𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 [𝐣𝐢𝐦 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐱 𝐨𝐜]

Chapter 44 | Go Fetch

Liz gazes at the full moon above Arcadia Oaks outside Toby's bedroom window. Its soft light cast shadows in the darkness of the night, and an ominous feeling creeps along her spine, making her shiver slightly. As she listens in to the conversations beside her, Liz feels a forceful tug on her chest, her breath stolen as darkness encompasses her sight. Then, like a beacon in the night, she is drawn in like a moth to a flame into a harrowing vision.

"Finally...after centuries of being in the Darklands...," A sinister voice echoed beneath the arch of a glowing bridge, its fiery blue flames pulsing in a rhythm that matched her heartbeat.

"N-No." Liz shook her head, a sense of foreboding pooling in her gut when she recognized the voice's owner—Gunmar the Black. Despite the bone-chilling fear growing inside her at the menacing sight, a strange sense of calm washed over her, and as if her mouth had a mind of its own, Liz spoke with power resonating in her voice. "You shall not cross for by blood, I bound thee to the eternal dark."

Against her reverberating words, the bridge begins to crack under pressure as Bular bellows in panic nearby. "Something is wrong."

Then, with a piercing glow, a strong wave of light explodes outward, throwing its audience in disarray, including Liz, whose vision is thrown back to reality.

Third POV

As soon as the Gunmar vanished and the light faded, the Amulet of Daylight deactivated, falling from its slot on the Killahead Bridge with a resounding clink. Strickler stepped up to the amulet and read the carvings in troll language with a frown. "Daylight is his to command. Bular!"

As if summoned by name, Bular grabbed Strickler by his throat, nearly choking him without giving him time to explain. "You said the amulet would open the bridge!"

"Bular, I know what we need." Strickler choked. Bular narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"The Trollhunter. The amulet won't work without him. He is the key." Strickler showed the carvings to Bular, forcing him to read it. The troll prince snarled, his gaze turned on Nomura. "Bring the Trollhunter to me!"

Nomura bowed with a chilling grin. "It will be my pleasure."

"Now, now, wait just one moment." A voice echoed across the hall, its tone dripping with malice. "Perhaps you are forgetting something. Something – vital."

Those who remained in the hall scrutinized the area, confusion written on their faces as they searched for the owner of the voice.

"Who are you?" Bular roared, throwing Strickler into the nearest wall before gazing around the silent hall, shadows dancing in every corner by only the light of the full moon shining through the windows. "Reveal yourself, you insolent coward."

"I would choose your words wisely, Dark Prince, unless you want your father to remain entrapped in the Darklands forever. You wouldn't want that, would you?" The disembodied voice taunted. Bular growled with impatience. "Fine. Now, who are you?"

"Think of me as a benefactor of sorts. Your father mentioned about me when he gave you the Enervare Dagger, did he not?"

Bular's eyes widened in disbelief. "It cannot be. Are you – the Dark One?"

The voice chuckled, "Indeed, though I have been called many things. I come with words of advice, Dark Prince."

"Hmph. Go on."

"The Killahead Bridge will not open, not only by the mediocre commands of a mortal champion. It requires the essence of a perpetual being."

"Essence?" Strickler spoke for the first time, his voice slightly hoarse from being strangled earlier.