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'Was there any need to place THIS many gems, Pomegranate?'
Dark Choco thought, as they threw pomegranate gems into the sack alyng over their shoulder. Their scarred hands inspecting and prodding every place possible for where they could be hiding.
Whole collecting the last of the known pomegranate gems in the area, Dark Choco came to the reoccurring realisation that he really needed to start the journey to the Hollyberry kingdom.
The journey would take atleast four days from where he was in the tundra forest.
The Ancients were currently visiting the Hollyberry kingdom to share what they had seen in Beast Yeast, and discuss plans for what to do about Dark Enchantress.
From his previous knowledge as a noble, the Ancients would be there for atleast a week, they would be able to speak to them in time if they kept on track.
Dark Choco knew that the information he had would indefinitely help the Ancients. It wasn't that he didn't want to help them, he was infact more than happy to help. However, it was facing his highness again that made his crawl.
Their last interaction with eachover was... interesting, to say the least.
His majesty had shown the most emotion he had ever seen in all the years they had known the man and apologised to them.
Dark Cacao, one of (If not the most) cold, rigorous and fierce king in Crispia, blamed himself for his own attempted regicide.
Don't get him wrong, he is well aware that the king is a very intelligent man. However, he couldn't help but feel like his majesties judgement during their confrontation was incorrect.
Seeing his highness blame himself for his own path, struck something in Dark Choco.
Was he really that much of a monster that even King Dark Cacao Cookie had to blame himself for the turn he took?
The most stubborn man alive?
Well whatever, monster or not he was trying to repent.
It started with helping the Dark Cacao Kingdom through the Pale Aliment, the least he could do for all the trouble they've caused.
The Ancients would definitely find his knowledge useful. Just how could he ever face the king again?
Sitting down to catch his breath, he begrudgingly agreed with himself that he just had to do this.
So with hesitation, he began the long journey in search of the Ancient hero's.
________________
The atrium of the Hollyberry Kingdom was filled with the four Ancients, unknowning what to do next. All of them, disregarding White Lily Cookie, was there in their unawakened forms. Despite looking a lot more healthier than before awakening, the still found themselves weary from anxiety.
The atrium set a silent wave of tension over the four, each fighting the line of being hopeful, but ready to prepare for what comes next.
"We don't even know where she resides, what do we do if we can't stop her in time and she acts on her plans?" Hollyberry argued, putting her head in her hands and running her adventure-stained gloves down her face.
"Well, it seems most probable that she inhabits someplace in Beast-Yeast. Between the five of us, our adventures have taken us all across Beast-Yeast finding our respective soul jam predecessor. I am sure if we had a couple more hands on this, we could pinpoint the area" Pure Vanilla explained, keeping his voice at it's usual gentle tone.
"I will send the Cacaoain warriors to Beast-Yeast to search". Dark Cacao added, adding a small nodd.
"Wait, I am sure the Hollyberrian troops would be more than suitable for Beast-Yeast!". Hollyberry shouted.
Pure Vanilla let out a soft sigh.
"Not this again. You two, we have no time for this pointless bicker! We have a war approaching!" Golden Cheese Cookie complained, her usual habit of not being able to sit still through a meeting shining through as she levitated in the air.
"They did this while preparing to go to Beast-Yeast aswell while you were... away". Pure Vanilla sighed, giving a soft tap to the two Monarch's.
"Oh of course they did". Golden Cheese scoffed, giving a roll of the eyes as she sat back down to convey her fatigue at their nonsense. Her arms crossed.
"What of the beasts? Could they have joined Dark Enchantress Cookie? Though, I am not so sure about what Shadow Milk Cookie's intentions would be for joining with Dark Enchantress other than to cause mayhem". Pure Vanilla Cookie said, his gaze looking down in thought.
The others joined, thinking about their own beasts.
"I doubt Mystic Flour Cookie would care for Dark Enchantress Cookie's plans all that much".
"I don't think Eternal Sugar Cookie would care either. Her only known intentions when I left her garden 'was to only bring me back' as far as I am aware".
"Oh I bet that destructive vandal would jump at the chance to join her!".
"According to White Lily Cookie, Silent Salt Cookie is not a current threat for us. They only wish to recage the beasts". Pure Vanilla said, curling his newly long hair with his hands. Despite being unawakened, he still retained his long, blonde hair.
"How do we even know White Lily's statement is trustworthy? What if she has returned to being or residing with Dark Enchantress Cookie?"
Golden Cheese put her hands on the table, her anxiety being obvious as she yelled. Before returning to go into herself.
The others gave a look of worry for her, she found that she hated.
"I am sorry for that accusation, I cannot quite... I just cannot bring myself to place my trust in her once again quite yet".
"That is... understandable Golden Cheese, though we do not have much else to go off otherwise in terms of the Soul Jam of Solidarity owners, I haven't been able to contact either of them since White Lily's initial letter".
"It still begs the question, we don't even know what Dark Enchantress Cookie wants, let alone who and what her henchmen are plotting!"
The large doors of the hall opened with a gentle push. A person wearing a worn-out cloak stepped into the hall, keep their head down. Preventing the monarch's from identifying the person.
"I believe I may be able help with that". The mysterious person approached from the open door way, coming down to take a knee for the monarchs in respect. Putting their head down in a nodd. They had a rough, gravelly voice. As though they had a very dry throat from a lack of water.
All but one Ancient looked in confusion.
Dark Cacao let out a small gasp, immediately recognising the voice. The familiar black hair with white stripes hanging over the worn-out hood.
No matter what path or turn, how long he's been apart from him, no matter how hard he tried to erase them from his mind during their exile. He would always be able to tell his child from a crowd.
An instinct he wished so hard away, trying to convince himself he hated his own boy and remain the cold leader he has established himself as.
"Dark Choco Cookie?" He took a step further, earning a accidental tremble through Dark Choco. They fell into a kneeling position as elegant as he could. Further staring into the floor.
The Ancients stood there in silence. Due to the Dark Flour War, they hadn't seen Dark Choco since he was a child. Their faces changing into shock when Dark Cacao declared it was him.
"Your majesties. I have come to share all the information I have about Dark Enchantress Cookie, Pomegranate Cookie, and the Cookies of Darkness".
"You have information? Is this for immunity?" Hollyberry asked, not knowing whether to draw her shield or not. Her white ends of her hair reappearing.
"...no. Whenever I finish, I am in complete understanding if you want to again exile me, imprison me, execute me. Whichever you see fit, Au- Your highness".
The beginnings of her awakening form immediately vanished. She stood back, how the person infront of him used to be the little boy who would run up to her yelling 'Auntie Holly!' now addressed her as a queen, not family.
"My son, please stand up". Dark Cacao pleaded. Dark Choco listened and stood up, still keeping his gaze low. In respect? Shame? Fear? Dark Choco didn't know.
"Whilst I resided with the Cookie's of Darkness, I worker under Pomegranate Cookie. She seems to be Dark Enchantress Cookie's most trusted henchman."
Dark Choco took the bag he was carrying and placed it onto the table. Carefully taking out a pomegranate gem to showcase, immediatelyputting it back.
"Those are pomegranate gems!" Pure Vanilla said, his gentle expression showing the surprise.
"Indeed. During my time in the darkness, she ordered me to spread them around Earthbread. I refused. However they still got placed around the continent".
"She can look over any area in which the pomegranate gem lies. I have tried my honest best to find all gems, however I would still recommend remaining vigilant".
"I heard about the nature of pomegranate magic during my time at the Blueberry Yogurt Academy. The Pomegranate tribes who used it has since fallen though. It is said to be a dark and chaotic type of power".
"Because it is. She uses it against Dark Enchantress' other underlings. It is my hope that this had led some of her other members astray".
"Do you know anything of Dark Enchantress Cookie's plans?" Golden Cheese asked, her tone apprehensive.
"Apologies, but I am unaware. Pomegranate deemed me too unimportant to know". Dark Choco said raising his head to show a slight eyeroll.
His faded, strawberry eyes being shown. Dark Cacao tried not to grimace at the dark smudges of purple underneath his sons eyes.
As Dark Choco continued, Dark Cacao couldn't help but feel increasing of anxiety in his chest at the state his child was in. His boy frame looked thinner than the last time he had seen him. He looked exhausted.
"Well then. We thank you for greatly the information, Dark Choco Cookie". Hollyberry said, giving a smile to her nephew.
"That brings the question, what is it that you plan to do with me?" Dark Choco asked, picking at the skin on his arm in fear.
The Ancient Cookies exchanged looks with one another, mostly keeping their gaze towards Dark Cacao. His face, despite him trying to hold it still, he conveyed utter panic at the implication that his son could be executed.
"Well due to your crimes taking place in the Dark Cacao Kingdom, it seems to fall under Dark Cacao Cookie's jurisdiction". Pure Vanilla replied, keeping a careful gaze at Dark Cacao.
"If I may my friends, would you mind if me and Dark Choco Cookie talk for a moment".
"Of course! We will be in the hall if you need us. The staff had said to have prepared a meal and we will save a seat!" Hollybery answered, ushering the others out to give the pair some privacy.
When they left, an awkward silence rested over the room. Dark Choco being the one to break it as he fell to the floor again with a thud. Falling into taking a knee infront of the king.
"Dark Choco Cookie, please rise".
Dark Choco leg fell as they now was in a sitting position with his knees.
"Dark Choco, please. Stand up".
"I am not worthy".
Dark Choco fell further, their hands resting on the floor. This led to Dark Cacao rushing towards Dark Choco in shock.
"My child, please stand up infront of me".
Dark Choco Cookie's body trembled along. Dark Cacao noticing the carpet being wetted with tears. Dark Cacao fell himself, taking his child's hands in his own. Wincing at the rough, calloused skin.
"I am so sorry father. Please, please I beg of you to realise it".
"I know, I know". Dark Cacao ushered in a whisper.
Dark Choco slowly looked up, his ruby eyes meeting amethyst. Dark Cacao wiped his tears with his thumb.
"I had the sword personally looked over by Pure Vanilla and other magic wielders. It is alright. I discovered the nature of the blasted thing".
"What do you want to do with me?"
Dark Cacao held his child's face. Each hand cupping the once, chubby dough from being a child. However, his sons face was more gaunt and thin than just from being a adult.
"For you to come home."
Dark Choco took a deep, shaky breath and closed his eyes to regulate themself. Not noticing the glistening of their fathers eyes.
"Okay".
"Would you like to join the others?" Dark Choco asked, not giving a reply
Dark Choco felt his head being guided into his fathers chest. The hand brushing his messy, short hair.
"Just a moment. I wish to spend another moment with you". Dark Cacao replied, his voice dripping with relief.
Dark Cacao shuddered a breath as they pulled apart, bringing a hand to his face.
"I am so, very proud of you aegi. For breaking out of the darkness, your aid to the kingdom during the Pale Aliment, and for surviving". Dark Cacao said, holding the younger man's hand.
"Witches Dark Choco, have you taking care of yourself!?" Dark Cacao yelped, holding his childs smaller arm.
"I have, I swear father!"
"You silly boy, you are just crust and bone and you dare lie to me? You foolish child. You are going to march into that hall and eat!"
"Honestly Father, you are being overly dramatic! With my time in the forest I have lessened the need"
The look of utter disbelief, insult and horror crossed their fathers face, leaving him to give Dark Choco; The look.
"Alright- Alright- I will. Witches Appa". Dark Choco said, putting their hands up in defeat.
Dark Cacao muttered in rapid Korean under his breath in annoyance, putting a hand on his face.
"Now, march Mister."
"Yes Sir".
As Dark Choco walked into the hall, Dark Cacao stood strong. A smile crossing over his face.
'He's coming home.'