A/N: Hi! This story takes place in an AU where civilization has modernized but most of the world is ruled by one royal family; the direct descendants of the progenitor of all humanity. This family has some degree of magic- not as strong as monster magic, but it's there. Frisk is gender neutral, and Chara is alive, though Asriel is still a flower (all will be explained at a later date). Thanks for reading this notice!


Once upon a time, as tradition dictates how stories go, there were two kingdoms that ruled the Earth: Humans and Monsters

The two kingdoms lived in harmony with one another with one another, with little conflict happening in their respective realms. Humans lived with Monsters, Monsters interacted with Humans; they laughed, and played, and feasted at festivals. The days were bright, and the nights peaceful and festive. It was a joyous time to be alive.

(Once upon a time—in another timeline perhaps—it might have stayed like that.)

Then fear laced itself in the hearts of the people. It spread doubt, mistrust, and distress like venom; creeping its way to the very edges of the earth, until both sides were tensing for a war.

Humans feared Monsters for their power to absorb human souls and become god-like. Monsters feared humans for the sheer power of their souls, and the Determination that allows it to persist after death.

War broke out between the two forces. Battle after bloody battle; each side clashing against the other with all the ferocity they could muster. Wives became widows, children became orphans, siblings became the only child in the family. And for many, they became alone.

Finally, the war reached its climax, and the humans proved to be the stronger race. Too fearful of the possibility of an uprising in the future, the Humans sealed the Monsters underground inside a magical barrier.

Thus, the end of the age of Monsters and Humans.

And the beginning of the reign of humans as the dominant species of Earth.

But our story starts much, much later.

It starts with a child, and a mountain called Mt. Ebbot. It starts with a child who wandered through and fell from the Kingdom of Man—

-and into the Kingdom of Monsters.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Technically the story can't start without the magic words.

What were they again?

Ah, that's right.

Once Upon a Time….