Rising the Sun II Cookie Run: Kingdom II OC x Canon

Prologue: Snowy beginnings

Faint memories have always filtered through my mind. They brought a sense of warmth. I know I had a past life of sorts, but when I tried to excavate further into my memory, everything fell blank. All I can remember is when it started. I awoke on a snowy cliff about five or six years ago. As soon as my eyes opened, all I could see were white particles dancing several feet in front of me. All I felt was completely devoid of everything, with no experiences, just the cold surrounding me. I walked to the edge and looked around, not understanding who or where I was. The desolate atmosphere of the terrain was parallel to what remained in my mind. I shifted my gaze downward. I saw something in the distance as my vision slowly focused on what looked like ruins. All that remained were foundations accompanied by charred snow. Bits and pieces of buildings, strewn out non-methodically. Alongside the ruins, there were many cookies, donned with what looked like sorrow. All were adorned in dark attire as if in mourning–I couldn't discern much else. The cookies all appeared to be contributing to a clean-up. It looked like some were sweeping while others were picking up the remnants. As I watched, the scene splayed out in front of me I felt melancholy creep throughout me. I figured something happened recently, which was why the grief looked so fresh on their faces.

As I continued to focus on the ruins, a sudden burst of pressure struck my right eye, so intense it felt as if my eye was going to fly out. My ears rang as I fell back and held onto my face, my eye still throbbing.

As I tried to grasp what had just happened, I saw something of a premonition—a burst of bright colors–red, orange, and blinding yellows flooded my vision–there were papers everywhere–screams of pain–an explosion. I felt–dazed and confused. The melancholy was still lingering and I couldn't help but wonder to myself: was that the fate of the ruins? Maybe a town, village, or perhaps a–

"What are you doing up here?" a woman's voice echoed.

My thoughts were not only interrupted but racing. When I looked around at the frosted trees. Against the dark sky, I couldn't see any figures. I kept looking, frantically whipping my head back and forth to locate this mystery woman.

"Need I repeat myself" the deep booming voice got closer.

I slowly stood up, aimlessly turning in circles, surveying the bleak area for what felt like forever attempting to seek her. Eventually, an icy hand grabbed my shoulder as I looked up. I saw her. My breathing hitched and my eyes widened, feeling vulnerable under her striking blue gaze. Her white curled bang partially covered one of her eyes.

She examined me; her glare making me feel insignificant compared to her large presence.

"Calm yourself, I am not here to injure you," her voice consoled.

I fiddled with my fingers as her icy gaze remained upon me. I couldn't form any sentences. Her mere stare took all of my words from my mouth.

She sternly repeated, "Who are you?".

She scanned me up and down as she realized trying to get any words out of me would be futile. Her eyes suddenly softened, and she let out a soft sigh and held out her hand.

"Come on, young one," she softly demanded.

My small hand slowly reached up and took hers. It was cold and firm, yet strangely comforting. I was young, naïve, and had already begun trusting this woman. While lost in thought, we started on a trek — to where? I couldn't tell you exactly. The longer we walked, the more I understood then that my new life, memories, and self would start with her icy grasp.

After what felt like days and through many small forests with minimal flora, the landscape became more and more dreary as we reached the ice castle. It was tall, with many towers and pointy tops. There weren't very many flat pieces on the outside, apart from the stairs leading to the entrance. By this point, I felt the effects of the bitter snow throughout my dough. I felt weakened, feeling the ice weighing me down. My endpoint was within eyeshot. What if I couldn't persevere the rest of the way? Would I perish like the memories distant in my mind? As we trudged on into the castle, she had let go of my hand. I was relieved to have finally been inside. Her demeanor never faltered, which was intimidating to my younger self. I had gotten lost in my thoughts again, fascinated by this entire piece of architecture. Pillars lined the halls, and icicles hung from the ceilings. Candles were lacing every pillar. I remember questioning how nothing was melting. The ceilings were high and the halls narrow. She led me up a set of curved stairs and down yet another long hall to what would be my quarters. As I stepped into my newfound room, I took in the barren space that had nothing but a bed, a wooden table, and a few candles. The room had a shorter ceiling than other spots in the castle and it provided a large window–which had snow hitting against it.