It had been a difficult day for the Council of Heroes.
King Dark Cacao Cookie returned to the campsite greeted by his trusted warriors. Seeing them work with such coordination eased his heart, if only slightly. Countless generations ago, the Ancient Heroes fought as one. There was no threat they could not overcome together. No dispute they couldn’t solve.
But those days had long since passed.
Days with Pure Vanilla and White Lilly would spend days locked away in their lab only for Hollyberry to drag them both out so they remembered to eat. When Golden Cheese Cookie would soar the skies leaving trails of glittering cheese powder for them to follow. When they sparred with such vigor the very ground shook beneath their feet. When his son would try to teach Royal Berry as a fellow prince only to be met with frustration when his friend’s child proved to have no aptitude for combat.
What he wouldn’t sacrifice to return to those simpler times?
Now here he was, surrounded by a fraction of his closest friends, one of which he long believed dead, yet the unity he craved had not returned.
An impressively sized spell circle manifested in the center of the Dark Cacao Warriors’ tents.
At the unusual sight, every warrior and wolf circled the strange magic weapons and fangs at the ready.
From the light, a single cookie emerged. Tall, with lightly baked dough that whispered of vanillian ancestry yet tainted by dark magic. Dual-colored hair spit neatly down the middle, black on the right and white on the left, nearly reaching her feet with a small bun near the top of her head tied with a crescent moon-shaped ornament. Dressed in robes of black, white, and purple, the style screamed of the Dark Cacao Kingdom, specifically of the Watchers directly trained by Caramel Arrow Cookie during her early years. Twin curved blades rested neatly across her back with slightly extended handles. But her eyes gave no doubt as to her identity.
The left eye was flooded a clear blue while a deep purple filled the right, yet both reflected a deadly stillness.
This cookie…Dark Cacao Cookie knew her, was proud to welcome her into the ranks of his Watchers many years ago. He watched her march with his son on that final journey. When the assault finished and they couldn’t find her body, only pools of jam, they believed they lost another Watcher that day, but some held faith she still lived. Missing for ten years only to appear as though nothing had changed.
Half Moon Cookie
The Lost Watcher
“How can this be?” Crunchy Chip Cookie muttered, his wolves and gauntlet at the ready.
“Teleportation is a difficult spell across continents, but through hard work, anything can be accomplished.” Half Moon Cookie replied, eyes fixated on the warrior king.
“For what reason should I believe your identity?” After the attack on the Dark Citadel, Dark Cacao Cookie was reminded of the dangers of illusions and deceit. He may have only seen that despicable cookie for a brief battle, but her actions proved Pomegranate Cookie would use anything and everything at her disposal to see her master succeed.
He could not trust his eyes in this matter nor his heart.
Nodding the strange cookie reached into her belt and pulled out a small round talisman carved with the symbol of the Dark Cacao Kingdom.
A talisman, blessed by the shamans and priests of the Dark Cacao Kingdom to help watch over the valiant soldiers willing to sacrifice everything for their kingdom and when the time comes to help guide their souls to the Altar of the Fallen. Every warrior is given one upon their indoctrination into the ranks, only one, to lose it is viewed as an immense disgrace that can only be rectified by recovering it. To an outsider, it would simply be another medallion, but to one who earned its worth…it meant everything.
Taking a deep breath, Dark Cacao Cookie savored the warmth of knowing one of his soldiers still remained among the living. “It was long believed that you perished when Dark Choco Cookie attacked.”
The statement was met with a lethal glare. “My prince was under the influence of a dangerous artifact, one you were familiar with, and while I was injured, I was far from dead.”
The king took note of the particular wording but chose to stick to his original question. “Why have you chosen to appear now?” Ten years was too long to remain in hiding, especially when they needed every able-body warrior ready to face their current threat.
Returning the talisman to its original place within her robes, Half Moon Cookie stood at attention. “King Dark Cacao Cookie, I have come to warn you and the other Ancients of a dire threat.”
“I will hear what you have to say. In private.” Nodding, she followed her king and Crunchy Chip Cookie into the King’s personal tent as the other warriors returned to their patrols to ensure there would be no other surprise guests.
Half Moon Cookie stopped six feet away from where Dark Cacao stood and sat with her knees folded beneath her. “I fear the Crème Republic and Dark Enchantress Cookie share the same objective.”
“That is a bold accusation. I trust you have substantial evidence.” The dark king stated. His face and tone returned to their normal neutral, if bitter, position to eliminate any sign of his personal stance.
“I do.” The former Watcher commented, eager to share what she had learned. “While the Crème Republic did send Clotted Cream Cookie as their representative for the war council, they have other motives.”
“Motives other than protecting their cookies?” Dark Cacao questioned as he could never imagine any other manner of living. Everything he did, even during his darkest moments, was driven by his desire to protect. It was the core belief that brought the Ancient Heroes together; it was critical in the beginning when their different stances on how one should live threatened to tear them apart more than once.
“Indeed. The Crème Republic may generally act in the best interests of their cookies, but the fact remains the ruling class is composed of multiple factions, each vying for their own agendas. But they all share one goal. They desire the Soul Jam, but how they plan to use it is shrouded in mystery.”
Crunchy Chip Cookie snarled at the final statement.
Purple eyes narrowed at the answer. “Explain.”
“The Soul Jam is concentrated power, gifting those it bonds with abilities beyond understanding. That alone is more than enough to entice countless individuals to seek them out, but I believe their motivation may stem from a darker mindset.” Half Moon Cookie carefully reported. Her outer appearance gave no trace of emotion, even when her heart wept at the familiar scents and sights. She swore one day she would return and this would act as a prelude to her homecoming. To see her family again cleansed of her sins. “The Council of the Nine Houses is prideful, with their egos capable of filling the sky, but recently their pride was damaged and their egos bruised.”
“Somehow a fragment of the precious Light appeared in the Republic and without anyone to properly guide it, the entire Republic was nearly wiped from existence.” She had only been living in the Republic for a little over a year when the catastrophe nearly slaughtered them all. Even in her little secluded corner, she saw the gradual build of power. The raw destructive potential was overwhelming to her senses as a magic-user, she could still hear the cries of the children as they passed out one by one as their parents pleaded for help.
Yet through it all, the source that nearly invoked thousands of deaths was built upon the Light they worshipped soaked with love. “It was only due to mere luck that their reigning heroes were able to stop it in time. They have never known such fear since the Dark Flour War. Naturally, they seek to prevent this from ever happening again. They would sleep easier if the Soul Jam was in trusted hands, their hands, with all the powers that come with them.”
Dark Cacao was silent as he pondered these words. He could not deny such ambition and greed existed, even if it was forged from a familiar fear. Long before Dark Enchantress’ forces marched across his domain, he had been challenged multiple times for the power intertwined with his very essence. When the Soul Jams were shattered, they knew their powers were scattered across all of Earthbread, but this was the first he learned of any disaster born from their weakness.
Why did Clotted Cream not lead with that? Surely admitting the danger the fragments presented would be construed as a compelling argument. Or did his pride not wish to admit how close they came to utter oblivion?
“Know this Clotted Cream Cookie is never to taken at his word.” Half Moon Cookie warned. “His smile only serves to mask a web of lies and deceit. I have witnessed that cookie bring dozens of opponents to ruin and sow chaos between long-established alliances with that very smile; the smile he aimed at all of you. He may act in accordance to preserve life, but do not mistake that as believing he shares your own goals.” Her eyes locked with Dark Cacao’s to ensure there was no misunderstanding. “Even if he may prove trustworthy, it would not be wise to turn one’s back upon the elders of the Noble Nine.”
“You seem quite knowledgeable of the ruling houses.” Dark Cacao Cookie wasn’t about to give up his Soul Jam for a pleasant request, however, could he be certain her words were truthful? For all he knew, she could be saying what he wanted to hear in hopes of manipulating his tenuous trust in the foreigner.
He needed more information.
“All that training didn’t go to waste, your majesty, I made sure of it.” She stated with bitter pride familiar to all warriors of the frozen kingdom. “Besides you’ve never had the displeasure of meeting these cookies. Snobbish. Stuck up. Acts like the world owes them just for existing. They make the most arrogant pricks of the Hollyberrian nobility look like saints. I’m just a foreigner who acts as a researcher/teacher, I’m beneath their notice. Beneath them.” The final phrase was spoken in a growl traditionally born from the cream wolves.
Crunchy Chip Cookie’s partner’s ear lifted at the sound. Looking around for any sign of a wolf, the beast lowered his head in disappointment when he saw nothing new.
“What else can you tell us about Clotted Cream Cookie? Why was he chosen to speak to us instead of an actual council member?” Crunchy Chip Cookie never liked that cookie from the start, something about him and his bodyguard just caused his hackles to rise.
Besides the other Kingdom’s sent members of exceedingly high rank, the High Kings and Queens of three prominent Kingdoms and the champion hero of the youngest nation who led the charge against the wicked forces had all gathered. Who was he to say he had the right to stand before such glory as an equal?
“I don’t know. The discission was made immediately after word got out about your council meeting.” It took all her skills to hear the two had been sent at all. Apparently, the council was taking every precaution to keep the excursion on a need-to-know basis.
Which begged the question, how did these elders learn of their council? Have their kingdoms been under surveillance? If so, for how long? Why have they waited until now to make an appearance? Would they have introduced themselves otherwise? Or would they have been content to see their lands torn apart by Dark Enchantress Cookie’s forces while they readied their own?
Dark Cacao had answers to none of these questions, which only fueled his suspicions.
Every piece of information only seemed to paint this Republic in a darker light.
“Did House Custard suffer any losses recently?” Crunchy Chip Cookie bluntly asked. Admittedly, all cookies outside the Dark Cacao Kingdom smelled too sweet for his tastes, but something was missing from Clotted Cream Cookies scent.
The time the young adventurers spent in the Dark Cacao Kingdom offered a new variety of fragrances for their trackers to learn, especially that child with the paper crown. The child’s dough possessed a healthy amount of custard, yet this stranger possessed none despite claiming to come from House Custard.
Half Moon Cookie nodded. “These are merely rumors, but too much adds up for it to simply be empty milk. Supposedly the heir to House Custard vanished some time ago. It was said he was rather skilled at healing magic. The nobles believed the House to be blessed by the Divine for their heir to be gifted with the signature power of their original king.”
Even though the Crème Republic prided itself on advancing far beyond their humble origins, they still held Pure Vanilla Cookie in high regard. Especially when news arrived he had sacrificed himself to contain what could have been a world-shattering explosion.
“One day he was just another young politician trying to work his way through the ranks then suddenly he was adopted by House Custard, given a new look, and suddenly everyone is rushing to see who can praise him the loudest. Admittedly, his achievements are his own, but it feels cookies are far too eager to trust him, even in the most sensitive of topics.” Her experiences had made her exceptionally cautious around situations that seemed too good to be true and from what she’s witnessed her instincts were once again right. Yes, both sides typically came out of their time with him in better strides, but he always seemed to come out on top regardless of the source of the argument.
Always.
Such consistency with such volatile company made her want to start sharpening her blades in preparation.
“When a promising heir vanishes, instead of commanding a search, they seek out someone who can work to maintain their image. How pitiful.” Dark Cacao would be the first to admit he and his son were not…the closest of family, but he did care. Even after the first assault, he never dreamed to replace the cookie baked from his own dough.
Currently, he was allowing his son much-needed space. After everything that happened, everything said…it seemed best to allow some time before their next meeting. So long as he kept from the Cookies of Darkness and the sword remained sealed beneath the citadel, he had faith he could craft a better relationship with his son. Someday…
“That is politics in the Crème Republic, your majesty.” Something she thankfully never had to be the focus of. But even from a distance, the arrogance and pride of the nine elders was truly nauseating.
“I will take your words into consideration. What exactly have you been doing low these many years? I could not imagine you abandoned your post out of fear.” Dark Cacao said.
Staring into the purple flame of a nearby brazier, Half Moon Cookie allowed her mind to drift to dark areas. “It was shame.”
She could see the humble huts slowly being buried by snow. The villagers begging them to find their family members. Interviews detailing the stuff of nightmares invading each night with them awakening to find one less.
“I was part of the prince’s hunting party to investigate a village near our northern border. As you recall there were multiple reports of disappearances of both cookies and wildlife along with supposed claims of unholy shrieking.”
They found tracks belonging to one unlike any beast native to the frozen tundra. For nearly one hour they followed them, pausing to take notice of the shifting depths, as though something caused it to struggle. The winds were picking up whipping up a fresh snowfall.
Up ahead they saw a cave in the mountain.
“I was there to provide support, I was there when my prince discovered the chamber, I was there when the prince took up the sword. Not once did I sense its true nature, only when it was too late did I discover what this all was…a trap for an ideal host.”
It felt like they were pulled deeper into the cavern which quickly transformed into a labyrinth. Red jewels were spaced like torches along the walls, releasing a useful if ominous glow. The longer they traveled, the less she could feel her limbs as her mind felt lighter and lighter. Looking back, it was obvious they were being led somewhere as they never doubled back or paused at a fork in the road.
“I should have sensed the blade’s malice, its twisted power. I could have done something to save him. Instead, my senses were possessed and numbed as with everyone else. I failed in my sacred duty. I failed my prince. I failed my king. I failed my nation.”
Much of their return trip was a blur, but the stains of fresh jam against snow burned in the back of her mind. The cries of betrayal and agony echoing throughout the citadel as her beloved prince was used as little more than a puppet for a twisted purpose.
“From that night, I swore I would undo my sins even if it meant my death. I sought out any knowledge on magic and curses I could, from neighboring kingdoms to the domain of Dark Enchantress Cookie herself. She was still trapped and all that resided within were a few loyalists and cake monsters, but her library was a thing of beauty.” An awkward chuckle filled the stunned silence at her admittance. “To be honest, I stole half of it, and my understanding of dark magic has increased ten times over.”
“But it wasn’t enough. So I traveled and my journey led me to the Crème Republic, where I have made even greater strides in growing my power and wisdom.” Although these days her focus was more on precision than opening new doors, which admittedly felt like the wiser approach.
“You claimed to be a researcher, but I doubt they just gave you funds for such a dangerous goal.”
“It all began with some of those obnoxious paladins. Every day their marching chants echoed throughout the city so I decided to see just how skilled these ‘blessed warriors’ were. One thing led to another and I was given a choice, research how magic can further be used to increase their military might or spend the next two decades in prison for humiliating their prized knights.”
“You have given me much to think about. Return to your station at once, I will summon you when I have more questions. Also…I wish to apologize. You had to take this merciless task all on your own for too long. I will see you rewarded accordingly, my devoted Watcher.” King Dark Cacao offered a rare, treasured smile towards his soldier who risked so much. He swore to inform her family she was alive and well.
“All I crave is to see my prince smile with the same joy that was once the beacon of the Dark Cacao Kingdom.”
“When we find him, I swear on my blade to begin the steps to mend the rift between us and aid in your mission.” An armored hand rested on the diamond-shaped soul jam that pulsed with pure light.
For the first time since her return to her native continent, she offered a fragile smile, small and trembling, but filled with a hope long thought pointless. “Thank you, my King.”
With their meeting having reached the conclusion, she vanished as she arrived, leaving nary a trace she was ever there.
Crunchy Chip Cookie approached his king, wolves and fellow warriors standing behind him. “What is our next move, your majesty?”
“Trend cautiously. I will inform Hollyberry Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie of what we have learned. Until more is revealed we will continue to work with the Republic, but we cannot lower our guard for an instant. Dark Enchantress Cookie takes priority, but once she is slain, we must be prepared for any outcome. Even treachery.”
‘I knew his words were too sweet. From our first meeting something felt off about him, but this may prove more dire than I first thought. I will give him a chance to prove his worth, but the Soul Jam can never be misused. We cannot risk the lives of everyone on the blind faith of a cookie we just met and a nation we’ve never heard of. We cannot afford to lose anyone else.’
§~~~~§~~~~§~~~~§
As you have guessed, Half Moon Cookie is my personal OC. She is based on the Half Moon cookie also known as the Black and White Cookie. I have been looking for a way to incorporate her into the story and the Council of Heroes update gave me the perfect opening.
She is a skilled Magic-user and tries to stay up to date with current events, but there are many things she does not know. She can be biased and her constant failures have made her quite bitter toward those she does not relate to. Hopefully, as more is released I will be able to write more.
Day 12, for today’s free day I chose the Black & White Cookie! Black and White (Half Moon) Cookies are one of my favorite treats, I didn't realize they're predominantly from the Northeastern US. So I decided they have more of a New Yorker "I'm Walkin' Here" Attitude with each other.
