Branch: - What? What happened? -

Cooper: - That bergen... He took her along with Creek and... - He didn't want to finish the sentence looking sadly at Biggie.

Branch: - And...? Who else? -

Biggie: - To Mr. Dinkles. - He said with a voice in agony and with tears in his eyes.

Branch was in shock for a second. Unlike the rest, for the embittered troll the strange worm was nothing more than a pet, in fact, he did not feel any kind of attachment towards the strange being. Still, he rubbed her hands over his face and cleared his mind to avoid giving him too abrupt an answer.

Branch: - Good... Good... I'll do everything I can. -

Biggie: - No. You have to rescue him. You must rescue Mr. Dinkles. -

The huge troll said angrily, taking Branch by the shoulders and lifting him into the air with little effort. Biggie was kind by nature, and barely had the stomach to swat a fly. But when he was away from Mr. Dinkles, he became a huge uncontrolled mass driven by anger, fear and insecurities. To the huge troll, this strange worm was a part of himself.

The rest of the trolls looked in fear at Biggie's ferocity. In his eyes, it was as if their friend had vanished and only an uncontrollable beast remained. The most terrifying thing was to see how the huge troll grabbed Branch with force, giving him no chance of escape while he felt his bones being crushed. But Branch did not have a heart that was easy to scare.

With a movement that none of those present could see, Branch struck Biggie's wrists with his knuckles, causing him to lose his grip. Branch fell to the ground, and before Biggie could complain in pain, Branch grabbed the huge troll's jacket and yanked it hard, bringing Biggie to his knees before him.

Branch: - I said that... I'll do everything... I can. -

Biggie's anger was shattered when he heard Branch's heartbreaking tone. His deep voice showed clear anger, worthy of the most chilling nightmares of those present. But it was not even the beginning. Biggie looked up, but seeing the embittered troll's face, fear began to take control of his body.

Branch could not hide his anger. He showed his teeth aggressively and his gaze was capable of piercing anyone's heart. His breathing was similar to that of a rampaging beast, ready to charge head-on and tear its opponent to pieces. His fist crunched from the force that squeezed it, it even trembled a little, pushing the muscles of his forearm to the limit.

The rest looked on in shock, unable to even say a word. They felt how a shiver ran through every section of their body, immobilizing every one of their muscles. For a moment, they thought that he was going to beat Biggie to a pulp, but the truth was, Branch was doing everything possible to contain his pain from the wound on his back.

After two seconds, Branch was able to calm down a bit, letting go of the frightened Biggie's vest, who showed deep-seated fear expressed in his shocked face and wobbly limbs. The troll turned and jumped off the table after walking away from the rest. Enough time for the trolls to notice the bandage on his back and a large stream of blood staining the bandage and part of his pants. Apparently, Biggie's wanton act had aggravated his already troubling injury.

The trolls looked at each other worriedly, but no one was as sorry as Biggie, who finally realized what he had really do. However, little could they think about it, because a strange sound made everyone alert. To his surprise, it was Branch, who used his razor to cut huge pieces of the fabric from the sheets where the bergen lay, who, because of the chloroform, was unable to wake up even with so much noise.

Chenille: - Branch. Are you OK? - Said one of the twins when they approached where Branch was.

Satén: - That wound seems to be serious. - Said the other.

Branch: - I'm fine. - He said sharply, without even turning around as he continued cutting the pieces of cloth.

Satén: - At least let us change your bandage. -

Branch: - It is not necessary. -

Branch turned around and gave a piece of cloth to each troll present, being the ones of the twins and the one of Biggie the biggest ones. Then he turned around and began to climb the furniture until he reached a window that was just above the bergen's bed. For Branch it was a simple child's game, but for the rest it was a really difficult challenge. By the time they were able to reach him, Branch was already in the frame, with the windows open, and changing his bandage.

Branch did nothing more than look at them with disapproval, while he waited for them to approach where he was.

Cooper: - What are we supposed to...? - His tone of voice was overshadowed when he managed to see outside the window.

They were on one side of the castle and in the distance you could see the Troll Tree, but the most impressive thing was seeing the huge ditch that extended from the base of the castle towards the buildings on the other side. For the trolls, the sight was terrifying. The vastness and depth of the pit was impressive, adorned with the hundreds of sharp stones that protruded from the depths. And like "the cherry on the cake", that bird pierced by the sharp stone that Branch had shot down for barely an hour. Seeing the corpse with the dripping blood was a terrifying spectacle that made everyone present swallow dry.

Branch: - At my signal. You are going to jump -

Trolls: - What!? - They all yelled at once.

Satén: - Are you crazy? -

Chanille: - That's suicide. -

Guy Diamond: - We are going to dieeeeeeee. - He said with his peculiar way of talking like a DJ.

Although the rest couldn't say a word in astonishment, Branch just looked at them indifferently.

Branch: - Do you want to live? -

Chenille: - Hellooooo. -

Cooper: - Of course we want to live. -

Branch: - Then you will jump. - The face of the rest of the trolls was not able to hide their many doubts. - You'll jump on my signal. You won't look back. Once you reach the rooftops, you must advance without being seen and reach that rope to jump into the Troll Tree. - He said while pointing the way with his arm.

Cooper: - That's crazy, my friend. -

Chenille: - I don't know if it's a good id... -

Satén: - Wait. Won't you come with us? - The question caused all eyes to focus on the embittered troll.

Branch: - No. We are not all yet. -

Everyone knew that he meant Princess Poppy, Creek, and Mr. Dinkles. They felt some joy inside, but they knew it was a suicide mission. Despite the concern on their faces, Biggie stepped forward and stopped in front of Branch, bent down on one knee and looked him square in the eye.

Biggie: - Branch. Please... - Everyone could imagine what he was going to say. - Save Poppy. Save the princess. - He said as he rested his hand on the embittered troll's shoulder.

Everyone was shocked, as no one expected such a reaction. In fact, they thought he would harp on Mr. Dinkles again. Branch just smiled at him as he looked at him with certainty.

Branch: - I'll take the princess back. No matter what happens. To her. To Creek... And to Mr. Dinkles. -

Branch's confidence in his face managed to ignite a spark of hope within those present, who limited themselves to not saying a word, they simply looked at each other with genuine happiness drawn on their faces. Biggie and Branch continued to look each other in the eye, trusting one another. Then a light breeze hit them from outside, making their long hair blow in the wind.

Branch: - Very well. It's time. -

The trolls moved closer to the edge of the window frame, but they were still very hesitant about it. They gripped the pieces of cloth tightly, their muscles refusing to take another step. The most frightened of all was Cooper, whose teeth gnashed as he held the piece of cloth in his mouth, since the peculiar giraffe-shaped being lacked hands. But to everyone's surprise, Biggie was the first to jump.

That action was a small boost to the rest, who began to jump one by one after the huge troll. Those who had enough willpower not to be paralyzed were screaming loudly as they fell more than a meter into the depths of the abyss. Most were already accepting their imminent death, when a sudden gust of wind rose from the depths, causing the pieces of cloth to take a concave shape and rise above the roofs of the town.

The trolls were in shock, contemplating the panorama that was presented to them from the heights. The sensation of the wind on their faces was something incomparable. The green mountains rising behind the city with the sun overhead were quite a sight to behold. And it didn't take long for them to start screaming with excitement. Everyone except Cooper, who was clinging tightly with his teeth without even opening his eyes.

Fortunately, the flight was smooth, and no curious birds approached to try to get a snack. The flight of just ten seconds was a marvel for those who were able to enjoy it before landing on the roof of the nearest building. Most made a quiet landing, with the exception of Biggie who caused some noise due to his enormous weight, and Cooper, who, not opening his eyes, circled a couple of times on the tiles before stopping.

While most of them helped each other up, or helped Cooper unwind from the sack he was weaving, Biggie exchanged glances with Branch, who remained vigilant on the window frame while they were in flight. After a brief nod to each other, Biggie led the way, leading the rest over the canopy of the roofs to the balcony where the end of the rope rested. Once checking that no one was looking, one by one, the trolls began to carefully advance on the thick rope until they positioned themselves on the Troll Tree. Once on top, they jumped onto the huge surface on the thick trunk and there they waited for the rest to arrive, Biggie being the last to descend.

With everyone in the safe zone, they began to look around when a strange being suddenly interrupted them.

Kevin: - Ha ha. So that curmudgeon made it. But. Where is he? -

Satén: - Who are you? -

Kevin:-Oh. My manners. Kevin. Nice to meet you. Branch's friend. -

Chenille: - Do you know Branch? -

Kevin: - Yeah. He told me to take you with your kind. I am a forest expert. So as long as you are on my side there will be no problem. -

Chenille: - Did you hear that sister? -

Satén: - Yes. Let's go back home. -

Cooper: - I can already feel the warmth of the troll village. -

Kevin: - Eh. No. We'll go elsewhere. -

Little Diamond: - Whaaaaaat? - He said with a DJ tone.

Satén: - Why not? - Everyone looked in amazement.

Kevin: - Branch told me to go somewhere else. Apparently the troll village is no longer safe, and it's only a matter of time before the bergens find it again. -

They all lowered their heads, knowing that their words were not without reason, but unable to hide the sadness of having to leave their homes.

Kevin: - Well. We should go before it's too late. -

Cooper: - What? -

Satén: - No. We must wait for them to return. -

Chenille: - We can't go and leave them behind. -

In truth, Kevin knew something else that Branch had told him, but he didn't think he could tell them since it might be too hard for them.

Satén: - Biggie. Tell him, we must wait or return for them. - She said to the huge troll, who kept silent all that time, simply looking with focus towards the empty window where Branch was before returning inside the palace.

Chenille: - Biggie? -

Biggie: - No. We have to move on. -

Trolls: - What? -

Guy Diamond: - What are you taaaaaalking about? -

Biggie didn't say a word, he just looked Kevin straight in the eye, like they were talking telepathically. It was not necessary to ask questions, since Biggie could understand, in his own way, the final words that Branch said to Kevin:

"When the trolls arrive. Leave. If I haven't returned with the first group... Don't wait for me. I may not be able to return."