In the moments following the battle's end, Sans had come to dread facing Papyrus afterward. The look on his face as Sans pulled him aside was heartbreaking by itself, but hearing him speak was another thing entirely.

"How?" Papyrus said. "How could you kill him like that? I-I just don't understand…"

Sans averted his gaze, staring at the ceiling of citadel corridor they had moved to, away from Momorin's attention. The emotions that had been previously kept away by apathy had charged right back into Sans's mind to disorienting effect. He couldn't bear to look his brother in the eye sockets. Not right now.

"Look, bro," Sans muttered, "I appreciate you stepping up and taking care of things back there. I really do. But if I hadn't stepped in right when I did, you would have died."

"I know that!" Papyrus snapped. "That didn't mean you had to kill anyone! I… I never thought you capable of doing something like that! And since when could you use Gaster blasters, anyway?"

"I don't have as much control over my magic as you do. Non-lethal combat isn't really-" Sans suddenly cut himself off. The speed at which his head turned was enough that he nearly broke his own neck from whiplash. "-Wait, hold on. What was that last bit?"

"…Gaster blasters?"

"Yeah, that," Sans replied, trying to ignore the inexplicable chill running up his spine. "What exactly does that mean?"

"You know what I mean, Sans!" said Papyrus. "They're those freaky-looking laser skulls!"

Sans paused. Seeing his brother distraught was hurtful, but now… now there was something else. A slow unease building up within his chest cavity. Never at any point in his memory had Sans ever known the name of the specialized weapon he used.

"That's not what I was trying to ask," said Sans. He spoke with and uncharacteristic quickness, his usual laid-back tone subtly wavering. "That name. Where did you hear that name?"

Papyrus looked taken aback by the question. "Gaster… Gaster blaster… hmmm." He put a hand to his chin and scratched it thoughtfully. "Well, isn't that the strangest thing? Now that I actually take the time to think about it, I have no idea how I know that name!"

Sans let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Though he didn't know why, he wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

"However!" Papyrus continued, suddenly raising his voice. "That is entirely beside the point! The point is that you killed someone, Sans!"

Sans shook his head. "Bro, I'm sorry. I love you, really. But I really do think it's unfair for you to fault me for trying to save our lives. If you'd just let me negotiate with those guys to begin with, we wouldn't have even needed to get in a fight."

"Oh…" Papyrus's voice suddenly went quiet. "I see how it is. I finally understand now. This is all because you don't believe in me either."

Sans threw his hands up. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on a second, Papyrus. That's not-"

"Don't play dumb, Sans!" Papyrus shouted. "I know that Undyne's been keeping me from joining the Royal Guard! For my entire life, I've wanted literally nothing more than that! And I mean literally literally!"

Sans blinked. "She did what?"

"You heard me! It's always been my dream to be a Guard like her! And this whole time she's… she's pretended to support me, all while keeping me from reaching my goal! Like she thinks I'll never be good enough! And now there's you too! You… you don't even think I'm good enough to handle a few two-bit ruffians! For God's sake Sans, you're my own brother! I… I can't believe…"

Papyrus couldn't manage to finish his sentence before he collapsed onto his knees. His speech devolved into gross, incoherent sobs. He feebly covered his face, trying to hide the tears that now freely flowed from his eye sockets.

Sans stood completely motionless as he watched the scene before him. There were no words he could think of that were worth saying, none that could even begin to describe what he felt. He slowly reached out a hand, as if to place it on Papyrus's shoulder in a comforting gesture, but stopped just short of touching him. Finally, he pulled his hand back, placed both hands in his pockets, and turned his head away to stare at the ground.

Had Sans been able to see his own face, he would have noticed that for the first time in his life, he wasn't smiling at all.

After what felt like an eternity, the sobs finally died down. Papyrus sniffled, producing a hollow whistle in his nasal cavity, before standing back up

"I-I'm sorry, Sans. I know you mean well," said Papyrus. "I really do. It just feels like you've always been kind of… patronizing. Like you think it's best for me that I don't know what you're up to. And though I don't know what it is… I know there's a lot you've been hiding from me."

"Hm?" Sans turned his head back upwards, and looked his brother face-to-face. Despite his distraught state, there was an unmistakable sense of trust in the way he looked into Sans's eye sockets.

"I know you probably think you're protecting me by not letting me get involved in your affairs," said Papyrus. "But when you're not lazing about, you're always disappearing to God-knows-where and doing God-knows-what. And whatever it is, it's obviously very important to you. I just… I wish I felt like you trusted me enough to tell me. I'm not wrong to think this, am I?"

Sans sighed. "No, not at all. You're right that I'm trying to protect you. When we were in the Underground, I learned a few things about the world we live in. Things that made me spend the rest of my days wishing I could unlearn them. There's no way I could burden you with that."

"Sans, you're being ridiculous! You and I are a family! There's no burden that you'll have to bear alone!"

"Sorry, Papyrus," said Sans. "That's just how it is."

Papyrus frowned and grumbled to himself. "Alright then! I see how it is. If you won't share with me your secret, then perhaps…" he paused for a second, and stroked his chin. "Eureka! I've got it! How about we trade our secrets instead?"

"Trade?"

"Of course!" Papyrus replied. "Think of it not as telling me your secret, but as a… transaction of sorts. A mutual exchange of hidden information! I'll tell you one of my own secrets, and you can tell me yours! What do you think? Will you trade secrets with me?"

"Huh," said Sans. "Not a bad idea. I might do that."

"Great! Without further ado, here is my secret!" Papyrus cleared his throat loudly, and then bent over and whispered next to Sans's skull, right where his ear would be if he had ears to call his own. "Just between you and me… I don't actually hate your puns. In fact, I actually really like them!"

"Whoa, really?" said Sans. "That's nice to hear. Why do you always act so annoyed, then?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Papyrus replied. "I have a reputation to maintain! How can I, the Great Papyrus, be loved by millions when they see that I adore such corny jokes? They'll think I have an atrocious sense of humor! Can you imagine?"

"Wow. Sucks for them to think that way," said Sans.

"I know, right? It's such a difficult sacrifice to make! But enough about that, what's your secret?"

"Whoa there," said Sans. "Who said anything about me telling you my secret?"

"What?! Sans, you promised we would trade!"

Sans gave his brother a sly wink. "Sorry bro, I didn't say I would do that. I said I might."

"NYEH! Curse you and the exactness of your words!" Papyrus exclaimed, trying his hardest to stop himself from giggling. "Fine then! If you don't feel comfortable telling me, that's okay. But should you ever change your mind, I will be the first to find out! That, I promise you!"

"Sounds good to me," said Sans. "Come on, let's go meet with Momorin outside. We've kept her waiting long enough."

The rest of the journey through the Sand Zone was met with few other obstacles. Sans's shortcuts made quick work of the occasional deadly spike pits that sporadically appeared in the landscape, and what little monster wildlife remained after the Island's near collapse didn't seem interested in bothering them… though it probably helped that Sans gave a very intense glare to any giant hummingbird that came to close.

Eventually, the group came to the westernmost wall of the Sand Zone, forming a sheer cliff. Looking up from the base of the cliff, Sans could see a series of blocks inexplicably hovering in the air, forming a group of platforms leading upwards. At the end of the stone platforms was a large alcove in the cliff wall, with a small, quant-looking house nestled inside of it.

"Climbing these platforms would normally be difficult, but I believe you can handle it," said Momorin. "Isn't that right, Sans?"

"Say no more," said Sans. "Close your eyes and hold my hand."

Sans's next shortcut brought Momorin to the edge of the Alcove, with Jenka's house straight in front of them. Papyrus soon arrived after them, his floaty, physics-defying jumps easily traversing the blocky platforms.

"Hooray!" said Papyrus. "We've made it!"

"Sure have," said Sans. "Let's just cross our fingers that this Jenka lady will be able to help us."

Without another word, the three of them approached the door, hoping that their destination would lead them closer to their lost friends and family.

It seemed almost impossible to imagine, but Jenka's life had somehow become even lonelier than it used to be. She knew it was inevitable, that there would one day come someone who could finish the job that she set out to do… yet it was no less painful to think about. The five dogs she lived with were nice to have around, but they could not replace what she had lost.

Her house, miraculously, had survived the catastrophe that struck the Island upon the Core's destruction. It was a simple home, with only a rudimentary bed, a fireplace, and a few stray pots. She hadn't even bothered to place any wards to protect it. Maybe it was because she knew few things were strong enough to kill her. Maybe it was because she simply didn't care if something did. As she contemplated her own isolation, the fireplace crackled with smokeless flame of her own conjuration, the dogs curled up against each other beside its warmth, sound asleep.

Then, suddenly, there came a knock at the door. One of the dogs lazily lifted its head and barked, then promptly went back to its nap.

"Now who could that be?" Jenka wondered aloud. "Come in!"

With a creeeaak, the door opened, and in walked a green-haired woman wearing a lab coat, one that Jenka immediately recognized as the mark of the numerous scientists that had visited the Island. But what truly caught her attention were her two companions: a pair of skeletons with a human stature, one short and the other longer.

"Well, isn't this a surprise!" Jenka said, greeting the woman. "I'm happy to see one of you survived the events of last year. What was your name again?"

"It's Momorin. We met last year, during our initial expedition. These two are friends of mine, Sans and Papyrus." She gestured to her two traveling companions, introducing each of them.

"Uh… hey," said Sans. Jenka could feel his magic probing at her psychically, perhaps even unconsciously, trying to sense her power. There was a small bead of sweat dripping down his forehead, as he clearly realized how much stronger she was than him.

She put the thought out of her mind when the other Skeleton, Papyrus, introduced herself. "Greetings, human! Wait… Sans, she's a witch, right? Are witches human?"

Jenka smiled. "Indeed, I am, as are most witches. And you're quite curious, aren't you? You almost remind me of Balrog."

"Oh, you know Balrog?" said Momorin.

Jenka let out a soft, wistful chuckle. "Oh yes, very much so. He was originally a soulless being, you know. A magical construct created as a thrall to the Demon Crown's true master. But over many years, I watched as he began to develop a heart of his very own. I don't think he quite understands the extent of the crimes he was forced to commit, but he really is a sweet fellow.

"Oh, but listen to me! I must be rambling again. I apologize, you're here for something else, aren't you?"

"Yes, actually," said Momorin. "There was a teleporter accident a while ago, us and several others were teleported to random locations. We were hoping you could locate them for us."

Jenka frowned. "Ah... I'm afraid that would be rather difficult, even for one of my power. Teleportation is a dangerous business, and the technology you use is far beyond my understanding. I can send you wherever you like, but I'm afraid I lack the knowledge to track teleportation done by machines."

"Actually, uh… we just need to go to the Island's surface," said Sans. "The teleporter probably keeps some kind of log of its activity, and if we go back to where we came from, we should be able to work something out. Do you think you could help us?"

"That I can do, yes," Jenka replied. "Whenever you're ready, I can send you to the New Mimiga Village. But why don't you stay a while first and keep me company? It's not often I have visitors these days."

"I'm sorry, but we need to leave right away," said Momorin. "It's important that we find the others as soon as possible."

The words almost stung to hear. It had been a long time since she'd spoken to anyone, yet it felt longer.

"I see," said Jenka. "I will admit, I am disappointed. But I understand that saving your loved ones is important. The three of you hold hands and I'll send you back to the Village. Ready?"

"Ready."

Momorin held her hands out by her sides, and each one was grabbed by one of the two skeletons. Focusing her inner magic, Jenka called upon the energy of the Void, and the space between the inside of her hut and the village opened to reveal a tunnel through the fabric of dimensions. In less than an instant, Momorin and her skeletal companions were sucked through the tunnel and deposited on the other side. In even less of an instant, the tunnel was closed and the fabric of space returned to normal.

Jenka let out a sigh of content, and walked over to the fireplace, kneeling down to scratch one of her dogs on the head. Though seeing her guests leave so quickly was saddening, she was more than happy for a chance to see another living soul. Ever since Ballos was defeated.

A pang of regret struck right at her heart. She closed her eyes and a single tear rolled down her cheek. The dog she was petting responded with a sympathetic whimper, bringing himself closer to Jenka's embrace.

"Oh Sisu, give me strength…"

Before she could finish her prayer, her ears were crossed with a series of aggressive barks and growls. Startled, she jumped back, the dog in her arms fleeing to the corner, where all the other dogs were hiding, one among them barking at something at the house's other end.

A shiver suddenly made its way down Jenka's spine. She turned around, and was faced with a monster of massive proportions. He looked like a mimiga, yet he stood taller and bore the horns of a boss monster, the rare breed that had been not been seen since the two mimiga rulers left the Island. It wore a robe blacker than midnight, and a pair of dark streaks were painted beneath its eyes. And most frighteningly of all, both of its eyes were a featureless pool of red, radiating anger and madness that rivaled even Ballos.

The creature smiled, his fangs glistening in the dim light. "Greetings. I am Samael."