Chapter 44: Asriel's Confession and the Angel of HOPE
I open my eyes and I see Asriel back to normal. "Asriel." "I'm so sorry." "Sorry, what for?' "I always was a crybaby, wasn't I, Chara?" "I'm not Chara." "I know. You're not actually Chara, are you?" "Chara's been gone for a long time." "Um... what… What is your name?" I smile. "My name is Michael." " 's...A nice name." Asriel sighs. "Michael, I haven't felt like this for a very long time. As a flower, I was soulless. I lacked the power to love other people. However, with everyone's souls inside me… I not only have my own compassion back… But I can feel every other monster's as well. They all care about each other so much. And, they care about you too Michael." "I wish I could tell you how everyone feels about you. Papyrus. Sans. Undyne. Alphys. Toriel. Monsters are weird. Even though they barely know you… It feels like they all really love you. Haha." Michael, I understand if you can't forgive me. I understand if you hate me. I acted so strange and horrible. I hurt you. I hurt so many people. Friends, family, bystanders… There's no excuse for what I've done."
I freeze. What do I say? He did so many horrible things. He killed my best friend. He murdered my sister. He killed his own father. He tried to kill me. But hearing his story and seeing his flashbacks. The stories from Flowey and Chara. This entire journey. The talks with the SOULS. All the hard work I've done and the sacrifices I made. Every life deserves saving, no matter what. I walk over to Asriel and give him a hug. "I forgive you, Asriel." "Wh...what?" "Michael, come on. You're… You're gonna make me cry again. ... besides, even if you do forgive me… He sighs. "I can't keep these souls inside of me. The least I can do is return them. But first… There's something I have to do. Right now, I can feel everyone's hearts beating as one. They're all burning with the same desire. With everyone's power… With everyone's determination… It's time for monsters… To finally go free." There's a flash of light and an explosion as the room is lit by a bright light. I close my eyes to avoid being blinded yet again.
When I open my eyes, I gasp. "It's gone." "The Barrier." "It's finally gone." I look at Asriel who's sighing. Michael, I have to go now. Without the power of everyone's souls, I can't keep maintaining this form. In a little while… I'll turn back into a flower. I'll stop being "myself." I'll stop being able to feel love again. So. Michael It's best if you just forget about me, OK? Just go be with the people who love you. I walk towards Asriel and give him a hug. "I'll never forget you, Asriel. "You're my friend and I like you no matter what." I hold him close. He starts crying. "Ha. ha. I don't want to let go." After a minute, he lets go.
He's about to walk away when I stop him. "Asriel!" "What is it?" "Do you remember the promise you made to her?" "The promise I made to her?" "To your best friend." "I promised her I would go see her best friend. I would tell them what happened to her. I never got the chance." "Well, now you have your chance." "Michael? You're Chara's best friend?" "She's your best friend too." "I may have known her first, but she was your best friend as well." "Asriel, I know what happened to Chara." "I was a coward. I was weak." "You were not weak. You were compassionate, you were merciful, you saw the good in humans even though they killed you." "I see the good in them too. The humans made my life a living hell but I still see the good in them." "I guess that's what makes me so special." "Wait, but aren't you a human?" I hesitate. Should I tell him? I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't. You know what, no more secrets, he deserves to know the truth. "No, I'm not a human." "Then are you a monster?" "Let me show you." I close my eyes and look deep into my SOUL. "Awaken Child of HOPE, show me your purest form!" There's a flash of light and I'm surrounded in an aura of blue light. "What's happening?" "I have no idea."
When I open my eyes. My eyes are blue, I have white wings and a calm smile on my face. Asriel looks at me in awe. "Michael, is that you?" I smile. "I am Michael, the Angel of HOPE. My CORE trait is HOPE. It's a power far greater than Determination. In the end, HOPE is how I defeated you time and time again. As long as there is HOPE, anything is possible. As long as there is HOPE, Fear cannot win. As long as there's HOPE, this world is worth SAVING." "How is this possible?" "I was created by the mysterious scientist Dr. W.D. Gaster." "Gaster?" "He created me for one purpose and one purpose only." "To prevent harmony between human and monsters." "In fact, our best friend, Chara is just like me." "She's an angel?" "No, she's a multitrait creation. Neither of us are human." "But how is that possible?" "Did you ever notice that she didn't age?" "She always looked the same but I never really took notice." "That's because we're not humans." "If we were humans, we would've aged." "If you were created to prevent harmony between humans and monsters, then why are you doing the opposite?" "I have no love for humans and I worry that reuniting humans and monsters could be a bad thing. But I resolved to change my fate. My CORE Trait, HOPE, allowed me to change my path, to find my best friend, to make friends, and to survive this journey."
