The Steadfast Tin Soldier

Wow! I can't believe the first chapter has been so well-received! Before I begin this chapter I just wanna say thank you! Without you all, I wouldn't have had the confidence to write a third story, so I now present you the second chapter of The Steadfast Tin Soldier!


Chapter 2: She's not Yours

Warm.

That was what Aria felt every time she would see that peculiar one-legged soldier standing on the edge of the table, watching over all the inhabitants like a real cavalryman would.

It's been several weeks since the boy who played here every day got a set of tin soldiers on his birthday and there was that one man who was different than the rest. But the boy played with him just as much as his brethren born from the same tin spoon.

The boy would address each individual soldier by name and the ballerina soon learned that the one-legged man's name was Kai.

It was unusual but it couldn't be more apt for the distinctive soldier.

'He's so different…' Aria thought while looking at the admittedly handsome soldier who will be forever incomplete with his one leg but that wasn't the only reason why he stood out to her.

The rest of the soldiers just stared at whatever was in front of them, as if caring about nothing except their duties to guard and protect the nursery while Kai would look at his surroundings in a diligent yet curious manner. His hot amber eyes looked at the palace where she resided with awe and had a cautious expression when the flames of the stove with caution because of his tin body, he will melt if he gets too close.

The same could be said for the little ballerina because her gorgeous tutu was made from highly flammable material so she too avoided the stove.

Thus, days would pass by in which the soldier and ballerina see nothing but each other.

But it was a different story once the sun goes down and the moon and stars illuminate the night sky because something peculiar happens when people are asleep.

The toys in the nursery were always eager for the clock to strike midnight. Once both hands on the clock reach the big number twelve, that's when they come to life. While the little ones slept the night away, their precious playthings had the nursery to themselves and can finally be more like the humans who created them.

Now that they can move freely, the tin soldiers marched off to take patrol in the nursery. With only one leg, all Kai can do was hop around and it was difficult to keep up with his brethren. He still did his best to stay with them but he soon fell behind and they forgot about him.

But he didn't mind.

The steadfast soldier now found himself closer than ever to the ballerina.

Like all the toys Aria can now move like a human and she began to dance on the glass lake. The dainty ballerina made tiny steps on her tip-toes and leapt and twirled gracefully on the mirror that cast her reflection. Her dance was so gorgeous many of the toys gathered to watch the tiny ballerina, including the one-legged soldier.

But to Kai, this left him dismayed by a bitter realization.

Aria actually had two legs the whole time. She really was too grand for him.

The beautiful ballerina also took notice of the downtrodden soldier who now stood at the edge of the lake, admiring her until he realized they weren't the same. She walked with grace on her toes until she was standing in front of him.

"Kai…?"

Her voice was rather high-pitched but it was also robust.

The one-legged soldier was surprised to see the ballerina so close to him despite her being way above him. He didn't even care that she somehow knew his name.

Why would she bother with him if they belonged to two different worlds?

"Kai…" Aria brought one delicate hand against his cheek and turned his head so he can look at her. Those beautiful sky blue eyes looked even more enticing up close.

"D-don't bother with me…" He tried not to look at her, no matter how gorgeous she was, "I'm nowhere near your level."

"Just because you have one leg doesn't mean you're not as good as the other soldiers."

To Kai's surprise, the ballerina didn't reject him because he will be incomplete forever. In fact, she seemed to embrace his difference from the other soldiers.

"Actually, it makes you even more special."

Once he turned to face her, he was greeted by her smile.

Under the moonlight, the sequin on the ballerina's waist sparkled like the sun.

If he was suddenly taken and thrown out the window or even into the stove, Kai wouldn't care. As long as he had this one moment with Aria, that was all he needed to die happy. The strange warm feelings returned to both of them as they stood still, gazing at each other. While the toys went about playing and making noise, Kai and Aria stayed right where they were, both standing on one leg and seeing only each other.

But then, the clock struck three.

The toys looked around in alarm and scurried back to their original positions as quickly as they can and were once again inanimate playthings.

Aria also seemed startled by the time. She wrapped her thin arms around Kai for just one brief second before rushing back to the front of her palace and was back in the same position as she had before midnight, leaving him standing at the edge of the lake.

It was for the briefest of moments but the soldier will never forget that tender embrace.

In the darkness, a strange yet familiar tune suddenly played with a haunting echo.

After spending days in the nursery, Kai knew that sound. Whenever the children would wind up the gear on a box they kept in the room, that same jingle would play. Once the melody ended, a spring with a rather frightening face and disproportionately small arms would burst out of the box but the children would only laugh when the figure popped out.

They called it a jack-in-the-box.

"Stop looking."

A gravelly voice that wasn't even in the slightest bit smooth echoed in the moonlight.

Because of his duties as a soldier, Kai remained steadfast, refusing to show any fear.

"I said stop looking." The voice repeated in a more aggressive tone.

Aggravated by the hoarse cacophony breaking the tranquility between him and Aria, Kai turned around and was now face to face with the jack-in-the-box. His face was terrifying but the soldier stood firm on one leg like he was meant to do, refusing to show fear.

"Don't look at her." The troll-like figure warned Kai, pointing at Aria who stood still on one leg, still reaching out to her tin soldier.

"Why?" Kai asked.

"Don't desire something that isn't yours."

"Then who does she belong to?"

"She doesn't belong to you."

"And she's not yours either."

The moment he talked back at the vile thing, Kai knew this could be the end of him

The hideous creature's frown grew larger, making him look even more disturbing but Kai stood strong like the soldier he was meant to be.

"Just you wait, soldier. You'll learn not to covet what will never be yours."

Then the figure retreated into his box and disappeared.

Despite his warnings, the soldier went back to gazing at his ballerina, who in turn, gazed back at him with her arms stretched out towards him and standing on one leg just like him.

Whether or not the jack-in-the-box will strike again, Kai didn't care.

As a soldier, he'll uphold his duty to protect Aria from that wicked thing. He didn't know when or where he'll see him again, but he will be ready…


And that's the second chapter to The Steadfast Tin Soldier.

First thing I wanna say is… I'm SO sorry for not updating! I wanted to get this chapter done a few days ago but a bunch of real life stuff happened and I can only focus on Chosen by Destiny! Again, I'm SO sorry!

Second, jack-in-the-box!Overlord appeared at 3 AM because that time is considered in some cultures the 'demon hour' & he's the epitome of all evil so… yeah.

Hopefully, the next update won't take as long as this one & don't forget to review!