The fight continued on, as if it was endless. For a moment… All you can hear and see were endless battles of blood and silver. Mariya, having to see them fighting endless waves of monsters right in front of them, reminded her of her time back then. But there was no time to overthink, Mariya acted swiftly in order to end this battle in one blow. However… Just as she was about to use her forbidden technique… A flash of light loomed over everyone, driving the Yeast Spores away.
The light was blinding, but soon… Everyone was able to adjust their eyesight and see that the second shard of the Light of Freedom had come before them. Pure Vanilla Cookie reaches his hand out as the Light of Freedom shard floats down gracefully and twinkling.
Now with the Shard in hand, he and his group of friends are now able to witness the second piece of White Lily Cookie's memory. But before long… They heard something in the bushes nearby, Mariya had already prepared herself in a defensive position and so did GingerBrave, Pure Vanilla, Wizard & Strawberry Cookie. Once the rustling had stopped, the creature soon revealed itself and it was… Carameleon Cookie.
Carameleon Cookie: "Well… Lookie lookie! So ya' bunch haven't crumbled—ah…"
Mariya: "I am SO gonna make him into a lizard skewer!! — NOW COME HERE, YOU LITTLE SHIT!! IMMA DEEP FRY YOU NICELY GOLDEN AND FUCKING EAT YOUR DAMN EGOTISTIC ASS!!"
Carameleon Cookie: "GAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! WAITWAITWAITWAIT… WHAT DID I DO WRONG?!??! — H-HEY!! SOMEONE SAVE ME FROM THIS MANIAC!!"
Obviously… Nobody dared to help him, as they only stood and watched both Mariya and Caremeleon Cookie playing "chase"
Carameleon Cookie: "YOU GUYS ARE SO MEAN!! — GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Mariya Cookie: "Gotcha now, ya little shit!"
Carameleon Cookie: "NOOO PLEASE!! I'M SORRY FOR LEAVING YOU GUYS ON YOUR OWN!! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME INTO A SKEWER… I-I-I PROMISE NOT TO RUN AWAY AGAIN!!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "You can… Put him down now, Mariya Cookie."
Mariya: "You sure you won't run away again?"
Carameleon Cookie: "I-I promise! I swear on my very dough I would not run away again!"
Mariya: "I got my eye on you… Remember that."
Carameleon Cookie: "Y-Yes… I'll remember that. A-Anyway… I'm surprised that you cookies managed to get rid of a swarm of monsters."
Wizard Cookie: "Mariya Cookie and Pure Vanilla Cookie did most of the work."
Mariya: "Oh come on! You guys did your best."
GingerBrave: "Heehee~ Thanks!"
Strawberry Cookie: "Aaaand… He's on GingerBrave's head again…"
GingerBrave: "Argh, not again!?"
Mariya: "So Vani, that light shard…"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "One of the Light of Freedom's, yes. And—"
The light shunned around them, blinding them no matter how much they try to cover their eyes, but… They soon witness another dream — or rather — a memory of White Lily Cookie's past while venturing into Beast-Yeast all on her own volition.
From her memory, she was traveling deeper and deeper within the forest of Beast-Yeast, but then… She heard voices from a distance not far from where she was standing. As she got closer to whose voice it was… It was a mysterious cookie with wings like silver, carrying a bow on his back with little bell-like flowers decorated on it. White Lily Cookie couldn't believe what she had stumbled upon, but of course it is no time to admire such things for he is injured.
Silverbell Cookie: "Wh-Who… Who are you?"
White Lily Cookie: "Just a traveler… Your injuries.. Let me heal you."
Silverbell Cookie: "Stay back! ACK!!"
White Lily Cookie: "You're hurt! Let me heal you, I promise I won't hurt you so please…"
Silverbell Cookie: "... Alright."
While treating the injured cookie with silver wings, she asked the cookie about who they are, just to confirm her suspicion if the so-called legend in the books she has read were all so true. Obviously the cookie only took those questions as mere insults, but it still confirms her suspicion nonetheless.
The light from the Light of Freedom soon faded as Pure Vanilla Cookie can only hold it on the palm of his hand. Many others were shocked to see after witnessing another one of White Lily Cookie's memories, yet it was no surprise towards Mariya to say the least.
Strawberry Cookie: "So… What could've happened back then...? I wonder if Silverbell Cookie made it back safe...?"
Wizard Cookie: "Pure Vanilla Cookie, you said that Cookies live here in Beast-Yeast too, right? Mind telling us more?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Legend tells of an ancient Cookie kingdom here in Beast-Yeast. Much, much older than any kingdom in Crispia…"
Mariya: "So you're saying that they're nearly immortal despite living in such a condition like this?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Yes. Well… I wasn't even sure if this legend had any truth to it."
Mariya: "Heh… I find it rather surprising that they had their own version of Elves in a place such as this one."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Elves?"
Mariya: "Nevermind what I said. Got a lead to where they are?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "I don't think so."
Mariya: "Wasn't asking you, Vani. 'Was talking to the little shrimp."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "O-Oh."
Carameleon Cookie: "Shrimp?! I'm no shrimp!!"
Mariya: "Oh yeah? You're definitely a shrimp. An annoying one to boot."
Carameleon Cookie: "Tch… Some cookie you are. Anyway… Are you talking about the Faerie Kingdom? If so… Yeah, I know where they live!"
Wizard Cookie: "So this kingdom really exists somewhere in this land?!"
Carameleon Cookie: "Well, yeah, you shortbread! Where else would it be?! — But hear me out, it's better to stay away from them. They're nasty Cookies, I'm telling you! Yeah! They feast, sing, and play all day! Yet, they refuse to let any Cookies from the outside join in!"
Strawberry Cookie: "Let me guess, they "forgot" to invite you...?"
Mariya: "Heh… Nice one."
Carameleon Cookie: "WELL YEAH!! HOW COULD THEY BE SO CRUEL TO SUCH AN ADORABLE LITTLE FELLA LIKE ME?!?!?!??"
Mariya: "And again… Annoying to boot."
—HHHHIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSS
—GGGGRRRRRRRRRR
Mariya: "... Hmm?"
Wizard Cookie: "Something the matter, Mariya Cookie?"
Mariya: "... Stay alert everyone."
GingerBrave: "I don't think… we're safe here…"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Stay close everyone."
—GRRRRRRRRR....
Strawberry Cookie: "It's a—"
Wizard Cookie: "A giant spider?!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Looks powerful."
Strawberry Cookie: "We can't possibly fight that! We're all exhausted from fighting all those Yeast Spores from earlier."
Carameleon Cookie: "Welp… TIME TO RUN!!"
GingerBrave: "And… there he goes…"
Mariya: "... A powerful foe, aye?"
Wizard Cookie: "Mariya Cookie? Do you plan on fighting that thing head on?!"
Mariya: "I'm afraid so. And it looks like I have to use my secret technique on this one."
GingerBrave: "Secret technique?"
…
… RUN FOR YOUR VERY LIVES!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
…
Wizard Cookie: "Didn't you say that you had a secret technique??!?!!??!"
Mariya: "I lied."
Wizard Cookie: "Why am I not… SURPRISED!! AAAAAAAHH!!!"
GingerBrave: "AAAAAAAAAAHHHH HAAAA HAAAAAAAA!!! WHY WON'T IT LEAVE US ALONE?!?!?"
Strawberry Cookie: "I don't wanna become monster dinner… — P-Pure Vanilla Cookie?!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up soon."
Mariya: "YOU CRAZY?! THAT'S SUICIDE!!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie only smiled softly at Mariya, he knew that he alone could not defeat the monster, but nonetheless… He wanted his friends to be safe. As he stands his ground, with staff in hand… He prepared himself to unleash a powerful spell, but suddenly… Arrows began to rain at the creature from above and a powerful bean soon hit the monster from behind.
Once defeated… Pure Vanilla Cookie and the others were shocked to see and the one who defeated the monster was none other than Celestine and a new found friend in the midst of it all.
Strawberry Cookie: "CELESTINE!!"
Celestine: "Hmm? — OOF!! O-Oh my!"
Strawberry Cookie: "We were so worried about you! I thought you were gone for sure…"
GingerBrave: "... Who's that cookie right next to you, Celestine Cookie?"
Celestine: "Oh! This is—"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Are you perhaps Silverbell Cookie?"
Silverbell Cookie: "Yes, I am. But how did you know my name?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Well—"
Mariya: "It's a long story. Best we get out of here and tell you all about it later."
Silverbell Cookie: "... Hmm, yes, I agree. This place is not safe to linger, any longer will possibly attract more monsters. Please follow me."
Following behind Silverbell Cookie, they thread the forest carefully as they make their way to who knows where. But at least they're out of their previous position in the forest.
Mariya: "So Celestine, where have you been?"
Celestine: "... Long story."
Mariya: "Yeah, figures much."
GingerBrave: "So Silverbell Cookie, right? How did you and Celestine find each other?"
Silverbell Cookie: "She got herself lost after you and she got separated while coming here in faeriewood. She told me all about you guys while we were coming to rescue you from that monster from earlier."
Wizard Cookie: "Huh… So no further introductions?"
Silverbell Cookie: "Yep!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Silverbell Cookie… Are you perhaps the one who led White Lily Cookie to the Faerie Kingdom?"
Silverbell Cookie: "... Yes. I was told that you guys knew White Lily Cookie way before us and are her friends, is that correct?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Yes, that is correct."
Silverbell Cookie: "... Hmm." (As Elder Faerie Cookie said… A group of heroes will soon wander faeriewood in search for their friend "White Lily Cookie")
Wizard Cookie: "So… Silverbell Cookie, what was White Lily Cookie doing here in Beast-Yeast?"
Silverbell Cookie: "Huh? Oh! Well…"
While having to walk alongside Silverbell Cookie, he explained that White Lily Cookie was the heroine of their home kingdom, even having a hall named after her. Yet… He paused for a brief moment, thinking back to what he was going to say to them, he soon told them that it's best to explain the rest back at the kingdom. The group looked confused, but regardless… Their questions will be answered soon.
Deep and heart of the forest, Silverbell Cookie stopped in his tracks and exclaimed that they have made it. Made it where exactly? All they could see were a bunch of trees and bushes.
Silverbell Cookie: "Stand back just for a moment. I will open the gate."
GingerBrave: "A gate?"
Carameleon Cookie: "The gate only shows itself and opens to Faeries. Seriously… How can you be more—"
Mariya: "Did you think we know everything about Faerie Cookies, ya lizard?!"
Carameleon Cookie: "... Riiiggghhhttt…"
The soft chimes filled the air with melodic rings with each beat, with each and every tone from Silverbell Cookie's silverbells… The leaves, bushes and the fog that was once engulfed the road ahead of them, soon lifted themselves, revealing the all anticipated location they have been trying to search for — the Faerie Kingdom.
The group were all in awe, it exceeded their expectations than what they had thought. Covered in silver, glistening in the soft ray lights, stained glass windows with butterfly patterns and a massive silver tree right at the very center of the Kingdom.
Strawberry Cookie: "Woah…!"
Wizard Cookie: "By my hat! I've never seen anything quite like it! Say, is it special Faerie Magic...?!"
Silverbell Cookie: "W-Well… You could say that, I suppose."
Carameleon Cookie: "He he he…~"
Stepping inside the Faerie Kingdom, many of their kind stared at the group with curious and cautious eyes, as if they have never seen anyone from the outside aside from their heroine. But all eyes were locked onto Celestine, as she is the only odd one out of the group. With her starry hair and eyes, it's as if they saw a real life goddess right in front of them.
As Silverbell Cookie guides them along, Mariya notices a group of Faerie Cookies with armour, having to pray and chant in front of the silver tree and surrounding that tree were white lilies, patches of them. Each word they chant felt sincere, like a rhythmic prayer that was passed down in ancient times. But as she was watching, she couldn't help but to notice something… Was off about the silver tree, yet she cannot tell what it is.
Celestine: "Mari? Is something the matter? Everyone's waiting for you."
Mariya: "... 'Felt something off just now. But I can't really tell what it is."
Celestine: "Hmm…"
Mariya: "I have a bad feeling about this, Celestine."
Celestine: "Your intuitions are often sharp, there is no doubt that something bad will happen later."
Mariya: "Best we focus on what we came here for, for now."
Celestine: "Right."
GingerBrave: "Celestine, Mariya!! You guys coming?"
Mariya: "We're coming, we're coming! Jeez…"
Celestine: "Ehehe~"
…
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "So those cookies… Are they singing a song for White Lily Cookie?"
Silverbell Cookie: "Yes. And if it wasn't for White Lily Cookie, the Faerie Kingdom would not have been able to prevent the Great Calamity."
Celestine: (Great Calamity…)
…
"Hearing His Majesty describe how the arrival of the Great Calamity would mean great danger for the entire Dessert World...
... White Lily Cookie stepped up to help us without a hint of hesitation! Using every bit of her strength, she stopped the unthinkable.
I had heard of Ancient Heroes beyond Beast-Yeast who possess the power of Light, but had yet to come across it myself...
It was the first time I saw a Cookie whose power could rival the strength of His Majesty Elder Faerie."
…
Silverbell Cookie: "And although White Lily Cookie has fallen into an eternal sleep… It is said her soul is still fighting to protect the world of Cookies."
Mariya: (Sleeping beauty, huh?)
GingerBrave: I guess the shard of the Light of Freedom didn't disappear because White Lily Cookie's soul is still out there!
Wizard Cookie: What do you mean?! White Lily Cookie's soul IS Dark Enchantress Cookie's soul!
Strawberry Cookie: Then... Does that mean Dark Enchantress Cookie is tricking the Faeries...?
Mariya: Unlikely theory, perhaps their souls were split in half in a way?
Wizard Cookie: Is that even possible?!
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "... To prevent the Great Calamity…"
Silverbell Cookie: "This way. I'm so happy I could help you reunite with your friend...!"
Mariya: "... Celestine?"
Celestine: "Hm? Ah, right… Coming."
…
"Everything's according to plan, Master…"
"Good. Proceed to the next step of our plan."
"As you wish, heehee~"
Further down the path, they entered a sacred garden within the Faerie Kingdom. The place was full of greenery and lots of different and unknown flowers were in bloom, with blueberry birds and sugarfly butterflies flying and dancing around, it felt like a dream… But it lasted for a brief moment before witnessing something horrible.
A silver glass-like coffin, at the end of the garden and inside was White Lily Cookie. The group were shocked to see their friend in such a state like this, but even then… It led them here to find her, but how can this be?
Strawberry Cookie: "Is this really… White Lily Cookie?"
Wizard Cookie: "It could be a trap set up by Dark Enchantress Cookie! I'm not going to fall for it this time!"
Mariya: "Again… How much were you guys traumatized by all of this?"
GingerBrave: "Pure Vanilla Cookie! Do you think it's another one of Dark Enchantress Cookie's traps?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Even if Dark Enchantress Cookie defeats all the four Ancient Heroes and seizes their Soul Jams, the one thing she can never possess is the Light of Freedom. For it could only shine for White Lily Cookie and her alone. And yet... she willingly chose to become another Cookie."
Mariya: "And yet… This still doesn't add up. What even happened to her? Before she became what she is now?"
Silverbell Cookie: "...."
???: "Silverbell Cookie. I hear you've let outlanders into our kingdom."
Silverbell Cookie: "Ah... Mercurial Knight Cookie...! These Cookies are friends of White Lily Cookie!"
Mercurial Knight Cookie: "Her friends?"
Silverbell Cookie: "Yes!"
Mercurial Knight Cookie: "... I see. Anyway, his majesty orders you to bring these outsider Cookies before him."
GingerBrave: "His Majesty... wants to see us?!"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: (Elder Faerie… This should answer a lot of our questions. White Lily Cookie's past… And this "Great Calamity.") "... Lead the way."
Mercurial Knight Cookie: "... Follow me."
Passing through the halls of the Faerie Kingdom, they make their way to a gazebo and from there… A tall, yet elderly man, gazing at the meek river beneath them, with a robe that's colorful enough to leave someone in awe, silver yet hinted with blue hued hair and a crown-like valkyrie head piece being worn on that Cookie.
Mercurial Knight Cookie: "You may step forth."
GingerBrave: "Not gonna lie, I'm kind of nervous…"
Elder Faerie Cookie: "... So it is you. Those who claim to be White Lily Cookie's allies."
…
"I see Cookies who bear the fate of the Dessert World on their shoulders before me.
A Cookie who took control of his own fate with his bravery…
A warm-hearted Cookie who always puts her friends first...
A Cookie of short stature... yet wise beyond his size!
And...
An Ancient Hero, a Cookie of Light,
who protects the balance of this world…
Yet… Traveling with them, 2 Cookies have yet to carve their names in the threads of fate…
How intriguing."
…
Wizard Cookie: Is he talking about you two?
Mariya: Well… who else?
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Your Majesty, allow me to introduce us. This is GingerBrave, Strawberry Cookie, Wizard Cookie, Mariya Cookie and Celestine Cookie. … And I am Pure Vanilla Cookie. We come from the land of Crispia. — We are here in our search of a Cookie who is threatening the peace of the Cookie World. A Cookie by the name of..."
Elder Faerie Cookie: "Dark Enchantress Cookie…"
GingerBrave: "How did you know?!"
Elder Faerie Cookie: "Since ancient times, I have protected this Silver Tree at the order of the Witches. Throughout the ages, there have always been Cookies who coveted the dark power it seals. None have succeeded to this day. Seeing to that is one of my many duties."
Celestine: "So in other words… White Lily Cookie and Dark Enchantress Cookie are the same?"
Wizard Cookie: "Unbelievable…"
Strawberry Cookie: "No way… It can't be."
Mariya: "... Yep."
Elder Faerie Cookie: "The dough of White Lily Cookie that rests here in the Faerie Kingdom... is the part of her that did not transform into Dark Enchantress Cookie."
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Can you tell us… What happened to White Lily Cookie?"
Elder Faerie Cookie: "Hmm…"
…
"In days gone by, White Lily Cookie departed on a dangerous adventure to unveil the truth behind the creation of Cookiekind… Her path led her here, to the Faerie Kingdom.
No matter how many times I warned her of the perils ahead,
She refused to give up her mission.
Instead... I made sure she carried a piece of Moonstone with her wherever she goes, so that she may travel back here through parts of the other-realm."
…
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "A piece of... Moonstone...?! But the Moonstone is…"
Elder Faerie Cookie: "... Yes, it is forbidden Dark Moon Magic, practiced by the Witches only. The Moonstone leads to the other-realm known by the name, "Dark Side of the Moon"..."
Celestine: "Dark side of the Moon…"
Mariya: "You know anything about that?"
Celestine: "I read it in a book once, but my memory about it is rather hazy."
Mariya: "Hmm… Dark Side of the Moon… Moonstone… You don't mean that you—"
Celestine: "Not me…"
Mariya: "... I see."
Strawberry Cookie: "Is it the same Moonstone as the one in the Blueberry Magic Academy...?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "... Yes. White Lily Cookie used it to open gates to other dimensions during her days as a student."
Elder Faerie Cookie: "White Lily Cookie must have used the piece of the Moonstone to escape something terrible. Beyond that, her fate remains unknown to me. — Not long after she left the Faerie Kingdom… The evil Dark Enchantress Cookie was born, and White Lily Cookie's empty husk of a dough was brought here via the Moonstone."
Strawberry Cookie: "Then it means… White Lily Cookie didn't transform into Dark Enchantress Cookie, but instead split in two...?"
Mariya: "Quite a theoretical possibility. But I can't really say."
Wizard Cookie: "How is that theoretical?"
Pure Vanilla Cookie: "Your Majesty, you said that White Lily Cookie helped the Faerie Kingdom by preventing "The Great Calamity" back then. How exactly did she manage to do that?"
Elder Faerie Cookie: "It is related to the power that is sealed by the Silver Tree. The power that Dark Enchantress Cookie is after… I suppose it is easier to simply show you."
Leaving the gazebo with Elder Faerie Cookie to the massive Silver Tree, at the center of the kingdom… A faint shadowy figure stood at the middle of the gazebo, grinning so eerily and had expected the group to fall into their unnoticeable trap. That shadowy figure soon disappeared when Celestine turned her back at the gazebo one last time before catching up with everyone else.
…
"Not long now… Your holiness…
It is only a matter of time before the main event…"