Chapter Text
She was the first to find the creek, and she visited it every day. Not because it was peaceful or pretty. In fact, every time she came across it, dread filled her gut as she awaited the familiar sting of failure. The brook gurgled, flowing over the rocks as it traveled through the forest. It seemed to mock her as a leaf easily floated past her, disappearing quickly down a mini waterfall. Her eyes sharpened, glaring at the water in spite.
She was told she possessed a rare ability. A water elemental destined to help those in need. However, her ability stubbornly refused to surface, even with the help of her mentor. She was twelve; she should have at least the slightest bit of control over her element by now. Shaping water should be as easy as drawing in a breath. Instead, her efforts gave her nothing but frustration and disappointment.
As she raised her hand once more, a flicker of hope sparked within her; perhaps this time would be different. But it wasn't. The water still continued along its merry way, unmoved by her attempts to control it. She groaned in frustration, kneeling down to grab a nearby rock and hurled it into the water with a small splash.
"I give up!" No satisfaction came as it peacefully sank to the bottom, the kicked-up dirt settling once more.
"I'm guessing the training's not going too well," a familiar voice chuckled from behind her. Unfazed by her friend's sudden appearance, she shot Caz an unamused glare as she flopped down onto the dirt.
"Aren't you supposed to be training?" she grumbled, strands of her hair falling in front of her face. The male shrugged, finding a spot beside her.
"Perhaps. Not like the Time and Space Lord going to notice." he teased, his dark eyes glinting. The girl rolled her eyes, gently pushing his arm in mock annoyance as her lips lifted slightly.
"You know you shouldn't call our mentor that unless you want to run until your legs fall off," she retorted, teasing him right back. Caz shuddered at the thought, stealing a quick glance over his shoulder as if expecting their mentor to materialize out of thin. She almost laughed when he relaxed when he was met with nothing but forest.
"As long as you don't tell..." he said, a playful smirk dancing across his face. She smiled, but it was noticeably strained. Of course, Caz noticed the shift, his playful expression shifting into something much softer.
"Hey, you'll get it eventually," he assured her.
"Says the prodigy," she replied, her words sharper than she intended. Her chest tightened, the ugly monster of jealousy swirling inside her. His smile faltered, dark eyes flashing as they fell to the water below. The playful banter that had filled the air moments ago dissipated, leaving behind an uneasy silence. Quickly, the monster inside her dissipated, shifting into that of guilt.
"I'm sorry,"
"I know," he replied, his smile returning, but this time lacking the carefree ease it had possessed before. There was a weight to his expression now, a burden carried by one who had grown to hate the word 'prodigy.'
Caz was a light elemental, a rarity even among our kind. His power was practically unmatched, and his potential limitless. Everyone around him always told him how lucky he was or how he was destined to become a great hero able to cast out the darkest of evils. But, even if he never told her outright, she knew he hated the attention. Hated the pressure that came from his parents. He was a prodigy, the chosen one, destined for nothing but greatness, and yet he felt trapped. Forced to play the part of a role he never wanted to play.
[Name], on the other hand, felt small compared to him. No one expected greatness from her. It was a selfish longing, born of naivety and insecurity, but sometimes she couldn't help but wish she possessed the same natural talent Caz had.
Determined to cheer him up, she forced her smile to brighten, springing to her feet. "Let's race. Whoever gets back to the lodge last does the other's share of chores," she declared, her eyes sparkling. He straightened, his own eyes flashing at the challenge as his smirk sharpened.
"Deal," he agreed, the tension from moments ago melting away. With a mischievous grin, she rushed forward, not even waiting for him to get onto his feet. "Hey! That's cheating!" A laugh escaped her as he called after her, forcing herself to move faster as she heard his footsteps quickly catching up. With a whoop of excitement, they both ran, the tension between them all but forgotten.
* * * * *
"FRIEND, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? YOU SEEM OUT OF IT." Papyrus's voice snapped you from your thoughts, pulling your attention from the small creek in front of you. Blinking, you tore your gaze from the water, offering Papyrus an easy smile.
"Sorry, I was just lost in thought for a second." It wasn't a lie. This morning's training session left you more tired than usual, and your mind had decided to wander. If memory served you correctly, which you were sure it did, this was the tenth time you've trained with Papyrus.
He'd definitely improved since the first time you sparred with him. Apparently, even Undyne had mentioned his improvement, and for the rest of the day, he was beaming with joy. You were, of course, proud of him. Even though you had yet to meet this Undyne, Papyrus talked so highly of.
The concern in his orange eyelights faded, melting away beneath the warmth of your smile as he returned it with his trademark, beaming grin. "IF THAT'S THE CASE, WANNA RACE BACK?" he suggested eagerly. The sudden question caught you off guard, but your surprise didn't last long as a familiar thrill sparked inside you.
"You're on." With that, the two of you took off, your feet crunching against the powdery snow as you bounded through the forest. You knew how fast Papyrus was, but his sheer speed surprised you as he quickly passed you with a loud "NYEH HEH HEH." Teeth gritting, you forced yourself to move faster. If you were a normal human, you'd have no chance of catching up. Luckily, you were more than a normal human.
With each stride, you closed the distance between you both, soul thrumming with each step. As you finally arrived back at Papyrus's house, you found yourself trailing just behind him, beaten by the smallest margin. Your lungs heaved as you attempted to catch your breath, the rush of adrenaline still coursing through your veins. Despite the sting of defeat, you couldn't help but smile as Papyrus pumped his fist victoriously, his grin stretching from (metaphoric) ear to ear.
"IT SEEMS I'VE BEATEN YOU, FRIEND. PERHAPS YOU WILL HAVE BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME." His unsaid challenge for tomorrow sparked the competitive fire inside you as your lips twisted into a smirk.
"Savor your victory for now." You threaten playfully, looking over your shoulder as you open the door. Papyrus chuckled in response, quick to follow in your footsteps.
"NO NEED; I'LL SAVOR IT TOMORROW," he teased, his gloved hand darting out to playfully boop you on the nose. You raised an eyebrow at his antics, shaking your head with a fond exasperation as you swatted away his hand. Before you could retort, however, a low voice interjected from the couch, drawing both of your attention.
"i place my bet on paps." Sans chimed in, his grin stretching lazily across his skull as he lounged on the furniture. Eyebrows raised you lean forward, hand on your chest.
"I'm wounded, Sans," you declared, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. Sans merely shrugged in response, unbothered by your theatrics.
"you have to admit my bros the best. nothin gets under his skin." Sans says, winking. Papyrus groans, his smile fading as it shifts into annoyance.
"SANS, NO!!!" Papyrus protested with a theatrical wail, throwing his arms up in mock despair. Sans's smirk only widened, the glint in his eyelights unmistakable.
"come on bro, don't tell me you're getting rattled this easily," Sans teased. With a huff of indignation, Papyrus turned on his heel, making a show of storming off toward the kitchen as his scarf fluttered behind him.
"YOUR PUNS ARE TERRIBLE!" he yelled over his shoulder. The smaller skeleton only chuckles, and you can't help but join in as Papyrus fades from view. Sans's chuckles slowly fade, and he turns his attention back to you.
"so, what brings you guys back so early?" You settle onto the couch beside him, still catching your breath from the race.
"Papyrus and I finished our training session a bit early," you explained, taking a moment to steady your breathing. "We also decided to run back, which probably shaved off some time."
Sans nodded, leaning back into the cushions. It kind of freaked you out how much more at ease he seemed around you compared to when you first arrived. While his wariness hadn’t vanished entirely, it was obvious in the way his stare occasionally lingered on you a bit too long or how he subtly positioned himself to keep an eye on you whenever you were near Papyrus; it was clear he was making an effort to trust you.
He shifted slightly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "sounds like a good time. paps seems like he's improving."
You smiled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, he really is. He's come a long way in a short time." Awkwardly, you tapped your fingers against the fabric beneath you, your gaze drifting toward the stairway. Now that you think about it, Frisk hadn't been in bed when you woke up; at the time, you didn't think much of it. But now that you still hadn't seen them, you were starting to worry.
"Where's Frisk? I haven't seen them all morning." You wonder.
"they went out earlier. said they had something to take care of." He said, shrugging nonchalantly.
A flicker of confusion crosses your face. "Out? This early? Did they say where they were going?"
Sans shook his head. "nah, just mentioned they had some things to do. knowing the kid, they're probably off doing something nice for someone. you know how they are."
You frowned, a bit uneasy. "I guess, but... it’s not like them to go out without saying anything. Maybe I should go look for them."
Sans stretched, his movements lazy and unhurried. "heh, no need to worry too much. The kid can take care of themselves." His tone was reassuring, but your gut still twisted. Frisk often left to help monsters, their knack for appearing exactly when needed was almost uncanny. Taking a deep breath, you forced yourself to relax. Sans was right. Frisk had been in this world much longer than you had and knew their way around. They were resourceful and resilient, qualities that had undoubtedly kept them safe thus far. Still, you couldn't help but feel as if it was your responsibility to keep them safe.
"Yeah, you're right," you conceded, leaning back into the couch as you forced yourself to ignore the worry building inside you.
Sans glanced at you, his expression softening ever so slightly. "look, I get it. you care about the kid. we all do. but they're tougher than they look."
Your tension eased further at his words, and you found yourself nodding. "I know. It's just hard not to worry sometimes."
"Tell me about it," Sans muttered, his smile widening. "Paps gives me gray hairs, and I don't even have hair."
You laughed at that, the tension in the room dissipating further. The scent of something cooking wafted in from the kitchen, probably another one of Papyrus's culinary masterpieces. You were surprised to find out he wasn't always good at cooking; in fact, according to Frisk, his food was once practically inedible. Apparently, it was only until Frisk had fallen down and informed him how to not cook as "passionately," whatever that meant, the skeleton improved.
As if summoned by your thoughts, Papyrus emerged from the kitchen, his face lighting up as he saw the two of you still on the couch.
"AH, THERE YOU ARE! I'M MAKING MY FAMOUS FRIENDSHIP SPAGHETTI! IT'LL BE READY SOON!" he announced, wearing his "cookin' and good lookin," apron his brother had gotten him.
You grinned. "Sounds great, Paps. Can't wait to try the infamous spaghetti everyone's been telling me about." His smile widened, his cheekbones turning the tiniest bit orange.
"I'LL TELL YOU WHEN IT'S DONE, FRIEND!" With that, he disappeared back into the kitchen, the clanking of pots and pans following his departure. As the scent of spaghetti grew stronger, you leaned back into the cushions, finally allowing yourself to fully relax—
"FRIEND, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? YOU SEEM OUT OF IT." Papyrus's voice snapped you from your thoughts, pulling your attention from the small creek in front of you. Blinking in confusion, you found yourself standing by the familiar stream. You turned, staring at your surroundings, the snow falling gently around you, before staring back down at the creek.
How did I get here?
"[NAME]?" Quickly, you tore your gaze away from the water, flashing a puzzled smile toward the skeleton.
"Sorry... I was just lost in thought for a second," you murmured, your mind racing. The scene felt eerily familiar, like a half-remembered dream. I had just been in Papyrus's house, hadn't I? No, wait. Didn't we just finish training?
You shook your head, trying to clear the fog in your mind. I must've trained too hard; maybe I need to scale back tomorrow. The snow around you, the crispness of the air, and the quiet forest all felt normal, but you couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Papyrus, seemingly oblivious to your inner turmoil, grinned.
"IF THAT'S THE CASE, WANNA RACE BACK?" he suggested eagerly. Staring at him for a moment, eventually, you smirked.
"You're on." As you raced back, you tried to push down the strange feeling in your gut. Papyrus even managed to beat you by a fair distance, even having to wait a little while for you to catch up. Despite the sting of defeat, you couldn't help but smile as Papyrus pumped his fist victoriously, his grin stretching from (metaphoric) ear to ear.
"IT SEEMS I'VE BEATEN YOU, FRIEND. PERHAPS YOU WILL HAVE BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME." Papyrus says, swiftly opening the door as he strides inside.
"Savor your victory for now. I'll beat you next time." You threaten playfully, quickly following him in his footsteps.
"NO NEED; I'LL SAVOR IT TOMORROW," he teased, his gloved hand darting out to playfully boop you on the nose. You raised an eyebrow at his antics, shaking your head with a fond exasperation as you swatted away his hand. You turn to the couch, for some reason waiting for Sans to speak up.
"i place my bet on paps." Sans chimed in. Eyebrows raised, you lean forward, hand on your chest.
"I'm wounded, Sans," you declared, taking slow, deliberate steps toward him. Your chest tightened, a wave of deja vu hitting you like a ton of bricks. Sans merely shrugged in response, unbothered by your theatrics.
"you have to admit my bros the best. nothin gets under his skin." Sans says, winking. Papyrus groans, his smile fading as it shifts into annoyance.
"SANS, NO!!!" Papyrus protested with a theatrical wail, throwing his arms up in mock despair. His scarf flared out dramatically as he turned to face you both, but Sans's smirk only widened. The glint in his eyelights was unmistakable, though this time, there was a weariness to them. You blinked, your smile fading slightly.
This time? You barely registered Sans shooting out another pun. It was as if you were caught in a loop, each word and action a replay of something you couldn't quite remember. Papyrus stormed into the kitchen, his dramatic exit followed by, "YOUR PUNS ARE TERRIBLE!" Sans's chuckles slowly faded, and he turned his attention back to you. Slowly, you sat on the couch beside him, feeling dizzier by the second. For a moment, his eyelights narrowed as if studying you, before they shifted back to their usual lazy, half-lidded state.
"so, what brings you guys back so early?" he asks, his voice light.
"Papyrus and I finished our training session a bit early," you explained, forcing yourself to sound natural. "We also decided to run back, which probably shaved off some time." The words slipped out automatically, as if on autopilot.
Sans nodded, leaning back into the cushions. "sounds like a good time. paps seems like he's improving."
You smiled, even though it didn't quite reach your eyes, as you nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he really is." Awkwardly, you tapped your fingers against the fabric of the couch, your gaze drifting toward the stairway. "Where's Frisk? I haven't seen them all morning."
Sans's eye sockets widened slightly before he shrugged. "they went out earlier. said they had something to take care of."
A flicker of confusion crossed your face. "Out? This early? Did they say where they were going?"
Sans shook his head. "nah, just mentioned they had some things to do. knowing the kid, they're probably off doing something nice for someone. you know how they are."
You frowned, a bit uneasy. "I guess, but... it’s not like them to go out without saying anything. Maybe I should go look for them."
Sans stretched, his movements lazy and unhurried. "Heh, no need to worry too much. The kid can take care of themselves." His tone was reassuring, but you couldn't shake the lingering worry. Frisk often left to help monsters; their knack for appearing exactly when needed was almost uncanny. Nonetheless, your instincts screamed at you something was wrong.
"Yeah, you're right," you conceded, but the uneasy feeling remained. You stood up from the couch, brushing off imaginary dust from your clothes. "Still, I think I'll just take a quick look around. Can't hurt to be sure."
Sans's eyelights followed you, his expression unreadable. "alright. just come back soon. i think paps is gonna make his spaghetti."
You gave him a reassuring smile. "I won't be long."
* * * * *
You make your way through Snowdin, greeting familiar faces as you search for Frisk. The town is blanketed in fresh snow, the morning air crisp enough to turn your breath into visible puffs of vapor. You wrap your arms around yourself, more out of worry than the cold. Despite checking almost every nook and cranny in Snowdin, there's still no sign of them. Everyone you've asked has seen no trace of Frisk, and the mounting tension gnaws at you.
Soon enough, you find yourself standing in front of Grillby's, the last place you had yet to check. The warmth of Grillby’s contrasts sharply with the chilly air outside, filled with the soft buzz of conversation and the occasional clink of glasses. A quick glance around confirms your fears. Frisk is nowhere to be seen. The hope in your chest fizzles out like a dying ember as you approach the bar where Grillby himself is polishing a glass.
"Hey, Grillby," you greet, fingers drumming nervously on the countertop. "Have you seen Frisk this morning?"
Grillby pauses before nodding. "Yes, they were here earlier. Seemed in a bit of a hurry. Mentioned something about going into the woods."
A frown creases your forehead, your fingers stilling as you process this. "The woods? Did they say why?"
Grillby shakes his head. "No, they didn’t. Just that they had something to take care of. Looked like they were on a mission." He chuckles softly, but you don't smile. Your frown deepens, the worry in your heart intensifying. Sensing your distress, Grillby seems about to say something, but you turn away, heading for the door.
"Thanks, Grillby," you say hastily, practically running as you push the door open.
Outside, a new sense of urgency drives you. You scan the snowy ground, quickly spotting a set of footprints leading away from Grillby’s and towards the edge of town into the woods. Following the tracks, you quicken your pace, your heart pounding with worry.
The footprints lead deeper into the forest, where the trees grow denser and the air colder. The silence is broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot and the distant calls of Froggits. The trees cast long shadows in the dim light, and your apprehension grows with every step. Suddenly, you hear a commotion ahead, a mixture of angry shouts, and the sound of snapping branches. Picking up your pace, you run towards the noise. Soon, you see Frisk sprinting towards you, their eyes wide with fear.
"Frisk!" you call out, relief flooding your voice. They seem surprised to see you, stumbling as they run.
*RUN!
Relief shifts into horror. Your feet move on their own, driven by instinct. Behind them, you hear branches cracking and see something blue flying towards Frisk. Your arm reaches out, the snow around you darting forward in a desperate attempt to protect them, but you're not fast enough. The spear hits them in the back, piercing through their chest. Time seems to stop, your body going numb with shock as you watch Frisk collapse to the ground. The ice forms a barrier, blocking whoever was chasing them, their screams echoing through the forest as they pound against the wall.
"No. No, no, no, no," you mutter, rushing forward and grabbing Frisk’s face, your hands trembling as you try to slow the flow of blood. "Kid, you're gonna be fine." Tears blur your vision as their eyes stare lifelessly at you, mouth agape. The spear protrudes grotesquely from their back, lodging into the snow below. You slap their cheek gently, frantically trying to freeze the wound, but it's no use.
"Frisk. Say something. Come on, kid, you can't..." Your voice breaks, the words choking in your throat as you cradle them in your arms—
"FRIEND, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? YOU SEEM OUT OF IT." Papyrus's voice snapped you from your thoughts, pulling your attention from the small creek in front of you. Blinking in confusion, you found yourself standing by the familiar stream. You turned, staring at your surroundings, before your gaze falls back to the stream.
This felt familiar, too familiar. You know you've been here before. You just can't remember. Wasn't I looking for somebody? No, I just finished training with Papyrus. Where's Frisk? You stared at your hands, your brows furrowing. Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something? Chest tightening, you let out a breath, staring into the forest.
"[NAME]?" Quickly, you tore your gaze away from the woods, turning to Papyrus. When you smile, it's strained, your knuckles turning white as your fists clench.
"You should go back without me; I forgot I needed to go into town real quick." You don't give the skeleton a chance to respond as you stride into the forest. As you walk, the cold air bites into your skin, sharpening your senses. The snow crunched under your feet, each step a reminder of the strange, nagging feeling that something was off. The forest was quiet, too quiet.
Just as you were about to walk into town to ask some monsters if they'd seen Frisk, small indents in the snow caught your attention. Your brows furrowed, the magic in your soul flaring. Frisk needs my help. I need to find them. Swiftly, you followed the trail, your steps so light you couldn't even hear the crunch of snow.
"Frisk?" you called out, your voice echoing through the trees. There was no response, only the sound of the wind rustling the branches, a whisper of movement that felt more eerie than comforting. You sighed, almost feeling silly for wandering out here alone. You trusted Frisk to handle themselves, and you knew they could. But no matter what you told yourself, you knew something was wrong. For some reason, you felt like you needed to stop something bad from happening. But for the life of you, you couldn't figure out what it was.
"Frisk!" you called out again, more urgently this time. The silence that followed was deafening. With a sharp inhale, you moved faster, almost at a jog, as you followed the footprints. You don't know how long you followed them before they stopped as if the kid was suddenly plucked from the sky.
Heart pumping, you screamed their name once more, eyes scanning the landscape for any sign of the young human. The snow-covered ground seemed undisturbed, as if no one had passed through there in ages. You felt a growing sense of dread, the knot in your throat almost choking you.
Suddenly, you heard a faint sound, a rustling in the bushes to your left. You turned sharply, your heart pounding in your chest. "Frisk?" A small figure emerged from the bushes, their familiar blue and purple striped shirt immediately recognizable. Relief flooded through you as you rushed forward.
"Frisk! There you are! I've been looking everywhere for-" It was then you noticed the kid was sprinting toward you, grabbing your hand as they pulled you forward almost desperately.
*RUN!
The words ripped into your soul, your body filling with primal fear as they gestured frantically behind them. Branches cracked behind you, and suddenly, something blue flew in Frisk's direction. Without another thought, you pushed Frisk aside, summoning your sword in a flash of light and knocking it to the side. With a start, you realized it was a spear, and from the feel of it, you could tell it was made of magic.
"HUMAN, STOP RUNNING AND LET ME KILL YOU!" A voice roared, filled with fury. A blue fish monster burst through the underbrush, an eyepatch covering one eye, with bright red hair pulled up into a ponytail. She looked murderous, charging forward with another spear in hand, eyes locked onto you and Frisk.
"Frisk, run!" you shouted, your voice echoing through the forest. You gave them a firm push, urging them to flee. For a moment, Frisk hesitated, their wide eyes reflecting fear and uncertainty. Then, with a determined nod, they turned and sprinted through the thick snow, their small figure quickly blending into the wintery landscape.
The fish monster let out a guttural growl, her eyes blazing with a predatory gleam as she lunged at you. Her speed was astonishing, a blur of motion that nearly took your breath away. You barely managed to raise your sword in time, parrying her spear with a resounding clash. The impact reverberated up your arm, a shockwave of force that made your muscles tremble, but you held your ground.
"Another human!? Why are you bigger than the other one?" she demanded, her voice a harsh snarl. You didn't answer, your focus narrowing as your eyes flared blue with determination. You shoved her blade aside and, in less than a second, flung snow into her face. She staggered back, growling and furiously wiping at her eyes, momentarily blinded.
In her disorientation, she conjured spears that materialized from thin air, hurtling towards you with lethal speed. You sidestepped, the icy projectiles whizzing past so close it brushed against your cheek. Rushing forward, you closed the distance between you, your sword flashing in the pale light of the snowy forest.
The battle became a deadly dance, each of her spear thrusts met by the precise swing of your sword. Sparks flew as metal met magic, the sounds of combat mingling with the silence of the woods.
"I'm getting my soul one way or another, punk! Give up, and I'll spare the other human you're so desperately trying to protect." She snarled, her mouth twitching into a smirk.
"I'm not giving up!" you shouted. Your chest contracted and twisted as you forced her back, calling upon the water from a nearby creek. It responded to your will, rising in an arc and wrapping around your arm like a living serpent. With a flick of your wrist, you sent it crashing towards her.
Her exposed eye widened in shock as the wave of water struck her, knocking her off balance. She stumbled, giving you the moment you needed. You surged forward, your boot connecting with her wrist and sending her spear flying. With your blade at her throat, you stood panting, both of you locked in a tense standoff. She made a move to attack, but you pressed the blade closer, a silent threat that kept her still.
But the respite was brief. With a ferocious growl, she shoved you back and conjured another spear with blinding speed. Her sudden attack caught you off guard, and pain erupted in your side as her spear sliced through your shirt, cutting into your flesh. You gasped, hissing in pain, but refused to retreat. Instead, you countered with a swift thrust of your sword, the blade grazing her arm and drawing a thin line of blood.
"You fight well for a human," she snarled her voice a mix of anger and grudging respect. "But I won't lose to you!"
You clenched your teeth, the throbbing pain in your side intensifying with every movement. "We'll see about that."
The battle surged with renewed fury, both of you exchanging blows in a fierce dance of survival. Her spear lashed out, striking your leg and sending you stumbling to one knee. Gritting your teeth against the pain, you swung your sword in a wide arc, the blade slicing into her shoulder. She grunted in pain, blood seeping through her armor and staining the snow beneath her feet.
Gasping for breath, you focused your energy, feeling the snow around you respond to your will. The powdery white crystals hardened into sharp ice shards, which hovered in the air at your command. With a flick of your wrist, you sent them hurtling towards her. She spun her spear in a blur, deflecting most of the shards, but a few found their mark, grazing her skin and drawing thin lines of blood. She roared in fury, her eyes blazing as she charged at you, spear aimed straight for your heart.
Time seemed to slow as you raised your sword just in time to deflect the lethal blow. The impact jarred your entire body, the force of it nearly causing you to lose your grip on your weapon. Desperation fueled your next move. Summoning every ounce of strength left, you heated the snow around you, forming a massive wave that rose and crashed down upon her. The sheer force threw her back, her spear clattering to the ground as she hit the snow with a grunt.
Before she could recover, you were upon her, your sword at her throat once more. She glared up at you, her breathing ragged, her one good eye filled with unbridled anger and defiance.
"Why don't you finish it?" she spat, venom dripping from her words.
You hesitated, your mouth dry, your grip tightening on the hilt of your sword. This was the moment you could end it. Your heart pounded in your chest, every beat echoing in your ears. But as you stared at the living being beneath you, something held you back.
"I can't," you whispered, your voice barely audible over the pounding of your heart. With a sigh, you lowered your sword, stepping back but keeping your gaze fixed on her.
"I don't want to kill you," you said softly.
Her slitted eyes narrowed in suspicion, her body coiled like a spring ready to snap. "You're... sparing me?" she asked, incredulous.
You nodded the magic within you urging to be used. "Yes. Now leave, and don't come after Frisk again." For a moment, she seemed to be battling with herself, her eyes locked on yours. Slowly, she stood, her form tense and wary. With a final snarl, she snatched up her spear and vanished into the forest, disappearing into the shadows.
As the adrenaline began to fade, you took a deep breath, trying to steady your racing heart. Once you were sure the monster was gone, you slowly trudged back through the snow toward Papyrus and Sans' house. The pain in your side throbbed with each step, but you forced yourself to keep moving. It wasn't long before the house came into view, and with a sense of relief, you pushed open the front door. The warmth of the house envelops you, and before you can take another step, Frisk comes barreling into you, their small arms wrapping around your waist in a tight hug.
"Frisk," you groaned softly, trying to mask the pain with a reassuring smile. "I'm fine, really." Frisk looked up at you with wide, worried eyes.
*You’re hurt!
"I'm okay," you insisted, reaching down to gently ruffle their hair. "Just a little bruised, nothing serious." But as you spoke, their gaze flicked to the blood staining your side, their expression fading back to its neutral state. You sighed, about to explain, when Papyrus rushed forward, his eyelights wide with alarm.
"WHAT HAPPENED? YOU'RE HURT! HERE, SIT DOWN!" His voice was frantic as he guided you to the couch, his hands hovering uncertainly as if unsure where to touch you without causing more pain. Sans, who had been lounging on the couch, immediately straightened up at the sight of you. His usually laid-back demeanor was replaced with a look of obvious worry, his eyelights narrowing as he took in your disheveled appearance.
"what's going on? what happened out there?" he asked, his tone more serious than you’d ever heard it. Taking a deep breath, you settled onto the couch, wincing slightly as you shifted your weight.
"I had a bad feeling, so I went to find Frisk. I saw them getting chased by a fish monster."
Papyrus cringed, somehow his face seeming paler than before. "A FISH MONSTER? OH NO... THAT MUST HAVE BEEN UNDYNE."
You blinked, the name slowly registering in your mind. "Undyne?" you repeated, looking between Papyrus and Sans. The realization hit you. Undyne, the captain of the Royal Guard and a close friend of Papyrus's. Papyrus nodded, looking somewhat guilty.
Papyrus nodded, looking a bit guilty. "YES, UNDYNE. SHE'S... WELL, SHE'S VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING MONSTERS FROM HUMANS. SHE MUST HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET YOUR SOUL ."
You grunted, shaking your head slowly. "Not at first. Originally, she was trying to steal Frisk's soul. I don't even think she knew I existed until I jumped in to help." You felt a flutter in your chest as you glanced at the smaller skeleton sitting beside you. Sans's eyelights were fixed on your chest, his expression unreadable. Before you could say anything, he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"undyne can be pretty intense. what exactly happened?" You recounted the events in detail, starting from the moment you saw Frisk running through the snow to the intense battle with Undyne. As you spoke, you noticed Sans's eyes narrowing slightly, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Papyrus listened intently, his hands wringing together nervously.
"...And then I managed to disarm her," you concluded, "but I didn't want to kill her. I told her to leave and not to come after Frisk again."
Papyrus let out a breath of relief. "I'M GLAD YOU'RE BOTH SAFE. BUT UNDYNE... SHE WON'T TAKE KINDLY TO BEING SPARED. SHE MIGHT SEE IT AS AN INSULT."
Sans nodded in agreement. "yeah, she's not the type to back down easily. she's tough, and she's got a lot of pride. sparing her might make things... complicated."
You sighed, leaning back against the couch. "I did what I thought was right. I didn't want to kill her. It didn't feel right." Frisk, who had been quietly listening, hugged you tighter.
*Thanks for protecting me. I know you did the right thing.
You smiled, ruffling their hair again with a sigh. "Thanks, kid." Papyrus knelt beside the couch, taking off his gloves as he carefully took your hands in his. His mouth was a thin line, his orange eyelight fixed on the injuries on your arm. Warmth filled your body, rushing through your veins as his hands glowed. Your eyes fluttered shut for a moment, savoring the feeling of his magic.
"WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL. UNDYNE WILL PROBABLY COME BACK, AND SHE MIGHT NOT COME ALONE NEXT TIME. WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED."
Sans nodded, his usual nonchalance replaced with a rare moment of seriousness. "we'll figure it out. but for now, you need to rest. that was a pretty intense fight, and you're hurt."
You nodded, feeling the exhaustion wash over you. "Yeah, I could use some rest."
Papyrus stood up, determination in his eyes. "I'LL MAKE SOME SPAGHETTI! THAT ALWAYS MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER!"
Despite everything that happened, you couldn’t help but smile. "Thanks, Papyrus. That sounds great."
As Papyrus bustled into the kitchen, you leaned back against the couch, Frisk still clinging onto your side. You let out a breath, slowly running your fingers through their soft hair as they nuzzle deeper into you. Sans watched you both before sighing, scratching his phalanges against his skull.
"i'm... glad you're okay." Eyes wide, you stared at him. He wasn't looking at you, his cheeks lightly dusted in blue. The more you looked at him, the more tired he seemed. His eyebags were darker than before, and his smile downturned as he stared at the table below him. Your shock faded into something else as you shifted closer to him, leaning against his side.
He stiffened, his eyelight dilating in surprise. "Thanks," you murmured. Slowly, he relaxed, his arm moving behind you as he scooted the slightest bit closer. As exhaustion washed over you, you closed your eyes for a moment.
A strange feeling gnawed at you, pushing you to act. You couldn't explain it, but you knew Frisk was in danger, and you had to go into the woods. Memories of a day that never happened floated in your mind, but you brushed them aside. Today had been far from normal, and you sensed it was just the start of something bigger.