Chapter Text
His Majesty Dark Cacao Cookie had become stir-crazy while traveling back to The Citadel.
He must have been worried Seven days had elapsed since he boarded the ship. He spent the trip without a single letter from his people; Further clueless to the strange plague that had descended upon the land.
The king reread that first, urgent letter hundreds of times. Reading over and over between every line. He hoped for something more each time he unfolded it. But the note remained unchanged. This only further drove his craze.
Pure Vanilla Cookie had not enjoyed the ship any more than his fellow ancient. The choppy waves surrounding the mountains of the citadel made him sick. Sleep remained illusive to the king. Rest was a luxury he could not afford. He found it difficult to maintain the integrity of the spell in his sleep. So, he did not allow himself to rest. Heโd pinned his hopes on the ancient power inside him for rejuvenation and strength, but after eight sleepless days, he felt his energy waning. Though he remained strong yet. He refused to allow Shadow Milk Cookie to cut loose.
After a week at sea, The shipโs inhabitants were eager to come into port.
As the ship approached the harbor one fine afternoon, a brisk wind rushed through the walls of the ship. Pure Vanilla Cookie readied himself, now sporting a gift from Dark Cacao Cookie himself. It was a thick, furry cloak. Cream wolf fur, found in the mountains of his kingdom, was woven into threads and used to decorate the neck and inner side. The cloak was a tempered gray color, with subtle hints of blue.
The king wrapped the new cloak around his shoulders, finding himself warm, even in the subarctic climate. He took gentle care to stow away his royal cloak and transfer his soul jam along with it.
Strangely enough, while unclipping his soul jam, he noticed a small black fleck in one of its cloves. Visible even through the eye of his staff. He tried to scrub it off with his thumb, but to no avail.
Pure Vanilla Cookie dismissed the thought. He carried on with his packing.
Gathering the last few bits and bobs from around his quarters, he sealed and latched his suitcase. With his suitcase in one hand, and staff in the other, he headed up to the deck.
The mighty wall of the citadel provided shade and cover from the wind as the ship was pulling into the harbor. Sailors skittered about the ship, tossing ropes and preparing to pull into port.
Todayโs sky was clear and cloudless, and the weather was fair. Though a bitter chill carried in the wind, in the Dark Cacao Kingdom, it was a warm day.
It had been many years since Pure Vanilla Cookie last visited the Citadel. If memory served him, His last visit was for the third birthday of Dark Choco Cookie. It had been fourteen years. According to the letters Pure Vanilla had exchanged with Dark Cacao Cookie during the years in between, the kingdom had grown vastly since. It was a sight to behold upon his last visit, to be certain, but now with many new sectors and extensions to the wall meant to keep the sea monsters at bay.
He counted himself lucky to have Dark Cacao Cookie to guide him around the kingdom. Any less, and he feared he would become lost in the seemingly endless twists and turns of the city. He did not visit nearly enough to familiarize himself with the setting but was grateful to have a friend who memorized the city as if it were the back of his hand.
As Pure Vanilla Cookie placed his suitcase beside himself, The Cacao king appeared at his side.
โ โ Welcome back.โ โ
Dark Cacao Cookie greeted, watching on as the sailors tossed in ropes, and began setting down the board so that they could get off. His eyes rose to the grand wall surrounding the kingdom, securing it from all sides.
โ โ Thank you. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie replied. โ โ I was just thinking, how long has it been? Fourteen years? โ โ
โ โ Far too long. โ โ Dark Cacao Cookie shook his head. His hand sat on his hilt.
โ โ Yet, still not long for us. โ โ The Vanillian King snickered softly. โ โ Regardless, itโs always a pleasure. โ โ
โ โ While the circumstances are not always ideal when you visit-โ โ Dark Cacao Cookie came to the board after the crew completed the final preparations. โ โ I always enjoy having company. โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookiesโ mind shifted. He seemed to forget the risk heโd taken on this boat trip. A sinking sensation arose in his chest. The soft smile fell from his lips.
โ โ Yes- it truly is a shame. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie spoke quietly. โ โ But Espresso Cookie, as well as myself, will do everything we possibly can to assist. I too enjoy your company.โ โ
โ โ Iโm certain you will. โ โ The king sounded sure of himself. โ โ My full faith lies in both of you. We will get to the bottom of this in no time. โ โ
As they left the boat and stepped on to the dock, the air seemed thick and strangely powdery. It reminded the Vanilla King of fog, though the air of the kingdom was clear.
Espresso Cookie scampered moments later to join the group as they began their way through the wall, past two guards clad in thick armor. Both uttered, โ โWelcome back, your majesty. โ โ
โ โIt will be wise to head straight to the clinic. โ โ Dark Cacao Cookie said as he nodded his greetings to the guards. As the three entered the kingdom, it was strangely quiet.
Pure Vanilla Cookie recalled his last visit, he remembered the city to be quite busy. The sudden silence befuddled him. โ โ Quite wise. โ โ He replied, lost in thought, though he shook it off.
โ โ I was told that this illness came in with a fog. The letter sent to me said that no storm followed. Just a thick, bitter fog. Cookies started falling sick, right as it hit. โ โ The dark king spoke as he led the two, past the armory, and up the staircases wrapping around the mountainous town, to the clinic.
โ โ That must be what Iโm smelling on the air. Itโs a strange oder, isnโt it? โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie upturned his head.
โ โ It reeks. โ โ Espresso Cookie chimed in. โ โ What are the symptoms? Were you told? โ โ
โ โ Yes. โ โ Dark Cacao Cookie could recall without a glance at the paper, which stayed tucked into the hilt of his blade.
โ โ The letter came to me from a close associate of mine, Caramel Arrow Cookie. She said that they have been calling this illness The Pale Ailment. It leaves cookies feeling tired, apatheticโฆand with paling, powdery dough. There have been many reported cases of hallucinations. She said that they have already tried the extensive use of our dark chocolate, to very limited results. Ingredients like icicle grass and chocolate shoots have been tested as well. She says nothing has stopped it yet. โ โ
โ โ I was told that the residents of the Cacao Kingdom were exceptionally strong. โ โ As Espresso Cookie glanced about the quiet streets, he leaned in to whisper to his king.
โ โ They are. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie replied. โ โ That is what worries me. โ โ
The king then spoke up, his fellow magician drew away from his side. โ โ It sounds unlike anything I have ever seen. โ โ
Dark Cacao Cookie nodded. โ โ They can hardly move, she says. Those who catch the worst of it succumb, crumbling to become nothing but flour. โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookie had heard of different illnesses in cookies, to be sure, but never one that turned cookies into flour. โ โ We will do whatever we can to rid your beloved citadel of this illness. โ โ
Soon, they came to the door of the clinic. Dark Cacao Cookie opened and held the door for the two who followed behind him.
The powdery air was worst here. The scent of sickness wafted through the room in waves. Cookies lay on their backs, scattered about and tended to by nurses. Old, young, big, and small, the sickness affected all. Pure Vanilla Cookie laid his hand gently upon the top of his orchid staff, awakening it from its slumber, wishing to see just how many cookies had come down with the sickness.
What he found shocked him. What he saw must have been a solid third of the kingdomโs residents, struggling to fight off the vicious illness. Patches of the cookies doughs appeared as if they had been painted bright white. Some of them appeared lifeless. Breathing, yes, but completely devoid of their spirit.
There were so many nurses and doctors, yet they all seemed clueless as to what could be done. Rations and supplies had fallen extremely low, some of them had even begun to come down with the ailment as well.
With the slow, sickly pacing of the room, It did not take long for Dark Cacao Cookie, as well as his company to begin catching eyes. A nurse as well as Caramel Arrow Cookie approached.
โ โ You Majesty! You have returned! Our Lord has returned! โ โ
Caramel Arrow Cookie spoke with a pure ecstatic tone as she came before her king.
โ โ I hope you have had a safe journey, my lord. We have missed you. I was beginning to fear you had gotten lost at sea. โ โ
Caramel Arrow Cookie gave a deep bow in respect to her king, a motion which the nurse beside her followed.
โ โ It is good to be home. I came as soon as your letter arrived. โ โ
The King spoke with a practiced composure.
โ โ And how was the meeting, my lord? โ โ The archer questioned.
โ โ It seems as if many forces are at our throats. There has been hardship in the Vanilla Kingdom. What of Crunchy Chip Cookie? โ โ
โ โ I sent a letter to him at the same time I did to you. He replied, but he said a storm had come in higher upon the mountains. It will be a few days before he can come into the Citadel. โ โ
โ โ Very well. โ โ The king replied. โ โTwo of my friends have come along to assist us in ridding of this plague. Pure Vanilla Cookie, as well as Espresso Cookie. Espresso Cookie is a remarkable potion smith and magician of The Vanilla Kingdom, and we are all aware of Pure Vanilla Cookieโs remarkable healing abilities. โ โ The king lifted his arm from inside of his cloak to motion to the pair.
โ โ Always a pleasure, Pure Vanilla Cookie! Espresso Cookie, Welcome to the Dark Cacao Kingdom. I apologize, we have found ourselves in a rough patch, but we are eternally grateful for your help.โ โ Caramel Arrow Cookie bowed to the Vanillian king, as well as the coffee cookie beside him. But- as she carried on, Pure Vanilla Cookieโs attention drifted.
When he looked at Dark Cacao Cookie, He was seeking the confidence of the other to counteract his doubts, but what he saw was much different. The king of the Dark Cacao Kingdom looked completely crushed. Though he stood Motionless and appeared calm, Pure Vanilla Cookie could see it in his eyes. It was as if his soul jam had been torn from his chest. He spoke with equanimity, But the waters in his heart were turbulent.
He had to think of what it must have been like for his old friend. Dark Cacao Cookie had spent his entire life fighting. He fought his way to be a king, he fought the monsters that came from the sea, he fought in the Dark Flour Warโฆhe did everything he ever possibly could to keep his people and his people and his son safe from the constant danger that encompassed them. But at this moment, felt entirely useless. What was there to fight? What good was a sword here?
This place reeked of death. The worst of it was that the people had been without a king to turn to when this ailment began. In even such a short amount of time, the damage had been irreversible. It had come without rhyme or reason, and if the letter proved true, without a reliable source to rid of it. Dark Cacao Cookie had always valued his kingdom over his own life, his denizens were far closer to his soul jam than he had ever given off. He held them dearly, but he had a very funny way of showing it. To watch his kingdom suffer like this must have been a great pain.
โ โ Sire. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie was broken from his daze. His staffโs attention snapped away from the ancient beside him as Espresso Cookie snapped his fingers in the Vanilla Kingโs face.
โ โ Oh, Yes? โ โ He replied. He sounded shaken.
โ โ Our friend here has said your name about four times. Did you even notice, Sire? โ โ Espresso Cookie was highly unimpressed.
โ โ My apologies. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie said. His hand raised to hold his souljam. โ โ I do not mean to be distant. I- simply am struggling with this scene. โ โ
โ โ I ask you not to let your emotions get the better of you here, Sire. I understand your empathy, but it will not help you here. We have work to do, and we must act quickly. Lest we sabotage our own plans. โ โ Espresso Cookie adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
Pure Vanilla Cookie had his doubts. But, the coffee cookie had gotten one thing right. Time was of the essence. He felt guilt set in, and turned back to Caramel Arrow Cookie.
โ โ I truly apologize for my absent-mindedness. โ โ
Caramel Arrow Cookie quickly dismissed the apology, shaking her head. โ โ It is no worry, your majesty. You must have a lot on your mind. But know, The people are always excited to see you. โ โ She shared a soft smile.
โ โ It certainly has been a while since Iโve last seen you. I was just a kid the last time you came around. Where is her Highness? Has she been well? โ โ She asked.
Espresso Cookie looked to his king. Pure Vanilla Cookie knew that she had no foul intent, but, he could not help it when he felt his senses flood with the same shame and grief he had worked so hard to conceal for the good of his people. Something Espresso Cookie very quickly picked up on.
โ โ Caramel Arrow Cookie. โ โ Dark Cacao Cookie piped up. โ โ We may save such questions for later. Let us not crowd Pure Vanilla Cookie. He has had a long journey, as have I. All things in due time. โ โ An answer that left the Archer confused. The Vanillian king quickly interjected.
โ โ No, No. it is fine. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie spoke, he rested the base of his staff upon the ground. โ โUnfortunately, Her Highness is no longer with us. Her passing was some time over a year ago.โ โ
Caramel Arrowโs eyes widened, as she struggled to find words. โ โ Your Highness I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I know how dear White Lily Cookie was to you. I am sorry I mentioned her. โ โ She bowed deeply to the king.
โ โ I will be alright. Do not worry. I did not expect news to reach this far all too quickly. Despite my sorrow- I amโฆhappy to be among you again. You have grown quite a bit since I last saw you. Some company may do me some good. โ โ
A gentle grin came to Caramel Arrow Cookie.
The two were interrupted by Espresso Cookie, who had been watching the king. He had tried to remain patient and allow them to catch up, but the quick tapping of his foot indicated that he was eager to begin working.
โ โ Sire. May I repeat myself- time is of the essence. โ โ Espresso Cookie tapped his wristwatch. His eyebrows quirked in his irritation.
โ โ Yes- Apologies. Caramel Arrow Cookie, I enjoyed catching up. But, we must speak to the doctors. โ โ
โ โ Of course, Your Highness. โ โ
The Archer returned to tend the patients as Dark Cacao Cookie turned to speak to the vanillian king.
โ โ When your business is done, Please report back to me. I would like to speak this evening. โ โ
โ โ I will find you when we have finished up, then. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie gave a soft nod and gestured his companion to follow him.
โ โ Let us get to work. โ โ The king spoke.
โ โ Finally. โ โ Espresso Cookie replied, he nudged his way ahead of the king and brought both of them to the head doctor inside the clinic. Pure Vanilla Cookie followed him at a much slower pace, as the king took time to note each of the sickened faces that he passed. Some, he recognized, others too young to know him. He could not help but feel a deep empathy for the cookies.
He met at the side of Espresso Cookie, who had found one of the head doctors. There were two of them, and they both seemed utterly exhausted. But, they did not let their attention slip for one solitary moment, as was their duty to the people.
The one they had approached was a tall, lean cookie with dark mahogany-colored locks, from his roots there were streaks of caramel coloring. He wore a simple white button-up and ash black slacks. His eyes dark chocolate in color.
โ โ Good Afternoon. โ โ Espresso Cookie offered the doctor his hand. The Doctor took it, and the magician shook with a firm grip. Pure Vanilla shook the doctorโs hand, following Espresso cookie.
The coffee cookie dusted his hand off on his tailored suit.
โ โ This is my king, Pure Vanilla Cookie. โ โ He gestured to the blonde healer. โ โ And I am Espresso Cookie. The finest wizard in the Vanilla Kingdom. We have traveled far with his majesty Dark Cacao Cookie. We are magicians, both of us. โ โ
โ โ We are pleased to have you, but, I believe you have found us at a bit of a bad time. โ โ Replied the doctor.
โ โ So we have heard. Some nasty bug going around, isnโt it?โ โ Replied Espresso Cookie.
โ โ Youโd be right. My name is Budino Cookie. Head doctor here in the citadel. Iโve been overseeing this infection. Weโve been having quite a bit of trouble with it. โ โ
โ โ That is why we are here. โ โ Chimed Pure Vanilla Cookie. โ โ I am an experienced healer, and Espresso Cookie can whip up potions the likes of which you have never seen. We are at your service. Whatever you may need. โ โ
โ โ Well, We are blessed, in that case. โ โ Budino Cookie nodded his respects. โ โ The load may be lighter more hands to help carry it. โ โ
โ โ What can we do? โ โ Asked Espresso Cookie.
โ โ Well, Weโve had thirty new cases today alone. Espresso Cookie, you ring me as a cookie fond of paperwork. โ โ
โ โ Seems as if you have read me already. โ โ Espresso Cookie snickered. โ โYou would be correct. โ โ
โ โAlright then, thatโs good. I would like you to talk to the new patients, and record their names, symptoms, and the duration of said symptoms. These patients are in the west wing. Then, if you would like, you may begin drafting potions if you have some ingredients that may help with any symptoms, but run them by me, first. โ โ Budino Cookie listed off the tasks, counting them on his fingers as he spoke. Espresso Cookie took mental notes and nodded quickly.
โ โ Consider it done. โ โ The coffee cookie stated. He took hold of his suitcase and excused himself to the west wing, where he would quickly begin talking to patients.
โ โ I donโt think I have ever seen someone so uninhibited. Yet, some rush heโs in. โ โ commented the doctor as he watched Espresso Cookie leave.
โ โ He is highly motivated. โ โ Replied the Vanilla king. โ โ He is brash, yes, but this is only because he thinks quickly. I happen to respect him for it deeply. I can always count on him to get things done back in our kingdom. โ โ
Budino Cookie paused as he looked on to Espresso Cookie. The coffee cookie had made quick work of beginning to speak to patients. He would crouch down beside the patients, who lay on their cots on the ground, and conversationally begin to question them. In his hands sat a notepad and pen. He would begin to write once he was done talking to the patient.
โ โ He does seem quite efficient. โ โ The Doctor admitted.
โ โ That is true. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie nodded. โ โ Now, if he has that handled, what may I help you with? โ โ
โ โ Well- โ โ Budino Cookie began.
โ โ I would like you to try and use your white magic on some of our patients. We do not have anyone who practices it here in the citadel. Weโve tried everything, yet there has not been a single patient who has recovered from The Pale Ailment. so here is to hoping that your magic may have some effect. โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookie gave a nod. โ โ I will begin at once. โ โ
โ โ I wish you the best. โ โ Budino Cookie sighed, dismissing Pure Vanilla Cookie to work.
After saying their goodbyes, Pure Vanilla Cookie turned away from the doctor. It was time to get to work. He had chosen a cookie who had seemed to have suffered with the ailment longer than the rest as the first subject to see if white magic was of any use.
It was a more elderly cookie. His dark dough was heavily bleached with patches of flour. His eyes were wide, unblinking, and blank. This cookie was stiff in the neck, but shaking in the arms. Pure Vanilla Cookie had trouble distinguishing whether this cookie was still breathing. But, upon closer inspection, he saw faint breath.
Pure Vanilla Cookie got to his knees beside the cookie. He placed his staff aside, the eye of his dear orchid fluttering shut as his spell of vision faded. He would need to give his complete focus if this spell had a chance.
The Vanillian king took a deep breath. โ โ Can you hear me, my friend? โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie placed his hand on the forehead of the cookie. His dough was burning hot to the touch. His dough was soft, but not soggy.
he received a response with a brief nod.
โ โ I am going to try my hand at healing you. Is this alright with you? It will not hurt. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie spoke softly. He received another nod from the sickly elder.
So, The king lowered his head and began to focus.
A cool sensation washed over his hands as the white magic began to manifest in a faint glow of light from the palms of his hands. One hand sat on the chest of the cookie, the other remained on his forehead.
Pure Vanilla Cookie took deep breaths with each pulse of magic.
He tried to keep the waters of his mind calm. But this was very short-lived.
His eyebrows knitted together when a muted cackle rang through his head, disturbing his focus. He hunched over as a painful blow shot through his head as if it were a bullet right through his temple. His magic abruptly cut, the cookie before him beginning to cough and hack.
โ โ No no no- I am so sorry- โ โ The king muttered as he returned his hands to the cookie, but, without his focus, the spell would not manifest. It was useless.
โ โ Oh it brings me such joy~! You pathetic littler cookies are running out of time so quickly. Youโre scrambling here, arenโt you, โnilla? โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookiesโ magic shook, faltering when Shadow Milk Cookie spoke. The eyelid of his orchid staff quickly shot open, glancing at its master in distress. He felt a sensation not unlike a pulsing in his soul jam. He felt weaker by the moment.
โ โ What did you do? โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie mumbled in a frustrated tone, he spoke through gritted teeth. Something extremely rare for the king, who was notoriously slow to anger.
โ โ What did I do? โ โ Shadow Milk Cookie mocked. โ โ I didnโt do anything! Thanks to you, Iโm useless. For now anyway. Just like this healing spell of yours. โ โ
โ โ My friends though- oh my! They have got some plans. It seems as if Mystic Flour Cookie is beginning to put hers into action! I cannot wait to see this kingdom crumble. Mystic Flour Cookie has always been clever. I bet this kingdom will fall, and take everything that poor Dark Cacao Cookie has before she even steps foot in Crispia.โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookie removed his hands from the patient, he reached, and tapped his staff with a gentle touch, garnering its attention to awake his spell of sight, the king once more looked upon the sick surrounding him. โ โ This was her doing? โ โ
Hundreds. Bordering on death thanks to the cruel fog that had set in. Hundreds lay destitute as a kingdom struggled and failed to care for them.
โ โ Apathy is a cruel mistress. โ โ The voice cackled. โ โ And boy is she angry about that souljam. โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookie felt sick. His spare hand raised to clasp over his mouth.
His magic pulsed once more, his spell of sight falling. His breath became unsteady. He addressed the patient before him, whose coughing fit had faded. The elder lay with no change to his shaking, nor any shrinking to the large patches on his dough.
โ โ I am so sorry, sir. I must excuse myself. โ โ
Pure Vanilla Cookie swept up his orchid staff. He used it as a cane as he swiftly got to his feet and excused himself from the clinic.
His hurried exit did not go unnoticed.
Once outside, he went to the fenced stone platform behind the clinic. A fairly private area with large partitions. The air in the mountains was thin and bitter. He rested his hands on the stone fence. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his mouth remaining parted as he felt each painful pulse in his mind.
Pure Vanilla Cookie gripped his head. His fingers ran through his hair as he tried to tune out Shadow Milk Cookie. To no avail, his nose wrinkled as his eyes squeezed further shut.
With each moment passed, he was able to calm himself. His breaths slowed one by one. His hand soon fell from his hair to hang off of the side of the partition, taking hold of his staff to awaken his spell of sight.
โ โ Some lousy healing of yours back there. โ โ Shadow Milk Cookie spoke, his voice ringing in Pure Vanilla Cookie's head.
โ โ Because you distracted me. โ โ The king muttered. โ โ I could not focus. โ โ
โ โ Your healing wouldnโt have made a dent either way. โ โ Shadow Milk Cookie manifested, sitting atop the partition beside Pure Vanilla Cookie, though, in a way only visible to the king himself. โ โ I donโt understand what youโre trying to do here, โnilla. โ โ
โ โ What do you mean? I was trying to help them. โ โ The King let out a sharp breath.
โ โ Exactly. โ โ Shadow Milk Cookie swung his feet. โ โ Why? โ โ
โ โ Well- Because itโs the right thing to do. Dark Cacao Cookie is a friend of mine. It would be wrong to sit aside when his kingdom is struggling. I canโt stand to watch them suffer. โ โ
โ โ But torturing yourself for the sake of it is completely fine? โ โ The cookie tilted his head.
โ โ To protect them. โ โ Pure Vanilla Cookie drummed his fingers on the partition.
โ โ You arenโt protecting them, though. โ โ Shadow Milk Cookie rolled his eyes. โ โ It just sounds like youโre hiding from them. โ โ
โ โ Youโre supposed to be the light of truth, aren't you? โ โ
โ โ What truth is this? Wouldnโt it be nobler of you, truer of you, to give up and just give me what you know is mine? If you act out of your supposed โdivine verityโ, where has the voice of truth you have held so dear gone? โ โ
A lie was a heavy burden for the king to bear. The act of concealing Shadow Milk Cookie within himself had blurred his senses in such a way that distorted the voice of truth. To lie in such a way was a challenge to his fundamental core.
The king's hand raised to hold his soul jam.
โ โ Or have you abandoned your gods, just as I have? โ โ Shadow Milk Cookie spoke with a grin.
Pure Vanilla Cookie did not reply. For this question, he debated inside of his mind.
The physical form of Shadow Milk Cookie vanished in the blink of an eye. Leaving the king to stand on the platform alone.
His hand fidgeted restlessly with his soul jam as he stood silently in the cool breeze. With a quiet mind, he found focus.