AUTHORS NOTE

If you have NOT read the Kingdom Come trilogy, read that first. This story takes place in the same timeline, so you will need to read that story in order to understand key events from this story.

Asriel slumped forward slightly in his throne, propping his head up against his hand as his arm rested on the armrest. He sighed, his other hand tapping the throne ever slightly. He had a weird feeling about today. He wasn't sure why, but something just nagged at him. Like something important was happening that he was not yet aware of.

As if on cue, he heard metal footsteps approach. He looked up as Undyne walked into the throne room, standing straight as she saw him. Asriel spoke first.

"Captain Undyne. Anything to report?"

Undyne nodded. "As a matter of fact, I do your highness. It looks like... another human has fallen into the Underground."

Asriel's grip tightened on the throne, the nagging feeling making much more sense now. His eyes darkened as he remained silent. Undyne continued after hearing nothing in response.

"Do...you want me to intercept them and collect its soul?"

Asriel thought of this, then shook his head. "No. Let the human come. You are to follow them closely, and should they attack you, you have my authority to use deadly force. If possible though, I would prefer to face them myself."

Undyne seemed somewhat confused by the change in orders, but simply nodded. "As you wish King Asriel." With this, she turned and left the throne room. Asriel leaned back in the throne, sighing.

It had been centuries since the…'incident' with Chara, though despite the hundreds of years, he still remembered it as if it had happened no more than an hour ago. He wasn't sure whether it was a blessing, or a curse. He let his thoughts wander over the events that had passed since then. His official coronation had occurred as soon as his chest wound had fully healed, the entire kingdom had attended it. The first human fell nearly thirty years later. Over the centuries, more humans had fallen, and each one had met the same fate. Gaster had been more than generous enough to supply the containment pods the souls were being kept in.

Gerson had served the royal guard well, but when he became too old to properly command it, he had trained a promising young monster with a spirit of fire almost similar to Asriel's. That monster had been Undyne, who rocketed through the ranks to becoming captain of the guard within months of joining. She took her job very seriously, and Asriel knew he could rely on her in the toughest of scenarios.

Gaster was always absorbed in his projects, that had never changed. What did change was when he had taken on an assistant scientist by the name of Alphys. Asriel hadn't even been aware until he visited Gaster shortly after the fifth human fell. She was brilliant, she was also a bit nervous and seemed to have a nervous stutter, but brilliant nonetheless.

As for Asriel himself, he had changed drastically since Toriel's murder. He was no longer the soft, open prince he had once been known as. That prince was a relic, dead and disregarded. Chara killed that Asriel the moment her knife sank into Toriel's chest. The new Asriel, was hard, and willing to do whatever it took to achieve justice. Still, he was loved by his people, and he always had open doors to monsters wanting to seek out advice, or assistance. But what mattered now, to King Asriel, was the human.

This was the sixth human that had fallen. This was the 327th year since he declared war. He had counted. It was no surprise that several of the humans were young, many in their late childhood or young adolescence. Humans of that age seemed to have a tendency to wander. They currently had six human souls, including Chara's, who had been the very first. This human soul would mark the seventh, and final soul Asriel would require to break the barrier. For centuries he had dreamt of what the restoration of the monster kingdom on the surface would look like, but now that the day seemed to be right on top of him, he felt overwhelmed.

Hours passed by. Soon, Asriel stood up and began to pace, one of the only things that could keep him calm. It almost seemed like several days had passed before he heard more footsteps slowly approaching the throne room. He turned to the door, almost freezing with shock when he saw what greeted him. The human was a little girl, but she seemed to be younger than most that had fallen down. Asriel couldn't help but be startled by how young she seemed. He cleared his throat.

"Ah...human…" He couldn't find the words. "I suppose, if you're here...you know what we must do. Yes?"

The girl nodded. "Yeah. I heard all about how you need to break the barrier."

Asriel's face was grim. "So you are aware…"

His hand twitched closer to the hilt of his sword. The girl didn't flinch at the motion. In fact, she stared him straight in his eyes.

"I know you need to take my soul. But, I don't want to hurt you. So, I'll just give you my soul."

Asriel was now dumbfounded. "I...w-what?"

The girl tried to explain. "It must be hard, being trapped under here for so long. I think you'll need the soul more than I will." She gave him a smile that reminded him of a friend from long ago.

He shook his head quickly, trying to clear his mind. "I...I don't understand. You won't fight? You know I will have to...kill you...right? You're prepared to lay down your life for a species your kind was once at war with?"

The girl shrugged. "It's for the greater good. Right? Besides, if sacrificing my soul will allow all those monsters down there, and you, to be free? I think it's worth it."

Asriel felt emotions tugging on his heart as he slowly approached the girl, staring up at him. He searched her eyes. There was no regret, no fear, not even sadness. Just a look of hope, and compassion.

"I see...well human...it was very nice to...to meet you. Goodbye." He quickly drew his sword and slashed at her chest. He quickly followed it up by a second stab through her heart. She crumpled to the ground, but still kept the smile on her face. Asriel sighed. He had tried to make it as quick as possible. Such a kind girl did not deserve a painful death.

He watched as the seventh soul hovered above her body. He had time before it would shatter, so he took several moments to stare at the green soul, mesmerized by the power seeming to pulse from it. Then, he quickly stood and ran to get the final pod. He brought it back, locking the soul inside. Asriel then lifted it up and carrier it out of the throne room towards the stairs. Undyne was near the opposite end of the hall, and Asriel called to her.

"Send for Doctor Gaster. Tell him he is needed here immediately."

Undyne for once was strangely silent, only nodding as she left him. Asriel first set the pod at the bottom with the others. He walked back upstairs, retrieving the girl's body, bringing it back downstairs. There, he could see six coffins. Chara's body had been buried with Toriel, Asgore, and Terrowin's remains. He laid the girl in the sixth coffin, closing it. He let his hand rest on it, staring at the line as he took another heavy sigh. Here, he waited.

Twenty minutes later, Gaster's voice broke out as he entered the room.

"Your majesty! You wanted to see-...oh." He stopped when he saw the seventh soul. "The final soul. You've got it!"

Asriel nodded. "It's taken centuries Gaster...but we've finally done it. The seven souls."

Gaster stared at the souls, clearing his throat. "I suppose, you are going to break the barrier then, yes?"

Asriel turned around. "This is the plan. However...I think I will put off this plan until tomorrow."

Gaster looked up, curious. "Any particular reason why your majesty?"

Asriel shrugged. "A couple. For one, I will need time to get the royal guard ready to return to the surface. Also, I...I need time to think. I'll be honest with you, it's been so long, I was beginning to believe this day would never come."

Gaster nodded, slowly. "I understand perfectly your highness. I too, will prepare for the return to the surface. No doubt the environment will have changed, we will need to find out what is new. When...will you tell the people?"

Asriel shook his head. "I don't know. Tonight I suppose, as good a time as ever."

Gaster nodded, clasping his hands behind his back. "I understand. If there is nothing else, I will make my leave. The souls seem fine to wait another night."

Asriel's voice stopped him on his way out. "Gaster...you've been a good friend all these years. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me."

Gaster paused. "It's...been an honor. Your highness." With this, he was gone. Asriel walked up the stairs, and to Undyne. He gave the order as he passed her.

"Gather the people. Tonight, we tell them the news."