Chapter Text
ARC I: Part One
A large castle looms over the villages that surround it, standing tall and mighty. It guards the people, watching over them, making them feel safe and secure. In the castle, there lived a royal family who was beloved by the people they governed. The Arcticulous Kingdom.
The royal family has a distinct feature that separates them from the normal townsmen; their hair has a natural pink hue and their eyes are golden. People who have seen the family describe their presence as gentle but demanding respect. People who have talked to them speak out about how kind they are but were never a pushover. The only things that the word-of-mouth can share are praises and admiration.
There were only three members of the royal family. First and foremost is the queen: Queen Kristin, the queen who rules over the kingdom with wisdom unlike no other. Her charitable character made her beloved by everyone in the kingdom. She also started handling the legion of soldiers after the late king died. Her beauty exudes as she walks with confidence and grace, her ruby pink hair flowing with the wind. Queen Kristin was the definition of a great leader. More than a leader, she was a better mother. Her children grew up to be great people with great personalities. She would burn the world for them.
Prince Techno is the firstborn of the royal family. Ever since he was a child, he has been trained as the heir: the next person to lead the kingdom. He has accepted the responsibilities and the burdens that came with it. When Prince Techno looks at his younger sister, his heart churns at the thought of making her go and carry the kingdom’s problems on her back.
His long, carnation pink braided hair is well-known both in the castle and the villages. A prince with the stature of power with every step he takes. Although he might seem like a stern and monotonous person at first, he has a sweet smile when he looks at something or somebody he’s fond of. When he laughs, it brings people relief and reassurance that everything will be alright. Don’t let his prim and proper appearance fool you. He would run around the villages and the halls of the castle, making ‘pranking soldiers and villagers’ his main objective. His mother would often reprimand him when he does too many pranks in a day, but most of the time, the queen would just smile fondly at her eldest as he has fun. She knows that he would carry the world’s burden on his back in the future, so why not let him have his fun while it lasts?
The youngest of the royal family is Princess Niki. The princess’s watermelon pink hair always reaches the middle of her upper back. She regularly cuts it, saying that it gets in the way when she is training. The villagers described her as someone with a strong sense of justice and who stands by what she thinks is right. Another thing that stood out was her love for her family. She would do anything and everything for the queen and the prince. Whatever the cost is.
Before she was born, the king had died two weeks prior to the event. Both of the siblings never really bonded with their father because of the early death. They were alright with it. Their mother filled both positions perfectly fine. There was nothing they could ask more of her.
People are often fooled by the princess’s faux demure appearance, but like her mother and older brother, she has her way with the weapons. Her specialty lies with the daggers and the potions. She carries multiple ingredients in her satchel just to be ready in case of emergencies. Her mother has always taught her to be ready for any situation, especially since she is in the royal family. Her brother was so much smarter and better in fighting than she ever will be, but she has once beaten him in a training spar. The princess remembers how much her brother’s face went from shock to pride. The heir’s face brightened up and a wide smile bloomed on his lips. He took the princess’s hand and raised himself up.
“I’m so proud of you, Niki.”
Ever since then, she made it her mission to become better and better each day to make him proud. She looks up to him like he was the one who put up all the stars in the sky. If she was honest, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched if that were to be true. Her brother was an enigma. She knows that there were things that her mother was not telling her, maybe even her brother. Princess Niki was never stupid. The glances and nervousness her mother feels show all the time whenever she thought nobody was looking. What the queen forgot is that she raised them to be vigilant and observant whatever the occasion.
However, Niki still doesn’t know what makes her mother scared or nervous. It was not her brother; she was sure of it. The way she looks at her brother was always out of love and never out of fear nor anxiety.
At night, she would see her mother in the study room, frantically muttering to herself as if there was somebody she was talking to, but whenever the princess peeks, there was nobody else in the room. She picks up a few words here and there. Something about the Blood God. Another thing about needing more time.
Princess Niki loves her mother with all her heart, but she can’t help feeling like she needs to snoop around and try to find out what was happening. Forgive her for her mind was as curious as a cat. Another thing her family was known for was their stubbornness and putting their minds to work when they want to get something. For certain, Princess Niki desperately wants this knowledge in her hands.
--
Prince Techno was bored out of his mind. It was a week before his birthday. People were busy moving around things needed for the coronation. In a week, his 21st birthday would occur and four days after would be his coronation. The lunar eclipse shall occur every time there is a coronation. This time, it’s even more special. A total lunar eclipse. The blood moon would appear in the skies, painting a dim blood shade over the kingdom.
If the prince wanted to be honest, he wasn’t the most ecstatic about the coronation. He knows that after the event, the fun and relaxation would finally end. Everyone would also treat him differently and he didn’t like that one bit. He loves talking to the soldiers as friends. Techno sees them as such, not that he would admit that to them. The time he spends with his family would also be cut shorter. The prince experienced this with his mother always getting called to a meeting with the council.
The heir sighed sadly.
Techno walked towards the palace’s garden gazebo. He sat down and leaned his head on the table in the middle. “What if I don’t want to be a king?” The prince huffed beneath his breath as he groaned. When he imagined the crown and the mantle being put on his shoulders and head, it felt like he was holding the weight of the world on his back.
“Think fast!” Techno heard somebody shout from his side. His eyes caught a blur of something coming fast to his face. He raised his hand and effortlessly caught it. An apple. Huh.
The person who shouted ran to him and came into his vision. The prince sat up straight.
“Hello, Dream.” He grinned. “Coming to bother me again?”
Dream rolled his eyes. “Shut up. Just came because you were looking like a depressed potato.” He sat down next to the heir. “Thinking about the coronation again?”
The prince nodded with a sigh. “Everything will change when it happens,” he said as he took a bite out of the apple.
The head soldier leaned on his hands and looked up at the ceiling. “That’s not true.” He looks at the heir. “I’ll still be here, all the same. I’ll still fight with you and finally, beat you one day.”
“Nothing will change between us? No awkward conversations and no need to be cautious around me, okay?” His voice never let out any emotions, his heart was guarded. “Stay by my side as I lead the kingdom.”
A chuckle was heard from the masked warrior. “You don’t need to ask that from me, Techno.” He stood up and bowed in front of the pink-haired man with his right hand on his left chest. “I will always fight by your side, my king. No one shall question my loyalty to you and the kingdom.”
Techno hid a smile. “Alright. Alright. You don’t need to bow down to me now.” He chuckled softly. “I’m not the king yet. We should enjoy it before it ends.” Dream stood straight and grinned at the prince, although it didn’t show because of the mask.
“Wanna spar until our legs get tired?” Dream walked out of the gazebo and held his hand out.
The prince ignored it and immediately ran towards the training grounds. “The last one to get there is a cry baby loser!” He shouted while laughing heartily.
The warrior immediately followed, picking up some speed to catch up to his rival. “Fucker, that’s cheating!”
“Royal head soldiers should always be on guard!” Techno laughed and joked, “Mother would reprimand you for slipping up if she hears about this.”
“No, she won’t!” Dream joked back, “She loves me like a son.”
As expected, the heir arrived at the training grounds first while puffing out a small breath. “Ha!” He pointed at the warrior. “You’re the cry baby loser! Just like when we first met.”
Dream huffed. “Shut up. You cheated.” He took two iron swords from their rack and threw one to Techno, grabbing one for himself.
Wooden weapons were usually used for training beginner soldiers and iron weapons were used by advanced or expert soldiers. The two men once used netherite swords for training but almost got heavily injured. After that incident, the queen strictly forbade diamond weapons and higher to be used in practice. They shall only be used when at war. Both of them were also heavily scolded and punished for the mistake.
Even after all the scolding and punishment, that memory was one of the most fun and fondest memories they have with each other. Techno remembers his younger sister hiding her laugh when they were being scolded by their mother.
The prince looked at the iron sword and smiled fondly. He really didn’t want anything to change, but for the protection of his family and his kingdom, he would do everything. As long as he would see his sister’s smile; as long as it won’t falter, he’s ready to give up the freedom he longed for.
Dream hit Techno at the back of his head. “You’re thinking too much again. Stop that. Everything will be fine, I promise.” The former moved his mask to the side and looked at the latter with hardened eyes.
Techno nodded, shaking the thought out of his head. “You’re right.” He took a step back and looked at the soldier, raising his sword to point at him.
“Let’s spar?”
Dream laughed, putting his mask back on.
“Let’s.”
--
Queen Kristin was running out of time. No matter how much she wished for a normal life to be given to her children, it will never be possible. Her fate was set in stone the moment she came to life in this world, the moment she existed. The royal family was not normal. It will never be normal.
She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. There was still a week and four days to prepare, but she felt like any amount of time would never be enough. Her baby boy would not only be burdened by the weight of the kingdom’s responsibility but he would also be burdened by the voices and the responsibility of keeping the Blood God satiated.
Kristin has already informed her oldest of this information. The Blood God has chosen her firstborn to be the heir of the kingdom and to be his warrior. Now, the queen is a strong woman who would never beg even if her life was on the line, but giving her only son felt like her world ended right in front of her. She can take on wars and pressure from the kingdom; just let her children be happy and live as they should.
When the clocks started ticking towards the coronation, she started to spend her days and nights praying for more time. The strong queen started begging the Blood God. She would see him at night and in her dreams, reminding her of what he wanted - reminding her of what her son would lose.
She hoped and prayed that whatever might come to her son’s way would never make him fall.
The queen reached for the bell and called for her advisor. A man in a dark velvet blue tailcoat with gold intricate highlights walked into queen Kristin’s room, offering a bow when he entered.
“George, I hope you’re having a great evening,” Kristin said with a kind smile as she waved her hand, signaling the advisor to stop bowing.
“The night has been kind to me, Your Majesty,” George responded, “Why have you called for me, Your Majesty?”
The queen took a sip of her cup of tea. “You’re one of my most trusted people in this kingdom, George,” she started to say, “As you know, a very important occasion will happen in less than a fortnight.” Her fingers intertwined on the desk. “I want this to be perfect. I have this strange feeling that something bad will happen.”
“Something bad, Your Majesty?” The advisor’s eyebrows furrowed.
“Yes.” Kristin nods. “You do know how this kingdom came to be, right? How people wanted to grab power. In just the past twenty years, we’ve had multiple groups and countries try to take over.”
“I do, Your Majesty.” George’s eyes hardened a bit behind his shaded glasses. “I have to say, my queen, your son did great at strategizing the last battle with the head soldier three years ago.”
The queen chuckled. “I’ve never expected less from him. He’s excellent in everything he does. Sometimes, a bit too good that not-so-good people might notice it and either be interested in using him or in eradicating him in the equation.”
The advisor frowned. “That is true, but I don’t think anyone would be stupid enough to target him at this point in time.”
Kristin raises a hand. “That’s a bit naive for you to think, royal advisor. This is the perfect time to strike. I called you here for a favor.” She looks at George, twirling a bishop chess piece around her fingers.
“Anything for you, your majesty.” The shaded glasses dipped down as the advisor bowed again, brown eyes glinting behind.
“Find out who’s the rat in this castle. They’ve been snooping around for too long.” The queen’s eyes swiftly changed to red and back to gold.
“Of course, Your Majesty.” The advisor stood up straight. He’s not going to admit it, but the queen’s eyes sent shivers down his spine. Whoever wanted to go in a protective lioness’s den is stupid enough, but to target her cubs was beyond foolish.
The queen smiled. “On your way now.” She waited for her advisor to go before her smile dropped. Her features immediately went cold. The Blood God’s presence was apparent behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“You better protect my son,” she stated, gripping the chess piece tightly. Cracks started to appear.
An inhuman voice whispered in the wind, “I will for he shall be my soldier.”
Silently, a knight piece moved forward on its own on the chessboard.
--
Six days have passed. It’s the day before the heir’s 21st birthday. The ballroom was already prepared and designed from the chandeliers to the balconies. Beautiful white roses were put as a centerpiece for the round tables. Blue and white were the themes of his birthday. The heir has expressed fondness with the prior color, always having it as the color of his journals, scabbard, and quills.
For the moment, Princess Niki was panicking. She was trying to find the emerald gemstone she was supposed to put on the pendant she hand-made. Running a hand through her hair, she made a frustrated sigh. If she really lost the gem, then she would have to go to a somewhat distant village to get another perfect one.
Princess Niki didn’t mind going to the village, but at the same time, she didn’t want to miss a second of her older brother’s birthday. Not that he would mind, but that’s beside the point. This gift was really important for her to give. It was enchanted; it only reacts to the right person. When the rightful owner taps the emerald gem twice, it will show a photo of the three members of the royal family. She specifically chose this gift because she knew that her brother was a sentimental person. Although, he never really shows it to others.
The princess is a skilled and smart person. When she showed her idea to her best friend, Jack Manifold, he was amazed. Nobody has invented that kind of pendant before. Of course, she made one for herself first to test if it was possible. It took multiple tries, multiple burns, and multiple clouds of smoke in her private chambers, but it was all worth it when she was successful. Her face hurt from smiling so hard and Jack was cheering so much that another soldier knocked on the door to ask them what the problem was.
They just high-fived and giggled with each other. Jack was more hyped up with the invention than she was. He looked like he was the one who got the success. To be fair to the soldier, he helped a lot by gathering ingredients and killing mobs for them. It was heartwarming to have a friend as supportive as he was.
At that moment, she was walking to her best friend again, having favor in mind. The princess tapped the soldier’s shoulder, alerting him of her presence. Jack turned to her and grinned. “Princess Niki!” His loud and familiar voice resounds the field.
They hugged and laughed. “Jack, it’s not like you didn’t see me yesterday.” Niki lets go of the hug. “We literally meet and talk every day. Calm down.”
“No.” Jack Manifold huffed. “Best friends should always chat every hour at the very least. At the very least!” He made exaggerated gestures and laughed. “Just kidding. So, what brought you here. I’m very busy, you know?” He jokingly asked.
The princess clasped her hands together. “I have another tiny bit of a favor to ask.” She smiled sheepishly.
The soldier groaned and covered his face with his hand. “I think I know where this is going.” He looked at her. “The pendant again?”
Her smile widened. “You know me too well.”
Jack sighed, but still smiled back. “What’s the problem now?”
She looked away, trying not to meet his eyes. “I may or may not have lost the emerald gemstone.”
“Niki,” he whined, “We got the gem three villages away from here.”
“I know!” She whined back. “I’m really sorry! I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Just accompany me again this time, so I can get back before my brother’s birthday. It will take maybe eight hours at most if we take breaks. Five hours at the very least! That’s before dinner time if we leave now.”
“Okay, okay.” The soldier laughed, patting the smaller person’s head. “You have to ask for permission from the royal highness, though. I don’t want the queen to punish me and make me run the whole field five times again because we snuck out of the kingdom.”
“Alright!” The princess claps her hands. “I’m going to ask my mother. Go to the gates; wait for me there! I’ll be quick,” she stated as she ran inside the castle. Her best friend shook his head fondly and walked to the gates.
When Princess Niki arrived at the door of queen Kristin’s room, she stopped for a moment, hearing her mother speak to what she assumed was somebody in the room. Niki knocked, waiting for her mother to answer. As the queen opened the door, the princess smiled at her sheepishly. “Hello, mother.”
“Niki!” Kristin greeted, stepping aside to let her daughter in. “Come in, come in. Is there something you need, dear?”
Princess Niki went inside and looked around, wondering who her mother was talking to. When she saw that there was nobody there besides her mother, she decided that it might have just been her imagination. “Mother, I need your permission for something.
The queen raises an eyebrow as her youngest clings on her arm. “And what would that be, my dear?”
“So, tomorrow is Techno’s birthday, right?” Her mother nodded. “I kind of lost the gift I was planning on giving to him. Well, not really lost-lost. I have the pendant, but I lost the gemstone I wanted to put on it.”
“I feel like you’re not yet saying the most important part, love.” The queen chuckled.
“I want to get a new emerald…” Niki said slowly as Kristin gestures for her to continue.
“And…?”
“It’s three villages away.” She gives an innocent smile.
The queen sighed. “I knew there was a catch.” She massaged her temples. “Do you have someone to accompany you at least?” Kristin looked at her daughter. Her daughter gave another bashful smile. “It’s Jack Manifold, isn’t it?”
“Hehe. Yeah, about that.” The princess scratches her cheek. “Maybe?”
Queen Kristin exaggeratedly raised her arms. “Alright! Fine.” She squished Niki’s cheeks. “I can’t really say no. I also don’t think it would matter if I give you permission or not. You two would probably sneak out if I say no.”
Niki couldn’t hold her laugh when her mother looked at her with such a deadpan face. The queen was so sick and done with their antics. She was so used to it at that point.
“I love you, mom.” She kissed the queen’s cheek. The latter pushed the former’s face away gently.
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Kristin chuckled, then pointed at her daughter. “You two better be safe and sound. Also, you two better be home before supper. We have to celebrate your brother’s birthday before tomorrow. I’m sure he won’t have much time on his own birthday.”
“Promise!” Niki raised her hand. “The food for dinner is too tasty for me to miss out on it. You know that Jack loves food more than anything.”
Her mother nodded, pulling her close. “Take care, my love.” She kissed Niki on the forehead and let go. “Tell Jack Manifold that he would take more than five rounds around the fields if there is even a mosquito bite on you.”
“Mother, I’ll be perfectly fine.” The princess laughed. She looked outside and saw that it wasn’t early in the morning anymore. Then, she scrambles to the door. “I have to leave now, mother! I’ll be back before supper!”
The queen smiled fondly to herself as the princess went out.
When the princess and soldier met up again by the gates of the castle, they held onto their respective horses and rode side by side together. May the gods bless them in their travel.
--
The heir was in the village hiding from his guards. It was his last day to enjoy normal things, forgive him. He leaned on the right side of the barrel and peeked to see if the guards were still in the area. When he saw that they’ve already left, he made a sigh of relief and leaned his back on the barrel.
“Sucks to suck, dumb soldiers,” Techno whispered under his breath, laughing quietly.
“Who are you calling dumb soldiers?”
The prince’s heart jumped and he shouted in shock. He looked back, having Dream in his line of vision. “Dream, what the hell?!” Techno exclaimed.
The soldier was leaning on the barrel, looking at the heir with bored eyes. “Why are you hiding from your guards again?” He gave Techno some bread, taking up his appearance. “You look so muddy again. Have you ever considered taking a bath?”
Techno rolled his eyes and took the bread, immediately eating it. He has been running away from his guards for an hour; he was pretty hungry now that he thought about it. “Shut up, Dream.”
“You didn’t answer my question,” Dream stated as he ate his own bread. The soldier felt bad for the prince. It was apparent that he was doing this as a coping mechanism. He knows that the heir was strong - far stronger than he was - but Techno was also susceptible to pressure. Becoming a king is a pretty heavy pressure to put on somebody. He believes that the prince can get through this. Dream would make sure of it by staying by his side.
Prince Techno shrugged. “It seemed fun. Just taking my time to go around town before my birthday.” He gives Dream a toothy grin. “You better give me a great gift or I’ll convince my mother to put you three ranks down.”
“As if Her Majesty would do that. I’m her best soldier.” The warrior snorts. He has already bought the gift for his friend. More than anybody else in the family, Techno was the one who liked his hair and took care of it the most. So, Dream commissioned a nice lady in the village for a sharp golden hairpin with a beautiful flower design. “Don’t worry about the gift. I’ll give it to you before the birthday celebration tomorrow.”
“You better.” Techno scoffed jokingly. “I will denounce you as my friend if you forget.”
“Friends only? No best friend?” The soldier raised an eyebrow. “I can’t believe this. I’ve been betrayed. No gifts to the prince.”
“You’re my only friend. I can’t have a best friend if I only have one,” the prince deadpanned.
Dream wheezed out a laugh. “That sounds so sad, Techno. What the hell?” Tears were on the corner of his eyes from laughing. “I’m pretty sure that Sapnap, Eret, and Jack Manifold consider you as a friend.” He patted the prince’s shoulder.
“Lies!” Techno covered his ears and closed his eyes. “Sapnap is your friend, Eret is mother’s trusted soldier, and Jack is Niki’s buddy in crime. They’re only communicating with me because of you guys.” The prince scoffed.
“We’re all fond of you. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Alright, alright. Whatever you say.” He waved it off.
“You’ll believe it one day.” The soldier dusted off his clothes. “Come on. It’s your “pre-birthday” celebration in about an hour. Her Majesty is expecting you to come early. Family gathering before presenting you to the vultures, you know?”
The prince groaned. “Oh, my god. I have to greet so many people tomorrow. Can’t we just strategize about wars and go to battlefields again? It seems much easier to fight rather than socializing with stuck-up lords and ladies.”
Dream chuckled. “Of course you would be the one to say that.”
“Dream, you don’t understand,” he whined, “Those people like presenting their jewelry and wealth more than anything. They have absolutely zero personality whatsoever.”
The soldier pulls the heir by his elbow. “Come on, now. Enjoy the night with the family.”
“You’ll be there, too, right?”
“Huh?”
“You’re also family. Pretty sure Jack Manifold, Eret, and George would be there, too. Just the family.” Techno smiled at the masked man.
Dream is never going to tell the prince that it warmed his heart to know that he was considered as a family. He has been under the queen’s wing ever since she saved him from the battlefield when he was ten years old. His loyalty would forever lie with the royal family with the amount of gratitude he has for the queen.
The soldier smiled under the mask. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll be there.”