Chapter Text
Spring, 9:00 am
Spring, a season that represents new beginnings. A season where the golden prince is at his prime. The season of his birth.
There is a royal family in the Antarctic kingdom that consists of five special members. Each person represents something that bonafide their existence. The king represents the sun, the queen represents the moon, the first prince represents the vast blue skies, the second prince represents the vast pitch black skies and the third and youngest prince represents the stars.
Together, their family represents the existence of freedom and dreams.
“Wilbur? Wilbur are you listening?”
Snapping back to reality, the first prince jolted as he looked around his surroundings. He then realized where he was. He was at his father’s office, the king’s study room. He was there for a reason, a reason where they had to finalize the preparation for Theseus’ annual birth celebration.
“Y-yeah, I’m listening.”
There was a sigh, “Are you sure you’re alright? You know we can talk about this tomorrow.” A soft reassuring hand landed on his shoulder.
He smiled back at him as a reassurance. “Don’t worry about me, Dad.”
Philza made a pitiful expression before he nodded. “Alright then, let’s continue.”
Wilbur nodded back as he opened his ears this time. Listening.
It took a while, a long one before they finally agreed with the plans. The scattered papers across the tea table have now been organized into split sections. The letters of invitations are all set and ready for their guests as well as the contracted businesses for further inclined support. So far, Theseus’ birth celebration is going so well. Too well .
“Now that’s settled, should we head on for lunch?” Philza spoke, nervously chuckling. “I bet your mother and your brothers have been waiting for us.”
Wilbur shivered from the thought of it. “Then let’s not make them wait for much longer.”
“Agreed, I’ll be handing this over to Puffy for further assessment. You can go ahead now Wil.”
“Alright, I’ll head on first.”
With a small respectful curtsy, Wilbur soon stepped out of the room as he made his way to the dining hall. The hallways were eerily barren, no palace servants around nor nobles that’s on work duty for today. Odd.
However, despite his suspicions Wilbur shrugged the thought of it as he stopped in front of the closed doorways of the dining hall. He was about to knock when he heard a loud crashing sound inside the hall. Worried, Wilbur hastily turned the doorknob and saw his mother and two brothers sitting across each other looking down beside the table.
The first one to notice him there was his twin younger brother, Technoblade.
“Wil, why do you look so mortified?”
Then it was Theseus.
“Oh you're finally here! I’m starving.”
Lastly, it was his mother, Kristin.
“Oh Wil, what’s wrong? Where’s your father?”
Wilbur confusedly looked at them before he had noticed a servant came rushing in to sweep off the broken glass beside the table. Knowing no one was hurt nor the worse thing he imagined, he had left a reassuring and long sigh.
“Thank XD, I heard a crashing sound so I thought someone was hurt or something.” Wilbur explained as he sat down in the empty seat beside his twin brother, Technoblade.
His mother giggled, “Oh, well don’t fret over it, Theseus was fooling around with Techno and I got surprised by the sudden movement of the table so I accidentally let my glass slip up. I’m sorry for scaring you Wil.” She smiled, apologetically.
Wilbur shook his head, “It’s alright mom, Dad told me he’ll be running a little late today so we can start lunch first.”
“Oh really? Then it can't be help, I was hoping we could have a lunch together as a family before Theseus’s birth celebration.” Kristin sighed, before he put his hand up and gestured to the servants to get the meals ready.
The door soon swung open, surprising everyone in the room. By the doorway is the king himself, Philza, huffing from what seems to be the effect of his runabouts.
“A-Am I late?”
Kristin suddenly smiled from seeing him, “you’re just in time, dear.”
Philza stood after he exhaled a long intake of breath, he walked towards Kristin and gave her a small peck of a kiss before he sat down beside her.
Everyone must’ve noticed when they saw Theseus grinning so brightly at them.
“Why do you look so happy, bubba?” Wilbur asked, curious.
Theseus kept smiling and giggling like a small child.
“Yeah, you’ve been grinning like an idiot ever since father came rushing in.” Technoblade added.
Theseus shook his head before a soft pinkish blush arrived from his soft plump cheeks.
“I’m just happy we are eating together before my birthday!”
Everyone exchanged looks before they looked back at Tommy. Tommy looked confused as he gulped down nervously.
He then smiled back again when he saw how everyone chuckled and smiled back to him as a reply to his message.
“You must be really hungry huh?” Technoblade joked as he patted Theseus’s hair, messing it up.
Theseus pouted as he looked away, embarrassed.
“It’s not like that though…” Theseus whispered, still pouting.
“Yeah yeah as you say so.” Technoblade muttered back.
It wasn’t for long before their meals finally arrived with a silver platter. As soon as the plates and the dishes were put down at the table, Theseus gobbled up the meat and ate the dishes like there’s no tomorrow.
“Slow down hun, there’s still plenty of food to go with.” Kristin spoke as Theseus gulped down the food inside his mouth and nodded.
“I’m sorry mom, I'm just too happy I got too excited.” He explained, sheepishly chuckling.
“Of course you are, but at this rate you’ll choke on your own food.” Philza added.
Theseus jolted as he realized his greediness. He didn’t want to choke and die, so he took his sweet time and ate like his family. Slow and savory.
“So, how was the celebration preparations? Guessing from your expressions it’s going smoothly, yes?” Kristin asked as she cut the steak from her plate.
Wilbur was the first to answer, “yes, we only need some approval with the head court.”
“I bet that’s going to be a pain one huh, those old geezers are hard to please.” Technoblade retorted.
Philza answered this time, “Well, that’s one way to look at it.” He laughed.
The small talks went over and over, there were some laughter and smiles that Wilbur would never forget. He wished this day would be like any other day, their family being together. Forever.
Spring, 5:00 pm
The west wing tower, Technoblade, said that the balcony in that tower has amazing scenery at night. Therefore, Wilbur and Theseus went there for a brother bonding before Theseus’ birthday celebration.
Wilbur wanted to hoard his younger brother with his time and attention before he was taken with the others on his special day. Just by thinking about it, Wilbur didn’t want to see those leech sucking nobles beside his innocent sweet brother. Especially not his special day.
“Techno was right, it's beautiful!” Theseus murmured, clearly amazed by what he was seeing.
“It does, I guess that muscle brain knows what beauty even means.” Wilbur chuckled, Theseus laughed with him.
“Technoblade is pretty smart too though! He taught me how to survive.” Theseus said, crossing his arms together and leaning his arms on the cemented railings.
A sudden soft cold breeze danced their way to them.
“Is he now? I guess there’s a lot of things I don’t know about him.” Wilbur whispered, genuinely.
“Mhm, and you too Wil! You’re smart too.” Theseus turned to look at his way as he grinned.
Wilbur responded with a soft gazing smile.
Before he knew it he was now patting Theseus’ head, ruffling his hair as it turned messy and wild. What’s more surprising is Theseus let him mess his hair up.
“Don’t change little brother of mine.” Wilbur spoke, Theseus looked up at him, confused.
He swerved a small hint of smile, “What are you on about Wil?”
Wilbur lowered his hand and gently held Theseus’ nape as he leaned his forehead to his. Theseus went quiet.
“No matter what Theseus, you will always be my brother.” Wilbur said, Theseus blinked as he gulped.
“You’re so weird Wil…” Theseus mumbled, looking down to the ground.
Wilbur soon pulled away and took a step back, he gave a sudden flick on Theseus’ forehead as it went red. Theseus looked at him with a stern look as he hissed and rubbed his throbbing forehead.
“What was that for?” Theseus aggressively asked.
“Just a little something before your big day tomorrow.” Wilbur responded with a sly smirk.
“If I look horrible tomorrow, I'll blame it all on you Wil!” Theseus pointed at him before he stormed out of the room.
Wilbur watched him disappear as he stayed in the room. He showed such a small affectionate smile before he looked back outside and let himself be mesmerized with the scenery.
He grabbed a small pocketbook from his coat as he leaned his arm on the cemented railings. He opened the book as he read the words scribbled on the brown almost torn paper.
To my most epic brother,
Here, a gift, enjoy it alright! I know you like books so uh- here.
From the most epic brother, Theseus.
It was a simple and half-hearted message that almost made Wilbur laugh but for some reason he felt moved from those half-hearted messages. After all, it’s from his most epic brother Theseus.
A soft breeze tickled his skin and clothing as it made him smile.
‘ Have a wonderful birthday tomorrow theseus. I hope this day will never end.’
Wilbur soon left the tower as he left a single flower behind. A yellow rose.
Spring, 3:00 pm
Two hours exactly before Theseus’s birthday celebration. The palace has been chaosly busy lately since the event needs to be as perfect and flawless as possible.
Wilbur and Technoblade were the first ones to be all set and ready for the event due to their duties for the event. Technoblade needed to instruct and train the knights for careful security and Wilbur to instruct the palace servants and organizers about the flow and proper decoration for the event.
“Have the letters been properly sent before? Make sure we have all the replies so we won’t have to struggle for the replacement.”
“Yes sire, everything is in perfect order.”
“Good, make sure nothing is amiss. This is Theseus’ grand day. It needs to be perfect.”
“We have prepared a back up plan in case something went out of order, leave it all to us sire.”
“Good, you are all excused. Now hurry and finalize the decorations.”
“Yes sire.”
The organizers did a small curtsy before they continued on with their work.
Sighing, Wilbur’s throbbing headache starts to slowly hinder him away. He was stressed for no reason, just to be perfect. An arm swung around him as he looked at the troublemaker who wanted to influence his headache even more.
“Eyy Wil my man, what’s with the gloomy appearance?”
Lord Quackity, the owner of the popular enterprise in the gambling world. Las Nevadas.
“Aren’t you too early, Quackity.” Wilbur smiled, Quackity jolted as he pulled away in fear.
“Well, what can I say, I can just feel something interesting is about to happen, I can’t miss that!” Quackity explained as he scoffed a small chuckle.
“And what do you mean by interesting ?” Wilbur suspiciously asked.
Quackity’s gazes became scarily serious, it was as if he was glaring at him.
“Be on your guard Wilbur, they are not joking around this time. As the rumored crown prince, you might be in danger.”
“Crown prince?” Wilbur scoffed. “They must be kidding, getting swayed by the rumors I thought they knew better.”
Quackity shrugged his shoulders. “Well, that’s that, why don’t you hang out with me Wil? It’ll be very boring if you waited for 2 hours for the event to start.”
“You’re right big Q, but I won’t stay out for too long. I still need to see if things are going smoothly before the celebration starts.”
“Yeah yeah I know mr. perfect freak, now let’s go!”
Quackity soon dragged Wilbur out of the hall room.
Spring, 4:34 pm
“You look amazing Theseus!”
Theseus looked behind him as he saw his best friend, his best pal, his best man, Tubbo who was apparently all set and ready before him.
“Tubbo! It’s you! You’re here!” Theseus’s eyes lit up upon seeing him again.
“”I’m here! I told you, I won’t miss my best friend’s social debut.” He winked.
Theseus chuckled. “And I trusted your words for it, thank you Tubs.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Then there was a knock coming from the doorway. The door soon swung open as it revealed a woman and a man in their sophisticated clothing. A smile arrived from his lips as he saw who they were. Kristin and Philza, his mom and dad.
A smile and a warm embrace, Theseus was greeted with a warm embrace of his parents.
“You look amazing my songbird.” Kristin softly said as she landed a few pecks of kisses all around his face.
After his mother pulled away with a small chuckle he was soon greeted with a reassuring pat in the shoulder before a sudden quiet embrace.
“I can’t believe you’re growing to be a man now, it feels like yesterday when you were trying to say dada as your first word.” Philza sobbed as Theseus grumbled in embarrassment.
Philza soon pulled away from the embrace as he held his wife’s hand ever so dearly. They both looked at him with affection and pride. Theseus’s eyes shone from the empathy he felt from them. He smiled with such a genuine response.
“Thank you for being my parents, mom and dad.” Theseus said as his eyes started to water from the overwhelming feelings building up inside him.
The two parental figures both smiled at him as they tried not to cry from Theseus’s simple words of gratitude. To them, it was like a priceless treasure. Seeing their children excel and be happy is more than enough.
“You don’t have to thank us songbird.” Kristin sniffled as she smiled whilst softly caressing her young son’s soft warm cheeks.
“We are just glad we have you as our son, Theseus.” Philza held his shoulder as Theseus nodded from their words.
Tubbo smiled from seeing them be happy, as long as his best friend is happy then so does he. To him, Theseus is like a brother he never had. He was always there for him so he will always be there for Theseus. He loves Theseus, and so does everyone.
He can already guess this celebration will end in a happily ever after note. But guess is a fickle thing, we don’t know what’ll happen in the future but what’s the harm of hoping?
Spring 5:00 pm
“Now entering the royal family. The King, Philza Craft, The queen, Kristin Craft, The twins princes Wilbur and Technoblade Craft along with the royal debutant, Prince Theseus Craft.” An announcer spoke, catching everyone’s attention.
Loud cheering and applause greeted the royal family as they entered the hall room. Everyone rejoiced from seeing their grand and sophisticated elegance from the room, everyone’s eyes were on them and they hoarded all of that attention to themselves.
Wilbur caught a glimpse of Quackity from the distance, looking at him with a nod as a hinting gesture.
Wilbur gulped down in nervousness before he looked away.
As soon as the royal family reached the throne, they all went to their respective seats and stood there as the king made his speech.
“I would like to say my gratitude to the people who happily attended my young son’s debut. This celebration would not be able to commence without you all here and of course prince Theseus' presence. To the golden third star, prince Theseus.” Philza lifted his glass half full of wine.
“To the golden third star, Prince Theseus!” Everyone repeated as they all took a sip in synchrony.
The celebration has now officially started.
“Wil, psst- Wil.” Wilbur snapped back to reality as he looked at his side. Theseus.
“Hmm?” Wilbur hummed.
“I’m nervous, what if I do something wrong Wil.” He whispered, his face lit up with anxiety.
Wilbur showed him a soft reassuring smile, “you won’t trust me.”
Theseus trusted him with a simple nod, responding that he understood. Their attention was soon swayed by the delegates from far and wide showing their special gifts that are worth priceless and noteworthy.
Upon getting alarmed by Quackity’s warnings, Wilbur had carefully observed and analyzed everyone who were up in front showing their appreciation upon getting the invite to the grand feast.
So far, Wilbur hasn’t noticed anyone suspicious. So does Technoblade who still has his guard up as expected for the captain of the chivalrous knights. But there was something in the room that made him uneasy. Something eerie that lies beneath the shadows of the crowd.
He can feel it, Wilbur can feel the malice behind that atmosphere. Or perhaps he was just anxious about what Quackity had told him that it shook him beyond concern.
Whatever it is, Wilbur prays that they won't hurt any of his family members in the process. He doesn't mind dying if it's for the betterment of his family’s welfare. Wilbur knows his worth, and so does everyone in his family.
His father has high political standing, his mother balances the social society, his twin brother protects and maintains the security of the kingdom, and his little brother. Theseus Craft, his role is to give positivity and balance the justice of the land.
But for Wilbur? To him he is just the wise poetica, an empathetic bard and the sole protector of his family’s honor. He wasn’t particularly popular nor was he unpopular. He was just right.
“Wilbur? Wilbur!”
Wilbur blinked back to reality as he looked beside him, it was Technoblade who was concernedly gazing at him with those soft empathetic eyes. It was so not like him.
“I’ve been calling for you but you were unresponsive, is something wrong?”
Yes, there is something wrong. But I can’t say that.
“Were you? I guess I was too focused on making everything perfect.” Wilbur lowly chuckled.
Technoblade furrowed his eyebrows. “Mhm, well, don’t pressure yourself too much. After all, this is a celebration not a meeting.” He continued to drink the wine from his glass.
“Yeah… I know that, you don’t need to nag me over it dad .” Wilbur rolled his eyes sarcastically.
His line of sight soon landed on the trio, his parents along with his little brother Theseus who was talking and laughing with each other in the distance. Seeing his little brother smile on his big day was a rewarding moment for Wilbur himself. Theseus was enjoying himself, therefore he is satisfied.
“There you are Wilbur!” A voice caught his attention. Turning to his side he saw Quackity who was holding an empty wine glass.
“Quackity? What’s with the sudden informality?” Technoblade spoke on his behalf as Quackity grumbled just from seeing him.
Well, Quackity and Technoblade don't have any good history with each other. It wasn’t personal but Technoblade is a captain of the guards and Quackity is a mastermind of the (il)legal business world such as the casino, Las Nevadas. Hence, their not-so-good relationship.
“Wilbur, they’ re here.” Quackity spoke. Wilbur suddenly felt the heavy atmosphere pressuring him down. It’s time .
“Whose them? What’s happening Wilbur? What is going on?” Technoblade demanded answers.
Wilbur looked at Technoblade. Technoblade looked at him with such a scary expression. His lower lip trembled, he wanted to tell him. He’s going to tell him.
“Technoblade I-” Before Wilbur could even finish there was a loud crashing sound coming from the direction where his parents and Theseus were.
Then there was a scream. A loud deafening scream.
In the corner of his eye, he knew what he saw .
“Theseus!” Technoblade shouted as he rushed towards them. Towards the scene .
“No way…” He heard Quackity whisper, he glanced to see his expression as he saw how horrified and sorrowful Quackity’s expression was.
That proved that everything is real . Everything he saw is real .
Enraged, Wilbur gritted his teeth and grabbed Quackity by the collar of his shirt. Quackity looked at him horrified, not because of Wilbur but because of something he did himself.
He gave the wrong information.
“I swear Wilbur, I didn’t know about this! I was told it was you they were after, not Theseus!” Quackity tried to reason with him.
Wilbur’s grip from his collar tightened, “Why… Why him?!”
“I… I don’t know Wil.”
Why him?
Wilbur bit the corner of his mouth as he tasted the sudden bursting flavor of rusted iron. He let go of his grip on Quackity’s collar as he ran towards his family. His family, who is now desperate, is calling for Theseus. For him to wake up. For him to stay .
Wilbur couldn’t process what was happening to them. It all felt like a dream. A vivid dream. His eyes landed on the bloodied body of his little brother. His expression shows pain. Theseus is in pain.
“Wil… bur?” He spoke, raspy and broken.
Wilbur knelt down to their level as he hesitantly went closer to Theseus. Around him was their family, sobbing and looking at him with such hope as if he could save him. He can’t. Wilbur can’t save him .
“I’m here Theseus, I'm here.” Wilbur choked as he felt how Theseus was slowly losing his strength just by his touch.
He smiled. Theseus smiled at him as if nothing was wrong with him. As if he wasn’t stabbed just a moment ago. He is still happy.
“You’re going to be fine, Bubba. You will be fine alright. Just stay with us. Stay with me for a little longer okay?” Tears started to roll down from his eyes.
“Theseus, Theseus remember what I told you? That you are great at surviving, so please… survive.” Technoblade spoke, begging him.
Wilbur saw how his mother tried to heal his little brother, her delicate hands covering the stab wound from the right side of his stomach. She was crying. She was whispering, chanting words that no one can decipher. An enderian language. Yet, no magic nor spells made the stab wound heal.
Theseus is bleeding, he is bleeding beyond recovery. Wilbur saw how the light in his eyes started to fade, slowly and slowly.
He saw how his father held Theseus in his arms, like a newborn baby so delicate and gentle. He saw how his father desperately screamed for the royal physicians to act. He heard how frightening his father’s voice can be.
Everyone was desperate to save him. Everyone .
Theseus coughed, coughed out murky water of blood. He is fighting. Fighting to survive. He saw Theseus tried to gulp down more blood building up from his throat as he choked from the process. He tried to stop it . But it was pointless. He is dying .
“I’m sorry…. I ruined… the party…” He painfully chuckled.
“Don't say that Theseus! You didn’t ruin anything.” Wilbur responded, desperately.
“I’m sorry… everyone…” Theseus closed his eyes. “I’m tired…”
“Please, Please open your eyes Theseus! Fight!” Technoblade ordered him. Wilbur looked at him, sobbing.
They all look vulnerable and pathetic .
He didn’t speak again. Theseus didn’t say anything as a response. He just laid still, breathing.
They were all desperate. Everyone was looking at them with such pitiful and concerned looks. There was all sorts of noise around them such as gossips, gasps and sobs. In the corner, there was squirming as the guards apprehended the criminal who committed treason against the royal family.
A son. A family . A friend .
Tubbo.
“I swear! It’s not me! Please, I would never hurt my best friend!” Tubbo shouted in desperation as he squirmed around the grips of the royal guards.
He was crying, he was looking at Theseus with such guilt. He also managed to slip one arm away as he tried to reach for them. For Theseus. Wilbur couldn’t look at him. Not now.
“Wake up Theseus! Wake up! Please!” He shouted.
But he didn’t wake up. Theseus didn’t wake up. He was so still in his family’s arms. He looked like he was just sleeping. But he isn’t. He wasn’t just sleeping.
The palace cried for the loss of their little star.
Prince Theseus Craft is no longer in this world.
_____
Somewhere, Somehow, a child was born. A child that would one day change everyone’s fate. The newborn cried, cried so much as if it already lived its life. The newborn was held with such gentle touch. The mother smiled as she tickled her baby’s soft plump cheeks. The newborn seized its crying, and laughed.
The mother spoke,
“Welcome home, Tommy.”