Chapter Text
Amidst the fire and chaos, Elder Faerie approached them. His gait was staggered and the fine lines on his face betrayed his exhaustion. Pure Vanilla stepped back allowing him to approach White Lily, keeping just enough distance to avoid intruding.
“I see, the seal has broken…” His eyebrows creased “No matter, only his soul has been freed. We still have time.” He spoke with determination despite his ever frailer appearance. Pure Vanilla’s heart ached. For a moment he considered that none of this would have been happening if he had given up his life powder instead. In fact, all he had done in Beast Yeast so far was worry everyone.
He was broken from his thoughts by the cool grip of White Lily’s hand on his wrist. He let his gaze wander upwards to her eyes. He had thought her hands were warmer before. She gave him a reassuring nod pulling him along with her as she followed Elder Faerie’s lead. He struggled to keep up briefly before falling in line with her footsteps. They twisted and turned through the tumultuous streets, the mix of gleeful laughter and screams made Pure Vanilla’s ears ache. Eventually they stopped in front of a rickety stage.
“This wasn’t here before…” He said quietly, almost as if trying to remind himself. The dissonance made him wonder if perhaps he was still losing his memories. Before he could linger on the thought any longer Shadow Milk stepped out from behind a brilliant red curtain.
“Oh, the whole cast is here! How lovely” They said with an eerily excited edge. “Well, I had a different plan for the show today but divine inspiration really struck me!” Their gaze shifted to Pure Vanilla. He drew his hand away from White Lily pulling it instead against his chest, as if to cut ties, like that would change anything. Perhaps he felt like he was protecting her.
“Let’s see, let me tell a little story.” They snapped their fingers and 2 puppets appeared on the stage dangling lifelessly from clear threads. One looked like himself when he was younger, captured in surprising detail. His hair was even slightly tousled the way it used to be when he had little need to care about appearances. The second puppet was a little lamb with snowy white fleece. Pure Vanilla’s heart caught in his throat.
“Once upon a time there was a little shepherd boy. Oh, but silly me I forgot.” They gestured towards the sheep and black tar fell from the ceiling coating the lamb in a gooey formless mess. Pure Vanilla flinched away from the visual. “This little shepherd boy doesn’t have any sheep. How quaint.” Shadow Milk giggled, watching Pure Vanilla for his reaction. All around him, Pure Vanilla could see the confused gazes of those around him.
“W-well I suppose I did say that, but that doesn’t quite make sense does it?” Pure Vanilla forced a tense smile to his lips, looking to see if White Lily’s expression had softened any. It hadn’t.
“Oh goodness, don’t take it back now! This makes for great content.” Shadow Milk stepped backwards allowing the puppets to become the main focus. “And so, the little lamb followed the shepherd boy wherever he went.” Pure Vanilla’s vision began to blur as his face grew hot. No, not just his face, his head felt like it was burning from deep inside his skull. The scene on the stage, why did it feel familiar? The black tar on the sheep undulated like the black threads behind his mind that seemed to become more real as they twisted and tangled over the mass. Shadow Milk was still talking, but the noises around him felt muffled as Pure Vanilla tried to keep himself steady. He couldn’t remember this story, he wasn’t sure it had really happened to him, but Hollyberry had said something similar. Nevertheless, he didn’t want the scene to reach its end.
The world never seemed to care for the whims of a single man however, because despite it all the show continued dizzyingly. The puppets danced about on the rickety stage with a background of jolly distorted music. Pure Vanilla felt his heart rate quicken with each long second that the scene continued. Suddenly a stage light began to sway. He closed his eyes tightly, turning his head away as the light crashed to the ground crushing the soiled lamb puppet, twitching, beneath it.
When he opened his eyes again White Lily was holding his face in her hands. She looked like she had been talking to him but he hadn’t heard a single thing. Her gaze was gentle but her brows were knit together in concern.
“Pure Vanilla… Can you hear me?”
He nodded his head, still feeling dazed. Everyone had been waiting for him for who knows how long. He smiled, pushing aside the troubling thoughts. Actually, now that he thought about it he wasn’t sure what had been troubling him in the first place. Was it some lie that Shadow Milk had told? He should know better than to listen to a beast of deceit.
“Will you be ok? They ran off again but will you be able to keep up?” She looked at him with an expression that fell just short of pity. He didn’t necessarily mind it though. He simply nodded his head again.
“We don’t have any more time to waste, I will be fine”
—
Dark Cacao sat inside a sturdy tent. He always insisted on travelling by foot when possible, to keep his troops from getting used to too many conveniences. Beside him a white candle burned brightly as he flipped through that journal he found. He couldn’t delay returning to his kingdom any longer so he had simply taken the book with him. He was sure Pure Vanilla would not mind, once his senses were about him again. The pages looked as if they might crumble but they were surprisingly sturdy. The text was in a neat cursive script, sprawling dark across the yellowed pages.
Today my partner and I got into a fight. He left me by the fire and wandered off on his own. Usually our emotions would not have been so high, but he had ruined a sample of the plant we were studying. At first, I thought I should let him cool his head but he’s been gone for so long the fire is nearly reduced to embers. Despite my better judgement I decided to follow him. He had always been fond of brooding so I thought I’d find him just a few paces away, but there wasn’t a single sign of him in the surrounding area. I thought it strange so I continued in the direction I thought he had gone until I came across a clearing. The smell of rot was so strong I thought he certainly would have turned around. I thought to turn around too but I noticed a circle of Convallaria majalis. I had always liked the quaint little things. Their bell shaped flowers practically glowed white against the dark surroundings. Upon closer inspection they were not doing too well, perhaps whatever was making that horrid smell had poisoned the soil as well. I shook off the brief distraction and ventured in further, in case my partner had gotten into trouble.
I came upon an odd cave and felt drawn towards it. For some reason, I was certain this was the direction he had gone. The smell of rot only got stronger as I walked. It was a good thing I followed my hunch in the end because I eventually found a well lit opening in the cave. Inside was something I could only describe as ungodly. It was a mass of some gelatinous solid, dotted with shimmering hypnotic colors. It almost had me quite taken with it until I realized my partner had been suspended in the liquid. Golden threads were being pulled from any possible opening in his head: his nose, ears, eyes, and mouth were all a jumbled mess of thread. I didn’t hesitate to pull him free and make a run for it. As I write this I’m waiting in hopes that he will wake up soon.
~ Professor xxxx
Dark Cacao ran his finger over the signature that had been smudged. The descriptions in this journal were quite similar to what he had seen as well. He wondered as he closed the journal and snuffed out his candle, if it was good that he had not seen the same mass of threads.
—
Pure Vanilla stopped behind White Lily at another rickety stage. He sighed, not sure he was prepared for another one of Shadow Milk’s shows. White Lily gripped his hand reassuringly. He had to admit, it did make him feel better, though the slight chill to her flesh gave him pause. His thoughts were interrupted again by Shadow Milk waltzing onto the stage.
“What a dedicated audience! I have a special show for you this time, I think it will be a real hit!” They laughed with so much joy it felt dissonant to the somber tone everyone else held. They paused as if waiting for applause but there was none. They frowned momentarily before continuing.
“Once upon a time there were 5 ancient heroes! And ladies and gentle men, this one is a love story.” They smirked, holding their hand against their face and leaning forwards, as if letting the audience in on a secret. Behind them, 5 puppets dropped from the ceiling. They resembled himself and his friends, though they were crudely painted.
“You see, because the hero of truth was deeply in love with one of his friends, but despite his virtue, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth.” Pure Vanilla’s face flushed. It wasn’t like he didn’t like White Lily but he had never thought too much about it. In fact, he loved all of his friends so there was no need to single any of them out.
“Ah, but he didn’t realize she had a dark side. It's hard to get to know someone deeply when you don’t even care to ask about them.” Pure Vanilla flinched. It was true he never really pried into White Lily’s life, but he afforded all of his friends the same courtesy. Nobody liked answering a probing question. He refused to look White Lily’s way but her grip on his hand remained firm. He felt relieved.
“You don’t have to single Pure Vanilla out.” She spoke up, interrupting Shadow Milk’s monologue. “I didn’t open up to him even when he did ask because… I was scared.” Her voice was tinged with regret. Even more than that, there was an edge of protectiveness. He laughed softly to himself, they were best friends after all, even if he was sure he had failed her in some way.
“Why not? He’s the main character here! Plus, this is for his own good. I’m trying to jog his memory.” They crossed their arms with an exaggerated pout. “I’m doing more than you are.” They grinned as White Lily’s determined expression wavered.
“Anyways, as I was saying, she had a dark side to her. In fact she was actually-”
A splitting pain crashed through Pure Vanilla’s head. Shadow Milk’s mouth was moving but all he could hear was the ringing bouncing about in his skull. His vision blurred as the puppet resembling White Lily burst into flames revealing a silhouette that he was sure was familiar. Yes, he knew who that person was meant to be, but his mind would not connect the dots. He reminded himself as he placed a hand on White Lily’s shoulder to steady himself, that Shadow Milk was a liar, so he didn’t have to look any deeper into the mass of black threads that seemed to be growing about those holes in his mind. They would recede once the veils were pulled back tight anyways.
“Ah, tsk tsk tsk my lovely student isn’t even paying attention is he?” Shadow Milk clicked their tongue and wagged their finger like a school marm. Pure Vanilla let go of White Lily, able to stand on his own two feet again. “Well, it’s ok this next part will get your attention.” Shadow Milk straightened their posture stepping aside as the puppet emerged from the flames.
“In fact, the girl he loved had quite the grudge against him for being so stupid and naive so she-”
Pure Vanilla was not able to look at the puppet for long as it suddenly raised an arm, dagger in hand, and threw it his way. A flash of silver crossed his vision. In front of him Elder Faerie blocked the dagger which fell to the ground, clattering on the stone pathway. As Elder Faerie lowered his sword another glint of metal flashed through the thick air lodging itself in his shoulder.
“Oops! You should always expect a second blow, I mean, Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” Shadow Milk laughed, holding their stomach to keep from doubling over.
“I won’t allow this to continue” Elder Faerie calmly pulled the blade from his shoulder dropping it to the floor. He was surely in pain. Pure Vanilla reached forward to heal him but his hand did not make contact before Elder Faerie stepped forwards, sword drawn. White Lily watched tensely.
“Oh, Well looks like we’ll have a guest star on this show! But surely you don’t really think you can defeat me?”
White Lily stepped forwards as well, but black threads emerged from the floor suddenly binding everyone but Elder Faerie. Pure Vanilla scarcely managed to keep hold of his staff as the threads tugged at his wrists.
“Oh no no no, the audience should not interfere with the show.” Shadow Milk laughed a gleeful laugh, egging Elder Faerie on.
The two engaged in a battle that felt all too long, exchanging powerful blows. Elder Faerie fought surprisingly well considering he had just given up a portion of his life force to White Lily– Pure Vanilla found himself in awe at his abilities. Just how powerful could he have been before? The battle came to a culmination with a set of flashy attacks, Pure Vanilla couldn’t tell at first who was hit. Shadow Milk stumbled backwards holding their arm which oozed blue blood. They kept an all too superior grin despite it all as Elder Faerie collapsed. The threads holding them loosened and White Lily rushed forwards without thinking, kneeling next to him. Shadow Milk laughed.
“Well, now that he’s out of the way, I’ll be waiting on you all for the final act.” They bowed as their form dispersed into smoke. White Lily did not try to stop them this time, instead holding Elder Faerie’s hand in her own shakily. Pure Vanilla stepped towards the scene, he could probably heal him. He had to believe that he could fix this, it was him who was meant to have been hurt after all.
“White Lily, I wished things could have been different.” Pure Vanilla stopped in his tracks as Elder Faerie’s voice came out shakily. White Lily met his gaze unwaveringly and he suddenly felt he should not interfere, or rather that he could not interfere. After a certain point, healing magic could not do anything. A blurred image flashed across his mind, fighting against those black threads that tried to hold it back. An image of White Lily kneeled beside an injured baby bird, then it was ripped away, absorbed into the wriggling mass of darkness.
“Elder Faerie, we can save you, just… Pure Vanilla is the best healer I know he can-” Her words were cut off by a shake of Elder Faerie’s head.
“I am already weakened, but you… I will pass the Guardian’s power onto you.” His voice was shaky, but his resolve was clear. Even White Lily seemed to understand at that moment, there was no changing his mind. “I should have done this long ago.”
“I will not disappoint you. Not again.” White Lily’s voice was tender, but a hint of determination shone through.
“You have never disappointed me.”
—
There was no time for a funeral. Not yet at least. Pure Vanilla struggled to keep up with White Lily in her fiery determination. He couldn’t help but feel guilty; the feeling gnawed at his stomach, but he couldn’t bring himself to voice it. He couldn’t make this about himself.
Finally they stopped, back in front of the tree that started it all. The silver trunk hung agape and jagged. Darkness poured out like a waterfall. Pure Vanilla could not shake the feeling that inside the black smoke there were wriggling threads just the way they appeared in the holes in his mind. They writhed like worms eating away at the flesh of a cadaver, or maggots in a festering wound. His stomach pulsed as if trying to wring itself out. Shadow Milk appeared suddenly blocking his view.
“Where is the Guardian? I thought that blow surely did him in but… Why do I still feel his power?” Their face was serious despite the sing-song tone to their voice. Pure Vanilla felt as if he was looking at a stiff and unnatural mask.
“I’m right here.” White Lily stepped forwards holding her staff aloft. “So don’t look at anyone but me. I am your adversary.” Pure Vanilla stood close behind her.
“White LIly. I will back you up as best I can.” He was surprised by the determination in his own voice.
“No. I will end this before you need to do anything.”
—
Just as she had said, the battle ended with a powerful flurry of shining butterflies and flowers. Instead of aiming for Shadow Milk she aimed for the tree, strengthening the seal. The gaping wound on the tree was knit together with shining silver vines, blooming beautiful fragrant white flowers.
“Is… it really over?” Pure Vanilla felt uneasy. Shadow Milk was no longer in front of them, but there was no way it was over.
“No, their souls have still escaped. I have no doubt they have returned to their original kingdoms. However, they will be weakened.” She turned towards Pure Vanilla, stretching out her hand. He extended his own hand into her gentle grasp.
“Then, we should inform the others. The beasts will be looking for their other halves as well, so we should be prepared.” Pure Vanilla sighed. His head felt fuzzy, but when it came down to it… he could not abandon his friends. He would continue moving towards the future he had envisioned, even if things seemed bleak. He shuddered feeling the light of truth grow warmer against his chest. For a moment he expected to hear its voice but instead a splitting headache rooted itself behind his eyes and he collapsed.
“Pure Vanilla!" White Lily reached for him, steadying him against her frame.
“I am ok. Let us make haste.” He stood, keeping himself steady with his staff.
—
Pure Vanilla finished writing his letters to his friends, folding them neatly into 3 envelopes– one for each friend that was still back home. A cool hand brushed his shoulder handing him another sheet of paper, folded so that he could not read what was written on it.
“Before you seal the envelope, could you include this in the message to Dark Cacao?” White Lily’s voice was gentle and quiet.
“Only one for Dark Cacao? What of the rest of our friends? I’m sure they would like to hear from you too.” Pure Vanilla did not try to peek at the letter; he simply placed it into the envelope, careful not to crease the paper further.
“There is no need. I simply have a request for him.”
Pure Vanilla did not push further, though he suddenly felt nervous. What could White Lily have to speak to Dark Cacao about?
—
Dark Cacao sat in his study, thumbing over a letter from Pure Vanilla. He was glad that his ally… No, his friend was safe. It was good to hear White Lily had returned as well. However, the contents were cause for immediate concern. What was this about beasts? The other halves of their own soul jams? It all sounded like rubbish. However, he could not let this information shake him. He would simply act accordingly. If the beast came for him he would strike her down. It was then that he realized there was another piece of paper.
“How curious… Pure Vanilla does not usually write a post script.” He unfolded the paper, noticing immediately White Lily’s familiar hand writing. His expression remained even but he felt a gentle ache in his chest.
Dear Dark Cacao,
Perhaps you do not want to hear from me. However, I trust you as my friend and ally, and I understand that you were there when Pure Vanilla was met with his current affliction. I believe I understand what happened but I want to confirm with you when I return from Beast Yeast. Perhaps then, we can help each other. If not for me I hope you will ally with me once again for the sake of Pure Vanilla. I left some of the journals I scrounged from the academy at the Vanilla Kingdom Library, there is one that I believe will be insightful.
Sincerely,
White Lily
Dark Cacao carefully folded the letter back up. So White Lily thought that journal was connected as well? He closed his eyes rubbing at his temple. The feelings in his chest clashed. He was glad to know more information. He was anxious for Pure Vanilla as things became more complicated in Beast Yeast. Most of all, he was unsure if this was their biggest problem anymore. He sighed standing from his chair and snuffing out the candle on his desk. He would just have to be content with gathering information until he could meet with Pure Vanilla and White Lily again.
—
In the middle of the woods, a makeshift camp had been set up, the camp fire casting long shadows across the densely forested area.There, bathed in the warm light White Lily could not bring herself to sleep. Her mind was racing. She thought of Elder Faerie’s last wishes, the damage that she had caused as Dark Enchantress, and the hope that Pure Vanilla had in her… Pure Vanilla, would he say the same things about her if he had his memories. She bit her lip as she pondered the way he reacted anytime someone brought up her role as Dark Enchantress. It was difficult to understand just how much he remembered, and prying didn’t seem to do much. It was like there was a physical barrier she could not see.
She prodded at the campfire with a stick gently. They were headed towards a destination they found in the faerie’s library. There, they could find some answers on how to seal the beasts back inside of the tree. After they did this, she could help Pure Vanilla regain his memories, in a safe environment. She was sure it was possible, though she had no evidence to back it up.
White Lily’s eye was suddenly caught by movement on a bedroll across from her. Pure Vanilla had sat up, staring off into the distance. She exhaled shakily when she realized it was just him. He must have been struggling to sleep as well. She carefully stepped over to him.
“You startled me. I can’t sleep either so let’s-” She stopped in her tracks taking notice of his glassy eyes as they reflected the dim fire light. Her heart dropped and she almost stepped backwards. His eyes did not move at all in reaction as she stepped again then kneeled beside him. He must be sleeping still. She reached forwards to gently push him back into bed. He had mentioned that he was not sleeping well. Her finger tips scarcely pulled away from his chest, her shoulder still leaned over him when he blinked, recognition coming to his eyes. His hand patted around beside him a few times until it came in contact with his staff. White Lily pulled her hand away.
“I didn’t mean to wake you up.” She smiled apologetically as he pushed himself up from the ground drowsily.
“It’s ok. I was having a bad dream anyways.” He rubbed his eyes. “We used to stay up late together back at the academy so this is nostaligc… why is it that I can’t remember what we used to talk about though?” He sighed wistfully and White Lily’s chest tightened. He really didn’t remember a single bad memory with her, but it seems it affected his good memories too. She frowned suddenly. He was having a bad dream? Despite that, he had been so still.
“Are you ok… not remembering those things?” She spoke quietly. A part of her was glad he didn’t remember all of the bad things she did. Maybe it was because she was scared that he would look at her differently. Scared that… he would no longer smile so brightly at her. She wouldn’t leave him this way, but maybe she could enjoy the time she had left with him before he would look at her coldly.
“I…” Pure Vanilla frowned. “I want to remember, of course I do. How can I truly call myself your friend if I refuse to understand your struggles? I want to really understand you this time around.” He turned his gaze upwards to the stars peeking out from behind dense foliage. The long shadows cast by the campfire shaded his expression. Even so, White Lily knew exactly what face he was making. He was always thinking of her before himself.
“B- besides, if I remember, maybe it will get rid of this awful headache.” He laughed softly and White Lily couldn’t help but laugh too. Yes, she would make sure he could remember everything. If that changed how he felt about her, she would endure it.
—
A soft voice spoke into the void. It was quiet at first but its desperation grew.
“Please, don’t abandon me. I didn’t do anything wrong.” Quietly it cried
“You promised you’d stay with me. You promised we could be together.” It wailed louder. Around it the darkness convulsed, turning in on itself and cascading back out across the infinitely constricted space. That little voice in the darkness cried for the light. The same light that it knew would burn when they touched. It didn’t want to be alone, the pain of being with the light would surely be better than the pain of being alone. God, it didn’t want to be all alone forever. Not like this, this isn’t what it was promised. It began to take form, two claws emerging from the wriggling mass grasping at the ground around it, scratching, clawing, trying to hold something tangible. As soon as it grasped one of those wriggling threads they would break. Again and again it tried to hold onto something in the formless dark, but nothing was there.
“I don’t even know who I am.”
—
Pure Vanilla hadn’t slept well again. The dull throbbing in his head grew worse by the day. They walked through the dark forest along an overgrown path. He sighed softly trying to remember his dream. Why did he feel like… he had promised someone something? He looked upwards holding his staff against his chest as he watched White Lily’s back. Her silver hair swayed in a loose braid. He felt like there was a distance between them that he couldn’t figure out how to close. He shook off the feeling before lengthening his stride to catch up to her.
Before long, a clearing opened before them and a grand spire stood tall above the trees. It was hard to comprehend how it could have hidden in the forest yet still appear so imposing. This was where they could find out how to reseal the beasts? For some reason he felt nervous. White Lily stopped suddenly and he almost ran into her. Suddenly she began to quietly recite a riddle that was carved upon the heavy wooden doors atop a set of stairs. Pure Vanilla had heard it before.
Once upon a time, lived a king who knew not the day he was born. The king was kind and benevolent but lonely, such was his role. The other one had eyes of a calm sea but a barren heart. Those silvery eyes always yearned for a distant light. Then one day the whole world turned dark and all that was left was a gleaming shadow. What did the two say to each other?
Pure Vanilla frowned softly as she finished reading the riddle. He understood immediately what it meant, but he did not want it to be so.
“Then, I must be right in saying that we will part ways here.” He spoke quietly, just enough for White Lily to hear. She hesitated for a long while before nodding.
“Yes, but we will see each other again. I must believe it.” She smiled warmly at him. For a moment he felt his heart melt. Then, his expression became serious.
“Then can I ask you a favor?” He sighed as she looked at him quizzically. “Please, take Gingerbrave and the others with you on your journey.” The reaction was about as he had expected. There was varying degrees of pushback from everyone but his determination did not waver. It would be too dangerous for any of them to remain with him in his state. White Lily met his gaze watching him for any sign that he might change his mind. She only spoke when she found none.
“Ok. But you must promise that we will reunite again.”
“Yes, I have too much waiting for me back home to let it all go so easily. Besides, you promised to help me after all of this is over didn’t you?”
Then there was no reason to despair at parting.