𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 [𝐣𝐢𝐦 𝐥𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐱 𝐨𝐜]

Chapter 5 | Mourning

In the cover of night, the sound of a skateboard echoes down the empty street toward the Arcadia Oaks Canal. Stopping before the bridge, Liz kicks her skateboard to her hand and heads down to the bottom of the canal. There, she sees Blinky and AAARRRGGHH gathering the stone remains of Kanjigar. Catching sight of the approaching human female, Blinky waves to her. "Lady Liza! You've returned!"

Returning the wave with a small smile, Liz walked towards the trolls until her smile gradually faded when her eyes settled on the remains still left on the canal. Pausing in front of it, she stood silently as different emotions began to rise within her, but she kept them from drowning her, knowing it wouldn't do if she lost face. Together with Blinky and AAARRRGGHH, they stood silently in remembrance of their fallen comrade and foster figure.

Ending the moment, Liz reached for her neck adorned with a silver oval pendant embedded with a blue stone, seeking its comforting presence.

Since the day she explored the Hero's Forge and activated the Soothscryer as a child, Liz never once removed the necklace bestowed upon her, as well as the role and the responsibilities that came with it for that very day, Elizabeth Walker was chosen as the next Guardian in nine hundred years since the first Guardian during the Age of Merlin.

Bending to touch a stone fragment from the remains, Liz whispered an incantation spell to transport the remains to the Hero's Forge. A flash of cyan light later, the pile of remains vanishes, including the pieces Blinky and AAARRRGGHH were just holding. "His remains are in the Hero's Forge now."

With a sigh, Liz stands up as Blinky compliments her with wide eyes. "Astounding, Lady Liza! Your skills have advanced greatly since your return to Arcadia Oaks."

Liz merely shrugs. "I had a lot of practice. And a good teacher."

Blinky clasped his hands, eyes full of yearning. "If only I mastered the arts of magic, I would be worthy of those words. Your wizard is lucky to have you as an apprentice."

Liz chuckles, shaking her head slightly. "Douxie and I aren't master and apprentice. We never established it officially, so we're just your typical wizard apprentice and amateur witch. Besides, Douxie is still considered an apprentice, so I'm unsure if he can take on a pupil. He's been an apprentice for about what? Nine hundred years? I think that's what Archie says."

"Poor boy, it's been so long since the great Merlin fell into a deep slumber. He can only wait until his master's return and be officially appointed a master wizard."

"You said it." Liz nods in agreement as Blinky reflects, remembering that few trolls have remained in contact with the wizard apprentice since the Battle of Killahead Bridge, only to rekindle their contacts more so than ever since Liz was brought to Heartstone Trollmarket ten years ago.

After the girl showed potential for wielding magic at such a young age, Douxie was brought in to guide her on the path of magic, and since then, the two were inseparable, much to the dislike of others. Still, their affinity for magic drew them close together. They were so close that Liz felt they had been friends for much longer than they knew. At least, that is what she thought. She remembers that she once had a crush on him, but later outgrew it after discovering how old he was despite his youthful appearance.

"Lady Liza?" AAARRRGGHH calls Liz, breaking her thoughts of the wizard apprentice. "Yes, R?"

Blinky coughed, grabbing Liz's attention. "As I was saying, Lady Liza, perhaps training our new human Trollhunter would be wise. After all, since you are the Guardian, a former pupil of our late Trollhunter, and a human, you have the qualifications of a perfect trainer for Master Jim."

Liz quickly shakes her head in disagreement. "I don't think that's a good idea. I don't have that much experience to teach, especially training a new Trollhunter."