Chapter 25: “You’ve Lost Everything”/”Ready as

Chapter 25: “You’ve Lost Everything”/”Ready as i’ll ever be.”

“You must feel horrible,” Shadow said softly, his voice barely carrying over the crackling fire. “You’ve lost everything. Your grandmother, your tribe, your brother…”

Branch’s eyes, reflecting the flickering firelight, glistened with unshed tears. He nodded, the weight of Shadow’s words pressing heavily upon his shoulders. He had indeed lost everything he had ever known. His heart ached with the pain of his grandmother’s loss, the grief still raw and unyielding. The memory of his tribe’s destruction by the hands of humans was a wound that had not yet begun to scar over. And now, the revelation that Floyd, his only kin, was a creature of myth and legend, a night fury, added a layer of confusion to his already tumultuous emotions.

“Thank you for summing that up,” Branch said, his tone tinged with sarcasm. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.

“Why couldn’t I have killed that dragon when I found him in the woods?” Branch murmured, his voice thick with regret. “Would’ve been better, for everyone…”

“Yep,” Shadow nodded solemnly, his gaze never leaving Branch’s. “The rest of us would have done it. So why didn’t you? Why didn’t you?”

Branch stared into the fire, watching the flames dance and crackle. He felt the heat on his face, but it did nothing to warm the coldness that had settled in his soul. “I don’t know,” he murmured. “I couldn’t.”

Shadow leaned in, his eyes searching Branch’s. “That’s not an answer.”

Branch’s gaze snapped up to meet Shadow’s, a spark of defiance in his eyes. “Why is this so important to you all of a sudden?”

Shadow’s expression softened, his eyes filled with understanding. “Because I want to remember what you say, right now.”

“Oh, for the love of…” Branch trailed off, his frustration palpable. He knew Shadow was only trying to understand, but the question kept poking at a sore spot he didn’t want to acknowledge. “I was a coward! I was weak! I wouldn’t kill a dragon.”

Shadow studied Branch for a moment, his eyes reflecting the fire’s glow. “You said ‘wouldn’t’ that time.”

Branch’s jaw clenched, his fists tightening around the stick he held. “Well, whatever! I wouldn’t! Three hundred years, and I’m the first Troll who wouldn’t kill a dragon.”

Shadow nodded thoughtfully. “First to ride one, though. So?”

Branch’s anger grew, his eyes flashing. “I wouldn’t kill him because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him and I saw myself.”

Shadow’s expression remained unchanged, his gaze still penetrating Branch’s soul. “I bet he’s really frightened now,” he said calmly. “What are you going to do about it?”

Branch took a moment to consider the question, the gravity of his decision weighing heavily on him. He knew what Shadow was getting at; he had to face his fears and confront Floyd, not just for himself, but for his brother too. “Eh, probably something stupid,” Branch finally said, trying to shrug off the seriousness of the situation with a forced smile.

Shadow’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Good,” he said, standing up. “But you’ve already done that.”

Branch couldn’t help but chuckle at the truth in Shadow’s words. He pushed himself off the ground, feeling the strength return to his legs. “Then something crazy!” he exclaimed, determination sparking in his eyes.

“That’s more like it!” Shadow exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with a fiery determination that mirrored Branch’s own.

Meanwhile, on the dragon island, Floyd and Sonic sat side by side, watching the distant horizon. The night sky was alight with stars, casting a serene glow over the sea. Floyd’s mind was racing, trying to make sense of his newfound identity and the responsibilities that came with it. Striker, the wise old dragon, had told them of the ancient transformation that had cursed him and Hanna Sophia, turning them into a night fury and a lion. “Any moment now, your highnesses.” Striker said, his deep voice resonating with anticipation.

“🎵Believe me, I know, I’ve sunk pretty low. But, whatever I’ve done you deserve.🎵” Striker sang, his powerful voice echoing through the night. “Striker-” Floyd tried to interrupt, but the dragon held up a clawed hand, silencing him. “Quiet!” he bellowed. “🎵I’m the bad guy, that’s fine, It’s no fault of mine and some justice at last will be served.🎵”

“Please, listen!” Floyd begged, desperation lacing his words as he watched Striker’s fiery eyes gleam with the intensity of his song.

“🎵Now it’s time to step up or it’s time to back down,
And there’s only one answer for me.
And I’ll stand up and fight ’cause I know that I’m right.
And I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready.
Ready as I’ll ever be🎵.” Striker’s words resonated through the night, each syllable carrying the weight of his conviction.

Hanna Sophia looked at Branch and Shadow, her own eyes reflecting the fierce determination in theirs. Despite her fear and uncertainty, she knew they had to act. The fate of the trolls and dragons alike hung in the balance, and she could feel the ancient curse pulsing through her veins like a second heartbeat. “🎵Now it’s time to rise up or it’s time to stand down,
And the answer is easy to see!
And I swear by the sword if you’re in, get on board.
Are you ready?🎵” Hanna’s voice joined Poppy, Viva, Spruce/Bruce, John Dory, Clay, and the Snackpack.

“🎵I’m ready!🎵” Clay shouted, pumping his fist in the air. “🎵We’re ready! (we’re ready!)🎵” The others echoed, their voices blending together in a chorus of determination. “🎵Ready as I’ll ever be!🎵” Hanna’s song grew stronger, a battle cry that seemed to shake the very air around them.

Branch took a deep breath, the words of the song washing over him like a battle cry. He knew what he had to do. He turned to Shadow, a newfound resolve etched on his face. “Alright,” he said, his voice firm. “Let’s go get my brother back.” “🎵Are you quite sure we can do this?🎵” Shadow asked, a hint of doubt in his voice. “🎵Together we will, guarantee!🎵” Branch replied, his eyes never leaving Shadow’s.

“🎵I’ll make them hear me🎵!” Striker’s song grew louder, his chest swelling with each powerful note. “🎵(now it’s time to redeem or it’s time to resolve)🎵” The chorus grew more intense, the dragons and trolls standing tall beside him.

“🎵Prove they can trust me!🎵” She sang out, her voice clear and strong, cutting through the night like a beacon of hope. “🎵(and the outcome will hardly come free)🎵” The chorus grew louder as the creatures of the island joined in, their spirits lifting with the sound of their unity.

“🎵I’ll save my home and family..🎵” Branch sang with newfound conviction, his voice joining the chorus of Striker and Hanna’s anthem. The air was electric with the collective energy of the trolls and dragons, all ready to face the fate that awaited them.

“🎵Now the line’s in the sand and our moment’s at hand.🎵” The crowd of trolls and dragons roared in agreement, their voices a testament to their readiness for the battle ahead. “🎵And I’m ready!🎵” Spruce/Bruce’s bass voice boomed, his fists clenched at his sides. “🎵I’m ready!🎵” Poppy and Viva chimed in, their eyes gleaming with the same fire that burned in Branch’s heart.

“🎵I’m ready.🎵” Branch and Shadow echoed together, their voices joining the crescendo of the group’s anthem. The tension in the air was palpable, a mix of fear and excitement, as they all knew the gravity of the battle they were about to face.

“🎵Ready as I’ll ever be🎵.” Striker’s song ended on a high note, the silence that followed was filled with anticipation. The song ends, but the echoes of their determination lingered in the night air.