ARCANOTALE

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Chapter 1: Meet the Frisk

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The normally bustling capital city was still mostly sleeping, even though the sun's rays were already caressing the tall tower spires, their light reflected on multi-coloured windows that seemed to possess a life of their own. Only the merchants were already active, preparing to offer their wares to the crowds that would soon follow, though their voices were loud enough to slowly rouse the rest of the population.

The child paid little heed to the preparations, not quite running, but certainly walking excitedly towards their destination, determined smile plastered on pretty face. Said destination, a large, three-story building, seemed a lot less impressive during the day, despite the enormous billboard proclaiming it as 'Club Azure.' The tiny human ignored the currently sealed main gates and ducked into a nearby alley, reaching a small semi-concealed wooden door and rapping vigorously on it.

A few moments later, the peephole on the door slid open and a pair of weary eyes peered through, measuring the young guest, who waved merrily. "Good morning," greeted the child, looking very nonchalant.

The adult hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "You're that urchin that's been shadowing Jocelyne, huh? She's expecting you." Bolts retreated and the door opened to reveal a woman in her mid-thirties, wearing a fluffy bathrobe. "I'll be watching you, kid," she added as the child walked in without hesitation. She had tried to sound severe, but after working the night shift, the only thing she really wanted was to sleep.

The small human's smile widened and a nod was offered, before the child rushed towards the kitchen.

"Frisk!" exclaimed a younger female voice, moving to hug said child. "I'm glad you could make it! Come on, I've made pancakes." The girl was about sixteen and seemed radiant, dressed in plain, practical clothes that did nothing to diminish her innate beauty. She seemed ready for an outing, though not before making sure her little helper was well-fed.

Frisk laughed and returned the hug. "Morning, Jocelyne! I'd bring tulips, but they'd blush to roses after seeing you!"

The girl giggled, shaking her head. "Same old Frisk," she replied, ruffling the child's hair as the pancakes were viciously attacked. Her face turned concerned. "Did you find a decent place to sleep yesterday," she asked, picking a straw of hay from said hair.

Frisk gulped down a large pancake piece, took a deep breath and nodded. "Unused stable. Nobody chased me out either, so it was a good night."

Jocelyne sighed, then concentrated, the faint green outline of a heart appearing on her chest. It was a very simple spell and by no means an alternative to bathing, but it took care of some of the dirt and grime clinging on the child. "You could come live with us, Frisk," she suggested quietly. "The other girls love you and…"

Frisk smiled at her. "I don't want to be a hassle. I can take care of myself."

The girl frowned. "You're always saying that. I know that the theater owner offered you a place too." She passed her hand through Frisk's hair again. "You're still working there, right?"

The kid nodded. "I'm playing the kidnapped princess these days. I preferred the lumberjack role, but that play stopped being so popular."

Jocelyne smirked. "You should trim this jungle, 'princess'," she teased. "No wonder people can't tell you're a boy anymore!"

Frisk laughed, wiping a line of syrup that was trickling down his chin. "I don't mind it. It keeps people off-guard. The only thing gender does for me is that I don't have to do as many squats," he explained, winking at the end.

The girl sighed again. "That will change in a hurry in a few short years," she reminded him.

The boy shrugged. "Well, of course. I can't work here with you if people can't tell what I am." His face turned mischievous. "Though even as a girl, I wouldn't hold a candle to your star, sweet stuff."

Jocelyne groaned. "Let's get out there, Casanova. I love you and all, but I'm starting to see why they say a brothel is no place for kids your age," she decided, indicating their surroundings.

Frisk just wiggled his eyebrows.

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The duo soon reached the main part of the outdoor market and started browsing the displayed wares. Jocelyne didn't mind doing the shopping for Club Azure on her off days, as long as she wasn't alone. Even though the Magi Corps were keeping major crime at bay, petty theft was still an issue, especially while among so many people.

Of course, company was not the only reason she wanted Frisk along. "Get the potatoes," she instructed, as she focused on the tomato in her hands, trying to decide whether it was good enough. The boy grabbed the large bag, slightly smaller than his own height, and it vanished in a sprinkle of red sparks. Inventory magic was not exactly unheard of, but the girl always marveled at how an untrained street rat like Frisk had mastered something that many actual wizards struggled with.

The idle thought was interrupted when something briefly bumped on her. Turning around only revealed more people, but her eyes went wide when she felt the absence of her purse. "Frisk!" she started nervously, only to realize her companion had vanished.

Three streets away, a young girl retreated from the crowds, biting her lip even while smiling.

"Hey you!"

She turned around scared, only for her eyes to narrow as she saw a kid a bit older than her. "What?" she demanded, trying and failing to sound menacing.

Frisk offered her a tiny smile. "I think you dropped this," he replied politely, holding a banged up mobile phone.

The girl blinked, her eyes going wide when she checked her pockets and failed to find her dingy cellphone. "Give it here!" she snapped.

The boy approached slowly and held it out for her. She snatched it from his palm, then blinked as his free hand touched her shoulder faster than she could follow. "Be more careful next time, my brilliant lily," whispered Frisk huskily, looking at her intensely.

The girl went beet-red and tried to speak, though Frisk waved once and sped away before she could conjure a response.

"Where were you?" asked Jocelyne, a bit miffed, when Frisk returned. Instead of a response, he materialized her purse and tossed it at her. "How did you...?"

"One does not simply pickpocket my friends when I'm around," he declared proudly, producing a second purse and riffling through it.

Jocelyne giggled, raising a brow. "And what's that one?" she asked intrigued.

Frisk shrugged. "A bit of coin for my trouble. It was already stolen, so it doesn't count as theft, right?"

The older girl just shook her head, very amused.

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"We are being followed," stated Frisk calmly as they left the mag-train station. "Two guys, middle-aged."

Jocelyne didn't even bother to ask if he was sure. "Should we make a run for it?" she responded, trying to resist the urge to turn around. They were still about ten city blocks away from Club Azure, but at least it was familiar territory.

The young boy shook his head. "Too far. Also, they seem to be well off. No muggers. If they want trouble, they'll have hired muscle."

"Cut through the alleys?" she suggested.

Frisk hesitated. "We'll lose the crowd's protection," he muttered.

Jocelyne looked around. "Not many people, anyway. I say we take the chance."

He sighed, then nodded. The duo turned away from the main street as naturally as possible, then increased their walking speed as soon as they were out of sight. Frisk almost dared to believe they had escaped, silently berating himself when they turned a corner and saw a wall that hadn't been there before.

"What…? How…?" tried Jocelyne, running her hands over the unexpected obstacle. "Magic residue…" she decided.

Frisk tugged her sleeve. "They're here."

The two men were both dressed in flashy, high-quality clothes and seemed to have a presence that set Frisk's instincts on edge. The first one, very self-assured, approached nonchalantly, while the second one seemed apprehensive, electing to stay back.

"What do you want?" demanded Jocelyne, valiantly trying to sound intimidating.

The approaching man smelled faintly of alcohol, though he seemed slightly tipsy rather than drunk. He was also smiling indulgently at the girl. "How cruel! You don't remember your true love!" he exclaimed, sounding both excited and a bit hurt.

Jocelyne blinked, then her eyes widened. "I know you. You've been coming to the club every other night for the past month!"

The man shook his head, his rich black hair glinting in the sun. "Alas. Would that I could have shared your embrace every night…" His smile widened. "But fear not, Jocelyne! I have come to liberate you from your grueling, unthankful life."

Both Frisk and the other man rolled their eyes at the theatrics. The girl, though, seemed to blush, before raising a brow. "Look… Aramis," she tried, after making an effort to remember the man's name. "I'm neither a slave nor unhappy, so…"

He interrupted her, reaching and grabbing her hand. "Marry me, my love!" he proposed. "I am a man of means and I wish nothing more than to share my life with you."

Jocelyne laughed nervously. "That's flattering, I guess," she replied awkwardly. "…but I hardly know you! Perhaps we can take this… a bit slower?"

Aramis froze at that, then nodded slowly. "I see…" he muttered. She was just about to sigh in relief, when he went on. "I see that your cruel owner has you under a spell, a geas even. Fear not, sweet maiden, for I am a wizard of great power." His grip hardened and the girl cried in pain.

He would have said more, if not for a fierce kick that landed right at his sheen, causing him to gasp and let go. "Who dares?" he demanded, finally noticing Frisk that was glaring at him.

"You were hurting her," accused the boy, stepping between Jocelyne and her suitor.

Aramis snarled, his eyes cloudy. Perhaps the spirits in his bloodstream were starting to affect him more. "You little pest!" he shouted, raising his hand. The faint outline of an orange heart appeared on his chest and Frisk felt his own red soul peeking through his sweater.

"Aramis, you're overreacting," cautioned his companion, who seemed reluctant to interfere.

The wizard ignored that and Frisk had to dodge to the side as a conjured icicle, long as his arm, almost impaled him, lodging half way into a wall instead. Jocelyne shouted the boy's name, but Frisk was already moving, stepping to the man's side even as he extended his arm. A curved dagger was recalled from his inventory and he slashed as he passed by, cutting through fabric and leaving an angry red line on his foe's thigh.

Aramis howled in pain and released a cone of freezing-cold air towards the child, but Frisk ducked and rolled, ignoring the tiny ice cubes that ended up adorning his hair. His next attack was a deep stab on the wizard's calf, which caused the man to topple like a venerable oak. Capitalizing on his advantage, frisk brought the pommel of his dagger down hard on Aramis' temple, causing a gash and knocking him silly. He was about to try again for unconsciousness, but instead leaped away from the downed suitor, dodging a thin bolt of blue lightning. He glared at the second wizard, who had apparently only attacked after his friend had gone down, his own soul a dark blue.

Knowing the other man had the advantage in range, he started dashing, dodging multiple shocking projectiles. The wizard frowned and summoned more of his power, filling the narrow alley floor with lighting, then gawking as the human boy leaped away, then jumped again off the wall, spun in the air and landed a couple of meters before him, unharmed and hardly slowed.

As a last ditch effort, the wizard summoned a wall of thorny briars, which immediately burst into fire. His surprise was complete when Frisk barreled through the barrier without hesitation, ignoring the superficial gashes and burns all over his body and bowling over the unfortunate wizard, landing on top of him and bringing his dagger to rest on the other's unguarded neck.

"Don't move," he demanded evenly.

The wizard blinked, then smiled sheepishly. "You got me," he admitted, staying very still.

Frisk ignored him. "Jocelyne, get out of here now!"

The girl seemed torn, looking from Aramis, who was groaning and stirring, to the boy and his hostage. "I can't just leave…."

"Now!" demanded Frisk. "Don't go back to the club. Hide in our secret spot and call the boss. I'll meet you there."

Jocelyne bit her lip and hesitated a bit more, her eyes teary, then nodded and ran.

"That was magnificently done, kid," commented the second wizard, sounding very calm.

Frisk frowned at him. "Don't patronize me. Try anything and you won't walk away."

The blue wizard sighed. "You've never killed before," he replied. "I can tell."

The boy raised a brow. While he felt nervous, his hands were steady and his attention rapt. "That doesn't mean I won't protect my friend. If you give me a reason, I won't hesitate."

The trapped adult smiled. "I would expect nothing less from someone Determined enough to pass right through my burning bush shield without batting an eye. Most alive things are afraid of fire, you know."

Frisk smirked. "I was a bit fired up," he admitted.

"It was a prickly situation, for sure," joked the other. "But that's to be expected from a red soul, I guess," he added.

The boy sighed. "I know it's rare, but it's a bit annoying when people keep mentioning it," he complained.

The wizard's smile did not diminish. "You should come to the Academy. Aramis won't try anything if you join. I can feel your power, untrained as it is. I'm sure there'll be a scholarship with your name on it."

"I'll think of it," replied Frisk non-committedly. Satisfied Jocelyne was far enough, he placed a hand on the wizard's pants, used his inventory magic to vanish them, to their owner's disbelief, then materialized them around his hostage's head, effectively blinding him.

By the time the wizard had untangled himself, the boy was long gone. The blue wizard eyed his companion, who was blabbering something incoherent, and sighed. "At least your idiocy has had a positive side-effect for once…" he muttered.

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Frisk peeked around the corner, making sure no one was following him, then hurried towards the large, forested park that seemed alien in the heart of the bustling human city. Passing through the ornamental metal gate, he veered off the tiled paths, fearlessly diving through a thicket of tall trees and dense bushes. He ended up in a small, concealed area, where Jocelyne was anxiously waiting for him.

"Frisk!" she exclaimed worriedly. "Are you alright? You are full of scratches and burns! Your arm is bleeding!"

He tried to laugh off her concern, but she'd have none of it. Mustering what little magic power there was in her body, the older girl channeled it all into a healing spell, her green soul glowing brightly under her clothes. By the time she was done, her breathing was erratic and she had to sit on the ground or risk toppling over.

Frisk frowned at her, even as his body went from injured to half-way healed. "You'll burn yourself out if you try that again," he warned. "You didn't even need to do that! You know I heal very fast."

She managed a glare. "You just saved me and got hurt. And your arm is still bleeding. You don't get a say." She opened her purse and pulled a bandage roll.

The boy rolled his eyes. "Fine! You seem to be on a roll, anyway," he replied, sticking his tongue out.

She raised a brow at that. "I'd give you a roll in the hay, but you're still too short."

Frisk shrugged. "If that's how you want to roll, don't let me ruin your nurse role-playing."

They eyed each other intently as Jocelyne finished tying the last of his wounds, then they were both reduced to laughter, that also served to reduce the stress of their current predicament.

"What has the boss said?" asked Frisk after they had calmed down.

The girl sighed. "That Aramis creep won't give up so easily and he has friends in high places. The boss is putting me on protection detail. I'll probably vanish for a couple months, until things cool off."

Frisk nodded. "Thank goodness Mr. Giovanni is a good man…" He allowed himself a chuckle. "For a brothel owner, that is," he added.

Jocelyne also smiled. "True. Otherwise I'd be off to see the wizard."

"Nice going, 'Alice'. How long will you have to wait here?"

As if on cue, the girl's cellphone beeped, indicating a text message. "My ride will be here in five." She eyed Frisk carefully, weighing her next words. "That crummy wizard might go after you too. You've humiliated him."

Frisk tried to play it off as insignificant. "He didn't even know I was there until I started carving him up. Avoiding him will be easy," he bragged.

Jocelyne's eyes narrowed. "Come with me. I've already talked to the boss. He can protect you too."

The boy shook his head. "I don't even work for him," he replied stubbornly. "At least not yet." He blinked at his own words. "Do you think he'll take me on after this one?" he asked hopefully.

The girl sighed. "I've told you. You're still too young to be either a guard or an… entertainer." She hesitated. "And anyway, I think you can do better."

Frisk made a face. "If it's good enough for you…"

She interrupted him. "That's the point! My magic is weak, I can barely read and the only thing I have going for me is a pretty face. You spend hours in the public library, you are already casting inventory magic and beating up grown wizards, and you're still a kid."

The boy lied on his back on the grassy ground, hands behind his head. "That's what the second wizard said. Decent guy, really." He tore his eyes from the clear sky and smiled at her. "I don't think I could stand going to the Academy. I like being free. That's why I ran from the orphanage."

Jocelyne tried to smile back, but he could tell she was tearing. "You won't come with me, then. Where will you hide?"

Frisk shrugged. "It's summer. I'll probably go for a hike outside the city. If that Aramis guy wants revenge, he'll have to comb the countryside. I have a couple hiding places out there."

A car horn sounded from the street and they both leaped back to their feet. "That's my ride," said the girl while hugging him.

Frisk winked at her. "That driver had better have some extra coolant, cause you're so pretty, his engine will be overheating," he said cheekily.

Jocelyne blinked in disbelief, then grabbed him and kissed him right on the lips. "The only way to shut you up," she said before bolting, getting on board a black van as Frisk did his best to wipe his mouth clean of slobber.

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Frisk had been walking along the chain fence for a few hours and the sun was already low on the horizon. He had left the city the previous day, after seeing Jocelyne off and grabbing some supplies, and he had camped hidden under a bridge when it had got dark, setting off again at dawn. As the second night approached, he located a large bush and carefully crept behind it.

The fence was fortified with strong magic and was full of warning signs that promised danger and death. Most folks believed that simply crossing it would be lethal, but Frisk knew better. He located a small hole behind the bush and crawled through, hurrying away as soon as he passed, in the off chance someone saw him.

Frisk allowed himself a sigh of relief. Nobody would follow him here and the area inside the fence had more than enough forage and small game to keep him alive and well-fed. As the shadow of Mount Ebott lengthened, he started going up a slope, trying to remember where the closest habitable cave was.

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The human child finished the last of the roasted rabbit with gusto, making sure his little campfire wouldn't go out of control and regarding his rolled sleeping bag longingly. After the long trek, Frisk knew he'd fall asleep in a moment if he tried, but was also aware that napping right after eating was a bad habit. Sighing, he materialized a book from his inventory and started killing time.

A couple hours later, his eyes snapped open. He had almost dozed off, despite the interesting storyline of his book, but a faint voice had woken him up. At first he wanted to attribute it to the gentle summer breeze caressing the night, but as the seconds ticked by, he became more and more convinced it had been a human voice.

No other humans that he knew of ever came to Mount Ebott. Everyone knew it was horribly cursed.

Still drowsy from his almost nap, he slowly exited his cave, dagger in hand, and tried to hear the sound again, straining his senses. Disorientated and with his night vision still useless, he stumbled in the dark outside his shelter, trying to remember the lay of the land.

He knew he had failed when the ground under his feet gave way. Instinctively letting go of his weapon, he tried to grab at something that whooshed past his face, a sturdy, straight branch, probably from a fallen tree.

It failed to support his weight and snapped.

Frisk fell through the oppressing darkness, down a deep well whose bottom he couldn't see. For a moment he felt as if passing through jello, then his free fall resumed.

The last thing he saw was yellow flowers.

The last thing he heard was bones snapping.

Then everything went dark.

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End of chapter 1.

A/N: Welcome readers! I hope you've enjoyed this so far. I could just leave it here as a one-shot, never to be touched again. I assume you all know what comes next. OR, it could be the pilot chapter for a new long story, provided enough people like it.

Why magic? It's simple. After playing all game paths and looking up some info, I'm convinced the world outside the Barrier is NOT the same world that's outside our windows. The dates and technology progression simply won't add up, to say nothing about the wizards that erected the Barrier in the first place.

About Frisk: My version is not the idealized, mute little saint many regard him to be. The addition of a certain disembodied voice in his head will not help matters. Also, determination is not only a source of power but an actual personality trait.

Keep in mind that my updates are erratic at best. The next chapter, provided it's ever written, might be hours or months away.

Be sure to tell me what you think!