Chapter Text
Chapter 1 : Where it all begun.
It was a normal day. Except it wasn’t. It was a day that hurt even the strongest of prides. Shadow milk walked into the forest expecting one of the Beasts from a letter he received. But now? there he was. Shadow milk cookie, sprawled against the floor with his ass up in the air after tripping over a conveniently placed cake roll log after he let out a half yelp half whine while falling, which was a sound, even him. The supreme beast of deceit didn't know he could make…
That stupid log somehow got to him even while he was floating! Hmph. How absurd.
So there he laid. Humiliated, pouting to nobody, and praying for the love of the witches to not have anyone see that embarrassing moment. Especially not the Beasts. Shadow milk huffed as he got up from his compromising position and patted himself down. He slumped against an old tree, still sulking, suddenly with a jolt, He has this totally not weird and random instinct that's telling him to "Get out or you’ll regret it eternally."
...
He laughed out loud. Pfftt. When has he regretted anything other than being baked? Witches.
As the thoughts escaped his brain, he felt a small buzzing sensation in the air. Odd. He could just easily brush this off, But he was prideful, not ignorant. considering that, when he focused more on the energy, he could feel traces- no, a sudden abundance of magic in the air. Not white magic nor dark magic, Something foreign. Something he couldn't control.
"Ah shit. I should leave like Asap." Shadow milk muttered to himself as he dusted off imaginary dust and made a move to start getting up, and paused;
he looked around for his original path where he came from, a sudden, cold realization hit him. He was no longer at where he was just a mere two seconds ago. His eyes darted frantically around the surrounding area. This isn't right. It's too bright for a normal forest. Trees curved unnaturally, Ripe fruits that once dripped with dew now were replaced with crystal like gems that emitted pixie dust or some shit. Shadow milk forces his eyes away from the trees and onto the ground.
The grass illuminated with pale gray - green, A type of shade you'd find in the most absurd of absurd dreams. And… the tree he was just leaning on mere moments ago suddenly felt like mush. He jolted away from the tree and stared in gross horror as the tree practically started to morph into a glistening sparkling tree just like the others surrounding them.
"My eyes-!" Shadow milk flinched as the Tree before him went from a casual lump of bark to a damn chandelier.
There's no doubt about it. This was the work of a fae.
Despite himself being one of the Past Virtues. Especially the Virtue of Knowledge no less. He has actually never seen a fae before. Sure, he met their counterparts. The Faeries, quite a few times, for example; that damned Elder faerie cookie. And other yucky faeries he had found himself to somehow like eons ago.
Sure, the faes and faeries share a family tree, but couldn't be any more different. In fact, they were the complete opposite of each other. Like truth and deceit put next to each other.
Faeries were kind, compassionate and sympathetic, lives filled with eternal laughter and joy. Faes on the other hand, were sly, in an elegant way that went unnoticed by most. They cannot lie, yet, they have a way of turning every breath into a double meaning against you. They can twist words beyond your imagination and make you slowly lose yourself.
As a Virtue, shadow milk had never had to deal with those annoying pests. But now that he was reduced to a despicable, humble jester hated by many; Unlike the Fount of Knowledge. A honorable title he once held. A title so powerful where one slight acknowledgment would make desperate cookies grovel on their knees. However, Shadow milk wasn't anything special anymore; That is, until he decides to ruin their lives somewhere in the upcoming future. But as of now, he was just a "normal cookie," a jester, that no one pays attention to, hence not even a sideways glance on a good day. And it was gonna stay that way until he felt bored of this "super normal cookie life of a humble jester." Anyways. He was going off topic.
Shadow milk glanced around at his surroundings once more, squinting at the lights that shone directly into his not one, not two; but many eyes.
“What an eyesore.” He grumbled. averting his gaze away from the growing brightness of the crystal fruits on the now- shimmering tree.
Shadow milk thought for a moment and then hummed. it was strange. This fae is either stupid or just blind. Shadow milk clearly emits mana and Dark magic, a result from his constant floating. Or perhaps they're just that type of arrogant fae, trying to get a challenge because the other cookies fell too quickly.
Well unluckily for this fae, Not only were they going up against a magic user; But also a Past Virtue and a current Beast of Deceit.
This will be fun.
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Within the forest walls packed thick with illusions and sickening unrealistic realities sat calmly an ethereal figure. Tan skin, long flowing golden locks in sync, paced with the wind as the other half of their hair was tied in a cute, braided bun. Their eyes closed with their long white lashes catching light. Their lean muscles showing through the little gaps of their humbly woven leaf and leather attire. He was beautiful. He was deceiving. He was a fae. And what do faes do best? Lure mortals and trap them forever, becoming their permanent toys until they get sick of looking at them.
Of course no fae would admit that. Too much pride is on the line. Though it's an unspoken rule between the deceitful immortals.
Viridescent Daydream. The King of all faces. The ruler who can command even the toughest mortals or immortals alike, to bend before him, face in the dirt if they must. In fact, if they want their immortal, or not so-immortal lives to not be cut short so soon. That's the type of power viridescent daydream held. Unwavering and powerful.
"Baa”
Viridescent daydream looked down, snapping out of his thoughts.
“baa baa!”
repeated the sound, oh right. He was in the middle of a flock of cream sheep. He had forgotten after spotting his new toy. A fond smile crept up to his lips. It was intriguing, toys with magical capabilities were hard to come across. He was so excited he had accidentally neglected his dearest cream sheep of affection for a moment. Viridescent sighed and spoke carefully; trying to not upset the dear cream sheep in front of him.
“Ah.. I apologize. Do not hold it against me, little one.” Viridescent said with a smile on his face as he poked a sheep’s cheek. “I must go now. I have a new plaything to enjoy. If we were lucky. Maybe they can join the flock like the previous mortals.” Viridescent said calmly as if it was a matter of fact as he picked up his orchid staff and tilted it towards his body against his leafy gown. It's time to go hunting.
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Shadow milk wasn't completely oblivious to the rules of dealing with faes despite his lack of experience. He had his time as the fount of knowledge to thank. He once had gotten so curious of these secluded, rare creatures he ended up reading over 18 dictionaries worth of books on how to avoid them, Counter and safely escape these faes. Also not to mention he literally once stood inside a forest for 2 days just to try and encounter one. It was a super entertaining read. Not so entertaining when you actually find yourself in the exact situation...
Now even though Shadow milk WAS the Fount of knowledge, it had been eons since he had been locked up in that damned tree and even more centuries as he had read those books of fae before corruption. Even his memory has limits. Though he could still clearly recall important rules to counter and avoid the control of the fae and to NEVER disregard no matter what.
1. Do not tell them your name. It gives them control over your soul.
2. Do not accept invitations or hospitality. That makes you a guest which then makes you into their debt. From then on. You're doomed.
3. Do not consume anything they give you. It's cursed.
4. Never say “thank you” or “sorry.” That makes you indebted to them.
5. Show weakness and they’ll exploit it as much as they can.
6. ALWAYS avoid high figures like the kings or queens. If you do fall under their monitoring, it's basically inevitable to get trapped forever.
7. Do not speak or interact with already controlled mortals. They will not help you, in fact. They will mislead you as instructed by their faes.
8. The most important rule. Every sentence, word, syllable. Has a double meaning. Choose your words wisely. Do not fall under their spell of kindness. It is all but deceit coated in sugar.
Shadow milk was smart enough to follow that. He had to be smart enough.
So there he went. Carefully navigating the newly honey coated "paradise" of a forest.
“Jesus fuck… Can they not lower the brightness of this damn place?” Shadow milk cursed as he carefully stepped over a fallen log. His spine tensing as he feels an intense watchful gaze over him. Gosh he did NOT like being watched like this. It was usually him who did the watching. Not the opposite.
From a distant cliff, Viridescent was watching with amusement, he would’ve already pounced by now if it were another mortal, but with this one… He felt different about him. He didn't know how to word it correctly, intrigue? Boredom? from the last disappointing toys? curiosity?
Hm...
Maybe this time, he would play the long game instead. Viridescent had a feeling. This time, it would be different. More fun. More… intoxicating.
He was looking forward to it.