Changling Families vs The Titans

Atlas of Heartstone

Atlas of Heartstone

Walt was shaken awake, not by his wife but by an earthquake that shook the whole of Arcadia. Jim appeared in the doorway, Wally and Xena crying in his arms.

"Mum! Da!"

"We're fine, Jim," Walt slipped out of bed and took the toddlers, "Are you three alright?"

"We're ok. But it scared the bejeebies out of the two of them."

"I'll believe it," Barbara took Wally from her husband.

Jim frowned, "Da? Earthquakes around here usually mean something big is happening. Something bad."

"I know, Young Atlas. I'll call your Onkel and Aunt as soon as I-"

The ringing of Jim's phone cut them off.

"Gran? We're all fi- What!? Are all of you ok!?" The color drained from his face and he sat heavily on his parents' bed, "W-Wha...O-Ok. I...I'm on my way..."

He dropped his phone and stared at the floor. His mother sat beside him. Wally stayed tucked against her chest but looked up at his brother.

"Jim? Sweetheart, what's wrong? Is your grandmother ok?"

"Y-Yeah. Gran and all of them are ok. But...there was a cave-in in one of the gem tunnels. Popa Venal was felled."

LLB

Jim's heart raced as he flew over Heartstone Trollmarket. It had quickly dissolved into chaos. Citizens were running around, screaming for their loved one's. Whelps were crying, some of the built shops had collapsed. He flew faster. He stumbled through his landing at the base of the Heartstone and ran into Vendal's keep.

The fallen troll had been laid on the table. Morgana and Angor sat on one side with Claire and the Nomuras. The Giladrigals stood on the other side.

"Atlas!" Seamus held Cordi closer.

"W-What happened?

"We don't really know any more," His grandmother admitted, "He was down the tunnel with a few other trolls to collect for the healing house. When the earthquake happened he made sure everyone else got out but..."

Jim nodded and hung his head. He lay one hand on the fallen troll.

"Where are Aja and Krel?"

"They're talking to their parents in the keep," Claire explained, "Tronos is with them."

Jim nodded and fell silent once more.

"Atlas... Blinky stepped up beside him, holding Vendal's crystals, staff, and bag.

Jim blinked. He wasn't ready, but he couldn't wait any longer. With shaking hands he took the crystals. He tied them around his waist with his belt; he replaced his apprentice bag with Vendal's larger leader one; he took the staff. Finally, he slipped a necklace with a small white shard around his neck.

"What do you want us to do now, Atlas?" Draal asked.

JIm's tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. He felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Claire. He took a deep breath and looked at those around him. His parents, siblings, and the remainder of their family ran in.

"W-We'll hold a fallen ceremony for Popa Vendal later. We need to make sure Heartstone Trollmarket is safe NOW. We don't want anyone else getting hurt," He tossed Arrrgh a glowing green crystal from the counter behind him, "Uncle Arrrgh, take this and check the other tunnels. Make sure no others have collapsed and use the crystal to fix any cracks in the others. Draal and Uncle Bular, I want you two to go and take care of the civilians. Help people find their families and send any injured here. Uncle Blinky? Can you take care of any injured that arrive until I get back? I want to fly up and make sure the roof of the main chamber is stable. Take care of any damage done now rather than put it off."