His thoughts are spinning painfully by the time he comes into awareness. They crash against each other like waves during a storm. He feels like he's caught up in those waves. His vision twists around sickeningly while his body is dragged in every direction. His throat dreadfully constricts, trying to force out bile that simply isn't there. He opens his mouth to let out whatever is clawing up his throat, and he hears the shrill cries of a baby. He tries to tilt his head to the side to find the baby- hopefully to remedy its worries because the sobs aren't helping his headache- but his motor skills are nonexistent. No matter how many times he attempts to gain control over his body, he can't force any of his limbs to move the way he wants them to. Every attempt compounds his headache, but he doesn't give up until his arms are in front of his blurry eyes.

Everything sharpens into focus as soon as he identifies the hands as his own. Well, they feel like his own, but they certainly do not look the part. They are smaller than he remembers. They are slightly chubbier, too, and the proportions are wrong for a teenager. They look... he stills when the thought rises up in his mind. They look like the hands of a baby. Not exactly a newborn, but certainly one that hasn't been alive for a long period of time. The baby's hands in front of him follow his commands, if a little slower than he's used to. When he opens his mouth, another baby noise fills the air. He shuts his mouth, and as he expected but didn't want, the baby noise stops immediately.

He's a baby. It doesn't make logical sense, but he doesn't know what other conclusion he can draw. He's a baby, and he knows he's one. He remembers getting stabbed in an alleyway, and he knows that he died in that alleyway. No one had been there to save him, and even if someone did show up, it would have been too late for him, anyway. The golden man had been a figment of his imagination, a last wisp of comfort to sedate him as he went into the endless night.

Except, this doesn't feel like the endless night. He feels disorientated, yes, but he also feels very much alive. His hands are that of a baby. He keeps making baby noises. He should be dead, but now he's living as a baby.

He can feel the tell-tale burning of tears in his eyes, but he refuses to let them fall past his cheeks. He might be in the body of a baby, but he is not one. He is a teenager- a Big Man, as he would call himself- and Big Men did not cry. They adapted and they overcame their situations. He isn't sure what other people would do if they were stabbed and woke up in the body of a baby, but he knows what he is not going to do. He refuses to cry. He will continue living as if he's a teenager, and surely the people in this world will not care about him. Destiny, it seemed, has not finished making a fool of him.

"He's awake," A voice calls out. He startles to attention when a woman appears in his line of sight. She leans over the side of the cage he's in made from wooden beams painted white. She has long black hair that falls over her shoulder, almost close enough for him to touch with his raised hand. Her eyes are glowing a soft purple color, like if the dying embers of a fire were the color of wisteria flowers instead of marigolds. She wears a dark metal circlet that pushes back her hair, revealing a rounded, kind face that is smiling at him. Out of everyone he's ever met in his previous life, he thinks she might be the most beautiful. It isn't simply because she's stunning- even though she certainly is- but also because she's looking at him with such potent fondness that he completely forgets about his situation. No one has ever looked at him like that. He's never looked at anyone like that. He's never seen anyone look at anyone else like that. And she's looking at him. Well, she's looking at his baby form, so maybe that's why, but what if she continued to look at him like that when he became his true self again?

She leans even further into what he can only assume is a crib. She picks him up with all the gentleness in the world. He tries to protest, but she merely shushes him affectionately as she cradles him against her chest. She's hotter than he thought she would be, but the warmth seems to ease his pounding head. He leans closer into her, keeping his mouth shut. If she wants to hold him, he's not going to protest too much. Although he usually assumes that anyone who touches him has the intent to hurt him, he doesn't think that she's going to.

"Kristin... he looks just like me," Another voice calls out. A face appears right beside the woman, leaning over her shoulder. It's a man with wavy hair the color of golden wheat fields pulled back into a low ponytail. His eyes are genuinely bejeweled as if someone cut the paragon example of lapis lazuli and placed them into his eye sockets. His eyes, much like the woman's, are filled with love. And although it does surprise him to find two people who will look at him like that, he's more concerned with the wings affixed to the man's silhouette. They are as large as his body even as they are folded against his back. They seem to absorb all the light that shines upon them.

The man's appearance triggers a memory in his head, and the woman's name helps cement the recollection in the forefront of his mind.

When he was a teenager- obviously before he woke up as a baby- he had a lot of free time. He was friendless and his family hated him, after all. So, in his free time, he tried different hobbies that were popular with kids his age. At one point, a certain book became very popular. Everyone in his class would talk about it, and he didn't like being the only one who wasn't in the know. Despite his resistance to reading, he signed up for the website that contained all the chapters. He binged through the first few arcs of the book. When he was done, he finally had something to talk to his peers about. It was a fragile relationship, but for a few glorious weeks, he was able to talk to his classmates about something. Even when the book lost favor with his class, he continued to read it. He didn't particularly like it nor did he find any enjoyment in actually reading, but he was somewhat invested in the story and he wanted to pay his respect to the author that gave him an opportunity to be normal, if for a short while.

The book was called the Ender Prince. It was about a teenage boy named Ranboo who fell through a dimensional rift from a realm called the End to a realm called the Overworld. He landed on the continent of Server, more specifically the Antarctic Empire. The rulers of that empire were the Tsar and Tsaritsa, Philza and Kristin Craft. Ranboo continues exploring all the different countries in Server in the pursuit of rediscovering who he is and why he fell through a dimensional rift in the first place.

"Henceforth, his name shall be Theseus," Kristin whispers with a soft smile. He stills. A small part of him is a little peeved that he doesn't get to keep his actual name- Tommy, but the greater part of him is far more concerned with the implications of the situation. The Ender Prince's first arc took place in the Antarctic Empire, and the first villain was Theseus Craft, the third prince of the empire. When Ranboo lands in the empire, he is presented to Theseus as a servant. Theseus treats him the same way he treats all his servants- with mental abuse and hostility. Ranboo eventually makes allies in the empire, and they all come together to put an end to Theseus's tyranny. Theseus is executed for treason, among other crimes that came to light because of Ranboo's allies. Tommy, for whatever reason, has been reborn as a third prince destined to die.

Big Men aren't supposed to cry, but Tommy does. He feels it bubbles in his chest. Before he can stop himself, he's howling like a wild animal. He certainly feels like a caged one. Why must he be reborn only to die once more? It would have been easier for everyone if he had simply gone to the afterlife, or easier still if his soul had been discarded into the folds of eternity. Instead, destiny tightened a noose around his neck once more, daring him to step out of line. Tommy didn't want to die, but he wasn't sure how he was supposed to get out of this one. He allowed himself to cry because there was nothing else he could do.

"Theseus, it's alright, dear," Kristin whispers to him, starting to sway back and forth. Philza stands by anxiously, his hands ready to take care of anything his wife tells him to. Tommy doesn't stop crying. It isn't alright, and he literally doesn't have the ability to tell them as such. He wants to beg for any other name, as if that would be enough to save him. He doesn't want to live as Theseus, but he doesn't want to die, either. He's stuck between a rock and a hard place, and both are digging painfully into his body as he wastes all the energy preserved in his infantile form. He tires himself out crying, and he isn't mentally strong enough to keep himself awake. Like a fool, he falls asleep in front of the people who will only be his downfall.

—---—

The ballroom falls deadly silent. Ranboo holds his breath, pressing a hand against his chest to feel his slowing heartbeat. Although the tsar commands the attention in the room, Ranboo finds himself staring at Theseus. The prince is standing in the center of the room with a wide berth around him. Everyone knows he's volatile, and Ranboo is terrified to see what the prince will do now that he's trapped between the truth and a crowd of people who despise him. Ranboo has seen how violent Theseus can be when he discovers that clever words are not enough. While Ranboo has no love for the aristocracy, he is sympathetic to everyone who is standing around the prince.

"Enough," The tsar calls out. Ranboo's attention snaps away from the back of Theseus's head to Philza. The ruler has always treated Ranboo with such unwavering kindness that it feels uncanny to see a hardened glint in his eyes. On some level, Ranboo knows that a tsar of a nation as large as the Antarctic Empire would need to be serious and commanding at times, but it is unnerving to see that emotionless gaze. Ranboo knows that if Philza were to look at him like that, he would start crying immediately. No matter how much he hates Theseus, he has to respect the prince's mental fortitude. It's one of the very few points of envy for Ranboo concerning the prince.

"Father, I have presented you with all the evidence. Theseus has been colluding with the nobility to claim the crown that does not rightfully belong to him. He has mentally and physically abused all of his servants. His rather childish temper tantrums have cost the empire alliances, priceless relics, and peace of mind. As if his treachery- both intentionally and otherwise- are not enough, we must not forget that he has forced an honored guest of the empire, Ranboo, to use his unique magic to eliminate the imperial physician, Ponk," Wilbur continues despite his father silencing the room. Ranboo was never particularly close with Wilbur, but like Philza, Ranboo was unaware of how cruel Wilbur could look. It's for good reason, of course, but Ranboo wonders how long Wilbur has been waiting to take Theseus down.

"I have heard your testimony, Tsesarevich Wilbur. It is unnecessary for you to repeat yourself," Philza informs him with sharpening eyes. Wilbur does not flinch away from the look like Ranboo would have done. Wilbur shifts his body language, implying that all of the theatrics and waiting are overdone. Ranboo isn't as comfortable as Wilbur is. Ranboo feels like he's going to puke, and the only thing stopping him is that Tubbo is right beside him. Tubbo would be upset if Ranboo puked on him, and he would be concerned if Ranboo puked anywhere else. Ranboo did not want the room's attention on him. He would rather everyone stay focused on Theseus.

Theseus looks up from his position in the middle of the room, and he looks Ranboo directly in the eyes as if he already knew exactly where Ranboo was going to be seated. Ranboo knows that Theseus would not have that information, so he can't suppress the shudder that races down his spine. A smirk appears on Theseus's face for a brief second. It's gone before anyone else can see it, but Ranboo has. Ranboo swallows down the bile rising in his throat. Even when Theseus is being condemned, he still finds a way to unsettle Ranboo. Even when he is a prisoner and Ranboo is free, Theseus will prove time and time again that he is in more control of the situation than anyone expects. Ranboo wishes that Theseus would have used that intelligence for good, but somewhere along the path of childhood, Theseus lost his way.

"I have come to a decision," Philza speaks. Theseus looks back at his father with an expression completely void of any emotion. Likewise, Philza stares at his son without any semblance of love or regret. In all the time Ranboo has been at the palace, the imperial family and Theseus have never shared a bond common to families. Ranboo often wonders if they care about each other at all. Philza continues, further proving Ranboo's observations. "For committing treason against the crown, exploiting the people of this empire, and being involved in illegal trades, I sentence Theseus Craft to expulsion from the imperial family and immediate execution."

—---—

His eyes feel crusty as he pries them open, and although the room is dark, he knows he isn't in his bedroom. The high vaulted roof above his head painted with an artist's rendition of the night sky is not in his bedroom. The silver and white mobile with crystal fixtures tied to silver strings hanging above his white crib is worth more than his parent's entire house. His limbs are still shrunk down into the size of a baby. It had not been a nightmare- this was his new reality. He was Theseus Craft, the first villain of the Ender Prince, whether he liked it or not. And he most definitely did not like it.

The reason he woke up is not for some arbitrary reason. A figure is standing at his crib. They have their arms crossed over the top of the wood, precariously leaning over it. Tommy would have been terrified if he didn't immediately recognize the person covered in shadows. Tommy feels dread in the pit of his stomach as his brain helpfully supplies him with a name, Wilbur. This is Theseus's eldest brother, and the heir to the Antarctic Empire's throne. In the novel, Wilbur and Theseus are the bane of each other's existence. They verbally fight any time they are in close proximity with each other, and they do everything in their power to make a fool of the other. At the end of the first arc, Ranboo and his allies give all their evidence to Wilbur. The prince is truly the one that reveals Theseus's treachery for all to see. In the novel, Ranboo is oddly creeped out by the smile Wilbur wore during Theseus's execution. It's one of the reasons why Ranboo leaves the empire for the next nation.

Another person comes to stand beside Wilbur, and Tommy is horrified when he recognizes the pink hair of Techno Craft. He is Wilbur's twin and Theseus's other brother. In the novel, Techno and Theseus didn't have much of a relationship. Ranboo always noted that they were like strangers. Techno even blatantly says that he doesn't care for Theseus to Ranboo after the protagonist develops a tentative friendship with the stoic prince. Techno doesn't participate in the fight for the throne, instead vying for the position as the next general of the empire's advanced army. For this reason, Techno is given the ultimate test of his resolve: can he execute his brother, a traitor? Techno passes the test with flying colors. He is the one who executes Theseus. It is his axe that separates Theseus's head from his body. The author didn't illustrate a lot of the story, but the execution scene was one of the few drawn pictures. It was terrifying to see as a reader, and it was coming back to haunt Tommy as he looked into the deep red eyes of Techno.

"He's so tiny, Techno," Wilbur whispers with awe in his voice. He looks at his twin brother with a smile brushing against his lips. He is hanging on the crib like a monkey, and Tommy is worried that the whole thing will fall over. Tommy doubts that his fragile baby body will be able to withstand that sort of tumble. He supposes that he might have some sort of plot armor until his death is due, but he doesn't want to test that theory.

"We need to leave, Wilbur, before someone catches us here," Techno whispers back, his eyes trained on the ajar door on the far side of the room. Candlelight washes against the wall from the small opening, and Techno's body tenses at every shadow passing by. Tommy agrees with Techno. He doesn't particularly care if his new brothers get in trouble, but he doesn't want them to stay any longer than they have to.

"You're such a- oh. Look, brother, he's awake," Wilbur tells him, his face falling back towards Tommy. The two of them make eye contact, and Wilbur's eyes widen even further than they already have. A comforting smile spreads all the way across his lips. Tommy wonders how this youthful, excitable Wilbur could become the borderline manic, manipulative bitch that is depicted in the Ender Prince. Theseus must have done something really horrible to Wilbur for the boy who is looking at Tommy like he's awe-inspiring to hate his guts. Wilbur leans down into the crib, reaching down to pick Tommy up. Tommy does not like this one bit, but he doesn't want to make a scene- lest he incurs Wilbur or Techno's wrath.

Like Kristin before him, Wilbur places Tommy against his chest. Wilbur holds Tommy far more gently than Tommy would expect of someone who couldn't have been much older than a baby himself. If he remembers correctly, the twins and Theseus have a five year difference in age. If Tommy is a baby- not quite a newborn but he doesn't feel like he's a year old, either- Wilbur and Techno should be five or six years old. Wilbur smiles at Tommy, "I'm sorry if we woke you up, Theseus. Mama wouldn't let us come to see you, so we had to sneak over. We're your big brothers. I'm Wilbur. Wil-bur."

Tommy already knows that, but he can't exactly tell Wilbur that. Even if he could verbally speak, Tommy isn't sure what will happen to him if he informs his new family that he remembers his past life. He doesn't know what the standard is in this world, and he wouldn't want to spend the entirety of his next life in a looney bin- even if it got him out of an execution. Wilbur tilts his head at Tommy curiously. "You have such soulful eyes, Theseus. It looks like you're actually thinking about something profound. You'll have to tell me all about it! Your big brother wants to know everything about you!"

Techno pops in once more with a worried look crossing his face. He reaches to grab Wilbur's wrist. He doesn't look at Tommy for more than a second, but he pulls his hand away when he returns his attention to Wilbur. Techno tilts his head towards the doorway. Tommy can no longer see it because of Wilbur's body, but he suspects that someone must be on their way. Techno says as much to Wilbur, "I believe I heard someone approaching, brother. We need to leave before one of the guards mistakes us for assassins or tells Mama that we snuck over when she told us not to."

Wilbur doesn't verbally respond. Instead, he turns towards Techno. Wilbur moves Tommy forward. Tommy panics, flailing his arms around to remind Wilbur that he is a baby- not a toy. Wilbur doesn't stop, and Techno instinctually grabs onto Tommy to keep him from falling or having his spine folded in the wrong way. Wilbur dances out of arm's length. Tommy blinks at the brunette before he looks up at Techno. The pink-haired boy is staring down at Tommy with eyes blown wide. Techno's lips form into a frown, and Tommy understands what's going through Techno's mind simply because Techno told Ranboo about it later in their relationship. Techno was certain that he wasn't made for precious. He uses too much strength and too little words, and he ends up ruining whatever falls into his hands. Techno is panicking over holding a baby. Tommy knows that his stare probably isn't easing any of Techno's worries.

Techno raises his hand up. Tommy watches as it slowly approaches him. He wonders if Techno is going to choke him, but Techno's hand stops when it's above Tommy's chest. Tommy reaches a hand up. His motor skills are still terrible, but he manages to wrap his fingers around one of Techno's fingers. Techno physically startles when Tommy makes contact. He looks at Tommy's face with panicked eyes. Tommy wonders what exactly is going through Techno's head, but a good thought must have passed through because Techno finally relaxes. He holds Tommy close, keeping his hand where Tommy can reach it. Like Kristin, Techno runs a little hotter than the average person should, but it is somehow equally comforting. Tommy and Techno calm down at the same time, and Wilbur coos when he approaches once more.

"Isn't he adorable, Techno? This is our little brother. We have a little brother!" Wilbur is far more excited about having a sibling than Tommy thought children were supposed to be. Shouldn't they be worried that he would take up all of their parent's love? Or was the Craft family so well-adjusted that the thought didn't cross the twin's minds? Tommy felt the jealousy coil painfully in his stomach. He wished his former family was this caring.

"Wait... I think I heard something!" Wilbur whispers, looking towards the door with wide eyes. He rushes over immediately. Techno rises to attention. He places Tommy back into the crib. He frowns when Tommy releases Techno's finger, but he disappears before Tommy can read the look beyond the frown. He hears more whispers and the door clicks shut. Tommy watches as the light in the room disappears, leaving only some silvery moonlight from a window in the far corner.

Tommy closes his eyes. Even if he wasn't a baby, it is way too late to be awake right now for him. He would deal with all the troublesome thoughts when the morning came. All he knows is that he refuses to let destiny win in this life. No matter what it takes, he's going to live.

—---—

Ranboo stands on the imperial balcony with Wilbur and Philza. He is seated in a throne on Philza's left side. That alone makes him extremely nervous, but the reason he's seated there truly makes him unsettled. He has a perfect view of the wooden stage down the road, surrounded by hundreds of citizens that live in the imperial capital. Techno stands on that stage in one of the corners, a solemn expression on his face and a mist covering his blood red eyes. Two guards walk onto the stage with a figure wearing a black bag over his head between their arms. The guards leave the prisoner on the stage when they climb back down. Techno moves from his position to the prisoner, ripping the bag off their head.

Theseus's golden hair is matted with dirt, sweat, and blood. His pale skin is gaunt and covered in sickly bruises. His muddied arms are tied behind his back, and his bare legs are covered in long gashes that still bubble with blood. Despite his untidy appearance, his face is unwavering and his body does not tremble. Despite the fact that he no longer carries the imperial name, his crystalline purple eyes mark him as a member of the family. Those eyes look at the crowd around him with the same disdainful dismissal he looks at everyone with. Ranboo shudders when Theseus's eyes lift up to the balcony. There is no hate in his eyes even as he stares down the man who ordered his execution, the man who showed the world his sins, and the man who brought those sins to light in the first place. If anything, he looks disinterested.

Techno does not utter a word as he kicks the back of Theseus's knee. The former prince falls to his knees, gritting his teeth when the wooden stage digs into his bare knees. He continues to look at the world as if he were above it all even though he is now on his knees before it. A few people dare to throw rocks. Theseus's attention snaps to every single thrower after each rock lands on the ground. Ranboo covers his mouth with his gloved hand. He always hated how Theseus simply knew where people were. No one could sneak up on him, and no one could hide from him. Ranboo can still feel Theseus's hands pulling at his hair to drag Ranboo out of a location that by all rights should have hidden him well.

"We are here to execute the traitor, Theseus. Does the traitor have any last words?" Techno says. His voice silences the crowd. A crow caws in the distance, and it sounds like an explosion with how silent the rest of the world is. Ranboo has never heard the city this quiet. He is used to it bustling with commerce and laughter. Today, the entire empire has fallen silent. It isn't to mourn- no one will mourn Theseus. Not even the people that tolerated Theseus or respected him as a prince will not care. The only reason everyone is silent is because they are waiting for the prince's death. Everyone will be happy when the prince is dead, or so they assume. Ranboo knows he will be safer, but he's never had the stomach for death. He would much rather the prince be locked away, but no one actually listens to his opinion no matter how many times he's told he's important.

Perhaps that was the redeeming virtue of Theseus- he did not often pretend. When he disliked someone, he made it clear. When he wanted someone's opinion, he made it known. He did not waste time sucking up to people. He did not send mixed signals to Ranboo like everyone else in the palace did. Theseus did not treat Ranboo kindly only to ignore his opinions and thoughts. He did not treat Ranboo cruelly only to respect what he had to say. Theseus was consistent in all things, and Ranboo supposed some part of him would miss the easiness.

"To those who plotted my downfall, I shall see you all in purgatory," Theseus says, and finally, an emotion flickers across his face. He smirks. He has the audacity to smirk when he is seconds away from dying. And worst of all, he dares to look up at Ranboo. He continues smiling as he proclaims, "Good luck on your fool's errand."

Ranboo regrets ever asking Theseus for help finding out why he was sent to the Overworld. He regrets ever believing that Theseus could be a remorseful, kind-hearted person. He regrets ever meeting the damned prince. He hates Theseus so much, but he can't get over the fear in his heart.

Techno raises his axe in the air. He does not hesitate, but he does wait, his eyes trained on the balcony. Ranboo turns to see what Techno is looking at. He firstly sees Wilbur, and while he knows that isn't what Techno is looking at, Ranboo feels extremely disturbed by the excited smile on Wilbur's lips and the crazed look in his eyes. Ranboo looks away before Wilbur gets the idea to turn that expression onto Ranboo. His attention next goes to Sneeg. The air elemental king is sitting on the back of Philza's throne, staring at the mortal happenings with idle interest. His contractor, Philza, stood before his throne with a hand raised. Ranboo holds his breath as Philza takes in a steadying one. Philza throws his hand down, and Ranboo almost misses it. But he turns his head in time to see Techno's axe slide cleanly through Theseus's neck. The prince's head tumbles off the stage, landing on the ground as his body deflates against the wood. Ranboo barely has time to open a void portal to catch all of his vomit.