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*Click!*
Tears welling up in their eyes, Frisk gingerly pressed the SPARE button. Deep red colored their knees and splattered their face. New wounds had opened up, oozing new blood along with the sharp, horrible, metallic scent that burned Frisk’s nose.
Sans froze, his expression almost guilty. Then his familiar smile widened… it didn’t reach his eyes, which remained solemn.
“… you’re sparing me?” Sans’ eyes closed. “finally,” he whispered under his breath.
He opened his eyes again. “buddy, pal. i know how hard it must be… to make that choice. to go back on everything you’ve worked up to.”
A cold dread hung over Frisk’s shoulders. Sans would not let them live, and they knew that, although they refused to believe it.
Sans continued, “i want you to know… i won’t let it go to waste.” He opened his arms then, his smile turned friendly. “c’mere pal.”
The cold tears finally started to stream down Frisk’s face as they dropped the knife on the ground and half stumbled half ran to Sans, wrapping their arms around his waist. Their small hands clung to his sweatshirt for dear life, because the both of them knew that was about to end, once again, in just a moment.
…But it had never felt more real.
They were only vaguely aware as the serrated bone pierced their stomach. As they slowly sank to the ground. As their eyes slid closed and they mumbled these words in a squeaky whisper…
“I’m sorry.”
💔
“…”
“if we’re really friends… you won’t come back.”
Frisk awoke with a jolt. It was pitch black everywhere, an endless night. Out of the abyss appeared SAVE and RESET. The last words Frisk had heard before they had entered this horrible place rang in their ears, over and over.
if we’re really friends… you won’t come back.
Other voices started to speak too.
Y . . . you . . . really hate me that much?
YOU CAN DO A LITTLE BETTER! EVEN IF YOU DON’T THINK SO! I . . . I PROMISE . . .
And with that power . . . This world will live on . . . !
GH . . . GUESS YOU DON’T WANNA JOIN MY FANCLUB . . . ?
Frisk looked down at the knife in their hands, gripping it hard, drew it back and threw it with all their might into the empty blackness beyond. The voices quieted little by little. They then clicked the glowing RESET button and prayed for it to work.
*Click!*
The buttons disappeared, and there was only bright white.
❤️
Once again, Frisk arrived at the last corridor. A small, floating yellow star sparkled in the dimly lit hall.
The hall that would deliver their judgement.
Frisk reached out to hold onto the star’s warmth for reassurance. It made a soft dink sound and then disappeared.
They took a deep breath, and continued walking.
They hadn’t killed anyone. They hadn’t hurt a single soul. So why was it so hard to move forward?
Sans blinked into existence before them, and Frisk heard the church bells toll thrice, ringing as if to say ‘you did everything right, but you are still guilty’.
Their knees turned to liquid and they collapsed at Sans’ feet. Startled, he hesitated, then asked, “uh.. kid? you okay?”
Frisk didn’t answer. The skeleton slowly sat down next to them, and held out his arms.
“c’mere, pal.” He winked.
Immediately, Frisk was brought back to their previous life. The slow, burning pain of the bone in their stomach, drowning in their own blood. Frisk tucked their knees in and hugged them tight, but it could not keep the tears from falling.
Plip plip
Sans put one hard, cold hand on the child’s shoulder, and turned them slightly to face him. His eyes were kind and his smile friendly.
“not the first time you’ve heard that, huh?”
Frisk shook their head, still silent.
“you did good, kid. i mean, paps is happier than ever.” He chuckled, then stopped as he realized Frisk still had barely moved. “c’mon, buddy. i’ve got you.” He said in a soft, low voice. He smiled wider, his arms outstretched again.
Frisk moved forward and quickly wrapped their arms around Sans, sobbing hard now. They felt the skeleton’s arms embrace them tight, one hand on Frisk’s head to pat it gently.
Their tears silently fell onto Sans’ sweatshirt, leaving dark blue streaks on the light blue fabric, but no one commented.
The sharp bone that had once ended Frisk’s life never came, and the two sat there on the cold, marble floor, not moving an inch. Sans did not say a word, which Frisk was very grateful for.
They didn’t have the energy or mood to speak right now.
After all, it was a beautiful day outside.
They could hear the birds singing, smell the flowers blooming outside the castle.
A truly unjust day for one who should be burning in hell.
Then Frisk had a thought, one that gave them the strength to let go of their best friend, to stand up, receive their judgement, and move forward…
despite everything, it’s still you.