Chapter Text
Pure Vanilla Cookie stood on a ship with his companions braving rough waters with the ship rising and falling with waves that were as tall as buildings. The sky was a deep red with black clouds. A sign that they had long crossed away from lands blessed by the gods.
They were in a land of demons now.
The air was oppressive and swirled with black mist.
Without protection the mist would sap one’s very life force until they were easy prey for demons.
Each one on that ship was gifted a leaf and a branch from the Millennial Tree that protected them from these conditions.
For most this journey would be a suicide mission but the five cookies and the captain of the Icepiercer were different. The Icepiercer was the only ship capable of handling these waters able to traverse thick layers of ice whose hull is reinforced.
Further reinforced with the blessing of both the Millennial Tree and Sugar Swan to withstand such immense dark energies that would corrupt the unprepared instantly.
“Fire!” The Ice Captain Cookie’s voice rang out over the wind.
The reverberating bang blasted through the air as the divine energy impacting demons that tried to burst out of the waves and their shrieks filled the air over the raging wind. The crew below deck quickly reloaded the canons.
The five cookies on deck were unfazed by their current circumstances and were ready to leap off the ship and battle the demons lurking below the dark waters.
It is why they were on the deck to begin with to ensure the demons below the water did not make this ship join the countless shipwrecks below and their souls devoured.
The five were experienced Shrine Guardians.
Special cookies that passed rigorous trials of all forms to be deemed worthy of the honor of a god or spirit’s caretaker.
To protect the divine and their place of worship to ensure neither fell to disrepair or corruption.
Divine beings had a high risk of corrupting and becoming a demon or dark spirit due to such neglect. Thus they should always have someone to worship to ensure their strength did not wane and the evil of this world did not gain strength.
An evil whose seeds were planted by the dragons and given shape by witches who followed a dark path.
To ensure Earthbread and the dessert creations that called it home lasted for millennia to come, cookies would fulfill this role.
It was a purpose and role engrained into Pure Vanilla Cookie since he was a child.
This mission was of the utmost importance.
After millennia the barrier surrounding an entire continent had begun to weaken and with those gaps powerful demons and malice surged forth. Bringing calamities to nations that resided along the coast across several continents and islands, not just Crispia.
The death toll has risen to the thousands and is only growing higher.
The world was teetering on an unseen edge and without correction it would surely fall to ruin and an all out Celestial War.
Within that land where this malice originates was the first gods that cookiekind ever worshiped after the witches. They were gods born when the witches were still present on Earthbread before they had abandoned this world.
The cradle of all of cookie civilization before they spread across all of Earthbread was on this continent that the travelers upon the Icepiercer were approaching.
These ancient gods were on the brink of corruption and becoming demons and if they fell the Millennial Tree foresaw Earthbread’s demise. It is thanks to their waning divine power that they could enter the continent.
“We are approaching the rift in the barrier! Stay alert!” Ice Captain Cookie called.
The land of Beast Yeast was now a land of demons.
Who knew what awaited them the moment they crossed over?
“Pure Vanilla Cookie?”
He felt a touch, soft and fleeting, graze his arm and he turned his attention away from the rough seas to his companion. The green glad cookie stepped away when she gained his attention and she braced herself against the rail.
“Yes?”
“Did you hear the warning? You normally don’t space out like this. What spent too much time around Hollyberry Cookie last night? We are approaching the rift. We are about to officially enter Beast Yeast’s waters,” Golden Cheese Cookie said as she stood bracing herself against the rail of the ship.
“We all have heavy burdens but we need to remain focused. Our battle has just begun. We have quite the task ahead of us to save these gods,” Dark Cacao Cookie remained standing just fine despite the rocking of the boat.
He was used to rough waters teeming with evil spirits and demons fighting the Licorice Sea for a century now.
“Apologies. This is not the time to be lost in thought,” Pure Vanilla Cookie replied sheepishly.
“Come now! We may be approaching a land of doom and gloom but such seriousness is how demons gain power in the first place! We need to stay in good spirits!” Hollyberry Cookie grinned, placing her hands firmly on her hips.
“A bit hard when we are approaching what appears to be an apocalypse on Earthbread,” Golden Cheese Cookie grumbled, her wings wrapping around her shoulders as she clung to the railing on Pure Vanilla Cookie’s opposite side.
“Hollyberry Cookie is correct. This intensity of demonic presence means that our insecurities and vices will be exploited. We need to stay strong and in good spirits so their power cannot influence us. We especially need to maintain our faith in our gods,” White Lily Cookie said as she glanced behind her to everyone.
A barrier prevented the rain from drenching the five cast by Pure Vanilla Cookie whose expression shifted ever slightly.
Faith in our gods.
That.
That was a tall ask.
Especially the more he learned about his father.
The higher he had become in the church to try to become close the more he regretted his choice.
The more he came to loathe his lineage and the source of his power.
The High God of Sacred Light.
Yet he knew deep down that she was right.
Giving in to such thoughts is how demons possessed cookies and came to devour their souls. He needed to focus and he took a glance at his companions, all pillars of this current age.
Dark Cacao Cookie wore black and white robes with shades of purple with patterns of two dragons blazened into his robes with armor being worn over them. His long sleeves had patterns along it of various characters forming layers of protection against evil spirits. A sword rested on his back and his black and white hair was tied up into a bun. He had black and white scales along his body. His sharp brown eyes regarded his companions as the sea air sought to seep a deep rooted chill into their very dough.
He was chosen as the vessel of the Twin Dragons to prevent their war from consuming Earthbread. He acted as their prison and it is his will that the two mighty dragons obeyed.
They were one of the few dragons remaining on Earthbread, the world’s original gods.
Pure Vanilla Cookie always admired his resolution of entering the most demon infested land and creating a thriving kingdom from such harsh conditions. Quelling the dragon’s fury through his own strength and force of will.
A strength that earned him the blessing of the High God of the Heavens to allow him to seal the twin dragons into his own body and blade.
A protection array had been set up on the various decks of the ship under his guidance which allowed them such safe voyage. It was one of many layers that prevented them and the crew of the Icepiercer becoming casualties.
Hollyberry Cookie wore dark pink armor making her resemble a knight with a helmet with horns resembling a dragon tied to her hip. She had flowing skirt around her legs which were naturally armored and her armor was layered like scales or plating. A draconic crest shun proudly on her armor with flames sewn into her skirt. Her long pink hair was tied into two braids that blew in the sea breeze. A massive heart shaped shield was against her back and she radiated warmth like a blazing fire.
She stood near Golden Cheese and White Lily Cookie who were not as prepared to handle such rough waves as the others were.
She was the embodiment of passion itself.
Living her life to her desires and encouraging all around her to do the same. To achieve a life where all may thrive through camaraderie and compassion.
It was that same passion and love of all around her that reached the heart of the dragon that threatened to devour her homeland and kingdom she founded through her selfless deeds.
A dragon she came to serve and built a home for in her lands. Forgiving his actions and the two forged an unbreakable pact.
She kept the spirits of all around her high even as they approached such a dangerous land. Her stories and enthusiasm were contagious and she did not allow a single cookie to frown in her presence.
Golden Cheese Cookie was normally the epitome of radiance and grace but place the winged sovereign on a boat on the sea and she was either rail or cabin bound. Her golden wings that resembled gold ladened with jewels clung to her body like a blanket.
An avatar of the Goddess of Abundance and she radiated with divine power. Gifted the power of flight among countless others. Her power was the divine power of the goddess who Golden Cheese Cookie fostered to become a High God as her first follower.
She founded a kingdom as a monument to her goddess and her principles, the Cheese Desert being shaped to their combined will. Creating a home for the downtrodden and the unfortunate taking in the poor and criminals and creating a land where all could gain wealth. Where all were taken care of and treated as treasures.
So no other cookie would have to walk down the same path Golden Cheese Cookie once walked upon. The path of a thief having to steal to survive in a world that wished for her to crumble. Not a single cookie in her kingdom knew starvation or lack of possessions as if they could not purchase what they desired it was often gifted freely.
Golden Cheese Cookie was in golden armor with various jewels set into it along with carvings into the metal that formed intricate patterns resembling various creatures that called her desert home to ensure her protection.
What was not armored was made of high quality fabric that was bright colors and embroidered with more protection magic carefully crafted by her goddess. Her trusty spear rested on her back over a heavy duty cloak that was embroidered with spells to protect her from the weather as she was used to the immense heat of the desert.
She looked as if she was about to be sick, “I hope we reach land soon.”
It did not help that all of them were surrounded by intense gloom and the waters swirled with malice turning the what should be blue waters into what resembled ink. Yet there were other emotions Pure Vanilla Cookie could sense and he thought he recognized a deep sense of grief.
White Lily Cookie pressed herself to the railing, her knuckles turning white, but still stayed close to where his wing could easily wrap around her. He often used magic to ease her sea sickness. Golden Cheese stood at his other side so he could provide her the same relief and he extended his wings, his feathers glowing gold as his magic and wings embraced the pair.
Both gave him a grateful expression and smile.
White Lily Cookie’s hair swayed with the boat and he pulled them both closer on instinct as they crashed down from a tall wave. The immense magic embracing the ship prevented damage but they still needed to brace for impact.
She wore silver armor over a green silk dress that resembled petals over a white skirt that fell into layers over her armored lower half. She had silver gauntlets and all of her armor was engraved with ornate carvings that contained petals and other nature-like aspects framing a tree in the center with its branches extended across her chest. A silver crown rested against her temple that resembled silver branches wrapping around her head. Her white cloak that faded to green resembled wings and had patterns like an insect or leaf sewn into it.
Her staff was held in place on her back and she leaned into Pure Vanilla Cookie along with Golden Cheese Cookie. The sea water impacted a barrier of green magic and White Lily Cookie lowered her fingers when the ink like water slid off the deck to the ocean below.
White Lily Cookie served a powerful tree in a forest hidden away by ancient magics on an island that was closest to the fallen continent they were now approaching. Pure Vanilla Cookie did not know much about her new home.
He knew she could not speak much about it or what she had done but she had finally found a place to belong. What he did know is she overcame a great evil and finally was willing to forgive herself for her past transgressions. He knew she was thriving there even if he did regret not following her on that journey.
Instead of traveling with her to new places and for her to find balance with her once split soul he remained in his homeland.
A land where he became a symbol of peace and light.
That taught him not only magic but also how to be a shrine guardian and where his father resided.
His long golden hair caught in the wind that washed over the boat and he kept his eyes on their surroundings for demons who slipped past the cannon barrage. His wings under his ears shielded his eyes from the wind as the trio watched the sea that would destroy most other ships.
The reason they were traveling via sea was because no airship captain was willing to take the voyage even after being promised protections.
He lost track of how many called the five insane.
Ice Captain Cookie stepped forward risking her ship and her crew to ensure they arrived at their destination.
Pure Vanilla Cookie wore white and gold robes with cut outs at his shoulders and a collared shawl that formed a v pattern down his back with gold patterns forming stars. The top of his robe had a drip like pattern in a dark brown color. His robe was layered with the inside of the first layer resembling the stars over a gold skirt that obscured his bare feet. He had a white form fitting body suit and gloves underneath his robes. Protection spells were sewn in with invisible threads as mandated by the church let alone for such a high ranking official such as the son of the god of the church.
The rift in the barrier drew closer and Pure Vanilla Cookie held on to his staff, its star-like eye moving to take in the surroundings. The other Shrine Guardians raised their weapons expecting the worst as they approached and crossed through.
“In the sky,” Dark Cacao Cookie said as bird-like creatures flew at the ship.
“I’ll handle it,” Pure Vanilla Cookie said and Hollyberry walked over and placed her arm around Golden Cheese and Dark Cacao Cookie did the same for White Lily Cookie.
“If you need aid I can ride up to combat them,” Dark Cacao Cookie said.
“Thank you my friend,” Pure Vanilla Cookie stepped back and spread his wings and took off into the sky light embracing him to keep his path steady.
His staff glowed as birds made of light whizzed through the air striking through the demons and exploding into light and the sky became riddled with explosions of holy power. The demigod was like a sun in the dark red sky and a beacon of hope.
Even if he did not believe that.
Yet to those below they witnessed the divine power of the son of a high god.
After almost two months of sailing the five had reached their destination. The Icepiercer reached her destination and the captain and crew saluted the five as they climbed down the ladder into one of the life boats.
“Safe journey heroes!” Ice Captain Cookie saluted.
“No thank you for braving these waters,” Pure Vanilla Cookie said.
“We will not forget your bravery or kindness and I will be sure to give you plenty of rewards!” Golden Cheese Cookie knew better than to use her power to create them treasures as repayment especially when the worst had yet to come.
The five no longer had the Icepiercer to defend against demons.
They were now the primary defense and they had to preserve their energy when possible using just enough to handle threats for whatever might lay in wait next.
“When we return I shall treat you to a drink!” Hollyberry Cookie called happily.
“Thank you,” Dark Cacao Cookie was simple and straight to the point as he always was.
“I need no medals or rewards but I appreciate your gestures nonetheless. May the gods bless you all,” She said and she saluted the five once more as Dark Cacao Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie took the oars and began to row away from the ship.
The others watched their surroundings and a demonic fish leapt towards them and was met with a golden arrows impaling them and Golden Cheese Cookie held up just a finger pointed at the offending lesser demons.
White Lily Cookie was at the bow while the two winged cookies were at the stern of the boat. Pure Vanilla Cookie summoned a bird that flew through the demons that emerged from the water trying to crab the boat eviscerating them with light.
The five reached the shore of this ancient land that all cookie civilization originated from before they came to claim all corners of Earthbread. Yet the reason this land ended up so consumed by black magic remained unknown.
The five climbed out of the boat and White Lily and Pure Vanilla Cookie laid down a protection array before they set up camp. Dark Cacao Cookie and Hollyberry Cookie went to gather firewood while Golden Cheese Cookie patrolled the area.
Once they had a meal and the Icepiercer had faded into the horizon Pure Vanilla Cookie produced his copy of his map of Beast Yeast.
He laid it out on the sand, “If possible we should travel in groups for as long as we can before we must split up to our respective lands and the gods we are to try to aid.”
“It seems you and I will be traveling together for some time, Pure Vanilla Cookie. According to this map we are close to the region Hollyberry Cookie is to go,” Dark Cacao Cookie observed kneeling down and tracing his finger towards each destination on the western half of the continent as he spoke.
“So it seems our groups will be Dark Cacao Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie then myself, Golden Cheese Cookie, and Hollyberry Cookie,” White Lily Cookie leaned in close to the map tracing her finger along the surface towards the three locations of the other ancients on the eastern half.
“Sounds like a plan. I wish you all safe journeys and good fortune when you reach the near fallen gods,” Hollyberry Cookie said as she glanced behind her to the tall evergreens that made up the tree line that was swirled with reds and blacks that were decayed or rotten.
“I know we are all decorated heroes across Crispia but this land is unlike anything we have experienced. None of you do anything reckless understood?” Golden Cheese Cookie said her tone was gentle yet firm.
“Coming from the queen of reckless actions herself,” Dark Cacao Cookie remarked with a small chuckle,
“I beg your pardon I am not!”
Hollyberry Cookie laughed and Pure Vanilla Cookie chuckled.
“Do you two agree with him?!”
“No of course not!” Pure Vanilla Cookie said quickly, holding up his hands.
“Don’t worry Goldie, we won't do anything like that!” Hollyberry Cookie reassured patting her back.
“We have the arcane communication relics in case we need aid,” White Lily Cookie said.
“Everyone else just calls them Message Stones Lils,” Hollyberry Cookie chuckled and gently gave her a nudge with her elbow as she sat herself between the two.
Her cheeks flushed as she tucked some hair behind her ear.
“Either way we are well prepared,” Pure Vanilla Cookie said as he rolled up the map and placed it into his bag of holding. “We have a plan and we should get some rest. Same watch schedule as usual?”
The others nodded and the guardians began to prepare for bed with Dark Cacao Cookie settling to take first watch.
When morning came the five shared a final meal together before gathering their supplies and parting ways.
Pure Vanilla Cookie and Dark Cacao Cookie split off from the other three heading west. The forest around them was choked of all life with nothing but demons and distorted dessert beasts attacking them with each step.
The ground was not safe to travel upon when the pair had made barely any progress in their travel.
The pair took to the skies with Dark Cacao Cookie riding on his sword and Pure Vanilla Cookie flying at his side. Even in the skies they weren’t safe as dark magics attacked them as well as demonic birds that were clearly ravenous.
At the end of each day the pair were exhausted and ready for rest. Yet the wails and roars of demons ensured they received little sleep. The cries of nature and the remnant despair from its death and corruption rain out in Pure Vanilla Cookie’s mind.
It caused the little sleep he did have to be riddled with nightmares.
The further the pair traveled the more powerful the demons and evil spirits that assaulted them became.
After a week of travel the pair were traveling through a dense forest with tall trees that were black swirled with dark blue with light blue lines in the bark as if the trees were asleep.
Pure Vanilla Cookie swore that he saw eyes open in the trees out of the corner of his eye but when he turned his gaze they were gone.
“Well this is where we part ways,” Dark Cacao Cookie turned to face him, seeing the distant mountains that indicated the range where the Ivory Pagoda resided.
“Be safe my friend,” Pure Vanilla Cookie told him.
“You as well,” Dark Cacao Cookie said and Pure Vanilla Cookie pulled him into an embrace wrapping his wings around him.
The dragons’ vessel returned the affection and the pair stepped away. This time his sword glowed as the white of the blade vanished and a white dragon emerged.
“We ride westward!” He commanded and the dragon allowed him to hop on to its back and the pair sailed through the branches and dark leaves tinged blue bursting into the sky.
Pure Vanilla Cookie watched him fade into the horizon and only when he became a distant spot did he notice his surroundings drastically shift.
The eyes in the trees opened up all around him and the sky which had been dark for some time and its dark clouds shifted forming into eyes whose pupils seemed to land on the demigod. His grip on his staff tightened as puppets emerged from the shadows taking shape.
He could feel they were demonic in origin.
“We shall never truly have a break my friend,” He sighed and his staff glowed in response as blades of light impaled the dolls.
More emerged and he leapt back as card-like blades were thrown by a doll and he barely dodged them. Some tore into his robe and even cut into his dough.
It was clear there were too many to face as more replaced the ones he destroyed.
He was no fool.
Naturally he turned and hopped on to his staff and wove through the trees trying to escape the puppets and dolls who gave chase, their strings fading into the air above them as if guided by some unseen hand.
He was clearly being led but to where and by who that was unclear.
The demigod knew that those questions would not remain unanswered for long.
