بخش بیست و سوم

The ring!

Oh, no!

You can’t escape me now.

After I’m through with you, I’ll kill the Trollhunter, and everyone else!

Are you mad?

No!

I’m free!

Then I took the Killstone from him, and never looked back.

A valiant risk for the second Triumbric Stone.

But you say Angor Rot’s ring was destroyed?

Yeah, he wasn’t very happy to lose his soul.

Now that no one controls him,

I guess he’ll be on a warpath.

All the more reason to find the third and last stone before he shows up again.

Hey!

Good to see you back to normal, Blinky.

I was starting to miss you there.

Ah.

My only regret was that I never had a chance to drive one of your automobiles.

Say, what was that legend again?

“Three forces elemental thou must seek in marshlands, caverns deep, and mountain’s peak.”

If I can memorize 400 lines of Shakespeare, I can remember that.

Check and check on the marshlands and mountain.

That just leaves us the caverns deep.

Trouble is, Tobias, all trolls live in caverns deep.

To search them all would far outlast our life-spans.

Has anyone seen Aaarrrgghh!

If we plan on finding the final stone, we’ll need all hands on deck.

Can you wiggle your fingers?

Uh-uh.

The poison has spread.

It will only grow worse.

I’m afraid the effects are irreversible.

You still haven’t told your friends?

Must help fight Gunmar.

Then, I suppose you’ll tell them you punched a wall.

You stubborn brute.

But one of these days, they’ll find you turned to solid stone.

You have to tell them.

Not today.

Very well, my friend.

Not today.

So the last stone gave you those sweet thigh blades.

What do you think this one’ll do?

I don’t know.

We’ll have to cut it and then we’ll.

What was that?

Not sure.

But stay close.

Put that sword away.

Don’t you know our guests are sensitive to light?

Guests?

Wow.

They all look like Aaarrrgghh!

Queen Usurna of the Krubera.

They reside in the deepest caverns under the Earth’s mantle.

Rarely do they venture this close to the surface.

Deepest caverns?

You don’t think that.

It’s plausible, if not convenient.

Your visit is an unexpected honor.

Vendel.

They’re as talkative as Aaarrrgghh too.

I thought Aaarrrgghh was a Gumm-Gumm.

Aaarrrgghh was, but he was born a Krubera.

Now hush!

Aarghaumont, my kinstroll.

Mm.

The centuries pass, yet you remain forever in our hearts.

My queen.

Allow me to introduce our Trollhunter.

Slayer of Gunmar’s son.

Uh, James Lake Junior, Your Queen-ness.

The human Trollhunter.

I heard stories, but didn’t believe.

Ask her about the stone.

Your Highness.

lady?

I recently heard a story about the deep caverns, and a magical stone.

A stone?

From a trilogy of sorts?

Some might say of the Triumbric variety?

That’s not how you speak to a queen.

Their informality is amusing.

No, Trollhunter.

We do not have it.

But I am familiar with that which you seek.

It was once in our possession, but stolen years ago.

But if you don’t have it, why did you come here.

To celebrate this rare and momentous visit,

I propose a grand match of PyroBligst!

Then it is wise that I brought with me our tribe’s two heartiest trolls.

Aaarrrgghh will represent us to be paired with our Trollhunter.

Yeah!

Go, Jimbo!

Wait, PyroBligst?

What is that?

A game?

Oh, it is a tradition as old as it is dismembering.

I shall look forward to the game, later this evening.

Long ago, in the Old Wars, Gunmar raided the Krubera caverns.

Gumm-Gumms kidnapped their young to enlist them for their army.

If the Krubera are so sensitive to light, how come Aaarrrgghh, isn’t?

Aaarrrgghh was forced to adapt in many ways, hardened to survive.

Is that why he doesn’t speak as elegantly as they do?

Being ripped away from your home at such a tender age, has a way of stunting one’s potential.

That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.

Whoa!

Toby, get back.

This is a delicate and sacred ritual.

And you’re drooling all over it.

Look at that faceting.

Two stones down, and one more to go until we can give Gunmar the payback he deserves.

Time and distance have separated our tribes for too long.

May the match bring forth a new era of friendship and cooperation.

Save your hogwash, Usurna.

I know why you are here.

The Krubera trolls can sense when the light dims in one of our tribe.

Aarghaumont is dying.

If he returns to our caves,the salt mines will allow him to live out his centuries.

Trollmarket is his home.

It will be his deathbed!

His friends are here.

As the Queen of the Krubera, I have the right to return him to our fold.

There will be no debate.

Then, might I propose a friendly wager?

Trollmarket has never won a game of PyroBligst.

Ever.

We’ve never had a human Trollhunter on our team either.

I have come to expect the impossible from the boy.

If you win.

Aarghaumont comes with us.

And if Trollmarket wins?

Then Aaarrrgghh will choose for himself.

Oh, thank heavens.

You made it!

Let me in.

We don’t have time.

Angor won’t stop until he finds us.

You are mistaken, mein freund.

He won’t stop until he finds you.

I demand you open the door!

You no longer make demands.

The Janus Order has discussed matters.

While we seek the return of Gunmar, you seek only your own glory.

I seek glory for all changelings!

Angor Rot will kill me!

You know that!

Then I will send flowers.

So, how do we play this game?

I really should have asked earlier.

Oh, boy.

The object is simple.

You and Aaarrrgghh need to get the Gorb past the other team and into the Soothscryer.

Yeah, but where’s Aaarrrgghh!

I thought he was with Tobias.

Blinkous, where is Aaarrrgghh!

He isn’t here?

I hardly noticed.

It is imperative he play.

You!

The big-headed one.

He likes you.

Go find him.

Huh!

Draal, you’re in.

It would be my honor to compete in the Forge once again.

Not compete.

Win.

It is only a game, Vendel.

This isn’t a game!

Okay, Vendel, can I have my amulet back now?

You didn’t tell the boy?

In PyroBligst, combatants must earn their weapons, including your amulet.

Great.

You take the small one.

I’ll handle the big guy.

Which one is the small one?

Hard to tell, huh?

They are bred for combat.

Trained to kill.

Thank you for that.

Grab it!

Grab it!

I’m gonna need that amulet.

How was that hit legal?

He nearly killed him.

Unfortunately, killing is fair play in PyroBligst.

Your human Trollhunter plays as well as I expected.

Nana?

Are you home?

I know you’re under there.

I can hear you playing Go-Go Sushi.

Oh.

What are you doing?

We always play that together.

What happened to your hand?

Hit wall.

No biggie.

What’s going on?

You’ve been acting real weird since the Quagawumps.

Jim needs you for the pyro technical-whatever-ma-jigger.

Toby-pie!

Is that you I hear?

She’s home.

Quick.

Hide!

Put this over your shoulders.

Oh, no.

Toby!

What are you doing home, Nana?

I thought you were out playing Bingo?

I was taking a catnap.

Oh, you have a guest?

And you didn’t introduce me?

Oh.

He’s a friend.

I can explain!

He’s.

He’s so tall and hairy.

Yes, he is freakishly tall.

This is Aaarrrgh-thur-Sashimisushi!

He’s an exchange student who will be staying with us for a little while.

He’s from Japan.

He’s an amateur sumo wrestler!

How exciting.

Why don’t we ever get the Gorb?

In.

Wait, let me guess.

Have to earn that, too.

Now you are learning PyroBligst.

I’ll buy you time.

Go, Trollhunter!

For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command!

It’s the human body.

Quite nimble.

Another slice, Arthur-San?

I insist.

Who can say no to pie?

Hey, man.

I get why you’re hiding.

Dealing with family can be stressful.

I mean, take me and Nana.

Sure, she’s half-blind, and smells like mothballs, but she took me in after what happened to my parents.

She loves me.

Every time I get frustrated with her, I just think about that.

Oh, sorry, Toby-pie.

Mr. Meow Meow PI used your gentleman’s cap as a potty.

My magic hat!

Mmm.

That’s okay, Nana.

I’ll just get another.

Your family came all this way to see you.

The least you could do is spend some time with them.

Oh, that’s gnarly!

Are you hungry?

Mm!

Is it over?

Please say it’s over.

‘Tis the Scalding Hour.

The we-do-what hour?

We seal our wounds with burning hot metal in preparation for the second half.

Eh, I’ll pass.

Well done, Master Jim.

And by “well done,”I mean at least you haven’t completely embarrassed yourself, or died.

Thanks, Blink.

Aaarrrgghh still isn’t here?

I’ve tried Toby.

No answer.

Aaarrrgghh might not make it back.

We must win.

I know, for the glory of Trollmarket.

Fools play for glory.

We are playing for Aaarrrgghh!

What?

If they win, they are taking Aaarrrgghh!

Away forever.

They can do that?

Why?

What!

Why!

Where!

It doesn’t matter.

Just win the match.

We’re not gonna win.

We may be down, but we’re not out!

This is the Forge where heroes are born.

We’re down four to one.

And we’re going to be down one more if we give up on Aaarrrgghh!

My father watches us from above.

Let us make the Trollhunters of the past proud.

Let us make Trollmarket proud.

Let us show our guests the humbling they deserve!

Fools play for glory.

But we play for Aaarrrgghh!

For Aaarrrgghh!

For Aaarrrgghh!

For Aaarrrgghh!

Stay on the Gorb!

Aaarrrgghh!

Cool.

A warrior’s shield!

You’ve earned it.

Now, test it!

Aaarrrgghh!

Since when does Jim have a shield?

He’s unlocked the power of his second stone!

Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

We’ve tied it up!

Next score wins.

Time to finish it!

Aaarrrgghh!

Jim!

Here!

Aaarrrgghh!

Draal, are you okay?

Am I in the Void?

Father?

Father!

It’ll take time for that hit to wear off.

Problem is, he doesn’t have time.

We’ll never find a suitable replacement.

You’ll have to take them both on.

By myself?

For Pete’s sake.

Not for Pete.

For Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

Oh, it’s good to see you.

Aaarrrgghh!

Yeah!

What fortunate timing, Tobias.

The Bligst is nearly over.

I have no idea what’s happening.

Is that a good thing?

If they score, yes.

If the other team scores, no.

It’s all you, Aaarrrgghh!

Aaarrrgghh!

You did it!

We did it.

Aaarrrgghh your hand.

What a rush!

Well done, you two.

Trollmarket is victorious!

A Bligst for the ages.

The time has arrived that we bid our friends farewell.

But first, one last order of business.

Aarghaumont.

Brother, we know you are not well, but battled honorably.

Will you return with us, your family?

Or fight your last days here amongst your friends?

What does she mean, “his last days?”

The choice is yours.

Your wound.

Creeper’s Sun poison.

Oh, Aaarrrgghh!

Why did you not tell us?

Didn’t want worry.

Angor Rot must’ve cut him.

This is my fault.

It should’ve been me that got hurt.

Not Jim’s fault.

Don’t wanna leave.

The only way you will survive is with your own kind.

You must return with them.

We can always visit.

I’m afraid, Master Jim, only the Krubera can thrive in the Deep Caves.

Oh.

Well.

If it means he’ll live.

Aaarrrgghh!

What sort of a friend would I be if I demanded you stay?

I will go.

Goodbye.

The times, the laughs.

For once, he’s speechless.

And here, we just got to know each other.

I’ll miss you, big guy.

Goodbye, old friend.

I shall protect them in your stead.

Wingman?

Oh.

Get Gunmar for me.

Be well, big guy.

Tell Wingman, he family.

I, family.

Toby-pie!

Dinner!

I’m never eating again!

But you’re being so rude to our exchange student!

Arthur-San?

Aaarrrgghh!

Ooh thur.

Oh.

I’ll get the pie.

You came back!

But what about your family?

Your home?

Am home.

Krubera not family.

You are.

You’ll turn to stone.

You’ll get sick if you stay.

Not today.

Today help fight Gunmar.

Play Go-Go Sushi.

This my choice.

You old stubborn brute, how can I stay mad at you?

Come on?

But after we’re done with Gunmar, I’m taking you home to get better in the Krubera caves myself.

Capiche?

Boom.

Boom.

Should I get my hammer?

This feels like a hammer situation.

For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is.

Please, Trollhunter, you’re my only hope.

If you want to save your mother’s life, you have to protect me.