Chapter Text
" It was a calm day surrounding the castle in the sky. A group of cookies brilliantly confident decided to pass the trials and climb the peak of truth, just like they’ve seen the hero did in their literature lesson !
It was said that at the top of the peak of truth lies 'the ultimate truth' ; and they absolutely needed to know their grades in advance ! And so they marched.
One, Two ; One, Two ; One… Ok this is boring"
"Ughh ! Shut up Cloud Confetti Cookie" The berrian says.
The group of students started arguing while cutting wild protein branches in their way. Inattentive of the amber eyes of a watching crow.
"My Lady" Black Raisin kneels. "A group of cookies, wearing matching clothes. Probably students."
"Children…" Truthless Recluse mutters under her breath. She looks down towards her right hand woman. "Tell Strawberry Crepe to slow down on them with the waffle bots" She gets up from her window seat and towards the kitchen— dismissing thus Black Raisin.
The raisin village leader rises and sends a message through one of her crows.
Sighs
Sometimes, her beast cookie is too much like a virtue. She always told her that Everything is Meaningless and when Black Raisin accused her of ‘kindness’ , she had simply said that it was ‘inaneness’.
But yet, even before the virtues’ corruption, she had always been gentle… There was a rumour among the faeries that Pure Vanilla was a sealed virtue— never fully corrupting.
The warm smell of jelly soup was rising. Truthless Recluse is most likely cooking for the travelers while they climb the peak of truth.
The trials ,if Black Raisin remembers, are based on the sugar-free trials that her master personally designed.
to get to the peak of truth, you need to first,
- reach the castle in the sky
- not get crushed
- fight off Strawberry Crepe’s Waffle bots, then avoid the Raisin children and their crows
- not get crushed by
- solve the Black Raisin “Destiny’s Riddle”, then climb the outdoor stairs to the top
- not get crushed by the truth
And Finally, Truthless Recluse will either dismiss you or will do her best to break it to you in the most gentle way possible.
But one thing is sure;
You are destined to be crushed by the bitter truth should you reach the top.
The travelers are currently in the weeping stairs— Black Raisin chose not to give them any riddles. It seems like her master really wanted to meet them. Even while being a recluse, she still likes company from young minds.
Truthless Recluse was setting up a small blanket in her speaking chamber. Her cauldron was still boiling the almost completed soup. Various nutriments were there, jellybeans for energy, soft cacaoin bits for strength, some vine leaves for intelligence— she even added cheddar flakes for good luck…
Superstitions are just another form of deceit.
Herbal Essence Cokkie wheezes while holding onto Silver Daisy Faerie for support. "We’re finally— there…"
Black Cherry was panting but still took out her pocket notebook. She wanted to make a presentation about the Beast of Deceit, but didn’t have enough informations via books. She tried the ones from the silver kingdom, the crème République and of course from the academy. The Berrian was surprised to hear that her professor didn’t have a clue on who could the mysterious figure be— except for the books that he had also read. The student had wanted to interrogate Elder Faerie who seems to know more, or maybe the nearby Cookie Kingdom who seems to be very attached to the soul jam wielder, or even the priests and priestesses from the Crème République. She wanted to know
Who were they ?
Why were they so revered and beloved by many ?
Aren’t Beasts evil ?
"Is that jelly soup ?" Silver Daisy says.
"I could really go for one" Cloud Confetti comments
"We don’t know anything about this beast guys !" The Berrian warns "It’s not like the other beasts of greed or chaos for example"
"well then," the leader says "let’s go"
The first thing they noticed was the absence of a beast. Immediately, they tensed. An unseen enemy is the most dangerous. Suddenly, they hear the sharp tappings of heeled shoes. A confident walk. Some of them breathed. A confident enemy means an arrogant adv-
Their jaws dropped— almost stuck in their agape. They hadn’t excepted this.
The Beast of Deceit
was a beautiful maiden. She wore fitting Dark Blue robes and an apathetic expression. Yet her gaze held care and pitifulness— maybe kindness…
"Travelers, what have you come for ?" Oh my dough, her voice is sweet !
The cookies had hesitated— stuttering in their nervousness.
So that’s a Beast Cookie !??
She looks like and angel ! Well more like a fallen angel…
The students noticed the inverted Soul Jam, and remembered their teacher. Right. They had come for the ultimate truth, their grades results, their project presentation etc…
Suddenly they all bursted in questions at the same time. It could have been overwhelming but Truthless Recluse had just looked at them patiently. It reminded her of former times, where children gathered around her with curious eyes and authentic smiles…
Truthless Recluse faintly chuckles and the students look at her with faint surprise.
"One at a time" she says "I’ll answer all your questions" she clasps her hand together "Have a seat. I made you some treats…"
The supper was delicious and comfortingly warm. Truthless Recluse had almost laughed at the little group of cookies’ shenanigans. Who climbs the peak of truth to know their grades in advance ?! It had reminded her greatly of GingerBrave and his friends. How she misses the children from the Cookie Kingdom.
Silver Daisy was laying on her lap as she was stroking their wings in the way she had with Golden Cheese— it’s too bad the cheese queen doesn’t want to have any physical contact with anyone now…
"You should have been our professor instead, Miss Recluse !" Cloud Confetti lamentes "You’re surprisingly similar to him— You even wear the same Soul Jam jewel"
"Soul Jams aren’t jewels Confetti" Herbal Essence affirms firmly "Plus, Miss Recluse’s one is clearly different !"
"Your teacher has a similar Soul Jam to mine ?"
"Yes ! His name is Blueberry Milk Cookie I think— but we all call him Sage Of Truth"
Truthless Recluse briefly froze. This man… He has a similar Soul Jam, an opposite purpose… It must be this infamous Other Half the other Beasts keep talking about. Each always spoke with hatred and awe in the occasional letters they remember to send her.
The Other Beasts…
The moment the were freed by Dark Faerie and Wilted Lily, they decided that she mustn’t be left out. They didn’t believe in her beast powers and she wanted to argue— just because she was the group’s healer doesn’t mean she can’t defend herself ! But she could only notice their panic..
Molten Cheese was the one who held her shoulders— a desperate and painful grip. Wilted Lily was silent and looking down in chagrin. Truthless Recluse was confused, then she winced.
"It’s for the best"
Surprisingly Sour Cacao came up with the idea— she thought she could have relied on his support. Molten Cheese jumped at the proposition and became the most invested. Wilted Lily, on the other hand didn’t want to argue against Molten Cheese at first and then became convinced later. Elderberry… She never seemed fully conscious so they didn’t take her voice into account.
Faced with the majority,
"Alright" She had murmured.
Truthless Recluse didn’t even realise her voice sounded so broken. Molten Cheese had squeezed her bare shoulders even tighter— she has had huge bruises later in the evening. She never felt betrayal before and then-
"Miss Recluse ?" The faerie cookie on her lap calls
"Yes, my treasure ?"
"You were spacing out, sorry"
"Oh no I am sorry… What were you children chatting about ?.."
"Our Professor !" The students called in unison.
"He is super strict ! But also really fun" "He makes tests impossible... But he has a lot of patience I guess" "He always explains gently."
Truthless Recluse's eyes softens. "You must really like him then."
"Yes " Black Cherry says "He does lectures for everybody. You should come too someday !"
Herbal Essence cookie clears his throat "Are you implying the beacon of truth needs a lecture Black Cherry ?"
The Berrian became embarassed and quickly tried to cover up "no no- not because you need it" she stutters "More like- like it's good to meet him. Becau-cause he's a great professor !"
Truthless Recluse and the other students giggle at her embarassement. "Alright; Alright." the beast smiles "...I'll consider it" she says absentmindedly "I guess…" she adds inaudebly.
None of the cookies seemed to notice as they suddenly felt like sulking. It was getting late and , inevitably , they had to go home at some point. Reluctanly, they said goodbye and Truthless Recluse opened them a portal to drop them off at the entrance of the nearby village. Leaving her alone, they left her with her thoughts. She was trying to plan for an escape while cleaning the dishes and arrage the pillows back in the cushion.
Black Raisin is very close to Molten Cheese- so she keeps a steady eye on her master. Every outing outside Truthless's Peak is recorded in letters and sent to the Beast of Greed or kept in some sort of Archive. Safe to say, Truthless Recluse was never alone. Thus, she needed a clever plan.
She will take her time. In two weeks- maybe three weeks, she will go outside of her palace, disguised of course, and meet this oh so great sage the students were enamoured with. She didn't really hate him- because of course, she doesn't know him- but the other beasts seem to dislike their other halves and call them thieves or so. Especially Sour Cacao- or maybe she just thinks that his emotions are clearer because he always sends her more letters and updates her about everything. Out of all the other beasts, he is the one who correspondes the most with her.
She supposes it made sense as they always corresponded a lot even before their fall from grace. Plus, they have a literal child together.
Dark Choco Cookie
It has been so long since she last saw him. She deeply hopes he’s well. Sour Cacao and his relationship wasn’t the best one and he always sought comfort in her arms when they fight.
But regardless…
How is she supposed to get out of this tower now…