THE FIRST COOKIES

"This wasn't how... we were to meet. This isn't the body I had then. I'm not..." He was a beast now. He cast away everything, and for her to mention how all the Witches who failed to answer him when he was the one begging and wailing for years upon centuries of unanswered calls... that this was some accident? "I'm not your son anymore," he finally managed to hiss out.

Shadow Milk didn't rush into her arms, didn't shy away. For the former Fount of Knowledge, he didn't know what to do. Screw Dark Enchantress. Screw Pure Vanilla. He didn't...

That moment when you’ve travelled through different timelines, trying to erase them until only one remains where you are the only truth… and then you stumble upon the most enviable timeline.

One, where his creator had come for him, loves him and never leaves.

Question is...

Which timeline should he erase?

That one or his...?

“Master!” The little haetae ran up to the leavened one on all fours, a mischievous look in their eye. “The Ivory Pagoda has a visitor, they said they wish to see you! Perhaps it is time to enlighten them?”

Mystic Flour did not match the pup's enthusiasm, slowly rising from her meditative spot atop the lotus pedestal. “Such is my purpose.”

Cloud Haetae stifled a smile behind their hand, “of course, master! Our guest is waiting for you just outside.”

Mystic Flour Cookie nods in acknowledgment before making her way through the temple and outside its grand doors, with Cloud Haetae Cookie following diligently behind her.

However, her stride is halted when she lay her eyes on this supposed stranger. One with a familiar appearance, a motherly smile, and painfully kind eyes.

“You…”

This was not some lost cookie seeking enlightenment.

Cloud Haetae noticed the change instantly and scurried to her side, “master?”

But their voice went ignored as Mystic Flour stood stiff as an ivory pillar.

“... It cannot be… that’s impossible…”

Either way, when she did arrive at the temple, she could sense the familiar magic. The cookie hurried up the stages, passing the guards who seemed to be shocked (whether by her presence or magic; it didn’t matter), before being greeted by a small cookie who introduced themselves as Cloud Haetae.

After speaking to Cloud Haetae Cookie and asking about Mystic Flour Cookie, the other agreed to take her to the virtue, which made her day as their reunion would finally be fulfilled. Of course, she waited outside when requested so that the haetae could inform the virtue about her and allow the other to come to her.

She didn’t mind considering she was finally going to see her precious cookie once again and as soon Mystic Flour Cookie made her presence known; First Grain Cookie gave a sweet and motherly smile to her before carefully approaching her.