The war had begun, a bittersweet echo of countless conflicts past. Lavender Salt, lover for centuries, and Burning Spice departed to fight, leaving Blueberry Milk and the other ancient heroes to govern. Before leaving, Lavender Salt, his eyes filled with a centuries-old love, vowed, "I promise to return. Wait for me, my love," kissing Blueberry Milk's knuckles.

The weight of responsibility fell heavily on Blueberry Milk. He was the most trusted, the "smartass," now burdened with the kingdom's fate. Days bled into weeks. Seeking solace in his private library, Blueberry Milk accidentally knocked a book from the shelf—The Truth Behind Our Existence and the Witches. He'd never seen it before. Curiosity piqued, he began to read. What followed was a shattering revelation, an onslaught of existential dread, identity crisis, and paranoia. The witches, those he admired, had created him... only to consume him once he crumbled? Betrayal. Hatred. He would not let them win.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Burning Spice let out a sigh of relief. "That's the last one, champ. We can go home," he said, sheathing his blood-stained axe.

"Good work, comrade," Lavender Salt replied, high-fiving Burning Spice. "Protecting the innocent... it always warms my soul." He paused, then hesitantly asked, "Hey, uhm... can you do me a favor...?"

Later, Lavender Salt nervously presented a ring to Burning Spice. "Okay, shut up!" he hissed, as Burning Spice erupted in laughter. "That ring... you were asking about that? I was so confused when you asked about the 'circle thing' on my wife's finger!"

"But I have to say," Burning Spice chuckled, "that ring would definitely fit him." The ring—a gold band with an oval blue sapphire and diamonds—was exquisite. Lavender Salt gazed at it, murmuring, "It reminds me of him... so precious, so valuable..." Unbeknownst to him, his lover was already ensnared in corruption.

News of Blueberry Milk's suicide—a carefully orchestrated trap—shattered their world. They raced back to the kingdom, not knowing it was only to find themselves ensnared in a web of deceit and darkness.

Present Day

Shadow Milk, idly trespassing in Silent Salt's kingdom, found his (ex?) lover staring at an old portrait. Despite the corruption, the portrait remained untouched, a poignant testament to a love lost.