Chapter Ten: The Core
Chara and Frisk felt like they were falling for an eternity, the very fabric of space and time distorting around them almost as they fell. After said eternity, they landed on the ground, catching themselves before they hurt their heads. Once they picked themselves up, they looked around.
"What… What is this place?" Chara asked. "It seems… familiar… but why?"
"I… I think this is the Core," Frisk said. "At least… that's what… the memories I think I've seen of it tell me… I… feel the magic is similar."
"Well, let's hope that we can get out of here if we have to," Chara said. "This can't be a good place to end up, but I'm sure we'll be fine."
"Chara, this is said to be the home of one or more of the gods," Frisk said. "We can't just lightly tread in here. We have to be very, very careful so as not to make ourselves unwelcome."
"I guess you're right." Chara said.
"Right," Frisk nodded. "But… be careful."
"Why are you telling me to be careful?" Chara chuckled. "You're the one who should be way more careful than me, miss "I tripped over my own feet once in my own house"."
"That was one time," Frisk pouted. "It didn't happen again."
"Well," Chara chuckled. "I sure thought it was amusing. But, let's keep going on and see what we can see."
They walked through the strange place Frisk described as the Core. Frisk felt the magical energies distorting and Chara saw the visuals distorting.
As they walked, they just couldn't shake the feeling they were being watched. It was a disturbing feeling, one they couldn't shake, especially in this creepy place.
The very atmosphere of the place was a distorted amalgamation of purples and greys all mixed in a machine like look. The entire place seemed to be a machine or the inner workings of a living organism that was pulsing with life. It had strange glowing portions that seemed to be lights or veins along the organism.
"This… is incredible," Chara said.
"I can tell that as well," Frisk nodded. "But, where are we going?"
"We're going to wherever the lights are pointing." Chara said. "The door behind us is gone."
"Do you… feel like we're being watched?" Frisk asked, a little nervous.
"Kinda," Chara nodded. "It's definitely something I was thinking. How about you?"
"Yeah," Frisk nodded. "I can feel it too. Someone else's magic is nearby and I can tell it's very powerful."
"Me too," Chara held Frisk close. "Stick close."
"Right," Frisk nodded.
The two walked deeper into the Core, trying to find any sense of another person. They could not, however, and continued walking.
Eventually, they arrived in what looked like a control room. They saw what looked like a five year old sitting at the desk in the center.
The 'child' wore a lab coat that went down to her waist. She wore white pants that went with the lab coat. She wore a blue turtleneck under the lab coat that showed itself. The woman herself seemed to have a yellowish skin tone. Another thing to note was that she had red eyes. Her hair was blonde and was frazzled and a complete mess. She wore a pair of glasses that seemed a bit nerdy, but not too much so.
She turned and saw the two visitors, gasping in shock.
"Sweet cheese and crackers!" She exclaimed. "You two weren't supposed to find me quite yet!"
"Who are you?" Chara asked.
"W-Well," The 'child' nervously chuckled. "I… I'm… well"
"You're Alphys," Frisk said. "Goddess and guardian of the Core."
"Bingo," The 'child', Alphys chuckled nervously again, rubbing the back of her head. "That's me, Alpha."
"Was it you that pushed us in here?" Chara asked.
"No, that was my assistant, Maria Kate," Alphys said. "That's not her real name, but it goes better than what the other goddesses used."
"What did they use?" Frisk asked.
"Monster Kid," Alphys sighed, crossing her arms. "It was really insensitive of them to name her that. But, they only did it because she was the previous monster that RESET the world."
"She was?" Frisk asked, her eyes widening as a girl materialized in front of her and Chara.
The girl, who looked to be a little younger than Frisk and Chara, was also wearing a lab coat. She had a brown and yellow turtleneck on with brown pants. She had a mop of blonde hair almost as messy as Alphys'. Her eyes were also red.
"Red eyes," Alphys said, glanding at her. "The sign of a goddess… or one touched by one. Clearly you've encountered one, Chara, in some sense or another. Though, I'm not exactly sure how…"
Frisk, at this point, paled. She knew there were some secrets that this goddess might bring to light… some secrets Chara didn't need to know.
"What do you mean?" Chara asked.
"Well," Alphys said. "My best friend, a goddess as well, went to the human world several years ago. You would have been five. But, she didn't return and I felt her magic leave her…"
"What does that mean?" Frisk asked.
"Well," Alphys sighed heavily. "Goddesses and gods typically look like me in terms of age if we're not super old. My friend and I were the same age, thus we looked a similar age. However, if our magic is removed from us, we age at the same rate as humans."
"That's… odd," Chara sighed. "But, I'm not sure how that affects us."
"Well, you've clearly been touched by a goddess," Alphys said. "Or… nevermind. But, you getting with an Alpha is quite interesting indeed. I think it's pretty awesome… I wrote all kinds of fanfictions on them. Wanna read some?"
"I'd rather not," Chara said. "But, let me guess, your friend went to the Ebbot area, didn't she?"
"That's where she went, yes," Alphys nodded, her look sad. "I just wish I could find her somehow. If there's any way you could think back to tell me…"
"She must have meant a lot to you," Frisk said.
"Of course," Alphys nodded enthusiastically. "She always stuck up for me to the other gods and she was always cool to be around. But, I… I just can't sense her in any way."
"What was her power?" Frisk asked, not liking the fact she was almost compelled to ask… she already knew the answer to the question… and she didn't like that she knew everything pertaining to this.
"She had the power over life and death," Alphys said.
"That's pretty awesome," Chara said with amusement.
"The problem is," Alphys sighed. "If someone stole her magic, that means they can effectively use it against anyone other than her. Only she is immune to the death her magic can bring. However, were she to be killed, the magic would return to the Aether, becoming unusable.
"So, they'd have to keep her alive then…" Chara said. "The only people I know who have red eyes are me, that weird chief guy and… my mother… So either of them could have taken the goddess and held her hostage.
"Those are distinct possibilities," Alphys nodded sullenly. "I certainly hope that we could find her quickly."
"I do too," Alphys nodded. "I hope she's safe. Those beasts could be doing terrible things to her."
"Why can't I just go get her?" Maria Kate asked, standing next to Alphys. "I could trace her magic and bring it back."
"It isn't that simple," Alphys said. "If it was, I would have tried it myself. Whoever stole her power is someone who not only knows about the goddesses, but also knows how to remove their powers. That is certainly a dangerous individual to know."
"Right," Chara said. "We'll just have to be careful."
"Y-You're going to help me?" Alphys asked.
"Of course," Chara said. "Can't let a goddess be hurt by the monsters of the world."
"Chara, you can't!" Frisk grabbed Chara's arm.
"Why not?" Chara asked. "I have to help somehow."
"It isn't like that," Frisk shook her head. "There are things you don't understand… things you shouldn't have to understand."
"I know," Chara said. "But, I'm not gonna let someone be hurt like that. The problem is how am I gonna find this goddess if she was taken? It can't be the easiest thing in the world to locate someone who's magicless… I guess I could start in places that would hide her."
"If it's either of the two mentioned, you could start in their headquarters," Alphys said. "But, that's dangerous either way."
"Chara, don't do this," Frisk plead with her. "It's far too dangerous for you to do."
"I know," Chara shrugged. "But, if she's in the hands of either my bitch of a mother or that agency shithead, I'll make sure to take away the advantage they have if I can. It's not for them to have."
"You certainly are a neutralist," Alphys said.
"Extreme neutralist," Frisk said. "But, that's not her fault. She hasn't known anything else."
"I understand," Alphys said. "I was watching you two. You've both been through hardships and I hope you find peace in all of this."
"Would you… would you know where my parents are?" Frisk asked tentatively. "I… I just want to know for closure. I figure you'd be watching close enough to know and… you understand, right?"
"Yeah, I do," Alphys nodded. "I hope you don't get mad at what I tell you, though."
"I won't," Frisk shook her head. "I promise."
"That's a relief," Alphys wiped her forehead.
"Well…" Alphys began. "Your parents were once in the Sorcerers group, but they worked very closely with a few of us gods and goddesses. See, we asked them to keep some tabs on some of the more dangerous groups in the area and they agreed to help us. They were strong mages in their own rights. Your mother had the power of telekinesis and your father was a fire mage. But, when she discovered she was pregnant, your mother knew she couldn't keep you."
"Why… Why not?" Frisk asked nervously.
"She knew it was far too dangerous," Alphys sighed. "The life she lived and your father lived weren't lives that a baby needs to grow up in. That became abundantly clear once she realized you were the Alpha. She knew she couldn't keep you safe and continue to be a Sorcerer. So, she left you with a friend and my partner went to watch over you as well… that was when she disappeared."
"So, it's my fault that she disappeared…" Frisk said, slumping a little in her guilt.
"Not at all," Alphys walked over and rose into the air, patting Frisk's shoulder. "Someone as special as you would need divine protection. I suppose since Chara's interacted with her at least once, she would count as well."
"I don't even have magic," Chara said.
"I sense something in you," Alphys said. "I can't tell what, but there's a tiny spark of something in you… though, I don't know how to identify it. Frisk… do you know what it is?"
"…yes," Frisk said quietly, her voice low. "I… I do. I know everything about it…"
"Frisk?" Chara asked, holding her. "Are you okay?"
"I… I am…" Frisk said, holding Chara. "There's just some things that I've been keeping secret for a long time."
"Secrets have a way of making you hurt inside," Alphys said. "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
"I've kept them this long," Frisk said. "I suppose I could keep them longer."
"Do you… do you want to talk about them?" Alphys asked.
"Maybe later," Frisk sighed. "I'm not ready now. But, Chara… please don't try to find her partner… what you'll find will not be pretty…"
"She can't be dead," Alphys said. "Her magic still lingers in the human world."
"What are you getting at?" Chara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The thing is…" Frisk sighed. "I know where… and who the missing goddess is."
With Asriel
"So, you haven't found a single trace of them?" Asriel asked Dogamy.
"Nope," Dogamy sighed. "Sorry, boss."
"You either, Dogaressa?" Asriel asked the female.
"Not quite." Dogaressa said. "I'm sensing they're close, but even my nose is wrong."
"Well, this is a problem," Asriel said. "I suppose they left Waterfall."
"They have discovered the Core," One of the beings said. "It will not be long before Chara understands the truth about herself and Frisk. We must prevent this at all costs."
"It's not exactly that easy," Asriel said. "I'm also trying to run an organization that is supposed to hold back the mafia."
"This organization has been built on lies," The second being said. "You are working for our benefit."
"I'm also trying to keep people safe," Asriel said. "I have to keep someone as evil as mother from abusing what she's taken.
"The power of the goddess is not hers to wield," The being said. "Someone like her doesn't understand how to use something that powerful."
"That's why she allied with Gaster all those years ago…" Asriel muttered. "Because he did."
"I suppose you expect us to help you," The first being said.
"I expect you to explain whether or not you're on the side of the humans or the gods or neither." Asriel said.
"We are on neither side," The second being said. "We are on the side of the monsters."
"I suppose that means you're trying to get Frisk to join your ranks, doesn't it?" Asriel asked.
"That is a secondary goal," The first being said. "If she does not join quietly, we have other ways to force her hand."
"I don't see why you plan to have her join," Asriel said. "Her powers cripple her and aren't offensive."
"Fool!" The second being shouted. "She is regarded as the most powerful mage in existence, almost on the level of gods! If it weren't for the fact that she couldn't use it to its fullest, her clairvoyance would allow her to see the entirety of existence itself, past, present, and future. If her healing weren't preventing her clairvoyance from harming her, she would essentially be immortal. It would prevent her from receiving any sort of damage or even aging. If she were to receive training, she would be able to master her powers and become a very dangerous being indeed."
"I see," Asriel said. "So, you plan to train her."
"If she has not already found a goddess, we will train her in our way," The first being said.
With Frisk, Chara, Alphys, and Maria Kate
"Wait, what?" Alphys asked, shocked. "Y-You do?"
"I do…" Frisk said. "I could sense it the moment I made contact with her."
"I… I see," Alphys said. "And you've been keeping it secret…"
"For her protection," Frisk nodded.
"I understand," Alphys nodded. "I understand… say, I think there's a way you could utilize your abilities to their fullest."
"But… they cripple me," Frisk said.
"well," Alphys said. "I know how to change that. You just need to understand them more."
"R-Really?" Frisk asked. "I-I'll be able to see?"
"Maybe not like a normal human…" Alphys said. "But… your power is far greater than you could understand."
"What… what do you mean?" Chara asked.
"There's a reason a goddess went to watch over her," Alphys said. "That reason is because she is the most powerful Alpha in existence. We wanted to make absolutely sure that she didn't become a monster because the RESET she would cause would possibly wipe out existence itself."
"Interesting to know," Chara shuddered a bit. "I'll keep a good eye on my fiancée."
"I know," Alphys grinned wide. "I've been watching you two."
"That's totally not creepy at all." Chara said.
"Well, good," Alphys said. "I'm glad you think so too."
"That was sarcasm," Chara said.
"Ah, one of those weird human things," Alphys said. "Well, I guess I don't understand it. But, I'm sure you'll be okay. Hopefully, there's some things you can do to help find my partner. I don't want you to force yourselves, but no one needs to control the power that my partner has."
"Speaking of which," Chara said. "what was her name anyway?"
"Evelyn," Frisk said. "The name shared by the first fallen human."
"Oh, that old story?" Chara asked. "I figured it was something they told that made no sense."
"But, deep down, you knew it, right?" Alphys asked.
"I dunno," Chara shrugged. "Memory's fuzzy there. Not the easiest thing to remember in that regard."
"I understand," Alphys said. "But, it was a dark story. Evelyn… my partner… her mother named her that to remind the other gods and goddesses that we aren't without fault and mistakes. It was us that drove her to the extent she went to fall."
"She was the first Alpha too, wasn't she?" Frisk asked.
"She was," Alphys said. "Unfortunately, she had a short life span. But, that's not the point. I hope you can find Evelyn and bring her back safely to me. But… be careful… there's more than just the mafia and the Sorcerers to worry about."
"What else is there?" Chara asked.
"The monsters," Alphys said. "Not all of them died. I only managed to restore one's humanity to her, but the rest are extremely dangerous to you both."
"Be super careful," Maria Kate said. "You have no idea what the other monsters are capable of… they could destroy you easily. Only a god or goddess could defeat them."
"That sounds insane," Frisk said. "I hope we can avoid them altogether."
"It may be harder than you think," Alphys said. "As an Alpha and one touched by a goddess, you two may already be on their radar. Just be careful. I can guide you, though. I have telepathy, so it should be easy to keep in touch if need be."
"Right," Frisk and Chara nodded.
"But, first," Alphys said. "Why not let me show you some more of the Core?"
So, a new development has begun... how interesting. I wonder how this will turn out. Where could Evelyn be? I suppose we'll find out.