The Strength of Silence

CHAPTER THIRTY

I screamed in terror as I watch the world of trolls fly past me in a blur as I held onto Gemma's shoulder for dear life; my black hair whipping around. She had one of her clawed hands holding my back securely so I won't fall off but that didn't ease my nerves whatsoever! I noticed the amulet glowing in sync with my emotions and I prayed that it doesn't act up. I pound my fist lightly on her back to get her attention, "Gemma!"

No answer.

"Gems, stop!"

Still nothing.

I let out a yelp when she made a sharp turn towards a tunnel; causing me to lose my grip on her (since I was having troubles before due to her scales being smooth). The distressed brunette grabbed the collar of my shirt and threw me onto her back; to where I'm clinging to her like the younger trolls do with their parents. I quickly wrapped my arms around her neck as she dived into a hole.

I screamed like a little girl until...

SPLASH

I was stopped when we landed in a body of water.

I slowly opened my eyes to another world even more magical than Trollmarket! There were crystal's everywhere in various colors; embedded in the walls, the (what I assume) lake floor, and some were so enormous that they reached the ceiling! How did this place go unnoticed for so long?!

My thoughts were interrupted when Gemma swam up towards the surface and leapt up onto a flat slab of rock. I refilled my lungs with air before sliding off her back; only for my breath to be stolen again as her tail wrapped itself around me and brought me closer to my blue eyed friend. I tried to wiggle out of its grasp while exclaiming, "Gems! Let go! Need to breath!"

"S-sorry."

Her appendage released me as I fell to my knees while gulping for air; when it went back to normal, I stood up and sternly locked gazes with the girl as she fidgeted with the fin on her tail.

"Why did you bring me here? Where exactly is here?"

Gemma bit her lip as she avoided eye contact, "To p-protect. Broug-ght you t-to lair."

I frowned in worry as I noticed that she was trembling in fear. I let out a sigh, "I guess hearing about me fighting Draal to the death didn't sit well with you either, huh?"

A warbled whine vibrated within her chest as she held me in a protective embrace, "No. S-stay here."

"You know I can't do that. I'm the one who challenged him without thinking of the repercussions! I have to do this, Gems..."

She was quiet for a few minutes before mumbling, "S-stupid."

Now, I'm not sure if she's calling me stupid or the fight, so I'll go with the latter.

"It's just how the trolls are; it's their culture and we can't force them to change rules that's been around for centuries. And if I want to earn their trust, I have to follow those rules; no matter how crazy they are."

I felt Gemma bury her face into my wet hair before she started to sniffle, "N-no want t-to lose a-anot-ther. N-not r-ready..."

It felt as if my heart was being squeezed as I felt her body tremble above me; feeling tears drip into my hair and onto my forehead. I turned to face her with a reassuring smile, "And you won't. I'll make sure I'll win."

Gemma crouched down to my height and I couldn't help but step back due to how intimidating she can be. Her clear blue pools met my electric blue, allowing me to get a better view of her facial features in this form; she had thick orange lines going down her flat nose and one going across each of her sharp cheekbones, her eyes were outlined with a charcoal black that made them pop out even more against her snow white scales, the scar on her right eye was pinkish color and started from the top of her eyebrow down to the bottom of her jaw; her long ears had bits of orange on each of the three tips and seemed to be the same length of her horns, and her long brown locks was still dripping with water from when we dived into the lake.

I couldn't help but blush at how regal Gemma looked as she placed her black scaled hands on my shoulders, "N-no kill D-Draal."

AUTHOR'S POV

~At Trollmarket~

Toby, Blinky, and Aaarrrgghh barged into Vendal's den, startling the poor elder troll.

"What in-?!"

"Is Gems here?!"

The cream skinned being looked down at the stout human, "No. I was just about to look for her myself since she is still injured from her encounter with Bular. It seems she had wondered off; do any of you miscreants have an idea of where she is, hmm?", Vendal expectantly raised a stone brow at Aaarrrgghh and Blinky; who shrunk and looked down guiltily.

Toby's jaw dropped in shock, "Whaa?! When did this happen?!"

The elder waved his hand dismissively, "Nevermind that! Where is the Dragon Folk now?"

The red head tapped his pointer fingers nervously, "Yeah, about that... she kinda... sorta... kidnapped Jimbo and ran off."

There was a moment of tense silence until Vandal threateningly loomed over Toby with narrowed eyes, "Please do tell."

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Don't you love protective Vandal? Just look at that face! Lmao 😆