Chapter Text
In the midst of the winter solstice, Briar Valley was settling for a cold year, as its people prepared for the oncoming snow and ice. Well… most people, anyhow. Footsteps crunch down on hard snow as two young boys run across a field, crossing blunt swords against each other. Trading blows seemed like second nature to them as they flung themselves into various battle positions - “Urgh!” One of the boy's grip falters, and his sword is unable to block the other's attack.
“You almost had it, Sebek! Silver, keep your sword at bay.” A voice calls out from afar - Lilia Vanrouge, the mentor of the two. He steps up as he motions for Sebek to raise his sword again against Silver’s, “Now follow my steps, okay?”
Sebek nods, steeling his frustrated expression as he watches Lilia’s footwork against the snow, and begins to do the same, matching each sword blow in time with Silver's, who had a blank expression. Again. Again. Again! Sebek’s sword flew out of his hands and wedged deep into the white field, and he gripped his hair, holding back tears from his anger. “I keep losing against him! It’s impossible! I will never get these steps right into protecting our liege!” The boy sank to his knees, not minding the cold snow burning at his hands, leaving Lilia and Silver to stop their motions.
“Sebek -” Silver began to mutter, but Lilia raised his hand, shaking his head with a soft smile.
“Now, now, Sebek, no need to throw a fuss. If you keep practicing, you will be able to do anything you wish for.” Lilia guided a sniffling Sebek up and brought him and Silver back to the cabin.
“But what if Prince Malleus doesn’t find me to be a good guard? I can’t even beat a mere human…” Sebek said under his breath as the fae opened the entrance door, lightly shoving the boys inside.
Silver frowns at the other boy’s comment, crossing his arms - “I think you are being too hard on yourself,” he responded.
Sebek scoffed, as if he could talk, “It's far too obvious you think I'm weaker than you.”
Silver was about to retort before Lilia put a hand between the two of them to stop a serious fight from brewing. “Let’s sit by the fire before you two catch a cold. Your mother would kill me if I returned you home sick, Sebek.”
They were all shuffled onto the worn, makeshift sofa, the crackling fireplace filling the silence left by a red-nosed Sebek and Silver. Lilia draped a blanket over them with magic before sitting in front of the two, seeming smaller than usual. He brought his hands to his chin, tilting his head. “Sebek, you must find the courage to take up the mantle of being Malleus’s knight alongside Silver. It’s quite hard - I am aware that, given Silver had been training for as long as you have been, but no need to pout! You are quite formidable on your own.” He gives a knowing smile that makes Sebek’s throat relax a bit.
“Hmm….” Lilia hums to himself, “Sebek, do you remember that play that your father had taken you to in the human town? Silver, you were there too, correct? It was only a few weeks ago.”
A play? Sebek wracked his brain for such a thing before settling on a memory of a small theater - it was a play about a young girl and a nutcracker.
“Ah - I remember.” Silver spoke up, eyes slightly sparkling under the fire’s light, “I didn't manage to stay awake for all of it … but the music was quite nice.” He brought his side of the blanket up to his face as his words teetered out.
Sebek frowned, trying to fight off admonishing Silver for not mentioning the story, “I remember as well…, but Master Lilia, what does that have to do with courage?”
“Why, the main character, of course! She's the epitome of courage!!” Lilia threw his hands in the air dramatically. Sebek’s eyes widen. Did he remember the right play? He didn’t think too highly of the character. So did Master Lilia see differently? He couldn’t help but be slightly curious about that fact. Sebek had personally preferred the Mouse King character.
“The girl from the same story?” The boy asked to clarify, and Lilia nodded in return with a bright smile. A gleam sparkled deep within his eyes.
“Yep! You see, the girl had lost her parents when she was very young, and she and her little brother were raised by her grandfather. He loved them, of course, don’t get him wrong, but he was quite stern…”
The fire crackled on as Sebek and Silver listened to Lilia’s spin of the classic story, and Sebek’s mind started to slowly but surely wander . . . .
Snow blanketed the windows of a small, cozy home, and said home was abuzz in the holiday glow – a girl, no, a green-haired boy, sat across a table within the parlor. His eyes stared longingly at a snowglobe as voices grumbled behind him.
“How could he not think to bring more refreshments? Out of all things, these damn humans! Sebek - ” Grandfather Baul enters the room, eyebrows pinched together in slight frustration as he looks on to his young grandson, “No more daydreaming. We need to prepare for the guests before they arrive.”
It was barely a scolding, but he had a serious tone to him that made Sebek bow his head sheepishly, “Yes, Grandfather.” He replied, although he thought the decorations that littered the house were already quite enough for such a gathering.
The holidays were something he rarely looked forward to, as they always involved outsiders that Sebek was barely aware of, especially those who claimed to be close to his deceased parents…
As that thought ran through his mind, the bell rang, making Sebek stand up straight with widened eyes. His grandfather whipped out his pocket watch, “10 minutes early…” Sebek watched his face scrunch together. “Too early, tsk, such bad manners.” The older fae turns around to go answer the door.
A few seconds pass before Sebek spins around to quickly open a carefully laid out box; within it was a small ornament of a beautiful dancer - a gift from his late mother. The winter solstice celebration, where he saw his first ballet. Sebek gently picks up the fragile piece, the porcelain ballerina dress glittering from the warm light of the fire, and the smallest red flower sitting on top of the girl’s hair to contrast the white …
“Pull it together, you’re not a child anymore,” Sebek muttered to himself as he placed it up onto the pine tree beside him. Despite his words, he stares at it for a little longer.
“HEY!” A voice shrilled out across the room, arm stretching out from behind the settee. Sebek winced as he witnessed their family cat run off with a gingerbread ornament … Out of all the people that could be behind that seat, there's only one person he could think of sitting there. He stomps up to leer over the side, “ACE!” Sebek shouted, making the younger boy jump out of his skin and look up to him.
Red eyes narrowed in defiance, even with his mouth covered in icing that caked the aforementioned gingerbread - “What?! Grim took the cookie, not me! I was just trying to save it from the mice!” He crossed his arms and pouted.
Sebek rounds the settee, narrowing his eyes as he looks back down to his younger brother, “You might wish to wash off that frosting before Grandfather Baul sends you to bed without supper, and mice? A grand excuse!!” He stomps his foot down - making Ace stand up.
“You- You can’t tell me what to do!” The orange-haired boy pathetically bleated out before running out of the room, as the threat of Grandfather had left a very real fear in him.
Sebek crossed his arms and turned around, a smug expression crossing his face; it was truly a spectacle to teach his little brother some lessons for once.
The door into the foyer opens, and in steps a familiar person - one that Sebek at least had been looking forward to. “Sebek!” Lilia outstretches his arms for a hug, prompting the boy to spin around and immediately go for one - a slightly awkward one - but a hug nonetheless.
“Sir Lilia!” Sebek exclaimed as he pulled away, “I thought you were not coming this year.” He tilted his head to the shorter yet older man. Grandfather’s close confidant, and a traveler beyond his years, Lilia always tended to bring back stories to Sebek — and he always had eaten them up as a way to explore outside the walls of his young age.
“Fufufu, You’ve grown so tall… Baul’s fault, I see.” Lilia grinned and ruffled the boy’s hair. “I wouldn’t dare miss the chance to visit you and vex my dear old friend.” He chuckled, although Sebek knew how those “vexings” usually turned out to be.
“I see you’re already conspiring against me…” Grandfather had entered the room, holding some boxes within his arms - no doubt from Lilia.
“No worries, Baul, I’ll hold back from any mischief until the party is over!” Lilia winked at his grandfather, causing a groan from the man as he walked off.
Sebek watched the exchange, shaking his head before approaching Lilia once more, that slightly overtly curious tone overtaking his voice - “Where have you gone this time? You must tell me all about it, Sir Lilia.” He bowed his head to him, causing the fae to laugh.
“You are still much too polite for a young man, Sebek.” Lilia took Sebek by the arm to guide him to the fireplace to share his tales. “Let us see… I met an emperor, I sailed across the seas with pirates, I had battled against a formidable warrior, and I hiked incredible mountains alongside stretches of endless forests.” He hummed, setting Sebek’s arm down to sit.
“I’d appreciate it, Lilia, if you stopped filling Sebek’s mind with your stories.” Baul side-eyed the other as he adjusted some decorations across the wall. “Just because you go running all over the globe instead of staying put like a sensible person…-”
Lilia fully laughed in return, “There’s a world full of wonders out there, Baul! Sebek would grow much more if he were able to experience them!” He smacked Sebek in the back, catching the boy off guard, and caused him to start coughing.
Baul frowned deeply and was about to respond before the bell echoed throughout the house again. He opens his mouth once more, but Lilia interrupts, “Your guests are waiting~” His grin was still permanent on his lips.
Sebek watches as his grandfather huffs and went off to greet said guests. “Hahhhh…. Some people never change!” Lilia stretches, turning to Sebek - “But we can always hope, especially with someone like him.” Sebek had doubted that, but he didn’t voice those thoughts.
Some time had passed, and it was already late in the evening, the moon starting to break into the sky as the snow turned into a lighter coat. Most guests had already taken their leave for more parties in the town, but Sebek was still in the foyer, listening to Lilia’s stories, as Ace was playing with some newly made toys. “...And he asked me to dance!” Lilia sang out as Sebek nearly toppled due to how far he was leaning in.
“Did you?!” His eyes widened, utterly drawn in by the romance in the story. It was a guilty pleasure of his, reading romantic novels on the side, a leftover of his childhood…
He did favor villains in some ways, but that was usually just because they were usually royalty! How could someone disobey royalty?!
“Well, I couldn’t say no to the king, of course! Even if he had thought of me differently.” Lilia lightly chuckled.
“You must have felt like a knight guiding him….” Sebek muttered and trailed off, “I wish I could have been there…” He said quietly, although mostly for himself.
Lilia put his hands up to his chin, smiling to the boy in knowing thought, “Hmm…maybe next time you can come with me!”
Sebek looks up to him in shock, before glancing away, “You know Grandfather would never allow it. I would need to finish my studies here first.”
Lilia blinked and pondered that over his head, and then nodded, “Well…surely he wouldn’t object to these!” He gets up to the small presents lying on the table and picks them up with ease. The fae turns and walks over to give Ace a red box, “For you, Ace.” Lilia smiles as he sees the excitement clear in the boy’s eyes, and then turns again to Sebek to hand over a slightly larger green box. “And for you, dear knight.”
Sebek pauses in confusion at the nickname, but holds the box in eagerness.
“Whoa!” Ace held up two intricately made figures, one with red hair and one with white, obviously soldiers of some kind. “A Queendom Guard and a Sands captain! Thanks!” He grins as he holds them way too tight for those little figures' safety. Sebek scoffs under his breath but opens his box, slowly taking off the paper that covered his own gift.
The boy paused, staring at the gift with wide eyes.
“A…nutcracker?” Sebek scans the wooden figure, obviously painted with love and care. It had silver hair, and the most curious color of eyes - a mix of blue and pink - a near purple that makes Sebek think of the dawning sky. But its outfit was even more beautiful, he dared to say, a shining military-esque uniform with pauldrons that led into a woven cape … even complete with its own sheathe and sword. Almost a spitting image of a hero in some ways.
There was a little bit of disappointment that stirred within Sebek’s heart, but he ignored it in favor of wanting to please Lilia.
Lilia watched with a soft expression as Sebek picked up the nutcracker out of the box. There weren’t many words for Sebek to say, but regardless, he looked up to the fae. “Thank you, Sir Lilia.” Sebek bowed his head once more to him. “I’ll cherish this gift.”
“What a lousy gift,” Ace said, causing Sebek’s head to spin to him.
“Excuse me?! Sir Lilia labored to get this for me, and you call it LOUSY?!” Sebek bellowed out, causing Ace to wince and cover his ears.
“Now, now!” Lilia patted Sebek’s back, “On the outside maybe…but the inside beats the heart of a prince.”
“A prince?! I’ll use him to command my army!” Ace got up and darted forward to grab the nutcracker out of Sebek’s hands.
“ACE!!!” Sebek tried to pull the nutcracker away from him, but it ended up becoming a frantic tug-of-war between the two - and after a few moments, he reeled back with wide eyes as there was a sound of a SNAP. Ace held the nutcracker in his hands, looking pitifully up to Lilia and Sebek. The nutcracker’s left arm had popped out of its socket …
“...Sorry,” Ace mumbled quietly as he handed it back to Sebek.
“YOU’RE–” Sebek glared down at the child before looking to Lilia, who was making hand motions for them to calm down. “...Impossible!” Sebek finished, spinning on his heel to sit down and lay the Nutcracker onto the settee. He grumbled to himself, “I apologize for Ace; he is too full of himself at times.” Look at him, talking to a nutcracker of all things. Sebek glanced around as Ace walked up with that sorry expression still on his face and found a leftover piece of ribbon from the presents. Sebek picked it up and made a makeshift sling for the nutcracker, even if it seemed silly, and he knew his grandfather would scold him for that later.
Sebek brought the nutcracker back into his hands, checking to make sure that the toy’s sling was secure for now - catching a glimpse of a glimmer within those aurora eyes. “...?” Sebek rubbed his eye and swore that the nutcracker was looking right at him.
Night had finally reached them, and it was time for bed. Sebek had already fallen asleep, though in the foyer, with a blanket covering him as another apology from Ace. The nutcracker was lying on the side, not too far from him. As the clock ticked on in the silent room, Baul looked over his grandson, “...It's time to wake him now.” He muttered.
Lilia leaned over his side, “And spoil a beautiful dream? Let him sleep! Sebek isn’t a young boy anymore…he deserves the chance to follow his dreams.”
Baul shook his head, walking over to shut the lantern light, “And must learn to be responsible and practical. He is still much of a child compared to our years.”
Lilia smiled at that, reaching over to bring the blanket more over Sebek’s shoulder. “He is responsible, you’ve raised him well, Baul. It’s time you trusted him to grow up and make his own choices…” Lilia trailed off, looking to Baul as he restarted the grandfather clock in the room.
“It’s late. I’ll see you in the morning.” He leaves as Lilia followed behind shortly after, leaving Sebek to sleep peacefully.
Hours passed on, and as the night settled in, the clock continued to tick all up to the midnight toll. There was a glimmer in the eyes of the wooden owl that sat upon the grandfather clock, changing shades from black to a faint blue. The sound of the chime echoed throughout the foyer, not even rousing Sebek from his slumber – the sounds of something swishing through the air were less so. Magic swelled within the room, and the owl turned its head to a very small hole next to the fireplace – the magic glowing a bright green as mice standing on two legs, adorned in armor, entered in militaristic lines with one guiding them in. Being poked and prodded by some of the mice, one of the tree’s ornaments fell and shattered across the floor — slightly stirring Sebek, but he just muttered softly before pulling his sleep cap over his face.
The chime continued, and the magic swirled around the misplaced nutcracker on the ground, awakening him from his long-worn slumber. The Nutcracker blinked and shifted onto his feet slowly, immediately glaring his eyes towards the mice, “Don’t you dare, mice!” He unsheathed his sword with one unsteady arm as he ran off towards the enemy.
Sebek was finally roused out of his slumber with the sounds of mini chaos, and when he opened his eyes, he felt like closing them once again. Was it Ace up to his usual mischief again…? He glanced around, noticing the nutcracker gift was gone, and then heard the sounds of crunching, looking up to see a mouse eating a gingerbread cookie. “GET AWAY RIGHT THIS INSTANT, RAT!” Sebek screeched and smacked his hand at the rodent, hearing a scream as it fell off – its sword alongside with it. Wait, a sword? Sebek had a double-take and looked around the foyer properly.
“Get off-!” The Nutcracker yelled as it kicked one of the armored mice off the presents, “You traitors!” It blocked a blow with its sling.
“I must be dreaming …!” Sebek rubbed at his eyes and pinched his own cheek, but nothing came out of it as he still was able to see mice make their way to attack the Nutcracker, who was standing and animated on its own feet. “What in the …” Sebek turns his head to see where they were coming from, only to see a powerful presence enter from the small hole with mice guards at either side of … him?
It seemed to be a man, with the most regal attire - A black cloak running across his back and onto the ground, while emerging beneath was the smallest glimpse of some sort of tail, trailing heavily behind. He had beautiful horns that curved outwards that glistened in both moonlight and the fire’s glow, a faint green pulse waving in between the lines. Sebek noticed most of all that the man wore a half-mask, one that protruded outwards resembling a mouse, and the gleam of a crown sitting on his head. The scepter the man holds was shining in some sort of odd light. Royalty?
Sebek could almost scoff at how ridiculous this all was. Mice were swarming his room, and all he could do was gawk at what he assumed was their king!
The king made his way past the guards, scanning the room from behind his mask; his lips pressed into a line — signaling irritation. The Nutcracker kicks another mouse away from it, turning its attention to the king as he approaches. “Even as a Nutcracker…” The man began to speak, a low growl within the louder undercurrents, which even rattled Sebek from a mere footstep away, who was much bigger than any of these creatures. How could one … small being hold so much power in tone?
“You are a thorn at my side!” The king raised his scepter at the Nutcracker, teeth slightly bared as the only tell to show his anger.
The Nutcracker points its sword back at him, “And a thorn I shall remain!” Auroral eyes gleam as it pushed a present box onto the mice, effectively almost squishing them if it weren’t for the king stopping the box and tossing it aside with ease using one hand. Sebek watches the Nutcracker jump down and face the king and his guards, and starts to feel compelled to step in. He was learning the ways of the knight as well; shouldn’t he protect a foreign king from an enemy? Sebek’s eyes flick between them and anything he could use to perhaps capture the Nutcracker, settling onto a vase on the far end of the room. If everyone were distracted, then…
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King circle each other before the king swings first with his scepter, clashing against the wooden man. A green fire emits from one of the mask's eyes as he pushed back against it; “You’re not a human anymore, you wooden puppet, what think you could defeat me?” The king dodges a swipe from the Nutcracker, smirking as it almost loses its grip, but it steadies itself, sending a kick into the king’s torso.
“Don’t underestimate me!” The Nutcracker responded boldly, even as its face was a blank slate of emotion – only its eyes and animated brows were a sign of what it felt.
“Heh heh heh...” The king chuckled out before swinging his scepter into its incapacitated shoulder, sending the Nutcracker’s sword flying – and it to the ground.
The king aims his scepter at the fallen Nutcracker with ease, “It’s time I turned you into something more useful…” He pushes the jeweled part against its chest, leaning in and directing his mask at its face.
“Let me help!” Sebek came rushing up, holding a long vase in his hands, causing the king to pause and turn to the tall fae-human.
“And what can you do?” He said simply, grinding his heel into the Nutcracker beneath him.
Before Sebek could say anything, that he was there in support of the king, he let go of the Nutcracker to look up to Sebek. “Twisting thorns hear my call…” The king began to chant, the tip of the scepter glowing green.
“Look out!” The Nutcracker warned, reaching out its hand to Sebek with no use as magic started to swirl around the boy.
“Turn this human, twice as small!” The king laughed as green magic enveloped Sebek, and Sebek could only stand in shock, dropping the vase as he started to shrink down to be a mere size of a mouse.
“Wh-What?!” Sebek squawked, covering his mouth as his face burned in embarrassment. “I just wanted to hel-” The now towering king approaches him, and Sebek could feel himself taking steps back. “This…is not good,” Sebek said right out loud, eyes wide as he looked straight at the mask.
“I don’t take help from humans.” The mouse king sneered, effectively almost cornering the boy with his own size.
A split second later, a toy carriage rams into the king, sending him flying to the side with an indignant "Ugh!". The Nutcracker jumps off and picks up his sword, about to approach the king, all the while pushing Sebek behind him, “Stay away from him.” He positioned himself as guards approached to attack. All the while, a million things ran through Sebek’s mind. What was this Nutcracker’s deal?! Can it not see that he was practically fighting an army on his own – its own – especially with a broken arm? It was a losing battle!
The Nutcracker disarmed one of the mice, turning its head to Sebek. “Can you make it up to the mantle?”
Eyes gesturing to the top of the fireplace, Sebek spluttered, “Me?! Of course I can! I had earned top marks in physical e-” He was about to retort further before he saw a full group of mice heading their way. And he had no weapon to ward them off. Sebek takes a step back away from the Nutcracker, who urged him to hurry. “Excuse me!” Sebek ran off to the laurel decorations on the side, grabbing hold of the leaves as he pushed himself up, trying to avoid the ornaments. Mice soldiers gathered at the bottom, but Sebek pulled all his focus into trying to make his way upwards, keeping a side eye on the battle below between the Nutcracker and the mice.
Disarming one after another; the Nutcracker turns his head as he sends the other mice soldiers off their feet with his cape. Slowly, though, he was becoming surrounded by mice and had no way of escape – eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to pull together some idea to ward them away. The Nutcracker looked behind him, the grate of the fireplace stretching tall, and he stuck his sword into one of the openings, pulling himself up to kick away at a few of the mice.
“It’s the end for you, Nutcracker.”
The king shows up with green fire surrounding him, swinging his scepter at him as magic throws the Nutcracker away from the grate and onto the ground. The Nutcracker tries to move back, but is only able to hit the wall as a dead end, eyes glaring up at the Mouse King. “You’re not going to get away from me this time… Unless you desire a trip into the fire.” He smirked before swinging a blow at him. Sebek was about to call its “name” before stopping himself; it could be the reason why he’s in all this mess!
The Nutcracker looked up to see Sebek hanging from the decorations above, and an idea flashed in his eyes, bringing him to block the King’s attack once more before kicking to climb the grate towards the other side of the mantle. “Hmph.” The King frowns, stalking along to the side to follow the Nutcracker above, readying another spell — and striking. Sebek looked awaybut when he heard the sound of an ornament breaking instead of wood, he looked back to realize that the Nutcracker had dropped down to another tier of leaves to dodge the attack. “Ah, you insufferable -!” The King almost seemed to lose his temper, only to reel himself in and stay composed. Once again, he aims at the dangling wooden puppet…
Sebek squeezed his eyes shut as he tried to move his way up more onto a more secure platform on the mantle, and had not realized how bad he was swinging – until one of his shoes went flying off, and hit the king right on the head between his horns. “...” The king stood still for a second before falling off the logs he was standing on and hitting the ground. Unconscious.
Sebek opened his eyes as he heard the gasp of mice guards below. Oh … Oh no. What has he done?!
The boy watched the mouse guards drag the unconscious king away, alongside the discarded scepter, some glaring bloody daggers at him from below. Sebek winced just at how badly he had messed that up. “Don’t pay any attention to them! Focus on yourself!” He heard the Nutcracker call out, and Sebek looked up – the laurels unraveling at his very (small) fingertips.
“AhhhHH-!” The decorations dropped down, sending him flying across the grate as he held on for dear life. The Nutcracker tried to reach out with his slinged hand, but of course, that was useless as they crashed into each other. The two were sent flying and luckily landed onto a throw pillow on the ground, so there weren’t any more serious injuries — although Sebek could say less about his pride.
The Nutcracker got off first, giving his hand to Sebek, which he took not without some hesitation. “Thank you for saving my life.” It said.
“I didn’t mean to,” Sebek grumbled softly, but the Nutcracker brushed it off.
“And for your superior nursing skills.” The Nutcracker took off the makeshift ribbon sling and handed it back to him.
“Uhm…” Sebek’s eyebrows furrowed, unsure how to take this kindness. Was it not realizing he wanted to help that Mouse King? “You’re welcome?”
Sebek looked around, the once familiar foyer room completely unfamiliar to him, as it's all gigantic and … imposing to say the least. “This has to be a dream.” He stated.
“I’m sorry. I am afraid it's all too real.” The Nutcracker draws his sword out from the grate, looking back at Sebek. “And I have to return home to Poinsettia as soon as I have the chance.” It said.
“Poinsetta…? I have never heard of such a place.” Sebek frowned, crossing his arms. “Never mind that. It is your fault I ended up like this, you must change me back TO MY REAL HEIGHT before you decide to leave!” He shouted in frustration. But the Nutcracker shook its head, the silver painted hair shining against the wood.
“I’m afraid only the Sugar Plum Princess can reverse the Mouse King’s spell. I apologize once again.”
If Sebek could feel a vein popping in his forehead from anger, he could at this moment, “Sugar … Plum… What? You’re speaking total nonsense to me. Although the talking toy and fighting mice are already disbelieving enough.” Sebek pressed his hand against his head, “Good sevens, I really must wake up.”
The Nutcracker put its hand on his shoulder to steady the boy, “I’ve been looking for her ever since the Mouse King turned me into a nutcracker. But I only heard of her from tales and folklore my father had taught me.”
“Wait, not a nutcracker?” Sebek looked up to it, “You mean you used to be human?” He couldn’t even scarcely imagine it.
“Yes …” The Nutcracker trailed off, looking to the side, clearly hiding more than he was letting on.. But before Sebek could question it, a loud hoot filled the room, and the owl from on top of the grandfather clock swooped down – flying past Sebek, who covered his face with his arms, and the Nutcracker brought out his sword to protect them.
“Perhaps I can help…” The owl lands on the cushion above, looking down at them. His voice carried a subtle yet powerful tone. Sebek backs away with the Nutcracker still in front of him. “You will find the Sugar Plum Princess on an island, beyond the Sea of Thorns.” The owl spoke.
The Nutcracker's eyes widened, if that were even possible, “But it is impossible to cross that; many have tried!”
“Yes… It is dangerous. But it is not impossible.” The owl replies, tilting his head. Sebek swore that the owl was looking right at him, but he couldn’t place any reason why.
“I see…” The Nutcracker thought for a second before turning around and walking off.
“Ah- what - wait!” Sebek looked to the back of the Nutcracker and then back to the owl.
The Nutcracker stopped to look back at Sebek, “Well, are you coming?”
Sebek was taken aback by how nonchalant this nutcracker was, and it was irritating him. “Me? With you?! In there?” Sebek pointed to the hole that the mice had come out from, “No way, I am not doing that!”
“Well, surely you would rather not spend the rest of your life the size of a mouse.” The owl gestured towards him, and he found no words to retort with, his face flush with indignation.
“H-How would I even return?!” Sebek cried out.
The owl flaps his wings and flies off towards the tree, circling a few times before grabbing something off the dancer ornament he had placed not that long ago in the day. He flew back to drop a locket necklace shaped as a lightning bolt onto Sebek’s hands, “Once you find the Sugar Plum Princess, open the locket, and it will return you home in your normal size.”
The owl starts to make his way to the clock, and Sebek stares at the necklace before looking up quickly, “But -!” The owl had fixtured itself onto the grandfather clock, the faint blue gleam to its eyes gone.
The Nutcracker stands beside the hole, looking at Sebek as he grips the locket in his hands. He sighed before bringing the necklace around his neck and turning around to meet the Nutcracker, looking away from it. “Ready?” It asked.
“I really don’t wish to be doing this, but if it's the only way for me to return to normal… then so be it,” Sebek said in his response. The boy walked in first and just barely missed a slight smile from the Nutcracker as he entered the dark — and then it joined in beside him.
They both step into complete darkness for a few moments before Sebek feels the floor give in beneath them, and bright lights start to shoot up into the sky. “Wh- AAAAHHH!”
Sebek frantically grabbed at whatever he could as he and the Nutcracker fell into seven knows where.
Why does this keep happening to him?!