There is a child standing in front of you.
You recognize the child. Vaguely, from another dream, but also from another life.
"Frisk." The name feels like poison on your lips. The child laughs, and laughs, and laughs.
"No! Don't you remember me, partner?" They smile big and hold up their knife, tapping it on their own temple smugly.
"Chara." The name feels more right. You'd grown so used to the thing weighing on your back that you didn't even notice it until it starts wriggling excitedly at the sound of that name. Suddenly, you have a vision. A flash of something shining in the trees. Standing on the edge of a precipice. Being pushed. Falling. "You pushed me… why?" You feel betrayed. Chara's face scrunches up.
"You're the only one who can ruin this. You have a tendency to tamper with fate, which was useful, for a while. But I like things the way they are now. And I can't simply kill you, because - I'll be honest with you, since we're old friends - I don't know how you did it. The saves. The resets. Killing you might mess it up. I had to push you," They spread their arms wide, "But now…! You're still alive, but you can never leave! And now, I can enact my revenge on humanity in peace. It's perfect, don't you think?" Boiling with anger, you take a step forward.
"I'll find a way out! I'll reset it all again!" Chara is largely unfazed, even though you tower over them threateningly.
"You can try. In fact, I look forward to it. But remember, there are two keys," They giggle, barely able to contain their mirth, "And you don't have either of them!" The thing on your back gurgles and moans, demanding your attention. You cover your ears, straining to block it out. Still laughing at your misery, the child reaches forward and pushes you back. They are stronger than they look, and you trip and stumble, falling… falling… falling…
You wake up.