We raced down the halls. My feet thudding desperately on the cobbled street, dodging carts of crystals, books, and rocks. The others were close behind, I could tell by the sounds of their footsteps on the dark street as well. Said streets were empty and strangely quiet. I had an idea where everyone was though. Everyone seemed to be holding their breaths, waiting to see if we are too late. After another corner, the area came into view as did voices. Sounds of jeering and yelling taunts came to my ears and my heart sank. It had happened or it was so close it was almost hopeless. I turned to my companions, "You guys better stay out here." I saw Trixy open her mouth in protest, but I held up my hand. "I don't need you guys locked up, so just wait out here until I give you the signal to join me."

Trixy still didn't look too happy, but Rex grabbed her arm and nodded. ARRRGH and Toby also nodded. I took a deep breath and ran forward into the arena just as Polemistís was raising his sword for a last deadly strike. Under him was a blue troll with four arms and six eyes. A burning hatred burned inside my guts until I remembered that this one was not like any others, this one was innocent. I took one last deep breath and left forwards. "STOP!" I yelled, my voice stopping not only the sword but also the yelling. I step in front of Polemistís. "You can't kill him," I begged. "He isn't like the others. He didn't know this place existed of that there were other trolls. Trolls like u- like you."

I stopped from saying us because I really wasn't a troll. I didn't count and it was really not my choice whether they kill them or not but I was determined to try. I turned desperately to Igétis, "I'll prove it. Give me a month and I can prove that they are on our side. Please."

He looked at me but raised his hand and Polemistís reluctantly brought the sword down and stepped away from the blue troll scowling fercily at him. But his face softened slightly into a more pitied expression as he looked at me. "I hope you know what you're doing," He whispered to me.

So do I, so do I.

Igétis stared down at me as he spoke, "Carya has proven time and time again her loyalty to us and our law states that anyone Elemental may stand for any. She stood for Drall and he too has proven his loyalty. However, this is a different case. Why do you believe that these trolls aren't as evil as the rest?"

I took a deep breath and motioned for Trixy, Rex, Toby, and ARRRGH to come in. They did each slightly cowering under the gaze of Igétis.

"I have come across these people. They claim they don't know of the war and I have found out that they also have a wizard companion. Merlin is his name. They fought for the surface a couple of weeks ago and came victorious. The four-armed ones are not ones to fight for the side of good," I said and Igétis looked at me with no trace of anger, he knew why I had done it. Why I had exposed the Elementals. He trusted my judgement and I was proud he did.

"Very well. We shall give her one month to prove their loyalty. Any objections?" he said.

No one did and Igétis looked at me with a blank expression but I could tell his mind was working double time. "May I take the prisoners to a private room?" I asked a little uncertain.

He nodded and a few guards followed me and the others out. The guards took me to a small separate room. I asked if the others could wait outside for a moment. Though Toby and ARRRGH looked slightly sad they agreed. Rex also agreed looking pointedly at Trixy so she again would reluctantly agree. And she did. The guards left me in the room with the keys and a few worried glances. I just gave them a small reassuring smile. They both whispered 'welcome back' and left. I took a deep breath and was about to approach the first cage when I was tackled from behind. "Carya!" Hermoil screamed hugging me tightly.

I just started at him until I heard more footsteps and I look up to see Solis bustling in a worried frown on his face. "Why did you do this?" He demanded. "Why did you stand up for that, that, that." He struggled to find the words.

"Can we talk about this later?" I asked quietly. "In private?"

He huffed and sat down on the ground. I sighed quietly and looked towards the cages again. Every eye was on me. I gave a half-hearted smile in return and turned instead to the blue four armed troll that was in chains on the wall. "Carya!" Solis yelled "don't go near him! Be careful!"

I ignored him and continued towards him and started to unchain him as the last chain fell to the floor. He stood up massaging the sore parts of his stone skin. Wincing where it has left cuts. He looked at me with wide eyes. "Why?" He asked.

"I owe you a lot," I answered turning my back on him. "Thanks."

"For what?" He asked.

I didn't answer just started walking into the middle of the room. "Which one holds James Lake Jr.?" I asked my voice starting to get emotional and it was a struggle to keep it steady.

One troll looking thing raised a hand. "How do you know me?" He asked.

Again, I didn't answer just stared at him taking him in. His blue skin. His red and black armor. His hair and horns. For a moment I could hardly believe that this was my brother. But then my gaze found his eyes and I knew at once that he was telling the truth. Those gray-blue eyes were the same as my father's. For a brief moment, I closed my eyes and thought, 'half way done Dad. I feel like mom is close too.' I then opened them and with a blank expression started to his cage. Once I reached it however all I could do was stare at him at his armor at his face, at his horns, at his eyes, he had dad's eyes. I heard a gasp and I turned to see Solis. His hand over his mouth and his eyes wide in realization. "He," He said putting the pieces together. "The Promise."

I nodded my head and Solis's face fell. "Carya." He muttered putting his stone hand in his face. But all the same, he nodded reluctantly and walked forward to stand next to me. I love how he is always so understanding. We walked forward together and he held the lock steady as I use the keys to unlock it. We step back to let the trolls forward but they just looked surprised and perplexed. They were too stunned to move. Jim stepped forward and I looked at him. "Why are you doing this?" He demanded more like Solis then anyone. "Why help us? Are you really helping us? Why does everyone else hate Blinky?"

His words stunned me for a moment and I opened my mouth and no words came out. My mind blank. All I could do was stare. I hesitated in answering and looked at the ground taking deep breaths and trying to steady my breathing. This was my brother why was I so scared. The reason was he probably didn't know I existed. Or if he did he probably hates me for what I was. He probably hates me for leaving him. I looked up when I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Solis. He smiled. "I might not agree with your choices but he needs to understand."

I returned the smile and looked at Jim. "My name is Carya Lake," I answered and watched his eyes widen. "I saved you because you are my brother and I felt that I had ignored you for too long."

He walked forward and his eyes bore into mine. For one brief moment, the rest of the world was just background noise. He looked surprised, slightly suspicious, but also scared. "How do I know that you are telling the truth?" He asked

I looked him straight in his eyes. "You will know that I'm telling the truth when I prove to you I'm telling the truth," I said quietly. "Even if I show you all the proof in the world you won't believe me because you will keep shoving the thoughts and doubts of your options aside. You will keep on hating me because you think I'm lying or because you are angry at me for leaving you and mom alone."

He looked dumbfounded and for a while there was silence. But I wasn't finished, "But I can give you this proof." I hold up my hand. ARRRGH and Toby come running in.

"Jimbo," Toby yelled hugging him tightly

"Toby?" His face was a mixture of happiness and confusion. Jim looked at ARRRGH with the same expression. "ARRRGH?!"

"So they do know you," I confirmed smiling slightly. "I was afraid they were lying."

Jim hugged Toby and patted ARRRGH on the arm with a smile. He then turned to me, "I guess I should thank you for saving Blinky's life," He said, "I really thought." His voice trailed off not voicing what he thought.

I nodded, "Yes, Polemistís can have that effect on some people and trolls." I smiled. "But he is very loyal to our leader and would do anything to protect me and crystal cavern. He lives by the code."

He nodded like he understood what I meant, "I knew someone like that,"

"Knew?"

His face became saddened and broken, "Drall." He said sadly. "We lost him while we were trying to get to Merlin's tomb."

My heart stopped and I looked at Solis excitedly. I saw that his eyes were wide in realization again. "Drall. He couldn't mean?" He asked me. "Could he?

Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy. But my mind was working double time. If they knew Drall. "Solis stay here," I said starting to run out the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" Solis called slightly panicked.

"Reuniting old friends."

I raced through the streets. The streets were packed like usual but it made it very difficult to navigate through. But I finally made it to Drall's small cave. I banged on the door excitedly. He answered the door grumbling but his expression changed to confusion when he saw me. "Carya why?" He asked

"No time," I said hurriedly with a growing smile. "Come on. I think we found some of your old friends."

He still looked confused but followed me with great interest. We raced back up the street and into the cavern. We finally reached the room with the others and I rushed inside and I had a large smile on my face. Solis was slightly comfortable sitting to one side watching the others warily. His face lit up when I came through the door. I turned to see Drall standing there stunned as he looked around. "What- how?" He stuttered

Jim looked at him with wide eyes. Blinky was speechless and Toby and ARRRGH looked dumbfounded. A girl with dark purple armor stood up next to Jim to get a better look. Her eyes wide as well. Drall looked around and his face fell. "Where is Jim?" He asked sadly.

"Jim is right there," I pointed and my smile faltered as I realized. "You didn't know him before the transformation, did you?"

He shook his head very confused staring at Jim as though he couldn't believe that it was him. "He's, he's like a troll. But not." He said circling Jim. "How?"

"Merlin," Jim answered with a slight growl of disgust.

"So my sacrifice wasn't in vain," Drall said smiling

Jim grinned back happy and relieved, then rushed into Drall's arms. Drall's eyes widened and hugged him back tightly. "My friend," He whispered, but I could still hear it.

A large smile grew on my face and I wiped a tear of happiness out of my right eye. Jim looked up with happiness in his eyes. "Thank you," He mouthed and hugged Drall again.

When they finally broke apart. The room was suddenly filled with happy voices and Drall got patted on the back and cheers filled the air. When it had died down, I scanned the room. I left the room and saw that Trixy and Rex were still outside. "I thought you forgot about us," Trixy said smirking, as I scratched my head embarrassed

"You wouldn't let me," I said playfully and punched my friend softly.

"You're right. I had to hold her back, she almost charged into the room while you were gone." Rex commented

I laughed and brought them back to see everyone watching us. Trixy being her fearless self walked forward and addressed the crowd. "Hello, guys! I'm am Trixy and that guy is Rex."She jerked her thumb to Rex, who raised a hand in response.

I sighed annoyed and step forward. "Thank you Trixy. As you heard that is Trixy and that is Rex." I pointed to each one in turn.

Toby looked at me thoughtfully. "You said you would explain everything once we got here."

I froze and felt every eye on me. I glanced at Jim and I knew what I had to do. He had to understand. I took a deep breath and began my tale. I stopped when I entered Crystal cavern for the first time as old past memories flooded my head. Another breath and I continued.

The tree opened to reveal a huge cavern. I walked in, eyes wide and mouth open, I stepped in after Solis. Walking close to him, I tried to ignore the stares I was getting and the angry looks that the others were giving Solis. I stepped closer and whispered in Solis's ear. "Why are they looking at us like that?"

He whispered back, "No troll has been to the surface in a long time. When I felt the crystal, however, I couldn't resist going for a little look."

He looked away clearly embarrassed. I didn't know why he was. I laid a hand on his shoulder. He looked up slightly surprised, but I just smiled. After a few long moments, he smiled back and I felt the beginning of a very long friendship.

After my tale was finished, I saw understanding dawn in the eyes of the trolls around me. My brother was looking into the distance with a thoughtful look on his face. "Jim," I asked. "Are you okay?"

He jumped a little but nodded his head. "I always thought dad was a coward." He said sadly. "Someone who deserted me and mom."

I looked away guiltily. "I'm sorry that's what you were brought up to think," I said. "It's all my fault. He was just trying to protect me. I let him die."

My voice was getting emotional, and I had to take a few deep breaths before the burning sensation behind my eyes had subsided. I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder, and I saw Solis, Trixy, and Rex all standing there smiling encouragingly. I grinned back and turned to the crowd once more. "Anyways, you are here now and I have to think of a way to get you accepted into Crystal cavern."

Soils looked at the group thoughtfully. He then shook his head, as though dismissing an idea. "What is it, Solis?" I asked quickly.

"I was thinking," He paused and shook his head again. "Never mind it is a stupid idea."

"No idea is dumb if you put that much thought into it," I said grinning. "Plus the Solis I know definitely wouldn't have come up with a stupid idea."

He smiled back. "Well, I was thinking that maybe they could. I don't know maybe go to the surface and capture a four-armed one." He sounded doubtful

My face fell and I looked at the crew before. 'How could they capture one of them?' I thought. 'The four-armed ones are seasoned for battle. They are trained to kill since they were born.'

"I don't think that would work," I agreed "But we have to think of something."

"Dictatious," Blinky muttered

"What?" I asked turning towards him.

"This is what he meant," He was pale and sad.

I looked at him confused and he continued. "When my brother and I were younger I refused to hurt a human he had caught. He yelled at me and called me weak. He said 'our ancestors would have been disgraced.'" His face looked lost and somewhat confused.

I looked at him with a new understanding. He wasn't like the rest. I could see that. He was kinder, didn't really know how to fight. But I could see that he and Jim had some kind of bond. He then turned to me. "You told us how you got here but I don't completely understand why you were a danger to Jim. What happened that made you run away?"

"The day I had found the crystal I was six years old. I ran into my house from outside and I tripped. The last thing I remember before that was a flash of green. In the middle of the night, my house caught on fire. I was just able to get Jim and get out of there. After the fire I went back into my room I saw burns in the shape of wings," I took a few deep breaths and looked at Jim. "I almost killed you."

"Burns in the shape of wings?" The girl on Jim's right asked. I assumed she was Claire.

I nodded and took a small step back. The others around me did the same. "Crystal of Alorahcon grant me the wings of fire!" I chanted as I was lifted again into the air.

Troll and people gasp and looked at me wide-eyed. I flew up and did a loop de loop above them all with a feeling of confidence that I only felt when I had the wings on my back. I swooped to the ground and landed gracefully. As I raised my head I felt rather than saw all the eyes on me. I felt a sensation of power and courage and I raised my hand to make a glowing ball of fire. I heard awws of amazement and I snuffed out the flame. "How did you do that?" I heard one troll gasp.

"I am the guardian of Alorahcon. The first one to ever exist since the trolls of crystal cavern first found the crystal." I answered not turning to look who had spoken.

"But why am I called a Four-armed one?" asked Blinky.

"My kind is in a war against them," I said bitterly. "They aren't like normal trolls. They are killers, they are smarter than any other kind. There is always a plan inside their plan. We don't always know if what we are doing is right or working for them. That's what makes it so hard to fight them. They have killed so many of us we are running out of places to bury the fallen."

I looked up to see Blinky looking surprised and sad. I really couldn't blame him. He had just found out that his ancestors are killers. His family is murderers. Jim walked forward and put a hand on his shoulder smiling. "What your family it doesn't mean who you are," He said

"I agree," I said also smiling. "You, after all, have trained a human. None of your kind would even dream of doing that."

Blinky gave a small smile. And patted the hand that Jim had on his shoulder. "Now I think I have explained everything. Anyone else have questions?" I asked.

No one raised their hand so I started to pace the room racking my brain trying to figure out a way to help them. I stopped as I realized something. "Hermoil," I said turning to him eagerly. "Are you from troll market?"

Hermoil looked at the lot curiously but his face fell and he shook his head sadly. "No I don't recognize any of them," He mumbled sadly.

I nodded my understanding and continued my pacing. A groan came from a cage to my left and I looked over to see an old man rubbing his head and cursing under his breath. "Where are we trollhunter?" He grunted.

"Well Merlin this is the cavern that you thought was unoccupied," Blinky said angrily.

"Merlin," I said disdainfully. "This is the guy who both saved the world but also almost ruined my brother's life, and almost kill Blinky not to mention everyone else?"

"The one and only," Jim agreed

"Well the trollhunter is much better now then he was before the transformation," said Merlin. "So everything worked out in the end."

"Your Merlin?" asked Solis slightly interested

"Yes young one," Said said, wizard. "Why?"

"Nothing," Solis answered, "Just wondering." He turned away.

I could tell that Merlin was not used to being ignored like this and looked at Solis angrily. "Do you know what I do?" He asked

"Yes," Solis answered.

This did not comprehend with what Merlin had originally thought, I could tell, because his face had a confused look on his face, to avoid an argument I put up my hand and spoke. "Okay, guys let's focus. The first order of business before finding out how you guys will earn a place is we need a place for the lot of you guys to stay," I turned to Solis. "Any ideas?"

He got that look on his face that he always had when he was thinking very hard. He would stare in the distance and scrunch up his face. "We could find an empty cave," He suggested.

I thought of the idea and smiled. "I think that will do nicely. What do you think?" I aimed the question to Blinky.

He smiled back and nodded. "That will do."

I nodded back and looked around at the group estimates that there were around 200 trolls. We would need a very large not occupied cavern. "Well, we better go and start looking. You guys should get comfortable here," I said thoughtfully

"But-," Jim stopped in mid-sentence and glanced at Blinky with a slightly fearful look on his face.

I knew what he was afraid of and I shook my head. "They won't hurt you as long as you stay out of the way and don't try anything. If you get into a fight or steal something. Just stay out of the way while I or Solis isn't with you."

They nodded and we left. Solis grabbed me and dragged me into an ally looking place between two stone buildings. "So why did you do this?" He hissed

"He was my brother's mentor. What was I supposed to do?" I asked defensively.

He shook his head and sighed his head exasperated with a hand on his head. "No matter how hard I try you always get yourself in trouble," He muttered

"I'll be fine," I put my hand on his shoulder.

He sighed and hugged me. "Be careful." He muttered in my ear.

"I will," I whispered back "Brother."

We exited from our hug and smiled. We aren't in a romantic relationship but we are as close as family. He is my brother and that is all I needed him to be. "Let's go," I commented. "We have an impossible task to do."

He grimaced. "We sure do."

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Okay! Back again with another chapter. I decided to end it without a cliff hanger this time to let you guys have a nice chapter with out one of the characters near death. Anyways I Do you guys like where this story is going? I am trying to publish every month but life is sometimes difficult so I hope you understand. Anyways I hope you enjoyed this. Oh wait in more thing is that we now have all the characters so just to tell you that I am done showing new characters for this book. Also I'm am thinking on making this into a series. I'll stop talking now. Bye!

                     ~~~~~Corah