Blue Moon Rising

Chapter 6: Becoming: Part 2 (II)

Disclaimer: Don't own Trollhunters or any of its characters

It wasn't long before he came to a stop, back near the entrance to the sewers where he left Toby.

He slept little that night, not used to the strange armor and even stranger body.

It was exhilarating. Everything felt new and amazing and terrifying. His new human skin was sensitive to even the softest of breezes and the feel of the cold water against its surface was unlike anything he had ever felt.

But it comes at a price, he thought, putting a hand to the small cut on his head, wincing in pain. He was weaker, his other senses duller than before. Was this what is was like to be human? This odd, blended sensation of vulnerability and invincibility?

Or maybe, his inner-Nomura taunted, you're just a dumb teenage boy.

His mind traveled back to the night before. The tales about the Amulet of Daylight were true. Unimaginable power, right at his fingertips.

Atlas pulled out the sword. It fit flawlessly into his hand; its weight perfect. Nothing would feel as comfortable as the blade currently in his hand.

Not even his own sword felt as good, still sitting back at the Order, too conspicuous to be carried around during the day. It had been a gift, one of Stricklander's personal favorites, a two-handed, great sword imported from Europe, doused in magic to cut even the hardest stone. Few existed, largely because the Troll who made them died in a drunken fist fight with a Gnome (don't ask, his mentor said before Atlas could open his mouth), yet also because of its inefficiency in battle. The pummel was nearly as long as the blade itself and far heavier on one side than the other. Atlas had come to love the unique weapon, but man was it a pain to carry around.

Most Changelings weren't frontline fighters either, preferring to use poisons, magicks, and trickery than physical weapons like swords and axes. Even Stricklander, well-versed in all sorts of weaponry, preferred to use knives and daggers, though he did try to teach the teen some battle form whenever he could take time away from his busy schedule.

Truth be told, most of his training came from Nomura, who, instead of instructing him how to fight, simply kept on attacking him until he learned to defend against her blows ("defend" being avoid as much as possible until she got bored and left).

Stricklander, Atlas suddenly realized. Damn. What the hell was he going to tell him?

"Oh, hey, Stricklander," Atlas said aloud mockingly. "Guess what? I'm the new Trollhunter. Oh, you want me to give you the Amulet to bring back Gunmar? Gee, I'm sure that will go well."

As much as he cared for the man (he called Atlas his son. The teen was still reeling from that in all honesty.) , it amazed Atlas how devoted he was to a Troll who cared little for them outside of being tools for his return. They thought Bular was bad? Didn't Gunmar once slaughter an entire group of "Impures" because they didn't bring him enough humans to eat?

Atlas was terrified of Bular, but he feared Gunmar even more. Bular was terrible; Gunmar was the literal apocalypse.

Maybe he could convince Stricklander to give him some time to think about it. Did they even need Gunmar? Changelings were doing pretty well for themselves over these last few centuries.

Oh, who was he kidding? The man was Gunmar's Second-in-Command. There was no way Atlas could convince him to abandon his master.

Suffice to say, Atlas was screwed.