Chapter Text
Shadow Milk woke up in a daze, everything felt heavy, and his limbs felt as if they were shackled down. Everything inside him felt wrong like it burned, and he- he couldn't feel his soul jam-
His hands shot up caressing it, the shape resting in his hands present. Glowing faintly at his touch, he corrected himself, he could feel it, but he couldn’t use it. Shadow Milk had a breathy sigh, looking up at the room around him.
It was dimly lit, and the room was modestly sized, yet it lacked windows. If this place was what he thought it was, it could be worse than that tree. At least he knew what time it was. This place was gloomy and suffocating, so much worse than his spire.
What happened before this- why was he here?
Shadow Milk traced back his memories, the fog was still there as if the same thing that hit his body took over his mind. How humiliating for the beast to be put in such a state. Then it came back to him, a spark of something that wanted him to hurl. What an awful memory.
The fight had ended, Black Sapphire offered a retreat, and right as Candy Apple had left his sights- The portal shattered. Then he looked back at Pure Vanilla, as if he noticed his stare he offered a thoughtful smile as if he was gracing Shadow Milk with something pleasant. Pure Vanilla muttered something before speaking up.
“Apologies, Shadow Milk, but I cannot let you leave my friend. "He paused, and his eyes were predatory despite not even staring at him, “Should I let you escape that will cause problems for the both of us.”
“Friend?” Shadow Milk glanced at the companions behind Pure Vanilla, before giving a hiss, slightly trilling with laughter, “Don't you understand? Keeping me here is just spelling out the end for all of your silly companions for when my spire falls!”
“Is it?” Pure Vanilla smiled knowingly. As if he couldn't stop himself from grinning.
Then Shadow Milk felt himself drop to the floor, his magic no longer capable of sustaining itself, twitching as his muscles strained to keep himself up. He laughed in the sheer terror of it all, he was betrayed, defeated, now powerless.
His vision grew hazy as he saw Pure Vanilla reach out with a gentle smile, the beast fell limp to the floor, and in that moment when he dragged his face up he saw it , he felt everything leave him his heart pounding as fear finally tore into him. He couldn’t even speak as the last thing he felt when his vision failed him was his limp body being picked up.
So, this was the machinations of Pure Vanilla, the man who had stolen his soul jam- his trust and how had placed him in this deluded cage.
Even trying to get up felt like too much as he attempted to leave the bed- His magic… It was sealed away… entirely. Not even the tree was able to do that, how could that hopeless, miserable, deluded, worthless THIEF POSSIBLY GET HIS STICKY HANDS ON SUCH A TECHNIQUE?
No, he was Shadow Milk, Beast of Deceit, he couldn’t let this pathetic pretend hero take advantage of him like that. He flopped down to his bed even sitting up was draining without magic. He would escape in no time. He just needed to regain some energy as of now.
Yet without any cues of time, everything felt warped, he felt as if he was suffocating in his own mind as he attempted to regain just any ounce of strength. Yet time merely twisted, worse than the spire ever was, a wait that seemed to drown out even thinking itself.
Then the door creaked open, bright light filling the room as the door was promptly closed. Golden locks graced Shadow Milk's view as he stared at the figure, Pure Vanilla his mind seemed to supply with fury. The healer looked up as if noticing his attention, beaming brightly before rushing to his side.
“Shadow Milk!” the hero practically cooed, “what a pleasant surprise, you're finally awake!”
“Back off,” Shadow Milk hissed, unable to move from his position, ”I hope you die you, spineless coward, shatter into pieces for taking my magic.”
Pure Vanilla brushed through the beast's hair, “If I let you go then I would be proactive in sealing your fate… If you escaped then you would need to be sealed away.”
The hero's hand got just within reach and Shadow Milk used what little strength he had lunging forward and clamping down on it. Biting deeply into it, yet Pure Vanilla used his other hand to caress the beast’s face.
“This is for your safety, we can be friends here, Shadow Milk.” he rubbed Shadow Milk's cheek gently before continuing, “You're my other half so I cannot help but love you, please accept this position. Just for now… my companions- the other heroes don’t know of your presence and I fear what will happen if they meet you like this.”
Shadow Milk stopped biting to talk, “Do you think you will get away with keeping me locked up in here, like some kind of pet?”
Pure Vanilla looked down, eyes softening, as if he was about to cry for the beast, so Shadow Milk bit the hand caressing his face, “If you were found then they would be far more upset I’m housing and protecting you. I did not intend for you to feel this way, I’m sorry but this is the only way I can help you.”
Pure Vanilla seemed to heal his free hand before using it to run through Shadow Milk’s locks, paying no attention as Shadow Milk attempted to rip a chunk out of the hand. How was he in such a pathetic state that the king seemed to be unbothered by his attacks?
“You seem to be fatigued still,” Pure Vanilla hummed, removing his hand from the hair before placing it on Shadow Milk's chest, “Please don’t mind me healing you-”
Magic seemed to thrum into his veins filling his chest, it burned like scorching oil. He unlatched his bite before letting off a hiss, this was barely healing. It was barbaric, as if Pure Vanilla sent concentrated magic from the soul jam itself into his body. It made him nauseous as if he wanted to hurl the acid in his stomach.
“You’re fine” the hero whispered, “this will help you get better.”
It was horrible it felt as if all his senses were blocked out by pain, he couldn’t feel anything else but it. As if dropped in a vat of acid and he was suffocating his lungs burned as he gasped, he felt his eyes burn as he tried to stop tears from falling out. Where everything felt like an open wound as salt entered each one to make it flare up in agony.
It was as if the magic itself was tearing his body apart, concentrated to rip and tear his very existence apart.
Then soon it stopped, and Shadow Milk had felt as if he had turned into living sludge, electric shocks of pain still strumming through his body. Everything throbbed as he panted for air, the throbbing sensation soon fading with a thumping ache. His body trembled, failing to hold itself together.
In what world was sending that into his body healing, had Pure Vanilla lost his mind? What foolishness was he possibly trying to commit other than torturing the beast?
As Shadow Milk went in for another lunge his mouth was met with soft bread, “Healing must have taken a toll on you, I’m sorry for preventing you from connecting with your soul jam like this, but you might become weak from not eating.”
Shadow Milk accepted the meal, biting into it as he looked up at Pure Vanilla, “In what world is that healing?”
“... You must not be used to healing,” Pure Vanilla sighed, “my techniques are perfectly normal, you must be sensitive after you were disconnected from using magic.”
Shadow Milk accepted the flimsy explanation as he finished the bread, chewing it was tiring as everything attempted to assist with swallowing. He had to gain some energy back, anything at least. As he was eating Pure Vanilla seemed to return to brushing through the other's hair. Humming a small tune as Shadow Milk weakly tore through the bread.
“I'm glad you're well enough to eat,” Pure Vanilla said, wiping off the crumbs the beast had on his face giving a lick, “then I'll be back, is there anything you want?”
“Out.” Shadow Milk said with a glare.
Pure Vanilla shook his head with a sigh, “Next time I'll bring some books, burgers sound nice don't they?”
Shadow Milk didn't respond.
Pure Vanilla released his hand from the beast's hair, placing a kiss on the other’s temple. Standing up as he opened the door, face peeking out, “I’m sorry that this is the most I can do for my other half.”
The door shut behind the hero. His presence seemed to immediately fade away, no longer existing after he exited.
Shadow Milk waited just for a moment before sitting up. His limbs were still weary yet he dragged himself up, slamming into the wall for support. Attempting to move his body to the door at his weakened pace.
He used both of his arms to pull himself forward, pushing up and taking a step, while his other arm rested against the wall to prevent himself from falling. Small steps to reach the door in front of him-
Just a little bit more, he grasped the handle turning it. The door unlatched as it was opened… that fool left it unlocked, suspicious. Before him were long hall paintings decorating the place, and still no windows. Just a door on the other side.
He continued to support himself along the walls inching his way to the next door. The air was fresh, even his room lacked stagnance. Every step made him feel weaker as he gasped for air sharply, how long had it been since he actually walked? His magic made him light but… he shouldn't be like this.
Letting his mind haze over with thoughts until his hand clumsily hit the wall in front of him. Reaching out the door was unlocked again, yet when he opened he was met with his room.
The same bed, messy sheets, a nightstand beside it. A wardrobe on the other side of the room, the same windowless, dimly lit room. Other than that it was completely barren, not a sense of life other than the crumpled bed sheets.
He let out a shaky sigh as his body crumpled to the floor. That traitor- that thief used his very own magic against him, to warp space like Shadow Milk did in his spire, how could he steal his very own spells?
Truth and deceit ; two sides of the same coin , his mind supplied.
That was something that fool would use, but he had to accept; it made sense in this stupidly absurd situation. That liar and him shared the same soul jam, it made sense of course even if that fool said he bore the light of truth. He was no more than a lying brute trying to fool Shadow Milk into the delusional hope they could be more than enemies.
He lifted himself from the floor, making it towards the bed, he would just sleep until Pure Vanilla would come back. He needed to conserve his strength to make a plan and escape.
Lying on the bed his body quickly went limp and his mind trailed back to the spire. Candy Apple and Black Sapphire… despite their incompetence they were diligent, they will make room to tear the magic of this place and open an escape, when he left he could easily unbind his magic. He turned over in the bed so he could fight against that delusional Pure Vanilla until then.
He drifted off to sleep, he needed just one opportunity then he could slip out, easy-peasy.
Pure Vanilla opened the door to the hallway of the hidden chamber, he took off his outer robes as there was no need to fulfill his duties anymore today. Taking his basket he glanced at the food, he was glad the beast enjoyed yesterday's meal. After all, he made it just for Shadow Milk.
Trailing down the hallway he let his hand brush along the walls, the paintings seemed to be disturbed? Perhaps the beast had walked down this hallway, the fact that none of the canvases seemed to be knocked down meant it was unintentional in the least.
Opening the door it seems the Beast was still unconscious… Pure Vanilla was glad he was awake yesterday, after all, he had been unconscious for a week after the king brought him to Crispia. Sitting down he looked back on how Shadow Milk ended up in this room, brushing through the beast’s hair despite its appearance; it was always soft. Even as it would seemingly sharpen as Shadow Milk's face contorted to anger.
Pure Vanilla hummed a hymn remembering why he used this room, the hall led to a hidden chamber because it wasn’t noticeable keeping the beast here wouldn’t be noticed. After all this room was connected to his chamber, so this hall's curse would be impossible to notice. Besides that, having Shadow Milk so close to his chambers was comforting in a way.
Soon Shadow Milk seemed to rouse from his slumber, tired eyes taking in their surroundings before glaring at Pure Vanilla, the beast lunged slamming him into the floor.
Then fists hit against his chest, Shadow Milk seemed to be putting everything into hitting him, but just like the bites from yesterday, they felt light as a feather. So he just smiled through it listening to his complaints.
“Let me out!” Shadow Milk slammed his fist into the other's chest, “Pure Vanilla- I’m not going to lie flat like some kind of house pet- YOU CAN’T KEEP ME HERE!”
Shadow Milk didn’t hold his name with affection, he frowned at the lack of a nickname, so this was step one. How… upsetting?
The beast kept using his punches, “When I get out of here, I’ll take your soul jam and your life!”
Pure Vanilla hummed, Shadow Milk kept punching him, yelling insults and complaints. The king took it all as he listened to the beast's woes.
Eventually, it seemed the beast ran out of energy collapsing on Pure Vanilla’s chest huffing as he tried to maintain a growl. “I hate you- I hate this place…”
Pure Vanilla hugged the beast as he complained, picking him up before setting him on the bed. Pure Vanilla reached down to the basket as he sat next to Shadow Milk, letting the beast rest on his lap.
The beast continued to glare at him, his brows furrowed as he growled “Why am I here, are you punishing me?”
The king frowned at this, “Punishment? While you’ve done horrible things I’ve forgiven all you’ve done to me. There is no reason for you to atone, as I said, you’re safe here, by my side.”
Shadow Milk continued to glare, it reminded him of a ‘vicious’ hissing cat that he knew in his youth. The beast remained silent no more than a silent growl as he watched Pure Vanilla attentively. His glare and bared teeth were in a way cute, just as the cat was viscous, it was no more but scared, Shadow Milk must be the same, this room must be unfamiliar to him.
So, Pure Vanilla would foster him, there was nothing to be scared of here after all. Shadow Milk might hate him right now but he would get better after all. Acceptance was hard but the king was sure, Shadow Milk would eventually turn around like that cat did. After all, just as Pure Vanilla said to the others when they questioned Shadow Milk’s presence, Pure Vanilla was just a shepherd leading a sheep to the right way of truth once more.
No one could doubt it, he’s made people prosper, and his kingdom reignite with glory through his efforts. So simply Shadow Milk too will come to embrace the truth he rejected and strayed from.
As Shadow Milk seemed to return to a more neutral state, the king offered him some food, unwrapping a burger from some paper- helping prop the beast to sit up. Shadow Milk seemed to glare at Pure Vanilla then the burger that the king propped up to his mouth. Grasping at the burger clutching, Pure Vanilla didn't let go as he guided the burger to Shadow Milk's mouth.
The beast ate voraciously, while he only took small bites, Shadow Milk was quick with his chewing before taking another bite. Pure Vanilla smiled, the other was eating so well as he greedily attempted to inhale it.
Pure Vanilla pulled it away after it was almost halfway finished, “Shadow Milk, please let me heal you again, I know it doesn’t feel too good because you're sensitive right now, but because you’re not rejecting food I know you want to get better… please?”
Shadow Milk glared, baring his teeth “Will you let me out if… I let you?”
Pure Vanilla sighed, shaking his head, “It will take a long time for me to determine if you can be let out- You can handle two years, yes? It’s far less than you were in the tree- so please?”
Shadow Milk hummed as if calculating the time, his face scrunched up before hissing, “ You have to let me out by two years. ”
Pure Vanilla smiled, “Thank you! I’m sure I’ll be done by that time, how come here-” Pure Vanilla placed a hand on the beast’s chest, “I’ll make sure to be quick.”
Pure Vanilla let the magic surge through his palm into Shadow Milk’s chest, and the king’s energy surged into the beast. Even if Pure Vanilla wasn’t including the details, while this wasn’t direct healing, it was meant to help Shadow Milk. The power of his soul jam assists Shadow Milk to adapt and come to terms with the truth, almost how Shadow Milk’s spire assisted him in embracing deceit. Even if this method was more… direct.
The beast seemed to avoid reacting, letting no more than a hiss. Clenching his hands to avoid himself from writhing, baring his teeth as the magic poured further into him. Pure Vanilla stopped when he felt that the magic seemed to overflow, pouring out of Shadow Milk’s vessel.
Pure Vanilla lifted his hand and Shadow Milk glared with his demand; the king kept his promise offering the beast the remaining burger. Shadow Milk without hesitance ate from his hand gobbling it down in large bites not taking time to savor it.
“Do you want more?” Pure Vanilla asked, offering another wrapped burger, “You seem quite hungry, I’m sorry if I'm not providing you enough with my visits.”
Shadow Milk stared as his eyes sharpened, pointing his nose up with an air of arrogance, “Give it to me.”
Pure Vanilla sighed, unwrapping it and offering it into his mouth, “I’m sorry if this isn’t enough, next time I’ll leave a basket here with more food.”
Pure Vanilla watched Shadow Milk rip into the burger just as voraciously inhaling it. That was the king's portion actually- Pure Vanilla just didn’t… make it the same way. But it would be of no harm, after all, Shadow Milk voraciously ate his portion. The meal merely kept him pliant and not running across the hall to find and rip into the walls trying to spot flaws in his magic.
When the beast finished it appears he was too ambitious and bit into Pure Vanilla’s hand. Quickly unlatching, then intentionally biting again.
“Aha, are you going to let go?” Pure Vanilla let off a laugh, using his free hand to run through Shadow Milk's hair.
The beast grunted, giving him a scowl, attempting to dig deeper. Truly it didn't hurt but having his arm latched in place was uncomfortable.
Continuing to use his hand to brush the beast, it was a strange moment of silence. Thinking about it now the beast seemed to be highly on guard around the king. Losing his playfulness and general demeanor, despite the subduedness of the beast Pure Vanilla also admired this side of him. Even if he was a little aggressive in how he acted.
Eventually, the beast unlatched his jaw, letting Pure Vanilla go. Lying in bed facing away from him, Pure Vanilla gave a sigh before giving a peck to the beast's temple.
“Good night, Shadow Milk, I'll see you soon.”
Pure Vanilla picked up the basket, looking through it, ah the books. He placed them next to the bed before standing back up. He exited the room, closing the door behind him.
Walking down the hall he made it to the next door, opening it, and entering his chamber. Pushing the bookcase back into place, since Shadow Milk ate his portion perhaps, he could get something from the kitchen… focaccia?
He hummed, maybe he should make a book about observing the beast's behavior? It would be useful to track if he got better- perhaps even proof?
He paced down the hall as he wondered what to do for his nightly activities after he ate.