Chapter 17: Falling Star

[This chapter contains scenes from Episode 12: Claire and Present Danger from Trollhunters]

"What about my parents?" Claire asked as they sprinted across the field, quickly disappearing behind the shadow-bathed tree line.

"They're not after your parents." Jim insisted, holding tight to her hand as they leapt over raised roots and darted around gnarled trunks. "Goblins are vindictive, they're after you because they think you killed one of their own."

"Goblins?!" Claire glanced over her shoulder as the underbrush of the woods seemed to come alive, stalking them. "I've never killed anything! Maybe swatted off some racoons, but… but goblins aren't real!"

"Claire, just trust me. There's a lot more than just goblins." Jim continued to run before Claire pulled back, stopping in her tracks, her hand slipping out of his grasp.

"Jim, please, what aren't you telling me? There's got to be more going on, right? You and Strickler, you're involved in something. I heard you talking. I know there's something going on."

"I promise I'll tell you everything." Jim felt his heart tighten even as he said the words. "I'll tell you everything. But we need to get to safety."

A twig snapped in the shadows, drawing Jim's attention to their surroundings once more as Claire glanced around nervously before reaching down and picking up a hefty stick. The growl and slithering voices of the goblins echoed throughout the woods, like a funeral dirge for the object of their ire.

"Those aren't racoons, are they?" Claire's voice trembled as she clutched her makeshift weapon tightly.

"No. They're goblins." Jim replied, taking a deep breath as he focused on his connection to Merlin's amulet, feeling it despite the vast distance between him and the museum.

He could almost see its surroundings. The heavy museum tarps laid over scaffolding, the ancient stone bridge just nearby, the keystone it had been inserted into just recently still pulsating with magic. He could see Strickler standing nearby, idly clicking his pen. And he could also see Nomura there, walking about and investigating Killahead Bridge.

Something immediately felt off though. Even as the amulet glowed with magic and began making its way to Jim's location, there was something wrong. However, he didn't have time to focus on that as the growling of the goblins grew silent and a single, gangly green creature crept forward out of the shadows, glowing yellow eyes peering directly at Claire with malice.

"Ooh Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka…"

"That… is not a racoon." Claire stared wide-eyed at the little monster as it snarled at her.

"Nope. Goblins." Jim replied, raising his hand up to the sky as hundreds of glowing eyes suddenly appeared in the darkness causing Claire to freeze in terror.

"Jim! What are you doing? We need to run!" She turned to him, grabbing his arm but, as she did, a goblin leapt at her, snarling as it reached out with its gangly fingers. However, the punk girl screamed, swinging her makeshift weapon instinctively and batting it away like an overripe watermelon,

"It's okay. We can do this." Jim insisted, hand still raised.

" What are you doing?" Claire demanded again, grunting as she swung at another goblin that emerged from the shadows. They were starting to come in droves now, angered as their comrades were beaten back.

Snarls and barks rang out through the dark woods as Claire screamed, swinging at the horde of little green creatures while Jim stood there, even as the goblins reached his feet and started tugging at him.

Everything seemed to slow down as he saw the night sky, illuminated by a blinding blue light. Stars gleaming as he was flying through the clouds, clockwork whirring and clicking into place before he was plummeting back down to the earth like a brilliant comet.

" For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!"

Jim spoke the incantation a moment before the amulet rocketed down into his palm, exploding in a burst of ethereal blue-white energy. The myriad of goblins were thrown back by the shockwave as Jim was lifted into the air, surrounded by swirling magic light as silvery armor apparated around his form, slamming into him as he was encased in the protective armor of Daylight.

Before he even hit the ground, Jim summoned his sword to his hand, swinging downward and cleaving a goblin in two. The creature jittered and screeched before bubbling up with radiant blue light and bursting into nothing, terrifying the other little gremlins. All the while, Claire stared at Jim wide-eyed in awe. The brilliant blue light reflected in her gaze.

Daylight flashed throughout the woods, cleaving through goblin after goblin as Jim allowed himself to follow his instincts and training. Every movement was measured, every strike was lethal. Everywhere he looked, goblins exploded, ruptured from within by a radiant light. The Trollhunter was a flurry of movement, guarding Claire and keeping each and every goblin from so much as touching a hair on her head.

As Jim cut down another goblin, the others finally showed signs of fear, edging back towards the shadows before scurrying away, unwilling to contend with the Trollhunter any further. Smoke radiated from Jim's sword as he watched the slimy creatures flee and he finally looked back at Claire who was still taking in his appearance.

"What the? How the?" A fascinated smile crept up onto her lips as she took a step closer, admiring Jim's new form.

"Yeah." Jim chuckled, catching his breath.

"This? This is… Wow." Claire came close, resting her hand on Jim's chest, right over the amulet as it continued to click and whirr, emitting bright daylight.

Jim couldn't help but be taken in by her yet again. The way she looked at him, her beautiful dark eyes, rosy lips. Everything about her drew him in, so much so he couldn't help but lean into her, resting his head against hers as he held her close.

Claire seemed surprised at first, stiffening up, but leaned into him as well, holding him back. However, the skittering of a goblin interrupted their moment as it leapt out of the shadows, screeching, only to be met by the blade of Daylight, rupturing it into nothing but guts and light.

"Ugh… goblins." Jim clicked his tongue.

"So… these things took my brother?" Claire cleared her throat, looking around the dark woods once more and brushing her hair out of her face. "Do you know where he is?"

"Yes. And I promise, we'll get him back. But for now, we need to get to Trollmarket." Jim reached out, taking Claire's hand as it was clear the entire situation was finally sinking in and she was starting to panic.

"This… this is… No way… This is…" Claire started pacing, biting her lip as her breathing was shallow and short.

"Breathe. Take a breath." Jim held her hand tighter, keeping her close as she worked through everything in her head. "I'll explain everything. I promise."

As Jim tried to soothe Claire, he heard something moving through the woods, snapping twigs underfoot. He was still expecting another fight, but something felt wrong. There was no haunting whistle riding on the wind, tickling the back of his neck with fear. No. This was something different. A pressure. An overwhelming bloodlust and hatred that seemed to seep into the shadows.

"Claire. You need to run." Jim squeezed her hand tightly. "Run home and don't look back."

"What? No, I'm not leaving." Claire protested but Jim quickly pulled her behind him, holding his sword at the ready.

As he did, he saw two, bright yellow eyes peering through the darkness, looming above him. A massive, hulking form scraped past the trees, tearing bark from their trunks without effort. Large, curling horns framed the troll's face and, in his hands, two deadly cleavers dragged along the forest floor.

"Trollhunter. You will not keep me from my father. You will open the bridge, and then I'll present your corpse to my father as a welcome gift." Bular snarled, looming over them as Claire gripped tightly to Jim's arms, petrified with fear.

"Claire, run!"