The sun was high in the sky, and Arcadia was ever so rustling and bustling as usual, with people moving and cars rolling down roads and streets. The park was the perfect place to bask in the sun’s energy. After all, it was easy— it was California. The summer’s warm heat was soft, and it reflected the bright colors of her tarot cards nicely as she shuffled and reshuffled them.
The backs of her cards had an intricate design of a flowing river, with banks filled with wheat and grains, with falcons on each side. Carefully, watching the smoke of the incense flow off, she finds specific cards on the shuffled deck. Laying them down on a cup shaped organization, she reads it carefully, muttering under her breath. Lighting a lighter, she watches the flame dance on its opening for a second, it grew brighter for just a moment as she mentalized her conclusion.
With relaxed shoulders, she sets down the lighter once again as the incense is quickly consumed and the last bits of smoke drift in the wind. Reading those cards had been something she always had pride in, wizards of all kinds had their methods of divination, hers was one of the hardest for its subjectivity. Avaluna herself also had a difficult divination, but even she, as the oldest, had difficulty reading cards. They bonded over it, as the eldest helped her perfect her technique, something she’d always be thankful for.
The sun-wizard was ready to pick her cards together once more, when a shadow was cast on the grassy floor she sat on.
“Tarot! I have not seen that in a while!” The woman in front of her spoke, voice soft and excited. Her eyes indicated she was of asian descent, however Sunvia could not tell from where, her green eyes were almost as bright as her browns and her hair was black and draped down like ink. It almost reminded her of her sister centuries before the blue lights. “Pardon the intrusion! I was simply heading into the museum and couldn’t help but notice!”
“Oh it’s not a problem! Hope you don’t find it weird or anything!”
“Ah of course not! I always had a fascination for who could read these things!” The woman noted, smiling. “And that is a beautiful deck!”
“Thanks! I made it myself!” Suniva felt something off about the woman, there was dissonance in the sound of her aura. “Say… Why don’t I pull some cards for you?”
The woman was surprised, but nonetheless, sat down on the blanket Suniva had stretchded out. “My name’s Zelda, though most know me as Ms. Nomura.”
“Well, you may call me Nini! Suniva smiled back, picking up her deck and shuffling it. “So tell me, anything in particular you’d want in your reading?”
Nomura thought about her words, turning her green eyes to the other once again. “I do have a business meeting in a few weeks. Why not see how it’ll go?”
Suniva chuckles, giving the cards a bit more of a shuffle. “The cards cannot predict the future, it’s a funny misconception! But they can advise you about it!”
Paying attention to the sound of this lady’s aura, like a broken record, Suniva’s fingers dance on the edges of the cards as she draws five, arranged in a line. She observed the symbols, trying to keep calm as she watched the pictures twisting into meaning, moving beneath her eyes alone. The woman kept her eyes calm, watching her as she watched the cards.
“Alright, so! I see good things and bad things… I’m not sure what to make of it specifically… It’s like the reading is split in half? Well, anyhow…” Suniva smiled, pointing at the first card. “You see, this one says there’s praysal in your future, you have something someone else wants and they’re gonna be happy you have it!” She moved on to the second card. “Though, these ones say there’s some conflict in your future as well… Old scars opening up again as well as… A lot of anger that’s been repressed.” She points to the fourth one, a huge building that had cracks, to her upside down, with bricks falling like dust. “And this one… This one says really bad things will happen. You will crumble, probably be at your worst. But then…” She points to the last one. “All will be well, there’s always always calm after the storm and soon, you’ll be surrounded by friends. Everything will work out!”
Zelda clutched a fist, nodding along. “Wow! That’s a very good explanation! It kinda makes sense too! It’s… Hope bringing!”
“Meh, what can I say? I like bringing hope whenever I can!” She smiles.
A man walks behind them, patting Nomura’s shoulder. “Ms. Nomura! We’re gonna be late to the meeting.”
The woman gave him an annoyed look, frowning deeply before turning her head to the woman once again. “Thank you for that Nini. I hope the reading comes true.”
“Same to you, ‘Ms. Nomura’!” She smiles, nodding to the man respectfully. His aura sounded incredibly similar to hers, yet his was like an untuned orchestra. “Hope the meeting goes well!”
Before they left, Suniva managed to overhear them whispering to each other. The man with the turtleneck spoke first, she watched him from the corner of her eye. “Since when do you care for corner superstitions?”
“Since I had a bad night and like distractions, Strickler.” His name dripped like poison from the woman’s lips.
“Strickler” huh? That name was familiar, for a very obvious reason. Had that night not been the battle between Jim and Draal, she’d confront, but for now all she could do was burn the image of the two into her mind. Thinking about the situation, she pulled another card, looking into the eyes of the reversed moon. Blinded path and illusions.
She sighed, getting up and going to her bike. The bright yellow fiery paint glinting under the sunlight, she felt the warm leather and hopped on, riding through the streets until she was off Arcadia.
When night descended upon Arcadia, the solar sister joined the children in Trollmarket.
It was the last night of training before the rematch with Draal. Jim moved fast, reacting to everything around him, every blow and every click of mechanisms. It alerted him, it brought a reaction. This was, of course, a controlled environment, and the training there was nothing like the training she knew Draal to have. And yet, it was all the boy would get before such an event, he was ready, though she could tell he did not believe it.
He and Toby improved, her readings often were accurate, more accurate than what she gave credit for, yet there was a pressure on her throat she couldn’t shake off.
By ending of training that night, she watched as Jim jumped when she approached.
“Ibi siste.” She called out, and Jim’s feet were stuck to the ground.
He turned around, flushed and annoyed. “Hey! What gives?!”
“I wanted to talk. And you’re not running from me.” She insisted, walking up while shooing Toby. “Remember the exercises I passed you. It’ll make your joints feel better.”
“Thanks Suniva! Good luck Jimbo!”
When they were out of earshot, Suniva unstuck the boy’s shoes. “You been distracted, Trollhunter.”
“Oh, no! Just impending doom on my mind. No biggie.” The sarcasm made the sun wizard cackle, her laugh echoing in the room.
“Get used to it. It’s not gonna be the first time you have to deal with it.” She took her stance, golden armour shining as she challenged him. “On guard.”
He lunged at her, striking her trident with his sword, she defended, then he defended, switching roles in a dance. “Besides this supposed impending doom, what else is occupying your mind?”
Jim went quiet, for a moment Suniva thought she was being too harsh, then he started talking again. “I saw something the other day. In the museum. I swear it looked like the killahead bridge!”
Suniva’s heart throbbed, she disarmed the trollhunter with a swift move, forcing him down and lowering her voice. “Are you sure it was it?”
He pulled out his phone, opening it on a picture sent to him from Toby’s phone, it was incredibly blurry and darkened. Almost impossible to make out what the image was. There was a faint resemblance, it was clearly an arch of some sort and seemed to be inscribed with something, though it was too hard to tell what it was.
“I- I know it doesn’t look the part! But I swear Suniva! I swear it was it!” He begged, with desperation and honesty in his voice.
But simply a picture would not be enough, especially not one of that quality. “I believe you Jim.”
“Of course! You’re not someone who lies easily. So, I have no reason to not believe you!” She ruffled his hair, undoing her armour. “But I gotta say, you gotta take one battle at a time. Thank you for telling me. I’ll keep an eye out for you, but focus on fighting Draal.”
The boy’s shining eyes dimmed, disappointment clouding his mind. “I will. Okay.”
“Nice.” She got up. “Forward that photo to me, okay? I’ll take a better look. Tomorrow’s your big night, you gotta rest and refresh. Your life is on the line.”
The boy nodded, moving off just as Blinky, Avaluna and Aaarrrgh joined her in the field. When he left and the doors closed behind him, they turned to each other.
“He told you about the bridge.” Avaluna stated.
Suniva nodded. “Did. But what do we do?”
“I mean- The picture was awful. There is no way to say with conviction what it was.” Blinky was dubious, of course, his reputation about conspiracy theories overshadowing his senses. “I know Master Jim would not lie about something so grave… I worry.”
“So do we, Blinky. I told ‘im to focus on his battle tomorrow.” Suniva stretched, tiredness getting to her. “I think it’s for the best that me and Ava deal with it.”
Avaluna nodded. “Did he tell you about the… Woman?”
“According to Jim, the museum curator changed after hours.” The conviction in her voice was clear, bringing old rumors to the younger sister.
“Changelings? In Arcadia?”
That was serious, very serious. “What does the museum curator look like as a human?”
“According to Tobias’ testimony, black straight short hair, bright green eyes and light skin.”
Suniva’s eyes widened once again, a shiver running down her spine. “I saw that woman earlier. Walking with Strickler into the museum.” The aura, the reading, now it made sense. “When I watched her aura, it was like it was a shattered record put together. Even her reading was… Like a double shot.”
“Strickler’s aura was the same when I saw it.” Both of them frowned. “If they are changelings, then there is a bigger threat about Bular than we previously thought.”
“He’s gathering an army. If the boys were right, which I think they were, then…”
“Then Killahead might really be being pieced together.” Blinky concluded, even Aaarrrgh’s fur rose. “Even then. It would take hundreds of changelings to piece the bridge! We certainly would’ve noticed…” The wizards looked among each other. “We would… Correct?”
“This is the first time me and my sister have seen a changeling in person…” Avaluna explained. “It is impossible to know how many there would be by now.”
Blinky paced around, biting his fingers nervously. “This is terrible…”
The sun sister stepped forward, stopping Blinky before he went into a full breakdown. “We will take things slowly. For now, we support Jim for his fight tomorrow, then we follow up the supposed changeling threat.”
Her words were calm, calmer than he had ever heard her speak, her confidence had always been an anchor to those around her. The troll sighed, finally agreeing. The only thing they were all sure of is that there was a battle tomorrow which would end up deciding the future, whether they liked it or not.
Trolls started clamoring the arena that night, from all corners of Trollmarket. Bets were being made, people were laughing, some of the more sympathetic and trusting ones actually worried for the trollhunter. Suniva and Avaluna, as well as Blinky and Aaarrrgh, waited at the door. Avid glances everywhere, greeting anyone they knew particularly, comforting anyone who actually believed in Jim.
Draal had walked past them to the other side of the arena, the side of the challenged. He saw the sisters, saw Suniva, usually when he was challenged she’d be warm and excited, now her angry eyes would have melted the crystals on his back if he got too close. So he walked away, huffing under his breath, returning the fire she sent his way. Avaluna sighed, knowing there was nothing she could do to stop them, but thanking it would be over soon.
Jim arrived, more energy than anyone thought would be possible, just as Vendel’s voice started rising through the arena. Avaluna had already explained Jim’s name and Jim’s mother’s name, so that part would go smoothly. They recapped the rules, then a surprising realization came.
“I was reading the book- and it mentions a beast that didn’t have grunknuts but soft flesh under the scales! Does Draal have a weak spot?!”
Blinky reveled at the notion he was not the only reader (besides Avaluna) to have found use in the books, Suniva herself was more than pleased at him taking the move.
As Jim was called inside, just as he headed inside, the solar wizard grinned and held the boy’s shoulder firmly. “He does.”
While the trio of trainer and wingmans watched from the gate, Suniva moved towards the stands, not even realizing her sister had disappeared from sight.
From above, she watched next to Vendel and other bystanders.
“I hear you prepared him well.” The old goat stated.
“I did what I could. I said what needed to be said. Blinky did a lot of the work if I’m honest.”
The begrudging sigh was never lost on the woman. “Why do you all insist on relying os much on him, I’ll never understand.”
“It’s more Luna than me. She trusts him, and honestly? So do I. He’s been nothing but compassionate and patient, exactly where Jim needed. Like he used to do with Kanjigar and the others.” Vendel scoffed. “I know you’re worried Vendel. I can sense it, everyone can. But Jim’s not naive, neither are we. He will be ready, sooner than you think too.”
The fight escalated, Jim was now running from Draal, screaming at the top of his lungs. Vendell frowned, fearing his prediction was correct. The boy was frightened, running away, cowering. Suniva knew exactly what he believed in, living around him enough to know just how much the elder struggled with change.
“I know change terrifies you Vendel.” She looked up. “I remember when I dyed my hair, you wouldn’t look at me.”
“It was undignified. You looked like a pink puffler bunny.”
“You complained about all hairstyles I tried on.” She smiled calmly, picking a curl from her head and twisting it on her finger. “You only liked one… Which is the one I wore when we met.”
The old man’s hands closed in fists. “It suits you best…”
“But it’s not about the hair, is it?” She looked up, sitting on the barrier and watching Vendel attentively. “Trolls don’t change. But humans do. You’re afraid of that.”
There was a long pause, safe for the taunting from Draal and screams from the trollhunter. “Change has done nothing for me.”
Suniva sighed, keeping watch intently of the battle, she then directed her words to Vendel. “It hasn’t been nice to me either… But change I learned, it’s not gonna stop comin’... So you either learn to accept it or it’ll destroy you.” Jim was on the ground again, Draal approaching menincily. Before the bigger opponent could react, he was kicked in the groin to the pain of all watching. Jim taking the opportunity he had his back turned to hide behind his blind spot, using it to move around. Suniva grinned widely, “B’sides… Not all changes are bad.”
Jim used the arena to his favor.
A giant axe struck Draal, sending him to the other side of the arena and off the edge. There were collective gasps from the audience, but Draal was still alive, though hanging from the edge.
A chant began, bystanders urging the trollhunter to finish the fight.
Suniva knew this was coming, so did Draal when he accepted. Though a chill still made its way down her spine, her eyes glued to the scene. Draal had been horrible the past weeks, nothing like the boy she played with when she was younger, nothing like the little brother she helped to raise, nothing like the friend she trusted. Yet, she knew, she did not want his journey to end there, not then, not yet.
When Jim raised his sword, she watched his aura, it flowed like a flame. Strong, unyielding, angry even. But then…
And Draal was still alive.
Jim helped him off the ledge, bringing him up once more. He was defeated… in more ways than one.
The action was booed by most of the audience, as they had gone there to see more blood than what had been spilled. The trollhunter stood by his decision, raising his voice to the crowd, beginning a speech of warning about a threat above their heads.
Suniva knew what he was planning on saying, ready to stop him when thankfully Blinky did, pulling him away as the crowd shifted to shaming Draal instead.
He’d not be able to face Trollmarket anymore.
She had not seen such a somber expression on him in a long long time, she pitied him, making the mental note to seek him after the battle. Perhaps now, humbled, he’d recognize what she had meant. Draal might be stubbron, even more than Vendle, but she knew he would honor his end of a deal, even if he hated it.
Winking to a shocked and thoughtful Vendel, she flew down, joining Jim and Toby and congratulating the young Trollhunter.
“HA HAAAA!! I TOLD YA!! I TOLD YA YOU COULD DO IT!!!” her instincts acted first and she hugged the boy tightly, before realizing and letting him go. “Op! Sorry- force of habit!”
“No worries-” Jim strained his back, now hurting double. “So… When can we focus on Killahead?”
As he asked, Vendell appeared, calling for Aaarrrgh and Blinky, as well as Suniva. “Right now! Go rest. We’ll handle the old goat.”
Jim and Toby agreed, heading off while Suniva went to talk to Vendel.
