Black Sapphire Cookie found himself deep within the forests of Beast-Yeast, where ancient trees twisted together and glowing spores drifted lazily through the air like fallen stars. According to brittle pages of forgotten tomes, he had been sent here in search of a hidden kingdom—an Elven realm said to exist on the fragile border between the Faerie Kingdom and the mortal lands. Few believed it real. Fewer still had ever returned to confirm it.

As he walked, his microphone staff tapped softly against the forest floor, its faint echo swallowed by the hum of distant magic. To steady his nerves, Black Sapphire Cookie hummed a low melody, letting it blend with the whispering leaves and unseen creatures watching from the shadows. The forest felt alive—listening.

Then, without warning, the trees parted.

Before him rose a colossal gate, carved from pale stone and woven with glowing runes and ivy that shimmered faintly in the dim light. It was unmistakable. This had to be the entrance to the Elven Kingdom.

He took a careful step forward— —and felt cold steel press against his back.

An arrow.

Black Sapphire Cookie froze instantly, slowly raising his hands as his staff clattered to the ground. His heart pounded, though his voice stayed calm.

“Woah—easy there, alright?” he said carefully, forcing a nervous chuckle. “No sudden moves. I’m just a traveler… and a really bad enemy, I promise.”

From the silence behind him, unseen eyes judged his every breath.