A Knight's Loyalty | Food Fantasy AU Fanfic

Chapter 3 - Secret Forest

"Alright, the Secret Forest is probably our best bet at the moment, don't you guys agree?" Ryouri stated, dashing to the forest already, his Food Souls following behind him. B-52 nodded.

"Although Parisel is another good choice, avoiding Secret Forest would increase time spent, so checking there first is ideal," he explained.

"Um, B-52, I'm pretty sure the Double Scoop twins have no clue what that means," Mooncake said, hiding her own confusion.

"Actually, I know," Strawberry responded quietly.

"You do?" Vanilla exclaimed. "When' d  you learn it? I'm not exactly sure what he said . . ."

". . . Okay big brother . . ." Ryouri quickly came to a stop, and everyone except B-52 and Brownie collided together into him, making a small pile up.

". . . Help?" Ryouri mumbled out, and Vodka got up first.

"Ah, sorry, I wasn't paying attention," Vodka apologized before having another drink. Vanilla helped Strawberry up while Ryouri just stared at Vodka.

"I told you not to drink. This is what happens when-" Ryouri paused. "Ah, you're probably not listening. Nevermind."

~

"This place is empty!" Ryouri exclaimed in disappointance. "There should've at least been a Fallen - but nothing!" Brownie placed his hand on Ryouri's shoulder.

"It's all right, Master Attendant. We've reached the other end of the forest anyways. Parisel isn't too far from here." As Brownie spoke, each Food Soul nodded in agreement, except . . . one was missing.

Bushes shook behind them and Vanilla turned around, only to see his younger twin emerging in urgency. "Strawberry? Where were you?!"

"Sorry for worrying you, but I overheard a conversation," Strawberry explained.

"A conversation?!" Ryouri perked up excitedly, before calming down shortly after. "But, there's no one here!" Strawberry shook his head.

"No, I saw two people - well, Food Souls I believe, talking. A royal looking red-head in a robe and a guy with long white hair and dressed in red. The royal one was talking to the other one about heading to Light Kingdom," he elaborated. Vanilla and Ryouri looked surprised, and Vodka appeared amused. B-52, on the other hand, seemed very shocked and muttered something to himself.

"Well," Ryouri began. "Why didn't you stay and overhear more?"

"I think the white-haired guy noticed me. He looked right at me and scowled. After that I just ran after you guys . . ." Vanilla's expression turned to worry.

"Strawberry! You might be in danger! Come on!" He grabbed Strawberry's hand and started running out of the forest and the other souls plus Ryouri followed, with the exception of B-52.

~

"Is he gone?" the redhead asked, leaning against the giant fork in his hand. The white-haired male turned to face him, and made a small nod, before kicking the ground hard enough to leave cracks.

"He clearly had a Master Attendant! The things you make me do you-!" The red-head stopped the white-haired's sentence.

"I'm aware, but that Master Attendant has something I need - or rather, someone." The white-haired male sighed in frustration, hardening his expression, before relaxing a bit and looking into the red-head's eyes.

"Good for you. Next time, however, I won't be listening to your nonsense. I have a purpose in this world after all!"

"I understand very well. Anyways, I must depart for Light Kingdom."

"You're actually still going? Even though he heard?"

"Of course! We have a crowd now, and everything is still on track." The red-head walked past the white-haired male, headed toward the exit of the Secret Forest. "See you later you oversized crustacean."

With that, the white-haired male received a needle to the back of the neck. Shortly after, he collapsed - his color disappearing.

"Don't worry. We'll both get what we want."