Undertale: Of Man and Monster
Chapter Ten: A Thorn in the Heart
"I will keep them safe your majesties. No traitor shall lay a hand upon them." Dobo vowed before the King and Queen. Asriel and Chara stood by my side at the mouth opening to Waterfall. Everyone wore a forlorn face, but through some form of miracle we were all able to keep ourselves together. Marigold had arrived with Asgore and Toriel to wish us goodbye and good luck. I was pleasantly surprised.
"This is not goodbye my children." Toriel's words were heavy with heartbreak. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "Please, be good. Take care of one another and stay close to Aster. You will not have to hide for long. This will all be over soon."
"We'll come for you when it's safe." Asgore smiled sadly. "Stay determined. You three are the future of Humans and Monsters. When we come for you, I'll persuade Tori to bake a nice big pie. We'll have a nice party and declare a holiday across the whole Underground. Be good, won't you?" Asriel and Chara nodded, seemingly in shock. Asgore's smile turned bittersweet. Right now, he wasn't King… but a father. A father who was forced to send away his children for their own protection. I could feel the two parents' heartbreak as if it were my own.
Marigold looked at me, worry etched into her face.
"When you come home, I'd very much like to have a quiet night on the town with you. Our first date wasn't the lightest of affairs." I gave her a little grin to help ease her nerves. Monsters never ceased to amaze me. She cared for me after just a few hours together. Same with Toriel and Asgore in the beginning. They didn't have to help me, give me shelter and time to recover. My friends were amazing people to be sure.
"I'd like that." I said softly. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. We'll be back in no time."
"See you soon mom, dad." Asriel whimpered, barely able to hold back his tears. The lad was being so strong, just like his sister.
"This isn't goodbye." Chara stated, her tone soft. "I love you, mom and dad." She smiled, gently grabbing her brother's paw.
"I'm sorry, but we need to move." Dobo, flanked by his two most trusted warriors growled. His shifty eyes were ever on the lookout for a threat.
"C'mon kiddos, we have to go." I whispered to the children, placing a paw on their shoulders. Guiding them into the dimly lit cave, I took one last look back before trudging onward. That final glimpse of Toriel, Asgore and Marigold; their sorrowful, uncertain eyes glinting in the light… it filled me with DETERMINATION.
Turquoise water flowed in quiet streams down the myriad paths of Waterfall. Gemstones twinkled like stars in the ceiling high above. Motes of light flitted from the surface of the waters, magical run-off from the Core probably to blame. Small trees and stands of grass breathed life into the caverns, infused with a bright blue aura from the water. Waterfall was breathtakingly beautiful, the perfect contrast between darkness and silver light. Tall echo flowers were in full bloom across the paths we treaded, whispering their secrets as we passed them by.
Early on, I'd relieved Asriel and Chara of their packs. I wanted them to conserve their strength, and I was strong enough to carry not only all of our gear, but the two children to boot for a couple of hours. Dobo led us to a clearing amidst a field of towering grass. On our left, the grass broke into a glowing river bordered by water sausages. On the right, the field continued on, interrupted by the occasional echo flower.
"This should be far enough." Dobo told us. I gladly dropped the packs I held as Dobo and his men did the same. The kids sat down on the rich soil, glad to have this merciful rest. I did the same.
"You guys want anything? Gotta be hungry after all that walking." Dobo and his two guards declined, but Asriel and Chara appeared happy.
"Can I have a sandwich?" Asriel asked hopefully, giving me his patented puppy dog eyes. I broke under the adorable green gaze.
"You can have anything you want kiddo. I'm not rationing you like prisoners!"
"Could I have some fruit then?" Chara inquired, refusing to play on my soft heart like her brother. I gave them both a nod and smiled.
"Sure. Let me just…" Rummaging around in the pack, I found what I was looking for. Two plastic bags, one containing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the other, a medley of apple; pear and peach slices. Retrieving two bottles of water, I handed the kids their food and drink. Asriel took a big bite out of his sandwich, getting food all over his mouth. Chara was a bit more refined, nibbling slowly on an apple wedge. Warmth filled my chest as I watched them. Those two were just the purest little cinnamon buns in the whole world.
"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Chara asked me, noticing how I didn't get anything for myself. I shook my head.
"Not yet. I'm just not really hungry, but thanks for caring Chara." The princess blushed, her rosy cheeks flooding with color.
"Look who has a crush on uncle Aster!" Asriel teased, his mouth smudged with peanut butter and jelly.
Pain exploded in the center of my chest. Asriel and Chara were staring at me, their faces twisted by horror. It was all so sudden, I couldn't even think as my paws felt the wound and touched an arrow's shaft.
"What?" I whispered in shock, looking down at the stick of wood embedded in my heart. Red bloomed from the injury, filling the air with the scent of copper and fear.
"Sorry friend." Dobo muttered coldly. I looked up at him. He was holding a crossbow, as were his two lackeys. Theirs' were ready to fire. "I need your SOUL to cross the barrier. This isn't personal." His eyes softened. "I'm sorry it had to be this way, but our people come first. They always come first." He gestured at the kids, frozen by fear. "Faraday, take the prince and head back to base. Haggart. Kill the Human."
"No…" I garbled weakly, blood spilling from my mouth. Everything was fast going numb. I wasn't going to last much longer. "I'm sorry." I whispered to the kids, tears falling from my eyes. I failed them. We were going to die because I was stupid and complacent. Dobo was the traitor, but who would've guessed? Haggart's crossbow twanged as Asriel let out a warbled cry. I watched, unable to do a damned thing as he leaped in front of Chara. The crossbow bolt hit him squarely in the head. There was no blood. Before my very eyes the Prince of all Monsters vanished in a cloud of Dust. My vision went dark to screams and choking sobs. I died as Asriel's ivory SOUL shattered.
My eyes flashed open. A phantom pain still stung within my chest, my body remembering quite clearly the bolt that pierced its heart. We were back, I was back at the mouth of the tunnel. That bastard Dobo and his killers stood behind us. Toriel, Asgore and Marigold were solemn, summoning the courage to say their goodbyes. Chara and Asriel stood before me, unharmed. Taking a few moments to collect myself, a new emotion exploded within my SOUL. Hatred. Pure rage hot enough to melt through to the earth's core. Flexing my fingers, I readied the magic lying just beneath my hide. My eyes flashed red, ghostly crimson fire flaring around my sockets. Before anyone could react, I spun on the spot and threw a blast of force from my palms with a scream.
"GO!" I roared, pushing the kids back with a simple gesture. Asgore and Toriel caught them easily. Everyone was far too shocked to say a word. Muttering my mantra, I threw up a ward around the royal family and Marigold. The bubble thrummed with power, a shimmering wall borne of my will to protect the innocent.
The tremendous force of my attack sent Dobo's henchmen flying. They smacked into the sides of the tunnel with a sickening crunch, falling to the floor in unconscious heaps. Only Dobo was left standing. Deep ruts carved in the earth told of how he'd braced himself, being pushed back several meters but otherwise unscathed.
"Traitor!" I roared. Golden flames flared into life in my paws. "Are you just another thug? You swore to guard the innocent!" Dobo just looked at me sadly.
"There's no point in hiding the truth at this point." He shrugged, drawing the axes belted to his waist. "I orchestrated the plot Aster, but I take no enjoyment in what I must do." You had to be kidding me. I snarled, bestial sounds escaping my snout.
"What you must do? I had no idea you have to MURDER CHILDREN!" I was beyond livid.
"It's been whispering to me Aster." Dobo's eyes went cold. "It gave me visions… the future is doomed you fool! I have to become strong. I need power if the world is to survive!" My rage lessened.
"Are you insane? Has the despair of imprisonment broken you Dobo?" Tears gathered in Dobo's eyes.
"The Demon who comes when its name is called. Its coming Aster. It's coming to devour everything. Nothing will survive. All the world will be extinguished if we aren't prepared!" That name annihilated all my hatred and anger. My blood was cold, sluggish from fear. Absolute horror consumed my heart like a disease.
"No! No, no, NO!" I screamed hysterically. This can't be happening. He's lying, he has to be, but how would he know that name? "The Demon's supposed to be dead!"
"You know of it?" Dobo looked about ready to faint. "Then you should know we stand no chance. Out of all the heroes to challenge the dreaded creature, only Amare fought and was victorious. She saved the world, but now she's long gone." I didn't know what to say. I was actually relieved when Dobo charged, the intent to kill glittering in his eyes. Red light bloomed from my chest. My soul hovered inches from my heart.
"Stop!" I shouted, casting a wave of blue light. There was nowhere to go despite his speed. He was helpless as blue light ensnared him, body and SOUL. "If what you say is true, we shouldn't be fighting." I pleaded in desperation. Frozen in blue, Dobo grinned.
"I've been anticipating this day." He smirked. With a roar he broke my spell, shrugging off shards of blue as they quickly vanished. Shit. A pit formed in my stomach. So, he'd been hiding the true extent of his strength. This was going to one hell of a fight. I wasn't looking forward to dying yet again.
Dobo was a blur even in that massive armor of his. I'd barely the chance to dodge when hot pain bloomed across my side.
"Give up. You don't have to suffer." Dobo advised, flinging red off an axe. My paw darted to my side, where excruciating pain began blossoming in earnest. Warm blood spilled from between my fingers. He'd gotten in a good slash up my side. Baring my pointed teeth, I flung ropes of golden fire about the tunnel. Dobo's armor shone as he effortlessly dodged my flames, poising his blades for another strike.
Swinging through the air, white crescents shot from his axes. I leapt back before they smashed into the ground, cracking stone and sending pebbles flying. Dobo's eyes flashed in front of mine. I yelped in shock. How could he move so fast?! Glimmers of light trailed through the air as his axes danced in a lethal fury. I didn't feel a thing, until he landed a kick to my gut that send me flying. Skidding on the stone, I coughed up blood. The smell of it filled my nostrils. That was when I felt it. Screaming, I clutched at my chest. My vision went hazy and red. Dobo was merciless, cutting my torso to ribbons of flesh.
In a flash he was standing over me. Dobo rose an axe, preparing to finish me off. I just stared, narrowing my eyes as the world became agony. My SOUL shuddered as the aegis around my friends shattered.
"I'll release your SOUL Aster, when it's no longer needed." His snout crinkled in a frown. "I won't deny you a well-deserved rest." He brought down his axe. Waiting for the inevitable, a spark of red filled my vision. Asgore's trident sailed through the air, severing Dobo's arm from the shoulder. He howled, clutching at the Dust rising from his wound.
Staggering back, Dobo faced the King and Queen in all their glory. Asgore's eyes were hard, his snout twisted in rage.
"I trusted you, old friend." He growled deeply, summoning another trident into his massive paws. Gleaming red light cast the King's features into deep shadow. "This is unforgiveable." Orange fire encircled the traitor, flames burning with the intensity to melt steel down to slag. Clenching his fist, Asgore extinguished his fire. Where Dobo had stood was a puddle of molten metal. There was no Dust to be found, having been consumed by the blaze. Asgore stood by the mouth of the tunnel, panting as he let his weapon fade into nothingness.
"Aster!" Toriel cried. I barely heard her feet touch the ground. "Stay determined. So help me god, you will not perish now!" Toriel's auburn eyes came into view as she knelt down beside me. Holding her paws over my ruined chest, fire burned in her gaze as green light coalesced over the wounds. I moaned, feeling my flesh writhe. Green filled my eyes, it was all I could see. Slowly, the pain began to fade. Energy poured into my muscles. The wounds itched as they knitted themselves together. Soon enough, Toriel had me right as rain. Lying on the ground, I sighed when the final dregs of pain were washed clean.
Giant paws scooped me up into a gentle embrace.
"We heard everything." Asgore informed me. I looked up into his bright blue eyes. There were tears leaking down into the fur of his cheeks. "I couldn't stand and watch, but your ward endured so much damage…"
"Asriel and Chara, are they hurt?" I asked my King. Asgore smiled.
"Why don't you ask them yourself?" With me in his arms like a damsel in distress, Asgore turned to his children. I flinched at their expressions. Asriel and even Chara, wore faces of complete shock. Their eyes were red from crying. The royal children appeared haunted, traumatized by what they saw. Marigold was just sitting, eyes wide. I looked back to Asgore.
"Can I walk?"
"Oh, yes, of course!" He looked sheepish. Once my feet hit the floor, I wasted no time in making my way to the three. Asgore and Toriel were quick on my heels.
Kneeling in front of the children, I smiled softly and ruffled the hair on their heads.
"It's done." I said calmly. "We're safe now. The danger is passed."
"What about the Demon?" Marigold's voice was hoarse. I paled at the name, a strange dread settling in my heart. I had to tell them what I knew. If that… thing, was truly making its return, we needed a plan of action. Scooping Asriel and Chara into my arms, warmth blossomed in my SOUL as they pressed themselves against me, perhaps afraid if they let go my Dust would be swept away.
"There's a legend you need to hear. I'll tell you everything I know, but first…" I made sure the kids were comfortable in my arms.
"Let me put the children to bed." Toriel came forward. I returned her children, watching as they nuzzle up in her soft robes. "This has not been easy for them." She sighed. "Everything will be fine, my little flowers. Let us go home and put this awful night behind us."
Marigold stood and approached me. With shaking paws she gave me a light punch on the shoulder. Her green eyes were warm with relief.
"I was terrified. You almost died. I can't believe Dobo was behind this, the captain of the Royal Guard…" I nodded in agreement. No one saw it coming. Perhaps whatever 'visions' had been plaguing him finally set him over the edge? Now that he was Dust, we would never know. Guilt bit at my heart.
"I didn't want him to die." I whispered so only Marigold could hear. "I have this feeling he didn't want to go through with it, but felt compelled by duty…" Marigold shuddered.
"That's kind of what it felt like." She admitted. "But it's over, so we can move on." Marigold gave me a sly grin.
"After getting your ass handed to you, I'm going to make sure you get plenty of rest. Your wounds may be healed, but I'm certain some time spent recuperating will do wonders for the SOUL." I had to agree. Dobo's betrayal left me feeling as if the ceiling had collapsed.
"Aster, perhaps you should stay with Marigold for the time being." Asgore suggested, walking back to apprehend Dobo's affiliates. Throwing them over his shoulders, the criminals looked nothing more than naughty children beside Asgore's might.
"Do you object Marigold? It is clear Dobo did not work alone, and with their leadership crumbled, they may become desperate." Marigold smiled.
"No, it's fine. Besides my company, I also possess a certain resort." She turned to look at me, her eyes shining. "It's down in Snowdin, but I think the Riverperson will be happy to give us a ride." A few days to come to terms would be excellent. Getting to see Snowdin would be great as well. When I'd passed through the winter wonderland with my entourage, I wasn't exactly conscious.
"Would you mind if Asriel and Chara could go as well? My husband and I would appreciate it if you two could watch them while we… take care of business." Marigold and I cringed at the coldness in her voice towards the end.
"I would be honored to host the prince and princess, Toriel." Marigold curtseyed. "I think some fun is exactly what they need." I couldn't agree more. Not after having to experience our own deaths. I was filled with a renewed sense of determination to help them have a great time. It was the least I could do, after failing them. If I had lost that strange power, to will time itself to become undone… we would all be dead. I felt guilt crawl up my back. The image of Asriel's pure SOUL breaking was burned in my mind, a reminder of what thankfully, had not been.