Chapter Text
Fount of Knowledge placed his staff far away from him as he sat in a chair holding his head in his hands, his hair flowing much more rapidly than the gentle flow it once maintained.
He waited grateful that the Light of Solidarity had not rode out once more.
The continent was unraveling at the seams.
And he was running out of time.
Fount was on the verge of succumbing to what he had battled for so long but he needed to last just a bit longer before that other self had his way with him.
One last gift the Fount of Knowledge would give to this world and it would be to the future.
If he could not see the future with his own eyes then he would have one final solace as the madness devoured him.
His heart was aching but for that cookie he had to last. Even if the thought of him made him wish to curl up on himself and sob. To embrace that sweet madness to escape this heartache.
A click and movement of the door pulled Fount from his thoughts and he forced himself to his feet but he was unsteady. On the verge of falling and the Light of Solidarity moved to his side seeing his condition, “Please sit.”
Fount offered him his best attempt at a smile.
“Are you alright? Fount of Knowledge, what is happening?”
Light of Solidarity’s head subtly moved, surveying Fount of Knowledge’s new appearance.
The underside of his hair once white was black and filled with eyes whose pupils moved about rapidly. A new sensation and sense for the Fount of Knowledge. His sclera was black and his gold eye had swirls of blue. His pattern was over his eye but the blue of his hair still had its stars.
He was half transformed.
“I am running out of time,” Fount of Knowledge managed his breathing forced and labored as pain cleaved through his mind and prickled up through his dough.
“What?! Please let me help you. I can aid you my friend,” There was desperation in the other’s voice.
The Light of Solidarity was too good of a friend.
There was no helping Fount anymore.
That ship had long sailed.
“My madness will consume me but there is on-one last thing I-I have to do. En-ensure a brighter tomorrow…” Fount managed as he leaned into the Light of Solidarity’s cold armor. A comfort as it was a sensation that wasn’t pain.
This was their reality.
The virtues were falling and Fount knew he wasn’t the first and the others were going to succumb.
That was their fate and the cookie he met’s future confirmed their doomed present.
His soul jam was set into a brooch against his chest and his gaze shifted to the key behind the virtue supporting him.
“I am beyond sal-salvation my f-friend. I know you are s-scheming for a better future. I know it will be a much be-better one. I am offering my aid for this br-bright dawn you wish t-to bring,” Speaking was becoming more labored as the pain worsened and all of his eyes closed. He had to finish what he had to say.
“M-my staff has h-half of.. My power… use it. I b-beg of you use it. T-take it far away from me,” Fount of Knowledge winced as he fully fell to the ground panting as darkness began to embrace him.
“F-farewell Light of So-Solidarity. Th-this is goodbye,” Fount offered him a smile, his gaze meeting the other who showed alarm as he knelt down to try to reach out to him. To keep him here to offer some sort of, well, solidarity to him.
“Fount! Wait!”
Fount vanished into darkness so his friend did not see what happened to him next. Whatever was to afflict him would be for him alone to endure.
~~~~~
“What is this?!” Shadow Milk hissed, narrowing his eyes as he looked to the beast in blackened armor. Both were bound in silver roots pinned by forks in different places binding them to the roots.
How the roots embraced them it was less like a traditional cell and it was as if they were the heart of this tree.
“Our power nurtured this tree if you haven't forgotten,” Silent Salt Cookie spoke coldly.
“That little trick Fount pulled actually worked,” Shadow Milk glanced around the darkness.
If he wasn’t in this predicament he would have laughed.
Oh what a tragicomedy!
The two were far below the other beasts in the depths of the silver tree.
“I would laugh if it was actually nothing more than a pathetic attempt to save himself. Utter failure!” The Beast of Deceit’s tone was bitter and mocking his past self.
He sneered at the attempt that fool made.
Utterly outrageous.
“You speak as if your past self is an entirely different cookie when you are one in the same,” Silent Salt Cookie broke the silence that settled between the two.
“Ha! Oh but he is in my brain! One of countless voices to fill my head! I didn’t expect you to be soooo talkative when it was you who sealed us! I thought you would embody silence and I just yap for eternity!” There was hollow laughter as the beast of deceit did what he did best.
Talk.
“Why? Why did Fount give up his power?” Silent Salt Cookie asked.
Clearly that was what was bothering him now.
Ugh Shadow Milk Cookie didn’t want to recall THAT cookie.
“And why on Earthbread would I tell you?”
There was silence and Shadow Milk had a feeling that his reason wouldn’t be THAT convincing.
“What? No response? Ugh so boring. No ‘how did you know what I was planning?’ No ‘how did you know this or that’? The answer is simple! I embodied knowledge old fool!” Shadow Milk grinned leaning forward despite the silver fork pinning his head and wrists in place a wide grin forming.
Yet the other was unreadable.
Shadow Milk Cookie must have won this little debate!
“You met someone from the future. Likely someone who bears our now split souls,” Silent Salt Cookie spoke with a matter of fact tone.
“Watch your tongue! If it wasn't pinned I would tear it out!”
Anger red hot bubbled to the surface as he struggled against the primordial magic binding him in place as more of his strength was drained.
What more could this damn tree take from him?!
It already had half of his power and stolen his freedom!
“We have time until sleep claims us. I can feel my love's magic reaching down the roots trying to lull us to an eternal sleep,” Silent Salt replied.
That numbing sensation must be that magic and the gentle hum in his ears like a lullaby among the cacophony of voices in his mind.
Shadow Milk narrowed his eyes, his head was pounding as one voice in particular was the loudest among all others talking for the last dregs of Shadow Milk’s attention.
That voice of his past self wishing to tell this story.
“Fine.”
Breaking that silence that settled over the pair was none other than the Beast of Deceit.
“If you want to tell him so bad I'll let you. Consider it a final courtesy you dead scholar so you can finally shut up,” the beast spoke under his breath and his voice shifted.
It became softer.
“It all started on a starry night when I was stargazing,” The one speaking was not the Beast of Deceit.
~~~
Fount of Knowledge watched the stars above him, his staff resting in his lap as he sat upon his rail next to his telescope. The moon cast its pale glow over earthbread like a mother tucking in their child at night wishing them the sweetest dreams.
There was an inhale followed by an exhale as he closed his eyes.
Things had been… lonely.
His fellow virtues were focused on their roles and their letters were becoming fewer and fewer. Even arcane forms of communication had become few to nonexistent.
What had he done wrong?
Perhaps he needed to try reaching out?
Or it was because of him.
Because they hated him.
Even those who sought him out for knowledge hated him.
Why?
Why did cookies seek wisdom if they only wished it to align to their views and ideals?
Knowledge shaped ideals not the other way around.
Crrrraaackk!
Fount’s eyes shot open as he felt a wave of energy hit him that knocked him off the railing and he immediately stopped his descent flying up to see a massive rift in his office.
It was like reality had shattered like glass.
Golden energy sparked and crackled through the air causing anything not tied down to be thrown around the room. Even his heavy duty shelves were starting to be pulled.
It was as if this was a black hole.
Yet there was something familiar about this magic.
It pulled on his very soul.
Fount pulled himself out of the near trance he had found himself in.
Fount aimed his staff prepared to seal up this wild magic when he stopped once more seeing a ball of light emerge from the rift and gently float down to the ground.
This light was oddly the length of a cookie and he shook his head.
He had to fix the rift that was attempting to destroy his office!
His soul jam sparked to life and his staff glowed as blue ribbons of energy twisted around his key and his magic wrapped around the rift and he furrowed his brow.
Forcing it closed in such a way was proving futile.
It was actually a bit tricky.
A smile creased his lips as he used his free hand to draw various glyphs launching each one at the rift with a flourish forming an ornate spell circle that glowed and threads emerged from it weaving reality back together.
In the end it was child’s play for the embodiment of knowledge yet there was the promise of a challenge.
Finally something not easily bending to his will brought him excitement until it succumbed so quickly.
It only lasted a moment unfortunately.
Why must nothing be a challenge?
Why couldn’t he pushed to his limits?
Why did the witches bake him like this?
The magic faded and his smile fell but then shifted to concern when he finally noticed the cookie dress in torn up rags laying on his floor.
This cookie had golden skin with pale blonde hair that was tipped gray. There was a star symbol on their forehead like a birthmark. Beside them was a staff in the shape of a Vanilla Orchid with its eye closed.
“Wha?” Fount blinked as he remained floating in the air.
Fount floated over and landed beside them and he placed his hand on their chest.
They were breathing at least whoever this cookie was.
He focused and his magic embraced this cookie checking their vitals and the state of their soul searching for any abnormalities. His blue and gold eyes glowed as he worked and what he saw made this whole affair even stranger.
This cookie at least should have such powerful magic.
The intense golden aura was proof of that but it was also tinged black and shattered like glass as if their soul was broken.
A split soul?
A split soul!
The first living example Fount of Knowledge had seen of such a phenomena!
Fount! Focus!
Right!
Right.
Make sure this cookie is stable.
Fount of Knowledge began to heal what he could seeing such extensive arcane damage using his immense supply of magic.
The best solution was time and rest, but the extent of the damage wasn’t natural. If left unchecked it could cause immense damage to their soul or what was left of it.
Whatever happened to this cookie they had undergone a painful event with both internal and external circumstances to lead to this state.
The cracks were no longer as deep, but they were still present and Fount of Knowledge dismissed the healing magic.
He had done what he could on that front.
The best thing to do was old fashioned rest and magic wrapped around this cookie and Fount began to walk. The door opened leading out of his study and the cookie floated behind him as if laying on a bed.
Fount flew down the hall and as he left all the displaced items began to return to their place, his immense power bending this reality to his will.
Flying to an unused bedroom and he tucked the cookie under the covers and he summoned a comfortable chair creating it from nothing but his magic. He sat back and observed this cookie carefully.
“Let’s hope you wake before my morning lectures,” Fount said to no one in particular as he watched the cookie sleep soundly.
It would be a few hours of silence and reading over several volumes of books in his collection before Fount heard any movement.
There was a shift in the bed and a groan as the cookie in bed opened their eyes.
The timing was perfect.
The sun was just beginning to rise which meant his lectures were a few hours away.
He had plenty of time to take care of this cookie.
Fount smiled and he stood grabbing this cookie’s staff as the cookie woke up. Glancing around their eyes landed on the Fount of Knowledge and there was an expression of alarm.
“O-oh! W-who are you?”
“I am known as the Fount of Knowledge and you ended up in my Spire of All Knowledge,” Fount explained. “What is your name?”
“I.. I don’t know,” The other replied and he looked up to him.
His blue and yellow eyes were faded and shattered.
“Amnesia?” Fount pondered. “Is there anything you do remember?”
The other shook his head.
“Hmm. Does this spark any memories?” Fount asked and the orchid staff that was in his hands floated over to the other’s lap resting on it.
He sat up and glanced down and there was a look of recognition before he let out a cry holding his head. Fount rushed to his side placing a hand on his shoulder checking on his aura.
“I-it hurts!” The cookie cried.
The cracks worsened and Fount frowned as he sat beside him, his mind racing as he waved his fingers and the staff vanished and his magic wrapped around him offering relief.
The cookie began to relax.
“Apologies,” Fount truly meant it.
He did not intend to hurt his soul in such a way.
The cookie was shaking as he looked at the other with fear, confusion, and pain in his eyes that strangely made his heart shatter at the sight.
Why did he feel so attached to this cookie and his well being?
“Let’s get you out of those rags and we can figure out a name to call you,” Fount offered a smile and the cookie nodded.
He smelled strongly of vanilla.
Fount stood and with a wave of his hand robes appeared and floated down to the foot of his bed.
“I will wait outside for you. We can head to the library so you can pick a name for yourself and to formulate a plan,” Fount did not wish to trigger another episode for this cookie.
Fount also planned on cancelling his lectures for today.
Besides they had become more of a chore as of late.
Nothing but arguments.
Not even debates. The cookies wished to be right and see no other viewpoint.
He stepped out of the room to offer him privacy and he pondered the details of this event after shutting the door.
This cookie emerged from a rift of powerful magic that sparked a sense of familiarity as if he knew the source. Yet Fount of Knowledge had never seen such a cookie like this one in his long life and there was also the fact he was a split soul.
This is most likely what triggered his memory loss and thus the pain when trying to recall his past.
His soul did not want him to remember who he was.
It was a protective measure.
It made the matter of his identity even more curious and a mystery that Fount wished to unravel, but it would be one that he would hopefully come to learn in time.
Fount did not like seeing other cookies suffer needlessly but especially this one which was another strange aspect to this situation.
Why did he feel such a connection to this cookie?
It was fleeting but there.
Why?
It didn’t make any sense.
It was settled that Fount of Knowledge would do all he could to unravel this mystery without doing harm to this cookie.
Perhaps maybe he could finally share his true name after not using it for so long?
There was simply no point as cookies remembered a title much better than names.
Excitement bubbled to the surface for the first time in he had forgotten how long it had been.
Finally something that interested him!
The door opened and the cookie was dressed in his new clothes and he said, “I’m ready.”
“Excellent let us be off,” Fount said warmly and he began to fly and the other cookie blinked before he walked behind him on foot.
“Do you fly everywhere?”
“Hmm? Yes. Normally I teleport everywhere but I figured it would be too much for you to handle,” Fount of Knowledge explained.
“You can teleport?” The other sounded amazed.
It was the simple amazement like a child would possess.
Fount stopped and he vanished and reappeared at his side causing the other to jump and Fount laughed, “Apologies! I figured I would demonstrate! Demonstrations are often the best form of teaching.”
“I didn’t expect it,” The other replied. “Why do I suspect I might be capable of something similar?”
“You do possess magic so it is possible with enough work but that is quite advanced we will have to work on the basics first. Fortunately for you I am Earthbread’s finest teacher!” Fount spoke with such a matter of fact tone.
It was the truth.
He founded Earthbread’s education system.
There was no better educator than himself!
Fount floated in front of this cookie and his smile was a gentle one yet the smile never reached his eyes. There was a deep sadness within them and he had bags under his eyes no matter how much he said he didn’t need sleep he was perpetually exhausted.
Fount turned and resumed leading the way through his spire.
“Have you been getting enough sleep?” His companion inquired.
“Hmm? I do not need sleep. I am not a normal cookie,” Fount replied offering a simple response yet one that was instinctual.
An autopilot response.
“Perhaps you should still try to rest. You look exhausted,” The other replied, concern entering his voice.
“You have the instincts of a healer. No memories of yourself yet you show such care for a stranger you have only met today,” Fount noted, making a verbal and mental note of this.
“I guess so. It just comes to me as naturally as breathing.”
“Hmm perhaps we can call you Healer Cookie for now,” Fount turned to face him. “How does that sound?”
The other stopped and he regarded the suggestion, his brow furrowing before he smiled, “I think I would like that. Thank you Fount of Knowledge.”
“Healer Cookie it is,” Fount smiled.
“Well I suppose then let’s get started on your education,” Fount mused.
“Hmm?”
“You have a lot of magic that could potentially go out of control if you aren’t careful. We don’t want any cookie hurt do we?” Fount informed him as his hands went behind his back and he floated forward, his key floating beside him, the eye in it narrowing reflecting his emotions.
Magic that powerful and unstable left unchecked could cause harm to Healer Cookie and others around him.
“No!” The other called with fear in his voice at the mere thought of the possibility.
“I.. I am that dangerous?” Healer Cookie held himself.
Way to go Fount.
Fount’s expression showed alarm as he floated in front of him and his hands framed each side of Healer Cookie but stopped just before touching him.
“No! Not at all! Magic is just a tricky thing that responds to external stimuli if you do not possess careful control. Accidents with young mages are commonplace but we still need to take precautions! The sooner the better!” Fount said quickly.
“Even when I become too upset accidents occur. And I have been wielding magic for countless thousands of years,” Fount added to hopefully quell his nerves.
How long had it been since he interacted with a cookie on a purely social basis?
He was utterly inept.
Absolutely atrocious Fount.
Healer Cookie looked amazed hearing how old his companion was.
It had been so long since Fount had seen such child-like excitement.
He should teach more youth classes. Teaching the adults had become grating and weighed down on him like he was placed at the bottom of the ocean and feeling the weight of such depths.
If he was being honest with himself, Fount of Knowledge had felt lost for some time now.
Was teaching even what he wanted to do?
Honestly?
No.
It was his duty as the Virtue of Knowledge.
How else was he to fulfill that role?
Fount of Knowledge led Healer Cookie to the library as he had put up a notice that his lectures for the day were cancelled. Healer Cookie had stars in his broken eyes, seeing all the books that went from floor to ceiling and there were 4 stories to his library with a fifth one being constructed. Familiars floated about building the fifth level.
“Healer Cookie? You can read later I promise. I will gladly share my library with you but first fundamentals of magic,” Fount called his attention.
Healer Cookie turned his attention to him, “I have never seen so many books! Your library is wonderful! I see why they call you Fount of Knowledge!”
“We need to make you a wand or staff first and foremost and thus that means gathering materials,” Fount explained and the other nodded.
Fount of Knowledge raised his staff and blue light embraced him and he appeared as a young man with white hair that faded to blue in ornate robes, his staff a wooden one that resembled a tree wrapped around a blue gemstone.
“Shall we?” He smiled, his voice sounding different.
“If I hadn’t seen you do it I would wonder where you have gone, Fount,” Healer Cookie remarked. “Will you teach me healing magic? I don’t want to hurt anyone I would like to help.”
“Yes but first you need a wand or staff attuned to your magic which means learning how to build one. After all, if you know how to build a wand or staff you will never find yourself in a troublesome situation if you can recognize what materials will work. Knowledge is power,” Fount smiled.
That was how things were done after all.
While there were wands and staves available for purchase they would never be as effective as making it yourself. Besides if one was in a dangerous situation or a pinch making a staff could save their life.
If Fount was going to teach this cookie he would do it properly not like all those cookies who twisted his teachings for the fastest result even if that result was not nearly as effective.
“Does furniture normally levitate?” Healer Cookie asked.
Fount blinked and the furniture floated back down, “Sometimes! Let’s go!”
Fount walked over and grabbed ahold of Healer Cookie’s arm and they reappeared on the outskirts of the city built near his tower. It was a center for magic and mages with more arcane academies than anywhere else in the known world.
Healer Cookie looked disoriented and held on to Fount for balance and the two remained stationary as Fount let him recover.
“Teleporting for the first time can be quite disorienting, causing dizziness and nausea,” Fount said. “Are you alright? Do you need to sit down?”
Fount should have asked if he was alright with teleportation before he performed it.
Ugh why was he such a fool?
“Yes I am alright. Thank you,” Healer Cookie offered him a smile.
Fount smiled relieved and the pair walked into town. Fount called forth a pouch that he filled to the brim with gold coins tied to his waist. Healer Cookie held on to his arm as they entered the traffic of the city.
The virtue was grateful for him holding on otherwise he might have lost him in the crowd. Healer Cookie was taking in all the sights and sounds as the pair walked heading to the shops they needed.
Perhaps it was a mistake to bring him to the city?
He just awoke that morning with no memories.
He hoped he wasn’t overwhelming him.
Foolish Fount of Knowledge.
Heh he heard that insult so much lately.
His grip on his staff tightened.
All Fount did was make mistakes.
He was a mistake.
The virtues should have never been baked.
“This is amazing!” Healer Cookie said seeing cookies flying on brooms through the early morning sky, carts moving on their own, and all the other enchantments that the city utilized.
“I suppose. It is nothing compared to my tower,” Fount replied perhaps a bit arrogantly.
Healer Cookie smiled, “I would love to hear all about it.”
“Really?” Fount asked him genuinely caught off guard.
“Of course!” Healer Cookie had nothing but warmth to his voice but Fount’s heart pounded in his chest.
How long had it been since a cookie had been genuinely interested in what he had to speak on outside of lessons?
The pair had walked to a part of the city that was oddly quiet as Fount walked on instinct and he felt Healer Cookie’s grip on his arm tighten.
“Look out!” Healer Cookie called and pulled Fount to the ground which finally pulled the other out of his trance.
An arrow of darkness had impaled itself into the stone with wisps of red flowing along it.
Darkness erupted around the pair forming a large cage on the square they stood in and cookies emerged from the shadows.
“Hand over your valuables,” One said clearly to the leader with white and black hair and dark skin and a scar over his eyes.
All wore armor or heavy duty clothes meant for facing tough opponents.
Fount recognized that.
The material was expensive and high quality; these were top tier thieves. It seems he found members of the thieves guild that had overheard the leaders and other scholars speak about in his debates.
Debates that had become nothing more than meetings to beg a god to solve their problems and prove who is right or wrong.
Fount stood and the sky seemed to darken as clouds gathered but he noticed it too late and an arrow pierced his chest and his eyes widened as his staff clattered to the ground.
He felt his magic begin to numb but it wasn’t powerful enough to do as this curse intended.
A sealing curse.
Those BASTARDS!
Fount looked livid as his magic erupted around him coming off in dark blue flames, his hair flowing seemed to darken for a brief moment, gaining eyes as dark blue magic erupted from his chest.
The magic formed hands that seemed to lunge for the cookies who cried out or cursed as they dodged the magic pursuing them as Fount struggled to contain his emotions and unravel that sealing curse.
Burn it all down.
Tear it all to pieces.
BrEaK tHeM.
“I will n-not heed your words!” Fount called gripping his head, his hands digging into his hair.
Healer Cookie on instinct dove for his staff and held it in his hands.
“Wh-what are you doing?!” Fount his eyes changing color and becoming slitted pupils.
Healer Cookie lifted the staff and it glowed and Fount felt all he knew about the world shatter.
Golden light emanated from it as a glyph appeared under them forming a barrier and his hair flowed, gaining a golden glow and for a moment his eyes looked whole.
The curse on Fount unraveled in an instant and the pain that came with it vanished as the shadowy magic was dispelled. His key returned to his hands.
Fount raised his staff and his magic erupted from wrapping all the criminals in hands made of magic and he drew a sigil and arcane sealing curses appeared on their bodies as his disguise melted away.
There was fear among the criminals as the Fount of Knowledge floated up with the cookies trapped and powerless.
“Fount lets turn them into authorities! Please!” Healer Cookie called panic in his voice.
Fount looked down to him and the criminals vanished and he floated down and dispelled the remnant dark magic from the area that had intended to act as a cage.
He was breathing heavily, his hair disheveled as he held a hand to his chest, his other hand kept a firm grip on his key.
“Are you alright? You looked like we were breaking,” Healer Cookie sounded concerned but Fount was weary.
He took a step back curling in on himself.
Who…?
Who was this cookie?
His mind couldn’t let go of what he saw or felt.
The Soul Jam of Knowledge, his soul obeyed him.
Fount of Knowledge was trembling.
“How… How can you wield the Soul Jam of knowledge? How can you wield my soul?”