Chapter Text
Long ago, the Gods, the Witches; they graced the land with creatures of all sorts. From dragons as big as mountains to sea dwellers to the smallest yeast spore, magnificent creatures had always been across Earthbread. As the land was finally graced with cookies, ordinary to say the least, the gift of the Virtues were given for order and discipline among societies. The most important blessing, the gift of Knowledge: to understand the trivialities of living.
The Fount of Knowledge found himself tracking through semi-dense vegetation under glittering trees. The moon was full; its benevolent light filtered through the leaves, speckling the soft grass beneath his feet. The air felt thick and humid, sticking to his lungs every breath he took. Despite this not so comfortable journey, he pushed on as fascination overweighed his discomfort.
This terrain and ecosystem he had never once seen before—oh how he should be writing this all down! But there was no time for him to be a dumbfounded child. He continued onward.
The Fount had always heard tales of a mystical kingdom hidden within the deepest depths of Beast-Yeast’s huge forest. Dripping with silver, hidden from the eyes of the world: the Faerie Kingdom. Stories told about winged creatures no bigger than the average Crispian cookie, mischievous little thieves who lure unsuspecting cookies into their realm forever. He had heard and read over and over tales of their malevolent and violent nature— but despite this, still exhibiting beauty unlike anything else.
Of course he was skeptical of such stories, usually told to scare young children into obedience. It logically made no sense for the Witches to create violent beings for no reason other than a bit of fun, which ironically it seems they never know how to have (in his opinion at least; though he would never say that aloud).
It was until he found himself in Beast-Yeast on divine order would it be perhaps a great opportunity to investigate himself. To learn about an entirely unknown and isolated species… even the thought of it made him hyper with excitement. To learn was his purpose, and this was simply no exception to that rule. His companions followed his example, spreading out in opposite paths across the continent.
Huffing, he decided on stopping for a moment to rest and regain his breath. He diverged from the path and chose a spot that was shadowed by a large tree.
He fell to his knees against the trunk, taking in large breaths. After a moment of recollection, he removed the small leather bag that slung over his shoulder, lifting up the flap to take out a rolled paper.
Unrolling it, he examined the map. He placed it flat on a nearby stone, holding the corners down with large pebbles. There was no clear location of the supposed faerie kingdom. If they do exist, they hide themselves notoriously well. He could only make an educated guess of where they could reside. So far, the first couple of locations he tried were certainly not inhabited, as he crossed them out on the map. As of now, he headed east, towards the heart of forest; a likely destination as it was the hardest to get to.
The Fount leaned against the tree again, rolling the map back up. He sighed, swiping his bangs out of his face. He had been traveling for a couple days, and it would take maybe another to reach the heart. Though he did note the unusual moon cycle here— there was frankly only a moon cycle. He didn’t think the sun even rose here, it was always dark! It wasn’t much of a bother though, he did love the stars and the constellations were magnificent. But it seems to make him extra sleepy, being in the dark all the time. Perhaps for now he would close his eyes for a moment before continuing his journey.
He was about to do so, slumping even further down the trunk and resting his head on his bag, when the sound of quiet chirping captured his attention. Looking up, a small green yeast spore floated in front of him, chirping continuously.
“Oh, my…” he whispered. “Hello there. What are you doing all by yourself? Don’t you usually live in groups?” He reached his hand forward.
The friendly yeast spore chirped happily again, headbutting the palm of his hand. He couldn’t keep himself from chuckling at the sight.
He watched as it then moved closer. It seemed like it took an interest in his staff that laid in the grass next to him, floating lower and resting on the very end where his soul jam resided. Unexpectedly, it took hold of the staff with its tiny appendages, and with as much effort as it could lifted it into the air, trying to scurry away.
The Fount yelped, throwing himself onto his staff before the spore could steal it.
“Shoo!” he said, waving his hand. “This does not belong to you! Go back to your pack!”
The yeast spore bounced away, unbothered. He would have to note to himself to keep an eye on his belongings from now on.
Scooping his staff beneath him, he yawned. He still decided resting for now would be the best option before reaching his next destination. So he laid down again, burying his face in his collar, closing his eyes to let the sleepiness take over for now.
…
The hushed sound of whispers bugged him out of his slumber. He hummed, not opening his eyes, trying to slip back under again. It was until he was prodded in his back he knew he wouldn’t be able to rock himself back to sleep. Perhaps it was that pesky spore again.
“I said shoo,” he murmured. When he finally cracked his eyes open, he realized in front of him stood a— no, there were multiple, some even hiding in the nearby vegetation— cookies draped in silver and black, with spears pointed directly at his throat.
Stumbling clumsily to pull himself up, recognizing he was in danger, he raised his palms.
“I-I mean no harm to this place nor its inhabitants. I am here by order of the Witches, you see..!” As his eyes adjusted their focus, he recognized there was one decorated cookie directly in front of him, and to their sides two masked cookies who looked exactly like knights following their example by pointing leaf-shaped spears at him. At further notice, he realized something strange… these cookies, they were adorned with wings!
As his mouth hung open, the assumed leader, maybe a knight commander, spoke over him.
“You may remain silent for now. Until he arrives, there are no words for us to exchange.” His posture remained unchanged, poised and ready for any sudden movements that could be made.
The Fount was too occupied by fascination to speak anyway. This cookie in front of him, although dressed similar to the ones that flanked him, what he assumed were his wings were certainly not shaped like the typical wing. They kept him in a hover, completely fluid. They even dripped on the occasion, dropping silver into the pale grass.
He hardly even noticed the tiny cookie behind him, in his hand a bow downed in silverbell flowers that swayed with his movements. He didn’t look as confident as the other three, planted in the grass with his small wings tucked behind him, staring at the ground.
After what hardly felt like enough time to wonder to himself, footsteps brought him back to his senses. He couldn’t see what was happening outside of the encirclement.
“If I may a— ohhkay—“
He took the cue as to not speak, complying as the two masked knights scooped him to his feet by his underarms. His staff, which he used primarily for stability, remained on the ground, which concerned him but he was being held to his feet anyway.
As the commander swept himself and the smaller boy aside, finally he could see who the culprit of the footsteps were.
Stopped in front of him, a taller and presumably older cookie stood with a thin sword in his hand that glinted in the moonlight at every movement. He was also armored, but his was decorated with woven silver threaded fabric that draped over his shoulders and was secured around the waist, intricately carved and painted armor plates at his shoulders. His long, silvery lavender hair was tied elegantly behind his head, and framing his face was a rightfully silver headdress. His eyes were gentle, but held against him a stern and honestly frustrated gaze. Perhaps most noticeable was a large, glimmering cape that dragged behind him.
He made a hand gesture, and the knights at the Fount’s side released his arms.
“A cookie, wandering so deep in Faeriewood. How unusual. But you’ve captured my attention. Why are you here, and on what business do you intend to search us out for?”
Faeriewood… he has never heard that name before. If these really are the faeries, this must be what they call their home. He was bursting with excitement, but he held his composure.
“Forgive me. I am not here to cause trouble. I am the Fount of Knowledge, if you may have heard of me.”
“I know who you are, Light Milk,” the faerie sighed. Sheathing his blade, he crossed his arms over his armored chest.
The Fount raised his eyebrows, surprised. “You- You know my true alias? But— I’ve never met you before!”
The faerie only hummed, somewhat amused. He leaned his weight to the side, causing him to pop his hip, maybe like an annoyed mother.
“You look like a knight. I have read much about your kind, your supposed kingdom must be ruled by gentry. But how do you know such personal detail about me, while your kind is practically nonexistent and shared about in fairytales?” He thought out loud, mostly to himself. “Only the other Virtues and the Creators know me by the name Light Milk. You… what do They call you?”
“They call me Elder Faerie. But you may call me your Majesty.”
“Majesty!” Light Milk gasped, dropping to his knee. “I apologize for my impoliteness. I’m here merely to learn more about your people, as the mystery intrigues my curiosity. I wish only to learn, as it’s my duty.”
“Oh, don’t make a fool of yourself.” Elder Faerie said, motioning for him to rise. “We don’t usually allow cookies to venture this close to the kingdom. You, however… you’re not like them. You are no ordinary cookie.” He nodded his head east. “Come.”
Light Milk was handed his bag and his staff, much to his relief. He scrambled after Elder Faerie, the other knights close behind him.
“So you really are faeries, oh wow… But I see no wings on you, even under the transparency of your cloak.”
Tilting his head in Light Milk’s direction, the cape around Elder Faerie’s shoulders unfolded into the most extravagant wings he had ever seen, not even in nature.
Light Milk gasped his admiration. Then he glanced back at the other knights, hovering quietly.
“If you bear wings you must fly too, yes? Why walk?”
“My wings, I do not spread them without need. I feel much more connected to the earth with my feet on the ground.” His wings folded neatly behind him again, brushing against the dewy grass.
“Connected to the earth. As magic wielders that must be where your source of energy comes from. Unless given to you by the Witches, like me, but that seems unlikely if I have never heard of you directly… hmm.” Light Milk continued to hypothesize aloud.
“You certainly talk a lot for a Virtue.”
“Apologies,” he said, dipping his head down. “There’s so many questions I have!”
Elder Faerie slowed his pace so that Light Milk walked beside him. The trees seemed to grow thicker the farther they went, the path becoming more narrow. The moon’s position casted long shadows against the silver bark of the trees, clawing through the ground. Bioluminescent fungi glowed in the shadows, dimly lighting the path.
“Where exactly are we headed? This weather seems rather unfavorable…” Light Milk asked, his lungs starting to ache again.
“Well, it is you who decided to plan your visit in the warm season. We may lack sunlight here, but it rains quite often and the vegetation retains that moisture awfully well.” He raised his arm, brushing the low branches of the trees shielding their heads. As he disturbed the leaves, droplets rained down on them both.
Light Milk swiped the water from his hair. He noted mentally to write this down later. He had a feeling he would learn an awful lot from this Elder Faerie.
“How did you know I would come here?”
“I… hear a lot about you. It wasn’t hard to assume you eventually would find yourself sniffing us out.” He stopped, tilting his head up towards the stars.
“It was actually Silverbell who spotted you first.” Following the direction where Elder Faerie twitched his wing, Light Milk laid his eyes on the small, shy faerie from earlier. He laughed nervously from behind the knight commander as they made eye contact.
“Although knight apprentices are not allowed on patrol without their mentors,” the commander grumbled.
“It wasn’t my fault!” Silverbell protested. “I saw something foreign and I went to investigate. It’s not like I caused trouble this time!”
“And what is your name?” Light Milk asked the agitated commander.
“Mercurial Knight. I am one of the heads of the Silver Knights.”
Light Milk nods his head thoughtfully. Elder Faerie captures his attention again by resting his hand on his shoulder.
“Close your eyes,” he says simply.
“What? Why? Is there something here I'm not supposed to see? And in the middle of the forest? Is there a hidden entrance to the kingdom? Or magic I’m not supposed to know?”
“Er… something like that. Just close them, and you’ll see.” Elder Faerie rested a hand over Light Milk’s eyes, brushing them delicately closed. His hands were a bit cold against his skin, which felt relieving from the sticky heat.
With closed eyes, Elder Faerie guided him by the arm forward again. Plainly out of respect, he didn’t dare try opening them for a peek.
“You wouldn’t be luring me into a trap, would you?” He asked playfully.
“Do you believe in fairytales?”
“Well, although not proven, many stories I hear are of faeries luring cookies into staying in their domain forevermore. Some even fall for betrothings by beauty and glamour. You wouldn’t happen to be doing that to me now, would you?”
“Only if you really wanted me to.”
Light Milk closed his mouth. He expected banter back, but the monarch’s response flustered him. He hoped he didn’t see the warmth in his cheeks.
Thankfully it seems Elder Faerie didn’t take any notice, as he hears him mutter something he couldn’t understand. Which was as unusual as it was fascinating, due to Light Milk being well versed in nearly all of the languages spoken across Crispia. But this, he certainly has never heard before. He would ask about it later.
Then as he continued to be pulled by the arm, he felt suddenly tingly. They definitely walked past some kind of magic barrier. Magic that Light Milk couldn’t recognize. Perhaps something used to keep out intruders?
“Hmm…”
“Are you alright?” Elder Faerie asked.
“Yes… I felt that magic barrier. You must be vigilant about who you let in your domain.”
“That is true. Most are not quite friendly towards us as you might think. You may open your eyes now.”
Light Milk felt the pressure on his arm lift, and he opened his eyes, taking a moment to let them adjust in the moonlight. He looked behind him, curious about the magic, but he didn’t see anything. But as he continued to follow Elder Faerie, he was able to make out an intricately shaped arch, small stones leading through it. The closer they approached, the more Light Milk could hear the sounds of orchestra and voices.
As they passed through the arch, Light Milk let his mouth hang open as he took in the kingdom. It was unlike anything he had ever seen; high reaching trees created a huge canopy, and in their branches cradled small homes and garlands of all kinds. Detailed silver engravings and weavings encrusted all the architecture he could see, depicting organic subjects like leaves and butterflies while others depicted stars and the moon. Lanterns lit the paths around the kingdom with glowing fireflies. And in the center of the kingdom, the largest, sturdiest tree Light Milk had seen drove its roots into the earth, its glittering silver branches stretching wide, surrounded by dark reflective water.
Elder Faerie hummed his amusement at Light Milk’s admiration. “Is it as glamorous as you’d hoped?”
“Oh, even more! Silver must be cherished here. The way the moonlight is reflected across the entire kingdom, it's like it was built specifically for the moon.”
Elder Faerie waved off Mercurial Knight, Silverbell, and the other two knights. “I’ll provide you living quarters in the palace for the duration of your stay. I recommend that you rest for now. You aren’t used to living without the sun, as you discovered by yourself.”
The palace was no less regal than the rest of the kingdom. Although relatively small, its walls were built around forks and knives— Witch instruments. Its halls were made of mostly arched stained glass windows that filtered in moonlight in pastel colors of blue and purple. The tiles beneath his feet were embedded with opals and the same insignias as outside.
In one wing of the palace is where a few rooms resided. They stopped at one of the doors.
The inside of the room was quite large. The bed had curtains draped over it, in between two large nightstands. The room was certainly not missing a large dresser, a desk, and a framed doorless arch which led to what he could assume was a lavatory of sorts. Most of the furniture, he noticed, were carved from silver wood. There was also by the stained glass window, a comfortable looking loveseat sofa with a small coffee table in front of it, which held a bowl filled with jellies and fruits.
Light Milk couldn’t hide his awkward chuckle. “You are certainly very generous. I express gratitude for allowing me to stay, and for even letting me rest my eyes on this place to begin with.” He removed his bag and dropped it carefully onto the bed, relieved to remove pressure from his spine.
“It’s not much. Do Crispians like fruit jellies?” Elder Faerie said, taking interest in the bowl.
Light Milk approached also, to take a look. Elder Faerie picked a dark, round fruit and gestured towards him.
Light Milk took the fruit jelly from his hand. “We do, but I have never seen one of this kind. Its skin is rock hard! Is there a knife in here that I can use to cut into it?”
“You open it with your teeth.”
Elder Faerie furrowed his brow when Light Milk glanced at him, confused. “I mean it seriously… It’s a popular jelly here.”
Light Milk turned the dark blue fruit over in his hands. He brought it to his mouth, attempting his best to dig into its skin, but his teeth slid right off. He tried a second time, but it ended in the same result. He laughed, slightly embarrassed.
“Do you want me to help…?”
Light Milk handed back the fruit in defeat. He watched as Elder Faerie effortlessly sank his own teeth into the fruit. When he did so, Light Milk noticed his teeth were much more pointy than his were. These cookies must be adapted for chewing through tough food, he thought.
The faerie dug his fingers into the marks left behind, popping the fruit jelly open. Light Milk thanked him for his half, and bit into its now exposed insides.
“Oh!” he said. “It tastes just like a blueberry!”
“I’ll make sure to send a palace servant to give you something for the jellies.” Elder Faerie hid his amusement behind his own half.
Then he sighed. “I must take my leave for now. And you should rest. Let's meet later… by the Silver Tree, perhaps?”
“Yes, yes. That sounds perfect. Oh, but before you leave— may I ask you something?”
Elder Faerie tilted his head at him.
“Earlier you said something. That you expected me to come here. And that I am no ordinary cookie. What did you mean by that? Am I supposed to know more about you than I do?”
Elder Faerie looked away momentarily. “No… To you, my creation was supposed to be a secret. In truth, I am no different than you or the other Virtues.”
“The Witch cutlery… you serve them too. Are you also an immortal?”
“We all are. They call me Elder because I am the first. I created this place for the safety and secrecy of my people.”
“But why? Why do They keep you hidden but make us emissaries?” Light Milk sifted his fingers through his twinkling hair.
“For the sake of balance, or merely a mistake,” Elder Faerie muttered quietly. “You mustn’t tell anyone about this. You made the choice of coming here, now you must live with the burden of this secret, for it could put you and I both in peril. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I promise you.”
Elder Faerie brought his hand to the back of his neck. “I really must go now. Light Milk… thank you for finding your way to us.”
Light Milk smiled at him, watching until he shut the door quietly closed.