Chapter Text
The wind howled through the barren land, somehow more alive than whatever residents were left. From a pile of rubble, a blue Cookie crawled out before slumping on the ground, breathing heavily.
“Sshstupid…” He slurred his words as he rubbed his head, slowly getting back up. His tail whipped with the wind as he caught his breath.
This Cookie, Blue Milk Cookie, was one of the five founders and leaders of the Brutan Kingdom, built by the Beast’s next of kin. They had ruled this land strong and just, and the Brutan Kingdom eventually grew to be one of the most powerful, even to the point of some believing it wasn’t real.
But those good times were in the past now.
The Kingdom had slowly broken apart.
First, the Cookies of Brutan were overcome with Sloth, contempt. Some even gave in to Apathy.
Then, came the Beasts to cause the absolute Destruction of Brutan.
Now, all that is left is Silence and the whispers of Deceit.
Blue Milk Cookie looked very similar to his Deceitful father, other than his wolf features and lack of a mark on his right eye. He pulled his long hair to calm himself down.
A voice called from beyond the ash. “Blue!”
This was Black Salt Cookie, another of the founders and leaders of Brutan. He was the one who did a lot of the heavy lifting, and he did it well. Every Brutan Cookie respected him. After all, he was the son of the once Salt of Solidarity.
Black Salt Cookie, too, looked even more like his father, even to having a similar metal helmet. His long, black cloak whipped in the wind behind him as he approached Blue Milk Cookie.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” Black Salt Cookie said. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fffine,” Blue Milk Cookie mumbled. “What about you? And the others?”
Black Salt Cookie kept his head to the ground. “I’m alright, but…”
Blue Milk Cookie took a moment before realizing what he meant. “Oh.”
Blue Milk Cookie sighed, crossing his arms. Black Salt Cookie stood straight, looking around at the once-beautiful landscaped.
The other leaders of Brutan were Cherry Mochi Cookie, Light Flour Cookie, and Pumpkin Spice Cookie.
Pumpkin Spice Cookie was one that the two were not particularly worried about, considering they had already died long ago, to the hands of his own father, Burning Spice Cookie. Crushed in an instant.
Black Salt Cookie had earlier found the bodies of both Cherry Mochi Cookie and Light Flour Cookie. One had been turned halfway to flour while the other was in a deep, deep sleep as she bled rivers from her wide-open chest, which exposed her lungs and heart.
The two remaining Brutes sat side-by-side in silence, looking over the ashes and dust. Reviewing what had happened.
“How long was I out for, actually?” Blue Milk Cookie asked.
Black Salt Cookie shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
Blue Milk Cookie clicked his tongue.
“I think we should work on shelter soon though, right?” he said.
“The castle is still mostly intact, aside from the outside bits,” Black Salt Cookie replied. “I believe if we can find our way back to it, we may also be able to find other survivors.”
“Then let’s get going!” Blue Milk Cookie stood up, dusting off days worth of ashes from his red coat.
Black Salt Cookie rolled his eyes before getting up as well. “Make sure you think of something uplifting to tell them if we find any.”
. . .
“HELLOOOO?” Black Salt Cookie called into the echoing castle halls. “ANYONE HERE?”
Once again, no sound.
Blue Milk Cookie shrugged. “Come on, we need to see if there’s anything we could use here.”
Black Salt Cookie nodded, following along. “Should we look for Sugar Gnomes as well, in case we need their help rebuilding?”
Blue Milk Cookie scoffed. “If you wanna rebuild, do it yourself. I’m moving after this.”
“Why so?”
“I’m pretty sure the Beasts’ll target here again,” Blue Milk Cookie said as he looked through a few doors. “So I don’t wanna risk it, honestly.”
“Hmm, I’m not so sure about that,” Black Salt Cookie hummed. “The Witches have apprehended them, don’t you recall? It’s why they didn’t get to the castle.”
“Huh. I guess so. Found the kitchen!”
The two rummaged through the dusty cabinets for food, supplies, or anything they could use, really.
“Found some!” Black Salt Cookie called out, holding up a container of bread. “Bread!”
“Woah, great find!” Blue Milk Cookie immediately took the container and opened it up, splitting the bread in half and taking a loaf. He handed the rest of the container to Black Salt Cookie.
Black Salt Cookie munched on his half. “I’m glad the castle’s still here,” he said in between mouthfuls.
“Yeah, it’s great,” Blue Milk Cookie mumbled.
The sun began to lower behind the horizon of mountains and trees, casting a warm glow over the kingdom’s remains.
“I think I might stay,” Blue Milk Cookie said once he finished eating. “It’s not too bad to start from scratch, I guess.”
“That’s great, because I am not rebuilding all of this alone.” Black Salt Cookie chuckled.
Meanwhile, outside, just in front of the castle door, a small Bluebird carefully lay down a piece of paper, rolled and tied neatly with a bow. A label on the ribbon read, ‘From: The Cookie Kingdom. To: The Kingdom of Brutan.” A small note for the last leaders of Brutan.
The last descendants of the once-Virtues.