changed form. Angor Rot lost the fire effect on Daylight, but gained a green glow. Angor Rot swung Daylight and fired condensed air at them. They dodged it and Seth tried another one. "Undine Blade!" Soul's Driver said and while Soul changed form, again. And while Daylight lost the green glow, but then grained a blue glow and turned into a whip. They dodged those attacks, and Seth pulled out his last Soul Jewel. "Gnome Blade!" Soul's Driver said and while Soul changed form for a third time. Daylight then lost the blue glow, but gained a brown glow. Angor Rot then slammed the sword into the ground, making a creator and causing damage to Jim and Soul. "Now, isn't this fun?" Angor Rot said as he was winning the fight. Aaarrrgghh then attacked Angor Rot, tackling them away. After Angor Rot pushed Aaarrrgghh away, Angor Rot used his staff to teleport to the tree. Jim climbed the tree and attacked Angor Rot. Soul stayed on the ground and Noah said pulling out Archer. "I got you covered."

"Gnome Archer!" Soul's Driver said as Soul changed form and got his bow, but the moment they drew their bow, an arrow didn't form. Noah then said to Seth. "What's wrong with our bow?!"

"If I had to guess, the mark on my face steals my element energy, and that means Archers arrows are gone too."

"That's just great!" Noah said before switching Archer with Fighter. "Gnome Fighter!" Soul's Driver said and after he changed forms again, they and Aaarrrgghh started to climb the tree to reach Jim. In the trees, Jim was still fighting Angor Rot, but Angor Rot was using his staff to teleport all over the area. And even kicked Jim to where Aaarrrgghh and Soul were. As they recovered Angor Rot pulled out his own blade and charged at them. They all jumped away, but Angor Rot used his staff to appear before Jim.

But before Angor Rot could stab Jim, Aaarrrgghh grabbed Angor Rot and slammed him to the ground. The two of them fought and Angor Rot was trying to cut Aaarrrgghh with his knife. During the fight, Angor Rot hit a tree with his knife, and it turned to stone and was going to fall on Wumpa. However Toby saw her just in time, and Angor Rot started to fight the others again.

Back with the non-fighters, they weren't having any luck. "Dude, I can't find it!" Then Wumpa tapped Toby's shoulder. Toby turned to her and saw the Killstone she was holding. Toby got up and said to her. "The stone! You found it!" Then Toby said as she was trying to give it to him. "But I lied to you. I'm not your king."

"You my king." Wumpa said before handing it to Toby. Toby was grateful and then said to everyone. "Hey, everyone! I've got the stone!" Angor Rot then dropped Daylight, put his blade away, and drew his staff. Angor Rot then used his staff to open a portal behind Toby. Angor Rot then hit Toby in the back of his head with his staff. That caused Toby to fall to the ground and drop the Killstone. "Don't let him get away!" Jim said as they dropped to the ground and ran to Angor Rot. Wumpa tried to attack Angor Rot, but she failed. Then as Angor Rot was leaving, Claire said chasing after him. "That's our stone! We need that to save my brother."

"Claire!" Jim said as she entered the portal. Angor Rot and Claire then found themselves in an unusual reality. The whole reality was pitch black, the gravity was like swinging in water, and there were patches of rocks floating around. Claire tried to grabbed Angor Rot staff, even managing to kick it away from him. But Angor Rot was more used to this reality, so he got his staff back much sooner than Claire.

And just before Angot Rot could leave, a glow purple light in the shape of a medium sized fox appeared before them. It surprised them both and then it roared at Angor Rot before attacking him. Angor Rot tried to fight back, but his attacks just went through it, and they didn't even hurt the fox. After a few cuts, Angor Rot opened a portal to escape, but the moment Angor Rot tried to enter it. The fox grabbed his staff and pushed Angor Rot into the portal. Once it closed, the fox turned to Claire. Claire thought she was in danger, but that was wrong. The fox placed Angor Rot's staff next to her and left her alone. Claire ddin't know why, but she felt like it was safe and picked up the staff. She was then dragged back to the location they were just at. The others saw Claire exit the portal and ran to her. Jim then said to her, as he helped her up. "Claire, are you okay?"

"No! I… I lost the Killstone!

"But we have you. We'll get it back." Jim said before Blinky joined them. "Indeed, the victory here was survival." Blinky said before seeing the staff in Claire's hands. Blinky then said to her. "The Shadowstaff! Very dangerous! Let me take that from you."

"No way! I'm keeping this." Claire said before it folded into the handle. Then everyone started to return to the gyre. Wumpa followed them, and while the others were getting one and Aaarrrgghh was about to start the gyre, Toby said to her. "I'm not really good at this."

"Toby be good friend to Wumpa. Maybe one day return to be king?"

"Wumpa, you don't need a king. Maybe it's time you have a queen." Toby said and Wumpa understood.

"Goodbye, for now." Toby said bowing to the new queen of the Quagwumps. "Goodbye my king." Wumpa said as Toby got onto the gyre, and Aaarrrgghh started it. It was at that moment Aaarrrgghh noticed that Angor Rot had given him a very small cut with his blade under Aaarrrgghh's left elbow. The Creeper Sun poison wasn't going to turn Aaarrrgghh into stone any time soon, but it will someday. Toby then said to Aaarrrgghh. "Hey, bug guy! Are you coming?"

"Coming." Aaarrrgghh said, hiding the cut from everyone. Once everyone was on the gyre they went back home to Arcadia, where Angor Rot was. Angor Rot had opened a portal a few miles away from Arcadia. And while he wasn't happy that he lost his staff, or that the fox gave him a lot of cuts. He was happy that he had the Killstone, because now Jim and his friends would have to go through him if they wanted to save Claire's brother. And the moment they tried, Angor Rot was going to kill them all.