58 Trollhunters (1/2)

As I watched the eight-foot monstrosity stalk toward me, I suddenly recalled the Trollhunter cartoon that Luca and I loved when we were younger.

The hero of that story was a kid like us who inherited a magical amulet that turned him into the titular Trollhunter, complete with a magic sword and cool looking armor. Believe me, the parallels of that fantasy and my own real-life story weren't lost on me.

The troll—because of course, it was a troll—wore a wolf head cap on top of its big head that was attached to the thick fur cape draped across its shoulders. Its armor was an electrum scale mail similar to the hobgoblin officer I just defeated. In its hands, the troll carried a steel war hammer.

”He's big,” Luca said.

”Yup,” I answered. ”Want to tag-team it?”

Luca hefted his broadsword over his back. It was a habit he'd recently formed that I liked to call his hero pose.

”Sure,” he said. ”Foolish Strength is still active. It would be a waste if I don't go all out here.”

I looked sideways at him and observed his face. From the cold-eyed stare to the clenched teeth, his expression was certifiably intense. It was a stark contrast to his usual mild-mannered look.

Seeing him like that made my forehead crease, and I wondered how much longer I would have to watch my brother risk his life before I was able to win back his freedom.

”Aura, watch our backs,” I said.

”Of course,” she responded from behind me. ”Don't go too crazy though. Stick to the plan.”

”I always do,” I said jokingly. After all, nothing ever went according to plan.

I glanced behind me and saw the midnight blue padded vests and shields gathering there.

”You hear that, Ashley?” I called. ”It's time to hunt. So give us some breathing room, will you?”

Ashley's response was an order to her squad. ”Alright, guys, just like we practiced... Form shield wall and repel all attackers.”

As they carried out their orders, Ashley's shield squad was like a well-oiled machine. They strode forward, moving past me and my fireteam, and engaged the enemy soldiers ahead of us.

The sounds of metal clashing against metal rang out from the front. From behind, I heard the call of ”Foolhardies” from the other members of my unit who had finally caught up with my reckless charge.

Edo was the first to arrive. He had Shaqs tagging around him. More Foolhardies arrived to engage the enemy around us, giving me a brief respite from the ongoing battle.

”Did everything go smoothly on your end?” I asked him.

Edo pointed to the two severed heads stuffed inside the fishnet bag strapped to Shaqs' thick leather belt. One of them belonged to a dark-haired elf. The other was unmistakably human.

I shivered at the sight. I couldn't help it. The adrenaline I'd earlier experienced thanks to Darah's rallying cry had dissipated after my first officer kill.

”Line commanders who didn't have enough sense to get out of our way,” Edo cracked the knuckles of his left hand using his right hand. Then he nodded at Aura. ”Are you sure you don't want me fighting at your side?”

Aura shook her head. ”Thank you, my friend. But I'll be fine.”

Edo's eyes darted toward me.

He scowled. ”Not with this one, you're not.”

I ignored the snide remark and tossed him the tracker orb I'd kept in my coat pocket.

”Go find me more targets to hunt,” As reaching his shoulder would have required me to jump, I lightly slapped the back of his arm instead. ”We'll follow after we deal with big ugly.”

Edo followed my line of sight to the troll and his soldiers who were pounding on the wall of bronze shields formed by Ashley's squad. They were a mere ten yards away from us.

”Don't kick the bucket while you strive to achieve your goals, Dean,” Edo's tone, although not exactly fatherly, was full of honest encouragement. ”And don't drag Aura down with you.”

I nodded. ”I'll do my best.”

Edo took Shaqs and Luca's raiders with him when he left to follow my order. Once he was gone, I turned my attention back to our current target.