Asriel gazed around at the shrine below the mountain in amazement; Torches were ablaze with a white fire, and in the center of it all, a circular stone structure was surrounded by seven stone coffins. Asriel moved past them, and ascended the staircase leading up to the Staff. It appeared to be nothing more than a straight branch of cedar, but at one end, the wood warped and bent around a green crystal in an almost ornate fashion.
"This is it…? It… looks… old. Like whatever magic was in it is drying up." Said Asriel, reaching for it. Once he placed his hand upon the staff, it changed into a rod of steel, and at the end where the crystal was, a heart-shaped crystal now resided, glowing brightly a red color.
"Had a feeling that it conformed to its wielder. And… I feel like I could bring her back even if she were to die. I just have to get to her before she does." Said Asriel, turning to descend the staircase, only to find a figure standing in front of one of the stone coffins, now open. Asriel backpedaled slightly, looking around; all the coffins were open, and in front of each, stood a figure of a wizard.
"…Ominous." Said Asriel nervously.
"Hail the Lightener, Heir of Sombus." Said the figures dryly.
"Oh, really ominous. Um… I think I'm going to go." Said Asriel, descending the staircase again, slowly and carefully.
"Do not go so rashly. One has betrayed. Thy trust is broken and misplaced." Said the figures.
"What…? Who's betrayed me?" asked Asriel.
"The one who lied. The one who feigned loyalty. The one whose jealousy overcame their reason. The one whose bloodlust drove her to madness." Rasped the figures.
"Lin…?! B-But she… she loved him." Said Asriel.
"He chose another, and in doing so, unknowingly chose death." Moaned the figures. "His death… was not an easy one. His death… was not painless. His death… was not of his own hand."
"How did he die?!" asked Asriel, his temper growing hotter with every word.
"If you leave now, you will meet the same end. As will your beloved." Finished the figures, who crumbled to dust at Asriel's feet. The torches went out. Asriel stood, petrified in fear, in the pitch-black darkness. Slowly, the torches relit themselves with a purple fire, and at the end of the corridor, stood a single figure, smiling at Asriel.
"Asriel… I wondered what happened to you. The door opened, so I came to investigate. Did you get the Staff…?" asked the figure. Asriel raised the staff towards her, and the torches blazed brighter. Lin stood before him, alone. Blood and ash were spread across her front.
"What did you do…?" asked Asriel, mortified and furious.
"Well, you see, that's actually a really funny story. That lady by the fire…? She knew too much about me. And I had to take care of her. So, pardon the mess, I must look quite the sight." Grinned Lin.
"And what about Karen…? Where is she?" asked Asriel.
"Oh, her? I tossed her to the fog. I have no intention of having her remember what she saw." Said Lin. "But as for you, I'm going to have to ask for that Staff. I need it."
"Like hell, I will. I know what you did, Lin. You've been lying to us this whole damn journey! Rayburn didn't kill himself; YOU DID!" screamed Asriel. Lin stared at Asriel, cocked her head, and grinned widely.
"Perhaps, I did. But honestly, he should have seen it coming. The way he led me on with his rugged looks, his dashing smile, and that kind-hearted personality… Oh, it's enough to make any woman swoon. But he made one. Fatal. Mistake. He chose… an ugly, overweight, wart-covered cow of a Boss Monster over me. I thought that showing him what I had to offer would change his mind. I even went without protection, hoping for a child with him. That would have brought us together." Rambled Lin, her smile cracking with tears. "But despite everything… he still chose Iris… and Toriel… I despised that brat the moment I laid eyes on her. I only acted as her caretaker to get close to Rayburn, and the first chance I got where they were gone… After Iris had discovered what had happened after I told her Rayburn had cheated…" Asriel's eyes widened with every second that Lin talked, every step she took towards him making him more and more nervous.
"The moment I knew they were gone, I went to his house, and asked if he wanted to come with me, and do you know what he chose? He chose his family over me. He said he couldn't abandon his little girl… and he still loved Iris so much… He said he would do anything to make things right… But I knew he would just make those mistakes with someone else. So… I shot him… I wanted him to suffer… so I shot him again… and again… and again… until the entire magazine was empty." Admitted Lin. "But was I satisfied? Nope! I wanted to destroy everything he loved. So, I waited, through war and banishment, for the day I could return to the surface and end Toriel's life."
"You…?! You're the one who sent those shadow creatures after my mother?!" Gasped Asriel.
"It was the most fun I've had in ages. And with that staff, I can resurrect Aberon, and blanket this whole world in darkness. All he needs is a vessel and a soul. And what better Soul than that of the woman he loved?" smiled Lin. Asriel, despite his furious rage, could feel the blood drain from his face.
"And what of the vessel?" he asked.
"Why do you think I need you alive?" asked Lin.
"It won't work. You honestly think that I'd let that freakshow into my body again?!" laughed Asriel.
"Oh, you'll do it. And if not? Well, then, I suppose he'll just have to settle for the title of Queen." Grinned Lin.
"You're a maniac." Shuddered Asriel. "Aberon took no prisoners during the war, what makes you think he'd spare you?" Behind him, Asriel heard the click of a gun loading.
"What makes you think I'd spare you if you refused? Think, now, Asriel. We just had this discussion with Typhos. There's not just one life on the line, there are three. So, make your choice, or I end your life, and the ones tied to yours." Bargained Lin, placing the barrel to the back of Asriel's skull. Asriel raised his hands slowly, and turned to face Lin.
"Do… it…" a voice whispered in ear.
"A-Alright… you win… The Staff is yours." He said, placing the staff on the ground. Lin knelt down to pick it up, gun still pointed at Asriel, and grabbed it. Immediately, her hand began to shrivel, and she screamed in terror. Dropping the gun, she grabbed at her shriveling arm.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" screamed Lin.
"I didn't do a damn thing. The Staff can only be wielded by The Heir of Sombus, and if you read the lore of Sombus like I had when I was little, and like I did before I left for this trip, you'd have known that and seen this coming." Said Asriel, grabbing up the Staff again. "And now that I know what you've done, I'm going to tell everyone. There won't be a single person that won't know the real you."
"Asriel, please, I-" started Lin, before Asriel pointed the staff at Lin, the crystal resting on her nose.
"What, you're sorry?! You think that some nice flowery words and some vain gestures are going to make this all better?! You make me sick. You've lied to me, my friends, my family, and worst of all, you betrayed my mother's trust in you. You will rot here, while I go home and save my family. And if I don't kill you, they will." Growled Asriel in a quiet rage. With that, Asriel turned and began heading towards the stairs. Lin stared after Asriel, and with a growl, grabbed for the gun again, aimed and fired. But the bullets bounced off of a shield surrounding Asriel, and with each bullet, Lin became more and more terrified. Finally, out of bullets, all she could do was pull the trigger. And as Asriel ascended the staircase, the torches went out. Lin, now, was petrified with fear, as the moans and groans of the dead wizards approached her. She screamed in horror, as the withered remains began tearing her apart, limb from limb.
"And so, passed the first and last dark act of the Heir of Sombus." Said Asriel, as the door to the shrine closed behind him.
