Chapter Text
— ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ —
There once was a prince as vile as one of royalty could be.
Those beneath them feared the day they came into power
as he plotted to betray even his own father, the kindest one in the land.
However, even monsters have minds,
and impossibly, they fell in love with someone other than themself.
— ˗ˋ ୨୧ ˊ˗ —
Milk Cookie stirred awake, as the golden sun shone through his sugary glass window. He sat up, fixing his hair and looking for an outfit. Today was solemn, and he knew exactly why. As he dug through his wardrobe, of course, his thoughts drifted to the events of tonight. How could they not? It was all anyone had spoken about for months. Today was the day of the return, the return of the Snake.
Five years on the mark from the last, the beast would return each sunset, circling around the castle and demanding a sacrifice. None knew what happened to them, assumedly a ritual, or perhaps homicide, but it was almost like the creature was bad at doing so.
Quite a few times, the sacrifices had returned, worse for wear and terrified, but in one piece. They all told of the awful things the creature would do, and how horrifying it was, yet no matter how many times they led guards and soldiers to where the Snake had taken them, there was no living area anywhere. Odd, considering the Snake was said to be 40 feet long.
As Milk Cookie slowly got ready, he dreaded the coming night. Now that he was 17, 12 at the time of the last sacrifice, he was old enough to watch, instead of being locked away in the castle for his own protection. His Father had said it was something he wished with all his heart he did not have to do, but Milk Cookie would have to get used to it, for he needed to rule someday. Despite his protests, the prince could not change the king’s mind. So it was.
Ever since he was old enough to realize what happened at these sacrifices, he had despised them. Only those of lower class were even considered to be taken away, and they were so few now that hardly anyone was left to fight back. Yet, as his father said, ‘someone has to go, and while it’s not good, or easy, it’s for the best.’
Yeah, sure.
Today would be different. Milk Cookie would stand up to this so-called ‘horrible beast’ and today there would be change. As he pulled on his snow-white gloves, he nodded to himself. This had to be the best option.
As he walked outside, into the snowy gardens, the staff around him all seemed to be fearful. He supposed that it was a rather frightening situation. Still, Milk couldn’t help but feel…a little excitement. He had never seen a large monster before. The creatures that came by could hardly be labeled as such. Case and point, Cocoa.
“Cocoa?!” Milk yelled out into the frosty air. It was quiet, but then, there was the distant jingling of a collar. Soon enough, the full force of a cream wolf was upon him. He lifted the large animal into his arms like it was nothing, trying to keep her from licking his face.
“Th-there you are..! Goodness, it’s like you get stronger every day..” He mumbled, chuckling to himself, before setting her on the ground.
Careful to not cause her to jump again, he gently ran his hand along her fur, before continuing to walk, the wolf trotting along beside him. The cold winter air blew gently, rustling the silver and glass wind chimes that dotted the trees. Milk found the melody soothing, sitting on a bench next to a large snowfruit tree. It was quiet, and he liked it that way. Time away from the hustle and bustle of palace life was something he took when he got the chance.
But things like this don’t last forever.
“Your majesty!” A familiar voice yelled. Perfect…just perfect. Milk Cookie sighed, and stood up, as Cocoa hurried off in fear. Approaching was Purple Yam Cookie, captain of the royal guard, and…quite the annoyance. “Your majesty?! What are you doing out of your room??” He questioned, thick brows deeply furrowed, as he dipped his head to look at the shorter prince. “You know the date!”
“I was just…getting some fresh air.” Milk breathed, before just nodding his head and waving his hand slightly as he began to walk back to the palace.
“You should not be unguarded! Who knows what could happen to you, my prince!” Yam quickly caught up, grabbing his hand almost painfully and yanking him slightly. “Who knows…” His gaze harshened ever so slightly, and he sighed, for once not venting his frustration.
“I appreciate your work, sir, but I’m quite alright..” Milk continued forward as best he could, with Yam repeatedly pestering him, until he finally got to his room. Huffing as he shut the door, Milk went back to preparing for the dreary day ahead of him.
Putting the final touches on his outfit, something ‘acceptable enough’, as his father would say, to see in public, Milk Cookie shut his eyes, trying to imagine what the Snake would look like. Long, probably, black and white…maybe stripes, or something..? Huge fangs, red eyes…hm. If it was just a big snake, could they not just trap it, keep it away? Snakes aren’t known for their dexterity after all. He despised the idea of killing it, though.
Even if it took sacrifices, even if it was hideous and spewed venom everywhere…nothing deserved to be killed, really. Anyone, and anything, can change their minds…it just took a little work. Milk exhaled, and cracked open his door a little. Purple Yam Cookie was gone, so, he headed off once more to find his father. Just to make sure it was okay.
“Father?” Milk asked, cautiously glancing around before doing his best to stay strong. Rice Milk Cookie turned around, an eyebrow raised, before a smile appeared on his face. A small, barely noticeable one, but Milk had gotten used to that.
“Yes, my son? Is that your outfit for the…event..tonight?” The king questioned. Milk found it hard to make eye contact, it was like his father’s eyes were burning a hole into him.
“…yeah, I uh-, I…it is.” He coughed into his fist, still looking away.
“Well, I think it looks just fine. We’ll head to the town square at six this eve. Be ready..” The king mumbled, before turning back around to stare out of a window. Milk decided it would be best not to bother him, quickly heading off. Normally his father was not like this, he just assumed the whole…situation..was getting to him. Ah well.
The day passed by slower and slower, it felt, and eventually, the clock hit six. Milk Cookie sighed quietly as he stepped into the carriage, next to his father. It was anxiety inducing, yet, somehow, he was also excited. He had never seen the Snake in person, just drawings that always depicted it differently. Perhaps everyone just had a different perspective of the beast.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t realize the carriage had stopped, until his father nudged him gently, before stepping out. Milk jolted and quickly followed behind, glancing around the crowded town square. The crowd didn’t have to be there, but it seemed their curious eyes had led them anyhow. Most seemed to be afraid or excited. It wasn’t them getting taken away, so he supposed there was nothing to fear. His eyes caught on a large gap between the buildings and fences of the town, and even the wall that surrounded the entire kingdom. Ah…so that was where it entered. Not one person stood there. Milk shuddered.
As he stood idly by his father, a servant in panic suddenly rushed to the king’s side, hurriedly whispering something in his ear. The king’s eyes widened, and he turned away from Milk, beginning to have some quick, quiet conversation. Oh lord. Something was very wrong.
The servant hurried off again, as the prince turned his head.
“Father, what was tha-“
“Hush. I need to think.” Rice Milk Cookie muttered.
Milk Cookie sighed, and turned back to the hole, hugging his arms. The crowd suddenly turned from idle conversation to…a wave of fear? The Snake hadn’t appeared yet, so what could be the cause? Then, suddenly, a whisper caught his ear.
‘…you hear..? The sacrifice escaped..!’
Oh.
A pit formed in Milk’s stomach. Oh. Oh no. This was bad. No wonder his father was so upset. They didn’t have time to fetch another, did they? They’d have to…pick someone from the crowd.
Milk thought things couldn’t get any worse, but then, they did. He heard rumbling, bushes being crushed and slithering. The crowd went entirely silent, only to gasp when the beast emerged from the dark.
Goodness, was the Snake big. More than that, really. A deep black, patterned with spots of white, and a stripe of light gray that outlined its belly. It curled around itself, before launching up so that its head could scour the crowd. However, as his eyes trailed up its body, instead of there being the head of a snake…
Milk Cookie took a step back from surprise.
There was a man. Not entirely, his stomach merged with that of the scales of a snake, in some sort of frightening version of a mermaid, but…that was still a person.
The man’s skin was dark, the true color hard to make out in the darkness of the sky. Their hair was curly and black, falling down to their waist with a stripe of white traversing down it. Face obscured by a carved wooden mask, the eyes showing through it were a bright red, and full of fury. His hands were charcoal black and clawed, and a four pointed star of a gem was attached to where his skin and scales met. There seemed to be many small chips taken out of it.
Milk stared up into those eyes, those horrible eyes, as the Snake growled, lurching down towards him, no, towards his father. The king didn’t flinch.
“Where…iss it..?” The Snake hissed. Milk Cookie trembled. His face was just inches away from the beast. At least he could make out a couple more details…Oddly, they wore nothing on their chest. His skin was a dark, chocolatey brown, and decorated with scars. The largest traversed from their stomach to their neck, like a blade had pierced it.
“My apologies, Snake. It seems there’s been…a small issue.” Rice Milk Cookie replied, trying his best to look composed.
“WHAT?!” The Snake screeched, causing Milk, and the crowd, to gasp in fear. The king remained composed.
“Just wait a moment. We’ll…find an-“
“Give it to me, now! ” The Snake growled, before their eyes slowly trailed to the one standing next to the king. The one who resembled him like a son. Milk Cookie. He flinched, when those cold, red eyes landed on him. “…you..I have not seen you before..”
The Snake suddenly lunged forwards again, as he examined Milk. The prince trembled, flinching away from the other’s gaze.
“He is my son. You will not touch him, Snake.” The king’s tone suddenly shifted. More firm, and more harsh.
“Son..?..” The Snake seemed to be thinking of something, before their red eyes glared at the king. “I will forgive this affront, indeed, I will come back in a decade, next time, if…you were to give me your son.”
Milk froze up, his terrified gaze also latching onto his father. The crowd looked on in shock.
“I..” His father hesitated. Was he seriously considering it? Giving away his own to this monster?? And yet, Milk realized…this was how it felt. Well, he had always wanted to stop this. A ten year gap was a good amount of time to figure out a way to stop the Snake. Was he seriously about to do this…?
Before the king could reply, Milk sighed.
“I’ll go.” He whispered. His father’s eyes widened.
“No, Mi-“
“Then it is settled!” The Snake shouted, their tail suddenly lashing out and wrapping around Milk. As he was pulled away in a split second, he could see the fear-filled eyes of his father. They burned into his mind as more of the tail covered his entire body. It felt like he was being choked everywhere. Eventually, everything went black, as the Snake carried him away.