Chapter Text
| PRELUDE |
Beneath The Ground
Legends has it that long, long ago, two races ruled over the Earth.
First are the humans - curious, impulsive and fast-learners that have evolved naturally from their chimpanzees ancestors. Characterised by their intellectual and rational faculties, humans are naturally driven by their passions and social impulses that resulted in a diverse and fast-growing society.
Then there’s the monsters - mysterious, magical and inexplicable beings that were seemingly out of this world. Similar to humans, they are well capable of intellect and artistry. However, they possess the power to manipulate nature to their liking that humans lack- a natural apprehension for what we now called “magic”.
For centuries, they all lived together in harmony, helping out one another. Kingdoms thrived in prosperity; academics, artistry and even witchcraft flourished and expanded into complex ideology, shaping the form of an ideal utopia.
Until one day, war broke out.
It came unannounced, unprovoked, and trampled on countless innocent lives, both humans and monsters alike. It brought pain, suffering and despair everywhere it goes, leaving countries and kingdoms in chaos. Distrust, hatred and racism started to breed in the heart of those poor, pitiful souls, and the difference between the two races only fueled the bloody meaningless war.
At last, after years of long and rigorous battles, the humans came out victorious.
With the magic of their seven most powerful mages, they sealed the monsters underground with a barrier, only allowing humans to pass through safely and forever trapping the monsters underneath the ground.
Since then, monsters were never heard of again, and people wondered whether everything is factual historic events, or just a production of the human minds…
* * *
Without hesitation, Frisk slammed the book shut, tossing it onto the already staggering pile of books and stories next to him on the library table.
“Again? I lost count at this point…” Alphonse - the boy sitting next to him groaned as he slammed the book into his face in frustration. “It’s all myths and legends… Are there truly no valuable info we can get out of this huge library? I mean, it’s the governmental library for god’s sake!”
“Apparently so.” Frisk replied calmly as he stood up and started to put all the books back on the shelves. To say he was disappointed was an understatement - hours and hours of research gone to waste for a mere unconfirmed myth, amongst many others. “Let’s just go back for now, or we’ll be late.”
They didn’t take long to put those piles back into their original spots, and soon headed for the central auditorium. As they passed through the hall, numerous whispers followed along their trail.
“Hey, isn’t that the kid who got an intern job even though he skipped highschool? He looks so young…”
“Shh! Don’t talk about him! What if he heard us?”
“Pfft, I bet he used dirty tricks to get enrolled here. Probably slept with some old millionaire geezer… just like his mommy, hahaha!”
“Or bribed them with hefty cash. Who knows? He must have stolen it…”
“Yeah, and he wasn’t even from some well-off family! I heard his family couldn’t even afford a decent apartment!”
"Don't mind them. They're just talking nonsense." Concerned, Alphonse gave him a sympathetic pat on the back, and tried his best to offer support as a friend should, to which he just nodded. Even in a governmental facility there are still rude and preposterous people loitering around. But he honestly didn't mind it all that much. Let them gossip, and soon they'll deceive themselves so much they forget the truth that was in front of their eyes all along - that was what he told himself. Unnecessary cruel, but needed nonetheless.
"Frisk, Alphonse. You've arrived just in time." Upon their entrance, they were greeted by their supervisor, Lady Natasha. She urged them to take a seat, putting them next to a strange man in military uniform they've never seen before. He seems serious, eyes scanning the room as if scouting for someone. As they sat down, his sharp gaze fixated on Frisk, but only for a moment before the meeting started.
The topic of discussion this time was to investigate Mount Ebott, located to the southeast of their city, 500 miles away. Several local children, all around the age of 8-17, were reported to have gone missing after hiking the mountain in recent years. Despite being quarantined and placed under 24/7 guard by the government decades ago, they still found traces of some missing children within the area, and evidence of them trespassing the safeguard measures. This was the exact reason why he was at the library earlier - if no humans were allowed in, then it could only be that there are other forms of intelligence existing in the mountain. But what piqued his interest was the fact that this wasn't the first time this place was investigated. Coincidentally, every 5 to 10 years the higher-ups would pick people from a region and send them there, but only some made it back, and even then their mentality had completely collapsed. He has heard of one of his predecessors being sent to a psych ward after coming back from that place, speaking of nonsensical stuff and rebel against the government, going as far as to attempt terrorism.
"Mr. Miller, would you offer us some insight as to how to solve this matter please?" The supervisor's voice pulled him out from his train of thought. The man next to him stood up calmly, and strided over to the podium.
"Thank you Lady Natasha." He saluted the supervisor and turned to the audience, speaking in a deep echoing tone. "I'm sure you all know why I'm here by now, so I'll get straight to the point. I'm Lieutenant Ruford Miller, in charge of Strategic Intellect Management of the 2nd division. All of you here are special personnels that have, at the very least, undergone basic military training before, and today I'll pick five people from this faculty to come with me for this investigation. This is very important, and if I chose you, then there's a reason for it. I will not accept any form of resistance or denial. If you aren't picked, then you will pretend that today's meeting never happened, and you will not complain or speak a single word about it. Is that clear?"
Murmurs can be heard spreading across the room, but it quickly died down when the man started to choose.
"You, you and you over there, get over here."
Within a minute, Mr. Miller already picked out three of the best people to join. First was Michaelis: drafted 3 years ago and had excelled every physical test ever since, in order to make up for the lack of brain and help enhance his already inflating ego - not an excellent choice, but at least his strength will be somewhat useful. Carlisle came second, an expert in legal procedure and laws, always got dirt on everyone, seemingly pulling evidence out from thin air - which made them an indispensable ally if the need for negotiation ever arises. Finally, Luanna - identifying herself as an empath, she had been able to befriend almost everyone, and was favoured greatly by the supervisors. It's easy to see why she was chosen: her ability to nurse and treat others' injuries in a short amount of time.
"And you two." He suddenly pointed towards them, gesturing for them to come forward. The entire room fell silent upon realising who he was calling forward.
Frisk was sure the next person to be chosen will no doubt be Alphonse. He is a top-tier negotiator after all, never fail to get his opponent to come to an agreement that would greatly benefit him. But what he - and probably everyone else - didn't expect, was that he was also chosen. No one would've thought that the youngest, and least exceptional employee would actually be chosen for something that sounded so important. The other four members were equally surprised as he calmly walked over and stood next them, ignoring all the shocked and ill-intended whispers from the others.
"That's all. The meeting is over. Now get out of here." Once his command was voiced, no one dared to linger behind and scurried out of the auditorium as quickly as they possibly could, except for them.
"Now, for you all..." He turned back to the group of young adults, his gaze fixated on the only teenager as he instructed them. "I will need you to go back to your residence, pack all necessities for this trip - clothes, medical supplies, foods, and even weapons if needed. You will keep this a secret from the others, tell your family and friends you're going on a business trip or vacation. I expect you all to be here tomorrow morning at 5 A.M sharp for departure. Any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Good." He nodded, satisfied with the answers and dismissed them, heading towards the exit. Immediately after he left, Michaelis turned towards Frisk with anger in his eyes.
"What kind of underhanded trick did you pull this time, you little rascal?" He spat, holding Frisk up by the collar. He had always picked on him for being "young and naive" before, so having to work with him dreaded both of them. "I know you didn't get in with your ability, so spit it."
"Hey! Get your hands off him you bastard!" Alphonse interjected, grabbing his wrist to stop him from strangling the boy. "Aren't you too quick to assume that? Besides, we were just informed of this matter during this meeting, so how could he have bribed them?"
"Not that I agree with that meatsack, but is there anything that he's capable of that we aren't?" Carlisle lazily commented. "Michaelis have strength, I have knowledge, you act as a translator, and that girl is a literal medic. But him... he doesn't show any special abilities or extraordinary skills."
"Still, there must be something, right?" Luanna spoke up timidly, not wanting the situation to escalate any further. "Sir Miller did say he had a reason to pick us, so let's not fight, okay? We really don't want to get in any trouble..."
"Tch." Michaelis had no choice but to let go, even more angered by the fact that the centre of the subject - Frisk - was quiet and unfazed all along. "Don't get cocky. As soon as I get to the bottom of this, no one is going to be on your side."
"I'd like to see you try." He spoke, only loud enough for the others to hear. His tone was cold, mildly threatening, leaving them stunned as he walked away like nothing happened.
***
Standing on top of the mountain, one could see the entire forest below. It was fascinating for the missing children to get this far - navigating through the thick forest below and manoeuvred through the rocky, narrow road. Frisk watched as the others inspected the cave behind him. He didn't feel like joining them at all - he had always preferred solidarity. But here he is, with 5 other humans beside him, loud and obnoxious. Well, aside from Carlisle and Luanna.
In the middle of the cave was a gaping hole. Its diameter is as large as that of a pond, and despite it being at least 1000 miles deep, soft light was shining from below, illuminating what lays at the end of the fall. If this is not magic, then he really doesn't know what to call it.
“Everyone get your parachute ready! We’re going down!” Sir Miller ordered, and all of them gripped tightly onto their bags, following the man down below. All, except for Frisk. Once they all fell out of his vision he tossed the parachute aside and grabbed the rest of their luggage.
They don’t need to know.
He took one last look at his necklace, before letting himself and the luggage fall down the deep ends.