A Guide to Sanctuary
As Hollyberry Cookie was trudging through the vast jungle of Beastyeast, having just escaped the Garden of Sweet Delights with her fellow hollyberrians and Sugarfly Cookie, one of her compatriots spoke with exhaustion.
“Hah… hah… Queen Mother… perhaps… we should take a break?... hah… just to catch our breaths…”
Hollyberry Cookie turned to see some of her hollyberrians trying to catch their breaths from all of the running they had been doing.
“All right, we'll take a short break before continuing on.”
The hollyberrians stopped running, some of then leaning on nearby trees to support their tired bodies.
“Thank you Queen Mother…”
Raspberry Cookie spoke out to her people.
“Be vigilant while on break. Who knows what might pop out at us when our guards down.”
“Right. We may have escaped Eternal Sugar Cookie, but there are still many dangers in this land.”
Wildberry Cookie agreed with his fellow knight.
Suddenly, Hollyberry Cookie heard some bushes rustling up ahead of them. She raised her shield, preparing to defend her people.
“Who goes there!”
She blared out, demanding whoever was there to show themselves. What came out of the bushes was a Cookie with rabbit ears and tail.
“Hollyberry Cookie? Is that you?”
Hollyberry Cookie was surprised to see Chocolate Rabbit Cookie, an old friend and one of her mentors from her younger days.
“Chocolate Rabbit Cookie?!”
Raspberry Cookie and Wildberry Cookie stood in a battle stance.
“Hollyberry Cookie, you know this cookie?”
“Why yes. She's a mentor and good friend in my youth. Long before I became queen. How have you been since the last time I saw you?”
Hollyberry Cookie explained her connection to the rabbit cookie.
“Same thing as the other Angels. Battling the Devils away from society and taking in any orphans we encounter during them. I was just on my way back to Sanctuary as a matter of fact.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie looked behind Hollyberry Cookie to see the exhausted hollyberrians watching the commotion.
“If you want, I can allow your people to pass through there to the Hollyberry Kingdom.”
“How can we be sure this “Sanctuary” is safe?”
Wildberry Cookie asked questionly.
“Sanctuary has many entrances all over Earthbread, as for keeping out evil forces, I personally made barriers that make sure all with ill intent never find it or the denizens living there. In both the physical, spirit, and dream worlds.”
“So you're a magic user?”
Raspberry Cookie asked
“In both practical and spiritual arts, yes.”
Jungleberry walked towards Chocolate Rabbit Cookie and questioned her.
“Chocolate Rabbit Cookie, yes? Are you really willing to allow my fellow hollyberrians passage through your Sanctuary to the Hollyberry Kingdom?”
“I wouldn't have made the offer if I didn't trust Hollyberry Cookie, now would I? I bet that Jelly Bee Cookie would be happy to see you again too, especially with… recent events…”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie replied, looking solemnly as she said the last part. Hollyberry Cookie mimicked Chocolate Rabbit Cookies expression.
“So… you know of the Beasts return?”
“I immediately sensed their presence when the seal broke. The other Angels and I are preparing for a possible battle with the Devils. Calamities are where they thrive the most to spread their corruption. In fact, one of them has already resurfaced from hiding.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie replied with a serious expression on her face.
“Is that so…”
Hollyberry asked, knowing the Devils are the main enemies of the Angels.
“Yes… for the time being, I would suggest banning the use of radios until further notice.”
“Huh?! What do you mean we can't listen to radios anymore?”
One of the hollyberrians exclaimed in dissatisfaction.
“Yeah. We listen to them while we work to pass the time.”
Another hollyberrian said, equally dissatisfied.
“The Devil of Delusion is able to manipulate and control all frequencies including radio signals. He'll use them to slowly warp your minds into madness. If you ever hear static when you're not near technology, run... The closer you are to the Devil of Delusion, the faster your mind falls.”
The two outspoken hollyberrians now looked terrified after hearing the explanation.
“You said Sanctuary has multiple barriers to protect against his corruption, yes?”
Royalberry asked, his nervous self joining the conversation.
“Yes. And for denizens leaving Sanctuary, they are supplied with a charm that protects them from any dark influences targeting them.”
“Would you be willing to supply the Hollyberry Kingdom with those charms? I'm afraid we have no magicians currently living in the kingdom that are able to cast protection spells.”
Jungleberry Cookie requested with a reluctant look on her face.
“Of course. If needed, I can send promising magicians to be stationed in your kingdom for extra precaution and maintenance of the charms.”
“That would be very welcomed, thank you. We can discuss details at a later date.”
Hollyberry Cookie smiled at the conversing cookies, happy that her mentor and fellow hollyberrians are getting along. She then looked up to the sky to see that it was starting to get dark.
“We should hurry along. It'll turn night soon.”
Wildberry Cookie spoke, notifying them of the time.
“Indeed. Chocolate Rabbit Cookie. Please be our guide to Sanctuary.”
Hollyberry Cookie asked. Chocolate Rabbit Cookie smiled at her former student and curtsied towards her.
“Very well then. Please follow me. The entrance is not far now.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie replied, beginning to lead the group.
“You heard her, everyone. Stay close and don't stray too far.”
Raspberry Cookie exclaimed to her fellow hollyberrians. The group continued their journey through Beastyeast, now following Chocolate Rabbit Cookies' lead through the jungle. After a bit of traveling, they stopped at a grand tree.
“One moment if you please.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie said before approaching the tree. She raised one of her arms to the trunk before speaking once more.
“Odo, fafen de salman.”
Within a moment, the ground trembled, startling Hollyberry Cookie and her people. At the base of the tree's trunk, a large hole appeared. The path within was illuminated by bioluminescent plants.
“Let's head in.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie said to the hollyberrians, stepping aside for the rest of the group.
“Right. Everyone, single file line please.”
Jungleberry Cookie exclaimed to her people. Hollyberry Cookie, Wildberry Cookie, Raspberry Cookie, Sugarfly Cookie, Royalberry Cookie, and Jungleberry Cookie took the lead, followed by the nobles, the commoners, and then the knights, with Chocolate Rabbit Cookie following behind all of them to close the entrance after making sure everyone was inside. The hollyberrians traversed down the corridor, gazing in awe at the bioluminescent flora along the walls. Soon, Hollyberry Cookie saw a bright light at the end of the tunnel and entered through it. As the group stepped out of the tunnel, they all looked shocked at the sight before them. An enormous glowing city with tunnels adorning the walls of the cavern. Farm field filled with crops and animals can be seen with a town surrounding a large tower further ahead. Chocolate Rabbit Cookie got in front of the group with a smile and stretched arms.
“Welcome, to Sanctuary”
“This is… incredible! How has this place never been discovered before?”
Hollyberry Cookie exclaimed with excitement.
“You can thank the barriers for that. As for its construction, the first denizens decided to build the castle you see over there as a thank you for us Angels giving them a home, though we leave is open to the public. Jelly Bee Cookie is always throwing parties there after the work day is done, which should be starting soon given the time.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie explained. Suddenly her ears perked up, picking up something.
“Speaking of in 3… 2… 1…”
Suddenly a flying blob of jam flew into her.
“I knew I felt your energy! I missed you so much! Welcome back!”
Once the jam uncovered Chocolate Rabbit Cookie, it was shown to be the haircing of the cookie hugging her tightly with her four arms and flapping her insect like wings happily.
“Good to see you too… we… have guests…”
The hugging Cookie turned her attention to the group before them. Wildberry Cookie and Raspberry Cookie were in battle stance while Hollyberry Cookie was as calm as ever.
“Settle down you two. She's a friend.”
Hollyberry Cookie said to Wildberry Cookie and Raspberry Cookie before turning to the flying cookie.
“Good to see you again, Jelly Bee Cookie.”
Jelly Bee Cookie gasped before flying over to Hollyberry Cookie.
“Hollyberry Cookie?! It's been so long! I almost didn't recognize you! Your energy feels so much brighter now.”
Jelly Bee Cookie hovered all over Hollyberry Cookie, checking out her new form.
“Hahahaha! Always the energetic one aren't you.”
“Well yeah. I ain't the Angel of Joy for nothing.”
Jelly Bee Cookie said while pouting. Sugarfly Cookie shivered at the word “joy”. Jelly Bee Cookie immediately saw her before flying over to her with a blank face. Sugarfly Cookie was startled when she approached.
“U-um… may I help you?”
Sugarfly Cookie asked nervously. Jelly Bee Cookie stared at her and her wings before turning to Chocolate Rabbit Cookie.
“Do you have any more enchanted sugar paper?”
Jelly Bee Cookie asked. Sensing what she means, Chocolate Rabbit Cookie replied.
“I do. But it's up to her if she wants it.”
Sugarfly Cookie looked between the two with worried curiosity before asking.
“Um… What are you two talking about?”
“She’s asking if I could help heal your wings. They’re obviously in a weakened, fragile state. I would’ve probably used normal sugar paper for the process, but since Jelly Bee Cookie said the enchanted kind tells me that she understands your pain somewhat. Trust me when I say that our early days were a bit stressful, especially since she kept damaging her wings in battle.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie looked at Jelly Bee Cookie, who chuckled nervously.
“I did pay you back by helping with your research.”
Jelly Bee Cookie replied while scratching the back of her head with one of her upper arms. Sugarfly Cookie looked at her in shock.
“T-that frequently?!”
Jelly Bee Cookie grinned proudly before replying.
“Well, you can’t be as fast of a flyer like me without trial and error.”
“More like trial by fire, water, too fast flying, ripping, and sticky liquids.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie commented sarcastically.
“It got to the point where I had to restock weekly.”
“Again, I said I was sorry”
Hollyberry Cookie couldn’t help but laugh at the Angels bickering.
“Hahaha! You two really haven’t changed after all this time.”
“Speaking of change, tomorrow's the summer solstice right?”
Jelly Bee Cookie asked Chocolate Rabbit Cookie.
“Yes. And don’t worry, I’ll get plenty of rest after I put something in the library.”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie replied. Jelly Bee looked excited at the sound of new reading material.
“Oooh! A new book! What is it? Action? Mystery? Romance? Tell me details!”
Chocolate Rabbit Cookie chuckled before replying.
“I’ll only show you once the guys are back okay.”
Jelly Bee looked annoyed hearing she’d have to wait.
“Aw! You tease! Now you got me antsy with excitement!”
“How about channeling that energy into giving our guests a tour around here.”
“Ho, I’m gonna do more than just a tour. I’m turning tonights after-work party into a welcome party for them! Show them how we do things here!”
The hollyberrians seemed excited to have a party dedicated to them.
“Come on! Come on! Come on! Let’s get this show on the road!”
As Jelly Bee Cookie took over guiding the group, Chocolate Rabbit Cookie put a hand on Sugarfly Cookies shoulder.
“Take your time to think about the offer, okay.”
Sugarfly Cookie nodded before running ahead to catch up with the group. Chocolate Rabbit Cookie sighed as she began to walk with the group.
“Some traumas are hard to let go…”
She put a hand over her heart as her eyecing flashed a black sclera and blue iris.
“No matter how long you’ve held onto it…”