~~OBSSESION~~ {BOOK 1} (Shadow Milk Cookie x reader)

Chapter 8

A burst of light.

The same as before.

Soaring above the ruined spire, Reader Cookie gasped, their heart lurching as they caught sight of the glow piercing through the gloom.

"I see it!" they shouted down to the gang, their voice carrying through the cold air.

The others looked up, eyes following their outstretched hand. Without hesitation, they steered their descent, gliding swiftly toward the flickering beacon.

As their feet touched the ground, the magic of their umbrella fading into stillness, they felt the others gather around them. One by one, hands reached out, fingertips brushing against the light—

And the memory took hold.

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The Spire of Deceit twisted into view, its impossible staircases and contorted halls unfolding before their eyes. Pure Vanilla Cookie stood amidst the labyrinth, trembling, his staff clutched tightly in both hands.

"No," he muttered, voice raw with defiance. "It's but another lie! My life belongs to me!"

Yet his hands shook. His breath came unsteadily.

Shadow Milk Cookie's laughter slithered through the air, dripping with amusement.

"Oh, but you're starting to realize, aren't you?"

The shadows swirled, coiling like a serpent, and from within them, he emerged.

"The Truth... Hmm, how do I put it?" Shadow Milk Cookie mused, tilting his head. "It has a rather ugly countenance."

He circled Pure Vanilla Cookie like a predator savoring its prey.

"Some Cookies prefer the safety of a sweet lie, afraid to stick their heads outside into the cold, cruel reality. Others? They find twisted pleasure in weaving deceit for their own benefit."

His grin shifted, his eyes gleaming with something unreadable. Then, in an instant, his face darkened. The playfulness drained from his voice, leaving only a chilling certainty.

"I know exactly what you're thinking."

His tone was quiet. Calm. Dangerous.

"Been there, so to speak."

The Spire trembled.

Something unseen, something massive, loomed just beyond the void, unseen but felt in the marrow of the soul.

Shadow Milk Cookie spread his arms wide, his voice suddenly dripping with mock grandeur.

"My boy, the universe once was but an open book to me! Time and space unfurled before my eyes!"

Then he laughed—deep, resonant, a sound that curled around the memory like vines, suffocating.

Pure Vanilla Cookie recoiled, shaking his head violently. "No... I...! I...!"

Shadow Milk Cookie leaned in, whispering.

"Oh, but it's inevitable."

His eyes burned bright. His smile stretched too wide, splitting his face like a cruel mask.

"In the end, you will become... me."

The words slithered into Pure Vanilla's mind, wrapping around his thoughts like chains.