Iwai clutched his walking stick tight as he marched up to the edge of the lake. His eyes scanned the water before he saw a rock jutting awkwardly amongst the water’s surface. He took a steadying breath then called out, “Troll! I would have parlay with you!”


    There was no reaction for a moment before the rock and water shuttered, the stone slowly turning towards Iwai and then drifting closer. Iwai took a few steps back; if he could sweat, he probably would be right now. The stone got halfway to where Iwai was before it started to rise, revealing a tall, wide figure that almost appeared made of grey rock, thin strands of hair peeking from between thick callouses across its body. A pair of small, beady eyes peered from under a thick forehead covered in “horns,” and a rumbling chuckle left the troll.


    “Fish food delivers itself now.”


    “I have come to beseech you to remove yourself from this body of water.”


    “”Beseech?””


    “It means to ask, to request, to-” The troll chuckled.


    “And why would I leave, little fish?” Iwai reached into his sleeve and pulled out an envelope, holding it out towards the much larger mythen.


    “An official order per the demands of the courts.” The giant blinked blankly but reached out, taking the envelope... and tossing it into the water.


    “I don’t give a- HURK!”


    “NOW!”


    <hr>


    Zanzibar fired round after round into the troll from the underbrush as countless shikigami unfolded from the letter, forming together like an octopus and wrapping flat tentacles around the troll. Joints, neck, mouth, eyes, everywhere they could reach to do something to slow or cripple the troll’s movements so Zanzibar could keep firing. Hunks of stony armor were blown away with each shot, even the water churning at the troll’s feet to make sure it couldn’t effectively fight back. Not to say it didn’t put up a fight: it thrashed and bellowed through its bindings, ground shaking with its movements. When a thin crack of green light finally appeared on the troll’s chest it was Ray’s turn to suddenly appear from the brush, shikigami on his back to fly him through the air and Zanzibar’s machete in hand. Like a bullet he was launched and slammed into the Troll’s chest, sending it toppling backwards into the water.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    There was a brief surge of pride in Ray as the troll laid still... but when it didn’t dissipate, panic set in. Though already plunged to its hilt Ray tried to force the weapon deeper, and then wondered why he was staring up at the sky for the brief moment he was conscious.


    <hr>


    Ray’s eyes slowly cracked open, and when he saw wooden branches he tried to sit up. He must’ve, must’ve landed-


    Pain.


    Ray wheezed and lowered himself back down, the familiar face of Iwai appearing above him and gently placing his hands on Ray’s chest, the pain slowly disappearing, “Rest, young man. You have done more than enough.”


    “Did we win?” Ray’s jaw felt wrong somehow. Iwai was silent for a long moment before shaking his head.


    "I am sorry, but... no. How much do you remember?”


    “The distraction went off... Zanzibar shot the troll, I... attacked?” The memories were there, but it felt like they were playing out faster than they should. Iwai sighed heavily.


    “That is accurate, at least. The troll, it injured you. Badly.” Ray angled his head to see his right arm completely wrapped in bandages and sticks like a splint. “I was able to heal you with local herbs and my own magic, but it’s not complete. Thankfully the troll retreated, so we had the chance to retreat.”


    There were a million questions in Ray’s head but he tried to assign importance to them. Iwai was here, Ray was here, but...


    “Where’s Zan?”


    “Ah, yes.” Iwai moved away to gather something, and Ray saw the sun setting. Concerning but Iwai handed him a walkie-talkie. “He told me to hand you this as soon as you awoke.”


    Ray reached out and took the device, checking it over before holding it close, “Hello?”


    There was a pause before a crackle and Zanzibar’s voice came through, “Jesus Christ you nearly made me piss myself. Guessing you’re not dead?”


    “No. Where are you?”


    “Back at the lake, looking over our handiwork. You want the good news or bad news first?”


    Ray sighed heavily. He seemed to already be down an arm for this operation and incredibly off schedule, might as well get it over with. “Bad news first.”


    “Troll ain’t dead: I can see him floating out there in the lake. Thing is, he hasn’t moved since he fell over after he ran off.”


    “He hasn’t moved? For how long?”


    “Hours. Think he’s in a coma?”


    “It’s... possible. The machete hit deep, perhaps it did more damage than we thought.” Or this was some bizarre trap.


    “Good news is: smugglers still ain’t around. Either they ran off once they heard the fighting, or they’ve been out on a job.”


    “We still have time then. I’ll come to you, give me your location.”


    “...Uh, last time I saw you, your arm was going in a direction they don’t go for humans. I can’t exactly fight and carry you, blondie.”


    “I am fine.” Ray huffed. He wasn’t, as shown by the fact just forcing himself to sit up made him need a break, but they can’t screw up this mission. “Just... give me your location.”


    There was nothing but silence for a long moment... then the crack of Zanzibar’s shotgun echoed throughout the woods...