Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

ᵂʰʸ, ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰ?

. . .

The music started with very simplistic instruments, and the lower-pitch parts, strong and heavy, gave an intimidating aura.

✱ Toriel blocks the way!

As you took a few steps behind, you whispered. "What do we do...?

Maybe it worked like in that game? Where you needed to fight a creature to the point where they would leave you alone? Or perhaps, if you weakened her, she'll know that you and Frisk were strong and will let you go!

Frisk suggested to Talk to her, while he showed MERCY.

You touched the ACT button.

✱ Toriel

You chose her name.

You chose to Talk.

Matching Toriel's intensity and annoyance, you began shouting impulsively. "Can't we just calm down!? Do you really think we—" You pressed your lips, forming a thin and tight line. Being hostile would aggravate the situation. While inhaling, you spoke at a slower pace and with a lower pitch. "We... understand your anger in this situation, and we appreciate your concern for our safety. However, it's important to consider our needs and desires as well."

She just stared coldly at you.

With wide eyes, you turned to Frisk. "What— what is it talking about?"

It was about you, or Toriel?

He froze as shivers ran through his body. A disgusting feeling washed over him, a sick and violent response his conscience gave to his prior choices. To his SOUL, pulsating right in front of him.

You shook your head. "Look, now it doesn't matter, let's concentrate on how to get out of this."

He turned to you and swallowed. His lips slightly curved upwards, in a sad and pitiful imitation of a smile.

He touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

Nothing happened. Toriel didn't dare to speak.

But her actions did.

Streams of fireballs fell from above, crossing and twisting.

It would've been almost impossible to dodge them, but thankfully, there were openings in the middle.

Gathering all of your stress and pushing it aside, you tried to dodge to the left and the right at the best of your abilities.

In the moment when you felt safer, when you thought you escaped danger, you were roughly shoved out of the way.

Stumbling, you tried to regain your balance, as a fireball that was about to hit your SOUL bounced on the ground and disappeared with the rest.

Toriel anxiously scratched the inside of her hands with her claws.

You gave Frisk a thankful nod. He gave one back.

The attack ended.

✱ Toriel looks through you.

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare, and told you to do the same, but wasn't just one person supposed to do it?

Nevertheless, you touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

Toriel still remained silent.

Then, it came to your mind something a Froggit said.

It seemed such a distant memory, but you couldn't forget a single word, as if they were embedded in your mind.

(Remember, sparing is just saying you won't fight. Maybe one day, you'll have to do it even if their name isn't yellow.)

A crackling noise turned your attention behind you, just in time to see thick fireballs dashing towards you as cold sweat poured down your back.

Clenching your teeth, you tried to keep your temper as you jumped into a few free spaces, hot and burning fire grazing your skin.

The fireballs weren't interested in wounding you.

They were interested in your SOUL.

The attacks ended.

An acrid smell of smoke filled the air. You started to pant.

The melody progressed into higher energy sections, involving more complex instruments, and you could almost feel a sense of emotional turmoil in the notes. It not only created a sense of menace but also of regret and sadness.

✱ Toriel is acting aloof.

Understanding the 'plan', you let Frisk touch the MERCY button first.

He chose to Spare.

Toriel furrowed her eyebrows.

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

She wrinkled her muzzle at your actions. "What are you doing?”

Her right paw began to light up, and she swept it in an arc from left to right, leaving a trail of fireballs. They stood still for a moment, before splitting up and launching towards your and Frisk's SOULs.

Frisk yelled at you not to move and to wait for his signal.

You trusted him. Even with clammy hands, bated breath, and tension filling your body to the brim... you trusted him.

The fireballs left ashes and sparks in their wake.

Frisk was silent.

You closed your eyes tightly. What was he waiting for!? Yet, you still chose to listen to him. It felt right, as if he had more experience and scars than you.

Suddenly, he screamed at you to move away. And you did.

The fireballs hit the floor before vanishing.

The attack ended.

You saw Toriel's chest shakingly expand and contract.

✱ Toriel takes a deep breath.

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

"Attack or run away!" Toriel surprisingly growled, a low and deep vibrating sound.

However, you both ignored her.

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

"What are you proving this way?" She asked once again, shaking her head.

The battle raged on, and Toriel restlessly lit her other paw too, sweeping both of them in an arc, unleashing her fiery magic and sending waves of flames.

These ones were more eager, bouncing on the black walls at extreme speed, playing a dangerous game between themselves.

Frisk was more agile, experienced, and avoided all the attacks.

But you?

You were not so lucky.

A few fireballs, as if they had a sentience of their own, saw an opening in your distraction and threw themselves at your SOUL.

Together with a slight ache in your chest, a burning sensation shot throughout your hand. You yelped in pain as the fire damaged your skin.

Falling to the ground, you clutched and looked at your wrist and the black-and-white ribbon, the silk threads untying as it slowly shrank from the flames. A bitter and pungent odor was diluted in the air. Soon, a carbon colored, irregular powder rested on your hand.

And just like that, the ribbon was gone.

Frisk glanced at the little yellow box near your name, now displaying an HP of '18/20'.

The consequences of the fire seemed to have been lessened than normal. As if the ribbon was some sort of... shield?

Your whining accompanied the melody, filling the black void with green neon lights. You cuddled your hand close to your SOUL, as if it could help relieve the pain. It was, rather pathetic, how fast you were able to get hurt, while the other Human in the room was able to remain intact from the beginning.

Frisk touched the ITEM button, and rummaged through the uneven knots of his pockets, with the urgency and speed of a gale, searching for something to help you. You two were different. Every small wound had to be cured.

He touched the first ITEM he saw, and called your name, with a certain urgency that motivated you to look at him.

Your brain barely registered him throwing something small, and with luck and adrenaline, you were able to hold the crunchy aluminum casing safe.

Shakingly opening it, a familiar, overly sweet smell and taste filled your nostrils and mouth. It tasted... like licorice.

The dominating heat of your hand dissipated, giving the same pleasant sensation of ice-cold water. It was as if nothing had happened. The ribbon might not be there anymore, but you were still alive and well.

As the text wrote, your HP went back to '20/20'.

Frisk checked his pocket: only two Monster Candy, a Half Spider Donut, and two slices of Butterscotch-Cinnamon Pie remained.

It should be enough.

He gave you a nod, to which you mimicked.

Toriel's eyebrows twitched. If you focused on her form, you could see how she slightly trembled or how her hands tightened into fists.

Frisk already wasted his opportunity to Spare Toriel, so you were the only one remaining. 

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

"Fight me or leave!" Toriel snarled, showing off in a more pronounced manner her fangs, like a caged animal, trying to defend itself in the cruel world it was involuntarily thrown into.

You understood. This was a battle neither you nor Toriel wanted to be having.

Fireballs went dangerously close to your side, forcing you to run near Frisk, as both of you were blocked.

Reluctantly, Toriel let other fireballs fall from above in a slow zigzag pattern.

What she did before was a close call, and if she continued to attack you with her magic, she would do something she would never forgive herself for. How could she bear the sight of you bleeding in her arms? 

It was rather easy to dodge this one attack, as you just had to move carefully between the flames.

More ashes filled your lungs. You could feel the beginning of a runny nose coming.

The way the other human came immediately to your rescue... It reminded her of someone else. It was a compassionate gesture. He did not try to ignore you and let you deal with your wounds on your own.

'To suffer together', is the literal definition of the word compassion.

Conflicting feelings filled her heart. Her SOUL.

You two will go a long way.

✱ Toriel prepares a magical attack.

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

"Stop it." Toriel tried to warn you two, even though it seemed she said it more to herself.

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

"Stop looking at me that way." Toriel didn't even try to hold your gaze anymore, as her dark red eyes shifted to the floor.

One of the same attacks as before began again: her paw lit up, leaving a trail of fireballs, ready to launch towards your SOUL.

It was easier to dodge when she used only one hand.

You were starting to feel lightheaded.

The fireballs bounced on the floor.

The attack ended.

✱ Toriel is acting aloof.

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

"Go away!" Toriel yelled once more, her voice cracking.

Frisk shook his head. A smirk, despite being small and unnoticeable, was forming on his face, wild and forced.

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

Toriel opened her mouth, before hastily closing it and looking to the side.

Many fireballs fell haphazardly from above in a big mass, leaving no space to move.

It was impossible to dodge them.

You took some steps back. The heat was intense, and you could feel it even from where you stood.

Toriel wouldn't do it, right...? 

Your heart pounded in your chest as you watched the flames come closer by the second.

If you were to get hit, no Monster Candy would help you heal your wounds.

They flew towards your SOUL, but at the last moment, they swerved, faltering, deliberately avoiding you.

The attack ended.

You looked between Frisk and Toriel in shock and confusion. She was Sparing you?

You didn't have time to ponder the question as the burning in your eyes, nose, and throat distracted you. The odor of smoke was nauseating. It made breathing difficult, but Toriel didn't seem to have any problem with it...

✱ Toriel takes a deep breath.

Frisk, unfazed, touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

Toriel bowed her head with a frown. Her shoulders slightly shook.

You gulped back the tears threatening to fall, and touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

The music suddenly stopped.

"I know you two want to go home, but..." Toriel began.

✱ . . .

Again, Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

She continued. "But please... go upstairs now."

✱ . . .

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

Her eyes widened as she smiled. "I promise I will take good care of you here."

She tried to be hopeful. Choosing to see the hypothetical happiness you three would have in this new Life, instead of focusing on the negative answer she would get.

✱ . . .

Frisk coughed two times, harshly. He was clutching his chest. But that didn't stop him from touching the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

Toriel still tried. "I know we do not have much, but..."

✱ . . .

Half-heartedly, you touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

"We can have a good life here."

Did she really think you would leave everything you had before, like it was nothing?

How—

How selfish.

✱ . . .

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

Her voice was quavering, unsteady, and pitiful. "Why are you making this so difficult?"

✱ . . .

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

"Please, go upstairs."

✱ . . .

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

As she pouted, her eyebrows lowered and pulled closer together.

✱ . . .

You touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

A dry laugh left her lips.

✱ . . .

"Frisk, wait…" You tried to speak, but he paid no attention to you and touched the MERCY button.

It was his moment.

He chose to Spare.

Toriel lowered her head. "Pathetic, is it not? I cannot save even a single child."

You wanted to say something, anything. Wanted to comfort her. Tell her you were sorry. Help her realize. However...

✱ . . .

... With a sigh, you touched the MERCY button.

You chose to Spare.

Toriel didn't talk.

✱ . . .

Frisk touched the MERCY button.

He chose to Spare.

A silent moment of hesitation, then a glint shone in her eyes. "No, I understand. You two would just be unhappy trapped down here."

She was letting you go?

"The RUINS are very small once you get used to them. It would not be right for you to grow up in a place like this. My expectations... My loneliness... My fear... For you, my—" She looked to the side. "My small friends... I will put them aside."

A weight seemed to be lifted from your shoulders. It whipped out all your anxiety and pressure. You experienced the calm within you: the feeling of relief, the most soothing feeling ever.

Little by little, the abstract imagery of this FIGHT, faded away, making you return to the purple walls of the RUINS and the floral smell of honey, washing away the suffocating one of smoke and ashes.

. . .

. . .

Toriel's theme came once again, this time slowed down, giving the situation an eerie tranquility. Yet, that was just the lull before the storm.

"If you two truly wish to leave the RUINS... I will not stop you. However, when you leave..." Toriel stared at the walls behind you, her shoulders tensing. "Please do not come back. I hope you understand."

You and Frisk were suddenly engulfed in a warm and fluffy embrace, with Toriel's head in between you two. She was slightly trembling, and you could feel her trying to breathe steadily, as if she was compelled to cry, but she wanted to hold it in.

From that position, you were able to understand that the sweet aroma from Frisk's hair was coconut, and... was that wheat?

Toriel smelled of rosemary: a pungent and somewhat astringent odor. But also musky and earthy, like leaves, with a pinch of mint. It somewhat helped you to wash away your worries.

"As the only humans, you two will have nothing but your friendship from now on. You must always be there and protect each other. Goodbye, little one, and..."

The way she looked at you was more than enough to tell you every emotion she was feeling right at that moment: sadness, concern, sorrow, shame... and love.

Too many words she wanted to say, too little time on her hands. The sand in the hourglass was ticking away with each passing second.

"What are you going to do, now?" You asked her.

"Do not worry about me. Someone has to take care of the flowers."

You didn't know that underneath the golden flowers, there was a certain someone Toriel will never let go.

"In that case... I hope we can meet again. I'm— we, are sorry, Toriel."

She gave a nod, before walking in the direction you came from, not without taking a final glance at you and Frisk, leaving the question 'will we meet again?' in the hands of Fate.

It was funny how in such a short time, you were able to form a bond with a Monster; something that was considered so out of your world before.

Yet, she also naively assumed that being a loving and doting mother figure was enough to make someone stay with her. She didn't consider the needs of other people who may not have felt comfortable here.

There was a quick and slight tap on your shoulder, as if whoever did that was too afraid to annoy you.

Frisk asked you if you were ready.

"No. No, I am not... but we can't do anything about that, can we? Let's just go."

He furrowed his eyebrows, but said nothing, as he pushed the set of dark purple doors.

A very long hallway extended in front of you. The music stopped, and your footsteps were the only source of sound. If you listened carefully, you could also hear the rhythmic beating of your heart. The lack of conversation also didn't help at all, but you weren't really willing to talk.

As you walked, the floor changed color, becoming lighter, until you could catch sight of a doorway.

Stepping into the new room, you were met with a normal flower. At least, that was what you would've liked to see.

"Clever. Verrrryyy clever."

Out of anyone who could have spoken to you.

Flowey welcomed you with a condescending sneer. "You think you're really smart, don't you? In this world it's kill or be killed," he looked at the ceiling. "So you were able to play by your own rules. You spared the life of a single person."

"Can't we just walk past him?" You whispered to Frisk, but he didn't listen to what you said.

"HEY, I'm talking! Be QUIET!" He screamed, before giving you a smug grin. "I'm surprised that you're still even alive, you hussy."

"What...!?" Muttering, you clenched your jaw.

"Anyways…" He cleared his throat. "Hee hee hee... But don't act so cocky. I know what you did. You murdered her," his face started morphing, transforming to a horrible copy of Toriel's one, "and then you went back, because you regretted it."

You stepped back from the flower, mocking the goat Monster's face, now melting. Both in the FIGHT and now it was said that Toriel died. So did that mean Frisk...?

Flowey continued, undaunted. "You naive idiot. Do you think you are the only one with that power? The power to reshape the world... Purely by your own determination. The ability to play God! The ability to 'SAVE.'"

That. Only Frisk was able to do that. To touch the yellow sparkle. The only time you could, was at Toriel's house. 

"I thought I was the only one with that power. But... I can't SAVE anymore. Apparently YOUR desires for this world override MINE. Well well. Enjoy that power while you can. I'll be watching." And he laughed, disappearing underground.

A heavy silence settled in the room.

Your heartbeat seemed to have stopped as you remained rooted to your place.

Frisk informed you that you could go out now, pointing at the purple doors. His movements were shy, almost clumsy.

You were quiet, ruminating on everything. From the talk with Toriel at her house, Frisk's behavior during the FIGHT against her, to what Flowey said.

A hand was about to rest on your shoulder, but you pulled away. "... I don't care! Please, tell me what's going on. What— what did you do!?"

You took several steps away from him. The smell of honey was starting to suffocate you.

Frisk clenched his fists. You waited impatiently as he lowered his voice, beginning to explain. How the earlier FIGHT wasn't the first one he had with Toriel.

"... What does that mean?" You asked, feeling a surge of fear and curiosity.

He sniffed and rubbed his eyes. He thought he had to show her how strong he was, so she could let him go, but things... got out of control.

"You mean that..."

He admitted that he did, indeed, kill Toriel. With his own hands.

It was as jarring as a bucket of ice water being poured over your head. Terror washed over you like a wave, raising the hairs on the back of your neck. "You... you what?"

Frisk felt his pulse beating in his ears, blocking out the sound of his jagged breathing. The color quickly drained from his face. He could no longer control his shaking hands.

"It's—" You snorted a chuckle, "it's a joke, right?"

... He claimed it wasn't.

Dread sucked any breath left in your mouth. "How do I know that you won't do the same to me, huh? And why is she STILL alive, then!?"

He heaved a long sigh, as if to prepare himself. He assured you that he would never harm you in any way, saying that he could do something called a 'Reset.' As the name suggested, it allowed him to reset everything that happened since he fell underground. Every action, every conversation would be deleted, as if it never existed.

The memory of Toriel's body disappearing, leaving behind a trail of gray dust... and her SOUL breaking. It left a shiver up his spine every time he thought about it. It was etched deep into his mind.

You gave a nervous giggle. "The first time you came here... Was I with you?"

He shook his head.

"Then— then how...?"

He didn't know.

A mystery barely solved, just another billion pending.

"Did you go further than this place?"

He muttered that he made the 'reset' in this very room.

Was… any of this real? Perhaps it was a dream. The ball of yarn in your brain, full of knots, made it impossible to find a solution. You just had to search the head of it, untying it as you went forward.

He came dangerously close to you and put his hands on your shoulders.

You instinctively raised yours in defense.

You wanted to run for safety, but your feet would not allow you to do so.

He assured you he understood that this was very strange and difficult for you, but it was also the same for him. Frisk said that this was your story, your adventure. You two had to walk through that door and save the entire Monster population. Only then will the mysteries be revealed. The future of the Underground was now in your hands.

And where did that come from?

He suddenly removed his hands, and backed off from you, breathing sharply and short, as if your skin burned him. His clothed thighs were wet, handprints on his pants, where he wiped his palms until they were tingling.

He looked scared. Scared of what you would think of him. If you were going to leave him alone.

He had to endure all of that. On his own. You would have surely broken down.

You tried to calm down. Panicking wouldn't lead you anywhere. But first, you had to reassure Frisk.

He apologized to you for telling you such a horrible thing. He said he just wanted to be honest with you, since you two were friends, hoping you wouldn't hate him or fear him for what he had done.

You frowned, trying to understand. You didn't 'hate or fear' him, but you didn't trust him either.

He turned his head away, tears forming. He swore it was an accident, he didn't mean to do it. He didn't mean to hurt her!

You felt a pang of sympathy, anger, and confusion.

"Any sane person would not know how to process this. And honestly? I think it is just me who is losing it for good. You may have suffered, surely, but this suffering has made you strong, much stronger than you can imagine. You are very brave, if I do say so myself."

Despite him having his eyes closed, this time, you felt as if his stare was intense: fierce and powerful, yet cold and hard at the same time.

"Please, though: no more secrets."

He raised his eyebrows, and his gaze didn't hold any dangerous emotion anymore. He gave a hearty laugh. One that was loud, sincere, and full of joy. His cheeks were a lively red.

Lively, just like his name.

Everything made sense, now. How Frisk always seemed to know how to do a puzzle. How he never, ever, got hurt. How stiff he was when he met you. The first encounter with Flowey. The battle with Toriel.

He was about to open the doors, a cold breeze coming from under them. Frisk couldn’t help but feel grateful for your support.

"... Do you think there will be a Happy Ending?"

He said that he didn't know, but he chose to believe that this was the case.

After you get out of here, what will you do? Telling everyone that you met a lot of Monsters, and not all of them wanted to kill you? Would they even believe you? People most of the time never believed anything until they saw it with their own eyes. But…

... You had better things to take care of.

You didn't want to think about your future.

You didn't want to think about Humans and Monsters. About their differences.

You needed to focus on one thing and one thing only: get out of this place promptly.

It was impossible for you to hear the curious hum of another entity as it listened to your speech. It was always present, watching you. Getting frustrated when you weren't able to do something. Smiling when you won.

♡＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚━━━━━━━━━━˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊♡

End Of The RUINS Arc

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