What our protagonists were not aware of was the Royal Guard known as the Blazer watching them from the roof of a nearby building. They examined the crew, remembering the conversation from earlier that day:

There was an alarm going off in the lower level of Karier Castle—one that only went off when a group on the watchlist were breaking the law.

A frigid man stood in front of a monitor screen, gazing at the security footage. He had a regal posture, one fit for a king, his long white robes and dazzling cold crown only confirming the fact. His icy eyes were so focused on the screen, he missed the sound of footsteps coming his way.

“You called?”

He turned around at the slightly muffled voice, his ashen blonde shoulder-length hair only barely moving from its carefully styled parting as he did so.

The Royal Guard in front of him hastily kneeled down, obediently voicing a “My king” at his countenance.

His expression morphed into a smile. While the action should’ve been a pleasant sight, it only made the man look off-putting, almost as if he hadn’t smiled in decades. “Blazer, do rise. We are close acquaintances. There’s no need for such formalities.”

They did so, their obsidian helmet covering their expression. “You seemed expectant.”

“Of course not. Simply… perturbed.”

“By—if you could forgive me asking—what?”

“Come. Walk with me,” he replied, resting an arm around their shoulder and pulling them away. As they headed back upstairs and made their way through the dazzling castle walls, he continued. “Blazer, your extermination skills are quite… reliable, are they not?”

“They are, my king.”

“Then I have a job for you.”

“Does it have to do with that group?”

He chuckled a little, the chilling sound echoing around the rooms. “You’re quite perceptive. Yes, it does.” He stopped and turned around to face them. “They’re troublemakers and must be put in their place. They have no respect for the planet, the government, or us.”

“That much is clear, my king.”

“Good. Here’s the issue. They must be kept alive.”

“…Then, what do you need me for?”

“Ah! A terrific question! I’d like you to… frighten them a bit. They seem to be having a gathering at the Bird’s house. Go take care of it and report back to me.”

“Of course, my king. Consider it done.”

They shifted their gaze to the flames dancing in their hand. Frighten them but don’t overdo it. Quite a challenge here you gave me, King Cerderic. Well, have no fear. People are afraid of what they don’t understand. And no one understands the nature of fire. They smirked, clenching their fist and putting out the flames.

They quietly jumped down from the building and approached the house, peering inside. In front of them was an… interesting scene, one some may describe as glorious and others may describe as terrifying.

In Zii and Morritsko’s case, it was the latter.

“It’s called mistletoe,” Elbony explained, a smirk on her face. “Apparently, if two people are found underneath it, they have to kiss.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Zii growled as she backed away from the blue foreigner.

“What if it’s us who end up under it, hmm~? Morritsko, would you get jealous~?”

“Absolutely not,” they both replied at the same time.

“I’m not kissing you, ridiculous human tradition or not,” Zii declared. “Ask your boyfriend instead, and stop flirting with me.”

“Awww– You’re no fun!” she whined. “And he’s not boyfriend! We’re like, friends with benefits or something.”

“Whatever. I don’t care.”

“And neither do I,” the Guard concurred. “Now stop. It’s annoying.”

“But c’mon~~ It’s mistletoe~!” she laughed, chasing Zii with the plant in hand.

“Why me? Just go dangle it in front of Mr. I’m-so-cool-and-don’t-have-to-do-anything-but-read-all-day-and-criticize-others-like-the-boring-bastard-I-am-cause-I-have-mutant-powers-and-am-rich-and-am-sooOOO-special instead.”

She skidded to a stop, bursting into laughter at the name. “The heck!? That’s so perfect, though—”

“I’m not even going to bother,” he announced in that same exasperated and drawled-out tone.

Zii just rolled her eyes in response, clearly done with the world.

Idiots. They won’t even see me coming, will they? Now, how should I get inside…? the Blazer wondered, about to turn away from the window. Their question was soon answered, though, thanks to our favorite dear St. Nick.

“Moving on,” Tatsy interrupted them. “You were telling us about this ‘Santa Clause’?”

“Oh yeah!” Elbony exclaimed, putting the mistletoe away and flopping back onto the couch. “Basically, he comes down the chimney and gives out presents. It’s tradition to leave the fire off and set out milk and cookies for him. He’s supposed to know if you’re a good or bad person, and he lives in the North Pole of Earth with elves!”

“What rubbish,” Zii muttered. “How can anyone live in such a place? What about electricity? And food?”

“Don’t ask me. He’s loved by kids cause he gives them what they want for Christmas if they’re on the ‘nice list’.”

“How does he get through so many people in one night? This sounds like a conspiracy taught to kids by adults so that they behave.”

“Don’t be such a downer! It’s just for fun!”

“Besides, not everything’s a conspiracy,” Tatsy added, shaking his head.

“Well, whatever. We’re not leaving the fire off. It’s too damn cold for that.”

“Just this once?” the Ovalean pleaded, attempting to enlarge her already huge eyes.

“…Tatsy’s choice. I’m going to bed. Good. Night.” And without waiting for a response, she headed upstairs.

“Just this once, alright?” the Bird replied, turning off the fire. “Now we should all get some rest as well. It’s getting late.”

The other two nodded, and soon enough, the house had quieted down completely.

Oh. Perfect~ The Blazer chuckled to themselves, climbing the house and sliding through the chimney. Really such foolish people. Shouldn’t you know that we’re always watching? We know everything, no matter how well you think you hide it. You’re only alive because we allow you to be. You have no power. And now, you will suffer. With that, they set the pine tree on fire, watching as the flames danced across the needles, red intertwining with green, before leaving.

At first, no one seemed to notice. But as the burning smell wafted through the house, eyes began to open one by one. And then came the screaming.

Elbony was the first to notice as Ovaleans are very sensitive to fire. She was yelling and panicking, hopping from foot to foot and unable to form a coherent sentence.

Tatsy woke next, running into the living room and attempting to calm Elbony down.

Third was Zii. She’d heard the scream and came bolting downstairs immediately, asking “What’s going on? Who died? WhY’s tHe TrEe On FiRe?” in a calm but rattled tone.

Last was Morritsko, whose naturally apathetic personality made him perfectly indifferent to the chaos before him.

“We need to– We need to put it out!” Elbony yelled, her voice shaky and words slurred. “How do we!? What do we!? Why do we!? We! We we! Uhhhh– HUH!?!?”

“What is wrong with her?” Zii yelled, irritated by the incomprehensible sentences. “Elbony, you dumbass, get it together! Use that barely functional half a braincell of yours and calm down!!”

“It’s four in the morning. Be quiet,” Morritsko drawled, his tone showing hints of frustration.

“But! Tree! We trees!? Why do we trees fire!? Why are we on fire!?!?”

“Her brain’s officially made of straw,” Zii muttered, facepalming herself.

“That was obvious from day one,” the Guard replied.

“Tatsy, do something! She’s making matters a million times worse!”

“I’m doing the best I can. Please just hold on,” he replied, raising his voice so that he could be heard over the incoherent screeching. “Elbony?”

No reply.

“Elbony,” he tried again, patient.

Still no reply.

“Elbony, listen to me please!”

She turned to face him, fear in her eyes.

“Look, it’s alright. The fire is only on the tree, and it hasn’t spread anywhere else. It’s like a… fireplace of sorts. Just focus on the warmth. It’s cold outside, but it’s nice and cozy here, right?”

She nodded, calming down a bit.

“That’s it. Deep breaths. It’s all going to be okay.”

“R-right…” she exhaled. “Sorry. You know how it is. Fire. Water.” She laughed a little.

“It’s alright. I’ll make some tea?”

“Okay. Thanks.”

“What about the tree?” Zii asked as the two of them went to the kitchen.

“I’m going back to sleep,” Morritsko murmured, turning around.

“Uh, hello? The tree’s still on fire!?”

Nothing.

“Oh, c’mon!” she groaned, taking a seat on the couch. “I’m surrounded by incompetent idiotic fools who all share a single strand of straw for a brain. …At least the fire’s nice and warm. Ugh…”